General Discussion [ Page 17 ]

Site Feature Update: Comments, Posts & Profile Pages!

Travis and I have been busy during our spare time coding up new features on Cheerful Ghost and today are launching a new way to look at comments, posts and profile pages. Once upon a time Cheerful Ghost had a Membership system and it was a pretty good way for people that love the site to contribute to it but I always felt like it wasn't the best it could be. Because of that we're rebuilding the Membership system from scratch and it's starting today.

Comments, Posts and Profiles oh My!

If you click open a comment stream or look at a post you will see a new thing we call badges. Badges are a cosmetic thing bestowed on certain users for things like post authorship,... Read All Travis and I have been busy during our spare time coding up new features on Cheerful Ghost and today are launching a new way to look at comments, posts and profile pages. Once upon a time Cheerful Ghost had a Membership system and it was a pretty good way for people that love the site to contribute to it but I always felt like it wasn't the best it could be. Because of that we're rebuilding the Membership system from scratch and it's starting today.

Comments, Posts and Profiles oh My!

If you click open a comment stream or look at a post you will see a new thing we call badges. Badges are a cosmetic thing bestowed on certain users for things like post authorship, membership, site support and admin or mod status. These badges are shown on posts, comments and profile pages and can help give certain discussions some context. It's also a nice thank you to people that financially support the site or work closely with it.

If you have questions about what the user titles or roles mean, we have a handy page to explain it better linked below. If that doesn't work well for you drop your comments on this post.

Old Membership Is Dead, Long Live Memberships!

Since all former Cheerful Ghost site Members old memberships have lapsed they are now rolled over to supporters. We're still working on the new Membership system and process to become a Member again but the cosmetic enhancements were in place so we decided to roll those out now for comment. The new site Membership system should launch in the next bit the only real blocker here is me having enough time to come up with an interesting video about it. Right now we're thinking about using Paetron for site Memberships and we need to spend a bit more time to make that launch just right.

The Future

I don't want to talk too far in the future about what's coming but I do want to say that these changes are all in service of a larger goal that will become more clear later. When I think about what's the most fun about Cheerful Ghost for me trying to make that baked in to the DNA of this site sounds really interesting and hopefully these site updates get us there.

https://cheerfulghost.com/user/titles
https://cheerfulghost.com/Travis/posts/3655/introducing-the-ghost-scale

Travis Admin wrote on 03/14/2018 at 03:46am

It’s been really fun over the past couple weeks making improvements to the site. And I’m excited about even more of it!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/14/2018 at 04:25am

Cool!

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/14/2018 at 05:25am

Super interested in seeing how the site evolves!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/14/2018 at 03:52pm

Cool! Let me know where to send my money! :)

Travis Admin wrote on 03/14/2018 at 05:15pm

Check your private messages for my bank account info ;)

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/14/2018 at 10:51pm

@Travis, are you the Nigerian Prince?

Travis Admin wrote on 03/14/2018 at 10:59pm

Shhhhh. I don’t want everyone to know!

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Introducing the Ghost Scale

Travis gives this an astounding "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Travis gives this a "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Hey everyone, we’d like to share an awesome new feature on Cheerful Ghost. You may have heard us using the Ghost Scale in our reviews on Cheerful Ghost Radio over the past couple of months, and now you can use the Ghost Scale on your reviews here!

When you’re creating or editing a post, just check “This is a game review” to show options for the Ghost Scale. You can give your game review one of four ratings that will show on the post:

Skip it :
Whether due to bugs or other issues, people may have a hard time finding fun in this game.

Meh… :
It’s not amazing, it’s not bad. This game is ok but you may want to choose another title.

Rad :
This is a fun game, with very... Read All

Cheerful Ghost Radio Episode 17: Black Panther

Black Panther’s claws are tearing it up the box office making this recording setting movie a main event in this review episode of Cheerful Ghost Radio!

T'Challa, the King of Wakanda, rises to the throne in the isolated, technologically advanced African nation, but his claim is challenged by a vengeful outsider who was a childhood victim of T'Challa's father's mistake.

Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa

Star Thrones!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVYQ1lGWAAE0_E9.jpg

Oh man, now this is exciting Star Wars news!

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (creators of Game of Thrones) are going to be writing and producing a new series of Star Wars films! I haven't seen a lot of information about it yet, but I already can't wait to see this! Game of Thrones has some amazing world building and character development that I hope translates well into the Star Wars universe. I've already forgotten about that movie coming out about a smuggler... what's his name Hope Solo?

http://www.starwars.com/news/game-of-thrones-creators-david-benioff-and-d-b-weiss-to-write-and-produce-a-new-series-of-star-wars-films

Travis Admin wrote on 02/06/2018 at 10:22pm

I was on my way to post this!

