title: Analog computer

text: The differential analyser, a mechanical analog computer designed to solve differential equations by integration, used wheel-and-disc mechanisms to perform the integration. In 1876 James Thomson had already discussed the possible construction of such calculators, but he had been stymied by the limited output torque of the ball-and-disk integrators. A number of similar systems followed, notably those of the Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres y Quevedo, who built several machines for solving real and complex roots of polynomials; and Michelson and Stratton, whose Harmonic Analyser performed Fourier analysis, but using an array of 80 springs rather than Kelvin integrators. This work led to the mathematical understanding of the Gibbs phenomenon of overshoot in Fourier representation near discontinuities. In a differential analyzer, the output of one integrator drove the input of the next integrator, or a graphing output. The torque amplifier was the advance that allowed these machines to work. Starting in the 1920s, Vannevar Bush and others developed mechanical differential analyzers.


title: Analog computer

text: The Dumaresq was a mechanical calculating device invented around 1902 by Lieutenant John Dumaresq of the Royal Navy. It was an analog computer that related vital variables of the fire control problem to the movement of one's own ship and that of a target ship. It was often used with other devices, such as a Vickers range clock to generate range and deflection data so the gun sights of the ship could be continuously set. A number of versions of the Dumaresq were produced of increasing complexity as development proceeded.


title: Analog computer

text: By 1912, Arthur Pollen had developed an electrically driven mechanical analog computer for fire-control systems, based on the differential analyser. It was used by the Imperial Russian Navy in World War I.


title: Analog computer

text: Starting in 1929, AC network analyzers were constructed to solve calculation problems related to electrical power systems that were too large to solve with numerical methods at the time. These were essentially scale models of the electrical properties of the full-size system. Since network analyzers could handle problems too large for analytic methods or hand computation, they were also used to solve problems in nuclear physics and in the design of structures. More than 50 large network analyzers were built by the end of the 1950s.


title: Analog computer

text: World War II era gun directors, gun data computers, and bomb sights used mechanical analog computers. In 1942 Helmut Hölzer built a fully electronic analog computer at Peenemünde Army Research Center as an embedded control system ("mixing device") to calculate V-2 rocket trajectories from the accelerations and orientations (measured by gyroscopes) and to stabilize and guide the missile. Mechanical analog computers were very important in gun fire control in World War II, The Korean War and well past the Vietnam War; they were made in significant numbers.


title: Analog computer

text: In the period 1930–1945 in the Netherlands, Johan van Veen developed an analogue computer to calculate and predict tidal currents when the geometry of the channels are changed. Around 1950, this idea was developed into the Deltar, a hydraulic analogy computer supporting the closure of estuaries in the southwest of the Netherlands (the Delta Works).


title: Analog computer

text: The FERMIAC was an analog computer invented by physicist Enrico Fermi in 1947 to aid in his studies of neutron transport. Project Cyclone was an analog computer developed by Reeves in 1950 for the analysis and design of dynamic systems. Project Typhoon was an analog computer developed by RCA in 1952. It consisted of over 4,000 electron tubes and used 100 dials and 6,000 plug-in connectors to program. The MONIAC Computer was a hydraulic analogy of a national economy first unveiled in 1949.


title: Analog computer

text: Computer Engineering Associates was spun out of Caltech in 1950 to provide commercial services using the "Direct Analogy Electric Analog Computer" ("the largest and most impressive general-purpose analyzer facility for the solution of field problems") developed there by Gilbert D. McCann, Charles H. Wilts, and Bart Locanthi.


title: Analog computer

text: Educational analog computers illustrated the principles of analog calculation. The Heathkit EC-1, a $199 educational analog computer, was made by the Heath Company, US . It was programmed using patch cords that connected nine operational amplifiers and other components. General Electric also marketed an "educational" analog computer kit of a simple design in the early 1960s consisting of a two transistor tone generators and three potentiometers wired such that the frequency of the oscillator was nulled when the potentiometer dials were positioned by hand to satisfy an equation. The relative resistance of the potentiometer was then equivalent to the formula of the equation being solved. Multiplication or division could be performed, depending on which dials were inputs and which was the output. Accuracy and resolution was limited and a simple slide rule was more accurate. However, the unit did demonstrate the basic principle.


title: Analog computer

text: Analog computer designs were published in electronics magazines. One example is the PEAC (Practical Electronics analogue computer), published in "Practical Electronics" in the January 1968 edition. Another more modern hybrid computer design was published in "Everyday Practical Electronics" in 2002. An example described in the EPE hybrid computer was the flight of a VTOL aircraft such as the Harrier jump jet. The altitude and speed of the aircraft were calculated by the analog part of the computer and sent to a PC via a digital microprocessor and displayed on the PC screen.


title: Analog computer

text: In industrial process control, analog loop controllers were used to automatically regulate temperature, flow, pressure, or other process conditions. The technology of these controllers ranged from purely mechanical integrators, through vacuum-tube and solid-state devices, to emulation of analog controllers by microprocessors.


title: Analog computer

text: The similarity between linear mechanical components, such as springs and dashpots (viscous-fluid dampers), and electrical components, such as capacitors, inductors, and resistors is striking in terms of mathematics. They can be modeled using equations of the same form.


title: Analog computer

text: However, the difference between these systems is what makes analog computing useful. Complex systems often are not amenable to pen-and-paper analysis, and require some form of testing or simulation. Complex mechanical systems, such as suspensions for racing cars, are expensive to fabricate and hard to modify. And taking precise mechanical measurements during high-speed tests adds further difficulty.


title: Analog computer

text: By contrast, it is very inexpensive to build an electrical equivalent of a complex mechanical system, to simulate its behavior. Engineers arrange a few operational amplifiers (op amps) and some passive linear components to form a circuit that follows the same equations as the mechanical system being simulated. All measurements can be taken directly with an oscilloscope. In the circuit, the (simulated) stiffness of the spring, for instance, can be changed by adjusting the parameters of an integrator. The electrical system is an analogy to the physical system, hence the name, but it is much less expensive than a mechanical prototype, much easier to modify, and generally safer.


title: Analog computer

text: The electronic circuit can also be made to run faster or slower than the physical system being simulated. Experienced users of electronic analog computers said that they offered a comparatively intimate control and understanding of the problem, relative to digital simulations.


title: Analog computer

text: Electronic analog computers are especially well-suited to representing situations described by differential equations. Historically, they were often used when a system of differential equations proved very difficult to solve by traditional means. As a simple example, the dynamics of a spring-mass system can be described by the equation formula_1, with formula_2 as the vertical position of a mass formula_3, formula_4 the damping coefficient, formula_5 the spring constant and formula_6 the gravity of Earth. For analog computing, the equation is programmed as formula_7. The equivalent analog circuit consists of two integrators for the state variables formula_8 (speed) and formula_2 (position), one inverter, and three potentiometers.


title: Analog computer

text: Electronic analog computers have drawbacks: the value of the circuit's supply voltage limits the range over which the variables may vary (since the value of a variable is represented by a voltage on a particular wire). Therefore, each problem must be scaled so its parameters and dimensions can be represented using voltages that the circuit can supply —e.g., the expected magnitudes of the velocity and the position of a spring pendulum. Improperly scaled variables can have their values "clamped" by the limits of the supply voltage. Or if scaled too small, they can suffer from higher noise levels. Either problem can cause the circuit to produce an incorrect simulation of the physical system. (Modern digital simulations are much more robust to widely varying values of their variables, but are still not entirely immune to these concerns: floating-point digital calculations support a huge dynamic range, but can suffer from imprecision if tiny differences of huge values lead to numerical instability.)


title: Analog computer

text: The precision of the analog computer readout was limited chiefly by the precision of the readout equipment used, generally three or four significant figures. (Modern digital simulations are much better in this area. Digital arbitrary-precision arithmetic can provide any desired degree of precision.) However, in most cases the precision of an analog computer is absolutely sufficient given the uncertainty of the model characteristics and its technical parameters.


title: Analog computer

text: Many small computers dedicated to specific computations are still part of industrial regulation equipment, but from the 1950s to the 1970s, general-purpose analog computers were the only systems fast enough for real time simulation of dynamic systems, especially in the aircraft, military and aerospace field.


title: Analog computer

text: In the 1960s, the major manufacturer was Electronic Associates of Princeton, New Jersey, with its 231R Analog Computer (vacuum tubes, 20 integrators) and subsequently its EAI 8800 Analog Computer (solid state operational amplifiers, 64 integrators). Its challenger was Applied Dynamics of Ann Arbor, Michigan.


title: Analog computer

text: Although the basic technology for analog computers is usually operational amplifiers (also called "continuous current amplifiers" because they have no low frequency limitation), in the 1960s an attempt was made in the French ANALAC computer to use an alternative technology: medium frequency carrier and non dissipative reversible circuits.


title: Analog computer

text: In the 1970s, every large company and administration concerned with problems in dynamics had an analog computing center, such as:


title: Analog computer

text: Analog computing devices are fast, digital computing devices are more versatile and accurate, so the idea is to combine the two processes for the best efficiency. An example of such hybrid elementary device is the hybrid multiplier where one input is an analog signal, the other input is a digital signal and the output is analog. It acts as an analog potentiometer upgradable digitally. This kind of hybrid technique is mainly used for fast dedicated real time computation when computing time is very critical as signal processing for radars and generally for controllers in embedded systems.


title: Analog computer

text: In the early 1970s, analog computer manufacturers tried to tie together their analog computer with a digital computer to get the advantages of the two techniques. In such systems, the digital computer controlled the analog computer, providing initial set-up, initiating multiple analog runs, and automatically feeding and collecting data. The digital computer may also participate to the calculation itself using analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.


