Every once in a while, I still poke my head in here to inform the public about what I feel to be worthwhile gaming news or experiences, especially those from indie developers who could use the exposure. Today's recommendation is Backpack Hero, a turn-based roguelike (as in, repeatable randomly generated playthrough) inventory management game. It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for after a hard semester. If, like me, you like the idea of synergistic item play in other more frenetic games like Binding of Isaac but you like a more methodical, think-it-out approach instead of relying upon your reflexes (and a 360 controller with advanced drift problems) then this might be right up your alley. Five different characters, each with a truly different playstyle, a story mode where you rebuild a town and take on various challenges (or straight up quickplay to hop into things) and a mind-boggling 800 or so items to discover along the way. With each level you'll increase the size of your backpack in ways that you choose and after each fight and special room, you'll choose what items to stock it with, where, and in which directions.

It's probably the best $20 I've dropped on a game in a long time. And I say that after spending more than 70 hours playing and seeing the very worst and most unfair of what it has to offer:

It's available on Steam and GOG, although there appears to be some question about whether or not the GOG version is up-to-date with Steam, and Steam offers the Workshop with many user-made enhancements. On the other hand, if you're in a similar boat as myself, you might have other reasons to consider GOG:

PAX Swag on eBay

What do you get for that gamer in your life that has everything? Or for yourself when you have considerably less? Well, I have at least a possible suggestion. Have you considered a box of PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) swag?

As of a few minutes ago, I now have four auctions up, one for each year in which my wife and I attended (2009 - 2012). What you get is essentially at least one of everything that we picked up at the con, from lanyards, badges and hotel room keys to stickers, cards and, in each year, much more impressive items. Patches, metal cars, resin statuettes, tie bars, magnet sets, The One Ring and much more can be yours for a quite reasonable price. Take a time machine back to the height of the Seventh Generation of video gaming and relive those glory days -- or just add a little more completeness to your memorabilia collection.

If this sounds intriguing -- and let's be honest, of course it does -- why not hop on over to eBay and find out what's up? All the goods are authentic and have been well cared for, and you know I mean it when I say it. Plus, you get that warm feeling in helping me to acquire money to do things like <checks notes> go to school and better myself! Here are the links to each of the listings:

PAX 2009 swag box

PAX 2010 swag box

PAX 2011 swag box

PAX 2012 swag box

And, if you're not so much into video game merch but you read this far anyway, have you considered fabricating a career in banking? Who hasn't? I've got your back. I'm also auctioning off 15 years worth of pins and years-of-service cubes from my time at Wells Fargo. Everything you need to feel like you spent a decade and a half moldering away in a cubicle, except for the wrinkles and gray hair. Check it out!

Wells Fargo Employee Memorabilia collection

Unity pricing change.

Unity Technologies, maker of the game development engine Unity, announced today that they will be changing the pricing structure for the engine in the near future. Among the other changes involved, developers using the Unity engine will be charged for their use of the engine on a per-install basis, with uninstalls and reinstalls from the same user counting as multiple installs.

If I had the time I could spend an hour telling you why this is, economically, a ridiculous decision given the nature of game distribution. However, suffice to say this means that game demos, bundles, free copies, and games on subscription services are all dangerous to developers using Unity, as they could result in installations that cause them financial harm while potentially not bringing in enough (or any) money to compensate for that.

You can't really do anything about those as players, but another impact you'll want to consider is that DRM free games are also dangerous to developers; any game which can be passed around for free and installed on multiple systems could be a financial drain. This means there is the potential for games on GOG (which features no DRM) to be removed from the system, or patched. I am, as always, a large proponent of DRM-free games since circa 1987, so I feel this is relevant information to pass along here.

The list of Unity games on GOG is potentially large. A lack of interface-able data prevents me from putting together anything comprehensive, but I know it includes titles like Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Legend of Heroes, Layers of Fear, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Children of Morta, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and other popular titles. If you have some favorite games on GOG and are concerned about any impacts, I recommend checking to see if they run under Unity and downloading an executable now as a DRM-free backup in case any complications occur in the future.

