Art's Closet

The Discipline of Gaming

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 9 Feb 2014 10:09:00 -0600

Tutorial, hint, walk though, cheat sheet, spoiler.

“Wax on wax off, the discipline of gaming Grasshopper.” Okay that was a reference from two different movies/shows but it seemed to fit. In my gaming entertainment over the years I have often found myself hitting the proverbial “brick wall”, especially if it was a puzzle based game. “Where is the damn key located to unlock this step?”

Struggling with clues or the strategy within a game can be frustrating. Not being able to advance means we play that scene or sequence over multiple times. I can see the Game character that we are playing, finally stop and stare at us through our monitor and scream “THE KEY IS OVER THERE DUMMY!”

This of course would creep me out so, as not to a ire the little person I am moving around in game I would look for, “Dun..dun..Duh!” the Spoiler. This of course would give me the answers I needed to advance to the next section of game-play, but was very anti-climatic. In my early days of gaming spoilers were hard to come by and I was actually glad. Now we have an abundant of spoilers for almost every game. It is too easy to cheat. A disciplined gamer will achieve their gaming goals without the need of “Spoilers”, and I have found that to be very rewarding.

Keisuke Miyagi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am not the Mr Miyagi of gaming, not even close but I have learned a valuable lesson. Patience is the key. When we accomplish the hurdles that most games set for us, it means that we have fully savored and enjoyed what it had to offer.

I have spent literally weeks at a dead end trying to figure out what I needed to do and when I finally figured it out, I woke the whole house up with “Eureka, I have found it!” . ..okay, I never say eureka, but it was a scream of excitement. Several deep breaths later and as my heart settled back into my chest, all I could think of was “Damn, what a rush.” This game lasted longer than any game I had played. I felt like I truly experienced the game as it was meant to be instead of fast forwarding to the end.

Our entertainment purchase is wasted if we fast forward to their conclusions. It is like buying a movie to just fast forward to the good parts. That moment of entertainment becomes just that, a moment.

I Was There...

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 09:30:00 -0600

Creativity is intelligence having fun. (Photo credit: symphony of love)

Being creative is an ability we all have. How that “creativity” presents itself, how it may be expressed or shown varies. For some it is a passing thought, to others it develops. Books, movies, paintings, drawings are the outlets used to share what develops.

It's winter here, stepping out my back door there are several inches of snow. It's breezy and very cold. I noticed one lone dried leaf slowly travel along the bottom of my chain link fence. The night sky, the cold and the contrast of the dried leaf against the snow was the beginning of a story or an ominous scene from a movie. My imagination placed me in a different time and place.

I love those moments because for a brief instant all of my senses are in a story. I am sure this is how it all begins. When they find themselves immersed in a moment that floods their senses, they begin to write, draw, create. I can create my own world, even if it's a passing thought but I love to visit others who have truly developed theirs.

I love the books/movies/art. For me its a view from the outside, a spectator enjoying what is getting presented. Gaming entertainment allows me to participate, to move through and interact with the world that has been created. What a dismal life would it be without an imagination or the chance to be creative.

A Perfect game is like the perfect pie, and I like pie.

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:53:00 -0600

I have heard it called Minecraft on steroids.

EverQuest Next Landmark is SOE's next chapter in the Everquest Franchise. EverQuest Next and EverQuest Next Landmark's game play is described as an Adventuring/crafting/harvesting/building sandbox as seen here. SOE being a major contributor to the MMO market, has once again taken the spotlight in touting “Pioneer” or “ Time for some new ideas in the genre and if someone is going to do it, it should be EverQuest.”

Ingredients are very important as with any recipe. Mom's homemade chocolate pie (which is to die for) is not only about ingredients but proportions and how the ingredients are added. Landmark's main ingredients are destructibility and a procedurally generated world. What we are uncertain of, are proportions and application.

We have a general idea though videos and interviews but without tasting it for ourselves, we don't know what is too much or what is too little. If all or most of the landscape is destructible, in a world which traveling is essential, it may be a challenge to find your way back without road signs or points of interest. “I turned left at the big tree or hill but its gone now.” We know the world heals itself but will it reset back to its original state. In a sense this does add flavor to adventuring but if there is an ever changing landscape it may be frustrating. Landmark is an ever changing world and being in pre-alpha development also means, its an ever changing world.

