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Month: October 2012

Salford hosts the Play Expo

Written by Sam Dumitriu on . Posted in Games.

Salford’s EventCity hosted the Play Expo, Britain’s newest video-game convention on October 13-14.

It provided an opportunity for gamers to get their hands on the latest games, as well as the yet to be released Wii U. It also catered to the retro gamer with a vast array of classic arcade and pinball machines.

eSports were represented with the European Gaming League (EGL) setting up the biggest series of LAN tournaments to ever take place in Manchester. The eSport area provided an opportunity to see some of Britain’s best gamers play and lose their temper (I saw one gamer use the ‘f word’ as a verb, noun and adjective in one impassioned sentence) on a variety of games including COD: MW2, Halo: Reach, Street Fighter 4 and FIFA 2012.

Cosplay was also on show at Expo, with gamers dressing as their favourite characters and competing in the cosplay masquerade at the end of the day. The quality of the cosplay was highly variable, from a brilliant GLaDOS costume and an awesome Sub Zero to a frankly nightmare inducing King Hippo (picture a shirtless morbidly obese boxer wearing a crown).

While King Hippo made me want to go home, curl up into a ball and cry myself to sleep, I stuck around and queued (Oh the queuing, so much queuing!) for a chance to get a hands-on with the newest games, as well as the much-anticipated Wii U.

Here are my highlights:

Nintendo Land, Nintendo, Wii U:

Nintendo Land will be bundled with the Wii U at launch, just as Wii Sports was bundled with the Wii, to showcase the new style of gameplay the Gamepad brings us. Nintendo Land is a collection of mini-games that serve as an introduction to asymmetric gameplay, where gamers experience different aspects of one game by using different controllers. One example was the Zelda mini-game, where one player uses the Gamepad to control an archer, while the other four players use the Wii Remote to control swords. Not everything in Nintendo Land is multiplayer however, with the Donkey Kong themed mini game showcasing the Gamepads built-in accelerometer as you guide a kart around a 2D map through tilting the Gamepad.

New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo, Wii U:

New Super Mario Bros. U is largely like its Wii predecessor, however there are a few additions to the platformer, firstly HD graphics make this the most visually pleasing 2D Mario title ever. The Gamepad is also put to use allowing a fifth player to join the fun and place blocks around the level using the touchscreen. Using the gamepad, I felt like a third wheel, getting in the way as much as I helped. It looks like it’ll be a fun game provided you’re using the Wii Remote and not the Gamepad.

Rayman Legends, Ubisoft, Wii U:

While Nintendo Land gave an introduction to asymmetric gaming, Rayman showed just how good it could be. The game manages to make the experience fun for both gamers, with the Wii Remote being used for the 2D platforming that Rayman Origins perfected, while the Gamepad is used for interacting with the environment, creating new paths, firing catapults and swatting dragons. Everything you do looks impressive, while being simple for even for a complete novice. 

Halo 4, Microsoft Studios, Xbox 360:

Halo 4 was on show, and despite being the first Halo game not made by Bungie, it still felt faithful to the other games in the series. I got to play 12 person Team Slayer, it felt broadly similar to Reach, although graphical improvements have been made.

Zombi U, Ubisoft, Wii U:

Zombi U was the game with by far the longest queue in the show, but gamers who braved the 2-hour wait were rewarded with an innovative gaming experience, which put the Gamepad to good use. The Gamepad displays your inventory, so there’s no respite when you want to change weapons, you have to look away from the screen and just hope no zombies catch up with you while you swap weapons. Another interesting dynamic was revealed, when you die instead of respawning at a checkpoint, you spawn as entirely different character somewhere else on the map. Zombi U is looks set to become the Wii U’s killer app.

Despite the excellent selection of retro games, an eclectic collection of Pinball machines (I particularly enjoyed the whodunit themed machine) and areas for multiplayer console gaming, there were still negatives. Long queue times (two hours just to enter the building), a limited selection of new-releases, expensive food, and a sparse convention floor that really made the Play Expo feel like Britain’s newest gaming convention. Still, it’s likely in future years these problems will be resolved and with the Play Expo being so well attended it looks here to stay.

Bizarre Sports #6 – Bog snorkelling

Written by Ben Weich on . Posted in Sport.

There are many reasons why a sport might have only a small following behind it. Some ‘niche’ sports might be too physically demanding for the majority of people; others perhaps are too expensive. You get the impression, however, that the main reason why bog snorkelling has not become a pastime of the masses is that the act itself is so very unappealing.

Wikipedia characterises bog snorkelling as the completion of ‘two consecutive lengths of a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog, in the shortest time possible’. Competitors are forbidden from using traditional swimming techniques; instead, they must rely on the power generated from their flippers, with most employing a stroke akin to a doggy paddle. If the task didn’t sound sufficiently unwelcoming, bog snorkelers must also keep their mouth and nose below the murky water, hence the ‘snorkelling’ element.

The World Bog Snorkelling Championship is an annual event, taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Llanwrtyd Wells, the Welsh town in which the sport was conceived. The event has taken place every year since its inauguration is 1985, save for the years 1995 and 2001, which were cancelled because of a drought and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, respectively.

Refreshingly, bog snorkelling refuses to take itself too seriously, with competitors at the world championships humorously donning an array of fancy dress costumes (or lack of them), with proceeds from each year’s event donated to a selected charity.

Britain isn’t the only home of bog snorkelling enthusiasts; regular events are also held in Australia, Ireland and Sweden. At these championships, an imaginative variant of traditional bog snorkelling can be found: mountain bike bog snorkelling. It’s just like regular bog snorkelling, but competitors have to complete the course on a mountain bike.

