All content on site copyright © 2007 Caravel Games, All Rights Reserved.
|
Speedy Delivery - 08-03-2008
From the mouth of Patrick:
I'm going to make a pretty bold prediction right now: Within the next ten years, commercial physical media (as we know it) will no longer be available for purchase. No longer will we go to the nearest electronic store and browse the latest Blu-Ray movies that came out, nor will we have stacks of DVDs that our favorite games were bought on.
Instead, we'll be buying and downloading all our content from the safety of our home.
Until recently, physical media have always been the most efficient way of distributing data in the highest quality possible and in the most legal way possible. Thankfully, we've had two companies who have given birth to, in my opinion, the best thing that could happen for the technological age: Apple and Valve.
To quickly touch base on Apple, they introduced the iTunes Store in 2003, and just this year became the number one music retailer (Physical and downloadable) in the United States. Currently, they're rolling out downloadable movies, movie rentals, and television shows as well in various countries, and they're greatly picking up steam (which leads me to...)
In terms of PC gaming, the greatest thing in the past five years is the introduction of Steam. What Steam did for PC gaming was take the best things that console gamers had and add the benefits of what you can do with the PC platform. Things like friends, chat, instant friend game joining and, alas, a way to store and play games without the need for a physical medium. Gametap has created a similar service as well focusing more on independent and older games, and a new service based just on retro gameplay is launching within the next couple of months.
However, there are still a couple of hurdles that hide themselves. If you read the Steam contract for any game you buy, you'll see that if Steam goes down, then all of your legally purchased games are unplayable. As well, these gaming services tend to have poor offline modes that do at some point require online verification. Still, the day where electronic stores are filled simply with hardware and all software and multimedia is off the disc will be a very happy day in my mind.
And then maybe I'll be able to clear enough room off my desk to add a second monitor. Except for all the cool stuff I like to collect. Which brings me to...
DROD: The City Beneath Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set
The collector in me is pleased to announce that Caravel Games is finally taking pre-orders for the deluxe CD version of The City Beneath! This limited edition boxed set will be crammed with more features than you can imagine, including a physical poster map of Dugandy (helpful for those tourists who are looking for a nice vacation spot or maybe have a hankering for a roachburger), and other surprise bonus goodies on the CD.
For all those of you who've bought the downloadable version of DROD:TCB previously, you can get the boxed set for an easy $16 by emailing your previous order information to Mike at Caravel (miker [at] caravelgames [dot] com) and asking for a coupon code. Better hurry, only 200 copies are going to be available and a substantial portion have already been spoken for as of this moment!
http://www.caravelgames.com/buyTCB.html (Buy CD Link)
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22247 (Discussion)
Devilishly Dangerous Dungeons of Doom
Yes, it may have been over a year in the making, but the brand-new Smitemaster's Selection is out, authored by Roger Barnett, prominent forum figure Calamarain! This episode takes place shortly after the end of The City Beneath. In it, Beethro's out to tell people the secret he learned at Lowest Point, but something's blocking him from reaching the one person that could actually help him out. Let the raucous romp of alliterative allegory melt into your mind! Anyone with existing credits can grab the SS through the Purchase tab in their forum Profile, or they can pick up some extra credits via the link below.
Caravel is taking final pre-orders for this SmS on CD. If you have a CD credit in your Caravel user account, you'll get this issue sent to you as soon as it's printed. If not, and you want this new SmS on CD, then you'd better act fast and order one!
http://www.caravelgames.com/Articles/Games_2/SS.html
Ask almost anything about DROD RPG: Tendry's Tale
You may have heard through the grapevine that Caravel's releasing a new game in the not-too-distant future. You may have even heard that it stars a character other than Beethro. Heck, you may have even heard that it will be like a role-playing game as opposed to a straight puzzle game. But what if your main concern was the color of this new character's hair? This is the topic to ask all about it!
