jdodson | Cheerful Ghost

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. The GPD Win is a full Windows 10 system that includes a full controller, keyboard, 4G RAM, Intel ATOM CPU (1.44GHZ/2.24GHZ), 64G Flash HD, 5.5" 1280x720 display, Intel HD Graphics, Wireless N, micro SD & mini HDMI and 1 USB Mini & USB port that fits in your pocket. It's a surprising amount of computing power for such a small device fully capable of running PC games.

Before Valve launched it's Steam Machines Gabe Newell mentioned Valve looking into handheld gaming and there were reports circulating of a Steam Boy. The GPD Win seems to be the first entry into the handheld PC games world and I imagine we will see other devices in this space that do similar things. The line between gaming handheld and laptop seem to be blurring and I can't wait to see more companies jump in and see what they make.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gpd-win-intel-z8550-win-10-os-game-console#/

The GPD Win is looking to raise 100k and they went well over their goal and sit at a bit over 400k right now. Clearly there are people interested in a PC handheld and I can't wait to read launch reviews of it.

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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Hearthstone Dailies For Ghosts: Episode VIII New Heroes & WWF Charity

On the unknown precipice of the new Old Gods expansion I bring you all a new Hearthstone Dailies for Ghosts episode. In this episode I play matches with the heroes I have unlocked in Lady Liadrin and Khadgar.

I unlocked Lady Liadrin by playing WoW to level 20 and Khadgar by donating $5 in Hearthstone to the World Wildlife Fund. This breaks my free to play streak but it was by donating to charity. I don't plan on spending any more money in Hearthstone but i'll break my F2P status for charity now and in the future because it's a good cause.

If you want to donate to the WWF and unlock the new Khadgar hero you can only do so from an iPhone or iPad as it's an Apple exclusive and the ability to buy him ends April 24th.

http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/20097353/khadgar-comes-to-the-tavern-4-14-2016

If you are interested in reading more on my quest for unlocking Lady Liadrin follow the link below.

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/posts/2876/lady-liadrin-and-the-tale-of-why-i-leveled-my-undead-warlock-snuggybunny-to-level-20

Whispers of the Old Gods Will Launch April 26th

It's official, April 26th is the launch date for the new Hearthstone expansion Whispers of the Old Gods. Save your gold and lock the doors as The Old Gods are coming and corrupting everything in their path!

I am wondering what cards people are interested in picking up?

http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/20097936

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/19/2016 at 05:55pm

I love this trailer! The music has a very strong Disney vibe to it :)

Bina wrote on 04/20/2016 at 10:08am

I can never count on opening the cards I want. After opening over 50 packs of classic I still had to craft 2 knife jugglers, 2 abusive sergeants, and 2 leaper gnomes. There are still a ton of epics and rares I want that I haven't opened, and forget about legendaries.
Anyways, I'm mostly focused on looking at the commons that I want, because those are the ones I'm most likely to open or craft. Here's the ones I'm looking at:
Faceless Summoner (mage)
Ravaging Ghoul (warrior)
And I guess some of the cards that buff C'Thun

Proportionally they seem to have leaked a lot of legendaries and not a ton of commons. By my count about 15 commons released and 16 legendaries. So we may be seeing a lot more commons, and few or no more legendaries.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/21/2016 at 12:22am

All of those cards i'd love too and like you I am mostly looking forward to cards I know I can get. The biggest pack open i've ever had was for The Grand Tournament and that was 22 packs. I opened quite a lot of great stuff and got many cards that turned out to be great I didn't think I wanted(Dragon cards being the main thing).

I am looking forward to C'Thun because it looks so fun yet everyone will have him so I wonder what kind of constructed we will have with that deck on the rampage?

> Proportionally they seem to have leaked a lot of legendaries and not a ton of commons. By my count about 15 commons released and 16 legendaries. So we may be seeing a lot more commons, and few or no more legendaries.

Can't wait. They have a little under half of the cards yet to reveal and I can't wait to see what they are.

Bina wrote on 04/21/2016 at 09:46am

I guess they have at least three more legendaries to release as we haven't seen a legendary for druid, mage or warrior yet...

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Diablo III Season 5 Ends & Season 6 Beings on April 29th. What Does That Mean For Our Last Season Progress?

