Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Terraria 2 Confirmed!

Andrew Spinks recently gave an interview to the Terrarian Times, a news letter made by the Terraria community. On the question of the future of the game, Andrew had this to say:

"Following 1.2 I am wanting to do more frequent smaller updates until I am ready to move forward to my next project (Yes, Terraria 2). At that time I would definitely be open to the idea of hiring a small team to keep Terraria alive and kicking until T2 is ready.

Due to the current condition of Terraria there are a lot of things I cannot do that I will be bringing to Terraria 2. You can expect bigger and more diverse worlds, deeper rpg elements such as leveling, classes, skill trees, and a world... Read All

Steam Summer Getaway Sale

"Pack your bags and grab your sandals, folks. The Steam Summer Getaway Sale is here! For the next eleven days, take advantage of huge saving of up to 75% off on over 2000 PC, Mac and Linux titles. Check back often to take advantage of our eight-hour Flash Sales. You can even help select what goes on sale with our Community's Choice Voting Sales.

Also, buying discounted games now earns you an all-new collectible in the form of Trading Cards. Collect, trade and craft over 50 new sets of cards, including 10 Summer Getaway Trading Cards that can only be earned during the sale. Each set can be crafted into badges, backgrounds, emoticons and other rewards."

Today's daily... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 07/11/2013 at 07:49pm

July 12? Is this last year's image?

Bioshock Infinite is cheap, which means anyone who doesn't have it should buy it now. Like, immediately. Why are you reading this and not playing it?

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/11/2013 at 07:50pm

It is last years image. I will update when there is one for this year. So far they seem to be having issues with imagery. :D

Travis Admin wrote on 07/11/2013 at 07:59pm

http://i.imgur.com/85fF7qO.png

Kinda small, they don't seem to be doing the big image like they used to.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/11/2013 at 08:58pm

I am a programmer so off by one doesn't bug me too much.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/11/2013 at 10:26pm

Can't wait to pick up Skyrim tonight!

BR Supporter wrote on 07/12/2013 at 12:30am

I was so happy when I got on and saw this today! I'm hoping to pick up farcry 3 and possibly bioshock infinite.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/12/2013 at 12:55am

Farcry 3 is one of the games I am considering as well as Blood Dragon, but its one of those games I can wait on showing up in a future sale too. Have so many I have yet to try already.

hardeyez wrote on 07/12/2013 at 02:09am

So far I've picked up Antichamber, Rogue Legacy, and Left4Dead combo (yeah, I never played it, and for 7.49 for both that's a steal... and now with l4d2 being on linux...)

I've been wanting to get Antichamber and Rogue Legacy as they are both incredibly interesting, just windows only... which keeps me from snagging them immediately. However, on sale...

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/12/2013 at 02:15am

Look into Don't Starve, its a survival crafting game with a great art style. And its like $8. You may dig it :D

http://store.steampowered.com/app/219740/

BR Supporter wrote on 07/12/2013 at 02:20am

I've been also wanting antichamber to go on sale for a long time. Looks very interesting

Travis Admin wrote on 07/12/2013 at 03:37am

Jon, I think you were looking to pick up cheap BL2 DLC, no?

http://store.steampowered.com/app/49520/

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/12/2013 at 04:52am

AAAAAHHHH! As tempting is that is, no I am going to wait. I SOOOO want to, but I still have the normal BL2 to finish on PC.

So... VERY... tempting....

Such a great deal too.

hardeyez wrote on 07/12/2013 at 11:51pm

Yeah, so I grabbed Don't Starve also... It's wild and weird. (and plays beautifully on my older linux box).

I was going to snag The Cave when it was on 75% off, but the timer on the sale price lied to me and I missed it (now it's "only" 50% off).

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/12/2013 at 11:56pm

One nice thing about Don't Starve is that it syncs the saves between all your machines. So I start a game on my Mac and I can continue it on Linux with Steam Cloud.

Super nice.

BR Supporter wrote on 07/13/2013 at 04:46am

I'm spending too much money. Today I picked up Antichamber, Just Cause 2, and Anno 2070 complete.

I'm excited to play them but not so excited about the money loss. Was still pretty cheap for all three. Only $34.

jaelte wrote on 07/14/2013 at 04:06am

Not like I need any more games, but I've picked up Sleeping Dogs, Borderlands 2, and On The Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness 3&4 so far. *sigh*

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/14/2013 at 07:04pm

I nabbed Fez. $4.99 and its getting a Linux & Mac port soon so I picked it up for $8 with the score.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 07/15/2013 at 08:11pm

A lot of the purchases I'm making are to, cost effectively (that's what I tell myself, anyway), replace games that I have purchased on certain consoles. It's Anticipation for the "Steam Box" and securing games for posterity, as much as possible. Fallout New Vegas for $2.49?! Oh, yes, please!

