I liked Wrestlemania 25

Last Sunday evening, I got together with two other people to watch Wrestlemania 25. We watched it. Two of us liked it. Another thought it was so-so. Then again, he fell asleep towards the end. Originally, I was going to post my thoughts afterwards. Then, as I was about to post, I decided to postpone until after RAW. Big mistake. When I was about to do my write-up, I found out about PDFGate. Sigh. Then I posted my thoughts on PDFGate. Well, I'll post afterwards I thought. Rest of the story I got distracted. I would post my thoughts now except for two reasons. One, its a potentially busy day tomorrow/today so I don't won't to stay up to late. Two, its been a week. Right now, I'll give it a 4 out of 5 stars based on my post-WM glow. If I get the DVD, I'll may provide some thoughts then. All in all, I was satisfied and would be more than willing to watch next year's Wrestlemania.

My Reaction to WotC's PDFgate Part 1

When I read over on James Mishler's blog that WotC had pulled its PDFs from OBS, I was irked. As time grew and I learned more, I became upset. I am an example of a customer who purchased legacy D&D PDFs. WOTC's removal of the ability to use up the remaining downloads of those legacy products, as well as purchase of other legacy products, irritates me. This irresponsible action hinders my ability to download replacement copies, purchase other old products, and harms my faith in OBS. If WotC can do this, what's to stop other publishers from doing this as well? Heck, I have been considering purchasing PDFs of the soon-to-be-discontinued Dying Earth RPG. Can I trust that those Dying Earth files that I purchased will be available past the end of April? And the source of this lack of confidence, an attempt to prevent piracy. By removing a legal avenue for PDFs, piracy will be fought. Mind-boggling.

All that said I could see how all the anger towards Wizards was overblown. And I'll make those comments in a month or two. If I care enough to remember to post, I am one of the affected customers. I don't want to waste my energies defending Wizards.

Sadly it was along my desire not to defend Wizards that eventually led to me desire to make this post. Over in the comments section of the OBS rant, James Mishler made a couple comments that shattered my attempts to remain calm and rational about the PDF situation. I have known and gamed with James for about four years. During this time, I played the role of devil's advocate. When 4E was announced and coming, I practically played the role of a patron saint. From personal experience, I knew that at the Tuesday game there would be a rant against WotC. With history as a guide, I would defend Wizards. Didn't I say that I didn't want to defend them. So irrationally I became upset.

I remained upset such that I was unable to make my comments until now. Taking a sabbatical from all forms of D&D was looking like the only option. Yep, 'don't sweat the small stuff' is not my forte. Although I will admit I had reached my acceptance phase when I went to tonight's game. After all by that point in time, I had purchsed a 3.x D&D book. So I doubted that any sabbatical would last. One of the pick up games is D&D. My resolution was looking more and more childish. By the time I got to where we game, I had decided that there wouldn't be any sabbatical. There the general consensus was that it didn't pay to be angry over the latest angering move by Wizards/Hasbro. Why sweat over what is unimportant in the long run?

Two positives have emerged. As Zachary the First mentions, with links, on his blog, other companies are offering deals on some PDF products. Hopefully, more bargains will be offered in the future. Perhaps more silver linings will emerge from this cloud?

The second positive that has emerged from this ... event... is that I am now willing to make a Classic Traveller character. So I wouldn't mind if we played some Classic Traveller instead of AD&D 1E. I have always wanted to play Traveller, especially the classic version given my current interest in older games. My only obstacle was that I didn't want to make a character. After all, why make a CT character when we could play 1E instead? Hopefully, this event will lead to some CT playing. I know the other players and James have invested a lot of time and effort into a Traveller campaign that hasn't been played.

I think its about time that changed. That is if everyone is willing.

Gaming: End of March sales events

Readers of this blog may recall my excitement over two end-of-march sales. Those two were the Rifter Super Subscription and Paizo's half off Dragon/Dungeon/Polyhedron magazines. Well, as March ended another event was brought to my attention, the Lulu author contest. Namely, the Fight On! hardcover compilation and a handfull of Old-School gaming gooodies.