Prospective participants may be drawn to the sport after watching YouTube videos, in which bog snorkelers can be seen laughing and frolicking joyously upon completion of the course, although this outpouring is probably more one of relief than unadulterated happiness. I know I’d be over the moon to get out of such a foul-looking trench. That is, if you could ever convince me to take the plunge in the first place.

The importance of being accountable

Written by Emma Bean on . Posted in Opinion.

The news section of last week’s paper was dominated by the shocking story of a Students’ Union executive member taking over a month of extra paid holiday and massively under spending their budget. What is even more distressing about this story is the fact that there seems to be so very little recourse for accountability in the Union Executive structure.

Student politics and student politicians often get laughed at for the way in which they behave as a microcosm of national politics, with the party lines drawn firmly in the sand, the mildly dodgy election pacts and deals, and the way in which people take it oh so seriously. Whilst criticising somebody for taking union politics seriously seems unbelievably peculiar, given that it does affect people’s lives, if student politicians wish to have politics in the same way as our national leaders do, they should be aware that with this comes responsibility. Members of the Union Executive should no more skip work than an MP would skip parliament, a member of cabinet would not be allowed to massively under spend their budget (only 30% spent) and spend but £30 on education, one of the most important areas of campaign for a student politician. Not to mention that fighting education cuts was something that Amanda Walters used to be re-elected, as she had been so involved in the student protests against tuition fees and cuts in her first term as campaigns officer.

When an MP or member of the cabinet behaves in a manner unbefitting of their role, or is judged to have done things that represent an “abuse of the position” as Ms Walters’ exploits were judged to be, there would be an absolute field day in the national press, quite rightly. For politicians to say one thing before they are elected and then do an entirely different thing afterwards is a great problem in our democracy and indeed in any representative democracy. It is a problem that Ms Walters herself identified when being interviewed on Sky news during the student protests, stating “there’s a democratic deficit in this country when someone can be elected on a certain pledge and then turn around and say they’re no longer going to keep that.”

But there is a problem here far greater than that of this one individual person behaving in an incorrect manner. The problem is that of accountability, and how student politicians are held to account.

One of the main checks for student politicians is actually the thing that they’re most frequently criticised for: that they are only in it to further their career.  This is quite possibly true, that a lot of people get involved to further their own political career, but this can lead to positive outcomes for students. People who are interested in furthering their own career are probably going to work quite hard and aren’t going to want to leave any spots on their record, as politics is a competitive industry and any dirt or bad mark to their name would probably mean that they would not have any future success; their rivals would certainly make them pay for it.

The second check should be student media, as it is on the national stage also. If national politics is scrutinised by the national press, and student politicians wish to treat university politics as a microcosm of national politics, then it seems reasonable that student journalists should do much the same. A particular problem with student politics is that most students aren’t really aware of what is going on in the same way that most people are aware of what is happening – at least vaguely – on a national stage. Here too can the media can be beneficial, as holding people to account in a public forum such as student media can mean that more people come to be aware of the actions of their representatives, and also be enraged when things go wrong just as they would be when this happens on the national stage.

This goes both ways, the media can show when politicians do bad things, but it also ultimately is a positive tool for them to share their successes with their electorate; it is a working partnership that is beneficial for all.

Dishonored – Review

Written by Toby Edwards on . Posted in Games.

In an industry full to the brim with sequels and prequels, new IPs are a scarce commodity, especially those with a unique take on the action/RPG genre. Dishonored, developed by Arkane Studios, who brought us the well-acclaimed Arx Fatalis, sees the player as Corvo, a skillful bodyguard turned assassin out for vengeance, having been framed for the murder of the Empress. Utilizing a crossbow, a sword and an array of supernatural skills including human/animal possession and short-range teleportation, Corvo must help instate the rightful heir onto the throne and bring down the authoritarian, self-serving regime.

The tale takes place in Dunwall, which can only be described as a steampunk fan’s wet dream where whale oil is the main source of energy and huge whaling ships occupy the city’s waterways. Highly influenced by Victorian architecture, the city is overrun by a gruesome plague claiming it’s citizens, and the new regime, out to protect itself and its wealthy supporters, use what little advanced technology there is to keep the poor and diseased locked away, and left to fester.

The selection of magical skills allow one to mix and match to great delight and approach each level in a plethora of different ways, whether that be remaining unseen or slipping into a murder spree. The environments also allow for a level of verticality that one rarely sees, and there’s basic but solid upgrade and collectible systems.

Aside from arsenal of skills at the player’s disposal, the setting, intriguing it its uniqueness, is likely to be the main appeal of Dishonored. The story is competent and fun, though the character writing and voice acting leave a little to be desired and feel as though they fell short of their full potential. Regardless, Dishonored is one of the most interesting games of the year so far, and well worth a try if you like open gameplay with a narrative that breaks free from the norms of games writing.

Retro Corner – Wolfenstein 3D

Written by Thomas Lee on . Posted in Games.

Despite now being older than most undergraduates, id Software’s 1992 ‘Wolfenstein 3D’ is so infamous among retro gamers that it’s easy to forget the falsehood in its title – the game is rendered entirely in 2D. Right down to the bucket-headed stormtrooper sprites that started the trend of screaming untranslatable gibberish whilst being hosed down by an American with a BFG: now recognised as one of the proudest traditions of the gaming industry. In other respects, Wolfenstein’s mantle as the ‘first modern shooter’ is well-earned. There had been first-person games before, as well as concepts of HP, upgradable weaponry, and diversity among antagonistic goons. But id Software rolled them all together, creating the basic run-n’-gun template that we know and love, in a hilarious game with enough controversial appeal to put shooters onto the popular market. It was left to id’s next icon, ‘Doom’, to introduce trivialities like visual and narrative realism.

