Slack Injection Arcade
I’ve been meaning to do more Slack Injection episodes, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. But I do play a lot of games. I seem to find time for that. Oof.
There’s a whole world of game streaming that I never really got into — your “Twitches” and your “YouTube Gamings” and such.
So, what the hell, right? Over the last couple nights, I’ve been playing with Twitch and the always excellent Open Broadcaster. Streamed some Far Cry 4, and, last night, my Overwatch session. And you know what? It was fun. I love to ramble and bitch, so this was a great match for me. I had no idea. 😉
Going to make an attempt to stream nightly, or a couple times a week at least. Whatever I’m currently into. Or maybe do something different now and then, like some NES/SNES classics.
I’m going to set it up so that folks can call in, including some regulars, making it almost an improvised talk show of sorts. Maybe I can line up some audio clips, like the pre-recorded shows.
I have no idea — this is my first week playing with it. I’d like to make it something different from the million other streamers, though. But for now, I’ll just take it as it comes.
For now, add me up and follow to get notifications. I’ll probably be streaming around 8 or 9pm EST, when I do, but I could strike at any time…! ;U
(Well, not at work. 😏)
Last Walk in Clinton
I went for what will probably be my last walk around downtown Clinton, tonight.
Cold and crisp, but surprisingly hospitable considering the temperature.
As always, folks were hanging out over at the Driftwood (or whatever it’s called nowadays). People playing pool. Having fun. Never took the time to drop in and check it out. Bars aren’t really my thing. Wish they were. Feel like I’m missing out.
Lots of cars and people leaving the Town Hall. Probably had a play tonight. Or a rehearsal for one.
I sat on the bench between the church and the Stanton House for a bit, and looked around. Watched cars go by. Nice little quiet spot in the dark, just me in my black pea coat, black Punisher winter cap, and scarf.
Sigh.
I’m going to really miss this town, and the CT shoreline area.
Clinton, Westbrook, Saybrook, Madison, Guilford… they’ve been such a large part of me and my identity, for over three decades.
I grew up here. The shoreline the well-worn groove in a comfortable couch. It’s all I’ve known. It’s ME. But you know? I need to let it go. The world moved on… and I didn’t. At this point, I figure I’m long overdue.
So, tomorrow afternoon, this unusually thick chapter will come to an end… and a new one will begin.
I am… cautiously optimistic.
Concerning Shatner’s Charity Commitment vs Attending Nimoy’s Funeral
Couple thoughts.
Look, I know how it’s important to US, as fans of the Star Trek franchise, for him to attend Nimoy’s funeral… but when you get down to it, this is a REALLY personal thing. Nobody has a right to tell another person how or when to pay their respects.
Myself, I have never attended a funeral, and I don’t expect to do so…ever. Not because they’re meaningless to me, or because I’m insensitive. I just choose not to stand on ceremony and grieve in public. I absolutely MUST deal with these things in private. If you ever gave ME shit about it at a very vulnerable time, like some of Shatner’s fans are on Twitter, they’d probably be putting TWO people in the ground. 😛
I’m not suggesting that’s what Shatner is dealing with. We don’t actually KNOW what his true feelings and motivations are. I’m saying don’t put so much weight on being physically present somewhere in order to pay your respects.
…
That said, there’s another angle to this that I don’t think many people really think about.
Personally, I never got the impression that Nimoy and Shatner were quite as like-family close as we’d all like to imagine. Undeniably, they have a famous, shared history, and they seemed to get along well.
But, behind the scenes, who’s to say Leonard wasn’t just this guy he worked a lot with over the years and occasionally meets up with to promote stuff together?
Being at his funeral might not be as important for him, personally, as it is for US. If that’s the case, that disappointment is ours to bear, not his. That’s not to say it won’t be a terrible PR move. He’ll definitely catch shit from his audience over it, if that’s how things really are for Bill.
Anyway, the guy tried to get head of the wave by admitting his inability to attend via Twitter, and tried his best to improvise, staging a virtual memorial through his account.
There’s not really much more you can ask, except for us to just move on.
Mini Review – DLC Quest
DLC Quest is a humorous jab at the game industry from the perspective of a retro platform game that requires the purchase of downloadable expansions to perform even the most basic functions.
