Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Killing Floor for Halloween

Hello everyone! I just recently started playing killing floor again. I have to say It is one of my favorite zombie/mutant games. Anyways, the new Halloween event they started a few days ago changes all the mutants into hillbilly zombies. They also released a special Hillbilly map for the game which can be played for achievements so you get the new character they released. The character is the grim reaper which can be unlocked if you get all 6 unique event achievements and one achievement for beating the map on normal difficulty or up(Each difficulty is a new achievement). So if any of you are interested in this game I wanted to tell you there is a sale on steam for $5... Read All

Stop Zombie Mouth

Do you want to hand out more than just candy to the kiddies this year for Halloween? How about printing off these Plants VS Zombies "Stop Zombie Mouth" coupons so the kids can get a free version of PvZ for Halloween?

Why can't more game companies do this? Its a fun idea and I imagine some people I hand the coupon to won't have played the game before. Totally great advertising if a new Plants VS Zombies might been soon around the corner!

Oh and maybe if you used a coupon to get a copy yourself, that might be OK too? Shhhhhh, it might not just be for kids!

http://www.stopzombiemouth.com/
http://static-www.ec.popcap.com/misc/zombiemouth/downloads/stop_zombie_mouth_coupons.pdf... Read All

An Interesting Idea for Interviews

I was chatting with @panickedthumb on Steam yesterday and he had a pretty cool idea. We were talking about the recent interviews I have been giving and he wondered if if would be good to interview the users of Cheerful Ghost itself? I hadn't considered that before and decided that is something I wanted to do.

I want to interview you all, the topics all swirling around gaming and you. Ill contact people one at a time and hopefully make my way through everybody. I am not going to go in any particular order and don't worry, I will get to you soon :D

Thanks to @panickedthumb for the idea and expect to see some interviews with CG users soon.

Space Citizen - interesting looking Kickstarter

Saw this Kickstarter project mention on another forum
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen
Looks cool. As a fan of SciFi I'm drawn to this sort of
project.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/28/2012 at 11:43pm

I agree, this kickstarter looks awesome. Many space games in the pipe with the same ideas, one of them should be great!

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:17am

Plus.... Guns!!!

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 10:28pm

I haven't even watched more then 30 seconds yet. But I can say I already like them. There needs to be more people willing to do space sims. And PC gaming really is where its at. I think PC gamers appreciate games made for them then those on any other system.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/01/2012 at 11:15pm

I agree, open space games go well on the PC. Imagine Minecraft with spaceships? 8O

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 11:39pm

Ya lets hope that becomes a reality with notch's new game

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/02/2012 at 01:40am

So I finished watching the video now 3 hours later haha. I can't even express how amazing I feel this game could be. Nothing sounds better then to hear "when i made freelancer". Freelancer is still my all time favorite and imo best space sim ever to be created. To see that the master of space sim is creating a new space sim in the current age. Wow. Just wow. Dream come true.

MoonWyrd Supporter Post Author wrote on 11/13/2012 at 02:03pm

Gotta ask, has any one else back it?

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/13/2012 at 10:39pm

I really want to. I probably won't be able to back it before the kickstarter ends. But I will try to back it after its over on the main website.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/13/2012 at 10:45pm

I haven't delved into the territory of paying for games before they launch. If it launches I will pay for it, no question. I bet this will end as my "old school" brain catches up to funding these kinds of things.

MoonWyrd Supporter Post Author wrote on 11/17/2012 at 05:33am

I've backed a few projects on Kickstarter. Although this is the first software project. It may be a gamble, but so far the other projects have gone well.

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/19/2012 at 04:48am

Well moon I think I'd say tonight that the gamble is definitely paying off. It looks to have raised more money (with its own site in conjunction with kickstarter) then any kickstarter project ever made for games. It may hit 6million. This is also the only triple A game ever to use kickstarter. Their getting a lot of money from investors. The 6million from crowd-sourcing is probably extremely small. As a space sim fan AND a die hard PC player who likes to push the limits of his computer this is the best thing to ever happen.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/19/2012 at 05:51am

Wow. It's a new time. Publishers are less important than they once were for sure.

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/19/2012 at 10:57pm

I'd say it's more of an old time then a new time. Publishers weren't as big to start with either. Kickstarters main crowd is older gamers wanting to get back to the classics. Classic type games seem to be the biggest on Kickstarter. I'm sure that's a correlation.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/19/2012 at 11:28pm

Good point.

MoonWyrd Supporter Post Author wrote on 11/21/2012 at 07:32pm

Older gamers with more disposable income may indeed be why this sort of project has Succeeded. One of the reasons I backed it was I enjoyed Earth and Beyond. Was sad to see EaB bought by EA only to be shutdown.

