General Discussion [ Page 26 ]

How To Capture Game Footage For Let's Play Videos

Metal Jesus is a retro game YouTuber I follow and he published a video some time ago I felt was really important to anyone looking at creating gameplay videos. He goes over all of the methods he uses to capture gameplay footage on old analog video port consoles, modern HDMI based consoles and PC's.

Game Giveaways Are Now Live!

Travis and I haven't been resting after we launched a new site revamp a couple weeks back and this evening we are launching a cool new top level feature called Giveaways. Giveaways are game contests that we will be running every now and again any registered Cheerful Ghost user can enter or run. If you see a game you want to win, click to join and you will be entered in the contest to be randomly selected to win!

It's also great in that anyone on the site can create a game giveaway for (mostly) and kind of digital game. If you have a few bundle keys or extra copies laying around your Steam inventory you can create a Giveaway contest! Giveaways work in conjunction with... Read All

New Cheerful Ghost Site Design Is Now Live!

Welcome to the new and improved Cheerful Ghost! Jon was looking for a more modern theme for the site, and I was happy to do it, partly because I had seen some things over the years that could be improved, and partly because I needed a client for one of my classes.

This has been an amazingly fun project, probably the most fun I’ve had on a site design yet. I’m very familiar with the site so I was able to envision ways to make some things work more smoothly, and design things to not get in the way of the reader. My chief goals were to modernize the site styles and make it look less like a Bootstrap theme.

Jon’s goals for the redesign were (again) to modernize the site... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/18/2016 at 01:41am

Thanks for working on this Travis, I really enjoy how everything looks. It's a nice improvement and something I appreciate you taking the time to do.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/18/2016 at 01:44am

You're very welcome! As I said, it was a blast. I'd definitely do it again :D

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:01am

Whoa! That was unexpected. It looks cool. Good job! I'm going to miss the blue colors, though. LOL

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:03am

Yeah, the old design was burned into my brain too Greg! Goodbye old friend!

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:04am

There are all kinds of new blues here Greg! :D

scrypt Supporter wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:20am

It's super sexy, you guys! Nice job :D

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:31am

This looks great! Super job Travis :)

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/18/2016 at 02:44am

Thanks! :)

rettisawesome wrote on 05/18/2016 at 07:08am

Nice. I'm totally digging the new design.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 05/18/2016 at 04:49pm

Looks great! Good work Travis!

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/18/2016 at 06:39pm

Thanks rett and Will!

hardeyez wrote on 05/19/2016 at 05:42pm

New design looks great!! (and I agree it will take some time to get used to the desaturated background compared to the old bright blue, but change is good).

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/20/2016 at 02:25am

I see the logo at the top left is a drop down menu now. That's cool and organized. I've been so used to refreshing the site by clicking on that logo, so that's how I noticed. It may be an extra click from what I was doing before, but I can also click my browser's refresh button.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/20/2016 at 04:15am

I like that it's organized too but I don't love it's two clicks to get home or refresh.

Travis can we make the Ghost take people back to home and clicking the Cheerful Ghost drop down is the dropdown? That may make that a bit better for people.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/20/2016 at 03:44pm

Yeah that's easily done.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 05/21/2016 at 04:40pm

Greg-- the ghos is now a link home, the menu is triggered by the text only now.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/21/2016 at 09:07pm

Thanks! I was ok with the change. I was just making the observation that the logo was a drop down menu.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/21/2016 at 10:02pm

I wanted that change, it was annoying otherwise. Maybe just for me.

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All You Need To Know About Pinball Machines Featuring Metal Jesus and PDX Pinball Wizard Chuck Van Pelt

Metal Jesus is a retro video game collector I follow on YouTube and I wanted to feature his latest video on Pinball machines. This video is special in that it features Chuck, a local Portland pinball collector and retro game vendor involved in the Portland Retro Game Expo. This year I won a raffle for the Arcade Cabinet Zero Point and Chuck was the one that delivered it to my house, which was really cool of him.

If you are looking to learn more about the different version of Pinball machines over the years and some of the more popular tables you need to check this video out.

Boogie Is Here To Educate Us On Valve's HTC Vive VR Experience

I've tried Oculus VR and Google Cardboard and both experiences are pretty amazing. Due to Valve's choices in design and approach to VR I am very interested in getting my hands on the Vive but I haven't had the opportunity yet. If you are interested in seeing it in action, YouTuber Boogie has a first impressions video that makes me want to try out the Vive even more than before.

You mean I can play with Balloons but I don't have to get out of my chair or do it in real life or ever go outside again? SOLD!

#lifewrecked

Some sarcasm aside, this does look very interesting and I look forward to trying it out.

