Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Podcast

Hey guys. This is the first test episode of the new weekly podcast featuring myself, Shigaru and Mosenwraith. If you like spirited gaming discussion and smart assery, check it out. We will be going live every Friday at 10pm EST at www.twitch.tv/shigplays. Also I apologize for the audio. Shig needed to get his settings in order. If it's too much, feel free to go the the twitch channel and watch in on the VOD, where the audio is better.

Also... and this is important... we have no idea what the hell to call this podcast. I still need names and as such, I decided to make a bit of a contest about it. Follow this link ---> http://youtu.be/FiV4kxh1Icw?t=14m31s <---... Read All

Destroy the Porn

This is just a fun ten minute game. I actually played it through to completion but recommend you give it a whirl.

Ancient Claw & Tundra Solitude for The Wind Stone

Over the last few weeks I have heard a fair amount of praise about the Skyrim score but only just recently picked up the 4CD set. Over the last week or so I have been listening to Jeremy Soule's score and needed to say a few words about it.

If you love ambient, earthy scores weaved with the right amount of classical you need to pick this up. The song featured in the video above "Masser" showcases how elegantly Soule weaves various elements to immerse you in Skyrim's Nordic ascetic.

Often times with other game scores I come to a song that is thematically out of place or more pomp and show than substance. The Skyrim score contains songs that are woven elegantly together... Read All

RetroLiberty: Top 10 NES Games

RetroLiberty is a cool YouTube channel dedicated to retro games. I appreciate both guys on the channel because the production value is much better than the average retro video faire. In this video they are discussing their top 10 NES games. I track with them on the list for the most part, but personally would have handed the top spot to The Legend of Zelda. Mario 2 would have been my number 2.

I also slightly disagree with them in that Super Mario 3 was not a perfect game. I argue it would be perfect if it had a save feature so its close but not entirely perfect. The version that ships on Super Mario All Stars shipped with a save feature and the graphics were a bit... Read All

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 02/20/2013 at 07:03pm

Yeah, Mario 3 is not quite perfect and that's exactly why. SMW, man, SMW. I'll check this out though. I like video game youtube content a whole lot. It's probably my favorite thing before bed.

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 02/20/2013 at 07:03pm

Haircuts!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/20/2013 at 08:24pm

Yeah these guys really up the quality for retro videos. They seem to have a nice backlog too so you might have enough content for many evenings.

SignalWarden wrote on 02/20/2013 at 10:37pm

I can see the contention between Mario 2 and 3 but in my opinion 3 gets it because while 2 was great and different, 3 actually changed the way games were made. I was clenching my jaw waiting to pounce when I didn't see Megaman 2. Bullet dodged.

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 02/20/2013 at 10:39pm

I'm not sure I like SM2 more than 3, I just like SMW much more than both of them. Yoshi's Island is better than SM2 and 3 too, I think.

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 02/22/2013 at 05:25pm

I watched a couple of these and I actually think I hate it! I'm sure they're nice guys but the cut aways and visual gags are way too much like Jim and Derrick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2UhgSad0rM

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/22/2013 at 06:02pm

Interesting. The only one I have seen is the above video, do they verge too much from that style?

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 02/22/2013 at 06:17pm

The rest are a game chasers style thing with them striking out at flea markets. The top ten thing was nice, music wise, but I think the writing was a little off (you know, never say "tight controls"). Over all it was OK. The game chasers things just don't have much to them. Lots of forced attempts at humor, no big cool finds. The guy on the right has a nice smile though.

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The March To Perfection

Typically the new games I am the most excited about launching are Triple A studio titles. For many years, to me, they have been the pinnacle of rad. But starting this year that has changed. My most anticipated games coming out this year contain only one large studio title and the rest are from Indie companies.

Since I reject the hipster lifestyle I can attribute this to a shift in gaming at large and my gaming tastes evolving. For the last few years, Triple A titles primarily released on consoles have ruled the roost but this is changing significantly as more great Indie companies release awesome stuff. This stuff isn't just on consoles, its primary release is PC and... Read All Typically the new games I am the most excited about launching are Triple A studio titles. For many years, to me, they have been the pinnacle of rad. But starting this year that has changed. My most anticipated games coming out this year contain only one large studio title and the rest are from Indie companies.

Since I reject the hipster lifestyle I can attribute this to a shift in gaming at large and my gaming tastes evolving. For the last few years, Triple A titles primarily released on consoles have ruled the roost but this is changing significantly as more great Indie companies release awesome stuff. This stuff isn't just on consoles, its primary release is PC and often tablets and phones. Its a pretty awesome evolution too as the average Indie company can, for the most part, release a game a year while some Triple A titles can be in development for 5 or more.

Plus many of the games just look like fun. And I wanted to share with you what games I am looking forward to being released in 2013. The list I would have written in December is now, much, much larger but if you read the site as much as I do, most of these games won't come off as too much of a surprise. But its fun to collect them all for posterity sake.

bit Dungeon II: KintoGames sequel to the horribly addicting browser & iOS Dungeon crawler. From the occasional post on the Kinto blog it looks like BD2 will include co-op, which is a pretty awesome trend in many of the games on my list. Apparently I love playing games with friends or something.