SOE's desire to include the masses (with a cover charge for entry)in an early alpha state is also something new. A chance for the player base to help in development, ideas and testing is exciting and even more so for SOE fans. It does seem that a new direction is wanted, warranted or needed in this genre of game play. Old EverQuest fans are hoping to re-capture their first love. New and old gamers are looking for something different than what they have been experiencing. Is this the “Holy Grail?”

Iconogrial (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When Landmark is released and we set our eyes on EverQuest Next, will the true replay-ability without the grind finally exist? Will we actually find ourselves in a world that is truly ever changing? It will be the Holy Grail if all the ingredients and proportions are properly applied.

Following SOE and the EverQuest Franchise for over 14 years has yielded more good times than bad, and I have complete confidence in their development team. I know what a perfect chocolate pie tastes like and I like pie. I don't know how a perfect game feels like but maybe I will get a chance to find out.

What is EverQuest Next Landmark?

EQN Landmark Teaser Trailer 1: World Of Imagination

Time is not free..

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:27:00 -0600

Trying to set time aside to for a relaxing round of whatever game you enjoy can be challenging.

The early years seemed much kinder. I remember long hours on the weekend.

Eating was a quick fix or ordered out, and unless the house was on fire, interruptions were dealt with harshly.

It didn't help, or may have contributed to the madness of gaming, that my wife loved to game as well. Six hours of sleep was all we wanted through our gaming weekends, six hours for the whole weekend. We were younger then and time seemed to be free. With (gaming) Family and friends who had the same weekend ritual, we all had a lot of fun and some great memories.

Time Bandits (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These days time isn't free. There is always something that tries to use the time you set aside for a bit of “game on”. There are many desperate attempts to slide into your fav computer chair, but usually foiled at the last minute.

Stealing is the only way. Learn to be a Time Bandit

I know I should be cleaning out the garage this Saturday but it can wait until next week. See what I did there? Yep, I just stole some time and it's relatively legal, depending on your relationship with your soul mate. It's not a bad thing having a somewhat busy lifestyle as long as your "Thief" skills are adequate.

We all need “our” time and if it comes down to being "Time Bandits" (that movie sure was a lot more funny the first time I saw it) then its a just cause. Sometimes no matter how bad you want to relax and game, there is some “time” that is more important.

I need to excuse myself, I have 2 things that are patiently waiting for my time.

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 14:26:00 -0600

HIATUS

1: a break in or as if in a material object - Nope not that one

2: a gap or passage in an anatomical part or organ – Holy smoke, not that one

3: an interruption in time or continuity: break; especially: a period when something (as a program or activity) is suspended or interrupted – yep, that's the one

4: the occurrence of two vowel sounds without pause or intervening consonantal sound – huh?

Hiatus is a cool word that taps your tongue when it leaves your mouth, and its a word that I use often, because time keeps getting interrupted. Hiatus is also a cool word because backwards it spells Sutaih,which is a Sanskrit word that means “by the sons”. Which you can look up for further clarification if the notion hits you or taps your tongue.

Hopefully, going forward I wont have “the occurrence of two vowel sounds without pause or intervening consonantal sound”

PantheonRotF (PantheonRotF) on Twitter

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 13:04:00 -0600

PantheonRotF (PantheonRotF) on Twitter:

Guess who is back, besides me?

Brad McQuaid.

If you you have spent the last 10 years gaming, or if you follow the MMORPG universe (Massively Multiplayer On-line role playing games) then I am sure you have heard the name. If you haven't, well let me enlighten you.

Brad McQuaid is a video game designer who was the key designer of Everquest, a very successful MMORPG released in 1999, that set the standard for many games that followed. Everquest was a hate/love smorgasbord of adventure.

Talk to any Everquest veteran and you will probably hear about corpse runs, spawn camping, how huge the world felt, how immersed they would feel, the trains and did I mention the corpse runs, for several it was a true adventure.

For many Everquest fans, Brad McQuaid was a “Superstar”, but even a superstar can have a bad day.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, 'nuff said.