Aaaaand I’m starting to worry about oversaturation. They have announced two film series before the one we’re working on is done.

I’m still mostly excited, partly worried. The world building and character development mostly comes from George RR Martin. I’m not sure how they are at it, and considering Benioff wrote X-Men Origins: Wolverine I’m slightly concerned.

I mean I’ll be there opening week for sure anyway.

I wonder what their release schedule will be like. And how many D&D will have.

Episode IX
Something: A Star Wars Story
Rian Johnson’s Trilogy part 1
D&D’s Series part 1
Something: A Star Wars Story
Rian Johnson’s Trilogy part 2
D&D’s Series part 2
Something: A Star Wars Story
Rian Johnson’s Trilogy part 3
D&D’s Series part 3

That gets us up to 2028 with one every year. Or 2025 if they drop the anthology movies.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 02/06/2018 at 10:26pm

Emila Clarke is already in Solo. Star Wars Universe is going full GoT. Next up, Jon Snow!

AdamPFarnsworth Post Author wrote on 02/06/2018 at 10:29pm

Good point about GRRM, but they took his story and created something amazing with it. They've made some changes along the way, and almost everyone seems to be happy with their choices. But, still, a really good point. Hopefully they can create something new and deep.

I was wondering about the release schedule as well. I wonder if they'd release it at the same time as Rian Johnson's trilogy or not. I have a feeling they don't trust us fans to be able to keep the stories straight and to keep us from being confused, they'll probably finish Rian's trilogy, and then release the G&D trilogy.

Travis Admin wrote on 02/06/2018 at 10:43pm

That’s a good point about the order. I’m going to need to buy some more shelves to hold all the Star Wars movies before it’s over with

Travis Admin wrote on 02/06/2018 at 11:12pm

Rather than add a new post to the already Star Wars heavy front page...

https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/6/16981232/star-wars-series-disney-streaming

The new D&D series of movies will be based around a specific moment in Star Wars mythology. That’s an intriguing premise. I wonder which moment. The forming of the rule of two? I can’t think of any major piece of mythology that we haven’t seen that would outclass that.

Also in that link, news that there are MULTIPLE Star Wars TV series’ in development for their streaming service. We knew about one, but this ups the ante.

I don’t want to subscribe to another streaming service but the deal keeps getting more compelling.

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/07/2018 at 04:51am

> Aaaaand I’m starting to worry about oversaturation. They have announced two film series before the one we’re working on is done.

Seems like they are trying to load up the future path for Star Wars and it LOOKS like it's not going to keep being the Skywalker Saga. I like that they are looking to broaden things and i'm really hopeful for that.

I'm not worried about oversaturation because Marvel figured it out and I bet sooner or later Lucasfilm will make it work. Or they won't but I imagine some of the movies will be good and if they are too many I can just skip seeing them in the theater. I do that now with movies and that's fine.

They must have other films in the works too because after Solo, Ep 9 they don't have anything on the table enough to launch unless that new Johnson joint is ready to start filming this year and I don't think it will. My guess it we will get some kind of Obiwan movie they can get out to fill that year and then after that we might be on the new Star Wars story path with Rian Johnson and the Game of Thrones guys. The Thrones guys can only start after the last season of Thrones is done right which is like when again?

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 02/07/2018 at 05:05am

Next season of GoT comes out in 2019

Travis Admin wrote on 02/07/2018 at 02:15pm

I imagine we will hear news about the next anthology movie after Solo has been out for a few weeks. They initially said they were going to do three and see how that went right?

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Dami Lee Explains the Nintendo Labo's Tech

Nintendo announced their DIY cardboard addon recently, and Dami Lee from the Verge dug into how it all works. The video is a great primer on all the tech involved. Very simply put, it's an IR camera and some stickers for most applications.

Seeing how this works makes me want to buy some, but the responsible adult in me knows I'd barely touch it after I was done, and my plastic Rock Band/Guitar Hero controllers would have some company in the closet. Anyone with curious kids, however, may consider this as a way to kickstart other creative and fun DIY projects.

Episode 14: Cheerful Ghost’s 6 Year Anniversary Celebration!

As we begin season 2 of Cheerful Ghost Radio we pause to reflect on the 6th anniversary of Cheerful Ghost by talking about some of our favorite memories. Since the new year in gaming is here we talk about some of the most exciting games coming out this year.

