Friday, July 22, 2011
3D or Not 3D: Here's My Answer
A recent article Michael Stroud released through Reuters discusses the state of 3D and how it is being viewed, or not viewed, by the movie-going public. I've had ongoing discussions with folks on message boards and at the local game store and have come to my own conclusion. Remember, I'm a guy who likes to see the big movies on the big screen, and most times I will shell out for 3D or whatever enhanced production work has been done (more frames per this, better sound for that, etc.). Beowulf (2007) impressed me and made me a disciple. Avatar (2009) impressed me and made me a evangelist. Some movies that followed shook my faith. Then Alice in Wonderland (2010) turned me back around on the subject toward liking the extras. Now it seems I have, again, seen a string of movies where I simply am not getting any real bang for the extra buck, other than the opening credits of X-Men: First Class (2011). So, I am swearing it off for any aftermarket treatments or half-measured enhancements unless the full movie is filmed in 3D. Today I saw Capatin America: The First Avenger (2011). It was very enjoyable and I liked it best of The Avengers (2012) lead-in movies I've seen so far. But I saw it the regular way, at the $5 show, and it was just fine as is. If I had paid an extra three or four bucks, I am sure I still would have enjoyed it but I am also sure that the extra oomph would not have been warranted by the extra expense. As near as I can tell, the next time I'll likely pay the extra fare will be for the latest remake of The Three Musketeers (2011) this coming autumn.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
COMIC-CON 2011: Meet Victoria Schmidt, Super Fan (Yahoo News)
This is one of the most even-handed treatments of a extreme fan of some genre hobby pursuit I have ever seen. I am quite impressed by the coverage. Even if you are not a costume enthusiast, I think you will enjoy this video . . .
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Prince Valiant: The Storytelling Continues . . .
I've been mulling over the in-game machinations of our weekly campaign using Prince Valiant: The Storytelling Game over these past three weeks and I have to say I like where it has been heading. Mostly I have been the main storyteller but I have made sure to pick up on cues from the other players and take the game in directions they have opened through their roleplaying. We skipped over the one-page rules and went with the basic game where everyone begins as a Knight. I made up some player character cards with crests and Arthurian names to give a head start to the game but have otherwise taking the lead of the players and developed a story that they wished to follow. I have, of course, added many details to the framework we have created and threw in plenty of potential antagonists, but for the most part I have allowed their actions to dictate which bad guys (or girls) came to the fore and which others became allies or neutral parties to be used as NPCs or henchmen of the Knightly band.
We had three players the first week, as two of the semi-regulars were both MIA. One joined us in week two but the full slate of five players were on hand for the third week. Summer can be a tough season to keep a full group week after week and the sporadic turnout was fully anticipated, hence the use of a simple system that lends itself to malleable gameplay.
We used a passive in media res launch point for the campaign in that the players were meant to begin as Knights and we decided that the campaign would begin just after their knighthood kicked in. This came by way of outstanding behavior during a Hun attack on the town and castle where they served as guards. Naturally, they (Sir Dristan, Sir Joffrey, and Sir Gaenor) wished to celebrate their new status and accepted the invitation of a local tavern owner to have a night on the house. The Sickly Boar, named as a vague homage to the Vulgar Unicorn but in-game as an subtle insult to the previous owner, was crowded that evening and two muscular pig farmers were told by the tavern keeper to give up their table for the illustrious knights. Of course, this didn't set well with the farmers and they immediately developed a grudge against the knights. After some judicious carousing, two of the knights (Dristan and Gaenor) returned to the castle and their regular digs while Sir Joffrey opted to go across town to an inn for the night. Naturally, the pig farmers were lying in wait for the knights and simply lucked out that one was on his own. Joffrey did, however, make short work of them.
The next day the first task set by Queen Alyta (ahh-LEE-tah) for the new knights was to trail the surviving Huns and ensure that they were suitably subdued by losing in the attack and that they were in no way planning to return any time soon. Recon, only, unless sterner measures were needed and warranted given they were a force of only three. Although a few days old, they picked up the trail and made up some time by hustling on their riding steeds (and only wearing their medium armor and lightly encumbered otherwise). Although they closed in on the retreating Huns, when they came to a bridge-crossing of a stream with steep banks, they found that the bridge had been disabled, but not completely destroyed, a rush job obviously.