The creativity that is Brad McQuaid can not be denied. There is another story that he wants to tell, another adventure that he wants to share, another game. I for one am wishing Brad the best in this next chapter of his career.

'via Blog this'

Boss Mob with a guitar??

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:42:00 -0600

Every MMO I have played there has always been that memorable BOSS MOB. Not because of how difficult or the way a group would have to defeat it, but it's presence. Yeah I know that's weak at best, but I am always impressed by presence.

Its all about the presence.

I could write about all the boss mobs I have witnessed in all of their grandeur but that's not the direction I am going....(sound of tires screeching to a stop, usually the stupid noise we make that sounds like Eerrt!)

With my passion for gaming and love for music I was curious of who would have made great Boss Mobs..

Stevie Nicks – (the Witch Queen)

Ozzie Osbourne ( C'mon, nothing more to say here)

Cover of Ozzy Osbourne

Elton John – (the tricky jester type)

Cover of Elton John

...just to name a few but most artists can fulfill any role in an MMO. It would be interesting to see how a gaming world could be filled with artists of today.

Justin Bieber would most definitely be a minion or trash mob to kill repeatedly for quest progression, I'm just saying.

Grastoke trifecta

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:23:00 -0600

Undoubtedly an emotional song that crossed boundaries and reached a level that in my opinion, has yet had an equal. "Hurt" by Trent Reznor and the cover by Johnny Cash took our breath away.

It's a covers cover and Grastoke's latest effort,

On a roll with Grastoke

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:52:00 -0600

More from Grastoke, keeping an eye for more...

Peeking in...

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:42:00 -0600

Yeah it's been quiet and I hate it. I sure miss working with the various projects I was involved in over the summer.

I really don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. Working the night shift has really messed things up but I still hope to settle in, and get back in the mix.

Until then I'll let someone else keep the blog alive..

Take it away Grastoke, Ozark Mountain Daredevils cover...enjoy.

Apologies for being quiet and the “Closet Drive By” edition...

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 06:35:00 -0600

Image by kirainet via FlickrHope the Holidays are going well with everyone, time with family, friends and a little R&R. Life has been busy here, along with the Holidays I am the proud owner of new work hours. Naturally being thankful for being employed, but trying to adjust to the “Rabbit Hole”, I was hoping for the “Blue Pill”.

Image by FadderUri via Flickr

It's the overnight shift that I am trying to get used to and it's turned my world upside down. I have no doubt that I can adjust, millions of people have, it's just getting there. I miss my pod-casts and time on air and hope to be up and running again soon after all, new is just around the corner.

We are creeping up to the New Year and very soon the busy season will be behind us. I like new stuff because it's...well...it's new. The New Year is like a blank piece of paper, empty, unexplored newness to create whatever we are able to create.

The old piece of paper is marked with mistakes and corrections, our finest moments, accomplishments and the occasional “Oops”. The old paper is wrinkled from use and completely covered, no room for anything else, it's now old and used. It's what we do with the old that determines how we take care of the new.

Some will just toss the old paper away because after all, it's old. Others will smooth out the wrinkles, frame and hang it where they can use it for reference. I don't think there is a right or wrong way, only your way. Some are very confident on how the old piece of paper was used and shred it with the other unneeded documents on life. I fall into the paper hoarder crowd.

My file cabinet looks like someone eating with their mouth full, it's a small 2 door file cabinet with 3 decades of old paper. For me it has nothing to do with confidence, I just enjoy seeing where I have been. I can't wait for the New stuff, I cant wait to get used to the Rabbit Hole and I can't wait to see what my hobby, “Massive Multiplayer Online Games”, have coming in the new year.

Whatever your hobby, your get away, your R&R may be, I hope it's always fresh and new.

Happy New Year.

'tis the Season to be busy

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:51:00 -0600

Due to Scheduling issues with work, we are needing to put the Live shows with GNET Radio and Blade Radio on hold. Holidays are a busy time anyway but with the new work schedule it makes it difficult to produce a live show.

When the dust settles we will be back in full flavor, sugar and spice, salt and vinegar, Rum and Coke. As time permits I will continue with the usual blurbage here at the blogspot.

..peace out and good will toward your Alts

Show Cancellations...

