Bong! For this week's Digitiser2000 Friday Letters Page, some of you wrote in with ideas for how we could all celebrate the 25th anniversary of Digi, which will be happening on January 1st 2018. Obviously, we'll be hungover/bored of celebrating things on that particular day, but it feels like the occasion should be marked in some manner.
If you've got any ideas to add, please include them in the comments.
Don't forget: if you enjoy Digitiser2000, and want to support my work, you can do so via PayPal (digitiser2000@gmail.com) or Patreon. The only money I receive for everything I do on this site is through those two sources, so your support is hugely appreciated. Plus: I buy most of my review copies out of it.
Anyhow... on with the motley. If you would like to appear on next week's page, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone - please send your emails for next week to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
If you've got any ideas to add, please include them in the comments.
Don't forget: if you enjoy Digitiser2000, and want to support my work, you can do so via PayPal (digitiser2000@gmail.com) or Patreon. The only money I receive for everything I do on this site is through those two sources, so your support is hugely appreciated. Plus: I buy most of my review copies out of it.
Anyhow... on with the motley. If you would like to appear on next week's page, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone - please send your emails for next week to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
DONER KEBAB
I watched Found Footage with my uninitiated girlfriend, and for some reason we both lost it at the Xenoxxx Interactive Storybook. MC Stringy Hobo is also truly remarkable, mesa hoping to see him some more.
I think the most important thing I wanted to communicate to you though is this: even though this was a crowd-funded project, I hope you don't feel in any way beholden to your backers and audience.
In fact, I would much rather you felt the opposite way... I was only able to donate modestly, because I need the gin, but the reason for that donation was to help give you the freedom to create purely for yourself, with no consideration beyond realizing your own singular vision. So, that is what I most want to see, and I hope you take every opportunity to fulfill that.
Finally I should also like to invite you and your readers to join Brannigan's Vortex: https://www.facebook.com/groups/423153791354373/ - a Found Footage discuss-me-do of unlikely made-up theories concerning the DEEP HIDDEN MYSTERY that probably exists, Heisenberg-style, hiding like a coward guy among your smoky plumes.
That is all, etc.
Graeme Anthony
I watched Found Footage with my uninitiated girlfriend, and for some reason we both lost it at the Xenoxxx Interactive Storybook. MC Stringy Hobo is also truly remarkable, mesa hoping to see him some more.
I think the most important thing I wanted to communicate to you though is this: even though this was a crowd-funded project, I hope you don't feel in any way beholden to your backers and audience.
In fact, I would much rather you felt the opposite way... I was only able to donate modestly, because I need the gin, but the reason for that donation was to help give you the freedom to create purely for yourself, with no consideration beyond realizing your own singular vision. So, that is what I most want to see, and I hope you take every opportunity to fulfill that.
Finally I should also like to invite you and your readers to join Brannigan's Vortex: https://www.facebook.com/groups/423153791354373/ - a Found Footage discuss-me-do of unlikely made-up theories concerning the DEEP HIDDEN MYSTERY that probably exists, Heisenberg-style, hiding like a coward guy among your smoky plumes.
That is all, etc.
Graeme Anthony
Thanks, Two-Names. It's hard not to feel beholden to the backers, because I'm incredibly grateful for their generosity, and I want them to feel that their support was worthwhile... but you'll be glad to hear that I'm pretty aware that you've all given me an opportunity to do precisely the thing I want to do, without any interference, and so it's only in that regard that I don't want to let anyone down.
Trying to please everyone is a fool's errand though - I just want to make sure that whatever I produce is as good as I can make it, given the resources.
That said... it is odd for me. Some of you may have noticed we got a lot of comments on The Awakening yesterday, because lovely Ashens linked to it from his latest YouTube video. Some liked it, some didn't, some felt it was disturbing - much the reaction I hope for and expect... but I guess I find it weird when people react so strongly to it, because to me it isn't that odd. Alright, I know it's not Only Fools And Horses... but... I dunno.
So... yeah. That's my normal, I suppose. I'll just keep doing that.
Trying to please everyone is a fool's errand though - I just want to make sure that whatever I produce is as good as I can make it, given the resources.
That said... it is odd for me. Some of you may have noticed we got a lot of comments on The Awakening yesterday, because lovely Ashens linked to it from his latest YouTube video. Some liked it, some didn't, some felt it was disturbing - much the reaction I hope for and expect... but I guess I find it weird when people react so strongly to it, because to me it isn't that odd. Alright, I know it's not Only Fools And Horses... but... I dunno.
So... yeah. That's my normal, I suppose. I'll just keep doing that.
TRSSSSSSSS!