To celebrate Wolfenstein’s 20th anniversary, the entire game is now available in browser at www.wolfenstein.com. Amongst the prolific gore, playing it through again makes you think that in 1992 gamers were deemed intelligent enough to find their own way around a Nazi death camp without linear level-plans and sudden mortar strikes as punishment for leaving the mission area. Every door that you see in Wolfenstein – and several that you won’t – will lead somewhere, whether into an arsenal, a treasure trove, or a room full of hungry Alsatians. The player has free reign to explore a plethora of secret passageways and increasingly convoluted level maps: including one which when viewed from above is clearly a vast maze of interlocking swastikas. In this respect and others (Mecha Hitler), it is hard to beat Wolfenstein in terms of sheer novelty – and it’s hard to undersell its contribution to gaming history.

Debate: should we care where our clothes come from?

Written by Emma Bean on . Posted in Opinion.

Yes:

To say that as a consumer you should have absolutely no cares for whether or not the people making your clothes have had good working conditions and a fair wage is to say that you should entirely ignore one of the most important tenants of humanity: altruism.

Most people with half a heart can see that trade unions and workers’ rights are a fairly good thing, hence why in this country they are very firmly enshrined in law and there is minimal (though alas still some) political support for reversing such measures. There seems to be no real difference in how important workers’ rights are whether they’re in the UK or on the other end of the earth, people are people and ought to be respected as such.

Also, to make absolutely clear, sweatshops do not merely slightly infringe on a person’s right to enjoy appropriate working hours. Sweatshops refer to places where people work horrendous hours, in often dangerous and dirty conditions, for minimal pay (far below any living wage) with no steady employment or job security. There is no maternity leave, sick pay, flexible working hours. No pensions, no health insurance, nothing except an absolute pittance of a wage.

There are also less holy reasons why having workers’ rights enshrined in international law would be overwhelmingly positive. The relatively expensive British worker would be comparatively less expensive to employ, so it could well lead to more employment of British workers in sectors like clothes manufacturing that have declined in the past decades. In terms of perceptions of the exploitative developed Western nations this would also decline, as there would not be this exploitation occurring, or at the very least there would be less exploitation. Whilst it would be naïve to say that this would change perceptions of the West entirely, it could certainly help us seem more human and less like we employ double standards – one set of rights for our people, and another for yours.

Emma Bean

No:

I’m not going to argue sweatshops aren’t bad; obviously, they are. They are exploitative, unjust, and it’s disgusting that such an industry is supported by our desire for disposable fashion in the Western world.

The truth is that these sweatshops are creating some, however unethical, form of employment. While they can’t claim to be lifting these people out of abject poverty, they are in some small way making the lives of the sweatshop workers slightly better, at least in some way. A minuscule income is better than no income, surely? The argument that pressure on these companies will force them to improve working conditions for their employees doesn’t really hold either. Evidence shows that pressure on these companies does not make them become more ethical, it only makes them relocate. Sadly, there are plenty of places in the world which have no employment opportunities, and multinational companies are very aware of this. It doesn’t matter to multinational corporations whether they exploit people in India, China, Somalia or wherever, so long as they can keep their labour costs low.

If you don’t agree with the above argument, think about how much difference you can actually make. The cheap fashion industry is worth billions of pounds in the Western world, and your contribution to it is negligible. Primark, Topshop and Nike don’t really care if they lose your business, you are just one of their millions of customers. Even if a movement started with larger numbers of people boycotting the companies, there would never be high enough numbers of protesters to really make a difference. The West’s appetite for cheap fashion is as insatiable as companies’ hunger for profits, whatever the ethical cost.

Some of you may wonder why, if I truly believe in what I’m saying here, I’ve decided to remain anonymous. It’s because while I think I’m being completely rational, I feel many people are misguided by their emotions. People need to look at this issue and consider it in the context of how the world actually works, not homogenise it into an image of an abused child. The issue of sweatshops needs to be tackled, but by bigger forces than the individual. Sadly, you deciding to buy ethically is just not going to make a difference to anybody.

Jonny Biggs

 

XCOM: Enemy Unknown – Review

Written by Robin Wyn on . Posted in Games.

Firaxis’ re-imagining of 1994 strategy classic UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-COM: UFO Defense in the US) aims to update that classic’s blend of strategy and tactics for modern platforms. Players engage in base-building and maintenance before dispatching troops to interrupt abductions and raid crashed UFOs in a turn-based tactics layer.

An elegant control system and robust AI make these missions a treat to experience and varied enemies and objectives provide consistent challenge. Thankfully, frequent cutscenes and reminder messages make this game rather less arcane than the original.
Soldiers are now customizable by appearance as well as name, and new class and perk systems make each of your troops feel rather less replaceable than before.

The game’s visuals pull off an Advance Wars-style balancing act; enemies and environments are cute and inventive but convey just the right amount of seriousness for the game’s apocalyptic tone.

The game’s atmosphere benefits greatly from its audio. The score comprises menacing drones from Firaxis sound designer Roland Rizzo and stirring orchestral pieces by Deus Ex: Human Revolution composer Michael McCann. The sound design is also a highlight: the interactive XCOM headquarters screen whirrs and beeps pleasingly, and each alien species has an unnerving and memorable sound of its own.

The game’s multiplayer allows two players to throw together teams of up to six humans, aliens or a mixture of both, and then duke it out on a range of maps. Occasionally frantic time-limited turns make this mode a nice counterpoint to sometimes drawn-out singleplayer missions.

A complaint could be made about the difficulty levels. Normal mode may prove slightly too easy for a diligent player. The game’s hard mode (termed “Classic”) is predictably unforgiving, but can sometimes even seem actively unfair. Even your most well-thought out plans will regularly see your favourite soldiers splashed with plasma and brought home in body bags.

This and occasional graphical glitches can sometimes frustrate, but fail to detract too much from what is a very good game, certainly one deserving of the XCOM name.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is published by 2K Games and out now for 360, PS3 and PC.