Admittedly, I've been a bit of a sucker for the whole Trading Card thing. That may have had some influence of a couple of purchases...

Travis Admin wrote on 07/15/2013 at 09:10pm

I just need two more cards :)

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/15/2013 at 09:27pm

My inner old man doesn't get the trading cards honestly. I have 3, but don't really know what good they are. I put one up for sale for $0.50, but there were many being sold for around the same price, so it likely won't sell.

jaelte wrote on 07/16/2013 at 02:34am

I'm somewhat confused about the purpose of trading cards as well. I'm just hoarding them for now until I figure if there's anything useful I can do with them.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/16/2013 at 02:45am

My strategy with the cards is to keep what I have. After this summer sale this years summer sale the special summer sale cards they are handing out now will be less common over time. So perhaps in a few years I could trade one or two for a game.

I hope they make other cards limited in some other way too. They have no value to me over the "kind of neat" factor.

So I am hoping over time they become more valuable. Else, yay pretty pictures.

BR Supporter wrote on 07/16/2013 at 06:30am

Well, I know that the foil cards are much more rare than just the regular cards. Those usually sell for a buck or two. I'm just trying to complete badges so I can level up my steam profile. I need 4 more cards from the summer sale to get that badge.

Travis Admin wrote on 07/16/2013 at 01:00pm

"I'm just trying to complete badges so I can level up my steam profile."

Yeah that's what I'm doing as well, but... *why* are we doing that? :)

scrypt Supporter wrote on 07/16/2013 at 03:17pm

Because it's a scavenger hunt, and most people like to collect things :). It has the same flare as an achievement mixed with a special customization feature, of which the latter usually costs money in today's console gaming world. With the Steam Trading Cards, you can collect a certain amount from time played in a game, then trade for the rest, continue to play and hope for a "booster pack" drop, or go into the marketplace and purchase from another player (often for less than $.25). If you are the type of person that ever purchased avatar items on XBox Marketplace, or icons and themes on PSN, this fits the same mold, only they've made an interactive game out of it, and if you have the patience, would never cost you a thing, besides purchase of the actual participating game.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 07/16/2013 at 03:19pm

Remember that 'turret' emoticon I dropped in Steam chat that time, Travis? Trading Card loot!

Travis Admin wrote on 07/16/2013 at 08:01pm

Yeah I know all that, it's just so pointless! Pointless but I'm compelled to do it anyway. :)

Travis Admin wrote on 07/16/2013 at 09:57pm

Delightfully pointless, I guess :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/16/2013 at 10:00pm

I think that is true for me to a certain extent. It's also new. What I do know is that I keep going back and vote on the next Steam Sale Deals so I can get the cards. Its just something easy I can do to collect stuff.

I got two of the Football Manager 2013 cards though, I hope I don't get another one I don't like Football.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/16/2013 at 10:27pm

I'll trade ya fer those football cards!

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/16/2013 at 10:28pm

I don't know why, but I just thought "Man, I want those!"

I kinda get the cards now lol

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/16/2013 at 11:58pm

Sounds good to me.

BR Supporter wrote on 07/17/2013 at 02:18am

If anyone has Kerbal, Chivalry, Torchlight II or Football manager, I want those and am willing to trade. For some reason it does not want to give me those.

Travis Admin wrote on 07/17/2013 at 01:35pm

I'm now looking for two more cards so I can create the second level badge. I've found that selling cards for cheap and buying the ones you need is quite easy and gets the job done quickly. I guess it's a quicker way to trade. So far I haven't spent any money I didn't already have, and I even got a few cents off one of my actual game purchases thanks to card sales.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/17/2013 at 07:33pm

Football Manager 2013 is a soccer game? Nevermind, I don't need those cards.

hardeyez wrote on 07/27/2013 at 03:41am

I have dupes of Chivalry, Torchlight 2, Football Manager, Riptide and Reus... In fact I have multiple dupes (3 extras of Chivalry if you can believe it).
Will trade for any of: Bioshock, Prison Architect, Skyrim, or Tomb Raider... Yup I got 14 cards but only 6 different ones.