Continuing further upstream in hopes of crossing at a known ford to rediscover the trail on the far side, they found the ford guarded by Sir Victor, a knight errant currently with no allegiance to any lord or lady. He offered combat as an alternative to paying a toll and the challenge was accepted. Armed combat on foot ensued and Sir Victor was victorious in his bout versus Sir Dristan. Would they get across the water to catch up to the Huns and complete their mission? More next time . . .
We had three players the first week, as two of the semi-regulars were both MIA. One joined us in week two but the full slate of five players were on hand for the third week. Summer can be a tough season to keep a full group week after week and the sporadic turnout was fully anticipated, hence the use of a simple system that lends itself to malleable gameplay.
We used a passive in media res launch point for the campaign in that the players were meant to begin as Knights and we decided that the campaign would begin just after their knighthood kicked in. This came by way of outstanding behavior during a Hun attack on the town and castle where they served as guards. Naturally, they (Sir Dristan, Sir Joffrey, and Sir Gaenor) wished to celebrate their new status and accepted the invitation of a local tavern owner to have a night on the house. The Sickly Boar, named as a vague homage to the Vulgar Unicorn but in-game as an subtle insult to the previous owner, was crowded that evening and two muscular pig farmers were told by the tavern keeper to give up their table for the illustrious knights. Of course, this didn't set well with the farmers and they immediately developed a grudge against the knights. After some judicious carousing, two of the knights (Dristan and Gaenor) returned to the castle and their regular digs while Sir Joffrey opted to go across town to an inn for the night. Naturally, the pig farmers were lying in wait for the knights and simply lucked out that one was on his own. Joffrey did, however, make short work of them.
The next day the first task set by Queen Alyta (ahh-LEE-tah) for the new knights was to trail the surviving Huns and ensure that they were suitably subdued by losing in the attack and that they were in no way planning to return any time soon. Recon, only, unless sterner measures were needed and warranted given they were a force of only three. Although a few days old, they picked up the trail and made up some time by hustling on their riding steeds (and only wearing their medium armor and lightly encumbered otherwise). Although they closed in on the retreating Huns, when they came to a bridge-crossing of a stream with steep banks, they found that the bridge had been disabled, but not completely destroyed, a rush job obviously.
Continuing further upstream in hopes of crossing at a known ford to rediscover the trail on the far side, they found the ford guarded by Sir Victor, a knight errant currently with no allegiance to any lord or lady. He offered combat as an alternative to paying a toll and the challenge was accepted. Armed combat on foot ensued and Sir Victor was victorious in his bout versus Sir Dristan. Would they get across the water to catch up to the Huns and complete their mission? More next time . . .
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Cooperative Dungeon Collection (01 - 04)
The Cooperative Dungeon project which began with an idea from Rene "Trainz" Mongrain and the EN World community, with the assistance of Creative Mountain Games and many others, has surpassed the fifty thousand downloads milestone (downloads of CD1 through CD4, collectively). I'd like to thank everyone involved in the projects, the artists, writers, editors, proofers and purchasers, along with the EN World and gaming communities at large, for making the projects possible and being so supportive of the final products.
All of the individual adventures, statted for the ERA 3.5 system, have been run and played by many of you but for those who still haven't had the opportunity, here is a rundown of the adventures . . .
Cooperative Dungeon 01 (14th-Level) - Terror and Blasphemy The marilith, Blasphemy, has spent many years building up her complex and gathering minions to her aid. It is up to a strong group of adventurers to remove her from this plane, permanently, either for the good of all or in an effort to replace her as a rising evil force for others to fear.
With thirty encounter areas, and many traps, this adventure is big enough to be run over several sessions. Although designed as a 14th-level adventure, many of the encounters and tactics used by the creatures within border on the VERY difficult side. Experienced DMs might want to be prepared to give their players a break if they begin to complain, cry, or whimper...
Cooperative Dungeon 02 (7th-Level) - Halls of Anarchy The Silver Coin Guild has a much darker side that goes well beyond the usual purview of thievery. Children have gone missing. Rescuing them and putting an end to this rising evil is not going to be an easy task.
Make sure your players have some extra characters in reserve for this deadly 7th-level trek.
