A Role Playing Games Blog
Video
Gen Con: The Race!
2Fellow RPG blogger Jeff Uurtamo recorded this video this morning, when the Exhibit Hall has been opened for the public. It’s something I had to share with you guys!
It’s hilarious, isn’t it?
Stargazer’s World is now on iTunes
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Perhaps you remember the video review I posted a few days ago. Since I am using blip.tv to host it, it automatically get’s distributed to a number of video hosting sites.
In addition to that it’s available in the iTunes store, too (in the podcast category). When we upload more videos in the future, they get added there as well (as long as we use the MP4 format), so you can now subscribe to us in iTunes to get all of our upcoming video reviews, unboxing videos and probably my Gen Con coverage as well.
I hope to get the automatic distribution to YouTube working soon, too, in the meantime you can check out our page at blip.tv!
Video Review: Fantasy Craft
2July 12, 2010
On the weekend I finally sat down and tried to record a video review of Fantasy Craft. I am using the word “try” because the result is probably not the best review possible but it works as a proof of concept. The text I have spoken was pretty much improvised on the spot, there has been some glaring editing errors and after watching the video several times I noticed how many cool things about Fantasy Craft I actually forgot to mention. But basically I think if I prepare things better the next time, video reviews may be an alternative to classic reviews in the future.
As hosting platform I switched from YouTube to blip.tv. While YouTube may be the best-known video hosting site, blip.tv has certain advantages. You can watch my Fantasy Craft review and the WFRP Unboxing video at our new blip.tv site.
For editing the video I used the free VideoSpin software which is actually pretty powerful and easy to use compared to the Windows Live Movie Maker I used before, BUT it’s still not really what I would call proper video editing software. I guess I am just spoiled by Adobe Premiere which I am using at work.
Without further ado, here are the results of my efforts:
So, how do you like it? By the way, the noise in the background is caused by my cooling fan, which is running all day. I hope the next time I do a recording, it’s cool enough to shut it off. And if there’s enough interest, I might upload a few outtakes. 
Deathwatch: In-Depth Preview Video
3June 24, 2010
This game sounds more intriguing every time I learn something new about it. And the new concept of “Squad Mode” vs. “Solo Mode” that’s explained in the video sounds like a very cool idea for such a game. I can’t wait to play it sometime.
By the way, the preview adventure “Final Sanction” is now available from the official site.
WFRP: Their Fated Travels …
0May 24, 2010
I was recently contacted by Robert James Freemantle, who turned the exploits of his Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay group into a story that you can now listen to on YouTube. I’ve embedded the first episode into this post:
You can listen to Robert’s introduction and the other episodes on his YouTube channel.
Pixelated wizard fight fire breathing dragon!
2May 18, 2010
Well today has certainly been a day for nostalgia! I loved console games in the late 80s early 90s and some of them were of great influence in our gaming. A friend ran a campaign heavily inspire by both the original Zelda and Phatasy Star games. And while I rarely play console or computer games now, I fondly remember the games of the past.
Today while watching a video on how Starcraft would have looked if it was made in 1984 (thank you Michael for the link!), I commented “That would be a game I would have played”, and immediately remembered the first console RPG game I ever played, Quest for the Rings in the Magnavox Odyssey 2! Here it is in all its pixelated glory:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ll_bbzRHKQ
I received the console and the game as a gift in 1981 and while I never quiet understood the game I remember spending hours examining the art on the box, the components, and above all the map. Long after the console had broken down and the game no longer existed, I kept the map, I carried it around with me, making up stories set in the places depicted there.
This all was before I even knew what role-playing games were. I remember using the map while playing with my D&D action figures, of which I wrote about on a previous post. Sadly I no longer have the map; I can’t recall what happened to it. But looking at the map online I just realized how certain parts of my homebrewed gaming world feel inspired by the map’s contours and topography.
While I usually list literary pieces, such as Tolkien, Dragonlance and The Odyssey, among the formative influences on my gaming style, I must admit that games such as Quest for the Rings and board games like Dark Tower were equally influential.
What influenced your early gaming? Inquiring minds what to know!
PS – In case you want to know, this is the Starcraft if it had been made in 1984 video that inspired this post:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B16eAS1dwA
And the TV commercial for the Quest for the Rings game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqddFGYvfgs&feature=related
Enjoy!
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