Here is a photo of Mr T operating a TRS-80. I remain, sir, a safe distance from his bins,
Rhys
I bid on eBay for one of those last week. I didn't win. I think the starting price was fifty quid, and went up to a few hundred by the end.
I was going to use it as a prop for Found Footage. Instead, I bought something else. Well, several something elses. I've really got to stop buying props, as it is getting out of hand.
The explosives people cancelled my order, though, because I couldn't give a satisfactory enough of a reason for wanting them. True story.
Here is a photo of Mr T operating a TRS-80. I remain, sir, a safe distance from his bins,
Rhys
I bid on eBay for one of those last week. I didn't win. I think the starting price was fifty quid, and went up to a few hundred by the end.
I was going to use it as a prop for Found Footage. Instead, I bought something else. Well, several something elses. I've really got to stop buying props, as it is getting out of hand.
The explosives people cancelled my order, though, because I couldn't give a satisfactory enough of a reason for wanting them. True story.
RATED RPG
How do again!
I was elated to hear that I piqued your curiosity regarding my guilty pleasure Koulelka, but disappointed to hear your interest stopped after a Google search, but I'll be fine.
Apart from the obvious (Final Fantasy XV and then the remake if it ever comes out), could you, or any members of the Digitiser Universe, recommend a good ol' Role Player for the PS4, not an online one, haven't got time for that.
Jim Leighton (Future World Darts Champion) x
How do again!
I was elated to hear that I piqued your curiosity regarding my guilty pleasure Koulelka, but disappointed to hear your interest stopped after a Google search, but I'll be fine.
Apart from the obvious (Final Fantasy XV and then the remake if it ever comes out), could you, or any members of the Digitiser Universe, recommend a good ol' Role Player for the PS4, not an online one, haven't got time for that.
Jim Leighton (Future World Darts Champion) x
The Witcher III and Dragon Age Inquisition seem to be the two that everyone likes. I also liked them to a point, while suffering a little through their story and dialogue. If you like stopping the gameplay every five seconds to tolerate a cut-scene, or read somebody's journal, you'll love them.
DUN ROAMIN'
You know what... in a parallel universe, someone called Mr Pudsey wrote the computer section for CEEFAX.
Much later on, he went on to script the very well received, and critically acclaimed, performing dog film “The Biffo The Dog Movie”. He’s now shortener to the extraordinarily successful BBC 1 reboot of Blake’s 7.
The great thing is that WHATEVER HE SAYS, TV’S PROFESSOR BRIAN COX CAN’T DISPROVE THIS.
Paul Dunning
You know what... in a parallel universe, someone called Mr Pudsey wrote the computer section for CEEFAX.
Much later on, he went on to script the very well received, and critically acclaimed, performing dog film “The Biffo The Dog Movie”. He’s now shortener to the extraordinarily successful BBC 1 reboot of Blake’s 7.
The great thing is that WHATEVER HE SAYS, TV’S PROFESSOR BRIAN COX CAN’T DISPROVE THIS.
Paul Dunning
Press reveal to see if Professor Brian Cox has anything to add to this:
REVEAL:
EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN IS LOVELY
Since lots of people are sending in pictures now, I thought I'd send you and your readers a picture of my Mario Run Kingdom. This represents many hours of hard work: 99.9% finished but can't be arsed grinding out the couple of thousand red and green Toads for the classic Mario and Luigi statues.
Roll on Nintendo's next mobile offering. Something Zelda, maybe? Not forgetting Fire Emblem: Heroes, of course, but yeah... Maybe best to forget about it.
Richard Morrison
Since lots of people are sending in pictures now, I thought I'd send you and your readers a picture of my Mario Run Kingdom. This represents many hours of hard work: 99.9% finished but can't be arsed grinding out the couple of thousand red and green Toads for the classic Mario and Luigi statues.
Roll on Nintendo's next mobile offering. Something Zelda, maybe? Not forgetting Fire Emblem: Heroes, of course, but yeah... Maybe best to forget about it.
Richard Morrison
You must be real proud, Lidl.
ZZZZZZZZZZZ?
I think you should celebrate Digitizer's birthday by holding a roast potato in your mouth for as long as it takes to fully dissolve. No swallowing though.
Adam Lloyd
I think you should celebrate Digitizer's birthday by holding a roast potato in your mouth for as long as it takes to fully dissolve. No swallowing though.
Adam Lloyd
Did you really just spell Digitiser with a Z? You are henceforth banned from all celebrations, Harold.
TERRIBLE CULT
You asked about how we should all celebrate the forthcoming 25th (but not really quite 25th) birthday of Digitiser. Well I've been talking to this creepy-looking bald guy online and he says we can all go to his secluded ranch to wear white tracksuits and pristine Nike Air trainers.