Warning: Has the potential to contain mature themes...
Cooperative Dungeon 03 (5th-Level) - Crypt of Damnation This crypt is both the former home to the cult of a dark god and a place of lost knowledge.
The history of the crypt is convoluted, and many who once used this crypt to house their dead have gradually died out or moved on, leaving behind only the uneasily slumbering corpses, and worse, to protect their unholy places from un-sacrilege. Since the last cultist passed, the tomb has remained sealed for the most part, though some have found ways to venture within.
Who will brave the interior of this deathtrap next?
Cooperative Dungeon 04 (3rd-Level) - Tomb of Chaos This very challenging adventure uncovers a burial place of dark secrets and corrupted use.
Once the tomb of the ancient king Toth Nekamek, lord of a quasi-Egyptian realm who lived several thousand years earlier, its great halls and secret chambers have been violated by unspeakable evil. The outer rooms dedicated to the worship of the jackal-god Chacal, have been desecrated and now house those with nefarious intent but that is only the tip of the pyramid. Deep within must surely lie the secrets and treasures of a forgotten empire, along with their vigilant guardians.
Can those who enter ever hope to come back out alive?
I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy the adventures, in their currently statted system or as conversions. Did I mention they are and always have been FREE? Thanks, again, to everyone who made these possible!
All of the individual adventures, statted for the ERA 3.5 system, have been run and played by many of you but for those who still haven't had the opportunity, here is a rundown of the adventures . . .
____________________________________________
Cooperative Dungeon 01 (14th-Level) - Terror and Blasphemy The marilith, Blasphemy, has spent many years building up her complex and gathering minions to her aid. It is up to a strong group of adventurers to remove her from this plane, permanently, either for the good of all or in an effort to replace her as a rising evil force for others to fear.
With thirty encounter areas, and many traps, this adventure is big enough to be run over several sessions. Although designed as a 14th-level adventure, many of the encounters and tactics used by the creatures within border on the VERY difficult side. Experienced DMs might want to be prepared to give their players a break if they begin to complain, cry, or whimper...
Cooperative Dungeon 02 (7th-Level) - Halls of Anarchy The Silver Coin Guild has a much darker side that goes well beyond the usual purview of thievery. Children have gone missing. Rescuing them and putting an end to this rising evil is not going to be an easy task.
Make sure your players have some extra characters in reserve for this deadly 7th-level trek.
Warning: Has the potential to contain mature themes...
Cooperative Dungeon 03 (5th-Level) - Crypt of Damnation This crypt is both the former home to the cult of a dark god and a place of lost knowledge.
The history of the crypt is convoluted, and many who once used this crypt to house their dead have gradually died out or moved on, leaving behind only the uneasily slumbering corpses, and worse, to protect their unholy places from un-sacrilege. Since the last cultist passed, the tomb has remained sealed for the most part, though some have found ways to venture within.
Who will brave the interior of this deathtrap next?
Cooperative Dungeon 04 (3rd-Level) - Tomb of Chaos This very challenging adventure uncovers a burial place of dark secrets and corrupted use.
Once the tomb of the ancient king Toth Nekamek, lord of a quasi-Egyptian realm who lived several thousand years earlier, its great halls and secret chambers have been violated by unspeakable evil. The outer rooms dedicated to the worship of the jackal-god Chacal, have been desecrated and now house those with nefarious intent but that is only the tip of the pyramid. Deep within must surely lie the secrets and treasures of a forgotten empire, along with their vigilant guardians.
Can those who enter ever hope to come back out alive?
___________________________________________
I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy the adventures, in their currently statted system or as conversions. Did I mention they are and always have been FREE? Thanks, again, to everyone who made these possible!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Fresh Garage Sale Finds
I got out garage saling a bit over the last few weekends and picked up some useful items and a few secondhand games. I didn't blog much toward the end of last garage saling season though I did pick up a few more useful items. Often when I find an incomplete Scrabble game, I'll grab it for a quarter or so since I can convert the tiles to minis' bases and such. This year was no exception . . .