title: Analog computer

text: The largest manufacturer of hybrid computers was Electronics Associates. Their hybrid computer model 8900 was made of a digital computer and one or more analog consoles. These systems were mainly dedicated to large projects such as the Apollo program and Space Shuttle at NASA, or Ariane in Europe, especially during the integration step where at the beginning everything is simulated, and progressively real components replace their simulated part.


title: Analog computer

text: Only one company was known as offering general commercial computing services on its hybrid computers, CISI of France, in the 1970s.


title: Analog computer

text: The best reference in this field is the 100,000 simulation runs for each certification of the automatic landing systems of Airbus and Concorde aircraft.


title: Analog computer

text: After 1980, purely digital computers progressed more and more rapidly and were fast enough to compete with analog computers.


title: Analog computer

text: One key to the speed of analog computers was their fully parallel computation, but this was also a limitation. The more equations required for a problem, the more analog components were needed, even when the problem wasn't time critical. "Programming" a problem meant interconnecting the analog operators; even with a removable wiring panel this was not very versatile. Today there are no more big hybrid computers, but only hybrid components.


title: Analog computer

text: While a wide variety of mechanisms have been developed throughout history, some stand out because of their theoretical importance, or because they were manufactured in significant quantities.


title: Analog computer

text: Most practical mechanical analog computers of any significant complexity used rotating shafts to carry variables from one mechanism to another. Cables and pulleys were used in a Fourier synthesizer, a tide-predicting machine, which summed the individual harmonic components. Another category, not nearly as well known, used rotating shafts only for input and output, with precision racks and pinions. The racks were connected to linkages that performed the computation. At least one U.S. Naval sonar fire control computer of the later 1950s, made by Librascope, was of this type, as was the principal computer in the Mk. 56 Gun Fire Control System.


title: Analog computer

text: Online, there is a remarkably clear illustrated reference (OP 1140) that describes the fire control computer mechanisms.


title: Analog computer

text: For adding and subtracting, precision miter-gear differentials were in common use in some computers; the Ford Instrument Mark I Fire Control Computer contained about 160 of them.


title: Analog computer

text: Integration with respect to another variable was done by a rotating disc driven by one variable. Output came from a pick-off device (such as a wheel) positioned at a radius on the disc proportional to the second variable. (A carrier with a pair of steel balls supported by small rollers worked especially well. A roller, its axis parallel to the disc's surface, provided the output. It was held against the pair of balls by a spring.)


title: Analog computer

text: Arbitrary functions of one variable were provided by cams, with gearing to convert follower movement to shaft rotation.


title: Analog computer

text: Functions of two variables were provided by three-dimensional cams. In one good design, one of the variables rotated the cam. A hemispherical follower moved its carrier on a pivot axis parallel to that of the cam's rotating axis. Pivoting motion was the output. The second variable moved the follower along the axis of the cam. One practical application was ballistics in gunnery.


title: Analog computer

text: Coordinate conversion from polar to rectangular was done by a mechanical resolver (called a "component solver" in US Navy fire control computers). Two discs on a common axis positioned a sliding block with pin (stubby shaft) on it. One disc was a face cam, and a follower on the block in the face cam's groove set the radius. The other disc, closer to the pin, contained a straight slot in which the block moved. The input angle rotated the latter disc (the face cam disc, for an unchanging radius, rotated with the other (angle) disc; a differential and a few gears did this correction).


title: Analog computer

text: Referring to the mechanism's frame, the location of the pin corresponded to the tip of the vector represented by the angle and magnitude inputs. Mounted on that pin was a square block.


title: Analog computer

text: Rectilinear-coordinate outputs (both sine and cosine, typically) came from two slotted plates, each slot fitting on the block just mentioned. The plates moved in straight lines, the movement of one plate at right angles to that of the other. The slots were at right angles to the direction of movement. Each plate, by itself, was like a Scotch yoke, known to steam engine enthusiasts.


title: Analog computer

text: During World War II, a similar mechanism converted rectilinear to polar coordinates, but it was not particularly successful and was eliminated in a significant redesign (USN, Mk. 1 to Mk. 1A).


title: Analog computer

text: Multiplication was done by mechanisms based on the geometry of similar right triangles. Using the trigonometric terms for a right triangle, specifically opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse, the adjacent side was fixed by construction. One variable changed the magnitude of the opposite side. In many cases, this variable changed sign; the hypotenuse could coincide with the adjacent side (a zero input), or move beyond the adjacent side, representing a sign change.


title: Analog computer

text: Typically, a pinion-operated rack moving parallel to the (trig.-defined) opposite side would position a slide with a slot coincident with the hypotenuse. A pivot on the rack let the slide's angle change freely. At the other end of the slide (the angle, in trig. terms), a block on a pin fixed to the frame defined the vertex between the hypotenuse and the adjacent side.


title: Analog computer

text: At any distance along the adjacent side, a line perpendicular to it intersects the hypotenuse at a particular point. The distance between that point and the adjacent side is some fraction that is the product of "1" the distance from the vertex, and "2" the magnitude of the opposite side.


title: Analog computer

text: The second input variable in this type of multiplier positions a slotted plate perpendicular to the adjacent side. That slot contains a block, and that block's position in its slot is determined by another block right next to it. The latter slides along the hypotenuse, so the two blocks are positioned at a distance from the (trig.) adjacent side by an amount proportional to the product.


title: Analog computer

text: To provide the product as an output, a third element, another slotted plate, also moves parallel to the (trig.) opposite side of the theoretical triangle. As usual, the slot is perpendicular to the direction of movement. A block in its slot, pivoted to the hypotenuse block positions it.


title: Analog computer

text: A special type of integrator, used at a point where only moderate accuracy was needed, was based on a steel ball, instead of a disc. It had two inputs, one to rotate the ball, and the other to define the angle of the ball's rotating axis. That axis was always in a plane that contained the axes of two movement pick-off rollers, quite similar to the mechanism of a rolling-ball computer mouse (in that mechanism, the pick-off rollers were roughly the same diameter as the ball). The pick-off roller axes were at right angles.


title: Analog computer

text: A pair of rollers "above" and "below" the pick-off plane were mounted in rotating holders that were geared together. That gearing was driven by the angle input, and established the rotating axis of the ball. The other input rotated the "bottom" roller to make the ball rotate.


title: Analog computer

text: Essentially, the whole mechanism, called a component integrator, was a variable-speed drive with one motion input and two outputs, as well as an angle input. The angle input varied the ratio (and direction) of coupling between the "motion" input and the outputs according to the sine and cosine of the input angle.


title: Analog computer

text: Although they did not accomplish any computation, electromechanical position servos were essential in mechanical analog computers of the "rotating-shaft" type for providing operating torque to the inputs of subsequent computing mechanisms, as well as driving output data-transmission devices such as large torque-transmitter synchros in naval computers.


title: Analog computer

text: Other readout mechanisms, not directly part of the computation, included internal odometer-like counters with interpolating drum dials for indicating internal variables, and mechanical multi-turn limit stops.


title: Analog computer

text: Considering that accurately controlled rotational speed in analog fire-control computers was a basic element of their accuracy, there was a motor with its average speed controlled by a balance wheel, hairspring, jeweled-bearing differential, a twin-lobe cam, and spring-loaded contacts (ship's AC power frequency was not necessarily accurate, nor dependable enough, when these computers were designed).


title: Analog computer

text: Electronic analog computers typically have front panels with numerous jacks (single-contact sockets) that permit patch cords (flexible wires with plugs at both ends) to create the interconnections that define the problem setup. In addition, there are precision high-resolution potentiometers (variable resistors) for setting up (and, when needed, varying) scale factors. In addition, there is usually a zero-center analog pointer-type meter for modest-accuracy voltage measurement. Stable, accurate voltage sources provide known magnitudes.


title: Analog computer

text: Typical electronic analog computers contain anywhere from a few to a hundred or more operational amplifiers ("op amps"), named because they perform mathematical operations. Op amps are a particular type of feedback amplifier with very high gain and stable input (low and stable offset). They are always used with precision feedback components that, in operation, all but cancel out the currents arriving from input components. The majority of op amps in a representative setup are summing amplifiers, which add and subtract analog voltages, providing the result at their output jacks. As well, op amps with capacitor feedback are usually included in a setup; they integrate the sum of their inputs with respect to time.


title: Analog computer

text: Integrating with respect to another variable is the nearly exclusive province of mechanical analog integrators; it is almost never done in electronic analog computers. However, given that a problem solution does not change with time, time can serve as one of the variables.


title: Analog computer

text: Other computing elements include analog multipliers, nonlinear function generators, and analog comparators.


title: Analog computer

text: Electrical elements such as inductors and capacitors used in electrical analog computers had to be carefully manufactured to reduce non-ideal effects. For example, in the construction of AC power network analyzers, one motive for using higher frequencies for the calculator (instead of the actual power frequency) was that higher-quality inductors could be more easily made. Many general-purpose analog computers avoided the use of inductors entirely, re-casting the problem in a form that could be solved using only resistive and capacitive elements, since high-quality capacitors are relatively easy to make.


title: Analog computer

text: The use of electrical properties in analog computers means that calculations are normally performed in real time (or faster), at a speed determined mostly by the frequency response of the operational amplifiers and other computing elements. In the history of electronic analog computers, there were some special high-speed types.


title: Analog computer

text: Nonlinear functions and calculations can be constructed to a limited precision (three or four digits) by designing function generators—special circuits of various combinations of resistors and diodes to provide the nonlinearity. Typically, as the input voltage increases, progressively more diodes conduct.


