Religion and civilization have gone hand-in-hand throughout human history, with gods and their mouthpieces alternately hindering and inspiring humanity every step of the way. That’s why Civilization V felt a bit off when it hit us about a year and a half ago and was missing a few things we’d come to take for granted in the previous iterations. Religion and its best buddy subterfuge were either absent or folded into the Piety branch of its social policy tree, with temples and whatnot contributing to the ever-more-broad “culture” statistic. Religion always existed in the background of Civ V, from cathedrals to a huge number of biblical verses doled out for researching everything from animal husbandry to frickin’ laser beams, but it was no longer present as a distinct element of strategy. When it came to religion as a tactical tool, the relevant quote seemed to be, “God is dead.”
Well, now we’re getting a chance to make him in our own image. Faith is the new currency, and once we have enough we’re given a Great Prophet. The first one we’re graced with can found a pantheon, be that a war god that grants more faith when we win battles, a namby-pamby healing god that restores units that end a turn next to a friendly city, or a whole slew of other crazy stuff people are raring to fall on their knees in front of. Our second prophet can turn that half-assed belief into a true religion, tacking on tenets like tithing (if you’re into accumulating more gold) or holy warriors (which grant the ability to purchase pre-industrial land units with faith). Followers passively pressure neighboring cities to join their particular theological club, but for a more direct approach we can send those prophets and missionaries to neighboring cities to directly convert the population. Nobody really likes that, so expect diplomatic repercussions, and prepare your own cities with inquisitors to keep the faith pure… or just fill the besandaled heretic with arrows when he starts down the palm-leaf-covered road to your own holy city. It’s an act of war, sure, but at least the simulation isn’t detailed enough to take martyrdom into account. That’d really make a mess of things.
Daily Archives: May 10, 2012
Supra Skytop III "Native"
After getting a look earlier at the Pilot “Native” rendition from Supra, here we are with the coinciding take on the Skytop III. The kicks feature the same material composition, comprised of lux suede, and mimic the red and blue color combo. You can grab a pair of the fresh Skytop IIIs now through Supra online for $125.
Tags: supra-skytop-iii, supra, skytop-iii, skytop, supra-skytop
Ying Yang Twins Break Down Remix Of Justin Bieber’s ‘Boyfriend’
By Jocelyn Vena
A hip-hop artist was bound to remix Justin Bieber‘s hit single “Boyfriend” at some point, but who would’ve guessed that it would be the Ying Yang Twins? Their version of the song was released yesterday, and it certainly puts their signature spin on the pop track.
Playing on the song’s title, the Twins (D-Roc and Kaine) note on their verses that while Bieber is offering up his services as your boyfriend, they’re a little older and a little wiser and want to be your older sister’s man. When MTV News spoke to D-Roc on Thursday (May 10), he talked a little bit about wanting to have fun with the Mike Posner/ Mason Levy-produced track.
“He want to be your boyfriend, but I want to be your man. I’m grown. I’m good and grown,” he said. “I’ve been through that boyfriend/girlfriend stage, but you know, he’s going through that, so that’s what complemented the track too. It’s like, ‘OK, I want to be your man. I don’t want to be your boyfriend. I’m bigger than the boyfriend.’ But that’s Justin Bieber, so if you got a little sister, Justin Bieber want to be her boyfriend.”
D-Roc was also inspired to remix the track after many music fans had noted comparisons between Bieber’s song and the Twins’ 2005 hit “Wait (The Whisper Song).” “Before Justin Bieber actually had dropped the song, the hype around it, everybody was calling me saying, ‘Hey, man, did y’all hear the Justin Bieber song?’ I was so amped up to hear the song too. When I actually did, I listened to it and I was like, it sounded like us. He complimented us,” he said. “So I wanted to compliment him by getting on it.
“It was there,” he added of the comparisons. “But the thing about it is, for him to step out for the first time rapping and we was the first compliment that he gave, I felt like that young man is on job. And he did it well. It made a statement to me like, ‘OK, he just trying to grow up,’ and with him growing up, like, he want y’all to take him as he’s grown. ‘I’m 18. I’m grown now. I can do my own thing.’ And what better lane, and he picked us, and I feel like that was a compliment and to compliment him back, I wanted to do the remix.”
