Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

The History Of Speedrunning

Since speedrunning is often topic on Cheerful Ghost, and we run Speedrunning competitions at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, I figure this is a fitting video :)

It covers the history of speedrunning, from the super old school "demo" days of Doom to the current Games Done Quick.

Bethesda Updating Doom & Doom II with 60 FPS, Add-ons, Original Aspect Ratio & More!

When Bethesda launched Doom on Switch there was some complaints about the port such as lack of 60 fps gameplay, an online requirement (something they immediately removed) and stretched visuals. In a huge update to Doom & Doom 2 on PC, Switch, iOS, PS4, XBox One and Android Bethesda brings all these features as well as quick save and load, level select, weapon carousel, added dpad weapon select, brightness options and new split screen HUD for split screen multiplayer. They also added some updated graphics that brings the health packs more in line with the original release but something they had to change because of trademark issues with the Red Cross(apparently no... Read All

Alienware Might Release a PC Based Switch Competetor Named UFO

Alienware unveiled the Concept UFO PC handheld at this years CES 2020. I've been clamoring for a PC handheld like this for years and last year bought a Switch because it was everything I wanted in a handheld gaming device minus my Steam library. The Concept UFO is essentially a handheld PC that has nearly all the features of the Switch except it runs Windows 10. The Verge has an incredible video i've linked above that gives the device it's due and even though it may or may not come out it looks quite good. With that, now that I have a Switch and the fact that so many PC only indie games are coming to it it makes a device like this less appealing. Still, taking your... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/08/2020 at 06:30am

I saw something about this, but didn't look into details. I have some thoughts I'd thought I'd share, since you posted this, perhaps others will join in on the conversation. I don't own a Switch yet. I may get one, I'm not completely sure if or when I might get one. It could be soon, it could be a while from now, it kind of depends on a variety of things. One thing is that my local GameStop is closing, so they may have a discounted Switch I can buy, if they haven't closed yet and if I can afford to get one. I don't personally want one, but I'd buy one for my son. I wouldn't mind having one, but I have little to no interest in console (including mobile) gaming. I've been primarily a PC gamer for years now and have done very little console (including mobile) gaming. I just don't have the interest for it. So, I think this looks cool, but I'm still not really interested. It could be cool for my son, since the PC he uses is terrible for PC gaming (it doesn't even meet the minimum requirements for Minecraft, even though he still plays it on it). I have a gaming PC as I've had for years now. I built myself a new PC this past summer and expect it will still be quite capable of gaming for a few years at least, maybe longer. I would like to build my son a gaming PC, but that's not exactly an available option at the moment. This device actually kind of scares me. I love PCs, I love being able to build and upgrade them. I really love PC hardware. This device makes me fear the day when PCs no longer are these relatively bigger things, which are easier to build and upgrade. That is not a day I want to see. This does make me curious, though. I wonder what kind of specs it has. Technological evolution is certainly interesting. It's amazing what hardware can easily do now that required a much greater effort (or power) to do years ago. I wonder how much something like this would cost and how long it would last. I would assume and hope that it could run Steam and would also do the same for Minecraft. Right now I feel like I have a mostly positive impression/opinion of the Switch, yet it still seems to not be very powerful. Since I haven't yet experienced it, I can't say for sure, though I've seen discussions or issues it's run into. Sure, it can play the Witcher 3, but it still has some trouble doing so along with problems with other games. The 2/3DS is also some what disappointing in the same way. However, technology will progress and I'm sure mobile consoles like these will get better as time moves forward. This having the Alienware brand name makes me believe it will be powerful, but it will also probably be expensive. My last PC was an Alienware and it was both. Although, this summer I built a PC for about half the cost, which is probably even more powerful and superior to that old PC. This may also be more relevant for people who are "on the go" and want or need a mobile device like this. However, I'm not one of those people, so this isn't exactly for me.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/08/2020 at 06:31am

Wow the 3,000 character limit is really tough sometimes! Good thing I was able to remove some characters to get that comment to fit.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 01/08/2020 at 02:54pm

If the price point is right, that may be cool, but I already own a switch. I don't see me adding another handheld like this.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/10/2020 at 12:02am

> This device makes me fear the day when PCs no longer are these relatively bigger things, which are easier to build and upgrade. That is not a day I want to see.

