Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Terraria 1.2 Drops: Cheerful Ghost Server Opens

Last night the Terraria 1.2 update hit and after playing it for a few hours I can say that it is a great update. A few stand out elements of the patch are the new map system, tier 1 armor, snow and cactus crafting. Plus there are just a ton of other little changes that make the update really awesome for long time Terraria fans. I haven't seen anything quite like this in terms of a free content update and Re-Logic is really showing its focus on the game community here.

As such @Travis and I spent some time last night setting up the new Cheerful Ghost server and it is ready for people to play. If you haven't already, check out the event and join up. We will be... Read All

Rumor mill: Valve files trademark for Half-Life 3

Someone on NeoGAF found this trademark info earlier today. The site has gone down due to traffic overload, but someone caught the images before it went down.

http://imgur.com/a/FojoD#0

This isn't any kind of guarantee of Half-Life 3, but if they use every extension they are allowed to use, they have around 2.75 years to release something tangible.

I hope that, now that there's a ton of internet buzz about this, Valve will make some sort of an announcement soon, but it could still be a while before we know if this pans out.

Again, this is nothing more than a trademark, and I'm in no way saying HL3 is confirmed.

PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate arrives ready for SteamOS

http://cdn2.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/243780/ss_5da5817d70e7d4d19b2e9cf8c801311fc1e258e0.1920x1080.jpg

Pixeljunk just released the definitive version of their tower defense classic, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate. It's been released on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux, so no one has to feel left out. For added incentive, it's 50% off this entire week (in the US, at least). http://store.steampowered.com/app/243780/

Ever since Valve said, "This Steam boat's going down the Linux river without a paddle...or without sticks" or something to that effect, I've been waiting to see who's onboard. Until now, it's been a pretty one-sided affair with a whole mess of them indie-types: rough around the edges, but a pleasure to talk to and will show you pretty art upon request. After that it's... Read All

Little Inferno: Magical Fun With a Fireplace!

I recently wanted to play a new game from my Steam catalog so I picked a game from the Humble Bundle 8: Little Inferno. I knew a bit about the game before I started, the basic premise is that you burn things in your fireplace. I thought that sounded interesting enough and so I installed it on my Mac and gave it a go. For the next three hours and twelve minutes I was hooked to my computer until I finally completed the game. My experience with the game was nothing short of magical and I seriously recommend you beat this game. It's not enough to simply play the the game halfway, this game needs you to finish it. I'll try and explain why without spoiling it, but really,... Read All

Blue_Element wrote on 09/30/2013 at 01:27am

I played through that game too, and it is an amazing game. It has one of the most strangest but awesomest themes/tones of any game I've played. And as a bonus, playing it on my 2GB memory, GeForce 7300 graphics card, and snow leopard running computer from 2007, it ran better than any game I've played on that piece of crap. :D

Blue_Element wrote on 09/30/2013 at 01:27am

I have a better computer now by the way.

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/30/2013 at 06:25pm

This is one of those games that sucks you in before you realize it did it. The concept is so simple, the graphics are surreal and it's fun to try different combinations of items, either looking for actual in-game combos or just to see what happens.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/02/2013 at 06:51am

Wow, this did suck me in for 3 hours... then another half hour after I beat it, trying to get all the combos! I haven't gotten them all yet, but I will likely be back for more.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/02/2013 at 07:05am

Awesome, glad you liked it! What did you think of the ending?

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/02/2013 at 05:08pm

I thought it was great, but I wanted it to continue. There are some things I wish I had held onto...

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/02/2013 at 11:47pm

This game also has me even more excited now about Mew-Genics lol

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/03/2013 at 12:25am

Totally, but I think Mew-genics might have a darker ending, if it has one at all :D

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Edmund Talks: The Binding of Isaac Origins

The folks that made Indie Game: The Movie have released this excerpt from the special edition focusing on Edmund and The Binding of Issac. It's a really great 30 minute doc short on why Edmund decided to make the game and it getting huge in the YouTube Let's Play community.

I really appreciate Edmund's honesty and his though process that went into making this really compelling game. It surprised me to learn that the game only took 3 months start to finish.