Nvidia Unveils GTX 1080, Much Cheaper, and Faster Than a Titan

http://www.techspot.com/images2/news/bigimage/2016/05/2016-05-06-image-19.jpg

If you're in the market for a new GPU, your wait may be short-lived. Nvidia has just announced the new GTX 1080 which is expected to be released near the end of the month. I just recently ordered a GTX 980 Ti, so I'm a bit disappointed with the timing of this news. If I had found out about this even just days ago, I may have waited.

Quoted from the article:

"According to Nvidia, the GTX 1080 is 'a whole lot' faster than the Titan X, and faster than two GTX 980s in SLI, while consuming a lot less power."

"An on-stage demo of the GTX 1080 had the card's core running at 2.1 GHz air cooled, with a temperature of less than 70C."

"The memory system features 8 GB of GDDR5X with... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 05/07/2016 at 02:03pm

Bumped to main, this is big PC gamer news.

And wow that's bad timing isn't it?

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/07/2016 at 04:05pm

Thanks for the bump!

Yeah, perhaps if I was just a fraction more patient, but I suppose that's the nature of technological evolution. Still, since I'm not yet interested in 4K resolution or Virtual Reality, all of these GPUs are more than I probably need.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/07/2016 at 04:57pm

Wow, this card looks great. The starting price is a bit out of my range but in the next couple years it might get much more affordable.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/07/2016 at 05:00pm

> Still, since I'm not yet interested in 4K resolution or Virtual Reality, all of these GPUs are more than I probably need.

Even though I have a 2.5/3K Display I don't care as much for displaying games at that resolution as I did. First off, it takes a gaming powerhouse to display games consistently at that resolution. With the system I have(it's no GregStation) on the more new games I am rolling about 720p and for other games I can comfortably do 1080p. If the game isn't that graphically intensive I can do my full monitor resolution, which is nice but it's not essential.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/07/2016 at 10:02pm

What GPU do you have Jon?

My lack of interest in high-res tech is probably due to my lack of knowledge about it. I'm happy with my 1920x1200 resolution, I don't really see the need to increase it. Sure, a much bigger monitor would be sweet, but I'm ok with what I have.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/08/2016 at 02:53am

GTX 750 and that resolution is pretty good. I like the extra resolution for developing or editing video but it's not a hard essential.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/08/2016 at 02:55am

Well, I figured it would be possible, but not sure if I really wanted to, but it seems Amazon will take the GTX 980 Ti back and give me a refund. Then, I can order (hopefully pre-order) the GTX 1080.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/08/2016 at 03:45am

Awesome. Let me know how it goes.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/08/2016 at 04:22am

Check out what I just found

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/see-doom-running-on-nvidias-gtx-1080-reaches-200fp/1100-6439598/?utm_source=gamefaqs&utm_medium=partner&utm_content=news_module&utm_campaign=homepage

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/08/2016 at 06:15am

I'm now glad that I decided to buy an EVGA GPU. I just found out about their "Step-Up" Program. Basically, it means that I can keep the 980 Ti and I might be able to upgrade to the 1080. I am aware of the details and have provided the link below.

http://www.evga.com/support/stepup/

Travis Admin wrote on 05/08/2016 at 06:21am

Wow, that step up program is solid.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/08/2016 at 11:37pm

Nice! That video card is incredible. What kind of PCIE requirements does it have?

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/09/2016 at 12:29am

PCIE 3.0 I believe

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/09/2016 at 03:51am

Ok thanks! Now to find out what my PC supports!

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/27/2016 at 10:16pm

Happy Birthday GTX 1080!!!!! I haven't looked at who's released one yet or with what modifications. Something I briefly saw in my email did mention that none of them have custom cooling units yet. I'm still not sure if I'm going to "Step-Up." I love my GTX 980 Ti, it has some customizations that current 1080s don't seem to have yet, so we'll see.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 02:07am

So was it launched today? If so that's pretty great. Might lower the cost of other cards as well and which would be good if you don't have enough to buy the 1080 but want to upgrade.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:07am

Just to point out, and I'm coming at this a few days late-- PCIE requirements aren't necessarily requirements. Just because a card can run at version 3 doesn't mean it requires it. The card I got is last gen (960), runs at PCIE 3, but can absolutely run on PCIE 1 as well.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:19am

Is it a bit slower with a power PCI?

Travis Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:22am

It is. But I'm not sure how much. My rig has PCIE 2 but still runs Doom at ultra quality. There has to be a drop in speed but I'm honestly not sure what it would affect.

I still remember AGP vs PCI video cards. *shakes cane*

Travis Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:44am

I kinda assumed I knew what your comment was asking but now I'm not sure. I don't know what you mean by "power PCI" but I'm guessing that what you have is PCIE 2 based on when you got it.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:48am

I'm not sure how to say it but if PCI 3 is better than PCI 2 then that's some "power level."

