Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

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

Final Fantasy IV: Coming Back To An Old Friend

I am one of those people that make "new years resolutions." I never call them new years resolutions because that will doom them to failure, but I do make a list of goals for the next year. During the months of November and December I start making a mental checklist of things that are important and the best of the bunch makes the list. One of the things that made it on to my list of things to do in 2013 was Final Fantasy IV. My list does have the ability to be awesome upon occasion.

I started my new play through of the game last week and currently am about 8 hours into the main storyline. I just opened the Volcano and entered the Underground. I really love this part of... Read All I am one of those people that make "new years resolutions." I never call them new years resolutions because that will doom them to failure, but I do make a list of goals for the next year. During the months of November and December I start making a mental checklist of things that are important and the best of the bunch makes the list. One of the things that made it on to my list of things to do in 2013 was Final Fantasy IV. My list does have the ability to be awesome upon occasion.

I started my new play through of the game last week and currently am about 8 hours into the main storyline. I just opened the Volcano and entered the Underground. I really love this part of the game and remember this is where it opened up for me in terms of the story, difficulty and grandeur. When I made it to the underground for the first time I remember feeling a sense of wonder at what was under the earth and the possibilities seemed endless. All that to say, I am having a great time replaying Final Fantasy IV.

Getting a fresh take on this game is putting it in contrast in a way I hadn't considered before. One way is that the game moves through some really serious story beats very quickly. You go from the leader of the Red Wings to the accidental genocide of a village to each other major story beat in a very quick amount of time. Compared to a modern triple A game Final Fantasy IV blows you through huge set pieces at a blistering pace. The game achieves this with very little dialog and a ton of music and a lot atmosphere.

The emotions the artists are able to convey with the sprites always impressed me and still do. Its interesting to note that Final Fantasy IV did this well but later games in the series that used the same Super Nintendo technology improved this even further. Its a credit the games artists that this still comes through now even though I have been exposed to very real looking 3D.

That all said, if I had one nit to pick with the game thus far is that there is quite a lot of drama. The characters seem to only experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. There isn't a huge amount of subtlety in the emotional range here but that may be a limitation of the technology and the blistering fast pace of the story. It also may be the game designers trimming out the fat and only focusing on the core elements of the story that mattered the most to them. Either way, its noticeable and the game is more drama than I am used to. One of my friends likened it to a Soap Opera and I find the description to be entirely appropriate.

The game is much more difficult than I remember. I have had to spend time grinding before certain areas and needed to be very strategic to survive between save points in dungeons. The game also mixes things up as seen in the Dark Elf Dungeon. The Dark Elf Dungeon introduces a mechanic that doesn't allow you the use of metal items or armor. This requires the player rely on other characters to pick up the slack and Cecil, who spent the majority of the game being very powerful is now way less useful. I never really understood why the game did that before but as I look at it now its a great design mechanic that causes you to change how you approach an otherwise normal dungeon.

If you have been thinking about coming back to this or want to pick it up for the first time I urge you to do so. Because, really, don't we all want to play the Spoony Bard one more time?

Oh and I snapped the screen grab at the right time. I was happy I remembered when that scene was :D

http://i.imgur.com/pub7YSG.png

Cube: In Development For Over a Decade

I remember watching this video when video on the Internet was a new thing. Recently I saw it linked from somewhere and I was impressed with how well it holds up now.

Thing is, I think playing a strange arty obtuse Cube game like this could be fun. Totally love to go head to head with the cone as I have wanted to kill that bastard for years...

My Recent Dynamite Dunes Scenario Finish

Decided to share with everyone my recent completion of Dynamite Dunes. The above shot is from one section of my park after completing the scenario. You can click the link below to download the file and load it in to your Roller Coaster Tycoon saves to check it out.

I built many more Roller Coasters than I usually do in this level and as such had a huge problem with people vomiting all over the place. I hired many more Handymen as a result and was awarded the cleanest park in the country award. I don't believe I have ever been awarded that before now.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1oRZK7IvLFZNnB2UlRIREJKNTg/edit

If you haven't played Roller Coaster Tycoon I recommend... Read All

StarCrafts S2 Episode 9 Undermine the Overmind

Latest StarCrafts animation featuring an aspect of Protoss being pretty dominating. All it takes is a detector... you don't lose.

Mercenary Kings Steam Early Access Drops July 22nd

"The Mercenary Kings have been activated... Early! On July 22nd, get the game on Steam Early Access! Help the mission by giving us your intel before the official release! Enter the fray as the most skilled mercenaries on Earth! Craft your arsenal to avenge your fallen comrades and save the world from the fearsome forces of CLAW.

Available July 22nd on Steam Early Access at 25% off! "

I am very excited to hear that Mercenary Kings will be released July 22nd on Steam Early Access. Everyone that missed the Kickstarter but wanted to check this game will be able to this month! If you are going to pick it up on the Steam Early Access launch, I have created a Cheerful Ghost... Read All