title: Analog computer

text: When compensated for temperature, the forward voltage drop of a transistor's base-emitter junction can provide a usably accurate logarithmic or exponential function. Op amps scale the output voltage so that it is usable with the rest of the computer.


title: Analog computer

text: Any physical process that models some computation can be interpreted as an analog computer. Some examples, invented for the purpose of illustrating the concept of analog computation, include using a bundle of spaghetti as a model of sorting numbers; a board, a set of nails, and a rubber band as a model of finding the convex hull of a set of points; and strings tied together as a model of finding the shortest path in a network. These are all described in Dewdney (1984).


title: Analog computer

text: Analog computers often have a complicated framework, but they have, at their core, a set of key components that perform the calculations. The operator manipulates these through the computer's framework.


title: Analog computer

text: Key mechanical components might include rotating shafts for carrying data within the computer, miter gear differentials, disc/ball/roller integrators, cams (2-D and 3-D), mechanical resolvers and multipliers, and torque servos.


title: Analog computer

text: In some analog computer designs, multiplication is much preferred to division. Division is carried out with a multiplier in the feedback path of an Operational Amplifier.


title: Analog computer

text: Differentiation with respect to time is not frequently used, and in practice is avoided by redefining the problem when possible. It corresponds in the frequency domain to a high-pass filter, which means that high-frequency noise is amplified; differentiation also risks instability.


title: Analog computer

text: In general, analog computers are limited by non-ideal effects. An analog signal is composed of four basic components: DC and AC magnitudes, frequency, and phase. The real limits of range on these characteristics limit analog computers. Some of these limits include the operational amplifier offset, finite gain, and frequency response, noise floor, non-linearities, temperature coefficient, and parasitic effects within semiconductor devices. For commercially available electronic components, ranges of these aspects of input and output signals are always figures of merit.


title: Analog computer

text: In the 1950s to 1970s, digital computers based on first vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits and then micro-processors became more economical and precise. This led digital computers to largely replace analog computers. Even so, some research in analog computation is still being done. A few universities still use analog computers to teach control system theory. The American company Comdyna manufactured small analog computers. At Indiana University Bloomington, Jonathan Mills has developed the Extended Analog Computer based on sampling voltages in a foam sheet. At the Harvard Robotics Laboratory, analog computation is a research topic. Lyric Semiconductor's error correction circuits use analog probabilistic signals. Slide rules are still popular among aircraft personnel.


title: Analog computer

text: With the development of very-large-scale integration (VLSI) technology, Yannis Tsividis' group at Columbia University has been revisiting analog/hybrid computers design in standard CMOS process. Two VLSI chips have been developed, an 80th-order analog computer (250 nm) by Glenn Cowan in 2005 and a 4th-order hybrid computer (65 nm) developed by Ning Guo in 2015, both targeting at energy-efficient ODE/PDE applications. Glenn's chip contains 16 macros, in which there are 25 analog computing blocks, namely integrators, multipliers, fanouts, few nonlinear blocks. Ning's chip contains one macro block, in which there are 26 computing blocks including integrators, multipliers, fanouts, ADCs, SRAMs and DACs. Arbitrary nonlinear function generation is made possible by the ADC+SRAM+DAC chain, where the SRAM block stores the nonlinear function data. The experiments from the related publications revealed that VLSI analog/hybrid computers demonstrated about 1–2 orders magnitude of advantage in both solution time and energy while achieving accuracy within 5%, which points to the promise of using analog/hybrid computing techniques in the area of energy-efficient approximate computing. In 2016, a team of researchers developed a compiler to solve differential equations using analog circuits.


title: Analog computer

text: Analog computers are also used in neuromorphic computing, and in 2021 a group of researchers have shown that a specific type of artificial neural network called a spiking neural network was able to work with analog neuromorphic computers.


title: Analog computer

text: Analog (audio) synthesizers can also be viewed as a form of analog computer, and their technology was originally based in part on electronic analog computer technology. The ARP 2600's Ring Modulator was actually a moderate-accuracy analog multiplier.


title: Analog computer

text: The Simulation Council (or Simulations Council) was an association of analog computer users in US. It is now known as The Society for Modeling and Simulation International. The Simulation Council newsletters from 1952 to 1963 are available online and show the concerns and technologies at the time, and the common use of analog computers for missilry.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Kim Hee-chul (; born July 10, 1983), better known mononymously as Heechul, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, presenter and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Super Junior and has further participated in its subgroup Super Junior-T as well as project group Universe Cowards with Min Kyung-hoon and Woojoo jjokkomi with Lee Soo-geun. He was also a member of the disbanded pop rock duo Kim Heechul & Kim Jungmo.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Prior to his debut in Super Junior, Heechul began his acting career in 2005, starring in the second season of teen drama "Sharp 2". This led him to host radio shows, his first music show "" and appear on advertisements. However, in 2006, just a year after his Super Junior debut, Heechul was involved in a car accident which fractured his left leg. The accident left him unable to perform Super Junior's strenuous dances and he has since contributed to the group mostly as a singer. Heechul ventured into the soundtrack singing career in 2009 by releasing his first single "First Star", as part of the soundtrack for the drama "Loving You a Thousand Times". He has participated in writing lyrics for not only Super Junior but also for his project groups and other artists. Heechul debuted as a solo singer in 2019 with the digital single "Old Movie".


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul became a regular cast member on "Radio Star" in 2010, for which he won "Best Newcomer Award" at the 11th MBC Entertainment Awards. Following that, he made a breakthrough in his television host career after appearing on the variety shows "Knowing Bros" and "Weekly Idol" in 2015 and 2016. He has been a regular cast member on the reality shows "My Little Old Boy" and "Delicious Rendezvous" since 2019, for both of which he received the Excellence Award at the 13th SBS Entertainment Awards and Top Excellence Award at the 14th SBS Entertainment Awards.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Kim Hee-chul was born in Wonju, Gangwon Province, on July 10, 1983. His family consists of his parents and older sister, Kim Hee-jin. He graduated from in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in English tourism translation. In addition, he graduated from Sangji University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in informatics through Bachelor's Degree Examination for Self-Education.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In 2002, after seeing Psy, who was singing "Champion" on a television program, he searched the internet for entertainment companies and found out that SM Entertainment was having open auditions. He moved to Seoul when he was twenty years old in October 2002 with his friends in order to take part in the auditions. Being unfamiliar with the area, he got lost and missed the open Starlight Casting System audition. However, they still allowed him to perform because of his looks. He sang the Korean national anthem and passed. He was cast and signed a contract with SM Entertainment in November 2002, becoming an official trainee and being trained in singing, acting, dancing, and other performing talents such as hosting and modeling.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: He was initially placed in a four-member group called Four Seasons along with Jaejoong, Yunho and Kangin. The project group was dropped when Yunho and Jaejoong joined TVXQ in early 2003. Heechul was later preparing to debut as the main vocalist of TraxX, but had frequent clashes and misunderstandings with the person in charge at SM at the time. Frustrated, he abandoned his debut and returned to his hometown in Gangwon Province. Later, with TraxX's Jungmo's, Jay's, Yunho's and Donghae's encouragement, he returned to SM. He joined other trainees under the company to form the group Super Junior 05, the first generation of Super Junior.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: His first acting role was in the second season of teen drama "Sharp" in 2005, co-starring labelmates Go Ara and Kibum. His first variety appearance also came in 2005, in the show "Heroine 6."


