Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Prison Architect Alpha 13: Escape Tunnels & Policy

Prison Architect is a prison simulator from Introversion Software, the creators of Uplink and Darwinia. In the recent video for Alpha 13, producer Mike Morris and designer Chris Delay show off the new prisoner escape tunnel mechanic. The video illustrates how your prisoners can appear to be asleep but can actually be creating tunnels to escape. The game even allows the prisoners to build off each others tunnels to escape. Currently, you can detect a tunnel by searching each cell but they plan on adding search dogs to detect break out attempts as well as prisoner contraband.

Alpha 13 brings another interesting feature in that you can set your prisons policy. You can set... Read All

Reaper of Souls New Loot Systems & Auction House

In a new interview with PC Gamer, Diablo 3 Lead Content Designer Kevin Martens spoke about some reaper of souls game changes for loot drops and the auction house. When asked about loot drops and the auction house, he said that much of Diablo 3 fun revolved around the auction house...

"That’s not what we intend, and we do want to address that, so the loot system and the enchanting and crafting systems are both intended to cut the legs out from the auction house; to make it unnecessary to go on it to some degree, where the most fun way to play the game becomes the best way to play the game.”

‘Loot 2.0′ will add “smart drop” items, which are tuned to your character. More... Read All In a new interview with PC Gamer, Diablo 3 Lead Content Designer Kevin Martens spoke about some reaper of souls game changes for loot drops and the auction house. When asked about loot drops and the auction house, he said that much of Diablo 3 fun revolved around the auction house...

"That’s not what we intend, and we do want to address that, so the loot system and the enchanting and crafting systems are both intended to cut the legs out from the auction house; to make it unnecessary to go on it to some degree, where the most fun way to play the game becomes the best way to play the game.”

‘Loot 2.0′ will add “smart drop” items, which are tuned to your character. More legendaries are also planned, with extra effects, such as a staff that can spawn hydras from dead bodies. A new artisan, the Mystic, will be introduced, letting players transmute items – transferring the stats of one over to another. In addition, the new Loot Run mode will randomly generate a new 15-20 minute dungeon, letting you go treasure hunting without repeating the same locations."

If Blizzard is able to pull this off, this is a welcomed change. Diablo 3 is loads of fun, but it has always been easiest to grind for gold and head to the auction house for gear. Beyond a certain level the majority of loot drops are nearly worthless, yellows and browns included. Kind of sad to get a legendary item and think "oh well it prob sucks more than a blue I have." I hope Blizzard can change things so the dropped gear is awesome and I am really looking forward to the new "loot run" mode.

What do you think, are these changes to the auction house and loot drops something you are excited about?

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/08/29/diablo-3-reaper-of-souls-loot-system-designed-to-cut-the-legs-out-from-the-auction-house/

**UPDATE**

It also seems that Diablo 3 will be seeing a huge 2.0 update getting much of the content around Reaper of Souls release.

"You’re going to get all the loot, you’re going to get all the new item types, you’re going to get all the new legendary affixes, you’re going to get our new gem type – which is the diamond – and you’re going to get all the changes to the rules, the smart drop system, the targeted drop system, probably you’ll get loot runs – we haven’t figured that one out yet – probably you’ll get paragon, etc, etc."

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/08/29/diablo-3-to-get-free-update-alongside-reaper-of-souls-expansion/

Terraria/Edge of Space Crossover

I'd been considering Edge of Space for a while now, but this makes me want to check it out even more.

Premiering at PAX, some new content from Terraria will be hitting Edge of Space. The Skeletron boss, reimagined as Omegatron, will be coming in an update.

Those of you going to PAX (ahem, jdodson, scrypt), you have to play this and tell us how it looks!

Terraria released for iOS

It doesn't "officially" go live until tomorrow-- you can't find it by searching in the App Store on your iDevice right now, but you can download it now in iTunes and sync it up that way.

EDIT: No need to do this now, it's officially out!

Happy digging, fighting, and exploring!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/terraria/id640364616?mt=8

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:03am

Just downloaded it. Opened up and music started.

SO RAD! Must have dropped early.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:03am

It's infuriatingly difficult to control. Might just take some getting used to.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:06am

Not too bad here, but i've only been playing for 4 minutes.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:12am

I've played other games that approximate a joystick on a touchscreen and also found that difficult, so it may just be me :)

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:15am

It's not amazing, but its OK I guess.

Have to take some boss fights VERY slowly or not at all. Hell would be very hard on my iPhone not to mention hard mode.

But for a little Terraria on the go? I can see this working well for that.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:19am

This would work much better on the Vita with the touch screen and analog controls.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:21am

Yep. Another tick in the "pro" column for getting a Vita. It's getting close to the sweet spot for me to get one.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 03:42am

Yeah, agreed.

Ok so after about 20 minutes of playing it feels a bit cramped. Occasionally I run into some issues with open doors and chests and dealing with my house. Over time I imagine it will get sorted out but I don't expect i'll clock a ton of time into this one. Compared to PC Terraria it's pretty limiting.

That said, i'll write up a review about it at some point.

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

Sign Up / Log In

Game/Show: A New Web Series from PBS

PBS just dropped a new web series called "PBS Game/Show" on YouTube and it is well worth your time. The first episode is about classic game characters and how long they will be with us. The host Jamin Warren discusses Mario, Sonic and Link and compares them to other more modern characters to see whom will have a longer appeal. He also talks a bit about myths and stories.

I really enjoyed the the first episode and hope they keep this going. One of the reasons I started the Cheerful Ghost Roundtable was to get a pretty even discussion going about gaming that didn't contain long winded video game rants, 90's style shock jock potty humor and horribly negative discussions.... Read All

I Want an FTL Lego Kestrel

If you are looking to add some video game magic to your lego collection you may get your wish. Looks like the FTL guys put a Kestrel design up on the Lego site and it is listed as "Supporters Achieved." I can only imagine that means that the design is moving along and we may very well see an official Lego Kestrel ship for purchase.

