Annals of the Homestarmy - Gaming

Once upon a time there was Myst...

nospam@example.com (The Jet) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:02:40 -0600

Greetings.

So, I'm looking for a game in the same vein as Myst: Clever puzzles and strategies with a fun storyline. Actually, the storyline doesn't even have to be that good, as long as the puzzles are. Any suggestions? Remember, I'm a Mac User, but don't worry about checking. I'll do that. You just pony up the good stuff.

Thanks in advance.

So It Is...

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:53 -0600

Do you remember that game I introduced a while back, called "Powder"? In that same vein, I bring you This Is Sand - and I find it difficult to argue with the assertion, as long as you accept the implied "virtual".

[Ed: Stay away from the "gallery", it's NSFW...I don't know why people feel they need to draw such things, I already know what mine looks like...]

Dungeon Siege

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:18:00 -0600

In the spirit of prepping everyone for tonight's session, I'm going to write about Dungeon Siege the movie and game.

"Where's the packmule?" That's really the question you have to ask when watching In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Seige Tale. Sure, the movie starts off well enough, a few extra characters here and there to give some opportunities for exposition. Jason Statham is Farmer, which is okay considering your character is referred to as a farmer in game and it seems a little farfetched to have the audience select an avatar at the beginning of the movie.

Oh! What's that? Why, yes, I did hear right, that's old Norick, just like at the beginning of the game he's come to warn farmer of impending doom! And. . .he's played by Hellboy? Awesome! Wait a second. He's not dying. He's standing there. Talking about vegetables. Hmm, maybe he'll die later on.

Moving along, we meet Farmer's very hot farmwife. Nice. The movie continues onward with the kruggs attacking. Matthew Lillard delivers a stunning, Oscar-worthy performance as the village idiot. There are fantastic battles with ninjas, friendships are formed, betrayals abound, and best of all, there are long simmering stares.

It must be some time after the tree women make their second appearance (kiss already!) that you realize. . .wait. . .they've missed the best character in the game! How could they not include Pack Mule! How many times has that noble beast turned the tide of battle while fighting through endless hordes of krugg in game. His ability to carry all your loot and occasionally kick some small enemy to death is vital. VITAL! You can bet that Gimli and that girl with the funny nose aren't going to pack all your loot out of the enemy dungeon.

Then the credits roll. So sad.

Overall, I give the movie two stars out of five, because it got two things really, really right. First off, the scene with Farmer running over the top of the battle jumping from krugg head to krugg head was perfect. You can't ask for a more over the top scene. Secondly, the scene where Shaggy gets out of the Mystery Machine and starts firing arrows at Burt Reynolds is something everyone should see. Really, just a masterful sequence of events there. In summary, if you're a fan of the game and enjoy bad dialogue mixed with wooden acting, I highly recommend this movie.

2D / 3D

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:50:58 -0600

I've never been able to play any of the "Paper Mario" games, but they've always fascinated me. However, this game seems to have taken the "2D vs 3D" thing to the next level, and I'd love to give it a try. Watch closely to see how something's position in the 3D world doesn't matter once you have the correct 2D perspective - there's one shot where the guy would have to jump nearly all the way across the screen to make it to the next block in 3D, but a simple rotation puts it right next to him.

Concert to benefit the Asylum

nospam@example.com (Sideshow) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:07:10 -0600

What say ye to friday night?

The Next Rock Band Session....

nospam@example.com (Sideshow) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:56:55 -0600

Not sure when it will be, trying to talk the wife into this weekend, but it will contain... this song.

Spore Countdown

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:42:11 -0600

Rock Band Playlists UPDATED

nospam@example.com (Sideshow) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:10:00 -0700

So during our latest jam session it was asked of me what is the full playlist for Rock Band. I figured I'd post it here. I've also bolded the songs that I have currently unlocked.

Updated 1/15. All songs have been unlocked. And thanks to an upcoming donation from Radar, the Metallica Pack will also be available for our next jam session.

Updated 1/14 With new songs unlocked.

"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" � Jet
"Ballroom Blitz" � Sweet
"Black Hole Sun" � Soundgarden
"Blitzkrieg Bop" � Ramones
"Celebrity Skin" � Hole
"Cherub Rock" � Smashing Pumpkins
"Creep" � Radiohead
"Dani California" � Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Dead on Arrival" � Fall Out Boy
"Detroit Rock City" � Kiss
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" � Blue �yster Cult - More Cowbell!!
"The Electric Version" � The New Pornographers
"Enter Sandman" � Metallica - A Fav for Radar.
"Epic" � Faith No More
"Flirtin' with Disaster" � Molly Hatchet
"Foreplay/Long Time" � Boston
"Gimme Shelter" � The Rolling Stones
"Go with the Flow" � Queens of the Stone Age
"Green Grass and High Tides" � The Outlaws - This song is EVIL on the drums
"The Hand That Feeds" � Nine Inch Nails
"Here It Goes Again" � OK Go
"Highway Star" � Deep Purple
"I Think I'm Paranoid" � Garbage
"In Bloom" � Nirvana
"Learn to Fly" � Foo Fighters
"Main Offender" � The Hives
"Maps" � Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Mississippi Queen" � Mountain
"Next to You" � The Police
"Orange Crush" � R.E.M.
"Paranoid" � Black Sabbath
"Reptilia" � The Strokes
"Run to the Hills" � Iron Maiden
"Sabotage" � Beastie Boys
"Say It Ain't So" � Weezer
"Should I Stay or Should I Go" � The Clash
"Suffragette City" � David Bowie
"Tom Sawyer" � Rush
"Train Kept A-Rollin'" � Aerosmith
"Vasoline" � Stone Temple Pilots
"Wanted Dead or Alive" � Bon Jovi
"Wave of Mutilation" � Pixies
"Welcome Home" � Coheed and Cambria
"When You Were Young" � The Killers
"Won't Get Fooled Again" � The Who

