"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilisations; to boldly go where no man has gone before." - Captain James T. Kirk
Star Trek has been a part of my life since my pre-teens. At the time I only watched Next Generation as that is what was on TV at the time (and finding shows online or buying TV box sets did not really happen mass market back then). I always looked forward to the next new episode, curious what adventure or challenge the crew of the Enterprise would face next. The best part about the show is that almost anything could happen, it was not predictable like some formula sitcoms and murder mystery shows in its time.
The characters kept me interested as well, each having a distinct personality that rarely wavered, and were all and integral part of the show. Pragmatic and straightforward Dr. Crusher, and her naive and helpful son Wesley. And there were of course many more (Riker, Troy, etc). Many shows would single in on a certain character or pair of characters which allowed you to learn a bit more about them specifically.
The technology was very cool for its time, having communicators, warp speed, transporting, aliens, tablets, and holographic rooms. All of these things were beyond our capabilities at the time, so it was very interesting to see people using these devices in their everyday lives aboard the ship.
Now, almost 50 years after the pilot episode of Star Trek aired in 1966, it is still popular, performing well at the box office with new actors and stories developing from the original series.
I recommend watching the original, next generation, and deep space nine. I enjoyed all of these series (minus some odd episodes here and there of course) and feel its a nice, different television show. The fact that it started a devout group of followers and continues to be a brand of its own is just a testament to its greatness.
Wes out.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Nintendo
The classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in North America in 1985. That's 28 years ago, which I'm afraid ages me a bit since I remember playing it shortly after it came out. There had been other gaming consoles before this one, but this is the one that really seemed to turn video games mass market, and catered to a pre-teen crowd.
I remember playing some of the very early games of Nintendo, seen in the pictures below. Mario, Metroid, Karnov, and Megaman were all very interesting platform games at the time. Countless hours were spent in front of the old tube TV desperately trying to get these 8bit characters to jump onto platforms, crush odd looking creatures, avoid deadly lava, and more. It was frustrating but exciting, it was challenging in good ways and bad, and it really made you try, fail, try, fail, try, fail, try some more, and eventually make it to the end of the game.
There's a bizarre sense of accomplishment when you have managed to run, crawl, roll, jump, and shoot your way through thousands of screens and enemies and finally defeat the Mother Brain in Metroid. The ending story and credits last all of a few minutes, but somehow you get a feeling of completion. Just like in Mario, after saving Toad after Toad after Toad, you finally save the princess from the evil Bowser and all is good in the Kingdom.
Video games help you escape the real world and become a hero in a different land. I loved having my Nintendo when I was younger, then we got the Super Nintendo, then the N64, then a Sega CD, then a Playstation (one), then PS2, PS3 and Wii. Gaming became a part of my life forever after Mario and Samus and Karnov appeared on my TV.
I don't get a lot of time to play games now, but I will always have them in my home as a great interactive form of entertainment and a way to escape some of the stresses and pressures of the real world.
I remember playing some of the very early games of Nintendo, seen in the pictures below. Mario, Metroid, Karnov, and Megaman were all very interesting platform games at the time. Countless hours were spent in front of the old tube TV desperately trying to get these 8bit characters to jump onto platforms, crush odd looking creatures, avoid deadly lava, and more. It was frustrating but exciting, it was challenging in good ways and bad, and it really made you try, fail, try, fail, try, fail, try some more, and eventually make it to the end of the game.
There's a bizarre sense of accomplishment when you have managed to run, crawl, roll, jump, and shoot your way through thousands of screens and enemies and finally defeat the Mother Brain in Metroid. The ending story and credits last all of a few minutes, but somehow you get a feeling of completion. Just like in Mario, after saving Toad after Toad after Toad, you finally save the princess from the evil Bowser and all is good in the Kingdom.
Video games help you escape the real world and become a hero in a different land. I loved having my Nintendo when I was younger, then we got the Super Nintendo, then the N64, then a Sega CD, then a Playstation (one), then PS2, PS3 and Wii. Gaming became a part of my life forever after Mario and Samus and Karnov appeared on my TV.
I don't get a lot of time to play games now, but I will always have them in my home as a great interactive form of entertainment and a way to escape some of the stresses and pressures of the real world.
Street Fighter
In my teenage years there was still a cool thing that kids and teenagers went to called an Arcade. This is like a foreign concept now as you can have a gameplay experience thousands of times better from the comfort of your couch at home with millions of people online. But for those of you who remember the arcade experience, there was never anything quite like the challenge of a good Street Fighter match.
The great characters of the original series: Ryu, Ken, Guile, Chun-Li, Zangief, Dhalsim, Blanka, and E.Honda (E is for Edmund) were the original eight playable characters. And the four final bosses were Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and M.Bison. This was a great game to challenge your strategic ability against the AI opponents, figuring out the characters moves, tactics, and defenses. A good player could get through the game with a single quarter and enjoy about 30 minutes of gaming time. The real fun came in versus battles though. The true pleasure of this game is playing amongst a crowd of people, the screen topped up with quarters lined up by players waiting to be the next challenger. All kinds of players trying all kinds of strategies and characters. There were times when I could be playing for over an hour on a single quarter against dozens of opponents, and I was not even close to being an expert player.