And no, we don't know the release date yet, but it will be soon!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22016
Winners Galore
Many puzzles were created in our June contest, but we could only have three winners. Techant took bronze with her DROD rendition of Sudoku (and personally, I'm a big fan of Sukodu thanks to long lunch hours), DanielFishman took second for a fun puzzle for watchdogs, and brian_s received First Place for his Laryngitis puzzle (please collect the item of your choice from the Prize Pile!). All of the puzzles were well crafted, and an excellent way to sharpen the ol' noggin!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21953 (Puzzles)
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22143 (Results)
DROD: Not-so-realtime RTS
In an effort to gain more market share, August's contest is all about simulating a strategy version of our favorite game. Participants are given a ten-roach army, and turns will be occurring three times a week. Sadly, it's too late to enter this contest, but that doesn't mean you can't observe the fun! This should certainly be an interesting contest to say the least!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22216
Topic Picks for July
Our good friend Robobob3000 has stepped up to the microphone to start reporting about the wonderful events that happen in the forum. I wanted to try and get him to go to QuakeCON, but it was apparently outside my budget.
Speedy Cheese
This poll doesn't just ask the burning question we've all been wondering about. It also represents an astonishing breakthrough in verbal efficiency: Cheese good? Take care when participating - there is such a thing as a wrong answer in this poll.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22235
Guess the Screenshot
This little forum game has been burning up the board for approximately 82 pages now and shows no sign of stopping any time soon. I mean, look at it! That topic icon is literally on fire! Come take a look and marvel at how ugly games used to be. Show off some of your own obscure favorites!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=10851
Hawks: Also Known for Their Speed
The_Red_Hawk, best known for his colossal Deep Hold, has returned to our corner of the internet from the searing brightness of the outside world to give us Lightning, a short hold based around (wait for it...) speed potions! Let's help an old forum vet out with some testing, what do you say?
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22186
Flash! (Not to be confused with The Flash, of course)
How do you attract the masses to harsh puzzle hacking and slashing? Simple! Flash-based gameplay! If you've got a knack for the ol' ActionScript, give this community project a look over. Be forewarned: A DROD-themed gem-swapper is entirely unacceptable.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=22196
Barleytown, Dungeon Master, Secret Santa Compilation, Outposts, Album 2, An Eye View, Castle Steele
These are all the holds that have been released in the past month. Be sure to give them a shot, as a couple of them were made by experienced architects!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/holds.php
Have a great month everyone!
-Patrick
Achievements are a Crutch - 07-09-2008
Hello everyone! The name's Patrick Fisher (pay no attention to the mrimer icon behind the curtain), and I'm the guy temporarily responsible for Caravel Games' monthly newsletter in order to alleviate some of Mike's workload. For those of you who don't know me, I'm known as "gamer_extreme_101" on the forums. I've been around since early 2004, and have been responsible for such things as the hold "Delver's Demise", the redesign of the Drod.net website, and pretty much any support request since March.
When the Orange Box came out for the PC last year, I was initially in love with the concept of achievements. Maybe it's the little bit of OCD in my personality, or maybe it's the ability to be able to show off online that you beat a gigantic robot up a hill, it just gives you reason to throw a little extra effort into a game. And believe me, if you can squeeze an extra hour or two into a game, it's usually worth it (as most games nowadays are too short to begin with).
But as time went on, and additional updates brought new achievements, I started to see the downside to the whole achievement phenomenon. Achievements are a cheap way to tack on extra time and extra content to a game that clearly cannot be expanded onto any other way. Yes, killing every single creature in a game with a broken chair leg might be entertaining for the first fifteen minutes, but after an hour you'd be ready to gnaw your arm off!
This is what makes DROD such a wonderful game. We don't need achievements to lengthen the game or enhance the gameplay in any form. We have over 320 additional level sets, and the amount of rooms that can be constructed in the engine are almost infinite. Who needs achievements when you can spend a lifetime creating and playtesting the various additional levels that can be made in the editor.
But achievements aren't always bad. This whole newsletter is intended to show appreciation to all the people in our community who go out of their way to make the extra difference. So, I bring you the following achievements that should be handed out this month.
Achievement: Be the new Voice of Beethro
By his excellent audition, unanimously acclaimed by forum-goers who responded, our dynamic Snacko has been chosen to be the new voice of Beethro Budkin, fifth generation smitemaster. You'll hear him in the upcoming Smitemaster's Selection by Calamarain called "Devilishly Dangerous Dungeons of Doom".
Achievement: Start beta testing of DROD RPG: Tendry's Tale
Yes, that's right. Mike and the rest of the Caravel team put the final smack-down on level design, voice recording, selected some beta testers and started slashing all those bugs hiding inside the game's code. Are you one of them? Well, you would would most certainly know if you were? Odds are high you may not need to wait that long, as at the time of posting, we're sitting at 94.5% completion. (Have you heard the song yet?)
