Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Enjoy The Sweet Music and Imagery Of Gameboy Start Screens

I know. It's been a dream gamers have had for quite some time. To be able to sit down and watch all the Gameboy start screens in one go has been the "holy grail" of many gamers. Our wait is over as YouTube sensation NicksplosionFX has cut up all the Gameboy start screens and edited them down to a little under three hours.

Dragon Age: Origins Free on EA Origin

http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/Bioware-Developing-Ati-Eyefinity-Compatibility-For-Dragon-Age-Origins-2.jpg

If you haven't picked up Dragon Age: Origins yet, this is your chance to get it right now from EA for free on Origin. Dragon Age: Origin was BioWare's spiritual successor to Neverwinter Nights and features some really excellent storytelling.

If you are looking for an epic RPG that will keep you entertained for hours, you should get this.

https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/free-games/on-the-house

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/09/2014 at 03:05am

Thanks! I have the Ultimate Edition for the PS3, but didn't get very far with it. It seems Bejeweled 3 is also free. =)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/09/2014 at 03:09am

This is kind of exciting. I was thinking of trying out the PC version of the game, now that my PC is awesome. I'm also addicted to Bejeweled!!!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/10/2014 at 11:21pm

I need to try out Bejeweled 3. I've played the first, but I wonder what the third game adds to the formula?

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 02:03am

The third adds quite a few new game modes. It's *REALLY* awesome!!!! You should get it!!! Let me know how to connect to you on Origin, so I can add you to my friend's list. Thanks for sharing the news about the free games. I wish they would send out an email when they do this.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 10:11pm

Ha! I have collected all the badges in Bejeweled 3. That game is fun! Anyway, Jon, there are 4 main game modes, each has it's own "secret" mode, too, so in total there are 8 game modes. Zen mode is the endless one, it was created to help players relax with music and such. It's secret mode is Butterflies, where you have to clear butterfly gems before they reach the top and get caught by the spider. There's also a Poker game mode, mining, freeze, sand, and classic. Hm, I seem to be forgetting one. Anyway, it's a great game, I'm glad I got it for free!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 10:12pm

Ah, the one I forget is Quest mode, where you have to complete certain challenges that use all modes.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/12/2014 at 03:00am

Oh, well apparently I only completed the first set of badges. Once you do them, you have more challenges to do to get higher level badges. I guess that's good because I'm not tired of the game yet. =)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/16/2014 at 11:03pm

Ugh, I've been playing Lightning Mode lately because of the of the higher level badges requires you to get 750,000 points in that mode. It's tough! Some how I managed to get about 110,000 less than I need.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/17/2014 at 11:08pm

Yes! I did it! I got over 750,000 points in a Lightning game! I got the Blazing Speed bonus three times in that round. Phew! There are still more badges for me to work on.

As for Dragon Age: Origins, I played it for a few minutes. I'll get back to it eventually. I'm currently working on Bejeweled 3 and Super Smash Bros. (3DS) challenges. It will be interesting to play Dragon Age: Origins some more. Maybe after I finish it on the PC, I'll do the same on the PS3 since I have the Ultimate Edition for it.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Sign Up / Log In

Duck Hunt High Scores, IndieGameCon & Starship Rubicon

I spent this last Saturday at the Eugene IndieGameCon doing a split Cheerful Ghost and Starship Rubicon booth. Since Starship Rubicon is the first game Cheerful Ghost is publishing it makes sense to show the game at a booth together and this was the first time we did it. It's one thing having a table at an event for a video game community but it's something very different to show off a game. I was also really excited to see people responding well to the build of the game we had to show. After the first few people ran into a steep difficulty wall, Wick balanced the game and everyone that came afterward had a bit easier go of things. Some people did very well, some... Read All I spent this last Saturday at the Eugene IndieGameCon doing a split Cheerful Ghost and Starship Rubicon booth. Since Starship Rubicon is the first game Cheerful Ghost is publishing it makes sense to show the game at a booth together and this was the first time we did it. It's one thing having a table at an event for a video game community but it's something very different to show off a game. I was also really excited to see people responding well to the build of the game we had to show. After the first few people ran into a steep difficulty wall, Wick balanced the game and everyone that came afterward had a bit easier go of things. Some people did very well, some people died quickly but nearly all the people that played it had fun.

Wick and I have boothed at a lot of Portland events and really enjoy doing it even if each event doesn't get a huge turn out. I wasn't sure what kind of audience to expect as IndieGameCon was in Eugene Oregon and I am not too familiar with the video game scene there. That said, the event was packed all day long with people very excited to play all manner of games shown. I had to get out of the way as the crowd around the game was too thick for me to be as close to the table as I wanted to be. If you are into the Indie Game scene in Oregon, IndieGameCon should be on your list as one of the events you need to be part of and I want to thank Ted Brown for letting us be part of it.