Of those three events the only one I participated in was the Rifter Super Subscription special. Self fulfilling prophecy reared its head such that I hadn't figured out which magazine issues I wanted from the Paizo deal. Combined with being overwhelmed from options such as the Lulu stuff, I decided not to order from Paizo. Likewise, I didn't order from Lulu due to last-minute pressure and fear of shipping costs.

Yesterday, I received a shipment from Palladium. Based on the packaging, I thought it was an issue of the Rifter. As I opened the package, I wondered when the free gift would arrive. As it turns out, it was the free gift. A copy of Rifts: Tales of the Chi-Town Burbs Anthology. And it was signed!. Now I wonder which issue of the Rifter I'll receive. The one that came out when my subscription ended or the "April" issue.

Short Review: House of Mystery 11

At last, an actual review of a comic I have read. Today's comic up for discussion is House of Mystery 11. Granted, the discussion will be brief as per the headline this is a short review. Issue 11 is the start of a brand new story arc or trade paperback, for the cynical. The story arc is called The Space Between, which introduces the concept of the Space Between. The Space Between is a realm that exist between all worlds. In this issue we learn that there was a city that existed there. I won't spoil any of the details.

There's also two other threads running through this issue. These threads concern the nature of the House of Mystery itself and one characters attempts to escape through the means of the conception... Honestly, I can't comment too much on these threads as this is the first issue I have read. Was the issue accessible? Yes.

I have never been one capable of judging art. Suffice to say it tells the story and fits the atmosphere.

All in all, I give the issue a 3 out of 5 stars. Some neat ideas are introduced in this issue, some plot threads are advanced, and the new reader doesn't feel completly lost. I recommend House of Mystery #11 to anyone who doesn't mind jumping aboard after two stories have passed.

Wrestlemania 25 tonight

Well, Wrestlemania 25 is tonight; and I am looking forward to it. Forgot to make time to watch the first twenty Wrestlemanias but maybe next time.

Hopefully, I will post my thoughts on this year's Mania tonight after the show.

Comics Haul 3/31/09

Haven't done a Comics Haul in about a month. Even though I still bought comics all this time, I just didn't get around to listing them. I don't plan on rectifying that. Figured, I'd just list the comics related products I purchased or arrived today.

Barnes and Noble had a real good discount on a select number of Alan Moore written graphic novels around the time the Watchmen movie came out. In addition to a book that hasn't shipped yet, I received three Alan Moore-penned tomes today. They are From Hell TP, V for Vendetta TP, and Saga of the Swamp Thing Volume One HC.

In addition, I finally went to my local comics shop after not going for about two weeks.

I got:
Back Issue 33 which focuses on teen superheroes of the 70's and 80's.
Necronomicon TP
The free handouts After Watchmen and Wolverine Saga
Amazing Spider-man 588, 589 and Extra 3
Angel 19
War of Kings Darkhawk 2 and X-Men Kingbreaker 4
Guardians of the Galaxy 12
Tales of the TMNT 56
Usagi Yojimbo 119
Phantom: Ghost Who Walks 1

I also got for cheap all the issues that comprise Nightwing Year One that appeared in Nightwing as well as Red Prophet Tales of Alvin Maker Volume Two HC. I think I have volume one...

1E: A change in plans

Tonight, we played in James's AD&D 1E game. It was a fun, exhilarating session. I'll mention some of my personal highlights once James posts his session report over at his blog. For now, I have decided on a change of plans. Unless circumstances change, I will continue playing Friar Pudge. Finally, I figured out how to play his fractured state of mind.

I do want to add that all this means is that I'm not planning to replace the Friar formerly known as Pudge. If circumstances call for it, the good old friar may not remain a part of the game.

Thoughts on the last two Tuesday Game nights

As of right now, I have no idea on whether or not James's 1E game is happening tonight due to the weather. Regardless, I figure I might as well provide my comments on the previous two sessions, 1E and Rifts.

I'll start with the last week's session which was supposed to be Rifts. Alas, two players weren't there. One of them had the crucial skill needed for the GM's plot to continue. At that point the game broke down as why continue if the GM has nothing planned? On the bright side, James finished his Crazy whom should be joining the group sometime next session. Hopefully, Mike figures out how as our characters are secluded at the moment.