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21722
Achievement: Publish a hold without ripping your hair out
In June, we had four holds released: Door Master, Desert Plateau, 39th Guard -1- Silent Cliff, and Floor 33. Right now, three out of four of those holds are rated over 8.4, so give them a look!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/holds.php
Achievement: Bite and claw your way to a contest victory
I kid, really, but the voting for June's contest, Frankenstein's Wanderer, ended today. Of the six entries that were submitted, Rheb's entry took the gold! He was followed up closely by mxvladi and VIPCOOL, respectively. Congratulations to the three of you! As well, congrats to techant, hyperme, and eb0ny for submitting entries. At the very least, they're adding on to their eight-timer prize!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21867
July's contest, Puzzles Galore, has been released, and it's about showing off your own cool puzzle. Read about it here:
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21952
Jatopian's Topic Picks
Once again, our brave forum reporter spent day and night, braving the elements, scouring the forum for the best topics worthy of this newsletter.
Cartographical Theory
A discussion with fine points and examples of fantastical and strange map-making.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21811
Philosophical Smokescreens
We answer the unanswerable.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21346
Snake Tangle
A simple puzzle for your enjoyment.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21504
Subforum report: Quest for Yrolg
Crystal Shard releases its novel new adventure game, in which you play the force of evil attempting to bring the adventurers to their demise.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21891
Thanks, Jatopian!
And on that note, have a wonderful July! Enjoy the warm weather by installing DROD onto your laptop and playing it on your patio in the blissful summer heat. If you're in the southern hemisphere, come on up and join us!
-Patrick
And now, without further ado... - 06-07-2008
Without further ado -- or without any ado, really, for those with a pedantic streak (but, seriously, who likes the aforementioned "ado", anyway?!) -- I bring you the latest and greatest news for Caravel Games and the Forum:
TCB Trailer
A TCB trailer video has been released for DROD: The City Beneath. It's excellent, if I do say so myself. A big thanks to forum member slimm tom for helping with the video recording. You may view it from the Caravel Games TCB page here:
http://www.caravelgames.com/Articles/Games_2/TCB.html
JtRH is in 3.2
Danforth Strout, in the constant pursuit of bringing greater value to the DROD fanbase, made the following promotional announcement this month:
The official DROD:Journey to Rooted Hold hold has been updated to work in the 3.2 game engine. Registered JtRH owners logged into CaravelNet may now download JtRH into their DROD:TCB installation from the game's Hold Management Screen. That is, you must be using the 3.2 game engine or newer and have registered your copy of DROD:JtRH to your CaravelNet user account for this option to be available.
As a bonus, purely stylistic changes have been made here and there in the hold to take advantage of the three new room styles featured in 3.0 and the new weather and lighting effects. (If you are using the TCB demo and not the full version, then the hold will appear in the default City style, as usual.)
The New Voice of Beethro Could Be You
Ever wanted to be the next James Bond? How about the next Batman? Well, maybe it's not quite the same, but now there's an opening for you to audition to be the next voice of Beethro Budkin, Smitemaster Extraordinare, in upcoming DROD games! See all the yummy details for a chance at stardom at
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21552
Upcoming Smitemaster's Selection
We are beginning voice recording for the next Smitemaster's Selection, "Devilishly Dangerous Dungeons of Doom", architected by forum member Calamarain. Expect to see it available soon on CaravelNet!
If you are interested in auditioning for other DROD voice roles in upcoming official titles in addition to Beethro Budkin, you may read about it at
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21551
Don't Ask Award
I'd like to extend Calamarian a Don't Ask Award for being an upstanding member of the community in so many ways, including excellent fan-art and being a leading figure in advancing general architectural quality on the forum. Calamarain, please choose a prize from the Prize Pile.
May Contest Results
A contest about running mini-contests! Lots of love went into these creative endeavors, which you may read about on the Contests board. As reported by NiroZ:
First prize goes to Noma. I think you deserved 1st place, given the level of care shown towards entrants, as well as the overall quality of the contest ("Puzzle Rally Race").
Second place goes to TripleM, who I felt was a very close runner up to Noma. He paid close attention to his entrants, and had a well thought out contest ("Rare / Common answers"). Unfortunately, he fell into the teacher paradox, where people only consider the time actually in front of them. Having run many a contest, I know how much work is often put into the background of these contests in order to make them run smoothly, and that data analysis was superb, and must of taken up quite a bit of time.