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:29:00 -0600

Tonights scheduled show on GNET Radio will be MIA due to unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, Fridays scheduled show(12/10) at Blade Radio will be as well.

..my apologies, but next week all shows should be as scheduled.

Art's Closet Teaser for 12-8-10

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 15:35:00 -0600

Hey Closet'teers,

We are back this week with another live show and as always, a couple of "Topic Teasers" until then...

"Bigger is Better"

“On the evening of November 21st, 2010, online gaming scenes were suddenly shown on the sky screen of The Place, which's located in Beijing and themed by "Everyone in Beijing Looks up". At 8:40 p.m. on that day, a man drove his car under Asia's currently largest LED screen that's placed above The Place in Beijing, opened his notebook PC with an access to the wireless network, and played the online game lying in a prepared lounging chair.” - MMOsite

"Game Addictions"

"Panorama reporter Raphael Rowe meets a mother who cut off her internet connection at home because she was worried about the amount of time her 19-year-old son was spending playing computer games." - BBC News (hit link for Video)

AC/DC our Artist Spotlight: Bon Scott or Brian Johnson
"AC/DC’s Brian Johnson joined the Greg Billings Band last month at the Irish Rover Pub in Sarasota, Florida to perform a few AC/DC classics." - hennemusic

Cancelled Show on Friday 12-3-2010

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 2 Dec 2010 15:21:00 -0600

There will not be an Art's Closet, Friday 12-3 on Blade Radio due to work related interference.

Image via Wikipedia

Depending on the extent of this interference, all live shows may need to be adjusted for more of a work convenient flexibility.

..huh?

Work hours are changing and live shows may need to change as well, stay tuned for more info as we get it.

Art's Closet Episode 10

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 2 Dec 2010 02:01:00 -0600

Episode 10 aired live Dec 1st, 2010 on GNET Radio

Hello Closet'teers,

It was good to be back on air. Tonight we covered our normal chatter, weather, how fast this year is ending and we had a special surprise guest from my brother Steve.

...and the following.

Merchandising in and out of our games.

Giving in game gifts during the holiday season and the gift giving from our favorite MMO's

Pirates of the Burning Sea goes Free to Play and what I saw in game as improvements.

Holiday Gifts - What not to get for your gamer this season, unless they collect Game Memorabilia.

Matrix Online Game Card

Tabula Rasa

Nerd Blurb - U.S. Air Force Creates Powerful Supercomputer Out Of PS3s

Anticipated games for the new year - Rift and DC Universe Online

Gods and Heroes - Update

Chris “Binky” Launius is with Heatwave Interactive, working again on this project.

Gods and Heroes Dev Chat

Todd Bailey - Senior Content Designer

Phil Tittle – Producer

Tim - Lead Designer

Theta - Marketing

Donna Prior – Community Manager

“Is it Raining or Snowing in your MMO?”

Weather in MMO's

“There was no point in doing a weather system without also creating something cool related to weather.”

We discussed if weather is needed and how we would like to see weather mean something.

MUSIC TOPICS

“Mondegreen, Say What?”

a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung <“very close veins” is a mondegreen for “varicose veins”>

Wiki

“You hide, but don’t get high...?” .....Bob Dylan says to the Beatles?

“Revved up but not wrapped up”

“Where is the bathroom?”

15. Did I mishear the lyrics of "Bad Moon Rising"? "Bathroom on the
right?" I wasn't drunk.

People usually misheard the chorus "there's a bad moon on the rise"
as "there's a bathroom on the right". Today, Fogerty makes fun of it
and purposely slips the "wrong" lyrics into the end of the song.

“'Scuse me while I kiss..who?”

Happy birthday Jimi Hendrix 11-27-1942

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/spotlight-1127-2010/

God's and Heroes:Rome Rising another revived IP

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Wed, 1 Dec 2010 15:47:00 -0600

Hey Closet'teers,

Remember the game Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising? A game originally developed by Perpetual Entertainment? Yes, yes the same company that started to develop Star Trek Online, put Gods and Heroes on hold and then went bust. It's like an artist painting an emotionally beautiful landscape never to be seen or an author spinning tales that could capture your heart and soul but is never read.