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Later he acted as an extra in the KBS2 TV series "Loveholic" and was a regular MC for the cable music show "". He also featured in his first advertisements for Lotte's Pepero.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul officially debuted as part of the 12-member project group, Super Junior 05 on November 6, 2005 on SBS' music program "Popular Songs", performing their first single, "Twins (Knock Out)". Their debut album "SuperJunior05 (Twins)" was released a month later on December 5, 2005 and debuted at number three on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts. In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, this was met with fans' objections and strong opposition to the rotational style (much like popular rotational groups in Japan's pop music industry) that the group intended to be. Thus, plans changed and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. Following the addition of thirteenth member Kyuhyun, the group dropped the suffix "05" and officially named as Super Junior. The re-polished group's first CD single "U" was released on June 7, 2006, which was their most successful single until the release of "Sorry, Sorry" in March 2009. Heechul faced criticism from Super Junior's fans when his voice cracked while performing "U", which negatively affected him and made him want to quit singing.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Apart from Super Junior's activities, Heechul has acted in several television series. In 2005, he landed his first leading role in the TV series "Rainbow Romance", followed by a supporting role in the 2006 series "Bad Family" and "Golden Bride" at the end of 2007. "Golden Bride" achieved high ratings and Heechul received wider public recognition. He made his film debut in "Attack on the Pin-Up Boys", which was released on July 26, 2007. The film failed to attract viewers and proved to be a big loss for SM Pictures. However, both versions of the film's DVD became best-sellers and were sold-out in both Korea and overseas markets. Stepping into the field of voice-over, he contributed his voice to the Korean-dubbed version of the American live action/animated film "Alvin and the Chipmunks". Heechul was also a radio DJ on SBS Power FM's "Young Street Radio" with Park Hee-von from November 2005 until mid-2006. Moreover, he co-hosted SBS's weekly live music show Inkigayo as a substitute for Andy of Shinhwa, later going on to become a permanent host starting April 23, 2006. Heechul left his position on May 4, 2008.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In February 2007, Heechul was placed in Super Junior's trot-singing subunit, Super Junior-T. The subunit debuted with the single "Rokuko", which quickly reached number one in weekly music chart and held the spot for two consecutive weeks. The debut also marked his comeback performance after recovering from an injury he had gotten in a car accident in August 2006. The subgroup returned in November 2008 with a debut in the Japanese music industry, releasing the Japanese version of "Rokuko", now titled "ROCK&GO". Heechul won the "Flower Boy" award at the first Mnet 20's Choice Awards held on August 29, 2007.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: He played the role of Sonny in the musical "Xanadu", the first production of SM Art Company, in rotation with his bandmate Kangin. Casting was carried out via a reality television program, and the musical ran from September 9 to December 28, 2008 at the Doosan Art Center, Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Center and Busan Cultural Center in Seoul. In the same year, he co-hosted the program "8 vs 1" and later became a cast member on the shows "Band of Brothers" and "Good Daddy". On March 19, 2008, he fallen down a flight of stairs and injured his nose. He subsequently took a break from all activities during recovery. Heechul starred in the surrogacy melodrama "Loving You a Thousand Times", the first Korean drama to be exported to Bulgaria, in 2009. His first solo single, "First Star", was released on November 6, 2009 as part of the soundtrack for the drama. He hosted SBS Power FM's "Kim Heechul's Youngstreet," from March 29, 2010 until mid-2011, returning to being a radio DJ after a four-year break. He was selected in December to be a host for "Radio Star", the main segment in the talk show "Golden Fishery." He was chosen to replace Shin Jung-hwan after he left the program following a gambling scandal. He won the "Best Newcomer Award" for his effort on the show at the 11th MBC Entertainment Awards.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In February 2011, he acted in a supporting role in the Chinese drama "Melody of Youth", debuting in that industry. In the same year, he formed a project group with label mate Jungmo of TraxX, called M&D ("Midnight and Dawn" or "Miari and Dangae-dong", after the members' hometowns). They released their debut single "Close Ur Mouth" in June 2011. Heechul wrote the lyrics and directed the music video for the song, while Jungmo composed and produced it. Their first live performance was at Mnet's summer awards ceremony 20's Choice on July 7.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Kim Hee-chul carried out his mandatory military service from September 1, 2011 to August 30, 2013. He served as a public service worker for 23 months after undergoing four weeks of basic training at the Nonsan military camp in Chungcheongnam-do. At the time of his enlistment, he was a host in the variety show "Secret", as well as one of the hosts of the talk show "Radio Star". His role in "Radio Star" was taken over by bandmate Kyuhyun. Shortly after he had enlisted, Kim Jang-hoon released the song "Breakups are So Like Me", which is a duet with Heechul. During live performances of the song on "Music Bank" and "Show! Music Core", his part was performed by bandmates Yesung, Eunhyuk and Shindong. He was selected to be an internet broadcast radio DJ in January 2012 on "Space for a Rest-Visible Radio." The program was aired through Seongdong District's homepage, as that's where Heechul was serving his two-year mandatory military service. He hosted from January 20 to May 18, 2012 and from January 14 to July 26, 2013.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul chose "Ssulzun," a debate program which discussed current issues that affect South Korea, as his comeback appearance after finishing military service in 2013. He was a regular cast member from September 2013 until July 2014. On December 11, 2013, Super Junior released their fifth official Japanese single, "Blue World", the group's first song involving Heechul after he came back from military service. He appeared on the second season of MBC's reality television program "We Got Married: Global Edition" in January 2014 as an on-screen couple with Taiwanese girl group member Puff Kuo and "My Tutor Friend" with Jeong Jun-ha as well. He also returned to the small screen with fantasy comedy drama "Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit".


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In 2015, he became an MC and cast member on entertainment programs such as "Wednesday Food Talk", "A Style For You", "MAPS", "Knowing Bros" and Korean-Chinese program "With You All The Way", the first Chinese variety show he was in charge of. He also won his first Chinese award at the 12th COSMO Beauty Awards. That same year, M&D released their first EP, "Cottage Industry" with the lead track "I Wish". It was released digitally on April 16 and physically on April 20. The title track was written and composed by the duo, and peaked at number two on the Gaon album Chart.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: With Super Junior on a temporary hiatus for much of 2016 due to the enlistment of four other members, he returned to hosting. In March 2016, Heechul was confirmed to become a temporary host for "Weekly Idol" until October 5, replacing Jeong Hyeong-don He released a duet with Wheein for SM Station on April 15. The single, "Narcissus", was written by him and produced by Jungmo. M&D returned as Kim Heechul & Kim Jungmo with a second mini-album titled "Goody Bag" and the trot-rock lead track "Ulsanbawi" on July 12. In June, he appeared in the third season of the Chinese dating variety show "Perhaps Love" with Chinese actress and singer , his second time being in a virtual relationship.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In the fall of 2016, Heechul and Buzz member Min Kyung-hoon released a duet titled "Sweet Dream". The duo is known as Universe Cowards, a name they came up with while recording "Knowing Bros". It is a mix of Heechul's nickname "Universe Star" and Buzz's song "Coward". The song proved to be successful, topping the South Korean Gaon Digital Chart, an achievement known as an "all-kill". "Sweet Dream" won the Best Rock Song award at the 9th Melon Music Awards in 2017. Heechul also participated in the song "Melody", a collaboration with the South Korean rock band Eve. The pre-release single was released on December 23, a nod to the band's debut on Christmas Eve in 1997.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: His career as an MC made a breakthrough after he appeared on "Knowing Bros" and "Weekly Idol". He started receiving more MC roles from other shows, such as "Phantom Singer", "Singderella" and "Game Show Yoo Hee Nak Rak". He continued participating in entertainment programs in 2017, hosting shows such as "Life Bar," "My Daughter's Men", and "Idol School."


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul participated in both seasons of Super Junior's own variety show "Super TV" in 2018. He also joined the cast of "1 Percent of Friendship" and travel-reality show "Where Are You Going, DdaengChul." He was cast in his second game show "Begin A Game" in October 2018. Following the success of "Sweet Dream", Universe Cowards returned in February 2018 with "Falling Blossoms". The song is part of the "Knowing Bros" music video competition. Min Kyung-hoon wrote the lyrics to "Falling Blossoms" with his Buzz bandmates Yoo Woo-hyun and Shin Joon-ki. The song peaked at number 15 on Gaon Digital Chart, and won the duo the "Best Rock Song" award at the 10th Melon Music Awards held on December 1, 2018, making them the only artist to win the award two years in a row.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul's debut solo digital single "Old Movie", was released on April 24, 2019, topping the charts in seven different countries He held his first talk show event on May 4 and 5, which sold out in one minute from the start of internet ticket booking. Appearing in more than ten programs over the course of 2019, he also became a fixed cast member on various shows such as "My Little Old Boy", "Why Did You Come To My House?", and "Delicious Rendezvous". He also starred in the 2019 film "Hello, My Cat". On December 3, 2019, he was awarded the "Person of the Year" award at 2019 COSMO Glam Night. Heechul and Lee Soo-geun collaborated as the project group Woojoo Jjokkomi and released a cover of Mr. 2's song "White Winter" for project. His performance in "My Little Old Boy" and "Delicious Rendezvous" earned him Excellence award at the 13th SBS Entertainment Awards.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul continued his TV personality career in 2020, appearing in "Studio Music Hall", "Love of 7.7 Billion", and "20th Century Hit Song". On May 10, he earned his first Baeksang Arts Awards nomination at 56th ceremony in the Best Male Variety Performer category for "Knowing Bros". On December 1, it was announced that Heechul would be filling in as a temporary MC for KBS2's "Problem Child in House", in place of the program's regular MC Jung Hyung-don until February 16, when he returning to active promotions. He won the "Top Excellence Award" at the 14th SBS Entertainment Awards. At the end of the year, through the "" of "Knowing Bros", Kim Hee-chul and Min Kyung-hoon have released a new hip hop single "Hanryang", which is produced by DinDin and features BIBI.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In 2021, he became the main host of "Friends", "Long Live Independence" and "Falling for Korea - Transnational Couples". He also appeared in "Steel Troops" and as first Protagonist in "Duck's Tour". His web drama with Moon Ga-young "Recipe for Youth" which was originally set to be released in 2016, officially premiere on March 14 via BbangyaTV. In June, "Delicious Rendezvous" undergo reorganization and Heechul leave his place as member.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul's production discography consists predominately of rock music, proving his love for traditional Korean style rock. He has said that he had a dream about a rock band when he was a teenager and trainee. An active lyricist, he has written several of Super Junior's songs, including "Show Me Your Love", "Oops", and "Lo Siento". Moreover, he has written lyrics for his project group Kim Heechul & Kim Jungmo's songs "I Wish", "Narcissus", and "Ulsanbawi", as well as "Sweet Dream" for Universe Cowards. In addition, he wrote the lyrics for Orange Caramel's "Shanghai Romance", which peaked at number eight on the Gaon Digital Chart.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul has been praised for being a celebrity and model idol group member who rarely has scandals. He has spoken openly about the malicious comments in South Korea, as well as mental health. In October 2020, Ko Seung Woo and Jeong Chong Myeong credited Heechul alongside IU and Suga, as part of the force driving malicious commenters away for good. His androgynous appearance has caused rumors regarding his sexuality since his debut, being known for having a "pretty boy" look. He never denied being gay because he believes that "It'd be rude if I denied it so strongly." Heechul has also openly expressed his support for the LGBT community.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In 2006, Cyworld selected Kim Hee-chul's mini homepage as the most visited among celebrities. He also ranked first in the Cyworld visitor rankings for the first half of 2007. He took ninth place in the "2010 Twitter Trend Analysis" in People Category, and placed 3rd in the "Best Celebrity on Twitter" category at the 3rd Shorty Awards on March 28, 2011. MTV K conducted a Top 10 Cross-Dressing idols poll in 2011 in which Heechul emerged as the champion. He made a few appearances as "Lady HeeHee" throughout Super Show 3, as well as SM Town in Paris. Lady Gaga saw his imitation and praised him, saying: "He looks amazing!".