Third place by her own choice is Techant, who presented a well thought out, carefully executed contest ("Spin Me A Yarn").
May Holds
A slew of great new holds (without further ado) have come your way, as reported by NiroZ:
Candy for Gramps
Why you should be bringing your grandpa candy is beyond me. But I know that bringing the elderly exorbitant amounts of sugar isn’t the main reason you’re playing this hold. No, it’s the masochistic urge in all of us that drives us bald with insanity. As such, this is a nice, relatively short, hold which features an allotment of puzzles, the majority of which focus on the aumtlich. While it doesn’t feature a perfectly smooth difficulty curve, I found it rather rewarding as it gave you motivation to persevere onwards.
not dr0d 2: DROD Tower
Hate lynchpins? Loathe the hack and slash? Still haven’t been able to pass the Infohut? Then this hold is for you. Seamlessly implementing word puzzles into DROD, this hold does injustice to its description, perhaps indicating the perfectionism of the author which has paid off in spades. Oh, and check out the treasure room!
Symphony
Who thought that DROD could be a musical masterpiece? Admittedly, as someone pointed out, this isn’t a symphony in the strictest sense, with its loose definition of some of the musical terms, but hey, it’s the concept that counts.
Pathways of Witherwood
This is the final entry in the excellent Witherwood series, with voice-acted storyline running throughout and a post-mastery surprise.
89-th Slayer
A hold about 89th Slayer, with some puzzles and quests.
Imperial palace
55th Slayer is, purportedly, the best Slayer, but the Imperial council decided to trick him and give him the worst work of his life.
DROD Tester One
A series of tests of increasing difficulty.
Get all these brain goodies at
http://forum.caravelgames.com/holds.php
Now leave me alone while I go fetch some candy for Beethro's gramps.
Topic Picks
Thanks to Jatopian for compiling these:
Zen
This ongoing Architecture project ports the game engine of Zen Puzzle Garden into DROD, mixing in DROD elements for previously unseen puzzles.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=18872
The Quiet Game
...
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21116
Snacko Reviews Games
Every so often forum member Snacko makes an incredibly insightful post about a game he's played. We keep telling him to start a blog like other high-quality reviewers, but he seems to prefer our forum.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=17189
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21616
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21592
Wonderquest Website
Gustavo Duarte's complex stepping game now has its own website.
http://www.wonderquest.org/
Now, without further ado, this concludes the June Illumination.
I Own a Time Machine - 05-10-2008
I Own a Time Machine
The Caravel headquarters has many things stored in its basement. There are vaults housing all manner of documental archives, blueprints, and devices. One of these devices is a fickle time machine. This week, I was able to activate it and go back in time -- about two months, that is. However, there's a catch. I can't physically go back in time. My conscious mind is sent back, and while there, I am only able to perceive events that were somehow connected to the workings of Caravel itself.
This is what I saw...
Click here to view the secret text ×March Contest -- 29th Storage Manager discovered an absolutely humongous Adder had gotten into the Long Term Archives without anyone noticing and ate Artwork Cabinet 7. Fortunately, several forumites pitched in to speedily replace the lost works before anyone noticed.
An Empire Brass Medal For Artistic Excellence and a prize from the Prize Pile were awarded to Jutt for taking great risk to record " Birth of a Slayer" .
The Rooted Hold Wooden Trophy For Graphical Brilliance was awarded to eb0ny for complete, detailed plans of " King Dugan's Dungeon Original Level 13" .
And 1st Award Awarder's Pewter Goblet for Visual Genius was bestowed upon Techant for her rendering of " Castle in Poister" .
You may view the complete collection of archived creative genius here.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewsitepage.php?id=241733
April Contest -- The Bluffmeisters Guild convened last month to hone their bluffing skills. After several grueling rounds of trickery (or were they?), we settled upon the best bluffers.
In 1st place, Syntax, with Multilingual Traveller/Killer Bluff;
in 2nd place, VIPCOOL, with Monkey Mayhem/Splintered Hand;
and in 3rd place, coppro, with Out of Air/Lunch in Italy.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20767
New Holds
Wanting to play some decent holds, but don’t know where to start? Look no further - here are some recent holds to make it easy to decide what to play.