Well in case you have not heard, Heatwave Interactive, a game development studio and online publisher located in Austin, Texas has obtained the rights to develop and release the property earlier this year.

I spent some time in the early beta under Perpetual and was excited where they were heading. My first impressions of the combat dynamics were 3 letters “OMG”. At the time of development, combat in our MMO verse was anti-climatic. We had decent enough combat animations which ranged from a particle flash to limited physics, the head bob, you know....Newtons Law or laws (To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction) there are actually three laws but I digress, this isn’t a physics lesson. Gods and Heroes had taken this to the next level for MMO's.

I had always thought that combat animations should be similar to the days of Tekken or Street Fighter, more excitement for the encounter. For me Gods and Heroes somewhat delivered that adrenaline rush.

See below for an early development example, courtesy of IGN

More Gods %26 Heroes: Rome Rising Videos

I realize there is more to any MMO than just combat animation or physics but I hope that Heatwave is adding and not subtracting as they continue to work on this property. I had the opportunity to participate in the “Gods and Heroes Dev Chats”

...below is the result

I will most definitely be keeping an eye on this as well as trying to participate in the Beta. Plus I will be covering this on Wednesday nights Show on GNET as well as my Friday show with Blade Radio

Art's Closet on Blade Radio aired live Nov 19th 2010

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:21:00 -0600

Art's Closet on Blade Radio aired live Nov 19th 2010

-Emily Diehl-

ArenaNet's Community and Content Manager Emily Diehl is leaving ArenaNet to go to Undead Labs. (Undead Labs, the studio founded by a few ex-ArenaNet employees,)

She started at the studio in 2006 as a member of the systems design team.

Since I’ve worked closely with many of you on this site, I wanted to let you know that my last day at ArenaNet will be this Friday, November 19. Starting next week, I’ll be heading over to join my friends at Undead Labs, working on their unnamed zombie game.

For folks that know me, it’s no secret how much I love horror stuff. The first movie I ever remember seeing was Night of the Living Dead (when I was four), and I’ve been obsessed with horror ever since. I love Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 with a passion, but in this case, having the privilege to work on a zombie title is fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Feedback_talk:Emily_Diehl

-Isaiah Cartwright “Izzy”-

Izzy is Game Designer on GW2 but was already part of the team on the first episode. Yeah, remember. He was the one who got most of the players raging about class balancing in GW.

This idea applied to GW2 translates as follow:

Visually intense fights

Skills able to fulfill several functions

http://gw2.mondespersistants.com/?article=171&page_art=2

-Hearts of the North-

Hearts of the North is the next installment of Guild Wars Beyond, an ongoing campaign that expands upon the Guild Wars storyline and lays the foundation for the upcoming Guild Wars 2.
It began yesterday! Hearts of the North, the next phase in Guild Wars Beyond, tells the story of the union of Gwen and Keiran Thackeray. You'll reunite these legendary heroes and help prepare for their wedding through a series of all-new quests and missions. You can even dress for the occasion in one of our elegant new wedding costumes!
http://www.guildwars.com/heartsofthenorth/

-ZAM-

ZAM is proud to announce the launch of our new Guild Wars 2 community site! Check it out for forums, news, information and more!

http://www.guildfans.com/story.html?story=24060

My name is Jeahr, though some older members of the Guild Wars community may also know me as JR. I've been involved with the fansite business for many years, and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to work with ZAM on opening this site. Guild Wars 2 is a game I'm incredibly excited for, and we're hoping to provide the best experience for every community member here.

-Star Trek Online News-

Enterprise Bundle in the C-Store

Buy all four Enterprise-themed extras and save 20 percent! This pack includes theFederation NX Class Starship Replica, Federation Costume Pack: Enterprise, Federation Costume Pack: Enterprise Mirror Uniforms - Circa 2160, and the Federation Costume Pack: T'Pol.

Season Three: The Genesis Info

http://www.startrekonline.com/season_three

-Turbine Point Cards-

Turbine Point Cards are prepaid cards that you can purchase at your local Target, Best Buy or GameStop retailers. WHAT?? WAIT PAID GAME CARDS FOR FTP??