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/23/2012 at 02:59am

Ya EA has bought quite a lot of good competition and shut them all down.

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One of the most under-recognized shooters ever

I've been thinking about playing STALKER: Call of Pripyat as my chosen game after Ultima 4 for my blog. The original game, Shadows of Chernobyl, was one of the most atmospheric and enjoyable open world games I've played. I normally hate 'open world' setups, but taking place in a fictional Ukranian countryside surrounding the Chernobyl power plant is one of the most compelling setting I've ever tooled around in. The game has a gritty, almost roguelike feel, with instant death coming the second you lower your defenses.

Not only is the release of Call of Pripyat the most refined and balanced version yet, but also one of the most moddable games on the market. Even though it... Read All I've been thinking about playing STALKER: Call of Pripyat as my chosen game after Ultima 4 for my blog. The original game, Shadows of Chernobyl, was one of the most atmospheric and enjoyable open world games I've played. I normally hate 'open world' setups, but taking place in a fictional Ukranian countryside surrounding the Chernobyl power plant is one of the most compelling setting I've ever tooled around in. The game has a gritty, almost roguelike feel, with instant death coming the second you lower your defenses.

Not only is the release of Call of Pripyat the most refined and balanced version yet, but also one of the most moddable games on the market. Even though it is not as open as other games like Skyrim, the fan base of the STALKER series is so dedicated they have introduced everything from small weight tweaks to complete environmental overhauls. Some players are STILL playing the game since its release and discovering new things.

The emphasis on loneliness and quick and dirty urban combat appeals to me the most. Instead of carefully scripted events, packs of mercenaries, monsters, and bandits wander the entire area looking for the same things you are: supplies, valuable artifacts, and shelter from constant radiation storms. One of the coolest things to ever happen was a result of these systems.

After fighting a mid-range engagement with a small group of bandits, a public radio transmission announced an imminent radiation storm. Both myself and the bandits immediately stopped shooting and high-tailed it toward the closest shelter: an empty factory complex. After running in the door, the entire battlefield had changed. We were no longer hiding behind trees fighting half a kilometer away, we were now packed into a factory floor with abandoned equipment. While the storm raged outside, I tried to stalk and corner the bandits to take them out individually before they could get the drop on me. The entire event felt like a scripted event that would be a major action piece of a level in another game, but this sort of thing happens all the time.

I highly suggest anyone play this game or the original. It is one of the most interesting and compelling shooters I have played in the last decade of gaming.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:20am

After hearing about this game from the totally rad show I was really interested in it. Then days turned in to weeks and it slipped off my radar. After a recent Steam sale I was considering it again, but I blew my budget on the Bethesda pack :)

So is Stalker one game or a game a bunch of bundled add ons? Just wondering how to go about getting it when it's that time. Oh.. I wonder if there is a demo?

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:23am

Actually in retrospect I think they reviewed shadow of Chernobyl.

Will_Owens Post Author wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:59am

There are three complete games: Shadows of Chernobyl, Clear Sky (a prequel), and Call of Pripyat. SoC is very good and set the stage for what it was. Clear sky took it in a more directed focus and had lots of problems and bugs some people don't like. I've never played it. Call of Pripyat takes all of the great things in both games, puts them in a complete package, and optimizes the game engine as much as it will probably ever be. Although the original is well loved, I think everyone considers Call of Pripyat to be the best. I don't think it is connected to the original in any way other than setting, either. I may be wrong, though, haven't played too much.

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 10:31pm

Me and my brother have talked about these games a few times. It will for sure be one i play in the near future. Some of the mods for SoC look incredible.

Will_Owens Post Author wrote on 11/02/2012 at 02:34am

The Atmos-Fear mod looks absolutely incredible and is available for both Shadows and Call of Pripyat. The only problem is it will push the limits of your graphics card. It also seemed to destabilize the engine causing constant crashes, but when I have more time I may investigate it as I'm sure they've fixed it by now. As you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAomiCEqlzs

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TimeWalk Games Interview

Time Walk Games makes physical prints of NES and SNES games. These shrink wrapped modern game carts are of fan game creations and translations. When I found TimeWalk Games online I was impressed with quality of what they produce. I was able to sit down with Spencer from TimeWalk Games and ask him some questions about what they do and threw in a few other bits as well.

jdodson: Recently you released Final Fantasy Ages for the Super Nintendo. How long does it take from the initial concept to launch? What process is involved to launch the game?