The game begins with no sound and no animation. In fact, you aren’t even able to jump or move left! These features aren’t included out of the box, of course. Instead, you are granted the privilege of purchasing these advanced gameplay features from an in-game vendor. All of the gags you would expect to see are here, including the infamous expensive horse armor. Thankfully, as the game reassures us early on, no ACTUAL real-life currency is involved. All transactions are conducted using coins collected inside the game.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a “game” here. Unlocking DLC is required in order to progress the purposely generic, but ultimately uninspired “story”. Once you get going, it’s pretty much a straight path to the finish line: Collect enough coins to unlock the next DLC pack, rinse, repeat until the credits roll. There is no death. In fact, there is no way to fail. In that respect, DLC Quest is, in a sense, closer to old Lucasarts adventure games. Enemies function merely as passive roadblocks that only additional downloaded content can alleviate.
Ultimately the only real replay value is in doing speed runs, collecting coins, unlocking the DLC as fast as possible, and comparing your times against a leaderboard. Currently the top 10 is filled with people who finished the game in 12 minutes. I believe I spent just over twice that amount of time playing. The recent addition of a second quest (“Live Freemium or Die“) helps extend the value, but this is still a short game.
DLC Quest is a genuinely funny commentary on the state of micro-transactions and downloadable content in gaming. It may run the joke into the ground by the end, but at roughly $3 in most digital stores, it’s worth a look. Just don’t expect any sort of serious challenge.
| Rating: | 3/5 (Good) |
| Platforms: | Steam ($2.99), Desura ($2.99), XBL (80 MS points per quest), Mac App Store ($2.99) |
| Developer: | Going Loud Studios |
Retro Scans – Columbia Video Game Club
I was flipping through some old Omni magazines (July 1983) that I’d dug up while cleaning out some boxes, and I found a treasure trove of awesome retro goodness. So, I’m going to start scanning! The first one is the Columbia Video Game Club, much like it’s scammy cousin the Columbia House Music Club, except for video game cartridges.
At $4.95 A Game You Can’t Miss.
Take any one of these video games for only $4.95 when you join the Columbia Video Game Club and agree to buy just 2 more games at regular Club prices in the coming year.
Just look at the video games offered here… all available for home enjoyment on your Atari® Video Computer System™! They retail anywhere from $26.95 to $34.95 each, yet you can have any one for only $4.95 — with membership in the Columbia Video Game Club! This is an exciting new service that offers you the newest home video games on a convenient shop-at-home basis — and at great club savings!
How the Club works: approximately every six weeks (up to 9 times a year) you will receive the Club’s colorful Video Game Magazine. It announces the Hit Game Selection…generally a brand-new arcade winner. In addition, the Magazine will picture and describe many other video games, new gadgets to upgrade your own Atari® system, helpful hints on how to improve your scores, a poster, and much more.
If you want the Hit Game Selection, you need do nothing — it will be sent to you automatically. If you want one of the alternate games offered — or nothing at all — just tell us so on the response card always provided and mail it by the date indicated. You’ll always have ten days to make your decision. If you ever receive a game without having had ten days to decide, return it at our expense.
The game cartridges you order will be mailed and billed to you at regular Club prices — which currently range from $24.95 to $29.95, plus shipping and handling, and appropriate sales tax. Remember, you don’t have to buy a video game every time you hear from us — your only membership obligation is to buy as few as two games in the coming year, and you may cancel membership at any time after doing so. If you decide to continue, you’ll be eligible for our generous money-saving bonus plan.
10-Day Free Trial: we’ll send complete details of the Club’s operation with your introductory cartridge. If you are not satisfied for any reason whatsoever, just return everything within 10 days for a full refund and you will have no further obligation. So mail the coupon now!
WANT STILL ONE MORE GAME for $4.95? You can have ANY TWO of these video games for only $.95 each — if you agree to buy four more (at regular Club prices) in the coming two years! Just check box in application and enclose $9.90 for your two games.
All applications subject to review; Columbia Video Game Club reserves the right to reject any application or cancel any membership.
Columbia Video Game Club, Dept. 2CQ, 3000 North 35th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47811, 1-800-457-0866 (In Indiana call 812-466-8125 collect.)
GC18/F83