Get your cards at GameStop, Best Buy or Target today and receive FREE Turbine Points with every purchase. The $10 card gives you 120 FREE points, for a total of 750 Turbine Points. The $25 card gives you 450 FREE points, for a total of 2,000 Turbine Points. These offers are valid only while supplies last at participating GameStop, Best Buy and Target retailers, so don't wait!

http://www.lotro.com/news/latestnews/893-turbine-point-card

-All Points Bulletin, The Second Coming.-

Earlier this year Realtime Worlds fell apart and the game “All Points Bulletin” became another Game casualty.

...and then there was light...

APB picked up by GamersFirst

“APB: Reloaded” and reloaded as Free-to-play

76 days and in the toilet...and back out.

-Virtual Real Estate-

Last year, an investor named Erik Novak broke the record for the largest single expenditure in a virtual world, paying $330,000 for a space station in Project Entropia, an online science fiction world where the economy for laser rifles and body armor ultimately comes down to U.S. dollars. But now a group of investors has set a new record, operating in the same game, paying $635,000 for Entropia mogul Jon Jacobs' "Club Neverdie." More than half of that, $335,000, came from a single investor.

The club's previous owner was earning $200,000 a year by taxing every virtual transaction that occurs within the confines of the game space. Panasjuk and the other investors hope to be able to start turning a profit with similar numbers.

http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/entropia-universe-housing-bubble-man-pays-335000-for-a-virtual-property/19724395

-Die2Nite- Game review English-language beta of free to play zombie apocalypse survival game

« A little after midnight, a deathly silence fell all around you, as if all life had suddenly come to a halt. The night was icy cold... Then you saw them, dozens of them... hundreds even, meandering towards you... Their hands grasp you, grab you, pull and claw at you... Then they drag you with them throughout the night, to be devoured in the small hours. »

Yes...Dead, dead and eaten ...

BETA

A Real-time multiplayer browser game – It's the kind where you log in throughout the day to check your status and perform actions – Reminds me of Zynga games, Facebook games.

Originally a French game that was praised by said press.

I spent hours searching for salvage out in the desert, and when I finally came back I came back empty handed and the gate was closed.

..yep and in order to get in ..you have to frantically post on your communities forum to get in.

You get dropped into a village with a randomized name with several other players from your time zone, and the goal is to survive. Every night the village gets assaulted by zombies, and every day you head out into the desert to scavenge for items. Items them to build anything from walls to guard towers to workshops.

Your village has a wall around it and can only be entered through a main gate, which in turn can only be opened or closed from the inside. If somebody closes the gate too early, the stragglers have no choice but to leave a frenzied posts on your town’s forum to try and save themselves from becoming a late-night snack. If nobody remembers to close the gate, Your town ends up a drive thru.

You can die. The whole town can die.

This is why the size of the player base is so perfect. When there’s only 40 of you, you’re all important. For one thing, new players aren’t added after your village is created, and for another thing any dead players become more zombies. Also, in a group that small it’s easy for anybody to rise up and become leaders by giving advice and issuing orders on your town’s messageboard, and anyone trying to be a lone wolf and look after themselves (taking items from the town’s supply dump, say, or stealing) will not only make a noticeable impact, but it’s a relatively easy process to turn enough of the town against them to get them banished, or even hung.

COLONY OF NIGHTS WITHOUT END (2)

No news from our 7 courageous citizens who ventured into the World Beyond yesterday. If in doubt, pillage their house...

It should be noted that last night, some citizens report having seen EvilG opening the gates just before the attack. There are also some who say that it wasn't entirely accidental... Result: 7 deaths.

- The Crow

“What am I playing”

Priston Tale II the 2^nd Enigma

Unreal Engine

April 12 2010 Game Bridger unveiled today the name of its new free-to-play games portal, GamerKraft

RIDING A DAMN RABBIT

Guild/Clan/Squad/Fleet

a group of people joined for a common interest.

WHY?

“It's Work”

Solo was difficult then – Joining meant survival

Social benefits- “Honey I'm Home” - “Guys at the Pub” “the Hang out”

Beat the curve, Learning curve – In game help?

Leadership Appreciation Weekend

SOLO player in an MMO

“We are different, you and I”

What makes you different in your MMO?