James's 1E game resumed two weeks ago. The group wasn't evicted out of Homlet despite seemingly impossible odds. Then, with the aid of truthstone, one of "leaders" of the village learned the group's story from Twidorek. Hopefully, our little band of PCs benefit. Last but not least, Friar Pudge's days as a PC are now numbered. Unless things change during the next session, I probably won't be playing him anymore. My biggest disappointment is that it seems we are just spinning in circles. I'm doubting whether or not we'll actually complete the village of homlet adventure. In and of itself that isn't so bad. The problem is that no one among our merry band of PCs wants to leave. So right now the game is peetering toward an ending.

Added two game company links

Today, I added links to two game companies, Green Ronin and Kenzer and Co. Added Kenzer because I'm intrigued by the upcoming fifth edition of Hackmaster. Knights of the Dinner Table is the gaming magazine right now. It just happens to be a comic book. Along similar lines, I'm excited about Green Ronin's licenses for A Song of Ice and Fire and Wild Cards. Having previously played A Game of Thrones D20, I'm curious about GR's brand new game that uses that setting. As I have the two newest Wild Cards novels, I've tinkered with the notion of running a Wild Cards based game. Last but not least, True20 is a game that fits my criteria for a good game.

Whether or not I acquire any of these games and settings depends on fate. And no I don't mean the game system.

Fixed my problem with Blogger

For about a week I was wondering why my blogger blogroll wasn't updating itself. No problem I told myself. Its lagged before. Still the lag only lasted a day or two. Yesterday, I logged in. No change. Oh well, I told myself. Wrote and entered my latest post. Got some type of error page. So I go back to my blog. I'm logged out. In response, I go to log in again except I go straight to my dashboard. According to my edit posts, my entry has been posted. Furthermore, one of my entries have received two more comments during the previous week.

At tonight's Tuesday game, I mentioned my problem. James Mishler mentioned a possible cause. Mike indirectly added credence. Encouraged by my latest news, I followed James's advice. While that didn't correct the problem right away, I managed to figure out the fix with the use of the Blogger FAQ.

My problem is fixed.

Yahoo's 100 Movies You Must See List

Yahoo has done a 100 movies one must see list. Here's the link.

I decided to list which of those movies I've seen, think I have seen, or seen sections of. Movies that I have seen chunks or not sure that I have seen I'll bold. Those that I haven't but would like to I'll italicize. Not all 100 hundred movies will be listed. Much shorter that way.

The list:
12 Angry Men
2001: A Space Odyssey
The 400 Blows
8 1/2 - inspired one of the storylines in a LARP that I ran
Alien
Apocalypse Now
The Bicycle Thief
Blade Runner
Blazing Saddles
Blue Velvet
Bonnie and Clyde
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Casablanca
Chinatown
Citizen Kane
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Die Hard - I never seen this from beginning to end or if I have, I forgot.
Dr. Strangelove
E.T.
Enter the Dragon - I briefly felt an urge to play or run a Ninjas & Superspies game afterwards.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
French Connection
Godfather
Godfather Part 2
Goldfinger - There a many Bond flicks that I have never watch the entirety of the film.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Goodfellas
Groundhog Day
Its a Wonderful Life
Jaws
King Kong
Lawrence of Arabia
Lord of the Rings
M
MASH
Maltese Falcon
Matrix
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
National Lampoon's Animal House
Nosferatu
On the Waterfront
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
Paths of Glory
Princess Mononoke
Psycho - I have seen the remake, but not all of the original.
Pulp Fiction
Raging Bull
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Rashomon
Rear Window
Rocky
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler's List
Searchers
Seven Samurai
Silence of the Lambs
Singin' in the Rain
Snow White
Sound of Music
Star Wars
Sunset Blvd
Terminator 2
Titanic
Toy Story
Usual Suspects
Vertigo
Wild Strawberries
Wizard of Oz

So I can say with some confidence that I have seen around 43 of these movies at this time.

Added a 4E related link

I added Dreams of a Kobold King live journal to my Comics and Games links list. At this point in time, I'm comfortable with fan made creations for 4E D&D. My change in attitude has come about because I once again I again embrace the hobbyist aspect of this hobby. Also, not playing LFR all that much helps too. Learned about the site via ENWorld when I checked out the spoilers on the Sorceror.