Bonus songs

A total of 13 bonus songs are available for unlocking in the game.

"29 Fingers" � The Konks
"Blood Doll" � Anarchy Club
"Brainpower" � Freezepop
"Can't Let Go" � Death of the Cool
"Day Late, Dollar Short" � The Acro-Brats
"I Get By" � Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives
"I'm So Sick" � Flyleaf
"Nightmare" � Crooked X
"Outside" � Tribe
"Pleasure (Pleasure)" � Bang Camaro
"Seven" � Vagiant
"Time We Had" � The Mother Hips
"Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld" � Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld

In addition there are songs available for purchase. You can see a list of those songs here. I've downloaded Dirtly Little Secret, and Move Along.

Kwari: Earn Money Playing Games?!

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:26:34 -0700

From Kwari.com:

On the surface Kwari is a superior rapid-action first person shooter with all the sci-fi setting weapons and trappings you'd ever need. However there is a whole lot more going on.

Kwari has been designed with a singular purpose in mind � to give you the opportunity to translate your shooter skills into some serious cash. Everything about the game has been tailored to that effect, so much so that even an average player should be able to get ahead in the game quickly.

Hit the jump to sign up for the beta.

Portal Song

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:34:27 -0600

Here's a YTMND site with shots of the game and the credits song playing in the background.

http://weightedcompanioncube.ytmnd.com/

More About That Portal Song

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:48:36 -0600

For those of you who have actually listened to it, it might make you smile to know that the super-awesomeness that is the Portal end-theme was written by the same creative genius who brought us that instant class, Code Monkey.

I WANT PORTAL!

nospam@example.com (Ancient of Days) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:02:56 -0600

"Words are ill-suited tools to describe the sheer amusement value of Portal. At about three hours long, it's one of the shortest games you'll play this year. You have absolutely no offensive weaponry, no special powers, and for most of the game your only real opponent is yourself. It's still, bar none, one of the best games I've ever played."

If you haven't heard it yet, and don't mind a bit of a spoiler for the game, I really suggest you go listen to the Ending Theme.

This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here:
HUGE SUCCESS
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.

Aperture Science:
We do what we must because we can.

Man. Could you possibly have created a more AoD-oriented game?

MAN!

MAN!!!

I have no words for

nospam@example.com (Sideshow) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:41:26 -0600

this.

Also the game that will probably finally make me break down and get a 360.

Do not read this!

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:35:32 -0600

Don't visit these sites if you value your time.

Zombie Invasion Simulator

Onslaught Turret Builder

PA vs. Jack

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 16:02:25 -0600

Wow, this whole Jack Thompson episode is really escalating. Jack sent a letter to the Florida Bar Association (basically a threat that he would sue them if they tried to disbar him) in which he refers to gamers by the term "pixelantes." Well, it didn't take long to get a shirt out that is sure to be a hot item on my Christmas list.

It seems that Jack finally realized he is in over his head. He's called for backup. I, for one, look forward to the Legion of Doom's response.

I know this stuff is all posted on the Penny Arcade site, but seriously, I don't think it can get enough attention. Gabe says he'd rather have Jack as the voice of the "anti-violence in games" crowd than some smooth talker with half a brain, but I respectfully disagree. Jack's public persona is that of a raving lunatic, and in my opinion, that draws attention away from the valid parts of his argument. Games like Grand Theft Auto should not be in the hands of thirteen-year-olds. If an adult wants to play it, that's fine. I personally didn't think it was the game for me, but I'm often accused of standing too deep in the Lawful Good area of the alignment chart.

My point is getting lost here. A smooth talking spokesman with half a brain could probably get people to come to a reasonable compromise. Parents need to understand that buying the hottest new release for their kid without any kind of research is a bad idea. While most games don't have any content kids couldn't see in a rated R movie, most parents probably don't want their kids in the theater for those kind of shows. I don't know that regulating video games is such a good idea, (after all, it's not illegal for movie theaters to sell kids tickets to rated R movies) but some education so parents can make a smart decision would be really helpful.