When Diablo III season 5 rolled out I was hooked on it for a week or so. All the changes they had made to the game to that point along with the season bonuses seemed too incredible to pass up. I unlocked a few items and found some legendary recipes and was bummed that might not roll over permanently. As it turns out, a lot of your progress will roll over or transfer to a normal character.

"Those who have played through a few Seasons know there has been no shortage of gold, gear, or Paragon levels to earn. So what happens to all that hard earned progress when a Season ends? In short, you get to keep just about all of it.

Seasonal heroes will be converted to either non-Seasonal Normal or Hardcore mode heroes, as appropriate. There's no need to delete any characters to make room for them; your Seasonal heroes will continue to use the same slot they currently occupy in your roster after the rollover. You’ll also be able to use Season Rebirth to convert any non-seasonal character into a Seasonal, level-one character once the next Season begins.
Gold

Any gold you earn during the Season will transfer to your non-Seasonal heroes.
Paragon Experience."

Good news for people that want to keep playing those characters! Blizzard hasn't revealed much about Season 6 yet but if it's anything like 5, there should be some incredible armor sets and pets to unlock!

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/20077425

Would a Mario Kart / Rocket Leauge Crossover Work?

After watching this incredible Mario Kart & Rocket League mash-up video I am left wondering if this could actually work? The 2D yet 3D thing might not work in the actual game but I think a Mario Kart League type game might be pretty fun to play.

Final Fantasy VI Let's Play ep. 1 - Terra's Scenario To Narshe

I started a play through of Final Fantasy VI and decided to do some let's plays of it. In this first episode I play through the Terra campaign on the way back to Narshe. I plan on doing a more formal review of the game in chunks over time and then write a bit about the different versions of the game and why I came to pick the Game Boy Advance version to play.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/19/2016 at 02:33pm

This really brought back the high school feels!
And I've almost got to the point where I'm ok with people not calling it FFIII lol. I know the "correct" name is IV, but nostalgia...

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/19/2016 at 05:21pm

I agree, it's really hard to change when that's what you grew up with.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/19/2016 at 05:54pm

And oops, I meant "VI"

rettisawesome wrote on 04/19/2016 at 09:40pm

I really likes the gba version as well. Although i first played it on SNES as ff3 as well. I can't say I'm completely aware of the differences. But I look forward to hearing about it when you get around to the review.

Ff6 was always one of my favorites. But 7 ranks about equal on my nostalgia meter.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/20/2016 at 02:16am

So far, it's mostly the translation and I saw one instance of them adding some censorship. In the original FF3 on SNES the guards punched Celes when she was in prison. In this version they just mock her.

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Darbian Breaks The New Super Mario Brothers Speedrun World Record At 4:57

New world record speedrunner Darbian has completed his goal of getting the new best time for Super Mario Brothers at 4:57.260. The video is linked above and you need to watch it. As he continues with the last few levels you can tell he knows he is doing well when he starts getting nervous. The nerves don't sink him as he elegantly speeds by Bowser to save the Princess to fame and glory.

So what will Darbian do now that he has broken the world record? Disneyland?

"I have reached my potential in this category - I'm done! My quest is over."

Solid work.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 04/15/2016 at 02:27pm

Very cool! I love his reaction. I'm a little confused, though. The time on his counter says 4:57.41, but the title of the video says 4:57.260. Where is the missing .15? How long has he been at this?

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/15/2016 at 05:50pm

That was great :)

Travis Admin wrote on 04/15/2016 at 08:54pm

I was coming to post this with the same question as scrypt-- the timing seems off. The time on the clock still beats the previous record. Maybe they know something we don't.

But yeah seriously. This is amazing. I was reading that this may be literally the fastest anyone can achieve without tools.

I love the idea of putting a heart rate monitor on speedrun streams. I kinda wish I had a heart rate monitor HUD for gaming achievements.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 04/16/2016 at 12:07am

I was totally not even paying attention to the heart rate monitor! That makes it even more exciting to watch. Very cool idea, indeed!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 04/16/2016 at 04:02am

I didn't notice the monitor either. Goes from a nice even 80 to well over 170! Awesome. I wonder what he uses to do that?

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Get A Special Look At The New Whispers Of The Old Gods Cards In An Upcoming Livestream

http://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/blog_header/v2/V2ZG2N7KCREO1460484208179.jpg

If you must consume every detail of Hearthstone news then you should tune in to an upcoming Blizzard Twitch livestream. Ben Brode will be around to talk about some of the new cards as well as, hopefully the expansion release date. If the rumored April 26th date is correct then this might be all the information we've been looking for.