Show Notes:

Travis interviews Ryan Gordon: https://cheerfulghost.com/Travis/posts/771/interview-with-ryan-c-gordon-about-linux-gaming

FarCry 5: https://far-cry.ubisoft.com/game/en-us/home/

Mega Man 11: https://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/posts/3564/mega-man-11-coming-in-2018

Project Octopath Traveler: https://cheerfulghost.com/Will_Ball/posts/3481/project-octopath-traveler-demo-impressions

Super Meat Boy Forever: ... Read All

Nintendo Is Shutting Down Miitomo May 9th!

It's a sad thing to hear that Nintendo is shutting down Miitomo only two years after it's initial launch in 2016. After it hit the scene Miitomo was pretty huge and most people on Cheerful Ghost and the local PDX indie game scene were playing it. That said, after a couple months, my usage of it faded entirely and it seems that was the same for most people as Nintendo is now shutting it down. It's a pretty epic rise and fall and shows the fragility of some online communities you can spend real money with to buy in game or app items. What happens to all your digital stuff you've payed for when the services goes away? In the case of Miitomo, almost everything is lost... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 01/25/2018 at 08:14pm

DLC is different from microtransactions in a server based game, but there’s definitely the possibility that you won’t be able to get it when Sony/MS decides not to let you download it again.

But for steam, GoG, and other PC platforms, the DLC and the game are basically in the same boat.

I can’t say I’m surprised Miitomo is leaving us. It was fun but not really sustainable.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/26/2018 at 03:47am

> DLC is different from microtransactions in a server based game, but there’s definitely the possibility that you won’t be able to get it when Sony/MS decides not to let you download it again.

Yeah that's true but it's the same problem if the server that hosts the games goes away. Like the original Wii store and all the games you bought and if you replaced or had to wipe your Wii.

Travis Admin wrote on 01/26/2018 at 03:49am

Yeah, Nintendo took a while to get their online distribution right. Still not sure they're there.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/26/2018 at 04:21am

At least they still sell game carts. That's the only way I know to keep Nintendo games long term. Some download games on the Wii never got a physical release, like Dr Mario, which I thought was sad as that's a great series and I wanted to play it but knew that buying it digitally meant it would go away some day and it totally is. I picked up Tetris Party Deluxe on disc which DID get a physical release after it's first download release.

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Cheerful Ghost Radio Episode 13: The Future of Star Wars

Where is the future of Star Wars going and what do we want to see from it? We talk about everything from the upcoming Han Solo film to the rumored Obi Wan movie. If after our last two hour The Last Jedi special you wanted even more discussion here it is!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 01/23/2018 at 07:41pm

I would like to see a big tent pole Star Wars movie every few years followed by smaller movies in between.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 01/23/2018 at 07:56pm

Really great episode! It was a lot of fun to listen to.

I had some random thoughts as I was listening, and I wish I wrote them down as I thought of them, but here are some random thoughts from the episode.

I agree that Han Solo, is the first movie I didn't want. I really enjoy going and seeing Star Wars movies on opening night with friends, but I kind of want to send a message to the studio that this is not what I want, so I'm thinking about not spending my money on it in the theater. It will be hard to wait for it to be available On Demand somewhere (HBO or Netflix, or maybe Disney's streaming service)... so maybe I'll just see it in a second run theater lol. I will wait and see reviews/spoilers/etc before going and seeing this one. But I'm torn because Opening Night has been a fun tradition... so we'll see how resolute I am when it comes time to buy tickets lol.

I'd love to see some sort of Goonies/Stranger Things/Chronicle type story about kids realizing Force powers and not knowing what to do with them. Or finding some ancient Jedi temple. Or something along those lines.

Similarly, to somewhat combine the first 2 points, I'm not interested in back stories of characters or events. I want the universe to expand and continue forward.

(My comment was too long, so it continues in the next comment lol)

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 01/23/2018 at 07:56pm

I am interested in a 3-movie story that Rian Johnson could tell. The more I think back upon The Last Jedi, the more I appreciate it. I hope he would take it in a new direction.

Oh, it was mentioned that it would be cool to see more populated areas in Star Wars movies. I think since the main story lines are focused on The Empire and The Rebels, it's natural to mostly see military bases and rebal hideouts. Neither which would have a huge population. But hopefully that changes. I do love Star Wars, and the rebels vs the Empire has been great for the story, but it really can't be used again. So, as other people are focused on, probably with Force powers, they could live anywhere, and I think likely would be in metropolitan areas.