I think if the Indie Game: The Movie people keep interviewing and releasing indie game videos the universe would be a little bit better for it.

Day of the Tentacle remake was 80% done.

And then Lucas Arts was shut down. ; ;

A moment of silence please.

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/28/report-day-of-the-tentacle-remake-80-percent-done-before-luca/

Stormcloaks VS. Imperials (The Age Old Question)

I booted my PC recently to play some games I don't have access to on my Mac. One of the games I opened was Skyrim. I was walking around and found a random Stormcloak camp. To this point I haven't taken sides yet but I want to either support the Stormcloaks or Imperials. Thing is, I was talking to the Stormcloaks and I wasn't too impressed with them. They were talking a big game about Skyrim being for the Nords only and seriously hinted at slaughtering the Elves. I am not down with that and I am seriously considering backing the Imperials.

Thoughts? I sort of don't want to back "The Empire" but the Stormcloaks seem pretty evil. The Imperials are not much better I guess... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 09/28/2013 at 01:05pm

The Stormcloaks are racist, and Ulfric is a power-hungry child who basically murdered the last king of Skyrim. They don't like the Thalmor and will go to war because of it.

However, the Empire is essentially controlled by the Thalmor, and the Empire doesn't like the Thalmor any more than the Stormcloaks do. They're just biding their time.

A few minor spoilers come next so bail if you don't want to see them.

What's the best thing for the Thalmor? A civil war that fractures the empire, especially if it's really bloody and the deaths are high. If the empire can keep the peace and unify Tamriel, they've got a much higher chance at winning in a future war with the Thalmor. You can find letters in the Thalmor Embassy describing why Ulfric is so good for them, because he's hurting the strength of the empire, allowing them to eventually fully take over.

EVEN BIGGER SPOILER BELOW. SERIOUSLY.

If you kill Ulfric, when you meet him in Sovngarde he's very regretful about what he's done, and sees that he was in error the whole time.

NO MORE SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT:

In terms of short-term liberty, the Stormcloaks are the best choice. As long as you're human. But is it worth the racism and the murdering?

In terms of long-term stability, the Empire is the best choice.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/28/2013 at 05:08pm

Huh, thanks for that, spoilers and all.

I want to build a world free of genocide that has some thought to future survival. I dig the rebels from a perspective, but I can't abide by race slaughter.

I saved my game right out side Whiterun, its time to pick my side. Thing is, I am not an Elf, I just don't want them arbitrarily wiped out because some Nords are all upitty about Skyrim. Yes, yes, Skyrim for the Nords... and everyone else. Let's not be crazy here, plenty of Mudcrab infested land for everyone now.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/28/2013 at 06:49pm

Playing through both sides, I see the Imperials as more occupiers that were only interested in keeping peace, no matter the cost vs the Stormclocks who were fighting for freedom on the surface, but really for power and freedom was a good excuse.

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Mighty No. 9 Doc. Series Opens Strong -w Episode 0

"Filmed before the launch of the Kickstarter and leading up to its release, Keiji Inafune talks openly about his past and hopes for the future, as well as introducing us to the crack team of veteran developers assembled for Mighty No. 9."

So there was this little Kickstarter that launched a little less than a month ago. Apparently Keiji Inafune had an idea for a new game that bears a striking resemblance to Mega Man. Yeah, well apparently they raised 2.6 million dollars and as part of that they promised to release a documentary covering the entire process. Since the game has been such a smashing success they are releasing the documentary in bits, to everyone. This... Read All

Nearly Every Sci-fi Ship Ever

This image is so large(5.1 Megs) that I am just going to link it here for you to checkout. Well worth your time if you are into that sort of thing. Starcraft ships are included!

http://bitcast-a-sm.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/wp/wp-content/images/ZZ0908720A.jpg

New Steam Controller is intriguing and baffling

http://cdn3.store.steampowered.com/public/images/promo/livingroom/rljKewyz3M/controller.jpg

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamController/

As you can see from the pic, this is different from every other controller paradigm we've seen, with dual trackpads instead of sticks, and buttons arranged around a central touchscreen.

In addition, Valve's new controller uses haptic feedback to simulate force and vibration in a different way than the usual rumble we get from common controllers.

