We're a little over a week away from the main filming block for Digitiser The Show. Suffice to say, there's a lot to get done still, but the scripts are almost ready, the schedule is nearly there, the guests are booked, and the cast is raring to go.
This weekend I shall be painting and making set dressing, and we'll be sorting all the props and equipment. Next week I'll be taking a trip to Manchester to collect a very special desk, the cameras are being delivered, as will our very own Digitiser arcade machine and a puppet representation of one particular fan favourite Digi character.
I'm pretty astonished how relatively smoothly it has all come together. And also how close it's feeling to what I'd wanted. We've had to cut back somewhat on the big stretch-goal stunts; turns out that when you try to make something look slick and professional it costs much more than something that looks deliberately crap. However, I'm indebted to so many people for giving up their time and expertise - a lot of them doing it for free - to make this possible.
Of course, this is only part of the process. We'll have location filming in September, and the whole thing will still need to be edited.
Anyhow, this preamble is just to say... there might be a little less content on this site than you're used to over the next couple of weeks. Trust me though; it'll be worth it.
If you'd like to appear here, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone, please send your filthy emails to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
This weekend I shall be painting and making set dressing, and we'll be sorting all the props and equipment. Next week I'll be taking a trip to Manchester to collect a very special desk, the cameras are being delivered, as will our very own Digitiser arcade machine and a puppet representation of one particular fan favourite Digi character.
I'm pretty astonished how relatively smoothly it has all come together. And also how close it's feeling to what I'd wanted. We've had to cut back somewhat on the big stretch-goal stunts; turns out that when you try to make something look slick and professional it costs much more than something that looks deliberately crap. However, I'm indebted to so many people for giving up their time and expertise - a lot of them doing it for free - to make this possible.
Of course, this is only part of the process. We'll have location filming in September, and the whole thing will still need to be edited.
Anyhow, this preamble is just to say... there might be a little less content on this site than you're used to over the next couple of weeks. Trust me though; it'll be worth it.
If you'd like to appear here, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone, please send your filthy emails to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
THE TROOPER
Whilst pondering to myself which NWOBHM bands may have featured in 80s microcomputer games, I wondered to myself whether Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden still does that thing whilst performing The Evil That Men Do where he wobbles around pretending to be "living on a razor's edge, balancing on the edge".
Can any of your readers help?
Starbuck
Whilst pondering to myself which NWOBHM bands may have featured in 80s microcomputer games, I wondered to myself whether Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden still does that thing whilst performing The Evil That Men Do where he wobbles around pretending to be "living on a razor's edge, balancing on the edge".
Can any of your readers help?
Starbuck
Firstly, if you're going to use an acornym like NWOBHM - especially on a website like this - it would be useful to spell out what it stands for. For the uninitiated: New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Secondly, I have twice seen Iron Maiden live - once when I was 15-ish, and once when I was in my 30s. Both times I left wondering why I'd bothered seeing Iron Maiden live.
The second experience was by far the worst; I was jet-lagged, I had a particularly bad cold, and I was surrounded by very drunk middle-aged men, all of whom had removed their tops and were jostling me, and I had beer spilled down the back of my shirt collar. That was the last time I shall ever see Iron Maiden live.
Secondly, I have twice seen Iron Maiden live - once when I was 15-ish, and once when I was in my 30s. Both times I left wondering why I'd bothered seeing Iron Maiden live.
The second experience was by far the worst; I was jet-lagged, I had a particularly bad cold, and I was surrounded by very drunk middle-aged men, all of whom had removed their tops and were jostling me, and I had beer spilled down the back of my shirt collar. That was the last time I shall ever see Iron Maiden live.
SPANISH FLY
Día feliz (dear fellers),
I bought a Switch again; I wanted to have another go at BOTW.
I’ve done it! Not 100% or anything (because I don’t do things like that) but I have bested all of the Ganons including the head porcine himself.
Breath of the Wild is great; you and the Digi denziens know that, but what you arguably didn’t know is what I reckon is a bit caca about it, AND that I’m going to be counting in Spanish:
UNO - It would have benefited from better graphics - check out the original teaser trailer and you will see that what I am saying is about right.
DOS - call me British but I’d like to lodge a complaint about the weather - very annoying. And what’s with breaking all my personal effects, man?!
TRES - cooking is not fun. Jamie and Gordon wouldn’t work in a Mario game because they is not fun guys.
CUATRO - weird one this: Some of the shrines are so brilliantly good that it makes me dislike in a strong way the ones that are a bit too linear or simple; my disappointment is palpable, señor.
CINCO -The seeds everywhere stuff actually ‘pulses’ me off - it just seems lazy to have this enormous world so full of promise and then blow so much of it on those irksome seeds.
SEIS - Riding the horse is tedious. The boat was more fun in Wind Waker - and it wasn’t. Don’t drink the water, please.
SIETE - That bloody Blood Moon again.
What, if anything, yanked your goitre?
DEAN
PS. Here is a collage that is no way self indulgent - it’s just a nice thing to do for everybody.