 

 

 

Pokemon Black and White 2 – Review

Written by Eleanor Jayawant on . Posted in Games.

Breaking the trend of mid-generation expansion of Pokémon games, Pokémon Black & White 2 are direct sequels to Pokémon Black & White. Although the story feels less established than previous Pokémon games, the little things that have been added along with the ever-present theme of becoming region champion make the newest addition to the Pokémon family a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The story in Black & White 2 is stand-alone, allowing new players to understand the game without any previous Pokémon experience. However, the Memory Link function allows Black/White veterans to sync the games, providing insight into the mind of N, the troubled rival from B&W. The cutscenes shown are often touching, and nicely bridge the two games for those who played B/W.

Like B&W, B&W2 have 2D sprites in a charming 3D world, which works surprisingly well. As the in-game seasons change, the world around the player changes, and some areas are quite pretty considering the graphical capabilities of the DS. The soundtrack captures the essence of Unova, while subtly keeping classic Pokémon themes that everyone knows and loves.

The brilliant Habitat List separates the Pokédex into routes, displaying a stamp once all the Pokémon in an area have been seen. It breaks the Pokédex into manageable chunks, helping hopeful Pokémon Masters catch (or at least see) ‘em all. This is particularly useful as B&W2 boast the biggest regional Dex so far, with almost 300 Pokémon to catch. Other welcome new features include the introduction of Hidden Grottos – secret areas containing rare Pokémon or items – and the Pokémon World Tournament. The PWT allows players to battle prominent trainers from previous games with multitude of battle styles.

The Medal system is an achievement system within the game. With over 200 medals, B&W2 are jam-packed with things to do for even the most ambitious completionist. Medals are awarded for all sorts: simple tasks such as cycling for the first time to more complex objectives like completing the National Pokédex.

Pokémon Black & White 2 have something to appeal to Pokémon fans old and new (especially as it is possible to catch Pokémon from previous generations in the wild, unlike in B&W). The games feel like bigger, better versions of B&W, with more to do, new challenges and a totally revamped Unova.

Pokemon Black and White 2 are published by Nintendo and the Pokemon Company and are out now on the Nintendo DS

Cortex Command – Review

Written by Gareth Hillston on . Posted in Games.

Far into the future humanity is in competition with everything else in the galaxy for gold, because it’s obviously the most valuable resource for space travel, and will stop at nothing to succeed. Playing like a mix of Terraria and a RTS, Cortex Command pits you against all the other opportunists on the planet to destroy their commander brain-cases and claim the gold for your own.

The game offers a huge amount of variety through different game types including standard skirmish, one man army, bunker defence and rocket keepy-uppies, as well as six unique factions with their own units and dozens of weapons. It also features a campaign mode in which you vie for control of mining sites around the planet, fully constructing your bases to defend, and attack the enemy. It supports four-player local multiplayer (sadly no online) and this is where the game is at its best.

Playing with friends is similar to Worms except far more hectic, being in real time. Units always explode with satisfying pixely gore, the range of weapons leads to plenty of innovation and the physics engine introduces many interesting ways to kill units which are never the same and always brilliant.

However the physics engine doesn’t always work in your favour and can then be quite frustrating, in addition to some lingering post-alpha bugs and unit movement that will occasionally leave your soldiers flailing on the floor the game does sometimes feel as though it’s working against you. Additionally the campaign is somewhat lacking in any kind of progression in terms of weapons or abilities, or much actual story.

It is though worth noting that this game was designed with modding in mind and makes it very easy to mod; there are already entire scripted campaigns, extra maps and factions available. It promises to keep providing free content far into the future.

Whilst it can’t compete in terms of skill with other strategy games and definitely can’t be taken as seriously, if you like the sound of piloting a rocket full of crabs directly into your friend’s brain it may just be for you.

Cortex Command was made by Data Realms LLC and is out now for PC

UK voted the safest place to study by foreign students

Written by Ellen Conlon on . Posted in News.

The UK has been voted the safest place to study for international students due to its ‘multicultural nature.’

The survey was conducted by the British Council and students from over 80 countries took part.

Over a quarter of participants placed Britain top in their safety ratings.

Online student forum, The Student Room also provided material from a poll on its website, which showed that Britain, Canada, Germany and New Zealand were perceived as safe countries for foreign students to study in.

The main reason why international students perceived the UK to be a safe place to study was because of its “very multicultural society.” This was voted most significant by almost 40 per cent of voters.

Other factors adding to the UK’s high safety status included strict gun ownership laws, good medical care and a relatively low crime rate.

“It is seen as a country where high priority is given to protecting personal safety,” said Elizabeth Shephard, research director for the British Council’s Education Intelligence team.

Countries voted the most ‘unsafe’ by students were Israel, South Africa, India and Brazil.

The UK’s Complete University Guide annually publishes data on the level of crimes likely to be of relevance to students – burglaries, muggings and violence.

For the first time this year it also published a ranking of universities in England and Wales based on the incidence of these crimes within five kilometres of campuses.

Outside of London, Manchester and Nottingham were ranked as being the least safe.

Bernard Kingston, founder of The Complete University Guide, said: “Our new methodology allows potential students to assess the risks for individual institutions with much greater precision, at least for England and Wales.

“It is clearly a matter of considerable concern when considering where to study as an undergraduate.”

Students over-estimate number of peers taking drugs

Written by Sam Holder on . Posted in News.

Most UK students incorrectly believe that their university peers are taking drugs, according to a survey.

90 per cent of students were found to think that some or most students had tried illegal drugs at university whilst only 54 per cent claimed they had ever taken them, after 1,903 UK students were surveyed by studentbeans.com.

Oliver Brann, editor of studentbeans.com, said: “The worry here is the perception rather than the reality. Young people are very peer-lead and if they think that all their friends are experimenting with drugs, they may be more likely to try it for themselves.”