Would you pick a lego Kestrel if it came out?

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/35223

http://www.ftlgame.com/?p=580

Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition

Yep. Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition is coming and it will include a few things:

Borderlands 2 Main Game

Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty

Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage

Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt

Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep

Creature Slaughter Dome

Gaige, the Mechromancer Character Class

Gearbox Gun Pack

Golden Key

Vault Hunter's Relic

Krieg, the Psycho Character Class

Collector’s Edition Heads and Skins

Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 1

I have been waiting on getting the DLC until I could pick it up in one bundle and this is it. Borderlands 2 GoTY will launch on all platforms in North America on October 8, 2013 and internationally on... Read All

Gameboy 3DS minus the 3D part.

Multiple news sites are reporting that Nintendo is releasing a new Nintendo "2DS."

The new Gameboy will play all 3Ds and DS games in 2D. In addition to ditching the 3D the new gameboy also eschews the clam-shell design that all Gameboys have sported since the SP first came out in 2004. The new Gameboy is also priced lower than the 3DS at $129 MRP.

Here's Joystiq's article on the big reveal: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/28/nintendo-2ds-plays-all-3ds-ds-games-in-2d-ditches-clamshell/

As I mentioned in the last Cheerfulghost Roundtable, 3D movies and games give me a headache, so I'm actually pretty intrigued by this new Gameboy. Not having to pay for a feature I would... Read All

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 08/28/2013 at 08:44pm

That looks even more unwieldy than the horrible Wii U tablet controller!

Travis Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 09:40pm

I'd be game for this if it were clamshell. It just looks so unwieldy like this. I can't exactly tuck this into my pocket.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:12pm

Hmmm true, but I didn't stuff my gameboy in my pocket. It needs to zip up to go in my bag and it looks like it has a pretty nice travel bag.

The only stuff that goes in my pocket is my phone, keys and wallet. Trying to figure out how to ditch the wallet.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:34pm

I'll help you out with your wallet.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:37pm

Ha. RIIIIGHT.

What I mean is that I am considering getting an iPhone/wallet thing. It may not work, but dropping something I carry sounds like a good idea to me.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:46pm

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/56vgbk/nintendo-nintendo-2ds---introduction

Turns out one of my friends is in a commercial for it (the "mom" character I guess).

It's smaller than I imagined, which makes it a little more palatable for me I suppose.

vdogmr25 wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:46pm

I think this is a good idea. I know people who get headaches from 3D film and from the 3D in the 3DS or simply don't care. Giving an option that's cheaper because the feature is not part of the system is a good move.

From a design point, having the buttons higher up puts a bigger focus on the top screen where much of the button driven gameplay takes place. That's awesome. It's not as compact/lacks folding. That's not awesome.

Personally, I think I'd prefer the 3DS I already have, but there are people who will probably prefer this system.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 12:59am

Seriously considering picking this up.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2013 at 04:54pm

That or a regular DS. Ill have to see how much I can score a used DS lite for.

CapnCurry Supporter wrote on 08/31/2013 at 02:41am

Gotta say, mixed reactions to this one. The 3-D screen was essentially the only differentiator between it and the las generation of Nintendo handhelds - it would be like if they released a Wii U that doesn't use the tablet controllers; it's completely aborting and entire generational step.

On the other hand, if that's how they get the 3DS price point down to where people actually start buying 3DS games, then I can't really call it a *bad* move.

Still, I think this is the first time that Nintendo has made an "inferior" version of any of their offerings: where the XBox and PS3 both had hard drive and no-hard drive models, a Nintendo has always just been a Nintendo. It makes me wonder if having to design for the underdog is going to rein in some of the potential that the 3D screen has to offer.

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

Sign Up / Log In

Updated world generator / Biomes.

Minecraft's head developer, Jens Bergensten (a.k.a Jeb), posted a new blog post today showing off some of the changes coming to Minecraft's world generator with the next big update. Some of the changes include smaller Oceans, more varied Biomes, as well as rare varients of the existing Biomes.

You can read the full blog post here: https://mojang.com/2013/08/minecraft-world-generator-update/

It's been awhile since I've picked up Minecraft, but I think once the new Biomes hit I might have to start up a new map and see what's out there. What do you, my fellow Happy Haunts, think of the next update?

Travis Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 09:41pm

I've been wanting to get back into Minecraft, but I think I'll wait until this happens first.

Of course, Minecraft 1.7, Terraria 1.2, and the Starbound beta will probably happen all at once.

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:13pm

Yeah this update looks pretty neat. I may run a dedicated CG server for a few weeks so we can check it out when it drops as long as it doesn't collide w Terraria 1.2 or Starbound.

Any news on when that will be?

Timogorgon Member Post Author wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:31pm

I actually ran a private server for me and a couple friends previously. I'd gladly help out with the server when/if that happens. :)

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/28/2013 at 10:35pm

Sure. When it drops let me know and we can work it out. I don't mind whom hosts it. We can use the events to co-ordinate people joining with the password and such.

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

Sign Up / Log In

FTL Pairing: Engi -n Drones pt. 1

@WhiteboySlim and I took part in a FTL pairing session last night and recorded it over Google Hangout. We decided to roll with a new strategy to us both in building our ship around drones using the Engi Cruiser. It is a very lucky run for this build and we had to cut it short to head to bed.

Stay tuned for the thrilling part 2 conclusion of our FTL session coming soon!

Watch the session and let us know if you have any suggestions for our build and strat for the remaining sectors and boss fight!