Mew-Genics!: Team Meat's next game. They had me at the soundtrack and I have heard through the grapevine they will drop some more meaty news soon. Regardless, I am really excited for Edward McMillens next game.

Monster’s Ate My Birthday Cake: This is the first game I ever Kickstarted and I can't wait for this to drop. The visuals, play control and goal of this game really floored me. I like fun puzzle games and I can't wait to play this on my phone and PC. Visuals featured above.

Hammerwatch: A retro themed Gauntlet styled hack-n-slash featuring co-op? I can't help but think this game is an answer to my geek prayers. This games pixel art ascetic, concept and dungeon crawling really look quite cool. Can't wait to feed this to my Wizard...

Delver’s Drop: Fluid gameplay, built for replayability & awesome graphics mean Kickstarter <3. I hope they blow the door out on their goals so we can get more stuff added to this one.

Stardew Valley: Don't judge me for wanting to chop grass and wheat all day. So I like tending livestock and getting all sustainable crops with my farm.. its all good! Add in 4 player co-op... I don't know if ill sleep.

Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm: I can't tell a lie. I love Starcraft. Zerg is my most beloved race. I pre-ordered the Collectors Edition. How could I not, its like a game about... Zerg.

http://kintogames.com/
http://www.mewgenics.com/
http://sleepninjagames.com/
http://www.hammerwatch.com/
http://delversdrop.com/
http://stardewvalley.net/
http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/heart-of-the-swarm-preview/

StarCrafts Episode 24: The Uneggspected

Just when you get to the base... Its all over.

Rage Runner, Poll For Obstacle Creation

Hey everyone, I'm Jake from Hypercane Studios, I'm the 3d artist for our small indie company. I
have finally wrapped up the major stuff I needed to get done before Rage Runner launches on OUYA.
Today I turn my attention to the community looking for any, and all feedback on our level editor. Over
the next week I will be gathering feedback from the community of 10 different forums on what types
of obstacles you would like in our level editor. After that week of gathering feedback ill take the top
obstacle ideas, and run a poll for everyone to vote on. Then I'll take the top polled obstacles and get
them ready for when the game goes live. Below are some basic things to keep in... Read All

Time Lapse Video Recreating a Scene in Doom

An interesting time lapse video of TJ Townsend recreating a scene in doom in high res. You can download the scene as well.

http://elemental79.deviantart.com/art/Doom-Pinky-Demon-Blocks-the-Exit-353835625

Community interview: jdodson!

For the past few months, jdodson has been bringing you interviews with members of the community. Recently, I turned the tables on him!

Why did you decide to start Cheerful Ghost?

jdodson: I wanted to share all games I owned with my friends and I knew of no good way to do that. Secondly I wanted to read people’s thoughts on games they loved. I used to scroll through the Amazon reviews for games because I liked how people honestly gave them a fair shake. I tried reading other game sites, but felt the reviewers were overly cynical and jaded and I didn’t enjoy the community that fostered. So I decided I need to fix that and launched Cheerful Ghost 4 months later.

On a... Read All

scrypt Supporter wrote on 02/18/2013 at 04:59pm

Nice interview! Good insight into the man behind the curtain. I actually just started playing Terreria, and would love to get in on some server action, before I put too much more into my "temple".

I think there might be a typo in the JJ Abrams section. Certain you meant to say he would allow Han to shoot first, rather than Greedo. At least, I'm hoping that's what you meant ;)

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/18/2013 at 05:14pm

Ah yeah, sorry. After reading the interview again I realized there were quite a few mis-types on my part. Sorry everyone, I am entirely too busy :D

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/18/2013 at 07:12pm

I updated that to say "Han" :)

scrypt Supporter wrote on 02/18/2013 at 08:04pm

*whew!

Crisis averted.

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/18/2013 at 08:04pm

:D

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Yesterday's thrift store find.

As a video game nerd over 30, I'm kind of ashamed that I've never played this. It would be like being a drama geek and never having read hamlet.

Travis Admin wrote on 02/17/2013 at 03:28pm

Same, actually. I've heard tons about it but I've never played it. You'll have to let us know how it holds up!

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/17/2013 at 04:00pm

Holds up really well. Bought this in High School as part of a Lucas Arts CD pack. This version is great because it has th voice tracks, unlike the floppy version.

The art style and writing are still, very good. I'd makes some in-jokes but they'd all be spoilers, enjoy!

Timogorgon Member wrote on 02/18/2013 at 06:06pm

That guy on the cover looks familiar...

Nice find by the way! It's a great game.

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/18/2013 at 06:07pm

PURPLE TENTACLE may be in a list of all time most memorable villans.

krcDeuce Supporter wrote on 02/19/2013 at 07:37am

I loved that game.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/25/2014 at 03:48am

Hahahaha, that's awesome! I knew I recognized WhiteboySlim's icon! I played the game long ago on my first Windows PC. That said, I don't remember it too well. I remember being introduced to Maniac Mansion on the NES and I loved it (even played it recently in an emulator). Although, I never played the PC version, which was supposedly a bit better and perhaps a bit more crude.

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