Or, what makes you consistent...Class, Race, weapons.

Theif, hunter, sniper, rogue or that guy with the big gun

Art's Closet on Blade Radio aired live Nov 12th 2010

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 03:37:00 -0600

Art's Closet aired live Nov 12^th 2010 on Blade Radio.

Besides the weekly segments, the rambling touched on the following...

Guild Wars Artist using a dead animal for texture.

Champions Online going Free to Play

“I call him fluffy” - In game pets

“Character Creation” - Creating the role-play you

“Multiple Massive Multiplayer Online Games” - How many is to many?

.....sorry about the lack of show notes, apparently they were digested.

Happy Holiday and News

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:08:00 -0600

Hello Closet'teers...

Due to the Holiday, We will not have a live show or a Podcast for this week but will return in pure Wardrobe fashion the following week.

We have been busy in our 4X4 world, and I want to take this opportunity to share the news. Along with a live show and recorded Podcast with our friends at GNET Radio, we have added more Closet time with another project.

Over the last few weeks Art's Closet has also been found at Blade Radio. Blade Radio has been the Internet Radio Station for Guild Wars over the last several years and are beginning to branch out into other games. Currently, Blade Radio has entered into Star Trek Online and of course will be catering to Guild Wars 2 upon release.

At Blade Radio, our format is just little different. We host a three hour show with weekly segments: Every Friday at 12pCST

“Gaming News” - Commentary on random news topics from the gaming world.

“It's a Gamers Life” - A lighthearted look at the life of Gamers, in and out of the game.

“Twin Journey's” - 2 Halfling brothers who just don't know what game they’re in (Halfling Skits)

“Closet Mail Bag” - Listener e-mail

“Closet Rock Block” - This segment varies from playing music to talking about it.

The management at Blade Radio are working on an area to host “Art's Closet” with a Blog and per-recorded shows. When everything is finalized all links will be found here.

This Blog will continue as well our relationship with GNET Radio, we are just branching out.

I want to wish everyone a happy holiday filled with good times, good food and family fellowship.

Happy Holiday from Art's Closet.

It's all about the ride....

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 02:19:00 -0600

I am a gamer. I game, that is my mission in life. To boldly go where no armor clad male has gone before....riding a Rabbit.

Game Bridger announced earlier this year it's new "free to play" game portal Gamekraft, a global gaming platform where gamers can download and play free online games.

Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma by YD Online, a Korean based game publisher and developer, was their flagship "Free To Play" title. This was highly anticipated by their fan base and has done very well among the critics and Blog-a-sphere. Of course I like free so off I went.

This really isn't a review, more like an observation. The anime, soft child like features that seem to be the recognized graphic trademark, are always expected. The acceptance of non-gender specific roles, where a certain class is only male or female. This of course is something that gamers have grown past over the years. Nobody really cares if you play a male or a female toon anymore. All of these are expected traits....but the bunny was a new one for me.

Right after character creation you have available, in your inventory, armor, weapons, health potions and a mount. Don't see many games giving you a mount within the first few seconds of entering the new world, even if it does have a fluffy tale. It was a Sick Rabbit.

I saw what was described as the "mount" icon in my inventory and it said "Sick Rabbit". Of course I never read on how to play a game, controls, the guides, until after I have died, got lost, or ride a bunny. Actually I still haven't read any of the instructions to this game yet. I know..I deserve all the hurdles I go through.

When I materialized my Mount to ride off into adventure, I had this voice in the back of my head yell "HEY ROCKY, WATCH ME PULL A RABBIT OUT OF MY HAT!" Rocky and Bullwinkle fans will appreciate that, others will wonder who the hell Rocky and Bullwinkle are.

As I squeaked and hopped around the courtyard staring between floppy ears to navigate, I just couldn't feel tough enough. I can play a female toon, but I just can't ride a rabbit. I guess after a few more years of MMO gaming it won't be what you ride, but how you ride it.

Art's Closet Episode 9

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:25:00 -0600

Art's Closet aired live on GNET Radio 11/17/2010

Hello Closet'teers,

Tonight we talked about dieing on air, Deadly Kool-aid and it's shelf life. Fast Food and the McDonald’s Happy Meal that wouldn’t die, and of course cold weather, yep it's beginning.