Travis Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 03:52am

Looks like don't worry about it: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2694698/pcie.html

I'm assuming the different version bumps have much higher capabilities but a video card doesn't push it that much? Not sure. But it's negligible.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/28/2016 at 04:03am

Great, to know thanks!

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/28/2016 at 07:33am

Here's the link to what I mentioned before. I know the URL is ugly, but my attempt to make it a link in this comment failed. I only saw the title of the article in my inbox, but I just read it. This makes me glad that I didn't return my 980 Ti, I really love this GPU. I feel like I can certainly wait, if I want to take advantage of EVGA's Step-Up Program.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3076095/components-graphics/nvidias-geforce-gtx-1080-launches-with-limited-stock-no-custom-cooled-variants.html?token=%23tk.PCW_nlt_pcw_tech_html_2016-05-27&idg_eid=cb4d665d4c226a69bc740818c8a1b356&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Top%20Stories%20%40PCWorld%202016-05-27&utm_term=pcw_tech_html

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/30/2016 at 03:39pm

Looks like if you want a very powerful card but the 1080 is a bit too steep, the 1070 is coming and looks to beat out the 980 handily.

http://www.pcgamer.com/geforce-gtx-1070-performance-preview/

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/31/2016 at 10:41pm

Another review of the 1070, this time from Kotaku. Hopefully someday Nvidia sends us review hardware! That would be sweet.

http://kotaku.com/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1070-review-more-bang-for-your-buck-1779624757

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/31/2016 at 11:23pm

From the first review you posted, I found the last few paragraphs more fitting to me. Basically the reviewer suggests not to upgrade unless your current GPU is giving you issues. Although, if you're looking to bump up your resolution and quality, then this might be for you. As for me, I'm fine with my current resolution, which is maxed at 1920x1200 at 59-60hz.

Those are pretty good reviews, though. I find it odd that the new cards cost less than the Titan X. I guess they decided to make their new BA cards more affordable.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/31/2016 at 11:41pm

Yep.

I'm either going to upgrade to a 980 or the 1070 when the time comes. I'm doing OK with my current card but a couple more FPS on Doom would be nice.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 06/01/2016 at 02:44am

I'm so glad I upgraded to a 980 Ti. I put Doom on the Ultra settings and it runs flawlessly. =)

jdodson Admin wrote on 06/01/2016 at 03:13am

That sounds great. Doom graphics are turned down so low on my PC the original DOS game looks better.... /rimshot

Not really, but I had to say it.

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Enhance Your Retro Library With This Gameboy Advance Buying Guide

Metal Jesus Rocks and Reggie made a great video i've used as a base for my list of Gameboy Advance games I want to collect. Like most Metal Jesus Rocks videos this covers all the models of the Gameboy Advance and associated hardware. They also make some recommendations of some classic titles such as Minish Cap, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror, Metroid Zero Mission & Fusion and more. If you are like me and are slowly collecting all the great classic titles or simply want to watch a fun video about some great video game systems then you should check this out.

The PGS Portable Continues The New PC Handheld Movement

Last week I wrote an article about the GPD Win which is a new PC portable that gives you the power of PC games in a small device. Now that Intel CPU's are getting much smaller the dream of owning a reasonably powered PC that fits in your hand is closer than ever. A new handheld PC system has surfaced and is called the PGS Portable. Right now, the PGS Portable is still in the early design and concept phase but their plans are very interesting. I want to note again that this is in very early stages with no working hardware yet I find their goals to be very interesting.

The PGS Portable aims to ship two competing versions. The lite version and the more souped up hardcore... Read All

Miitomo Afterglow

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/13001254_10154084923014280_593559020561928748_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=2851a752c543465d91171549214271a2&oe=57BF7D1E

Is anyone still using Miitomo? It was a fun app that seemed to burn bright and quick.

When I first downloaded it, it took a couple days for others to install and us all to find each other, but it seems like no one is using it anymore.

Part of its charm was in the questions it asks you, but I wonder if that's also part of its downfall. If I have a random thing I want to post to a social network, I go to Twitter and/or Facebook and post it. Miitomo doesn't work that way, so I'm not as inclined to use it when "inspired."

What are your thoughts? Will Miitomo continue its initial popularity, or will it dwindle as people try it and then move on to something else?

jdodson Admin wrote on 04/21/2016 at 12:42am

I head back every couple days. I think it's a fun thing to do every so often but I don't go back many times a day anymore. I wish I could be friends with people yet for some, get less notifications from what they say.

Hopefully Nintendo adds more social and gamey elements to it because it's a good first drop and I do like it.

Travis Admin wrote on 04/21/2016 at 02:27am

I've literally answered all the available non-repeating questions so it kinda lost its charm.

Plus it gamifies adding tons of friends, and if you do that you don't see the people you really care about, and if other people are doing that nobody sees your stuff.