While D-Roc has yet to meet the singer, he has high praise for him. “He’s a very talented young man,” he said. “Like, to have as many talents as he knows how to do, you know, it’s like he’s a threat. He’s gonna come in, and they better watch out for the young man, ’cause the young man got something to bring to the table.”
Bieber will drop his highly anticipated album, Believe, on June 19. “Boyfriend” is the lead single, and last Thursday, he dropped the video for
Riff Raff Signs To Diplo’s Mad Decent Label
By Carter Maness
Riff Raff, a Hollywood-via-Houston rapper who has certainly achieved Internet sensation status over the years, has revealed that he is signing a five-year deal with Mad Decent – the imprint run by producer and international DJ Diplo.
The rapper, who is the inspiration for James Franco‘s character in the upcoming movie Spring Breakers, confirmed the deal to Fuse after Diplo dropped one of his hilarious cryptic tweets that mentioned buying a $45,000 chain for the jewelry-loving rapper. “Dropping deposit on @RiFFRaFF_SODMG 45K @maddecent chain today,” he tweeted. “Egyptian backlight amethysts and napelese mayonnaise tinted topaz galore.”
James Franco To Play Riff Raff In ‘Spring Break’ Movie
Raff, who quickly obtained a cult fanbase appearing on the MTV show “From G’s To Gents,” starring Fonzworth Bentley, also confirmed that, in addition to the chain, he’s getting a new tattoo pledging his allegiance to Mad Decent.
Mostly known for its work in the dance music and electro worlds, Diplo also has a deep history with rap and pop music, recently producing Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now” and Usher’s “Climax.”
As for Franco’s portrayal of Riff Raff on the silver screen, the rapper recently told RapFix that he had been coaching the actor on how to nail the role. “I sent him a few things. But all you gotta do [to see how I dress] is search through my videos,” he said. “I got a pretty distinct style, with the braids, the jewelry.”
‘Arrested Development’ Gets LEGO-ized In Dailies!
While you’re waiting for the new season of “Arrested Development,” why not check out this LEGO version a very dedicated fan made in the mean time?
Also, several Cannes films release clips and learn about every Bond girl ever in today’s Dailies!
» A bunch of clips from films headed to Cannes premiered today, including the next movie from “Take Shelter” director Jeff Nichols, “Mud” with Matthew McConaughey. [The Playlist]
» Makeup legend Rick Baker designed Angelina Jolie‘s look for “Maleficent.” [ComingSoon.net]
» Here’s a helpful infographic examining every single Bond girl. [CableTV.com]
» Another Cannes entry, he’s a clip from the Marion Cotillard film, “Rust Bone.”
» You’ll never want to see another person get slapped in the movies again. [Film Drunk]
» When we saw this LEGO set, we blue ourselves. [Collider]
» Damon Lindelof retweeted this “Prometheus” fan poster from @fritte_ohman. [Twitter]
Welcome to the Dailies, where the MTV Movies team runs down all the film and television news, odds and ends that are fit to print! From awesome fan art to obscure casting news, this is your place to feast on all the movie leftovers you didn’t know you were hungry for.
Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yard
In case you haven’t seen or heard yet, New York artist Tom Sachs has linked with Nike for an undeniably unique capsule collection titled NIKECraft. Here we take a look at the featured footwear from the project. The Mars Yard highlights construction which mimics materials found on NASA missions. Utilized are automotive air bags, boat mainsails, and even fabric from a space suit. Safe to say, this project is on another level. Stay tuned for more info in regards to whether these will see a release. [via Nike, Inc.]
Tags: nike, nike-mars-yard, mars-yard, tom-sachs
Rick Ross, Kelly Rowland And Wale Celebrate Miami Heat Win
The city of Miami was sizzling hot last night, literally, following the triumphant win the Miami Heat secured against the New York Knicks in the NBA playoffs. On hand to witness the victory was hometown hip-hop ambassador Rick Ross and Maybach partner in rhyme Wale. During halftime of the win Ross pays a visit to Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.“Shout out to the New York Knicks” said an excited Ross. “Carmelo, Amare, Chandler, Mike Bibby, the whole squad you know we gotta salute them. But its all about the Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, my partner Udons Haslem, the list goes on the whole Miami Heat. MMG, baby. We here. We the Hottest” referring to his current “Hottest MCs In The Game” title.