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul was one of the "10 Most Anticipated K-Stars of 2017" in an online poll organized by the Chinese entertainment magazine People's Daily. He was included in the ""Forbes" Korea Power Celebrity" list for the first time in 2020, placing tenth in the general rank. He was also ranked the 4th most powerful person in the broadcasting sector and the 5th most powerful person on SNS for having 5.38 million followers.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: On April 5, 2019, Heechul donated ₩30,000,000 (about US$26,300) to help those who were affected by Goseong Fire of 2019, through the organization "Fruits of Love". The MCs of variety show "A Style For You" Heechul, Hara, Bora and Hani held a flea market in episode 12 where special items that the MCs had created and bought personally were sold. All the proceeds earned through the flea market were donated to the "Save the Children" Relief Group. Heechul's total donation amounted to ₩3,912,700 (about US$3,912), and went to children in Nepal. He donated all proceeds from a CF he did in March 2020 as part of the cast of "Delicious Rendezvous" to COVID-19 relief charities. He also donated the profits from his CF with Kang Ho-dong and Lee Soo-geun to Green Dream Together project of the "Green Umbrella Children's Foundation". On March 14, 2022, Kim made a donation millions to Community Chest of Korea for Fruit of Love to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul has been one of the Korean Red Cross goodwill ambassadors of blood donation since 2007 as part of Super Junior. He participated in the EYE PROMISE YOU campaign held in 2017. The campaign aims to improve organ donation awareness and activate corneal donation. Heechul also took part in The CELEBe Video Donation Campaign from April 2020 with numerous celebrities and fans. He joined the emergency disaster donation campaign to overcome COVID-19 in Hoengseong County on June 29, 2020. He hosted the 13th Non-Smoking Festival Concert on December 20, 2019.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul is an endorser of a wide range of brands in and outside South Korea. He got his first solo endorsement deal with Lotte's Pepero in 2005. After appearing on "Knowing Bros" and his famous Pick Miwon CF, he started receiving more endorsement offers. Among the brands he has promoted are G-Market, Mistral, Pelicana Chicken, Dr.Groot, WHIA and Dyson. In 2021, Heechul collaboration with SM C&C and SM Entertainment Group artists and launched Eco Friendly Toohbrush and Toothpaste 옳치 옳치 (Right Toothbrush).


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In 2015, Heechul was announced as the ambassador of Hoengseong County at the "20th Hoengseong County Ambassador" appointment ceremony. He was also the ambassador of "1st Seoul Comic-Con 2017" by the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Later that year, he was chosen as the honorary tourism ambassador for Hoengseong beef in "17th International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Restaurant & Foodservice Equipment, Supplies & Services" or "HOFEX 2017" in Hong Kong. In 2019, Heechul joined the National Health Insurance Service as the promotional ambassador for anti-smoking. In 2020, Heechul appointed as the ambassador for the "16th Online Hoengseong Korean Beef Festival". In 2021, he has appointed as a public relations ambassador in Wonju.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul is an avid fan of the video game "League of Legends", one of the most popular video games in South Korea. It was mentioned in his show "Game Show Yoo Hee Nak Rak" that he is a high-level player with diamond rankings. On November 27, 2013, he appeared on OGN's "Pandora TV LoL Champions" as a Special Commentator and Guest player. In February 2015, the famous LoL team SK Telecom T1 sponsored a special match titled the "Celebrity League of Legends Invitational Event Match". SKT T-LoL invited various celebrities to join in a match against professional LoL gamers. The celebrity team including Heechul ultimately lost.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In August 2016, he attended the "League of Legends Pro League" 5th Anniversary in China, which included the Regional Final with four Chinese teams competing for a spot in the World Championship. He also competed in a Korea vs. China Celebrity Showmatch in commemoration. On October 9, he appeared on OGN as a special commentator for the "LoL World Championship". In November, Heechul began participating in SM Entertainment's League of Legends tournament "2016 SM Super Idol League", where he and labelmate Baekhyun played the game with both professional players and fans from South Korea and China.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: In June 2020, it was reported that Kim Hee-chul would be a part of the first-round investment group that would seek to provide funds for Brion Sports Business Group's stake for a spot in "League of Legends Champions Korea". Heechul was one of four celebrities to join the venture and brought on as E-sports company directors, and given a role to fulfil within the organization. They tasked with sharing their insight on how to build a brand, and a platform from where the organization can communicate and build a relationship with fans.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul started his YouTube channel called "HEEtube 김희철" on November 18, 2018. He held his first live gaming stream on December 5, 2018. He revealed during an episode of TV show "Six-Party Talks" that he received ₩15,000 in the first month of the channel. Heechul received a silver play button for having more than 100 thousand subscribers on his channel in April 2019. He took a break from posting from January 2, 2020, until March 5, 2020.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: On August 10, 2006, Heechul was involved in a car accident while heading back to Seoul from Mokpo after attending the funeral of fellow Super Junior member Donghae's father. The tires malfunctioned while his car attempted to switch lanes. Heechul fractured his left leg, requiring him to undergo surgery where seven iron rods were inserted. He also sustained other injuries, including a tear in his tongue which required stitches.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul was advised to stop all activities for a period of twelve weeks. He was released from the hospital on September 14, 2006 but continued to receive out-patient care. He returned to the hospital to have a second surgery to remove some of the iron rods in his leg on October 10, and briefly returned to work in late October to film the final three episodes of MBC's "Rainbow Romance" while still in a cast and wheelchair. He made his comeback on November 25 during the Mnet KM Music Festival. Six months after the accident, Heechul officially returned to individual activities such as variety show and hosting appearances. The remaining rods in his leg were removed in 2008.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Heechul is still receiving treatment, and can no longer dance on live stages, often only making sporadic appearances for the latter half of the songs. He started performing this way after Super Junior's third album "Sorry, Sorry" was completed. He still performed regularly until 2017, despite the condition of his legs. In March 2018, it was reported that Heechul would not be participating in music show performances of Super Junior's repackage album "Replay" due to health concerns, but would still take part in other promotions as normal. He announced in July that he has decided not to participate at all on the group's first mini album "One More Time" to focus on recovering his health. However, after the release of a teaser photo that featured Heechul, Label SJ announced that he had taken part in comeback preparations minimally.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: Label SJ confirmed in a statement in August 2019 that Heechul decided to sit out of performances for their upcoming ninth album "Time Slip" and the "" concert, but will be included in the album as well as Super Junior's variety appearances. The label further clarified in March 2020 that although he may not be able to perform on stage, he is still participating in Super Junior albums and other content by recording, as well as taking part in activities such as jacket photoshoots and MV filming.


title: Kim Hee-chul

text: On January 1, 2020, Label SJ and JYP Entertainment confirmed that Heechul was in a relationship with Momo Hirai, a member of the girl group Twice. On October 30, 2020, they topped the Joy News 24 survey as one of the biggest issues in the entertainment industry in 2020 by entertainment companies and broadcasting company employees, film and broadcasting content producers, and entertainment department reporters. On July 8, 2021, Label SJ and JYP Entertainment confirmed Heechul and Momo had broken up.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Shoaib Akhtar (; ; born 13 August 1975) is a Pakistani former cricketer and commentator. Nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express", he was the first bowler to be recorded bowling at 100 miles per hour, a feat he achieved twice in his career.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar made his Test match debut in November 1997 as an opening fast bowler and played his first One Day International three months later. He has been involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of unsportsmanlike conduct. Akhtar was sent home during a Test match series in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude and a year later received a ban after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In 2008, Akhtar was banned for five years for publicly criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board, although in October 2008, the Lahore High Court suspended the ban and Akhtar was selected in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada. Akhtar retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup. Post-retirement, he began a YouTube career by starting his own channel, where he gives reviews on matches and Pakistan cricket.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar was born into a Punjabi Muslim family in the small town of Morgah in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: His father, Mohammad Akhtar, whom Shoaib describes as very religious and “from a hardworking, economically unprivileged family of the Gujjar community”, worked as a night watchman at a petrol station belonging to the Attock oil refinery, and married his mother, Hameeda Awan, when she was still a teenager, and they had five children: four sons, Shoaib being the fourth, followed by a daughter, while his name, which in Arabic means both “the one who brings people together” and “the one who separates”, was chosen by his mother.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: A good student, Akhtar was admitted to the Asghar Mall College, but he disrupted his studies to attend trials for the PIA team's Karachi division to be held in Lahore. Lacking the money for a bus ticket, he waited for the bus to start and got onto the roof. After some struggle, starting his List A career during the 1993/1994 season and his first-class career during the 1994/1995 one, he caught the eye of Majid Khan, then the chief executive of the PCB, and after a good performance for the Pakistan A team's tour of England, in 1996, he was rewarded his maiden Test cap against the West Indies in 1997.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Considering his subsequent high profile in cricket, Akhtar's test career started rather modestly. He was first picked to play on his home ground in Rawalpindi during the 2nd Test of the West Indies 1997/98 tour of Pakistan. He was subsequently included in the tour of South Africa during the winter of 1998, where he played in all three Tests. He was notably the spearhead of a depleted Pakistani bowling attack in the Peshawar Test against the visiting Australians later in 1998, where Mark Taylor scored his famous unbeaten 334 in Australia's first innings. Subsequently, after 8 tests and 16 innings, Akhtar had accumulated only 18 wickets.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar's run of impressive performances started in 1999, during a pre-World Cup series against India. It was followed by outstanding bowling performances in Sharjah and later in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. His most significant performance was in India in 1999 when he captured eight wickets in the Asian Test championship match at Calcutta – including the wickets of Indian batsmen Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar when he bowled both batsmen off successive deliveries. It was the first ball he ever bowled to Tendulkar.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In 2002, he was selected for the Pakistan team against Australia and achieved a small amount of success. However the team performed poorly during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and after the tournament he was dropped from the Pakistan squad.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: He was selected back into the Pakistan squad as they had no choice in the 2003 Test match series against New Zealand, but struggled in a losing Test series against India in 2004. The series ended with a controversy when he left the field citing an injury leading to suspicions by former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, about his commitment to the team. As a result, his relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq and former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer deteriorated. A medical panel was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board to investigate the nature of his injury, however Pakistan officials dispelled all suspicions.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In 2005, Akhtar regained his reputation as a fast bowler for his side. Playing in a three Test home series against England, he made a series of impressive bowling performances. His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by the English batsmen. Akhtar emerged as the highest wicket taker of the series with seventeen wickets. His comeback was also remarkable as prior to his return, he had been criticised from all corners; such as by the Worcestershire chairman John Elliot for his celebrity attitude and lack of commitment to the team. His performance was also acknowledged by the English captain Michael Vaughan, who remarked "I thought he (Shoaib) was a big difference between the two teams".


