Savage 2: A Tourtured Soul

Check it out. Savage 2 is a new way (well, its been out since '06, so not "new" anymore) to play online games. It combines RTS, FPS, and MMORPG factors in an interesting way to create a really fun experience- for free. S2 games announced it as freeware several years ago, and if you haven't checked it out, it's definitely worth a peek.

For most players, the game is played as an FPS/ Action RPG game. You choose a side (humans or beasts), and do your best to take out the enemy command center. Melee fighting is done in an over-the-shoulder view, and comprises of the main portion of the gameplay. You attack by clicking, block with middle mouse button, and charge/dodge with RMB. Pretty standard, except when blocking, you have a block bar that is knocked down with each hit, and can be broken with a strong attack. It's different, and takes some getting used to in order to get the most out of it, but you can circle strafe until you do.

Ranged weaponry plays like a pretty standard FPS, and is mainly used to snipe at enemies, and take down low-health ones. As the humans, you get medieval weapons (just as crossbows and longbows) as well as steampunk weaponry (such as "The Ravisher", a steam-powered chain gun). Beasts get magical attacks such as lightning.

Each team also has one player who is their commander. They see the game as an RTS, and with all the characters being the other players (with exception of a builder type NPC). The commander is in charge of building structures and gold mines, as well as giving orders to the players. I haven't had the chance to play as commander yet, but it seems like a challenging-but rewarding- job.

There are some issues in the game, though in my short time playing I haven't found many. But hey, for free, they can easily be overlooked.

There is also an option for a premium account, which is a $10 one-time payment, which gives you 2 extra inventory slots, access to player's lifetime stats, the ability to play as the special "Hellbourne" units an unlimited amount of times (free players can only spawn as them once per match), and the ability to watch a replay of every Savage 2 match ever played.

Oh, and if you run into MasterWaldo, you'll know it was me. Probably you'll have killed me- the game does have a bit of a learning curve. It's still a blast to play even if you aren't sure what you're doing though :)

MW

Untitled- A Post With No Title

Just feel the need to post, but didn't have anything specific to talk about. So I'll just kind of ramble on.
Been playing a lot of Hearts of Iron 2 lately. If you aren't familiar with it, its a WWII grand strategy game, where you are in charge of a nation (most of the nations of WWII are playable, and there's tons that can be spawned. For example, as the UK you can release and create India, Pakistan, create the "Eastern African Union" from a bunch of African territories, Scotland can be created if your people revolt, all sorts of things). Anyway, you're in charge of the nation's production, research, and to a slight degree, politics (and intelligence services in the Doomsday expansion). It's really fun, if you're into those type of games. If you don't like strategy games, this is not for you.

I've also become a really huge fan of the TV show Firefly, and am angry at FOX for canceling it. I mean, they didn't even let them finish the season! Oh well, I'm a few years too late to really complain. I've seen about 1/2 the season, been watching it on Hulu, and really want to get the series on DVD. I've also rented the movie Serenity, though I've been told it's not quite as good as the series. We'll see I guess.

I also just bought Railroad Tycoon 3. I played 2 all the time when I was younger, then it mysteriously went missing when we remodeled our house. I played the demo for 3 a while ago, and even though it's sort of a little kids game (not little little kids, but it really is more for pre 12-year olds) it's still great fun.

Well then, I'm going to finish this post and go have a brownie. Later.

MW

Muffin Man

This is a rare one for two reasons. First, it was a suggestion from a friend. Not this picture exactly, but the idea in general. It was also the only one I conferred with others with before it was finished. I usually work completely independent.

Second, this one (possibly) have a colored version going up soon. Normally I either doodle it on the computer, or sketch it out and leave it in black and white. This one I scanned in and am going to try adding some color to it. If it turns out fine, I may do it with other ones as well.

I might be putting up a different version of this at some time. It doesn't feel quite finished. But I wanted to get it up tonight.

Yes, it is a muffin cooking up a batch of people. And it is a little girl muffin and a baby muffin in the corner. And the little man is trying to climb out of the muffin tray. I really don't have a clue on this one.

This is (IMHO) one of my better sketches. I really like how it turned out, though it took a while to figure out the best way to put it on the paper. This was also drawn on regular printer paper, not the sketch paper I usually use. If I make an updated version, I'll be sure to upload it.

Now then, on to the digital version.

I <3 Companion Cube

Found some cool stuff for Portal, thought I'd share some of it.

From FanFiction.net, by encoder,

Once upon a level dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Once upon a level dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious puzzle of forgotten lore,
While I starved, nearly collapsing, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my level door.
'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, tapping at my level door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

Coster 3
From Limerick DB:

There once was a buggy AI
Who decided her subject should die.
When the plot was uncovered,
The subjected discovered
That sadly the cake was a lie.

Real Life Portal Gun
This one has got to be the coolest thing of them all. Not only did he create a real looking portal gun, he built it at his girlfriend's request. That's right. He has a girlfriend who enjoys video games to the point where she cosplays, and wanted to dress up as Chel from Portal. Lucky dude.










Well, that's my geekiness for today. Or maybe not. Never can tell with me.

Balloon

The next piece on the tour was slightly influenced by Don Hertzfeldt's Billy's Balloon (Don is the guy that wrote Rejected, if you're familiar at all with that.
My piece is a random drawing of several different characters that are just kinda standing there doing nothing. Doing more nothing than usual, since they're technically always doing nothing, as they are nothing more than 2D drawings on a piece of paper.

Anyway, here is Balloon.

Yea, I really don't know either. Just a bunch of random doodles, exploring some different looks at stuff, testing things out. Gotta love the scared little penguin down at the bottom. Little eyebrows flying up. Pretty sweet.

That's all for this one.