Travis Admin wrote on 07/27/2013 at 03:53am

You can sell your dupes and buy up the others. That's what I did, and managed to turn a bit of a profit. I don't have any of the ones you need, or I'd just give them to you. I have some extras after crafting the badges.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 07/27/2013 at 04:32pm

Not sure what I want to do with my dupes yet. I guess if I see someone that wants my Football Manager we can trade for something I don't have.

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My favorite 404 page of all time

This is now *officially* my favorite 404 page of all time.

http://www.masswerk.at/404

Second Life devs Linden Lab purchase Desura

Linden Lab, creators of the massive virtual playground and sex dungeon Second Life have purchased Desura, the game distribution platform focused on Indie titles.

Whether Second Life is your thing or not, you have to give credit to Linden's creativity. In addition to Second Life, they've created Versu (http://www.versu.com/) a mobile experiment in interactive storytelling, and Patterns (http://www.buildpatterns.com/) a world-building game.

This is their second acquisition this year, having purchased Blocksworld (http://www.blocksworld.com/) earlier, an iPad game that will be released soon.

There are no immediate plans to change the way things are run at Desura, so it... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/11/2013 at 03:37pm

"Linden Lab, creators of the massive virtual playground and sex dungeon Second Life..."

Most creative intro paragraph i've read in some time. :D

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 07/11/2013 at 04:05pm

Appreciated. Have you ever spent time in Second Life? It may be creative, but it's also very true :)

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/11/2013 at 04:37pm

Yeah a bit when the game went free to play for characters. It was all gambling and prostitution. And advertising, lots of advertising.

I wanted to find people to talk to, mostly just bots and didn't seem to be many people interested in talking. That said, it was quite a long time ago.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 07/11/2013 at 05:04pm

Wasn't it always free? You could always choose to buy a membership and own land and get an allowance, but I never had to pay for it back in the early days.

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/11/2013 at 05:34pm

Yeah, it was a few moons ago :D

http://news.cnet.com/Second-Life-membership-now-free/2100-1043_3-5855481.html

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 07/11/2013 at 05:39pm

Ah, that makes sense-- I think this was like a month before I started.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 07/11/2013 at 07:53pm

Oh man, SL sucked a couple years from my life lol. I did have a good time though, and made some friends that I still stay in contact with.

But yeah, definitely a sex dungeon lol

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5 Years Of The App Store

"From the 500 apps available at launch in 2008 to the more than 900,000 at your fingertips today, it's been a remarkably prolific five years for the App Store. To celebrate, we're giving everyone five landmark games and five groundbreaking apps for a limited time. Plus, look back at the key moments that have made the App Store the world's most innovative destination for apps."

Apple is celebrating 5 years of its iOS App Store by releasing some of its most noteworthy Apps for free. Specifically:

Barefoot World Atlas, Badland, Day One, Infinity Blade II, How to Cook Everything, Knots 3D, LiquidSketch, Map My Ride+, Over, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery, Tiny Wings... Read All

So, Dota 2 has been released.

http://cdn2.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/570/extras/gamepage_image.jpg?t=1373475257

Now you can finally play it! I jest, I think at this point, everyone who wanted it already has it. Now, however, the beta is officially over and anyone can play with or without a beta code. It's odd to me that this game that's been the subject of major eSports tournaments wasn't officially released until today.

The big news for me is that there are official Mac and Linux versions on the way! They're currently testing it internally and will be releasing them soon. There may be more beta out of this thing yet.

http://www.dota2.com/thebetaisover

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/10/2013 at 08:25pm

This is good to hear. Now for Mac and Linux ports! :D

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 07/10/2013 at 09:09pm

Did you see the FAQ?

http://www.dota2.com/thebetaisover

It's coming for both. Not sure if your comment was an "I'm looking forward to these" or an "I wish these would happen."

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/10/2013 at 09:54pm

I didn't see the FAQ, thanks for posting that. Really happy Valve is leading the pack of Triple A developers that port everywhere.

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/12/2013 at 11:45pm

http://dev.dota2.com/showthread.php?t=96877

Downloading the Mac test now.

jdodson Admin wrote on 07/13/2013 at 03:16am

I just played it on my Macbook and its a pretty good port. I ran into a few glitches but nothing drastic. They made a few changes to the game(mostly cosmetic) since I played last. The passive bots are much simpler than they used to be as well.

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 07/22/2013 at 12:14am

I just got started with it a few nights ago and the Linux build runs fairly well. My processor isn't the best so I toned down some of the complexity. Looks like a game I could kill more than a few hours playing.