The Heat are well on their journey for their first NBA title in the Lebron James-era with the Indiana Pacers waiting in the wings for round two.
As is the case with the Heat, Rick Ross‘ Maybach Music empire is running away in round one of the Swagged Out Conference against New York‘s very own D-Block with 65% of the votes.
The squad here at RapFix are looking forward to watching LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the biggest stars lead their respective teams to victory. It’s the same way we look forward to rap’s biggest stars lead their teams to hip-hop dominance. So while the NBA sets forth to determine who the best ball team of the year is, RapFix is on a mission to find out who the best team in rap in our MTV News Hip-Hop Playoffs!
We examined the past year in hip-hop and identified the game’s 16 most dominant crews. Then we split them up into our either our Swagged-Out Conference or Baller Conference and created match-ups where you the fan can determine the winner based on your, votes.
A championship team is only as good as its weakest link, so we analyzed talent, sales success and overall influence to determine our 16 rap teams and come up with the proper seeding.
It’s not up to us, it’s up to you guys. Fans get to vote in order to determine who hip-hop’s ultimate crew of 2012 will be?
Be sure to check back with our RapFix blog daily as we update you on both the progress of your favorite rap crews and your favorite NBA teams. Game On!
Voting is open now! Be sure to use the hashtag #hiphopplayoffs
SWAGGED OUT CONFERENCE
amp;lt;a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/6178824/”amp;gt;Maybach Music Group vs. D-Blockamp;lt;/aamp;gt;
amp;lt;a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/6178872/”amp;gt;Roc Nation Vs. A$AP Mobamp;lt;/aamp;gt;
amp;lt;a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/6178886/”amp;gt;Taylor Gang vs. G-Unitamp;lt;/aamp;gt;
amp;lt;a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/6178890/”amp;gt;Grand Hustle vs. Bad Boyamp;lt;/aamp;gt;
Johnny Depp And Tim Burton Don’t Try To Make Weird Movies
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have always been known for pushing the envelope with their cinematic collaborations. There’s always some element of the plot or the film’s design that sparks controversy or is dismissed as too “weird.”
When MTV News spoke with Burton and Depp about their latest collaboration, “Dark Shadows,” the duo opened up about their goals and why what they do is so out there.
Burton said that what his projects usually come down to is looking for a challenge. “I think that we get sparked by challenges,” Burton said. “Sometimes the challenges might be a bit abstract, like this one. Most people who know ‘Dark Shadows‘ or don’t know ‘Dark Shadows,’ really don’t care. For me, it was something I was interested in trying. It’s always just about the idea.”
Depp made clear that he and Burton are not motivated by a need to make things bizarre. “We never go in thinking, ‘How can we make this weirder?’ It’s never been that kind of thing,” Depp said.
For Depp, “Dark Shadows” is all about answering the difficult questions that the premise puts forward. “How do you display this era of 1972? How do you represent it in the context of this guy coming back after 200 years with resin grapes, plastic fruit and troll dolls, lava lamps, music by The Carpenters.”
Burton agreed, saying that those questions are the real treat. “It’s just fun to mix up weird elements,” he said. “You don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
Are you going to see “Dark Shadows” this weekend? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!
Spotted: Jay-Z Dresses Up The Nike Air Yeezy 2
Who: Jay-Z
When: 5/9/2012
Where: NYC
Shoe: Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Solar Red”
Release: Unknown
[via Nike Talk]
Tags: spotted, jay-z, nike-air-yeezy-2
Awesome Sneakers of the Week You Can Buy Right Now
Every week, we here at Complex feverishly search through the interwebs in order to bring you the hottest footwear available. Of course with each few days passing, newer and hotter kicks present themselves. And this is why each week we have chosen to bring you the freshest of the fresh. So be prepared in advance, and bust out that credit card, as you take a peek at our Awesome Sneakers of the Week.