He reckons the planet is completely frigged, but if we all swig his special Irn Bru at the same time, these aliens he's been communicating with can whisk us to Denzil 7 by teatime.
From all accounts, it's a terrific planet; wasps don't sting, Nutella has zero calories and playing Ed Sheeran's music is punishable by exile to the Phantom Zone.
I'm a fairly skeptical person, and these do seem like wild baseless claims, but on balance I think it could be worth a punt. I mean, what could go wrong?
Irn Bru is pretty harmless stuff and all those dead birds at the back of his shed aren't an indication of any portent as far as I'm concerned.
Let me know if anyone's interested. I've booked a minibus for 9am.
Kara Van Park
You asked about how we should all celebrate the forthcoming 25th (but not really quite 25th) birthday of Digitiser. Well I've been talking to this creepy-looking bald guy online and he says we can all go to his secluded ranch to wear white tracksuits and pristine Nike Air trainers.
He reckons the planet is completely frigged, but if we all swig his special Irn Bru at the same time, these aliens he's been communicating with can whisk us to Denzil 7 by teatime.
From all accounts, it's a terrific planet; wasps don't sting, Nutella has zero calories and playing Ed Sheeran's music is punishable by exile to the Phantom Zone.
I'm a fairly skeptical person, and these do seem like wild baseless claims, but on balance I think it could be worth a punt. I mean, what could go wrong?
Irn Bru is pretty harmless stuff and all those dead birds at the back of his shed aren't an indication of any portent as far as I'm concerned.
Let me know if anyone's interested. I've booked a minibus for 9am.
Kara Van Park
I was with you up until the point you said Irn Bru is pretty harmless. Also, thanks to autocorrect, I just came up with a real good name for Scotland's national super-hero: Irn Bro. Press reveal to meet him.
REVEAL:
MODERN GAMES IS RUBBISH
Modern games. Rubbish.
I've just paid the thick end of £200 buying an original 20 year old Game Boy Color, and fitting a back light to it so I can finally play Zelda DX. You can do it cheaper but I'm no Johnny Soldering-Iron and destroyed several Game Boys in the process.
Are there any genuine modern classics out there that will make the kids of today buy a second hand PS4 on eBay in 20 years time?
Steve Dave
Modern games. Rubbish.
I've just paid the thick end of £200 buying an original 20 year old Game Boy Color, and fitting a back light to it so I can finally play Zelda DX. You can do it cheaper but I'm no Johnny Soldering-Iron and destroyed several Game Boys in the process.
Are there any genuine modern classics out there that will make the kids of today buy a second hand PS4 on eBay in 20 years time?
Steve Dave
On the PS4? Man... that's a tough question. I'm increasingly feeling so out of step with contemporary gaming trends. It's a fair question though: what do we have on the Xbox one and PS4 that are original classics, in the true sense of the word? We get a lot of identikit franchises... but one annual instalment is more or less the same as the previous one, just re-skinned.
I dunno. Nostalgia doesn't tend to kick in right away, does it?
I dunno. Nostalgia doesn't tend to kick in right away, does it?
POOR ZOO
For my step-grandson's birthday we're all going to a crap zoo to be underwhelmed by no lions, tigers or bears of any hue. Perhaps a similar day out could be arranged for Teletext reaching the big two five. Love and kisses,
Treacle
For my step-grandson's birthday we're all going to a crap zoo to be underwhelmed by no lions, tigers or bears of any hue. Perhaps a similar day out could be arranged for Teletext reaching the big two five. Love and kisses,
Treacle
You want a day out? I fear I'd feel like I did when I went with my daughter's class to the Science Museum. I ended up losing one of the children in my group, arrived late for lunch, and paid one boy 50p to put his tongue on a device which gave static shocks when I cranked a handle - and then another 50p for not telling his teacher.
YU WHO?
Shigeru Miyamoto, John Carmack, Hideo Kojima, Sid Meier, Peter Molyneux and Warren Spector are all renowned developers of computer games.
It is difficult to quantify such a thing but I often feel that Yu Suzuki is overlooked as one of the great game developers/directors. His contribution to the industry is almost unmatched, but he isn't nearly as well-known as some others. What do you think of his body of work?
What bad/not good game did you think had the potential to be good i.e. with a different focus, developer etc? I'd nominate Omikron the Nomad Soul - David Bowie aside it had some really good ideas in it and it wasn't like anything else at the time.
Do you think that the short episode format of Found Footage suits it best, or given more time/money/help would you prefer longer episodes?
John Whyte
Shigeru Miyamoto, John Carmack, Hideo Kojima, Sid Meier, Peter Molyneux and Warren Spector are all renowned developers of computer games.