Later that evening Wick and I headed to the after party at a local club called the Shoryuken League. It's a retro arcade bar that has a few cool arcade games. Wick and I started playing a few fighting games but the highlight game of the evening, for me, was Duck Hunt. I am happy to admit, I spent a lot of time playing Duck Hunt as a kid and specifically the clay shooting portion of the game. I finished the night with a high score of 566,500 which isn't anything to be ashamed of and by the time I left wasn't surpassed. I went over to the Twin Galaxies high score page for Duck Hunt and whereas the high score is for two ducks mode, if I have more time and will I might try and get in on that action.

I also want to give a special shoutout to one of my friends Nic Biondi and his game Hard Lander. Nic is still adding awesome stuff to Hard Lander and each time he shows it the people that play it have more and more fun. Hard Lander is a physics based multiplayer space ship game that is absolutely off the hook crazy fun in multiplayer with friends. Some people had so much fun they camped out playing the game for hours and screamed in excitement when something crazy happened(I know because I heard them on the other side of the room). Hard Lander is on Steam Greenlight right now and is something the world needs so upvote it on Steam.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=279815737

View the full Imgur album of the event here as well as images to prove my Duck Hunt high score:

http://imgur.com/a/ZWpxS#13

http://indiegamecon.com/

"Real Games Have Kill Streaks." PrevRec Reviews Guacamelee

Rich Evans y Jack crítica " Gucamelee ". Un juego que es a partes iguales Metroid y luchador.

If you are down with Redletter Media then you need to watch their latest review of the Indie Hit, Guacamelee. I can't argue with them here, the game is really fun. That said, I has so much fun in the first few minutes I wanted to save it for when I got my first Steam Machine. Guacamelee just seems like the kind of game best served on a console and the review seems to seal that thought for me.

Broforce Keeps On Truckin' With "Bro Max" and "The Brode"

In a world of disappointing Steam Greenlight games, Broforce shows us a better way forward. In this latest Broforce update the game gets two new Bros in "Bro Max" modeled after Mad Max from the Road Warrior trilogy and "The Brode" penned after Uma Thurman's The Bride from the Kill Bill series. The update also features new levels and Steam Workshop level building updates as well as some multiplayer match-making work.

Super Smash Bros. 3DS Review

Azurephile gives this a solid "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

Azurephile gives this a "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

Recommendation and new features

Recommended

Wii U version coming

amiibo functionality

Classic video characters

Challenges

Demo available

Super Smash Bros. on the 3DS is actually more fun than I thought it would be. There are so many different game modes and ways to play the game. Players can play the game and it's various modes solo or with other players online or locally via wireless networking. It seems the only mode that's missing is the kind-of-like story mode that was on the Wii version, which I'm sure will be on the Wii U version. There are many new characters, stages, and items to unlock.

Wii U version and amiibos: The game will get even more fun once the Wii U... Read All Recommendation and new features

Recommended

Wii U version coming

amiibo functionality

Classic video characters

Challenges

Demo available

Super Smash Bros. on the 3DS is actually more fun than I thought it would be. There are so many different game modes and ways to play the game. Players can play the game and it's various modes solo or with other players online or locally via wireless networking. It seems the only mode that's missing is the kind-of-like story mode that was on the Wii version, which I'm sure will be on the Wii U version. There are many new characters, stages, and items to unlock.

Wii U version and amiibos: The game will get even more fun once the Wii U version is out because both versions can apparently interact with each other. Also, Nintendo is releasing it's new amiibo figures with the launch of the Wii U version of the game. These figures can be placed on the Wii U game pad. They store information about the character and collect stats, level up, etc. The new 3DS LL will apparently also have a spot on it for use with the amiibo figures, but other versions of the 3DS are going to be able to use them with a new accessory. Unfortunately, it seems that we won't see that accessory until some time next year.

Graphically, one of the things I first noticed about the 3DS version of the game is that characters have an outline. I found out, by watching some videos on Nintendo's channel or eShop, that this was created to help the characters stand out from the background and therefore easier to see. However, the outline can be adjusted (made thinner) or removed in the game's settings.

Classic video game characters: This new generation of the game is historical. It is the first game to include famous video game original characters such as Mario, Pac Man, and Sonic the Hedgehog. You won't find another game on any other console that has these original video game pioneers. The 3DS version of the game is also the very first hand held Smash Bros. game.

The game's characters can also be customized with various pieces of equipment and items found along with their various moves. Note that characters in this new generation of the game have more moves than in previous versions. Characters can also be created based upon a Mii character. These characters can be a brawler, sword fighter, or gunner.

Challenges: I have not yet unlocked everything, but I've managed to unlock some things. Right now, one of my favorite features is a Challenges menu item, which tells you a challenge that's required to unlock that block. Completing challenges unlocks other items as well. I already finished the first panel of challenges and am on the second one now. Some challenges include playing Smash as a certain character or on a certain stage a certain amount of times. There is also a golden hammer that can be used to unlock a block instead of completing the challenge. I've found this helpful because some challenges aren't as easy to complete, such as the StreetSmash challenges.