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Throughout his career, he was regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the history of international cricket. He achieved the record of the fastest bowl to date at 161.3 kph after the introduction of speed-measuring devices at international cricket in 1998. He is also known as one of only three bowlers to have ever broken the 100 mph barrier in cricket history, with a delivery of 100.2 mph, during a one-day international against England at the 2003 World Cup.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 29 October 2007, Akhtar made his return to cricket from his 13 match ban and performed very well, he took 4 wickets for 43 runs against South Africa in the fifth and deciding One Day International series in Lahore in Pakistan. Subsequently, he was included in the 16-man Pakistan squad for the 2007 tour of India.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar made a return to international cricket albeit in the shorter format of the game. In May 2010, PCB named him in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup. On 15 June 2010, Akhtar made his return, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in the first match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. He narrowly missed out a spot in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in place of the injured Umar Gul.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In July 2010, he was selected for the Twenty20 series against Australia but the selectors decided not to play him in the Test squad so that he would not get injured. He was subsequently selected for the ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar returned to the national side representing the country against England in the Twenty20 International. He bowled an impressive spell and returned with figures of 2 wickets for 23 runs. He continued to bowl well in the ODI series in the absence of regular fast-bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were suspended by the International Cricket Council amid allegations of Spot-fixing. Despite his relatively good bowling form, Pakistani coach Waqar Younis insisted that the bowling attack must not become reliant on Akhtar, as he is 35 years of age and fitness troubles continue to affect him. Akhtar was selected for the tour of New Zealand and started his campaign off well with 3 wickets on Boxing Day in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar was selected in Pakistan's 15-man squad to play in the 2011 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka in February to March. During the tournament, he announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup. He was dropped from the squad after group matches and was not included in the quarter final either.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar has played for three English county cricket clubs: Somerset in 2001, Durham in 2003 and 2004 and Worcestershire in 2005. He did achieve his moments of success, such as taking 5 wickets for 35 runs for Durham against Somerset in the National League in 2003 and claiming 6 wickets for 16 runs in the same competition for Worcestershire against Gloucestershire two years later, but he suffered from fitness problems, as well as a perception that he was less than interested in his task. This was particularly the case at Worcestershire: chairman John Elliott said "Players like that are no good to our club. In fact, Akhtar has been no good for any club he's been at.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar made a successful return to cricket in his first game in the Indian Premier League, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Delhi Daredevils. Defending a low score of 133 runs, Akhtar took four top order wickets which ultimately led to the Daredevils being restricted to 110 runs. He ended with figures of 4 wickets for 11 runs from three overs, a performance which earned him the player of the match award. Akhtar denied that he had any point to prove with his performance, stating, "I just wanted to win the game." Knight Riders' captain Sourav Ganguly also acknowledged Akhtar's performance, "He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him...But he showed a lot of character."


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar's career has been plagued with injuries, controversies and accusations of poor attitude. After Pakistan's poor performance in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, he got involved in a verbal conflict with former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Younis. Later on Akhtar was sacked along with other players, including Younis. In a triangular series in 2003 held in Sri Lanka, he was caught ball tampering making him the second player in cricket to be banned on ball tampering charges. The same year he was banned for one Test match and two One Day International matches for abusing South African spin bowler Paul Adams, during a match against South Africa. In the 2004 home series with India, he struggled with wrist and back injuries, which raised questions about his commitment to the team.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: He was sent back from the 2005 Australia tour with a hamstring injury amid rumours of indiscipline, lack of commitment and attitudinal complaints. He was subsequently fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board for avoiding a late night curfew. The rest of his cricketing career was riddled with ankle and knee injuries which forced him to undergo a surgery in February 2006, until finally he was banned for two years for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 16 October 2006 Akhtar was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board, along with Mohammed Asif after they tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. They were consequently pulled out from the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy. Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman later stated that he had always suspected Akhtar of substance abuse due to his consistent "reservations" to drug tests. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq had also previously complained about Akhtar's drug abuse but was not reported to the Pakistan Cricket Board. Akhtar immediately declared his innocence and he declined knowingly taking any performance-enhancing drugs. In a statement issued to the press, he claimed that he could never cheat teammates or opponents. During a hearing with the Pakistan Cricket Board Anti-Doping Committee, he along with Asif maintained taking non-steroidal dietary supplements. He, however, failed to convince the committee of his innocence. In its report submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Anti-Doping Committee recommended a two-year ban.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 1 November 2006 the Pakistan Cricket Board handed down a two-year suspension to Akhtar and a one-year suspension to Asif, banning them from professional cricket during the period. Shoaib had subsequently been added to Pakistan Olympic Association list of doping offenders. However, on 5 December 2006 represented by his lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, Akhtar was cleared on appeal.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 5 December 2006 Akhtar and Asif were acquitted by the tribunal appointed to review their appeals. After a clear hearing from Akhtar's lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, the three-man committee, voted two to one in favour of the acquittal. Justice Fakhruddin Ebrahim, committee head, and Haseeb Ahsan, former Test cricketer, were in favour of the acquittal. The third member, Danish Zaheer, differed. "Exceptional circumstances" were cited including discrepancies between the instantaneous offence charges of doping that were laid and the quick delivery of a very harsh verdict. The complete drug testing procedure was concluded to have been technically flawed as it did not follow standard procedures. Other established facts by the committee included that the duo were not aware of the banned drug to be present in their supplements because the Pakistan Cricket Board itself had not informed them of the dangers of contaminated supplements.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: Akhtar and Asif, however, did not play in the subsequent Test match series against the West Indies because the Pakistan Cricket Board had recommended that they play domestic games first to recover form and fitness. On 1 March 2007 Akhtar and Asif were ruled out of the Pakistani squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup by team officials, minutes before the squad was to depart for the West Indies. The team management along with the Pakistan Cricket Board said their injuries were too severe to risk taking them to the Caribbean. Since neither of the two had been declared fit they did not undergo official doping tests.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA) challenged Pakistan's decision to lift bans on fast bowlers Akhtar and Asif by taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ICC supported the WADA appeal adding that it was committed to a dope free game. On 2 July 2007, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dropped the case, ruling it had no jurisdiction to challenge the decision made by PCB.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In August 2007, Akhtar was reported to have used foul language against Pakistan Cricket Board protesting the imposing of fine of Rs. 300,000 for indiscipline during the national camp in Karachi. In the week before the inaugural World Twenty20, held in South Africa, Akhtar was rumoured to have hit Pakistani teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat after an argument in the dressing room. It started after Akhtar was ridiculed by Asif and Shahid Afridi for comparing himself with Imran Khan. After the initial inquiry, Akhtar was found to be at fault and was subsequently recalled from the Twenty20 World Cup squad and was sent home. He was also banned for 5 matches by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Akhtar later claimed that Afridi was responsible for the fight, saying "He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them." Afridi however, denied these allegations adding that Asif would have suffered more injuries but for his intervention. Even Asif chipped in saying that Akhtar was lying and that "Shahid Afridi had nothing to do with the fight", saying that "he has not apologised to me."