Some things are really neat though. I'm hoping the 1.1 version might fix a few things. As it stands now I don't care much about it anymore.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 04/21/2016 at 04:53am

Same boat. It had lost its charm.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 04/21/2016 at 07:24pm

Nice pic! Speaking of, the option of composing pics is pretty cool. The whole thing is a neat idea, but there does need to be another hook. Miitomo Drop is shady as f$&@. I'd be curious to know how many people have actually spent real money so far.

If Miitomo was just slightly more like Animal Crossing, I'd be on it more often.

Travis Admin wrote on 04/22/2016 at 01:32am

@Will_Ball are you one of the six or seven Wills on my friends list?

jdodson Admin wrote on 04/22/2016 at 02:55am

scrypt: I've won quite a few outfits with Miitomo drop, but I may be in the minority here. That said, you can buy in game tickets and gold and I am not sure I know anyone who's bought anything in game but I bet many have. I'd love to see how many and how much but I am not sure if Nintendo posts those numbers.

Travis Admin wrote on 04/22/2016 at 03:09am

I tried for that Ninja sword for like 18 tickets worth, and never got it. I got a ton of other stuff though.

AdamPFarnsworth Post Author wrote on 04/22/2016 at 03:56am

I got the ninja sword on my very last ticket lol

jdodson Admin wrote on 04/22/2016 at 05:09am

I was bummed because I got the Ninja tree suit but not the hat. I still have a bunch of tickets and gold. I buy things here and there but seem to love hoarding digital currency....

You know.... for the ummm.. upcoming Miitomo-pocalypse. Some people will be roasting rats over an open flame but not this guy!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 04/22/2016 at 05:12pm

@Travis, yup!

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The GPD Win Is a Vision Of Handheld Gaming's Open Future

I love the open ecosystem of PC gaming. Buy your games on Steam and GOG and with many new games you can run them on PC, Mac or Linux. The benefits are legion and the ability to play your games where you wish is incredible. I've wanted to buy a gaming handheld for quite some time with the same goals in mind and this year I took the plunge and bought and Android based GPD XD. The XD is a fun system and I use it to play all manner of Android & PC streamed games on a handheld.

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/posts/2758/my-review-of-the-android-handheld-gpd-xd

GPD recently sent me an email about a crowdfunding campaign for a new device on Indiegogo called the GPD Win.... Read All

scrypt Supporter wrote on 04/20/2016 at 04:56pm

The most interesting thing about the GPD Win, for me, is the idea of acting as a portable console, plugging it into a TV and using a gamepad to play games when you're traveling. As a handheld device, though, the problem is playing games that aren't designed for a 5.5" viewport. PC games aren't designed for that space. The button/stick layout doesn't look entirely comfortable either, even less so than the Wii U gamepad (which, admittedly, I already have bias against). The ongoing idea (this seems to be the latest, not the first) of "handheld PC gaming" is like a battle of tug-of-war where neither side wins. Do people really want to play large format games on a significantly smaller screen? According to the funding page, at least 1400 people might, but that's not much of a market. Bear in mind, too, that's 1400 people buying in at the heavily discounted price of $300 (they've said actual retail will be $500).

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/21/2016 at 12:18am

> The most interesting thing about the GPD Win, for me, is the idea of acting as a portable console, plugging it into a TV and using a gamepad to play games when you're traveling.

I agree. The thought of using this as a console or laptop is really compelling.

> As a handheld device, though, the problem is playing games that aren't designed for a 5.5" viewport. PC games aren't designed for that space.

True, but it's a 720p screen so it's not too bad. I've got the GPD XD which can stream Steam games to it and it's not too bad. Sure the text is small, but most games are not unplayable. That said, I don't recommend FTL on it.

> The button/stick layout doesn't look entirely comfortable either, even less so than the Wii U gamepad (which, admittedly, I already have bias against).

Again, it's similar to the GPD XD which isn't too bad. As good as a console controller? No, but it has to be a full system so it might not ever be as good.

> Do people really want to play large format games on a significantly smaller screen? According to the funding page, at least 1400 people might, but that's not much of a market. Bear in mind, too, that's 1400 people buying in at the heavily discounted price of $300 (they've said actual retail will be $500).

I can't say how mass market this is but I am interested in it. I look at this like I look at PC gaming in general. It's not perfect but it's pretty damn good and the ability to at least have the option to do this isn't a bad thing. You might not be able to run Skyrim on it but if you could run 40% of your Steam games on it I think that might be worth it.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 04/21/2016 at 02:24pm

Good points! It does look like decent hardware. I'm definitely interested to see how it's received when it launches.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/22/2016 at 02:54am

Me too. Set top boxes have lots of power I guess it was a matter of time until we started seeing a laptop stuck in such a small device. If GPD can do this, I wonder what Nintendo has planned for the NX?

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