Studentbeans.com claims to be “the UK’s leading student website”, saying that it “attracts over 6 million visits and over 300,000 new registered users every year.”

Of those students who have taken illegal drugs, three-quarters have tried cannabis. But 97 per cent of all respondents would be willing to try the drug.

University of Manchester students seemed to echo the results of the survey.

Jonathon M., 22, has never taken illegal drugs, but believes that “certainly a majority of students have at some point.”  He added: “I don’t think a majority take them regularly. Maybe weed, but not harder stuff.”

Sarah, 21, hadn’t tried drugs before coming to university. Since joining she has smoked cannabis, as she feels more knowledgeable and comfortable around the drug due to its “frequent use in the student environment.”

The survey coincides with the publication of a report produced by the UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) suggesting that “possession of small amounts of controlled drugs, for personal use only, could be changed so that it is no longer a criminal offence.”

The report, A Fresh Approach to Drugs, is the result of six years “of analysing the evidence about what works in drug policy” and suggests introducing small fines or referrals to drug awareness sessions, initially trialling with cannabis given its “relatively low level of harm.”

UKDPC criticised the current Home Office drug policy as “a mix of cautious politics and limited evidence and analysis.” The study argues that “most users do not experience significant problems… but this is rarely acknowledged by policy makers.”

Responding to the report, the Home Office stated: “Our ambitious approach to tackling drugs – outlined in our Drugs Strategy – is the right one,” adding that “drug usage is at its lowest level since records began.”

According to a 2011 YouGov survey, 53 per cent of people believe the “current government’s approach to illegal drugs is ineffective.” Only 11 per cent consider current policy “very or fairly effective.”

Manchester student AH, a regular cannabis smoker who occasionally tries other drugs, believes current government policy is unfair.

He said: “Of course carrying a small amount of cannabis should be decriminalised. It’s for personal use, it’s not harmful to others.”

Dream Job: Entrepreneur

Written by Victoria Goodwin on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Richard Myers, the creator of ‘Get Baked’, describes his company as the ‘World’s first dessert and American confectionery business’. ‘Get Baked’ has recently taken Manchester by storm. The company started up in Leeds last year and it’s opening in Manchester for Freshers week  2012 is a testament to its growing success. Richard is excited about the response to ‘Get Baked’ and he is keen to expand further.

Using an entrepreneurial style can be regarded as a risky way to break into the business world. Whilst it is true it can be unstable, building one’s own business gives you the ability to create your own vision. Richard knew that he wanted to work with food, and that he wanted to have his own business. He explained that he saw a gap in the market for what he describes as ‘not typical takeaway food’. ‘Get Baked’ provides baked goods in Manchester and Leeds. They deliver until the early hours of the morning, perfectly complementing student life. Brownies, waffles and flapjack are just a few of the items that are available.

Knowing your market is the key to success, ‘Get Baked’ is a classic example of this. When setting up his business, Richard’s original plan was to sell baked goods and desserts, but spotting a further gap in the market he grasped the opportunity to expand into American confectionery  selling sweets such as Nerds and Peanut Butter Cups.

Setting up your own business gives you the flexibility that calling the shots allows. When you’re young you have less to lose.  If you see a gap in the market, as Richard did, why not give it a go?

Order now on 01613003153 or visit the website

Is the European Union the only bad Nobel Peace Prize winner?

Written by Nicholas A Brown on . Posted in Opinion.

The Nobel Peace Prize has endured myriad controversies since its inception. The prevalent criticisms have been that awards have been politically motivated, premature, or based upon a very loose interpretation of peace. This year’s winner is an example of all three. A look at past winners demonstrates that this year’s award isn’t the first dubious decision taken by the Norwegian committee – far from it, in fact.

In 1919 the winner was US President Woodrow Wilson, for his role in establishing the League of Nations. This was criticised because the League was a key element of the Treaty of Versailles, which substantially diverged from Wilson’s notion of ‘peace without victory’; Germany was forced to accept the war guilt clause and was subjected to crippling reparations. It hardly needs to be stated, too, that the League of Nations was unsuccessful in ensuring peace in Europe, nor the world.

The 1945 award was given to Cordell Hull, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Secretary of State during World War II. He was one of the architects of the United Nations, for which he was awarded the prize. He also denied asylum to thousands of Jews escaping to America on the eve of the Holocaust and sent them back to Europe. And later, when American Jews attempted to raise money to prevent the mass murder of Romanian Jews in the Transnistria camps, he refused to sign the release forms to send the money and save their lives.

The 1973 prize was dually awarded to North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho and another US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Tho rejected the award, stating that there was no peace in his country. Kissinger was involved in the following – a secret bombing campaign in Laos; the US Operation Condor, a campaign involving kidnappings and murders with collaboration from the security services of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay; and had previously been party to the death of French nationals under the Chilean junta; and had supported the Turkish intervention in Cyprus. Two committee members resigned in protest for this award.

1978 saw another dual award: Anwar Saddat and Menachem Begin. Saddat was president of Egypt during the 1973 war against Israel and led an economic policy that resulted in riots in Egypt. Begin was Prime Minister of Israel who initiated a revolt against British rule, authorised the bombing of an Iraqi nuclear plant as well as the invasion of Lebanon in 1982, igniting war in Lebanon and resulting in the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and was involved in a failed plot to assassinate German chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

The 14th Dalai Lama won in 1989 after receiving CIA funding to stage a violent coup d’état in Tibet, and the Committee admitted their intention to put pressure on China. The 1992 winner Rigoberta Menchú, an indigenous Guatemalan campaigner for ‘social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation’ has been criticised as her memoirs, which brought her to fame, were revealed to be partly fictitious.