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 1 April 2008 Akhtar was banned for five years for violating the players' code of conduct. The ban extended to all cricket for and in Pakistan. Despite the ban not preventing him from playing in the Indian Premier League, the IPL governing council decided not to allow Akhtar to play in the tournament until the end of the ban or unless it is lifted. IS Bindra, a member of the council, was quoted as saying, "Even though they [the PCB] have cleared him to play for IPL, we felt that international discipline needs to be respected." Meanwhile, Akhtar vowed to go to great lengths to fight the ban, "I will appeal, as is my right. If that fails I will go to court, if that fails then I will go to the Supreme Court." On 3 April, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf served a legal notice on Akhtar, calling on him to retract statements he made to a news channel, alleging the ban was punishment in return for refusing to give the chairman a share of his earnings from the Indian Premier League, Ashraf also sought damages of Rs 100 million (approximately US$1.6 million) for "defaming him personally" and an additional Rs 100 million to the Pakistan Cricket Board for "sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket team." A three-man appellate tribunal announced on 30 April that they had temporarily upheld Akhtar's five-year ban, deciding to revist the appeal hearing in June. Despite Akhtar's later retracting his claims and also issuing an unconditional apology for "any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the nation, particularly to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf", Ashraf's legal counsel filed a Rs 220 million (approx US$3.37 million) defamation suit against Akhtar in a civil court in Lahore on 2 May. On 4 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board's appellate tribunal suspended the five-year ban for one month, until they reconvene on 4 June, allowing Akhtar to take part in the ongoing Indian Premier League. A day later, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that they will no longer pursue the defamation suit following a reconciliation between Akhtar and chairman Nasim Ashraf at the house of Rehman Malik, a key political official, in Islamabad. "My honour has been vindicated and now the defamation lawsuit will not be pursued," Ashraf was quoted as saying.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 4 September 2008, Akhtar was sent back home from Heathrow airport by British immigration officials on visa grounds; Akhtar only had a visit visa but not a working visa, which is required to play in county cricket. He subsequently obtained the necessary visa and returned to play with English county club Surrey.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: On 21 May 2009, Akhtar was dropped from 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Pakistan squad because of genital viral warts.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In July 2012, Akhtar accused the PCB stating that there was too much "politics" in the Board and some of its officials did not want Pakistani team to win.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: In September 2011, few months after his retirement from international cricket, he released his autobiography "Controversially Yours", co-written with Indian social anthropologist and journalist Anshu Dogra.


title: Shoaib Akhtar

text: It was met with positive reviews, observers noting the interest of having Shoaib's comments, nearly always critical, on issues pertaining to the administration of cricket in Pakistan, the controversies surrounding ball tampering and his views on cricketers, from Pakistan as well outside.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: God of War: Ghost of Sparta is an action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It was first released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console on November 2, 2010. The game is the sixth installment in the "God of War" series and the fourth chronologically. Loosely based on Greek mythology, "Ghost of Sparta" is set in ancient Greece with vengeance as its central motif. The player controls the protagonist Kratos, the God of War. Kratos is still haunted by the visions of his mortal past and decides to explore his origins. In Atlantis, he finds his mother Callisto, who claims that his brother Deimos is still alive. Kratos journeys to the Domain of Death to rescue his brother. After initial resentment from Deimos, the brothers team up to battle the God of Death, Thanatos, Deimos's capturer.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The gameplay is similar to that of the previous installments, and focuses on combo-based combat, achieved through the player's main weapon—the Blades of Athena—and a secondary weapon acquired later in the game. It features quick time events that require the player to complete various game controller actions in a timed sequence to defeat stronger enemies and bosses. Up to three magical attacks and a power-enhancing ability can be used as alternative combat options. "Ghost of Sparta" also features puzzles and platforming elements. The combat system was updated with 25 percent more gameplay than its PSP predecessor, "".


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: "Ghost of Sparta" received positive reviews from critics for its story, cinematographic cutscenes, and graphical illustration, though criticism was given for the general lack of gameplay innovation from its predecessor, "Chains of Olympus". Several critics consider it to be the best-looking game on the PSP. Others have compared the overall game to those on the PlayStation 3 (PS3), and some have said that the graphics are better than those of the PlayStation 2 (PS2). "Ghost of Sparta" received several awards, including "Best Handheld Game", "Best PSP Game", and "PSP Game of Show" at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and "Best Handheld Game" at the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards. By June 2012, it had sold almost 1.2 million copies worldwide, making it the fifteenth best-selling PlayStation Portable game of all time. Together with "Chains of Olympus", "Ghost of Sparta" was remastered and released on September 13, 2011, as part of the "" and the remastered version was re-released on August 28, 2012, as part of the "God of War Saga", both for the PlayStation 3.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The gameplay of "God of War: Ghost of Sparta" resembles that of the previous installments. It is a third-person single player video game viewed from a fixed camera perspective. The player controls the character Kratos in hack and slash combo-based combat, platforming, and puzzle game elements, and battles foes who primarily stem from Greek mythology, including minotaurs, cyclopes, harpies, Gorgons, and satyrs. The undead legionnaires, keres wraiths, geryons, automatons, Boreas beasts, and Triton warriors were influenced by the mythology, but created specifically for the game. Platforming elements require the player to climb walls, jump across chasms, swing on ropes, and balance across beams to proceed through sections of the game. Some puzzles are simple, such as moving a box so that the player can use it to access a pathway unreachable with normal jumping, but others are more complex, such as finding several items across different areas of the game to unlock one door. The game features new weapons, magical powers, and navigational abilities not present in previous games and has been cited as featuring 25 percent more gameplay than "".


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Kratos' main weapon is the Blades of Athena, a pair of blades attached to chains that are wrapped around the character's wrists and forearms. In gameplay, the blades can be swung offensively in various maneuvers. Later in the game, Kratos acquires a new weapon, the Arms of Sparta—a spear and shield offering alternative combat options (e.g., Kratos can use the shield for defense and the spear for offense, such as throwing it at distant targets). Kratos gains a special ability, Thera's Bane, that infuses his blades with fire, and is similar to the Rage ability in previous games, providing increased attack damage that is strong enough to pierce through enemy armor. As with the Items in "God of War III", this ability automatically replenishes itself (represented by the Fire meter), allowing further usage. Both the Arms of Sparta and Thera's Bane are used to overcome environmental obstacles (e.g., certain doors require the use of Thera's Bane to open). Kratos learns to use up to three magical abilities, including the Eye of Atlantis, Scourge of Erinys, and the Horn of Boreas, giving him a variety of ways to attack and kill enemies. The relic Poseidon's Trident is retained from the prior installment, which allows him to breathe underwater, a necessary ability as parts of the game require long periods of time there.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The combat system has been updated to allow Kratos to "pummel enemies to the ground as well as throw them", and perform air-to-air attacks. An "augmented death system" is also used, featuring specific weapon and magic death animations. This game's challenge mode is called the Challenge of the Gods, which features five Challenges of Ares, with an additional eight Challenges of Athena that can be unlocked. The challenge mode requires players to complete a series of specific tasks (e.g., kill all enemies without being attacked). A new mode exclusive to this game has been added called The Temple of Zeus, which allows players to sacrifice collected red orbs (from both in-game and the challenge mode) to unlock additional features, such as the Challenges of Athena, bonus costumes for Kratos, behind-the-scenes videos, and concept art of the characters and environments. Completing each difficulty level unlocks additional rewards. A Combat Arena (similar to the version in "God of War III") allows players to pick adversaries and adjust the level of difficulty to improve their skills.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: As with previous games in the "God of War" franchise, "God of War: Ghost of Sparta" is set in an alternate version of ancient Greece populated by the Olympian gods, Titans, and other beings from Greek mythology. With the exception of flashbacks, the events are set between the games "God of War" (2005) and "" (2007). Several locations are explored, including the fictional city of Atlantis (and later a sunken version). Atlantis is a mythical city erected by the Sea God Poseidon, and houses the Temple of Poseidon. Near the city is a real-world location, the Methana Volcano, which is contained by the archimedean screws and is also the prison of the Titan Thera, who is guarded by automatons. On the outskirts of the city is the Temple of the god Thanatos, the location of Death's Gate and portal to the Domain of Death. Other locations include the Island of Crete and its capital city, Heraklion, the Mounts of Aroania, the ancient city of Sparta (also home to the Temple of Ares), the Mounts of Laconia, and a brief scene above the city of Athens featuring Suicide Bluffs, the highest cliff in the city overlooking the Aegean Sea and a recurring location during Kratos' adventures.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The protagonist of the game is Kratos (voiced by Terrence C. Carson), the God of War after having killed the former, Ares (who appears in flashbacks and voiced by Steven Blum). Other characters include Athena (Erin Torpey), the Goddess of Wisdom who warns Kratos about exploring his past; Deimos (Mark Deklin), the younger brother of Kratos who is imprisoned and tortured in the Domain of Death; Thanatos (Arthur Burghardt), the God of Death and main antagonist; Callisto (Deanna Hurstold), the mother of Kratos and Deimos; Thera (Dee Dee Rescher), a Titan imprisoned beneath the Methana Volcano; and Erinys (Erin Torpey and Jennifer Hale), Thanatos' daughter. Minor characters include Lanaeus (Fred Tatasciore); a servant of Poseidon; King Midas (Fred Tatasciore), a king whose touch will turn anything to gold; the gravedigger (Paul Eiding), who warns Kratos to not alienate the gods; a loyal Spartan soldier (Gideon Emery); and Poseidon (Gideon Emery), the God of the Sea. Zeus (Fred Tatasciore), the King of the Gods, appears in the "Combat Arena" (bonus feature) after the player selects the gravedigger.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: A series of flashbacks reveals that the oracle had foretold that the demise of Olympus would come not by the revenge of the Titans, who had been imprisoned after the Great War, but by a mortal, a marked warrior. The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupted the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos, with Athena on hand, and kidnapped Deimos. Kratos attempted to stop Ares, but was swept aside and subsequently scarred across his right eye by the Olympian. Athena stopped Ares from killing Kratos, knowing his eventual destiny. Taken to Death's Domain, Deimos was imprisoned and tortured by Thanatos. In honor of his sibling, Kratos marked himself with a red tattoo, identical to his brother's birthmark.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Years later, when the game begins, Kratos has taken Ares' place as the new God of War on Mount Olympus. Still haunted by visions of his mortal past, Kratos decides against Athena's advice to explore his past and travels to the Temple of Poseidon, located within the city of Atlantis. The sea monster, Scylla, attacks and destroys Kratos' vessel off the coast of Atlantis, though the Spartan drives the beast off. After a series of skirmishes across the city, he eventually kills Scylla.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Reaching the temple, Kratos locates his mother, Callisto, who attempts to reveal the identity of his father. When Callisto is suddenly transformed into a hideous beast, Kratos is forced to battle her, and before dying, Callisto thanks him and beseeches him to seek out Deimos in Sparta. Prior to departure, Kratos encounters and frees the trapped Titan, Thera, which causes the eruption of the Methana Volcano, and subsequently destroys the city. During his escape, he has another encounter with the enigmatic gravedigger, who warns him of the consequences of alienating the gods.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Seeking clues about his brother Deimos, Kratos decides to reach his hometown Sparta. While traveling through the Aronian Pass, Kratos meets the goddess Erinys, daughter of Thanatos, who was searching for Kratos since the destruction of Atlantis. After a vicious battle, Kratos brutally kills Erinys and reaches Sparta, where he witnesses a group of Spartans tearing down a statue of Ares, intent on replacing it with one of Kratos. Kratos then chases a dissenter loyal to Ares into the Spartan Jails, who attempts to kill Kratos by releasing the Piraeus Lion. Defeating both foes, Kratos journeys to the Temple of Ares, where he encounters the spirit of his child self and learns that he must return to the now sunken Atlantis and locate the Domain of Death. Before leaving, a loyal Spartan provides him with his former weapons—used during Kratos' days as a Captain of the Spartan army—the Arms of Sparta. After returning to the sunken Atlantis, Kratos receives great resentment from Poseidon for sinking his beloved city.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Entering the Domain of Death, the Spartan frees his imprisoned brother. Enraged that Kratos had failed to rescue him sooner and stating he will never forgive him, Deimos attacks and overpowers Kratos. However, Thanatos intervenes and takes a protesting Deimos to Suicide Bluffs (the site of Kratos' suicide attempt), where Kratos saves Deimos from falling to his death. A grateful Deimos then aids his brother in battling the god with the Arms of Sparta. At this point, Thanatos realizes Ares chose the wrong Spartan; it was Kratos who should have been taken, the "mark" being his red tattoo and the white ashes of his wife and child bound to his skin. Thanatos, however, kills Deimos, causing Kratos to fly into an uncontrollable rage out of grief and unleash his true power on Thanatos, allowing Kratos to finally destroy him. Remarking that his brother is finally free, Kratos places Deimos in his grave (leaving the Arms of Sparta as a grave marker), while the gravedigger states that Kratos has become "Death... the Destroyer of Worlds." Athena appears, begs for forgiveness, and offers full godhood for not revealing the truth, but Kratos ignores her and returns to Olympus, promising that "the gods will pay for this." As Kratos is seen leaving, Athena looks apologetically at Kratos and whispers out of his earshot, "Forgive me... brother."