For a while now I've been auctioning off my video games, soundtracks, even an anime shirt or three. I'll be moving soon to include practically anything else in our basement, and that includes our PAX swag.

We attended PAX [Prime] for four years (2009-2012) before ultimately deciding that, for a variety of reasons, the experience was no longer working for us. However, during each of those years, we scoured the convention floor, played games and collected all manner of free (at least monetarily free) stuff. At the end of each PAX, our booty would be carefully boxed for storage. [Pictured above: the PAX 2010 collection]

Now the results can be yours. If you're into unusual and rare video game memorabilia, or just the time capsule of where popular domestic gaming was, this is for you. And there are indeed some interesting items. Fake moustache from Bionic Commando: Rearmed? Yup. One Ring on a Chain from Lord of the Rings Online? Check. Lenticular art card for Katamari Forever? Sure. There are also some ultra-rare items, such as the die-cast metal GM-authorized toy cars from the XBox Live Arcade game Scrap Metal, and the complete set of three Firefall miniature figures (but you will not get my shot glass!)

All of this should be coming to my eBay listings sometime over the next week or so. For those interested, good luck and happy bidding!

Unnamed tropical drink I got at my wife's office holiday party! Coconut rum, triple sec, grenadine, pineapple juice, apple juice. It's like the bartender pushed the random button in her cocktail generator.

EDIT: Whoops, posted to the wrong account. Sorry!

SuperGiant Games has announced Hades II, and I couldn't be more excited. The first game was my choice for game of the decade, and I sunk more hours into mastering it than pretty much any game in the modern era. The new game, while a full-fledged sequel, looks like an extension of the quality and stylings of the first game, which is good news.

Many questions remain about the main character, Melinoë (did they have to use the umlaut?), who is officially said to be Zagreus's sister. In theory, that means she is a daughter of Hades, and there is a family resemblance for sure. The Greek gods, especially the prime three, were known to be a fecund lot, so a dalliance by Hades is not exactly bizarre, but information about her mother (Nyx? Hecate? Circe?) and upbringing is something we'll have to play to discover. We know she is trained in witchcraft as well as combat, so there will definitely be a lot of new gameplay elements to explore.

It's set for Early Access in 2023, probably a full release in 2024, which is good, since I have neither the time nor a proper computer (nor even proper controller, with my XBox 360 suffering major drift issues now) to enjoy it, but two years to get there.

With the advent of December and the heart of winter, the holiday season is upon us. You may celebrate Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or even just a non-day-specific appreciation of surviving another year. Regardless of the occurrence, if you're a DM or GM deserving of a little extra appreciation, may I suggest you gift yourself the venerable Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (1st Edition) Dungeon Masters Guide.

This is, quite simply, my favorite RPG rulebook of all time, and if you have it in your collection, you probably know why. It's not for the rules -- those are antiquated, clunky, and absolutely brutal (as demonstrated by the sample of gameplay where one of the characters, in the party's first enemy encounter, is instantly devoured in a surprise attack by ghouls following one bad die roll).

What makes this book great, in my opinion, and deserving of a spot in every GM's collection, regardless of what system they actually run, is how it speaks to the experience of being a GM, not just in rules, but philosophy. Every section discussing various rule sets (and there are a ton of them) explains not only the numbers and processes but the rationale behind them. These explanations make much of the book surprisingly rules-agnostic and malleable for GMs skilled in their own games.

This is clearly a work of passion and, regardless of what anyone may think of Gygax and Arneson as game designers, their early work such as this is overflowing with creativity and style. While it is true that an editor could have been used to trim some extra fat here and there, this is perhaps the single most diverse gaming book I've ever possessed, with everything from the magical properties of gems and flowers, detailed (yet non-codified) discussion of physical and mental illnesses, and a lengthy explanations of medieval occupations which adventurers may hire. There are rules for creating magical items, a dice-rolling list for mixing potions together, extensive tables for the powers of mighty magic items, and an incredibly cool list of the ways to destroy artifacts (to this day, discussion remains about just what a "humble ant" is and how its foot could crush an ancient relic.) It is 230 pages of tiny-fonted information.