I've heard many say (not you but others) that PC's are dead and for all of that doomsaying PC's are still going strong. Whereas people seem to prefer tablets, phones and the like PC's are still quite popular with enthusiasts and I liken them to gearheads or foodies.

That said, a device like this really doesn't replace a PC or maybe it would for some but not for people that love running the most powerful hardware as it's not the most powerful hardware.

> Right now I feel like I have a mostly positive impression/opinion of the Switch, yet it still seems to not be very powerful. Since I haven't yet experienced it, I can't say for sure, though I've seen discussions or issues it's run into. Sure, it can play the Witcher 3, but it still has some trouble doing so along with problems with other games.

The Switch is an incredible console / handheld and MAY BE the culmination of the best things Nintendo has ever done. The graphics aren't as good as a PS4 but for what it is, it's quite incredible. I'm at a place now where it's better to have a system that I can play anywhere than have the most cutting edge graphics.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/10/2020 at 12:02am

> If the price point is right, that may be cool, but I already own a switch. I don't see me adding another handheld like this.

I think i'm in the same place too.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/10/2020 at 01:47am

>I've heard many say (not you but others) that PC's are dead and for all of that doomsaying PC's are still going strong. Whereas people seem to prefer tablets, phones and the like PC's are still quite popular with enthusiasts and I liken them to gearheads or foodies.

That's a comforting statement, even though I don't know what you're talking about with regards to gearheads or foodies.

>That said, a device like this really doesn't replace a PC or maybe it would for some but not for people that love running the most powerful hardware as it's not the most powerful hardware.

I feel like I've learned that the most powerful hardware isn't necessary, unless you're doing a lot of heavy stuff. I think I've learned that there are things more taxing on PC hardware than gaming, or maybe in other cases, like creating content for YouTube, encoding video, etc. I now feel like I don't have to have the most powerful hardware, even if I still want it. If I could afford the most powerful, maybe I'd get it, but I can't. Luckily, what I have is pretty good and for the price it seems really good and reasonable. I think right now 8K gaming (or PC use) would require the most power to do. But, it's not very common at all, at least from what I see. Heck, 4K seems to require a lot of power just to get 60FPS. I haven't jumped into that boat yet. I'm still happy with 1080p and I'm going to stick with it, for now. I think I may gradually jump into higher definition in due time and perhaps in increments. I'd probably already be a step above what I have now had my experience with monitors from Amazon gone well. On the other side, I saw a new 360hz monitor at CES 2020 that may make it to market eventually. Hopefully, it would make other monitors cheaper. I'm still ok with my 60hz. I still play some games (like Ark) that don't always reach 60FPS, so I feel like 60FPS is my goal right now. Although, even experiencing more FPS didn't seem to feel much different to me.

>The Switch is an incredible console / handheld and MAY BE the culmination of the best things Nintendo has ever done. The graphics aren't as good as a PS4 but for what it is, it's quite incredible. I'm at a place now where it's better to have a system that I can play anywhere than have the most cutting edge graphics.

It does seem incredible and impressive. I wish it was more powerful, though. Although there's rumor that a new Pro model might release soon, although I think that rumor is about a year old. I saw a quick video about it. This makes me feel more like waiting to get one.

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The Mother 4 Fan Project Is Reborn as Oddity!

I've been covering the Mother 4 fan game since 2013 as it's one of the best looking fan projects I've seen. Recently the project rebranded the game from Mother 4 to Oddity to avoid trademark and copyright issues with Nintendo. This is a pretty good idea to give the project a long life and also, make a few bucks if they want to sell it or take donations. The project looks largely the same as before and I hope it keeps the massive homage to the Mother series.