No Rifts for me

Despite the whole XP issue, I was looking forward to tonight's Rifts session. Alas, I had to bow out. Came down with a stomach bug yesterday and still was dealing with the after effects. Apparently, it lingers still.

Although its possible James showed up; and that they played Traveller or AD&D 1E instead.

Clariftications on the Rifts XP issue

First, I want to say that my comments in my previous post trouble me. I don't want this blog to contain negative, whiny rants.

Second, I don't plan to comment on game sessions unless one of two criteria are met. I must either have ran that session or must have the burning desire to write about.

On to the subject matter at hand, I rambled once I started commented about the experience awarded after the last Rifts session. Afterwards, I realized that I never gave a basis for my rant. In a nutshell, all characters got 1000 xp as a base. One thousand experience points is a significant amount for first level characters to receive for one session. Active participants received 200 xp as a bonus.

Honestly, the whole matter of experience awards deserve its own space. Otherwise, any comments I make about a game session regarding experience points will just devolve into a whiny rant that just spin around in circles. A post for another time.

Mishler game Tuesday?/Game commentary

Heard yesterday that James Mishler might actually make an appearance at Tuesday's game session. I have been looking forward to playing Friar Pudge and Twidorek again in his Gary's Greyhawk campaign. In addition, the other players really want to play Traveller. So I'd have to make a character. Not sure how much I want to when character creation takes longer than Palladium. If I could use Mongoose Traveller (MT) instead of Classic, I wouldn't mind. As I own a copy of MT, I could make a character on my own at my leisure. Granted that's all based on hearsay. In all likelihood we will play Mike's Rifts game unless James shows up and is prepared to run a game.

Which leads me to my commentary on the two pick up games that have occured on Tuesday in lieu of one Mishler's games.

Jayson's 3.5 D&D campaign
Honestly, I don't feel fully comfortable offering my thoughts on the campaign as whole as I have basically joined during the middle of it. Therefore, my comments would be a little unfair as I don't have the "full story". I will comment that I enjoyed last week's session. Even though my character only had one big moment which, in itself, is a bit minor. Basically, my dwarf fighter, Ebert, was disgusted by the lack of both beer and ale at a party. He decided to forgo alcohol for water because of his disgust. Other than that all three players were involved in the session.

Mike's Rifts game
And this is why my commentary has been delayed...

I really enjoyed the two sessions of the Rifts campaign that I played in. It felt like Rifts to me. Despite the lack of combat, Mike has woven two entertaining game sessions using the Rifts RPG. My problem is that I would have to write the rambling blog essay about several key points without sounding negative. No problem. But then I couldn't figure out how to write to those essays. Then I came upon the idea of the mammoth entry. I hit upon doing a likes/dislikes bit. Unfortunately, right around that time, I realized something. I was willing to forgo this Tuesday's Rifts session in order to watch the Watchmen movie. Watching Watchmen wound up not being a problem at all.

But still the idea nagged me.

Mike's Rifts game is a pick up game intended to run with little preparation. Many of the faults I find with the game stem from that. Alas, that is not the problem. Because I know that not much prep time is going into the game, I can accept that. Heck, I consider those faults to have little consequence as I enjoy the game despite them. I am sure I'd like the game even if our characters left Alliance and wondered aimlessly...

Now I understand what bothers me. Its not the game. I enjoyed both sessions. Heck, it was only after the last session that I began to have negative feelings. After the session two weeks ago. As in when experience was awarded. From my history with RPG's, experience awards are vital to long-term games. So what was my problem with the experience award?

A player that barely played received two hundred less experience points than those that actively participated. Now, that wouldn't be too much of a problem except that thePalladium system experience awards correlates with involvement. The more involved a PC is the more likely that character will receive more xp. Or at least that's my interpretation. So one PC received two hundred less xp than my character. I played my character in such a way that it made sense that he, Dirk, was involved. Dirk had no motivation to actually do anything. Let alone with the other PCs. I had to figure out that motivation myself. In the process, my character, Dirk, helped move things along. Otherwise, our characters would have left Alliance. What then? Don't know. Would there be a future for the game? Maybe.