Sad, though, that training cards only drop by purchasing content.

rettisawesome wrote on 10/08/2013 at 09:47pm

You are entitled to a few free drops like any other game. Then you have to spend if you want more. Or purchase a "booster pack" like every other game on steam after you get your initial drops

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An Act of Defiance?

Yesterday marks the season finale for the television aspect of Defiance, and with it, a chance to reflect on the beginnings of what has, for good or ill, proven to be an utterly unique gaming experience.

Over the past few months, we have seen characters jump from one screen to another, witnessing the redemption of a woman that wanting nothing more than to avenge the murder of her family,resorting to violence and disappointing the man she had come to call 'father'. We heard rumors of a plague early on, and did our part to find a cure and make a difference in the world beyond our playing area. It was obvious that there would have been a great deal missing from the story... Read All Yesterday marks the season finale for the television aspect of Defiance, and with it, a chance to reflect on the beginnings of what has, for good or ill, proven to be an utterly unique gaming experience.

Over the past few months, we have seen characters jump from one screen to another, witnessing the redemption of a woman that wanting nothing more than to avenge the murder of her family,resorting to violence and disappointing the man she had come to call 'father'. We heard rumors of a plague early on, and did our part to find a cure and make a difference in the world beyond our playing area. It was obvious that there would have been a great deal missing from the story if I partook of one and not the other.

If you read my previous article on Defiance, I haven't changed much on my original stance on how the game plays. I've found myself playing less often, though that has less to with lack of content, as they have added new events regularly to keep things interesting, and more to do with the fact that Skyrim recently released their Legendary Edition. DLC is incoming, and promises a new playable race, a new weapon mechanic, and a bevy of new missions. It certainly seems enough to keep the fanbase busy and happy until season two airs.

Ultimately, I'm felt a bit wanting when it comes to their biggest promise. Defiance was touted as the next generation of cross-media entertainment. We were promised a dynamic experience that changed based on our actions. What we received was a game that fed us content based on a static television show. Now, I know full well that the logistical demands of a television show create a number of difficulties in providing the experience many gamers came to expect based on the promises made by Syfy's marketing campaign.

Don't get me wrong. I've put a few hundred hours into fighting hellbugs and the forces of Dark Matter along the remains of San Fransisco, and have loved everything but some connection issues early on. It's been worth every penny, and, fingers crossed, may just be part of the Steam Summer Sale happening any day now. Every MMO has some growing pains, and this one was no exception. I can say, with a reasonable level of certainty, that the inital stumbles are behind them, and the game has hit a pretty decent stride. Go ahead an pick this one up. You won't regret it.

It's about the stories you find for yourself...

I somehow missed out on playing Skyrim when it first launched, and as such, was bereft of the wonders it had to offer until I picked up the legendary Edition recently. I have been a big fan of Bethesda's work, with the better part of a thousand hours devoted to exploring the Capitol Wastes and the deserts surrounding New Vegas. I'm rounding 100 hours now, but the most poignant moment I've experienced so far happened quite early in my adventures.

Like many of you, I found myself throwing in with the stormcloaks upon escaping Helgen. Being part of a rebellion to place a man who should be High King on the throne was an idea that held a certain appeal to me. I learned that... Read All I somehow missed out on playing Skyrim when it first launched, and as such, was bereft of the wonders it had to offer until I picked up the legendary Edition recently. I have been a big fan of Bethesda's work, with the better part of a thousand hours devoted to exploring the Capitol Wastes and the deserts surrounding New Vegas. I'm rounding 100 hours now, but the most poignant moment I've experienced so far happened quite early in my adventures.

Like many of you, I found myself throwing in with the stormcloaks upon escaping Helgen. Being part of a rebellion to place a man who should be High King on the throne was an idea that held a certain appeal to me. I learned that the man that rode with me and spoke to me even before I knew who I was (a nord woman with a complicated marriage to a hot lady werewolf. Don't judge. You know you like it too...) tore the old king apart with only his voice, and that sounded like the kind of badass I would follow into Sovngarde, if only I were that lucky.

I tore myself away from delving in tombs and picking wildflowers long enough to find my way to Wndhelm, and left with a quest to face down an Ice Wraith, a daunting prospect at level 8. I bought a new fire spell, and happily wandered off to prove I'm worthy of being called a Stormcloak.