The big reveal, for me, is that it seems Steam OS can simulate a keyboard/mouse without any work on your part, just configuring how you want to control it, and you can share your configurations with others.

So it wasn't Half-Life 3, but it's still very interesting, and I... Read All

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/27/2013 at 05:38pm

I'm absolutely glowing right now. This announcement confirms that Steam Machines are the only next-gen system worth getting...and I might even be able to run it for the cost of the controller!

Ok. Hyperbolic, sugar-fueled excitement aside. Here are my absolute plusses:
😹 Symmetric design so southpaws (like myself) can switch orientation with no detrimental effects
😹 Touch-screen overlay will also go to television so you don't look away
😹 No physical sticks, reducing damage from wear and tear
😹 Haptic feedback from various parts of the controller instead of just "rumble"
😹 Any game can be played with the controller even if the game didn't know controllers were a thing
😹 Even Valve admits they're not sure what can be done with the built-in touchscreen
😹 Sharing configs can be done via Big Picture for any game
😹 The Steam community (us - as in we, not as in USA) will be involved in the design and functionality of the controller

Remember, too, that this is just the announcement. So, the look of the controller is likely to change by next year when my sweaty hands can touch one. As will some of the functionality, as well. Much like Big Picture and Steam for Linux over the past year, it can only get better.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/27/2013 at 05:44pm

I agree, this is pretty great news. I was wondering how Valve was going to handle keeping compatibility with a Keyboard and a Mouse. Initially I thought they'd add a sort of small trackpad to the traditional controller ALA Ouya, but it seems they had other more awesome plans in mind.

I know to some this might seem really strange and totally crazy but I think this is the most compelling controller in the upcoming console cycle. It's really different and keeps pace with the past. Far more evolutive than anything Sony or Microsoft are doing for sure. That said, it seems the people doing radically different stuff in the controller space are now Valve and Nintendo.

I want to try this out before I get it, but if it's as good as it seems to be, I will happily buy this. That said, I still have my traditional USB controllers and those will still work with SteamOS so for people that are not as excited, we still have that option.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 09/27/2013 at 06:20pm

"I know to some this might seem really strange and totally crazy but I think this is the most compelling controller in the upcoming console cycle"

It IS strange, and it IS totally crazy, but that's why I find it so compelling. The fact that it's Valve and they've done so much research into it and they feel good about what they have is reassuring to me. And it doesn't seem way off in left field, it seems like there's a good reason behind all of their decisions.

Perhaps I just sound like a Valve fanboy at this point. I'm ok with that.

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/27/2013 at 07:10pm

There's an enthusiasm behind this that doesn't just feel like media hype. It feels like Valve is committed to making the Steam Machines and SteamOS the premiere gaming platforms. And hell...you can even DIY if that's your gig.

I don't get the impression from these announcements that Valve is trying to attract investors or repair shareholders' broken confidence. That's because Valve doesn't have either of those things to worry about. Valve appears to be seeking partners, corporate or otherwise. The Steam community itself is a partner that Valve is already reaching out to.

Sony, Microsoft and even Nintendo seem to be apologizing to gamers for the decisions they've made in the recent past and hoping that their newest trinkets will sate your desire for shiny new things and make you forget their thinly-veiled lock-in attempts. Valve instead seems to be looking forward to the future by allowing customization and personal builds, even to the point of 3D printing your own controller.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 09/27/2013 at 08:37pm

"It feels like Valve is committed to making the Steam Machines and SteamOS the premiere gaming platforms"

That's how it seems to me. It makes sense for them to, just in terms of their own profits. It just seems that they're more interested in making something good for their users than most of the other big players.

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/27/2013 at 11:09pm

This is what competition in the marketplace was supposed to be before the big guys started tipping everything in their own favor, creating an unbalanced playing field. Until the rise of indie games, this may not have been possible. Until there was money flowing outside the grasp of the large players, could Valve attempt something like this.

Valve has and will continue to have a healthy revenue stream for years to come and this guarantees it. One reason is that the cost of the OS is...well...zero. Another is that you're not forced into buying one. If you're already playing on Steam, just keep calm & keep on paying. Or playing.

