T w e n t y S i d e d
Skyrim, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Mass Effect 2 each have their own ideas about how interactive dialog scenes should work. So do I, which I discuss in this week’s column.
Witch Watch: Proofs
It’s here. It’s been printed out and everything. I’m publishing a book. This is a thing that is happening. It’s one thing to hear people say they want to read it, or have them read it and pretend to enjoy it because they like me. It’s another thing to hold the completed product in my hands and realize, “Wow. If this doesn’t pan out I’ve wasted an amazing amount of time. This is terrifying. But these illustrations sure are nice.”
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These are the proof copies. I’ve gotta flip through one and look for errors. Then we apply the changes to the print copy. Then it goes up for sale, for real, and we’ll finally get to see if all of this pans out. If you’re one of my proofreaders, you’re getting one of the volumes you see above. I’ll be signing them and dropping them in the mail right away eventually.
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Witch Watch: Proofs”
Deus Ex Human Revolution EP25:
Press F5 to Quicksave
Link (YouTube) |
This was a strange week for Spoiler Warning. We were all off our rhythm for some reason. Still, our foolishness and failure is your “entertainment”. So you’ve got that going for you.
And since this is apparently The Worst Week Ever, we might as well get this out of the way: Last week Rutskarn mentioned that someone sent us a picture of Jensen in a thong, so I have included the picture of Jensen in a thong below. WARNING: THERE IS A PICTURE OF JENSEN IN A THONG BELOW.
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Deus Ex Human Revolution EP25:
Press F5 to Quicksave”
Borderlands: Jousting!
So, I’ve upgraded to Windows 7. I’ve been putting off writing a post about it because I’m going to have to say very nice things about Windows 7, and I’m dreading that. (No not really. (But actually yes.))
In the process of re-installing everything I found an old, old directory of screenshots. In those shots I found this:
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That’s Randy, Josh, Josh’s brother, and myself playing Borderlands in April 2010. Not pictured is Mumbles, who was in Vent with us at the time. Here is what was going on…
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Borderlands: Jousting!”
Deus Ex Human Revolution EP24: Reloads and Elevators
Link (YouTube) |
Apologies for the late post, but the insanity of these episodes seems to be spilling over into all aspects of life at the moment. We’ll be working to contain the localized Cuftbert distortions in the space time continuum to minimize such disturbances in the future.
Deus Ex Human Revolution EP23: Multiple Levels of Failure
Link (YouTube) |
And now we bring you the greatest Spoiler Warning episode of all time. We’re sorry.
The Witch Watch: Release Date
We finally have a tentative release date for my upcoming novel. It should go on sale on Friday, March 2nd. We’re just waiting on the arrival of the proof copies. If those are good, we can throw the switch and you can finally get your hands on this thing.
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I will say it’s murderously difficult to come up with blurbs that aren’t spoilers. I mean, what constitutes a spoiler? That the droids are carrying secret plans? That Luke ends up with the droids? That Obi-Wan knew Luke’s father? That the secret plans are for the Death Star? That Vader and Obi-Wan duel? If you’re cutting a trailer, how much do you give away? You need to explain what the story is about without giving away any details. The blurb above is nominally a spoiler for the first section of the book. (The book is divided into six sections. Is that a spoiler? Is it a spoiler that “six sections” itself could be a spoiler? Am I over thinking this?)
To answer the basic questions I’ve been getting in email:
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “The Witch Watch: Release Date”
From The Archives:
Borderlands Series
A look at the main Borderlands games. What works, what doesn't, and where the series can go from here.
The Gameplay is the Story
Some advice to game developers on how to stop ruining good stories with bad cutscenes.
Trusting the System
How do you know the rules of the game are what the game claims? More importantly, how do the DEVELOPERS know?
The Mistakes DOOM Didn't Make
How did this game avoid all the usual stupidity that ruins remakes of classic titles?
Programming Vexations
Here is a 13 part series where I talk about programming games, programming languages, and programming problems.
Blistering Stupidity of Fallout 3
Yeah, this game is a classic. But the story is idiotic, incoherent, thematically confused, and patronizing.
Are Lootboxes Gambling?
Obviously they are. Right? Actually, is this another one of those sneaky hard-to-define things?
The No Politics Rule
Here are 6 reasons why I forbid political discussions on this site. #4 will amaze you. Or not.
Another PC Golden Age?
Is it real? Is PC gaming returning to its former glory? Sort of. It's complicated.
Shamus Plays LOTRO
As someone who loves Tolkein lore and despises silly MMO quests, this game left me deeply conflicted.