Día feliz (dear fellers),
I bought a Switch again; I wanted to have another go at BOTW.
I’ve done it! Not 100% or anything (because I don’t do things like that) but I have bested all of the Ganons including the head porcine himself.
Breath of the Wild is great; you and the Digi denziens know that, but what you arguably didn’t know is what I reckon is a bit caca about it, AND that I’m going to be counting in Spanish:
UNO - It would have benefited from better graphics - check out the original teaser trailer and you will see that what I am saying is about right.
DOS - call me British but I’d like to lodge a complaint about the weather - very annoying. And what’s with breaking all my personal effects, man?!
TRES - cooking is not fun. Jamie and Gordon wouldn’t work in a Mario game because they is not fun guys.
CUATRO - weird one this: Some of the shrines are so brilliantly good that it makes me dislike in a strong way the ones that are a bit too linear or simple; my disappointment is palpable, señor.
CINCO -The seeds everywhere stuff actually ‘pulses’ me off - it just seems lazy to have this enormous world so full of promise and then blow so much of it on those irksome seeds.
SEIS - Riding the horse is tedious. The boat was more fun in Wind Waker - and it wasn’t. Don’t drink the water, please.
SIETE - That bloody Blood Moon again.
What, if anything, yanked your goitre?
DEAN
PS. Here is a collage that is no way self indulgent - it’s just a nice thing to do for everybody.
Dean: where you been? I must take issue with your dismissal of the simple Shrines. I liked that they mixed it up, and that some were relatively straightforward. I reckon they did that on purpose so that idiots felt like they were making some progress.
I'm not sure what I wasn't a fan of in BOTW... hunh... hnng... hmm.
The first Divine Beast I had a crack at - the elephant one - almost made me give up altogether. I spent days on it, and didn't feel a sense of achievement afterwards... just irritated that they'd placed such a massive obstacle in the path of my enjoyment.
So, yes... could've done without that. And those puzzles with the motion controls. Developers: stop putting motion controls in games, plz. I don't like them. Nobody likes them.
I'm not sure what I wasn't a fan of in BOTW... hunh... hnng... hmm.
The first Divine Beast I had a crack at - the elephant one - almost made me give up altogether. I spent days on it, and didn't feel a sense of achievement afterwards... just irritated that they'd placed such a massive obstacle in the path of my enjoyment.
So, yes... could've done without that. And those puzzles with the motion controls. Developers: stop putting motion controls in games, plz. I don't like them. Nobody likes them.
HEAD IN ADVICE
I know you're not an advice page by nature, but I have a conundrum that needs sorting. I have two wonderful jobs lined up to choose between. One is far away from home, but is in a safe, friendly environment. This means less stress, better work-life balance, etc. The other is closer to home but has more risk and potential reward, longer hours, but potentially will move me further in my career.
I realise the nonsense of asking a website something like this but If you were me, which would you take?
Mr Query
I know you're not an advice page by nature, but I have a conundrum that needs sorting. I have two wonderful jobs lined up to choose between. One is far away from home, but is in a safe, friendly environment. This means less stress, better work-life balance, etc. The other is closer to home but has more risk and potential reward, longer hours, but potentially will move me further in my career.
I realise the nonsense of asking a website something like this but If you were me, which would you take?
Mr Query
Okay. Here's the thing. Whatever on I say I'd take - you must ignore. I am not you. I am different to you. I have different priorities to you.
But... gawd knows. I mean, I've already got the latter; I work very close to home (in my home), but in a high risk job where the potential rewards are high, but I work long hours.
I would like to work in a more secure job... but I'm not sure I'm suited to such an environment anymore. I mess around when I'm in an office.
But... gawd knows. I mean, I've already got the latter; I work very close to home (in my home), but in a high risk job where the potential rewards are high, but I work long hours.
I would like to work in a more secure job... but I'm not sure I'm suited to such an environment anymore. I mess around when I'm in an office.
SAUCY LITTLE NUMBER
Dear MrBiffo,
I wrote you but still ain't callin'
I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not-a got 'em
There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin'
Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot 'em
But anyways:
Burger sauce or chilli sauce?
harris.harris
Dear MrBiffo,
I wrote you but still ain't callin'
I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not-a got 'em
There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin'
Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot 'em
But anyways:
Burger sauce or chilli sauce?
harris.harris
Burger sauce is rank. I can't have too much chilli sauce either, after the Digifest a couple of years ago gave me gastritis through stress. Thus: garlic sauce, Harris. Garlic sauce.
SPRAWLING ESTATE
You never aspired to be an estate agent, but it pays the bills. Ominously, the boss is chipper. Great ideas are inevitable, their merit demonstrated by the unwillingness of employees to challenge them, on pain of termination.
"I've got a great idea for our next newspaper advert! Here, pick a tool then strike a renovation pose! Chop chop, the photographer's waiting."
On the left, MD Hammer. With weapon of choice stylishly slung over the shoulder, expect business casual violence.