(It also, after 45 years, still provides the single best explanation of the concept of hit points in a role-playing game that I have ever seen, and one I refer back to when trying to get players to understand why their warrior might sustain 10 attacks with a longsword while the commoner on the street dies after one stab of the dagger.)

Despite its age, copies can still be found for $25-35 in many places, although prices are slowly starting to creep up after all these years. If you can't afford this (and believe me, I understand), scans of the book are also available online in a number of places. Though it's not the same tactile experience as flipping through the book, you can still absorb this old, sometimes off the wall wisdom. Treat yourself, you deserve it.

Ubisoft today announced the upcoming decommissioning of servers for 15 games, including Assasin's Creed 3, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Far Cry 3, Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands, and Anno 2070. The impact of this decommissioning varies from game to game, but at best it means the loss of all online features (including multiplayer) and at worst, it includes the loss of ability to play any downloadable content (DLC) for the game, including those you have previously purchased. Ghost Recon Future Soldier even forces you to set your console into offline mode in order to play the single player campaign.

Ubisoft is not the first company to enact these sorts of measures nor were they completely unforeseen once always-online DRM games started appearing. This is an unfortunately bitter reminder that if you purchase anything that requires an online connection to play -- from unavoidably online games like MMOs, to single-player games with online features like Diablo III, or single-player games that merely demand it like Hitman or SimCity, you are not purchasing anything but temporary access to something which will, inevitably vanish. This may be okay to you and, if so, more power to you. But for others, be informed customers, choose your purchases wisely, consider where you want to shop from and how much you're willing to pay for something that can be taken from you at will.

This is also a not-so-bitter reminder that there are thousands of computer and video games available which, once acquired, cannot be seized from you. The number of games varies depending on your tolerance for antequated graphics, sound and mechanics, and also your tolerance for morally-grey actions like downloading copyrighted games which have been completely abandoned by owners who may no longer exist. Quite a few can be purchased at sites like GOG which specialize in games without digital rights management. The list includes every console released before 2005 and most computer (PC, C-64, Apple II, etc.) games released before 2000. Many of these games I have written about on this very blog in years long past, others can be read about elsewhere. This is a great opportunity to increase your gaming experiences for anything from a pittance of your money, to just a little of your time.

With today's news that Microsoft has acquired Activision in one of the biggest mergers of all time (the biggest in video games ever, larger than then MCI acquired Worldcom, and nearly as large as when Disney acquired Fox) there is understandable concern about the future of gaming. I have seen many comments about how disturbing this development is. The merger cements what many already felt: the ongoing transition of this medium from what it started out as -- a fragmented, individualized industry into one of mega corporations that centralize the power of our hobby into the hands of the few. This was, by most accounts, inevitable as it has been in most economic institutions. A lot of people aren't fond of this, for a lot of very valid reasons. [I have mixed feelings myself; while I despise seeing Microsoft turn into the next Disney as much as anyone else, culturally Activision is a smoldering heap that needs to be razed to the ground and rebuilt, and hopefully this leads to that.]

But there's good news. In spite of all this, if you are a gamer interested in the experience of gaming and you are not bolted to the ball-and-chain of AAA (high-tier publshing house) games, then there has never been a better time to be gamer (especially in the realm of video games, but also for tabletop). Emulation makes it possible to play tens of thousands of older titles for free, at your leisure, without the issues of access and control (and, oh yes, microtransactions) that plague modern titles. Every system, from the now-ancient Atari 2600 through PCs of the 80s, the arcade and cartridge-based consoles, has myriad great experiences that are only held back (if you see it as that) by the constraints of graphics, sound and memory. Over long-past years I discussed many of these games on this very blog.