As many of you know, ice wraiths are not nearly as scary as they sound, and I quickly found myself on the march back to share tales of my fight with Galmar, Ulfric's advisor. He bestowed on me the armor of the stormcloak, and, after counsel with Jarl Ulfric, invited me along to find the Jagged Crown, an old symbol of power, and an irrefutable sign of Ulfric's intentions on becoming High King. I set off at once.

Ten levels, three new shouts, the entire Companions questline, and a Dwemer ruin accidentally stumbled upon later, I found myself back on the trail of the Jagged Crown. Distractions happen. You know how it goes. I meet my little band of rebels, and we rush in ready to fight off some Imperial scum.

We rush the ruins, taking down anyone unlucky enough to have signed up with the old High King. After all, Ulfric belongs on the throne, right? I hear the battle cries of my fellow rebels, and am bolsterd on, when suddenly the group stops and asks me to find another way through. They fear an ambush, and give me the task of scouting ahead.

I sneak among the higher stories and find myself with a bird's eye view of the next chamber. No ambush is waiting. A single legate is guarding the doors that lead ahead. I crouch, nock an arrow, and steady my aim. The arrow flies true, though not enough to kill him. My bow does have a paralyzing enchantment, so my fellow soldiers come rushing in, and slaughter the imperial without any trouble.

I drop to the lower floor, intent upon witnessing my handiwork, and to collect the praise of my fellow rebels. As I approached my kill, I notice something. Most of the soldiers I have struck down have been old grizzled men with hard eyes and glowering faces. These men have seen many years of hard fighting, and look forward to the comfort of Sovngarde. The soldier dead at my feet looks barely old enough to have joined the legion, and where I had seen cold eyes and scowls, I only see wide-eyed fear and a silent, eternal scream. This boy was no soldier. I kneeled, and checked his posessions. Around his neck was an amulet of Mara. My heart sank. This boy had a girl back home he was eager to get back to, a life just waiting to be lived. Instead, he was struck down, not for glory, or for the protection of the realm. He spent his last moments paralyzed and terrified, all for the sake of politics.

I dashed into the crypt, eager to be done with this quest. The mindless Drugar served as a target for the anger seething in me. I struck down the dead and claimed the Crown. Windhelm awaited.

Upon standing before Jarl Ulfric, stormcloak leader and 'rightful' king, the wonder his halls filled me with were now drained. Standing in front of me was not the noble hero that slew the High King with nothing more than his voice. In his place was a tired, angry old man that struck down the Boy King, simply because he had the bad fortune of being in the one position Ulfric wanted. A Nord keeps their promises, so I turned the crown over, and turned my back on Windhelm. There was no honor to be found here.

Forget politics. I have dragons to kill.

Travis Admin wrote on 07/10/2013 at 02:58am

Dude, where have you been? I've missed your writing. :)

Awesome story, as always, Nick. I could never throw in with Ulfric. I saw what his rule was like, how racist he was, turning out non-Nords and especially non-Humans, and how Tullius and the Empire really were just trying to keep it together, hating the Thalmor as much as anyone, but realizing they had little choice. I understand Ulfric's ideas, what he claims to be fighting for, but he's just a kid on a power binge who has lost sight of what's best for the people he wants to represent.

Nick_Donahoo Post Author wrote on 07/10/2013 at 03:30am

Work, work, work. Real life gets in the way, you know? I've felt the need to do some writing, and finally found the time to do so. I'm hoping to get back into writing more soon. Feels good to write. The soul needs an outlet, ya know? I'm just glad to see i'm not boring, and someone enjoys it.

Yeah. I found myself swept up with the legend, and let down by the man behind it. The sense of wonder this game imbues is countered with these fantastically flawed characters. Though I've come to be disappointed in Ulfric, he still weaves a hell of a story. My wife just broke 100 hours of playing, and just finished the Aetherium wars quest. She informed me that she spent her day off gathering herbs and capturing butterflies, and I can totally see that, with a game like this. It's just. So. Damn. Pretty.

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System Shock 2 Giveaway Winners!

Starbound Gets Playable Instruments

"Bartwe worked hard last weekend to get the system in place, and I’ve been taking full advantage, testing various potential instruments with dozens of ABC files.

At present there’s almost 20 instruments already in the game, with more to come as time goes on.

All that remains really as far as the instruments are concerned is some pretty graphics to make them look the part, proper animations with the hands, a user interface so players can easily select their song of choice, and getting synchronized performances across multiple players."

This feature of the game really interests me. As a musician it interests me, but I am also curious in playing music with my friends with... Read All