Regarding multiple Star Wars movies per year, I think that's too much personally. I don't think Star Wars needs to try to replicate Marvel. But if Star Wars did something like this, I wonder if they'd have to drop "Star Wars" from the name. Imagine how wordy Marvel movies would get if they had to use Marvel in the title. "Thor Ragnarok: A Marvel Story" would be a terrible name. Sure, Marvel has the benefit of people already associated the characters with Marvel, since they're all based on the comic books, but still, Star Wars needs to make good movies, and not rely on just slapping it's name on something. I think they could actually expand their audience if they didn't super promote Star Wars, as every Star Wars fan is going to know a Star Wars movie when it comes out, but perhaps there are some people who aren't into Star Wars, but would be interested in a creepy monster thriller that I could tell someone "sure, it's set in the Star Wars universe, but it's it's own thing."

I feel like I'm rambling on now, so I'll stop, but more thoughts might come to me later lol

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 01/23/2018 at 10:51pm

Yeah, I don't want to see multiple Star Wars movies a year. I think the break in between all the movies has kept people hungry for more. I feel each year might be too much.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 01/23/2018 at 10:51pm

If Solo sticks to its May 2018 date, we will have more than a year between it and Episode 9, which will be nice.

jdodson Admin wrote on 01/24/2018 at 04:17am

> I agree that Han Solo, is the first movie I didn't want. I really enjoy going and seeing Star Wars movies on opening night with friends, but I kind of want to send a message to the studio that this is not what I want, so I'm thinking about not spending my money on it in the theater.

We recorded this episode back in December and my attitudes have shifted somewhat as i've heard more rumors about how difficult Solo has been to make. Is it gonna be good? I don't know but i'm not expecting it to be BUT I want to see it now more than ever simply because i'm curious how it's gonna turn out. Even if Lucasfilm is making a movie I don't really want to see I'm interested in it now primarily to see how it turns out from Lucasfilm firing the original directors to Ron Howard taking over. I'm sort of interested in it now in terms of how well the Lucasfilm, Ron and the rest can work some force magic to make this a great movie. The had some reshoots on Rogue One and that turned out great so i'm hoping for something good here.

Also, like, you have to come see it with me. It's like tradition.

> Regarding multiple Star Wars movies per year, I think that's too much personally. I don't think Star Wars needs to try to replicate Marvel.

I agree and it's good to go some time between them to build the anticipation because from Rogue One to The Last Jedi that felt like the right amount of time and it payed off.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 01/24/2018 at 03:31pm

I had somehow forgotten a lot of the details around Solo, that Kasdan wrote it and that the reason Lucasfilm switched directors was because Kasdan felt that the original ones weren’t being true to the story.

So the struggle they went through makes me want to see it more because it shows Lucasfilm is dedicated to doing these things right.

Since they’ve targeted May for every release, but every one of those has slid to December except Solo, I kinda wish they’d just kept he December timeline for all of them. I like the Christmas break tradition and the time between TLJ and Solo seems way too short.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 02/02/2018 at 07:45pm

I just saw that in China, Disney is dropping "Star Wars" from the Solo movie because The Last Jedi did poorly there. I hope Disney does the same here for future Star Wars movies.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 02/03/2018 at 12:53am

It will now be called Solo: A Cup Story

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 02/03/2018 at 01:15am

Ha!

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/04/2018 at 07:54pm

Hahahaha. Aren’t they calling it Ranger Solo in China?

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 02/05/2018 at 12:29am

Yeah lol

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So You Want To Make Games For The NES?

Back this on Kickstarter!

If you've ever had a dream to make a game that runs on the original Nintendo Entertainment System there is a new project on Kickstarter you need to check out! NESmaker looks to streamline the process of creating new Nintendo games by providing useful software tools to allow you to make NES games easier. NESmaker was born out of a project a couple friends had to make an NES game from scratch and grew into this Kickstarter project. Even if you're not interested in making NES games the Kickstarter video is worth watching featuring a fun 80's premise.

"NESmaker is a software tool for creating brand new, hardware playable, cartridge based games for the Nintendo... Read All

Donate & Watch Awesome Games Done Quick 2018!

Games Done Quick is a twice yearly charity speedrun that started today and is running 24/7 all week raising money for The Prevent Cancer Foundation. You can watch the event stream linked above all day and night until January 14th!

I watch this event every year and donate because it's so much fun to watch and the charities are well worth supporting. I think we've all known someone with cancer and chipping in a couple bucks can help.

"The Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading voluntary health organizations and the only U.S. nonprofit focused solely on cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, it has catapulted cancer prevention to... Read All