Spencer: The artwork, manual and map design can take anywhere from a week to a few months depending on the type of game that it is.... Read All

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/27/2012 at 07:23pm

Not to mention that a phone booth can be fixed with gum, whereas a broken Delorean has to be hit by lightening, or pushed by a train.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/27/2012 at 09:00pm

Agreed, the phone booth is much a much sturdier design.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 10/28/2012 at 01:42am

The Delorean has more style though. But if we're talking ultimate time travel machine here, I think you need a TARDIS. :)

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:39pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDj7gvc_dsA&feature=g-u-u

I just had to post this here! Doc Brown vs Doctor Who

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 10:41pm

I wish he would have elaborated more on the differences between what he does and romhackers and translators. I follow the romhacking scene religiously for all of my retro gaming. Aeon Genesis has always impressed me with its huge array of translated old school games. I hope to one day see those translations put into a box print like these guys do.

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Vegeta dressed as Goku Invades APB: Reloaded

My favorite streamer played this during his stream. I laughed hard.

Smallworld: Fun Enough For All Your Friends

Great Board Games can suck you into a world where you are crawling through the darkest dungeon to running a small empire. Many people expect board games to be fairly simplistic, one sided and often boring as they haven't been exposed to much beyond the typical department store $20 game. Some people get freaked out by some deep board game experience because of the complicated rules or length of play. I love finding board games that can provide a really great experience but be accessible by my lesser geek friends.

Games of Wonder seems epically suited to the task of making board games that have high replay ability, are totally fun and are accessible enough to interest... Read All Great Board Games can suck you into a world where you are crawling through the darkest dungeon to running a small empire. Many people expect board games to be fairly simplistic, one sided and often boring as they haven't been exposed to much beyond the typical department store $20 game. Some people get freaked out by some deep board game experience because of the complicated rules or length of play. I love finding board games that can provide a really great experience but be accessible by my lesser geek friends.

Games of Wonder seems epically suited to the task of making board games that have high replay ability, are totally fun and are accessible enough to interest your least gamer enthusiastic friends. One such gem they created is Small World.

Small World is a conquest game, similar to Risk in that you must fight the other players to control the world. To win the game you must pick from the different races that come up randomly, such as Amazons, Dwarves, Ghouls, Ratmen, Skeletons, Humans, Orcs, Wizards and many more. Each race is randomly paired with an ability that allows your Race a special bonus and has the extra effect of giving the game more depth. As you start your turn you decide which side of the board you enter from to control and hold territory to earn gold. The player with the most gold at the end of all the turns wins.

I like Small World because it provides a fantasy ascetic I love but isn't too nerdy to fight off my lesser geek friends. It also has accessible rules but your strategy can be fairly deep and involved. Winning at Small World isn't entirely about fighting with other players, I have seen people win by just hanging back and collecting gold while everyone else was locked in a bitter blood-feud. It's really awesome to see different strategies take hold and I appreciate how creative you can be with your game play.

If you want to see the game in action, the show Table Top with Will Weaton has a great episode featuring Small World. They miss state a rule or two, but it is a good overview of the game and how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QtdiRJYro

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http://www.daysofwonder.com/smallworld/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_World_%28board_game%29

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 10/29/2012 at 03:55pm

I love Small World. I particularly enjoy how it simulates time in an interesting way. Turns aren't minutes, hours or even years. They're generations. So good.

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 10:49pm

Hm seems like an interesting board game. Though when you said deep board game experiences I thought no farther then civilization. I agree with the "not very accessible". Me, my cousin and his brother spent over two days playing a single game of it. Didn't even come close to finishing and we're very experienced gamers yet still left dumbfounded at a few rules.

On and easier level but a fun board game we used to own was this x-men board game. I forgot what it was called. You picked what mutant you wanted to be and had powers and stuff. Was really interesting we lost a lot of parts to it over time.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 11/01/2012 at 11:17pm

Didn't know an X-Men game was around. Interesting. I guess most successful properties get a board game port at some point :D

Jacob_Richardson wrote on 11/01/2012 at 11:40pm

ya it was a 90's board game. its old. Before all the commercialized movies. It was based off the original cartoon. Try and see if you cant find it online.

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Second Quest Kickstarter

"Second Quest is a stand-alone graphic novella inspired by Zelda. It's an original story about a young woman from a small town in the sky who begins to suspect that the legends about her home aren't true. If you like mysterious landscapes, non-princesses, videogame criticism, or general gorgeousity, then please consider backing Second Quest!"

I find the idea of the Kickstarter awesome. Creativity is a great way to deal with disappointment. Zelda is one of those series I will always love, even if the modern versions don't bring the magic like they used to.