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: In a post-credits scene, the gravedigger places Callisto in a grave by Deimos (with an empty third grave nearby) and states "Now... only one remains." The final scene is a brooding Kratos sitting on his throne on Mount Olympus in his Olympian armor.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: "God of War: Ghost of Sparta" was announced on May 4, 2010, on PlayStation.Blog. According to Sony, Ready at Dawn utilized "state-of-the-art visual technologies" that allowed "higher quality environments and characters." "Ghost of Sparta" offers "over 25% more gameplay" than its PSP predecessor, "Chains of Olympus", while adding more enemies on screen and a greater number of boss encounters. Development of "Ghost of Sparta" took 23 months to complete. "Chains of Olympus" game director Ru Weerasuriya did not return to direct due to his busy schedule at Ready at Dawn, so Dana Jan, the lead level designer on "Chains of Olympus", became director. At Comic-Con 2010, Jan noted that when development began in 2008, the goal was to make the game "bigger" than "Chains of Olympus", which had "pushed" the PSP to its functional limits. Jan stated that "Ghost of Sparta" has taken the PSP to its "absolute capacity", with one additional feature being more on-screen foes. The game concept was originally used as a teaser for players who obtained the platinum trophy from "God of War III". The trophy revealed a site called "spartansstandtall.com"—it initially featured a simple animation of torrential rain falling into a body of water and a Spartan shield encompassed by a meter on the screen. The meter was speculated to have been filled by players achieving the trophy and reaching the site. On May 4, 2010, the meter reached maximum and the site was updated for a final time, revealing an image of Kratos standing above a reflection and the logo for "God of War: Ghost of Sparta", as the official site. On June 15, 2010, Sony displayed a cinematic trailer narrated by Linda Hunt during their 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Press Conference.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Dana Jan stated the reason they chose to have the game take place between "God of War" and "God of War II" was because "It seemed to make a lot of sense to fill in that void." Jan said with some scenes, "the team wasn't sure how gamers would react" because ""God of War" usually doesn't slow...down" and the team "worried if these scenes would be captivating enough to keep player interested and still feel like "God of War"." For puzzles, Jan stated that they tried to make the outcomes unexpected because players assume that they will have to "push something, carry a body or smash something with [the] blades." Hinting at a possible future installment from Ready at Dawn, Jan stated that he is "intrigued" by the flashbacks in "God of War" and "God of War II" and that "There's definitely a back story to Kratos that nobody's touched on." For the character Deimos, Jan stated that the first reference was actually in the "Chains of Olympus" finale. In the game, Helios states "Do you think that they'll survive?" and Athena says "They must." Jan said that this line was "purposefully put" in that game and that there are also references to Deimos in "God of War III". He confirmed that Kratos and Deimos are not twins and that while Kratos' father is Zeus, "Deimos' father is more of a mystery." He confirmed that a character named Dominus appears in the game (Kratos' original name) and "the scene featuring a soldier named Dominus was a nod to that." He also stated that he does not know where "God of War: Betrayal" fits chronologically in the series.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: Several voice actors returned to reprise their roles from previous installments, including Terrence C. Carson, Erin Torpey, Gideon Emery, Steven Blum, Paul Eiding, and Linda Hunt, who voiced Kratos, Athena, Poseidon, Ares, the gravedigger, and the narrator, respectively. Actors Mark Deklin and Arthur Burghardt voiced the characters of Deimos and Thanatos, respectively. During flashbacks to Kratos' childhood, Antony Del Rio, Bridger Zadina, and Jennifer Hale provided the respective voices of Kratos, Deimos, and Callisto. Both Erin Torpey and Jennifer Hale voiced the character Erinys via overdubbed voices. Josh Keaton, who had previously voiced the loyal Spartan soldier (credited as the Last Spartan), did not return to reprise the role, and as such, Gideon Emery voiced the character in addition to Poseidon. Series veteran Fred Tatasciore voiced the characters Lanaeus, King Midas, and the minor role of Zeus. The voice directors were Kris Zimmerman and Gordon Hunt.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The demo for "God of War: Ghost of Sparta" was available for play at Sony's E3 2010 booth to attendees of the event. The 15-minute sequence pits Kratos against various sea and land enemies, including the main opponent Scylla, a sea monster. The sequence also features Kratos using a new weapon, "Arms of Sparta" (a spear and shield), and the magical attack, "Eye of Atlantis. " On September 3, 2010, Ready at Dawn emailed registrants of GodofWar.com and SpartansStandTall.com a voucher for the demo and on September 7, PlayStation Plus members received early access to it. On September 28, the demo was made available to all PlayStation Network (PSN) members to download from the PlayStation Store.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: The game was released in North America on November 2, 2010, in mainland Europe on November 3, in Australia and New Zealand on November 4, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on November 5. By June 2012, "God of War: Ghost of Sparta" had sold almost 1.2 million copies worldwide. Together with "God of War: Chains of Olympus", the game was released as part of the "" on September 13, 2011, in North America and September 16 in Europe. The collection is a remastered port of both games to the PlayStation 3, with features including high-definition resolution, stereoscopic 3D, anti-aliased graphics locked in at 60 frames per second, DualShock 3 vibration function, and Trophies. "God of War: Origins Collection" was also released to download on the PlayStation Store on September 13 in North America (including full game trials of both games). By June 2012, "God of War: Origins Collection" had sold 711,737 copies worldwide. On August 28, 2012, "God of War Collection", "God of War III", and "Origins Collection" were released as part of the "God of War Saga" under Sony's line of PlayStation Collections for the PlayStation 3 in North America.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: As a pre-order bonus at select retailers, players received exclusive downloadable content (DLC) available via the PlayStation Network. The content included the original soundtrack, a "Ghost of Sparta" PSP XrossMediaBar (XMB) theme, a PS3 dynamic XMB theme ("Palace of Hades"), a PSN Avatar, a Legionnaire Skin for use in-game, and an exclusive documentary, "God of War – Game Directors Live". PSPgo owners received the pre-order items by purchasing the game between November 2 and 23, 2010, on the PlayStation Store. GameStop offered an exclusive Challenge arena, "The Forest of the Forgotten", in addition to the other bonuses.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: "Ghost of Sparta" was also available in a special limited edition PSP bundle pack, which included the game, a voucher to download "Chains of Olympus", a UMD of the 2010 film "Kick-Ass", a 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a special black and red two-toned PSP-3000. For a limited time, specially marked packages included a voucher enabling a download of the "Deimos Skin" for use in "God of War III". The Deimos Skin was available in the PSP bundle pack, and PSPgo owners received the bonus skin with the pre-order items. In Europe, the Deimos Skin can still be obtained by purchasing "Ghost of Sparta" from the PlayStation Store.


title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

text: "God of War: Ghost of Sparta – Original Soundtrack from the Video Game"—composed by Gerard K. Marino and Mike Reagan—was released on iTunes on October 18, 2010, by Sony Computer Entertainment and includes three bonus tracks from "Chains of Olympus". It was also included as downloadable content in the "Ghost of Sparta" pre-order package. Square Enix Music Online (8/10) stated that several tracks were intended for purely contextual purposes, with the remainder of the soundtrack rating well in comparison to the soundtracks of the main installments in the series.