Two years later the victorious trio were Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, for the establishment of the Oslo accord, an attempt to end the Palestine-Israeli conflict. One committee member resigned in protest; Arafat has been widely labelled as a terrorist, and the state of the Palestine-Israeli conflict today speaks for itself.

In 2002 the winner was ex-US President Jimmy Carter, for “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts”, just after the United States had authorised then-President George W. Bush to use military force in Iraq and invasion plans were being drawn up.

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist and founder of the Green Belt Movement, won in 2004. Despite her achievements she has insinuated on more than one occasion that AIDS was deliberately spread in Africa by Western scientists as a means of depopulation.

The 2007 prize went to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and received criticism for being overtly political and in no way related to the ending of conflict. Two years later the winner was Barack Obama, which he called a “stunning surprise” and was criticised for being underserved, premature and politically motivated.

Compared to previous winners the European Union seems like a tolerable candidate. But the irony cannot be lost on the Norwegians awarding the EU a peace prize when, just days ago, Angela Merkel was received in Greece by riots, Molotov cocktails and protesters dressed in Nazi regalia, when there are similar riots throughout southern Europe, and when Spanish youth unemployment is at 50 per cent.

The EU’s award is flawed in all three respects. It was not the EU that kept the peace post-1945 – it was the Allied-led disarmament of Germany in 1945, and subsequently NATO, led by Britain and America, that kept the peace in Western Europe. The EU in its current incarnation did not even exist until 1992 with the signing of the Maastricht treaty. It is also an overtly politically loaded message of support for the EU at a time when the future of the single currency hangs in the balance. And it is premature; the EU may bring the “advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights” in the future, but it has not done so yet.

The EU has brought more unrest than peace to Europe. For that alone it does not deserve the award. On 19 occasions, the Nobel Committee were unable to award a suitable candidate. That number should be higher, and this year should have been the latest addition.

Police hunt ‘bungling’ burglar

Written by Anthony Organ on . Posted in News.

Police are hunting a “bungling” burglar involved in three attempted robberies in Gorton, including two at the same shop.

CCTV footage has been released showing the man botching the first of two robberies at the Malthurst service station on Hyde Road.

The man is seen to walk into the shop and threaten the cashier with a meat cleaver as he throws a carrier bag at him and demands that he fill it with cash.

But the cashier refuses to do so and calmly walks into the back office, leaving the robber to wave his weapon in the air before grabbing the carrier bag and leaving with nothing.

The following week the same man did the same thing at B and J Car Spares on Highmead Street and on this occasion the cashier gave him the money.

But the burglar lifted up his balaclava as he left the store before quickly pulling it back down as he realised his mistake. This robbery was not caught on CCTV.

The final robbery again took place at the Malthurst service station, two weeks after it was previously targeted, and the robber met with the same cashier.

This time he appeared to wield a handgun wrapped in a carrier bag but the cashier again refused to comply with his demands and locked himself in the back office.

The man tried to break down the door before stealing cigarettes and some counterfeit cash which he believed was genuine.

Detective Sergeant Alex Wild, of North Manchester CID, said: “The man we are hunting may not look like the most convincing of robbers, but that does not lessen the danger he clearly causes.

“The cashier at the Hyde Road petrol station certainly had the measure of him and he twice failed to get away with any genuine cash [but] the other victim clearly believed this robber’s threats were genuine.

“He is clearly reckless and, given his levels of desperation, someone could get hurt next time.”

The robber is described as white, 20 to 25 years old, about 5ft 6in tall with a slim or medium build, unshaven and he spoke with a Manchester accent.

News in brief – 22nd Oct

Written by Ellen Conlon on . Posted in News.

Man City fans left furious over sold-out match prices

City fans are fuming after dozens of tickets for a sold-out match have gone on sale online with a large booking fee placed on top.

Tickets were made available for the Spurs match by online firm Viagogo. Fans say tickets with a face value of £51 were being sold with a £12.24 booking fee on top. Buyers also need a £10 City membership card to purchase.

“It’s a sad day in the history of Manchester City,” said a Blues season card holder.

Greater Manchester Police face £120,000 fine after USB containing private information stolen

The USB was inside a detective’s wallet when his house was burgled and the wallet taken.

The memory stick contained sensitive information about 1,100 people who gave information about drug probes and has no password protection.

The force was handed an £120,000 fine for failing to order all staff to use encrypted USB drives.

The detective responsible for the security breach is believed to have been disciplined by the GMP.

 

Law graduate praises Manchester for helping him become King of Cakes

BBC’s Great British Bake-Off winner John Whaites competed on the program in between studying for his final year exams at Manchester University.

He says his win is down to his studying: “If I hadn’t been in the middle of the degree I’m not sure I would have won.”

He graduated this summer with a first class degree.

Oxbridge raise bar in admissions process

Written by Ellen Conlon on . Posted in News.

The majority of students will be expected to score straight A* grades in their A-Levels for the first time to secure admission to Oxbridge, it has been revealed.

Both institutions have also revealed that they are preparing to set more entry exams in addition to formal interviews.

These announcements have been made just days before the deadline to apply to the prestigious institutions.

Oxford University has said that it will now require almost nine in 10 prospective students to sit some form of aptitude test, up from around two-thirds in 2009.

Cambridge will be running 20 entrance tests in 2013.

Cambridge already demands that all applicants achieve one A* and two As as a minimum entry requirement but the number of courses requiring an A* at Oxford will increase by a third this year, from 15 to 20.

These decisions will fuel fears that universities are still struggling to identify the most able applicants from the thousands of pupils leaving school with straight As at A-Level, and as more students strive for the very best universities, to ensure value for money after the tuition fee increase, it is likely to make it harder for sixth-formers to secure places in 2013.

Caroline Lindner, managing director of Oxbridge Applications, said the universities were creating increasingly sophisticated tools to select the brightest students.