Tevis Thompson, one of the Second Quest Kickstarter collaborators produced an interesting post that also helped spawn... Read All

Insanity

http://download.gamezone.com/assets/old/gamezone/18/3/37/s18337_xb_13.jpg

Warning: This is a poorly organized gush.

I love the world of Call of Cthulhu as it relates to games. I have a post I want to write at some point about the table top game but what it comes down to is what I like to call a "disempowerment fantasy." We spend so much time as badass spacemarines and sparkflash embermages that it's refreshing to play a game where we're just a regular dude. This lends itself well to the horror genre but a lot of survival horror eschews this idea. Though you may start out relatively powerless in Resident Evil or Silent Hill, before long you're blasting and/or bashing in skulls and even in the early game, you are more than a match for a few... Read All Warning: This is a poorly organized gush.

I love the world of Call of Cthulhu as it relates to games. I have a post I want to write at some point about the table top game but what it comes down to is what I like to call a "disempowerment fantasy." We spend so much time as badass spacemarines and sparkflash embermages that it's refreshing to play a game where we're just a regular dude. This lends itself well to the horror genre but a lot of survival horror eschews this idea. Though you may start out relatively powerless in Resident Evil or Silent Hill, before long you're blasting and/or bashing in skulls and even in the early game, you are more than a match for a few zombies. There are exceptions, of course, like the Penumbra games, Amnesia, Haunting Ground or Clocktower.

This game straddles the line. For the first half, you are entirely defenseless and moreover, it plays like an adventure game. You're solving puzzles and soaking in atmosphere. The game is bifurcated by one of my all time favorite sequences in a video game (I'll talk about that a moment), and afterwards you have weapons. But your aim sucks and it's hard to hit enemies. If you run into a couple of guys, you're more or less fucked. I'm not going to say it's realistic but it's more so. You're not a badass. You're a bookish detective. It's very rarely a good idea to just charge into a situation with guns blazing. You use splits to heal broken legs and bandages to heal cuts. Super neat.

Further, the game does a great job at being unnerving without resorting to jump scares. The citizens of the town you're explore are subtly off and refer to terrible things in off handed ways. They're not openly malevolent, until they are and christ, it's amazing. This game is based on a couple of books by HP Lovecraft, the primary one being The Shadow Over Innsmouth. The climax of that book is an escape from an inn and this game replicates it perfectly. I'm going to say that it's the best translation of a specific scene from a book to a game EVER. If you've played it, you know what I mean. Thrilling, terrifying. I fucking love it. This game is must play up to that point.

Yes, it loses some shine, yes it has some rough edges. We talk about those a lot in the episode. But there are things this game does better than any other game I've played, specifically the idea of pursuit as a game mechanic.

I apologize for the touch of madness that caused this to be so disorganized. Underrated gem.

http://duckfeed.tv/woff/3

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/27/2012 at 12:20am

I request a lets play of this game!

Gary_Butterfield Post Author wrote on 10/29/2012 at 03:56pm

I'm going to try! I recorded a half hour yesterday but it didn't encode right. If I can get it to work, I will upload it. If not, I'm going to do a bevy of halloween NES games.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:16pm

That's cool, thanks for giving it a go. Is a 3d game harder to capture?

Gary_Butterfield Post Author wrote on 10/29/2012 at 04:50pm

I'm not very tech savvy. I do LP with a custom program my buddy wrote. It's set up for the NES emulator I use and using it with anything else requires some setting-monkeying that I may not be up to.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 05:36pm

Fair enough. I want to get into doing that for my upcoming FF2 play through.

Gary_Butterfield Post Author wrote on 10/29/2012 at 06:38pm

Further, rendering the video takes a long time so it's not easy to test a bunch of settings. CoC is worth it on your own, however, even if I don't get around to the LP. You're talking about FF2 or FF4?

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/29/2012 at 07:12pm

Final Fantasy 2/4. Played it as 2, need to get used to the proper convention.

Gary_Butterfield Post Author wrote on 10/30/2012 at 10:04pm

Oh, FF4 is a treat. I think I like FF6 the best but that's a great game. Close to top of the pops for JRPGs.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/30/2012 at 10:21pm

FF6 is a close second to 4 for certain. I think the Moon and Dwarf underground in the cavern parts sent it over the edge. FF6 has more re playablility and its end game can take you pretty far.

Gary_Butterfield Post Author wrote on 11/02/2012 at 04:29pm

I did the LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKsaIHpuDAg&feature=plcp

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/03/2012 at 12:43am

Watching it now.

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