If you wish to stay within the realm of the legitimate, we have been in the golden age of indie development. Games in the AA tier like Hades, Disco Elysium and Among Us have made waves by upsetting their higher-budget counterparts with quality gameplay and that intangible feel of "love" in them. Even the true indie titles can deliver. That darling of social media, Undertale, was made on a $50K budget with no big-studio support. And depending on one's tastes and definitions, there are hundreds to thousands of other examples available on storefronts and independent websites. It may feel like a modern day treasure hunt, but unlike so many tales from the days of pirates, the treasure really is out there, and everyone can claim it.

Game development may very well change going forward, just like movies and other media have changed into what they are today. But that does nothing to the games of the past and present available to us now. If this provides you the incentive you've needed to dive into this trove of history available to us, then take it. If you don't know where to start, there are innumerable lists online of the "best games on x console" where you can get going, or tutorials on how to emulate on your own computer (in most cases, it's far easier than you think). Good luck, and enjoy.

Hey there, it's been a while!

Last time we really checked in, I was in the process of selling off my video game soundtracks and game guides. The soundtracks got put on hold for a bit, although it is going to start up again very soon. I still have financial concerns to deal with. The good news is it's not cancer, the burning down of my house, an embezzlement lawsuit or anything else that would almost certainly permanently financially ruin me.

However, it is enough that after much careful thought, I've come to the decision to liquidate my physical video game collection. This is a process that will take quite some time. I have lots of discs and cartridges that have done nothing but gather space on shelves for years and, while I have fond memories of each of them (well, okay, not Stretch Panic), they are doing me no favors as collectibles, but can serve me one final purpose in keeping the ink of my bank account black and not red.

I will not be spamming this account with the items being placed up on eBay; I invite anyone interested to check periodically (once a week wouldn't be a bad idea since I run auctions for 10 days) to see the new things that have been put up there. I apologize that I cannot sell these things off for cheap to good, deserving homes -- I am aiming to get as much as I can for them. So, you may not find many steals of deals, but you can at least know that you're buying from a straight shooter who loves and respects his games. Each of these is a cherished treasure.

Here is a link to my eBay listings for anyone interested. In the next day, auctions for Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Gate of Thunder, Ys Books I & II (Turbo Duo), Ys III (Turbo Duo) and Final Fight (Sega CD) will be ending. In a couple hours from this post, more Sega CD and Saturn games will be going up including some big hitters like Mega Man 8, Panzer Dragoon Saga, and Shining Force CD. (Down the road, I have other prized possessions like Magic Knights Rayearth, Burning Rangers, Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Shining the Holy Ark and Sonic Jam, and that's just in Saturn games.) Good luck to all those who are interested, and thanks for your time.

Not that anyone is particularly concerned since my content slowed to a crawl years ago, but none of my Tumblr accounts will be moving to the new paid Post+ methodology. All of my previous posts, as well as any reviews, wallpapers or other things I present will be free here, and I recommend that others remain so as well.

While I've never charged for my content in any way and actively avoided selling any of my graphic work through other venues, I support the right of others to make a profit off of the value they bring to the internet through work (and it is work) -- heck, my own wife and best friend both do it for a living! But Tumblr, in my opinion, is not the venue in which to do it when other sites exist which were designed expressly for the purpose and do it much better. Patreon, for example, has their "Lite" tier of service which takes the same amount as Tumblr (5%) but offers a suite of tools with which you can offer your content, including flexible and customizable tiers, and communication systems directed at any or all of those tiers at your whim. Even if you don't have personal feelings on the monetization of the creative culture that has been formed here, then at the very least, don't let Tumblr rip you off by providing a sub-par system for the same price.

Initial thought: That's big talk coming from someone who can name the milestone events (with corresponding episodes) in the life of Sailor Mars off the top of her head.

Second thought: Yeah, and you married this. Love you too. ❤