. . . chief among the finds was a complete Secrets of the Deep (1991) game. It's almost a shame that I found this one complete because it is tempting to resell it as is to fund further garage saling. However, I am just as tempted to cannibalize the treasure chests from this one. They have six each of three sizes of chests. The play money might be handy for some other usage and the plastic divers and dolphins could also be used for some other gaming purpose. I'm seeing French versions on ebay, and English versions offered for a decent price and, though the copy I have has one blown box lid corner, I think it could fetch twenty of thirty doubloons (U.S.).
And the board for Secrets of the deep was kind of cool, too, with a built in spinner.
The Tip the Ship (1994) game was found incomplete but the pirate cardboard flat minis are nice and there are some clear plastic stands for them that have some mileage yet to go.
There was also a game called The Secret Door (1991) that looked interesting so I grabbed it with the other two just to check it out. I knew it was incomplete, some counters missing, but I enjoy checking out many different games and it really didn't cost much thrown in with the rest.
Most weeks my garage saling has been confined to just poking my head into one or two in passing while out for a walk or off to the grocery store, but among the miscellaneaous finds there were . . .
. . . a clean sushi cutting board for fifty cents, a small stone box for less than a buck, a small (dice?) bag for a quarter, and three (two pictured here) glass five-inch-by-five-inch "pillar holders" that I immediately thought would make good bases for HotT strongholds. I built one with a clear Christmas ornament and built another using some plant stakes I grabbed for fifty cents from another sale.
You can check out the strongholds over on the MF WARS blog linked to the left. I also found a good knife set for three dollars and a couple of other things I will mention down the line when I reveal how they have been used. Some good finds, some already put to use, and I hope I have continued luck this year while garage saling.
. . . chief among the finds was a complete Secrets of the Deep (1991) game. It's almost a shame that I found this one complete because it is tempting to resell it as is to fund further garage saling. However, I am just as tempted to cannibalize the treasure chests from this one. They have six each of three sizes of chests. The play money might be handy for some other usage and the plastic divers and dolphins could also be used for some other gaming purpose. I'm seeing French versions on ebay, and English versions offered for a decent price and, though the copy I have has one blown box lid corner, I think it could fetch twenty of thirty doubloons (U.S.).
And the board for Secrets of the deep was kind of cool, too, with a built in spinner.
The Tip the Ship (1994) game was found incomplete but the pirate cardboard flat minis are nice and there are some clear plastic stands for them that have some mileage yet to go.
There was also a game called The Secret Door (1991) that looked interesting so I grabbed it with the other two just to check it out. I knew it was incomplete, some counters missing, but I enjoy checking out many different games and it really didn't cost much thrown in with the rest.
Most weeks my garage saling has been confined to just poking my head into one or two in passing while out for a walk or off to the grocery store, but among the miscellaneaous finds there were . . .
. . . a clean sushi cutting board for fifty cents, a small stone box for less than a buck, a small (dice?) bag for a quarter, and three (two pictured here) glass five-inch-by-five-inch "pillar holders" that I immediately thought would make good bases for HotT strongholds. I built one with a clear Christmas ornament and built another using some plant stakes I grabbed for fifty cents from another sale.
You can check out the strongholds over on the MF WARS blog linked to the left. I also found a good knife set for three dollars and a couple of other things I will mention down the line when I reveal how they have been used. Some good finds, some already put to use, and I hope I have continued luck this year while garage saling.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
More Dwarf Photos from The Hobbit Movies
So far we have been treated to photos of Oin and Gloin, Nori, Ori, and Dori, as well as Fili and Kili. Bifur, Bofur and Bombur have also been recently been revealed. The latest addition is a photo of Balin and Dwalin. There's also been a photo of Thorin Oakenshield and elsewhere an interview with Richard Armitage who will play Thorin. There is a cast photo of the Dwarves and our favorite burglar, all out of costume, to be seen here. Not that we would expect anything less, but the photos of the Dwarves in costume are already impressing everyone who sees them, from what I have been reading around the Intrawebs.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
12 Sided Die with Hit Locations
I picked up a new die earlier this week. It's been around for a while but I kept forgetting to grab one. It's a 12 sided die with hit locations on it. Made by Kaplow!, it is available at many stores including Games Plus in Mount Prospect, IL, but you can snag one on ebay if you don't live in the region. The sides include Head, Stomach, Chest, Full Body, Right Hand, Left Hand, Right Arm, Left Arm, Right Foot, Left Foot, Right Leg, and Left Leg.
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