Recommendation and demo:I think if you have a 3DS or 2DS and are a fan of the game series, you should pick up a copy of this version. There is also a free demo on Nintendo's eStore that you can download and play a limited amount of times. I look forward to playing the game more, completing challenges, and being able to use the new amiibo figures. I had pre-ordered the game, mostly because my son was enjoying the demo. I was more interested in the Wii U version, which comes out next month. However, I decided to get myself a copy of the game as well, which makes sense since my son and I each have our own 3DS and I wanted to have my own game file. I also reserved a copy of the Wii U version and two amiibo figures.

For more information about the game please see the official website (http://www.smashbros.com/us/). For more information about amiibo see the official website as well (http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo).

Skullduggery Drops October 9th on iOS + Initial Impression

Skullduggery is a fun platformer where you fling your skull around the afterlife collecting loot. ClutchPlay Games were nice enough to give me an advance copy and I am happy to report the game is really fun. I am only yet a few levels in and it's already hitting a good stride between challenging, fun and addicting. If you love to collect every little bit of loot, Skullduggery will keep you very entertained.

Skullduggery ships with 4 stages "The Skullcademey," "Bonewalk Empire," "Pyramid Schemes" & "Village of the Scammed." Each stage contains 8 levels and tracks all the collectables and stuff you can get in each level. Skullduggery also ships with a flashy new iOS... Read All

The Mayor of SimCity Is a Crazy Lunatic

"That's a nice town we have here, be a shame if a tornado or earthquake were to destroy it."

Kind of puts the power you have playing SimCity into the spotlight.... The... unlimted.... power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1TTN-Ev2KI

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2D

I honestly can't think of a better follow up to the spirit of Ocarina of Time than a 2D version and this fan game looks really great.

"OoT 2D is a 2D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that is styled like ALttP. It has been attempted many times and by many different authors, the first attempt of which was over a decade ago!

This embodiment of OoT 2D will use no already-existing engine and no utilities such as Game Maker. While building it from scratch is slow and old-fashioned, this method of programming will grant full control over everything, resulting in a high-quality product! We hope you all like it!"

It is available for download now for free on PC and... Read All

Game/Show: Are 50% Of Gamers Women?

This episode of Game/Show takes some recent statistics about gamers and asks if 50% of all gamers are actually women? It's a question many have asked after the numbers were first circulated and the way he unpacks the facts is interesting. He reads a quote by Ian Bogost I found really interesting "If we are very fortunate gamers will disappear altogether and all we will have left would be people."

scrypt Supporter wrote on 10/02/2014 at 05:03pm

I felt like Jamin was on a good track with the way he presented a definition for "gamers" in the February episode on the same topic, as a cultural identity of being a sort of aficionado or connoisseur of games, or at least someone that is well versed on, not just the entertainment of games, but maybe the process of the craft as well, to the point that you could give an informed, analytical argument on the subject (e.g. comparing/contrasting Strategy RPGs and RTSs, or how Dark Souls is basically Mega man in macabre 3D). As an example, when I was first getting into programming, a couple of authors told me, after spending a few days learning the basics of writing my own block of functional code, that I could now consider myself a programmer (one who programs). The sentiment is encouraging, but the reality is that if I was in a room with actual, seasoned programmers, I doubt very much that they would see me as a peer. In the same respect, I would argue, playing games does not make you a gamer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. The ESA doesn't care what a gamer is, they just care who is playing games. Jamin hits it on the head by admitting that if you look specifically at gamer culture, there are obviously fewer women than this statistic of 50/50 implies, but then pivots immediately to the Zoegate/Gamergate mess as a reason why that's the case. His later statement suggesting that being an aficionado could lead to sexism is bizarre. "Be careful, kids, get too enthusiastic about your hobby, and you could become an asshole!"

The point isn't the word "gamer." The point is the identification and the passion of the culture. If there were some way to magically strike that title from the known universe, so that it could never audibly be spoken again, we would find a new word to call ourselves. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." How would those seasoned programmers feel if, in my very limited knowledge and experience, calling myself a programmer, declared that "programmers are dead," due to the idea that anyone and everyone can program "Hello, world!" You can homogenize the name, but you can't homogenize the passion. It doesn't matter what you call yourself, people will recognize you by your actions.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/02/2014 at 05:37pm

His later statement suggesting that being an aficionado could lead to sexism is bizarre. "Be careful, kids, get too enthusiastic about your hobby, and you could become an asshole!"

I think people that move closer to any ideal get that way, it's not unique to gaming culture though. I try and stay away from the more zealous of any group, I just don't enjoy being on that side.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." How would those seasoned programmers feel if, in my very limited knowledge and experience, calling myself a programmer, declared that "programmers are dead," due to the idea that anyone and everyone can program "Hello, world!"

I think that's a good point. I am a software developer and if someone said my profession was dead I wouldn't pay it too much mind. In a way, it's always changing and that's part of the job. Someday my job might be so altered that what I knew it to be might be effectively dead, not sure how that would effect me but it's an interesting thought.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Sign Up / Log In