"The Old Gods will soon begin their invasion of the tavern, and we’re compelled choosing of our own free will to show off more of the ominous (and super fun) cards they’ll be bringing with them!

Join Lead Designer Ben Brode and Hearthstone master caster Dan “Frodan” Chou on April 21 at 10AM PDT for what promises to be a thrilling series of show matches against members of the Hearthstone design team. We’ll be unveiling a number of new cards from Whispers of the Old Gods, so you’ll want to be sure to attend!"

http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/20095516/hearthstone-live-stream-whispers-of-the-old-gods-4-13-2016

Watch Dave Grossman And Tim Schafer play "Day of the Tentacle"

Recently Double Fine released Day of the Tentacle special Edition that spruces up this classic game to be played on modern systems. If you are interested in reliving the fun of the old game through the original creators playing it, you are now in luck as you can watch Grossman and Schafer play through the whole game from memory in a bit over 3 hours.

You're Welcome!

StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack I Review

Right before the launch of the final chapter of StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Blizzard let us know that they were planning a set of 9 new DLC missions. The missions feature Nova, a Terran Ghost and a smaller scale StarCraft II story than the epic grandeur of the previous StarCraft games. Like many I pre-ordered the Nova missions and looked forward to playing the new game. StarCraft II is a very popular online multiplayer game and eSport but my focus as a player is solely around the single player campaigns. For whatever reason, Blizzard decided to split up the DLC into three packs numbering three maps each. I don't particularly love this release strategy but I like getting a new game to play at a faster pack so it's not the worst thing around.

The game starts with Nova waking up in a place she has no memory of. She gets a message from a mysterious friend saying she is in danger and after a series of quick thinking on her part in conjunction with the friend on the outside she escapes. I won't go into much more detail on the story to avoid spoilers but it's classic Blizzard storytelling. The game feels like a proper StarCraft II set of missions just at a smaller scale. I enjoy this very much as one gripe I had with StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void was that they were trying so hard for a grand scale that those epic moments all seemed to run into each other such that it destroyed most of the tension.

As I was playing the first mission of Nova Covert Ops I was very impressed as it is a visual feast to behold. The gameplay and music is what you would expect from playing previous StarCraft games and I didn't notice anything new there. Each mission is broken up into two parts each and both propel the narrative forward in different ways. In the first level Nova escapes the science facility in a Hero mission similar to the handful of missions in previous games focusing on abilities and dungeon crawling. The second part of the first level is a fun and unique mission where Nova is on a speeder bike and needs to avoid other vehicles as she escapes. It's a fun mission that highlights what kinds of creative stuff you can make with the StarCraft II map editor. Each mission is book ended with an in game rendered cut scene and they are as good as you would expect from any Blizzard game.

Like any StarCraft II game the missions start small in scale and slowly work up in scope and complexity. That said, by the third mission I was having to juggle multiple things at once and it felt a bit harder to manage that previous StarCraft II campaigns. I really enjoyed some of the unique aspects of the mission and hope to see more of this diversity in the remaining three packs. If I had to pick some gripes with Nova Covert Ops i'd say that i'd rather Blizzard have released all the packs at once. That said, it's nice to get content as it comes and i'd prefer this over waiting a year. Another critique I have is that after only three missions i'm not as invested into the story as i'd like to be. With previous StarCraft campaigns you could continue on all the way to the end and somewhere around the fourth or fifth mission I was hooked. After three missions the game barely gets time to get moving before it's over. So I guess my biggest complaint is that I was left wanting more.

jdodson1

2757 Posts

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

Hearthstone Dailies For Ghosts: Episode VIII New Heroes & WWF Charity

Whispers of the Old Gods Will Launch April 26th

Diablo III Season 5 Ends & Season 6 Beings on April 29th. What Does That Mean For Our Last Season Progress?

Would a Mario Kart / Rocket Leauge Crossover Work?

Final Fantasy VI Let's Play ep. 1 - Terra's Scenario To Narshe

Darbian Breaks The New Super Mario Brothers Speedrun World Record At 4:57

Get A Special Look At The New Whispers Of The Old Gods Cards In An Upcoming Livestream

Watch Dave Grossman And Tim Schafer play "Day of the Tentacle"

StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack I Review