Missed Online: Uru Why?

Posted by BlackWidower on

Okay, that title has to be the worst yet.

Anyway, Myst is a franchise that has permeated the contentiousness of it’s fans. Those who love the game really do love it.

In my case I remember first hearing about Myst back in 2000 through an ad in a magazine for it’s real-time 3D remake, realMyst. At first I did not know what to make of it. I had never played adventure games before so I thought it was similar to SimCity for some reason. I was a kid, I was stupid. I also remember hearing about the Myst books from one of my busmates. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Years later I spotted a copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition which bundled the first three Myst Games on three DVDs for what must have been dirt cheap because back then I couldn’t think of a reason to buy it otherwise. I was really into cheap bargain bin games back then and I still am actually, most of the games I own fall into that category.

I brought it home, played it and was immediately hooked, I was honestly surprised I haven’t heard about this game before (aside from the realMyst ad) because it was so bloody brilliant. But, while it was one of the biggest games of the 90’s, it is simply not that big today. For one thing pre-rendered images and cinematics have been reserved for crappy kids movies and JRPGs, and the gaming public are generally more interested in either mass-murder or chatting it up with their buddies. Knowing murder would never work in a Myst game Cyan (who I should mention are the creators of the Myst series) decided to do the latter and attempted to take Myst Online. Continue reading →

They Myst the Point

Posted by BlackWidower on

I am not typically one to pirate games, and I don’t condone it in any way. However after I finished Myst IV, I had to find out how the series continued. So I “acquired” a copy of Myst V.

Some may say I stole it but I think that is an unfair analogy. It’s not like stealing a candy bar. I steal a candy bar the store is out a candy bar. I pirate a game the game company is out nothing. True they don’t receive the money I would have spent if I bought it legitimately, but that is hypothetical, and to me the choice was pirate the game or not play it at all.

But I will, eventually, purchase a copy of Myst V legitimately…in spite of the fact that it’s not worth a single penny. Continue reading →

The Mysts of Island

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I am a fan of the Myst franchise. I own the first four games and Uru: Complete Chronicles (legit), and once I get money I plan on buying the fifth and final game, End of Ages, and on the same note I will also get the three companion novels in the Myst Reader when I get the chance.

Some may ask why I am such a fan. If you are, you obviously have never played the games before. It’s hard to describe why or figure out exactly what the number one reason is. The puzzles, the visuals and the story all work together quite seamlessly. Anyone who likes mysteries or exploration or mindless puzzles will find something to like in Myst or the sequels. Plus the whole concept of writing in books to connect to other worlds creates an entire multiverse of possibilities that you can easily visit. Like Stargate only more…out there. In Riven there is a bacteria in the water that causes the water to, I am not kidding here, move away from heat. If you throw a match in a puddle, the match will stay lit and the water will move away from it. That is weird.

One of my biggest regrets regarding the Myst series was looking up walkthroughs and hints. I really think I missed the best part of the game. I guess this is why it is not as popular now as it once was. In the 90’s Myst was the best selling video game of all time, until it was displaced by the Sims which I really don’t think can be classified as a game anyway, but I digress. Now with the increased prevelence and popularity of first person shooters and other action oriented games, gamers are used to games that allow for instant gratification. Myst doesn’t offer that. Myst is meant to be played slowly, you are meant to think each puzzle through and might end up spending hours or even days stuck on one puzzle because of one thing you simply didn’t think of. That’s the appeal of Myst, it’s a slow and cerebral game, and while you can speed things up by using a walkthrough or a hint system, you are cheating and basically depriving yourself of the full game. Of course even now I used a hint system when I played Myst IV today so I guess that makes me an hypocritical pillock. Continue reading →

What a Fool Gets Suckered Into

Posted by BlackWidower on

It has recently come to the attention of many, through ads being aired on CTV, CBC and Global television stations, that local TV is under threat by cable companies.

Why? Because the cable companies won’t give them money. How horrible.

Their solution? Have the government force the cable companies to pay them and regulate cable rates. Funny how that works, they want more money for them and more regulation for the cable companies.

These companies are treating this like a grassroots campaign, which it isn’t. “Save Local TV” they call it, and the question remains: Why does local TV need saving and what does that have to do with CTV, CBC and Global? Continue reading →

The News Will Print Again

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One thing that pisses me off more than Iran’s “election”, more than Afghanistan’s “election” more than Apple and Steve Jobs, more than Republicans and more than TV networks cancelling high quality shows way too soon, is people talking about this idea that newspapers are going extinct. This is simply not the case.

Why do people think that? Well isn’t it obvious? The Internet is taking over, making newspapers obsolete (he writes sarcastically). Plus it was mentioned on The Simpsons. While it is true the main sources of revenue for newspapers, ie. full graphical and classified ads, are being taken over by Google and craigslist, this is merely a funds problem which can be rectified by coming up with a new business model, which I will not do here because I am not an expert on anything much less business, let others figure that one out. However I would like to say there was a time journalism wasn’t about the money, it was about doing a public good. It was considered a loss leader and a civic duty.

But what I will do is state why print, aka, newspapers, will continue to exist despite the Internet and debunk the idea that newspapers are obsolete. Continue reading →

Extradition in a Strange Bout of What the Frak!

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So recently an interesting story came to light which is actually over 30 years old. Roman Polanski, the director of such films as Rosemary’s Baby, The Pianist, and my personal favourite: MacBeth, (who’s wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by the Manson Family) had sex with a thirteen-year-old girl in 1977. He plead guilty and was expected to simply receive probation with no prison time, however it appears the judge suggested to Polanski’s attorneys he would get prison time. So because of this Polanski did the only reasonable thing…ran. He ran all the way to his home country of France.

Most countries have extradition treaties with the United States, where Polanski committed the crime and was convicted of it, and France is no exception. So a crucial question remains: How is it that for 30 years, Mr. Polanski was able to avoid arrest? For two reasons: Number one, whenever he left France he stayed in a nearby nation and was in and out before the authorities even noticed, and number two, French policy dictates they do not extradite their citizens.

Yay France! Stand up for your people! Even those assholes who frak 13 year olds…okay maybe not them, but it’s probably a bad idea to change your policy whenever you feel like it. Consistancy for the win! But this situation is an interesting contrast to a recent event in Canada which really makes me want to vote for any kind of change in the federal government, even the BCPC, the Batshit-Crazy Party of Canada (not affiliated with the Republicans). Continue reading →

Why Shows Suck and Possibly a Good Idea

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Last night I was on YouTube and found something interesting. A pilot to a canceled WB show called Nobody’s Watching. Once the pilot was leaked on YouTube it gained publicity and they created a series of webisodes. But the show was never made it into an actual TV show because according to Wikipedia: “test audiences seemed to be confused by its premise.” My responce to this: FUCK YOU!!! This show gets cancelled and American Idol is still on the air? Because I’m confused by the premise, specifically the fact no ones killed Simon. That and it’s stupid! Only two (Daughtry and David Cook) people on that show actually have viable careers, the rest suck. Continue reading →

We Can Make-up Heroes, Just for One Day

Posted by BlackWidower on

Ahh dreams. They can inspire and confuse in one swoop. Recently I had a dream and it certainly was inspiring.

It was an episode of Heroes. Yes I know, I am that much of a loser, I dream about TV shows. Most dream about sex, I dream about TV. It isn’t the first time. Which reminds me, minor end-of-volume-three spoilers. Continue reading →