..of course the following topics...

Gaming topics of the week.

All Points Bulletin, The Second Coming.

Earlier this year Realtime Worlds fell apart and the game “All Points Bulletin” became another Game casualty.

...and then there was light...

APB picked up by GamersFirst

“APB: Reloaded” and reloaded as Free-to-play

Gaming Documentary by Ben Gonyo

Get the DVD of Gamers, a documentary film that explores filmmaker Ben Gonyo's two-year journey into the subculture of MMO games like World of Warcraft. Great for players and anyone wanting to understand the lure of the virtual universe.

Celebrity interviews include Red Sox great Curt Schilling, Best-Selling author RA Salvatore and comedian Jay Mohr. Game developer interviews with Jeff Kaplan of Blizzard, as well as Gamersfirst, 38 Studios, Cryptic and more.

http://gamersfilm.com/homepage

Role-playing and Gaming

“Playing the Role that you Role play so well”

the acting out or performance of a particular role, either consciously (as a technique in psychotherapy or training) or unconsciously, in accordance with the perceived expectations of society as regards a person's behavior in a particular context

participation in a role-playing game

Oxford Dictionary

When you are at the Character Creation Screen, are you role-playing?
In your fav First Person Shooter, are you role-playing?
Some role-players build a back story on their character and write it into the game story line.

Music/Song/Artist Spotlight of the week.

Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982)

Classical Music, Artistic freedom and a legend is born

Randy Rhoads

Getting a spot with the Ozzman, 2 albums and 3 years later it all comes to an end.

At the age of 14 Rhoads formed a cover band called Violet Fox (after his mother's middle name, Violet), with his older brother Kelle on drums.
Violet Fox staged several performances in the "Grand Salon" at Musonia, Delores Rhoads's music school.

After the dissolution of Violet Fox, Rhoads taught his best friend Kelly Garni how to play bass, and together they formed a band called The Whore (rehearsing during the day at Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco, a famous '70s Hollywood nightspot), spending several months playing at backyard parties around Los Angeles. Together the pair went on to form Quiet Riot when Rhoads was 16.

In 1979, ex-Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne was forming a new band...

Randy Rhoads departed for the UK to write and record with Osbourne in November 1979.

The band, then known as The Blizzard of Ozz headed into the studio to record the band's debut album, which would also be called Blizzard of Ozz. Rhoads's guitar playing had changed due to the level of freedom allowed by Ozzy and Bob Daisley and he was encouraged to play what he wanted. His work with Quiet Riot has been criticized as being "dull" and did not rely on classical scales or arrangements.

Mr. Crowley Live EP (1980)
Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
Diary of a Madman (1981)

As always, a little Music Teaser for this weeks Show

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:32:00 -0600

The Metal Den has obtained the holy grail for Randy Rhoads fans: NEVER BEFORE SEEN LIVE FOOTAGE!

Busted Podcast

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:41:00 -0600

Apologies for the lack of a Podcast this week.

Unfortunately there were audio problems in recording and the quality was in the toilet.
We are working to correct this before next weeks Podcast.

Music Teaser for this weeks show..

djartagus@gmail.com (Russ Kern) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:08:00 -0600

Hey Closet'teers,

Jeff Healey is our Artist Spotlight for this week.

Norman Jeffrey Healey or commonly known from the Jeff Healey Band, so I thought I would share just how amazing Jeff was....

Give a listen and look how amazing he was...

Art's Closet

The Discipline of Gaming

I Was There...

A Perfect game is like the perfect pie, and I like pie.

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'tis the Season to be busy

Show Cancellations...

Art's Closet Teaser for 12-8-10

Cancelled Show on Friday 12-3-2010

Art's Closet Episode 10

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-ZAM-

ZAM is proud to announce the launch of our new Guild Wars 2 community site! Check it out for forums, news, information and more!

-Die2Nite- Game review English-language beta of free to play zombie apocalypse survival game

COLONY OF NIGHTS WITHOUT END (2)

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As always, a little Music Teaser for this weeks Show

Busted Podcast

Music Teaser for this weeks show..