“With so many people applying, admissions tutors need more checks and balances to make sure that they’re getting someone who is going to be suited to an Oxbridge way of teaching,” she said.

Mike Nicholson, Oxford’s director of admissions, said that the A* often failed to mark out the brightest candidates in the humanities and social sciences subjects. Aptitude tests were therefore particularly important in these areas.

The rise in tests also reflects that so many students were applying from other countries or sitting alternative qualifications in the sixth-form, he said.

“Having a test that everybody does gives us a chance to benchmark candidates against each other, irrespective of the education system or country they have come from,” Mr Nicholson said. “That is increasingly the reason why we are seeing the tests as being valuable; because the applications pool isn’t all doing A-level.

Preview: ‘Skyfall’

Written by Alex Morrison on . Posted in Film.

This October marks the long-awaited return of our nation’s most famously cunning, humorous and combative quintessential Brit to the screen. I am of course referring to our welcoming of James Bond back to the British cinemas in Skyfall, the 23rd instalment of the series.

Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) has taken the reigns as director for this latest instalment, which follows Bond re-appearing from the dead to find M’s reputation in tatters after the identities of MI6 undercover agents are leaked. His return sparks a hunt for Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), the latest eerie villain to test Bond’s endurance with blood-curdling speeches and a shockingly poor choice of hair-dye. With an on-going focus on M’s past, and Bond’s loyalty put to one of its most thorough tests as a result, we certainly are left with enough of an intriguing plotline for Mendes to work with.

Much is still a mystery regarding Skyfall, but the trailer pulls no punches when it comes to entertainment. Mind-blowing action sequences are mixed with stunning landscapes, ranging from Istanbul, to the beautifully lit lakes of China and of course, with plenty of black taxis, Union Jacks, and images of carnage on the London Underground, an assurance that we remember where it all began.

The film retains much of the qualities that have kept Bond the popular franchise that it remains today, with Bardem looking like the ideal actor to bring a refreshingly chilling villain to the film through Raoul Silva, and two exquisitely beautiful new ‘Bond girls’ in the form of Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris. Adele’s wonderful theme tune is also necessary to mention, adding further British zest to the film.

Yet there are still fears of Bond losing some of the characteristics that made him what he is. The most controversial factor, and what is perhaps a harsh sign of the times, is the takeover of Bond’s drink choice by Heineken. No more will we hear the oh-so-comforting “shaken, not stirred” martini order from 007. Instead, he will ask for a Dutch lager, taking us away from our comfortable Sean Connery-shaped nostalgia and moving us, if only momentarily, into a world driven by two things green – money and Heineken. This does give food for thought as to what direction the Bond films are heading, along with whether Daniel Craig, with his rough, ready and rather unshaven take on Bond, is a part of a gradual move away from the series’ tongue in cheek beginnings, and into the arms of the explosive, action-focused Blockbuster.

Despite this, while I am more than slightly hesitant to hail it with pre-emptive praises without pointing out some of Skyfall’s potential frailties, it does look set to be an extremely exciting addition to a classic collection, hopefully retaining its British grittiness and humour, while keeping sharply in line with the ever changing modern world of film and money.

Mercury Prize 2012

Written by Adam Selby on . Posted in Music.

In a time where a song can be performed on the X-Factor and within hours rocket to number one in the charts, we can always rely on the annual Mercury Prize Awards to do what it does best – provide a much needed reminder to many that in fact, good new music does exist in this day and age. Since its birth in 1992, the coveted and highly sought after prize has been awarded to artists who have gone on to become household names – the first stepping stone to an illustrious career in the music industry (of course, with the exception of the 2009 winner Speech Debelle).

Three years on from her contentious victory, the shortlist is dominated by a host of alternative bands and solo artists, with the stand-out name being Plan B who’s third album ill Manors debuted at number one in the UK album chart. It seems like Plan-B’s daring change in direction, from the soulful Strickland Banks to a much darker and politically inspired rap album, has been a gamble which has most certainly paid off as he makes history, being the first soundtrack ever to be included in the shortlist for the coveted album prize.

The rest of the 12 strong shortlist features an array of offerings from established artists such as Richard Hawley and The Maccabees. This year’s nominees also include a crop of indie newcomers like Alt-J, Django Django and Field Music who must all dream of following in the footsteps of 2007 victors and then-newcomers Klaxons, who scooped the award from under the nose of the late Amy Winehouse with their album Myths of a Near Future. The MOBO nominated Roller Trio with their self-titled debut album complete the list of bands nominated, totalling six in this year’s Mercury Awards.

In what has been a strong year for solo artists across the globe, BBC Sound of 2012 winner Michael Kiwanuka and Sam Lee lead the way for the males, alongside widely acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Howard, whose album Every Kingdom has earned him a strong and ever-growing fan base across Europe. As for the female contingent, 2012 has proven to be the year of the newcomers with Jessie Ware and Lianne La Havas pipping the previous favourites Emile Sandé and Florence to this year’s shortlist.

A week ahead of the announcement, Ben Howard appears to be the people’s favourite. Critics suggest the prize should go to Alt-J, but admit that this year’s award is one of the hardest to predict in recent years. It could seem this is down to the strength of the albums shortlisted in 2012, but considering the lack of truly outstanding records released this year it’s no surprise that many are unwilling to place their bets. Let’s hope 2013 yields a shortlist that justifies a trip to the bookies.

Announcement of the winner: Thursday 1st November on Channel 4 

Inside the Outsider

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

It’s hardly a secret that cheaper clothes come with a higher price. The Fashion industry is known for its fast-paced, ever-changing trends and high street shops must keep up with this to make a profit. One has to ask why and where our garments come from.  The problem faced by many students is that unfortunately our loans do not sufficient to budget for ethical attire and so we are rendered with no choice but to accept the unethical practices of the top high street stores. As students we have quite an influential voice in society and thus have the responsibility to help change the ways in which fashion is produced. By seeking out ethical labels we are helping a much needed industry to expand.