This game, and its many sequels, changed the face of arcade gaming for a long time to come. It inspired games like Mortal Combat, Virtua Fighter, Killer Instinct, Tekken, and many others. Street Fighter continues on today on consoles, some games developing old characters and others pitting the key characters against Marvel Superheroes or Capcom video game hero's.
The great characters of the original series: Ryu, Ken, Guile, Chun-Li, Zangief, Dhalsim, Blanka, and E.Honda (E is for Edmund) were the original eight playable characters. And the four final bosses were Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and M.Bison. This was a great game to challenge your strategic ability against the AI opponents, figuring out the characters moves, tactics, and defenses. A good player could get through the game with a single quarter and enjoy about 30 minutes of gaming time. The real fun came in versus battles though. The true pleasure of this game is playing amongst a crowd of people, the screen topped up with quarters lined up by players waiting to be the next challenger. All kinds of players trying all kinds of strategies and characters. There were times when I could be playing for over an hour on a single quarter against dozens of opponents, and I was not even close to being an expert player.
This game, and its many sequels, changed the face of arcade gaming for a long time to come. It inspired games like Mortal Combat, Virtua Fighter, Killer Instinct, Tekken, and many others. Street Fighter continues on today on consoles, some games developing old characters and others pitting the key characters against Marvel Superheroes or Capcom video game hero's.
Warp 2 Comics and Games
While I was attending High School in Edmonton, Alberta I decided that work experience would be valuable for me. I had done a paper route in my elementary days, but knew that more would be needed to develop my understanding of the work force. But work needed to be fun as well, so I looked for a job that could be interesting, and earn me a few credits in school. Warp 2 Comics and Games had been a destination for my comic and dungeons and dragons needs for a few years. My brother and I would often do half hour bike rides to get to the store and see what new stuff was available to distract us from life.
I worked at the store as a work experience student for just $1 per hour for about 12 hours per week. During that time I met some of the most interesting people I had ever encountered. I learned about many things in that store, but two things have stayed with me ever since.
The first is work ethic, I developed it in that store. My manager would assign me small tasks as ways to help the store and keep me busy. I found ways to work faster and more efficiently then anyone who had worked for him before. From putting out new comics and games, to cleaning, to organizing back issues (and man were there a LOT of those) I proved to be an asset to the store. When my student contract was up I was immediately offered a permanent part time job there after school and on weekends. I was always praised for a job well done, so I just kept working hard to earn that praise and feel good about accomplishing the work.
The second thing that has stuck with me over the years is the game I mentioned below, Magic the Gathering. I learned about the game by working there, and playing there. In that store I learned strategies and concepts that I may never have learned as a casual player. I was taught how tournaments were structured and soon had to run and organize tournament events for the store on a regular basis. It gave me the chance to develop some key leadership skills that would prove valuable later in my retail career, and develop some confidence in which I was lacking at that age. But Magic stuck with me and I believe it always will.
Every fantasy gamer has a comic/game store in their past that they remember fondly, this is mine. Its a small "hole in the wall" of 97th street in Edmonton, but it is a permanent memory of mine that I am glad to have experienced.
I worked at the store as a work experience student for just $1 per hour for about 12 hours per week. During that time I met some of the most interesting people I had ever encountered. I learned about many things in that store, but two things have stayed with me ever since.
The first is work ethic, I developed it in that store. My manager would assign me small tasks as ways to help the store and keep me busy. I found ways to work faster and more efficiently then anyone who had worked for him before. From putting out new comics and games, to cleaning, to organizing back issues (and man were there a LOT of those) I proved to be an asset to the store. When my student contract was up I was immediately offered a permanent part time job there after school and on weekends. I was always praised for a job well done, so I just kept working hard to earn that praise and feel good about accomplishing the work.
The second thing that has stuck with me over the years is the game I mentioned below, Magic the Gathering. I learned about the game by working there, and playing there. In that store I learned strategies and concepts that I may never have learned as a casual player. I was taught how tournaments were structured and soon had to run and organize tournament events for the store on a regular basis. It gave me the chance to develop some key leadership skills that would prove valuable later in my retail career, and develop some confidence in which I was lacking at that age. But Magic stuck with me and I believe it always will.
Every fantasy gamer has a comic/game store in their past that they remember fondly, this is mine. Its a small "hole in the wall" of 97th street in Edmonton, but it is a permanent memory of mine that I am glad to have experienced.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
My entry into the world of fantasy all started because of an unfortunate bike accident the summer between grade six and seven. I was riding my biking across an intersection with a red light for uncoming traffic, and like I always did I rode my bike across the street. Halfway across I was struck by a speeding vehicle and went flying ten feet through the air before hitting the pavement, at least that is what I was told as I do not recall anything until I was in the hospital. That injury landed me there for two straight months, leg held up in traction with a metal pole through my left knee. My brother, Mike, gave me some books to read to help pass the time when nobody was visiting.