March
Kolby's Challenge
What happens when you get a bored smitemaster in search of a challenge? Why, “Kolby’s Challenge” of course. In this hold you take on the role of Kolby, smitemaster extraordinaire, who did something I’m surprised nobody has done sooner, which is to only draw your sword when you actually need it. I mean, it must be pretty damn tiring to wave around your sword all the time. Although it takes a little while to get used to this new dynamic, I’ve heard through the grapevine that it is well worth persevering through this great little hold, something that the introductory levels help you to figure out. But be warned if you do persevere, this hold leaves you wanting more!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20615
Dungeon of souls
This is mxvladi’s first hold, but definitely not his last, judging by the fact that he has already erected two more holds (see below). In this one, instead of being just a bloke with a sword, you’re a sharp-footed slayer, setting out to solve your bad day. This hold is not plain sailing by any means, but it is interesting enough to warrant an investigation. Check it out!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20511
Master of hook
Two puzzle levels, and a third level for hold masters.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21000
46-th Slayer adventure
More tricky puzzles.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21048
Artful Architecture
A collection of four puzzling levels by Jutt. Each level contains eight normal puzzle rooms and one secret. There's no storyline, but this should be perfect for all the puzzle fans out there, filled with masterful lynchpins and design layout.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20617
Museum Of Ooze
Can you help Beethro beat the MOO? In Larrymurk’s (recent winner of the Architect lifetime achievement award) latest hold, you’ll find a detailed study on tar, mud and gel as you admire spectacular reward displays (or so I hear) and post-master bonuses. This had been labelled as Larrymurk’s funnest hold yet, and not one of his hardest (thank goodness!). But then again, I shouldn’t have to be writing this – it's by Larrymurk! Go get it and tell me about the post master bonus. Please, I’m dying to know.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20479&page=0
April
Pandora’s Box
This is another hold where you don’t have to lug around a sword all day, but this time, it seems you’ve forgotten to carry your sword altogether. Instead, you must rely on luring monsters to their death, including manipulating slayers. I guess it goes to show that you don’t need a Really Big Sword ™ to solve all your problems. http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20860
Madness in the Spring
Lynchpin puzzles, feature quirks of TCB *and* a sense of humour combined into one hard hold? It’s madness I tell you! Or maybe it’s just Boyblue’s latest creation. Although it warns that you need a good proficiency with TCB elements before you embark on this adventure, it’s got plenty of people talking about it. http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20955
*Slayers End*
I really want to highlight this hold, as I’ve heard that this hold shows great promise for Neather2, who has been making rooms for a rather long time now. Unfortunately its just so hard I can’t write a proper blurb. Sorry!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21063
Unfinished Work
A collection of assorted puzzles by Hartleyhair. He had a collection of unfinished holds, so decided to combine them into one hold and release it!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20922
...As you can see, there are all kinds of things that happened in the past. It is safe to say that the past is simply full of history. If this flood of information hasn't overwhelmed you, then it's high time to talk about the present:
Gone gold
DROD: The City Beneath version 3.2 is at last going to press. Everyone who participated in TCB development will get what's coming to 'em, and for people who already purchased the game, you'll soon have the option of ordering yourself a physical copy of the game on CD for reduced additional cost. There will be some unexpected little goodies in there too. For fans who already have TCB, you may get the 3.2 patch here.
May Contest – Mini Contests
For this month's contest, things are a little different. Instead of having one big contest, you get to make, and participate in, lots of little mini contests, with real rewards being offered for both. As of this post there is already a puzzle race, a debating contest, a storytelling competition, a contest based on sheep, a contest set to make impossible rooms among other architecture challenges plus more. Join the Fun!
Topic Picks
The Fourth Annual People's Choice Awards
The results are in! Come see what players judged excellent this year.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20470
The Infohut
Got questions? "Ask the Infohut."
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20391
Limericks
Read the amusing entries (and non-entries) to this unofficial contest.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20440
Gimmicks
A discussion of the role and types of innovation in gaming today.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20839
The Grind
A discussion about a common feature of RPGs - whether it is or can be good, whether it is necessary, and what exactly defines it. Of particular interest now that RPG holds are being published.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20317
Strange Songs
What's the weirdest song you've ever heard?
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20697
A Look into the Future...