That in a nutshell is my problem with Mike's game. If XP won't be commensurate with the contributions, then I have no motivation to be involved. That's a problem with a character with Anarchist as an alignment. They are hard to involve. Since the character is a Mystic, combat alone won't cut it. So experience points are deciding factor on whether or not I continue to play. In a Palladium game, Experience based on individual merits matter to me especially when one player doesn't do much of anything.

Sorry Mike.

One big entry to come...

I have been meaning to make several entries for some time now. I just kept procrastinating. Then this week came. A lot has happened. So instead of futiley trying to make multiple posts, I have decided to do it as one big entry. My thoughts on latest Previews offerings and a summation of the Comics Haul covering the last two weeks of February will still be separate entries. Those really can't be truncated enough.

A Problem with Blogger

Well, I was intending to go peruse various blogs this evening/morning. Unfortunately, when I closed the window that contained the page of a blog on my blogroll, my browser started loading multiple pages of said blog in the still open window. So after stopping that, I go to a different blog. Same thing. So I decide to only briefly look at several other blogs. Nothing. Everything works like a charm. It seems my problem only occurs with blogs that I'm a 'follower' of. So far anyway...

Thoughts on Marvel's GN offerings for May

Although a bit later than I would have liked, here are thoughts on Marvel's graphic novels that are solicited with the May previews.

Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era Black Knight/Yellow Claw V1 HC - In a perfect world, I would so order this. As I'm collecting Agents of Atlas, I am very much interested in reading the old Jimmy Woo stories. These stories combined with the Arthurian-esque stories of the Black Knight make this very appealing to me. Alas, I can't really afford a Marvel Masterwork at this time. Unless I made serious changes to how I buy my comics I can't afford to buy one in hardcover format at this time...

Which brings me to MM: Amazing Spider-Man v2 TP a softcover version of the hardcover. This would be tempting but two problems. One, I already have a copy. Two, as much as cheaper versions of the Masterworks are right up my alley, I have discovered I'd rather own a hardcover version rather than a softcover version. So until I get over my faddish obsession over hardcovers or circumstances change, I'm going to pass on the softcover MM's. Won't stop me from talking about them though.

Hulk: World War Hulk HC - The super duper hardcover version of the trade paperback... As I own Planet Hulk, this is tempting. What concerns me is the padding that fills the rest of the page count. I mean is the Marvel Spotlight and PH saga really worth it?

X-Men: Manifest Destiny HC - Much like the Uncanny X-Men: Manifest Destiny HC from last month, this is tempting. I'm a long-time X-fan who has been turned off by how much one has to buy/read in order to follow the X-mythos. So these mega hardcovers are attractive to me for a reason that I could use an entire entry for. That aside, Wolverine involved in Chinatown action strikes me a cool.

Avengers Forever HC - About time this was collected...in hardcover format (or at all if not previously collected). I read this maxi-series when it came out. A really good story, which made me a fan of several characters. I think I have the original issues still ... so I won't be getting this. Just wait, I'll discover that either I no longer have them or they exist in such poor condition that I wish I got this when I had the chance. Sigh.

Spider-Man Noir Premiere HC - I love noir. I love Spider-Man. Waited for the trade. If I'm able to, I'm so getting this.

Spider-Man: Family Ties Premiere HC - Guess Marvel is collecting the Amazing Family title along with a one-shot. The only appeal this holds for me is the J.M. DeMatteis story along with the Man-Thing one-shot. If I acquire this, it would have to be cheaper.

I applaud marvel for the Balder and Black Widow hardcovers. Reprinting some of the older tales in hardcover is fantastic. Unfortunately, my applause of such a venture has tended to be symbollic.

Illiad TP - Want to read the Illiad without having to read the text? Well, how about graphic adaptation then? Sadly, this may be the only way I'd actually get around to reading the story.

Marvel Saga TPB - Why would anyone buy this since one could have picked up all three installments from a comics retailer for free? I suppose if you missed them at the shop I could understand the appeal. I know I don't have all three.

Ultimate Galactus Trilogy SC - Looks like the hardcover version may not last for much longer. Thanks Marvel for the incentive to pick up that version.

Fantastic Four: True Story - Paul Cornell. Fantastic Four. Voyage to the realm of fiction. Has my attention.

Dead of Night: Devil-Slayer - Like the character/concept. This story appears to be a 'modernization' of the character.