"ODDITY is a surreal urban fantasy role playing game set in the Seventies. Play as Travis Fields, an ordinary boy who leaves home in a bid to save the world Travis takes to the field armed with a baseball bat and... Read All

Start the New Year Right by Watching Awesome Games Done Quick 2020!

Awesome Games Done Quick starts tomorrow at 8.30 am PT / 11.30am ET and will run all week day and night ending on Saturday the 11th. Like every year there are going to be some incredible games run such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Doom SIGIL, Doom 2016, Terraria, ActRaiser, Donkey Kong Country 3, the Fallout Anthology, Final Fantasy VIII, Zelda Ocarina of Time, NES Barbie and a ton more!

I'm excited to see the Terraria run which is a Moonlord Normal Seeded run and the estimate is an hour, which is wicked fast. If you are interested in watching the Terraria run it will be Tuesday at 4pm but for more information on the whole event clickety-clack or tippety-tap that link... Read All

Arlo Reviews Nintendo in 2019

I recently discovered Arlo, a gaming YouTube channel featuring a puppet and shared a video a few days ago about Arlo's predictions for 2020. He just released a new video cataloging Nintendo's accomplishments in 2019 and not surprisingly, Nintendo had a really full year. The standouts for me were the new Pokemon game release, Link's Awakening and I've also been hearing a lot of good things about Ring Fit Adventure. I think we're looking at an even stronger 2020 and if the rumors are true we are in for two Wii U game ports to launch soon. I'm fairly certain Super Mario 3D World is one of the games but the other one i'm less certain of.

What Wii U ports would you love to... Read All

The History of Quake -w Tim Willits

Video game documentary channel Noclip recorded an incredible documentary about Doom 2016 and while they were at iD headquarters also shot a short with Tim Willits about the history of Quake. Quake is a pretty special game to me because it's the first shooter I played over a LAN with my friends. At the time I only had the demo which meant we could only get about 3 people in the game at a time but it was a ton of fun anyway. Later on Half-life and Counter-Strike dominated LAN parties but until I was able to buy Half-Life Quake was my LAN shooter of choice.

Tale of the White Wyvern Season 1 Starts Tonight!

Tonight at Midnight PT the first season of Tale of the White Wyvern begins. This game will run alongside our main Wyvern game and see some changes to the base rules that make it a bit different. The biggest change is that our first season game will end on March 1st when the winners will be forever immortalized in-game.

There are a few other posts about the new season game as well as a podcast we recording talking about it. Check those out below and we'll see you January 1st 2020 for our first competitive season game!

https://cheerfulghost.com/Travis/posts/4294/the-state-of-the-wyvern-december-2019-fishing-for-seasons

... Read All

The Nerd Reviews Majora's Mask And The World Didn't End!

The Angry Video Game Nerd has reviewed many games some consider classics and when I saw that he recently released a video reviewing Majora's Mask I figured it would be another review praising it. While Majora's Mask has been enshrined with nearly universal acclaim it's a game I picked up and played recently on 3DS but didn't get further than the first full dungeon. One of the Nerds biggest complaints is that if you go over time the whole dungeon resets and when that happened to me I was quite surprised and stopped playing it. I thought I did something wrong and the dungeon reset really caused me to instantly lose interest. Now that I know that part of the game I think... Read All

Nab These 3DS Games While You Can (Metal Jesus Covers Some of His Favorites)

Now that Nintendo has focused all of it's attention to the Switch many people are clearing out their old 3DS libraries and systems and because of that, if you collect for the system now is your time. I've been collecting DS and 3DS games a bit at a time and have nearly everything I need. The games I have yet to acquire are mentioned in this video such as Bravely Default and the Ultimate NES Remix. I'd also love to get Shovel Knight on the 3DS but I have it on PC and Switch so it's not essential yet the collector in me really wants to pick it up and compare it to the rest of the versions I have. Any 3DS/DS collectors out there looking for anything hard to find?