Since the OS costs nothing and anyone can run it, tweak it to build their own and run it on their own hardware means that interested parties will hack away at it. Even if they buy very little, they'll bring exposure to those that will. Additionally, those that do use Steam a lot can run it on the hardware they already have. Sure, there may be some bells and whistles that may only be available on a Valve-branded box but we're not there yet.

The low-key, by comparison to spending hundreds of millions of dollars (http://adage.com/article/digital/xbox-playstation-prep-bruising-ad-spending-battle/242141/), marketing campaign by Valve also disarms knee-jerk skeptics like myself. It does so by suggesting that you don't even have to buy one to be included. Valve's aim is to sell, but it doesn't matter if it's games via Steam or Steam Machines themselves, so long as you're spending through Valve.

Valve's been good to me so far and since coming to Linux, they've only made things better. They've worked with players from all distributions to try and provide as comfortable a ride for whomever cares to ride along. That experience working with so many distributions may prove to be vital as they build their own.

montanaskibum wrote on 09/27/2013 at 11:56pm

The overall design of the controller looks good, the area of concern for me is the center "touch-click" screen (anyone remember the Blackberry Storm?). One pissed off click (we all know it happens) and it will look like the majority of the storms did, fractured glass.
Just my 2¢… what do you think?

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/28/2013 at 12:15am

I think that may be part of the reason that a) Valve has asked for the community's involvement and b) the prototypes aren't shipping with screens. Flexible touchscreen with a physical button underneath?

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/28/2013 at 02:06am

"The low-key, by comparison to spending hundreds of millions of dollars (http://adage.com/article/digital/xbox-playstation-prep-bruising-ad-spending-battle/242141/), marketing campaign by Valve also disarms knee-jerk skeptics like myself. It does so by suggesting that you don't even have to buy one to be included. Valve's aim is to sell, but it doesn't matter if it's games via Steam or Steam Machines themselves, so long as you're spending through Valve."

You know that's a really great point(beyond the many other great points you made). In fact, Gabe has said in a few speeches that when you company gets to a certain point and has the good will of the community it needs to spend nearly nothing on marketing. Which I think is entirely stated in how these set of press releases have gone. Valve has no huge prescience at PAX or E3 yet they make waves with every step they take. And I like Marketing people same as the next guy, but when you are not spending 100 million on marketing you are spending it in other places, like engineering. Clearly this kind of focus can create a great company and product as seen with Valve but it requires that you build a company worth respecting over time.

@monatnaskibum: That's a good point and one I considered too. I think it will work akin to the Macbook trackpad. It's a single pad and you swipe it for the mouse thing. It's also one huge button and it works really well for what it is. I imagine the new controller will work similarly well.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/28/2013 at 05:13am

http://i.imgur.com/cwfEbW7.png 😃

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/28/2013 at 05:36am

Set of reactions from developers that have tried it:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/201195/Select_game_developers_used_the_Steam_Controller_Heres_what_they_said.php

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/28/2013 at 03:32pm

Could do a complete write-up on that or Tommy Refenes' (Super Meat Boy's hacky genius) reaction and comparision to the 360 controller: http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/TommyRefenes/20130928/201219/My_time_with_the_Steam_Controller.php

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/28/2013 at 06:14pm

HAHAHA, I love the candor of Ryan Gordon.

"I love all the comments on my Gamasutra interview. Hur, hur, there's no money in Linux games. Okay, haters. http://pic.twitter.com/Gt6tMMuWfB"

https://twitter.com/icculus/statuses/384016680156155904

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/29/2013 at 04:47pm

His comment feeds right to the heart of the most annoying FUD regarding Linux gaming: There is no money to be made there. More nonsense.

Is there less money to be made? Yes. Is there no money to be made? No. The money is there, just not in the volumes it is for Windows.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/30/2013 at 12:15am

Right, there is clearly money in the Indie Bundles, in fact more people pay on Linux than any other platform. This isn't insignificant.

There is money in selling Linux ports too, it just might not yet be a 50 million dollar venture for a triple A title. Yet anyway.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/05/2013 at 04:28am

More awesome news about people trying out the new controller:

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/10/04/uber-entertainment-has-used-steam-controller-and-they-like-it/

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