This week, The Mancunion spoke to Noorin Khamisani, the founder of Outsider fashion and she has provided us with some fabulous behind-the-scenes insight about how her brand functions. Khamisani’s best advice to students is that “it’s all about buying a little less and buying better – think about investment pieces that are well made, will last and are versatile.” Here at The Mancunion, we agree. After all, if you buy cheap, you buy twice…

Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection. Photo: Outsider

Outsider believes that ethical fashion should just look like fashion and we agree. In today’s society, the notion that all of the clothes we purchase should be made in ethical factories using sustainable methods is a given. Sadly, the reality is different. Khamisani, who knows all too well about the manufacturing process of high-street attire, having worked for a number of these brands, describes herself as an “Eco-worrier.” She continues: “I am conscious of the issues and want to make a difference but I also want to wear beautiful things […] without making myself or my customers look like a hippy.” There is the perception that ‘green’ and/or ethical attire cannot compete with those of the normal manufacturing process as more effort has been put into the artistic endeavour behind the designs, as opposed to sourcing ethical fabrics. Khamisani agrees stating that “[she has] to do a lot more research than perhaps a conventional designer would do.”

This is what we love about Outsider – it gives the customer the complete freedom to shop without having to second-guess where the farmer is who has been completely ripped-off or how many children have been overworked and underpaid for the sake of a cheap cotton-blend t-shirt. “No one is perfect but I try to make informed and conscious choices rather than purchases on a whim,” says Khamisani. Not only this, but Outsider believes that sustainable fashion is “the opposite of throwaway fashion…with items being well-made, with minimum impact on the environment that are worn again and again, and enjoyed again and again.” The image below shows Livia Firth wearing an Outsider dress when accompanying Colin to the palace however, she has also worn it on two other occasions. Khamisani elatedly commented that “my dress has done what it was designed to do – it is timeless, versatile and still relevant no matter what the season or year.”

Livia Firth in Outsider. Photo: Outsider

Difficult as it may seem, clothes that are both ethically produced and affordably priced can be found. H&M’s ‘The Conscious Collection’ is particularly great; it allows you to purchase a dress made in the best interests of workers and the environment, but at the same price as other high street items. Of course, the most accessible ethical fashion is vintage. Second-hand clothes are a mere fraction of any high street price. It’s well known that the Northern Quarter is a hot spot for vintage finds but why not try your luck in charity shops around Fallowfield and Withington for some hidden gems. Want ethical fashion without leaving your house? Look no further than ASOS Marketplace or Ebay (Vintage Jaeger for £3? Yes, please). The Green Style Blog (found on www.vogue.co.uk) offers guidance for anyone interested in boosting their fashion karma. Check out the complete interview with Noorin Khamisani at www.mancunion.com or shop the entire collection online at www.outsiderfashion.com.

 

Peruvian author charms Manchester

Written by Phoebe Chambre on . Posted in Books.

I went to see the Peruvian author, Fernando Iwasaki Cauti, in discussion with his translator and friend, Professor Rob Rix (Head of Modern Languages at Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds), last Thursday. The event was held as part of the Manchester Literature Festival, which is currently sweeping the city, in the Instituto Cervantes. Fernando talked about his place in the South American, and Hispanic literary canon, the vital importance of humour, the entanglements technology has furnished us with, and word play. In short, issues so far up my street they’re already in Rusholme.

Fernando is an extremely prolific and varied writer; he writes novels, short stories, such as Neguijón (The Worm of Decay) and Ajuar funerario, non-fiction essays and academic histories, like Nabokovia Peruviana, and things in between. He has worked as a columnist, a magazine editor, an anthologist. But his works still haven’t been translated and distributed in English – pointing to the gaping hole in the UK literary industry and its readers’ acquaintance with ‘foreign’ fiction.

Fernando was wearing a bright red (velvet) jacket, and round glasses; he didn’t know how to work the microphone properly, and he didn’t belong here, in the drab North. These were good things. The wine was warm. This was a not such a good thing.

He was charming, in the way of the exuberant, warm, patriarchal (and emphatically non-British) artist. I wanted him to tell me things about my life. Instead I asked, “In your opinion is, or should, writing be, difficult, a struggle, or can/should it be something approached light-heartedly? Unlike life, can it be without struggle?” After multiple muttered attempts at translation, Fernando answered by describing his writing habits: he can write non-fiction anywhere, plane, train, dentist’s office, but fiction he must be consumed by, writing only at his own table in his own house, write 18 hours a day, for many months absorbed in it. He talked about the “writer’s voice”  which must be upheld, even when composing a text message. He didn’t really answer the question. But then, he never could have.

The past and present, and their relationship, seemed to be an overriding concern for Fernando. This manifests in the idea of pain, in the novel Neguijón (The Worm of Decay) – which takes place in the pestilence of 17th Century Spain. The neguijón is the ‘tooth worm’, a medieval idea that tooth decay was caused by microscopic worms burrowing into the tooth. The author discussed the abstract, detached conception of pain we have today, our detaching from pain; whenever it occurs: we numb it immediately, and illuminating this through the extreme contrast of a world where the body, its smell, its pain, could never be escaped.

The impact of technology definitely underlines this idea of a present rapidly accelerating from its past. Cauti doesn’t mind iPads and e-readers and kindles; and their literary counterpart: micro, “flash” fiction, just so long as they don’t replace reading. And their discussion did prompt the best line of the night, in a section read from Libro del Mal Amor (The Book of Bad Love): “In these times, we have a lot of face, and not enough Book.” I posted it as my status.