And now it's time for Caravel to focus its lumbering might on upcoming titles. Puzzles for Frogs and Mice and DROD RPG have been completed, and story and artwork is getting done. The newest just-for-fun addition to the DROD RPG game engine is the ability to script certain game sound and graphical effects to fire off at any time, like particle effects and explosions. Also, we have two great candidate holds approved for upcoming Smitemaster's Selections.
I think it's also safe to say that the future will be simply full of history.
I Believe in Imaginary Property - 03-01-2008
I've now written three, friggin' holy-roller essays on the sanctity of intellectual property. It's a subject that's been boring into my soul lately, because I keep running into these nice, normal, should-not-be-in-jail people that view the internet as a giant media freebie spree. It's extremely frustrating for me, because it's like somebody not understanding why they shouldn't stab me in the face. It's pretty obvious to me, after all, but how to explain why to somebody else?
My essays were each intended for this Illumination newsletter, but each basically failed to make a succinct and coherent case for why one ought to be respectful of what another creates. I think I bit off more than I can chew, or at least more than should fit inside of an Illumination post. I suppose we've got books like the Fountainhead for that kind of thing, so I probably shouldn't worry about it.
The problem with philosophy is that it's a terrible red herring. Any honest argument you make about what one ought to do will lead you back to philosophy: definitions of good and bad, right and wrong, and holy jeebus... epistemology. When you back all the way up to epistemology, you know you've hit rock bottom. So I often feel like I very badly want to convince people they ought to do one little thing, like not pirate computer games, for example. But in the end, I have to catch myself, because I know where the twisting arguments lead. Look deeper than all the clever debate scores you can make, and the coin comes up nihilism every time.
So I'll just make a quick little plea: spend two years working on something of your own design--a novel, an opera, a robot, something creative... I don't care. If you still feel like there should not be such a thing as intellectual property, I will respect your disagreement with my position. But often, the people making the case that every scrap of media in the world be free, have never created anything substantial of their own. So they never had the big "Mine" moment, and regrettably, aren't qualified to talk about what can and can't be owned.
I notice that it's the end of the month, the February Illumination hasn't yet been posted, and at least two people's creative output has gone unrespected (vocally, by me, at least). I don't want Jatopian blowing up his compromised topic picks with dynamite, and I don't want Mattcrampy encouraging the brightest members of the forum to relocate to a secret society. So I'd best pay brief mention to their efforts.
Holds Al Dente 2008
We did this contest before, and it was screamingly popular. The idea is that a number of holds (level collections) are put forth for the playing pleasure of the less-determined. Shorter holds, not so hard, and you can finish them in about an hour.
I botched the announcement timing here. You can't enter a new hold as an architect at this point, but you can play and vote for the holds. And this is the popcorn DROD-gaming that lots of people love, so I definitely recommend checking it out.
contest details
Over 29.4 Quintillion Served
Some folks put in vast amounts of effort in creating these ingenious new number systems. They can be used to represent any number between 1 and 29.5 quintillion, and they are particularly good for tattoos or drawing in blood. Math geeks, give it a looksee. You can vote on your favorite number system, if you like.
contest details
Jatopian's Topic Picks
With a Roarkian determination, Jatopian brought forth truth and certainty, caring not how cowardly parasites acted to bring about his destruction. You will benefit from his work, but know this: he did these things for himself alone.
To be a little clearer, these are some topics on the Caravel forum that Jatopian thinks might be interesting to you. Why not take a look?
The Resnakening
A fun official contest involving online serpentine multiplay is resurrected in unofficial form.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=19776
Xmas is over until next September or so...
The answers to the puzzling activities presented over Xmas are revealed. However, one may still find the reward for solving them.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=19915
Please Post Here If You Are Not An Actual Human Being
This topic is self-explanatory. It will clearly revolutionize the War on Spambots.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=19817
Extraordinary Ordinary Thread
Many forums have a thread in which members post links to things. Ours is noteworthy because we have Impeccable Taste.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=3480
Samuel's Tutorial on TCB, Cheap Trick contest compilation, Fireballs, Beethro's Brain, Doctor Beethro
These are all the holds which have been released since the previous Illumination.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/holds.php
Subforum Report: Subterra update & expansions
Crystal Shard's Subterra has been made bigger & better, with several new levels and a Hall of Fame for great players.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=19949
Yes, there will be a separate March Illumination. This one just barely made it for February. Pacific Standard Time, baby!
-Erik
|