The first book I read was Dragons of Autumn Twilight. I began reading the story of Tanis Half-Elven, Flint the dwarf,Sturm the Knight, the twins Caramon (a fighter) and his twin Raistlin Majere. Of Goldmoon and Riverwind and Kitiara. Of the famous wizard Fizban (Fistandantalus), and of a very annoying little kender rogue (you'd have to read the book to understand). The cover of the book I read is below (it has since been reprinted with new artwork). This group of characters blended so well together, and their individual stories were told very well. It just caught me and held me in its grasp as I read through the trilogy (sequels were Dragons of Winters Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning. I even went back and re-read the trilogy a few years later. They brought out other stories as well tied in to the groups backstory and into what happened after the trilogy. It all started my obsession with fantasy and I have never turned back.
To me Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and the two original sequels, is a truly great read for any fantasy fiction fan full of adventure, action, humor, romance, and just interesting overall. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman went on to write dozens of other novels (the only ones I would compare to be as interesting was their trilogy on the Twins). Read the books, enjoy the novels, and let me know if you like the story as much as I did. I went on from that to read Icewind Dale, but that is a blog tale for another time. Cheers.
The first book I read was Dragons of Autumn Twilight. I began reading the story of Tanis Half-Elven, Flint the dwarf,Sturm the Knight, the twins Caramon (a fighter) and his twin Raistlin Majere. Of Goldmoon and Riverwind and Kitiara. Of the famous wizard Fizban (Fistandantalus), and of a very annoying little kender rogue (you'd have to read the book to understand). The cover of the book I read is below (it has since been reprinted with new artwork). This group of characters blended so well together, and their individual stories were told very well. It just caught me and held me in its grasp as I read through the trilogy (sequels were Dragons of Winters Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning. I even went back and re-read the trilogy a few years later. They brought out other stories as well tied in to the groups backstory and into what happened after the trilogy. It all started my obsession with fantasy and I have never turned back.
To me Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and the two original sequels, is a truly great read for any fantasy fiction fan full of adventure, action, humor, romance, and just interesting overall. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman went on to write dozens of other novels (the only ones I would compare to be as interesting was their trilogy on the Twins). Read the books, enjoy the novels, and let me know if you like the story as much as I did. I went on from that to read Icewind Dale, but that is a blog tale for another time. Cheers.
Magic the Gathering
One of my all time favorite games is Magic: The Gathering. For those of you who do not know it, it is the most popular and intelligent of all CCGs(collectible card games). I started playing this many years ago during my first job as a student worker at the Warp Two comic store in Edmonton, Alberta. At the time the set Alliances was just being released and the game had already been out for a few years. It is now over 15 years later and the game is still going strong in multiple formats (real cards, digital cards, console games, PC games). The game is truly entertaining, and allows players of all ages and personalities to enjoy in their own special way. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and games. The best way to learn the game would be through one of their more recent digital games, Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers. This is a great video game style to teach players the card game through premade decks, tutorials, and fairly simple AI opponents. Once you get the hang of some of the key concepts and play through some games you can decide for yourself how the game feels to you. To truly enjoy the game it is better to play with real people, either friends you know and game with or else going to a local gaming store and asking about it.
My favorite part of the game is how you can personalize your decks and playing style. You can represent yourself as noble and heroic, sneaky and evil, chaotic, aggressive, mentally superior, you name it there is likely a deck you can design to represent a playing style you enjoy. Learn all about MTG on the Wizards of the Coast website, they put out daily memos and blogs about the new cards and events they have happening. A sample of the back of the cards is below, and next to that is one of the most recognized cards of the past (a Juzum Djinn) Enjoy playing, and if this blog helps you get started into one of the greatest card games every made then shoot me an email and let me know.
My favorite part of the game is how you can personalize your decks and playing style. You can represent yourself as noble and heroic, sneaky and evil, chaotic, aggressive, mentally superior, you name it there is likely a deck you can design to represent a playing style you enjoy. Learn all about MTG on the Wizards of the Coast website, they put out daily memos and blogs about the new cards and events they have happening. A sample of the back of the cards is below, and next to that is one of the most recognized cards of the past (a Juzum Djinn) Enjoy playing, and if this blog helps you get started into one of the greatest card games every made then shoot me an email and let me know.
Monday, September 9, 2013
It Begins
This is the start of a new Blog site for me. I have decided to invest some of my spare time creating items and products related to my favorite hobby, which is pretty much anything to do with Fantasy and Adventures. This all began with creating board games to play with my children. The more we played and the more that I made, the more I realized how much I enjoyed it. No if I can somehow merge my love of fantasy into a way to earn money at the same time.
For now I am going to blog some of my experiences with fantasy, whether it be reading, playing real games, video games, attending tournaments, etc. My posts will share some of my personal opinions on the these, and hopefully give you some insight on some things to try, or things to avoid trying.
If I manage to make some progress with my own creations I will also share this on my blog. Thanks for reading...
Wish me luck!
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