Second right hides an enigmatic past, though it is rumoured that Driller Killer is their favourite documentary.
Which leaves The Cleanup Crew, tirelessly tidying the resultant legal and visceral mess. You may question if their division of duties re-enforces traditional gender roles, at your peril.
Blood Lettings. It's time to trouble some tenants.
David W
You never aspired to be an estate agent, but it pays the bills. Ominously, the boss is chipper. Great ideas are inevitable, their merit demonstrated by the unwillingness of employees to challenge them, on pain of termination.
"I've got a great idea for our next newspaper advert! Here, pick a tool then strike a renovation pose! Chop chop, the photographer's waiting."
On the left, MD Hammer. With weapon of choice stylishly slung over the shoulder, expect business casual violence.
Second right hides an enigmatic past, though it is rumoured that Driller Killer is their favourite documentary.
Which leaves The Cleanup Crew, tirelessly tidying the resultant legal and visceral mess. You may question if their division of duties re-enforces traditional gender roles, at your peril.
Blood Lettings. It's time to trouble some tenants.
David W
This is all real good and everything, David, but I'm not entirely sure how to respond...
BIFFALO STANCE
Hello Mr Biffo. I had a bit of an argument with my friend, so please don't take his stance on this one. I've really started enjoying story-driven games lately. In your opinion, is this genre still improving, or has it "peaked?"
Good luck with Digi TV, marriage, and all the other atrocities in your life!
Koa H.
Hello Mr Biffo. I had a bit of an argument with my friend, so please don't take his stance on this one. I've really started enjoying story-driven games lately. In your opinion, is this genre still improving, or has it "peaked?"
Good luck with Digi TV, marriage, and all the other atrocities in your life!
Koa H.
I hope it hasn't peaked. It does seem to have plateaued a bit though. It always annoys me when games such as God of War get held up for its amazing story, when it's so wretchedly dour and self-important. And then they force you to suffer through all those cut-scenes. I mean, gorgeous art design, and yeah.... hats off to them for making a game that's sort of about being a dad... but enough with the portentous moping, for pity's sake.
THE 50 Qs OF WHYTE
1. Has there ever been a game that you have found its subject matter to be unacceptable? I don't mean banning or 'down with this sort of thing', but just something that you wouldn't play on principle?
2. It's common online to have young people fail to identify an old piece of technology, but I was thinking, are there any game mechanics/features that, once common, would now seem totally archaic? I'd propose a set number of lives but I'd like to hear your opinion.
3. Does the recent gameplay of the Last of Us 2 make you more or less interested in the game?
John Whyte
1. Has there ever been a game that you have found its subject matter to be unacceptable? I don't mean banning or 'down with this sort of thing', but just something that you wouldn't play on principle?
2. It's common online to have young people fail to identify an old piece of technology, but I was thinking, are there any game mechanics/features that, once common, would now seem totally archaic? I'd propose a set number of lives but I'd like to hear your opinion.
3. Does the recent gameplay of the Last of Us 2 make you more or less interested in the game?
John Whyte
1. It's weird. As I get older, I get increasingly snowflake-y in a lot of ways... and in other ways I get less tolerant of a lot of knee-jerk political correctness. I mean, I was disappointed with a lot of the games shown at E3, because of the level of violence. But I was also pleased with the number of female protagonists. Swings and roundabouts. But I don't know if there's anything I've not played on principle. Doubtless, there have been some racist-y games that I wouldn't have gone near.
2. Yeah, set number of lives is a good one. Continues are another. We forget that games borrowed a lot from arcades, where lives and continues were a way to make money, and encourage punters to keep shoving coins into the slot. It took a long time for developers for console games to realise that they were necessary. Imagine if, say, Assassin's Creed had lives and continues. Imagine it.
3. That trailer was a bit jarring wasn't it? The first half was beautifully character-based, and then jumped to one of said characters sticking a pickaxe in somebody's neck. I suppose shock was the point, but... I dunno. Like I say above, I'm getting snowflake-y, and I didn't like seeing it. But I did like that they seem to be putting a same-sex relationship at the heart of the game.
Either way, I've no doubt Last of Us 2 will be brilliant - Naughty Dog are the best storytellers working in gaming, bar none.
2. Yeah, set number of lives is a good one. Continues are another. We forget that games borrowed a lot from arcades, where lives and continues were a way to make money, and encourage punters to keep shoving coins into the slot. It took a long time for developers for console games to realise that they were necessary. Imagine if, say, Assassin's Creed had lives and continues. Imagine it.
3. That trailer was a bit jarring wasn't it? The first half was beautifully character-based, and then jumped to one of said characters sticking a pickaxe in somebody's neck. I suppose shock was the point, but... I dunno. Like I say above, I'm getting snowflake-y, and I didn't like seeing it. But I did like that they seem to be putting a same-sex relationship at the heart of the game.
Either way, I've no doubt Last of Us 2 will be brilliant - Naughty Dog are the best storytellers working in gaming, bar none.
RSS Feed