It is difficult to quantify such a thing but I often feel that Yu Suzuki is overlooked as one of the great game developers/directors. His contribution to the industry is almost unmatched, but he isn't nearly as well-known as some others. What do you think of his body of work?
What bad/not good game did you think had the potential to be good i.e. with a different focus, developer etc? I'd nominate Omikron the Nomad Soul - David Bowie aside it had some really good ideas in it and it wasn't like anything else at the time.
Do you think that the short episode format of Found Footage suits it best, or given more time/money/help would you prefer longer episodes?
John Whyte
Yu Suzuki, I think, is only less fondly recalled because he hasn't been as active in recent years. There's no doubting his track record though: Space Harrier, Out Run, Virtua Fighter... And, I suppose, Shenmue, even though it's really boring.
Bad/not good game that would've been better with a different developer? How about Shenmue? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Found Footage needs to be short, I think. It's just too relentless to work as well any longer. Not least, because it's designed to be shown online, and is probably already testing the patience of people at 12 minutes or so. Ep 1 was originally closer to 15, but it felt too long, so I removed a sequence to put in a later episode. I like the pace of it as it is - I hope people get to the end and feel they have to re-watch it.
Bad/not good game that would've been better with a different developer? How about Shenmue? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Found Footage needs to be short, I think. It's just too relentless to work as well any longer. Not least, because it's designed to be shown online, and is probably already testing the patience of people at 12 minutes or so. Ep 1 was originally closer to 15, but it felt too long, so I removed a sequence to put in a later episode. I like the pace of it as it is - I hope people get to the end and feel they have to re-watch it.
FAN STOKED-ER'S SPECTACULAR
As a Classic Sonic fan, I'm stoked for Sonic Mania. I avoided the 3D titles for years, having heard about their awfulness. But from last year to now, being convinced that Mania will satisfy, I've delved with an open mind into what some call the dark era, playing Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 on Xbox 360.
Ok, they are terrible, but fascinating, in the way Phil Mitchel's sweaty forehead can appear to resemble an optical illusion if you stare at it long enough. I must be mad, as I periodically return to Sonic's world, moving on to the next title in the series: next it will be Heroes, then Shadow the Hedgehog, then '06...
This got me thinking though. The series went from the Classics' 'anyone can enjoy them' simplicity to an attituded-up, cutscene-heavy mish-mash of gameplay styles.
While Sega didn't know where to take Sonic in the 3D era, and tried to inject the Japanese aspects of the creative side that had been developed and then sidelined from the start (Sonic with a human girlfriend, with fangs - these things came to pass in later games), I wonder, for all its flaws, would my teenage self have been a fan?
Was it only because I didn't have a Dreamcast, and saw Sonic as old hat by the time I had a Gamecube? Because for some, Station Square, the Chao-raising, and the Sonic-verse in general is remembered fondly by those who played the Adventure series as teenagers. It appealed emotionally to young, developing minds in ways the Classic Sonic games never did.
And I had my own similar, moment but on another format: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask on N64. Those games had a huge impact on my teenage brain: ideas of relationships, the strangeness of the world, etc. Looking back, while those Zelda games are clearly more technically accomplished than the Sonic Adventures, having retained their place in gaming culture thanks to remakes, are the moody story and thematic elements a similar salve to an unsure, youthful mind?
My question is, as a former-therapist or near-therapist-to-be, what's your take on the role of games as self-developmental tools? Was there a game that, growing up, somehow intimately shaped your worldview, looking back?
I realise that was quite a long letter. Sorry about that. Oh, and great work on Found Footage. Wozniak!
Stuart Lindsay
As a Classic Sonic fan, I'm stoked for Sonic Mania. I avoided the 3D titles for years, having heard about their awfulness. But from last year to now, being convinced that Mania will satisfy, I've delved with an open mind into what some call the dark era, playing Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 on Xbox 360.
Ok, they are terrible, but fascinating, in the way Phil Mitchel's sweaty forehead can appear to resemble an optical illusion if you stare at it long enough. I must be mad, as I periodically return to Sonic's world, moving on to the next title in the series: next it will be Heroes, then Shadow the Hedgehog, then '06...
This got me thinking though. The series went from the Classics' 'anyone can enjoy them' simplicity to an attituded-up, cutscene-heavy mish-mash of gameplay styles.
While Sega didn't know where to take Sonic in the 3D era, and tried to inject the Japanese aspects of the creative side that had been developed and then sidelined from the start (Sonic with a human girlfriend, with fangs - these things came to pass in later games), I wonder, for all its flaws, would my teenage self have been a fan?
Was it only because I didn't have a Dreamcast, and saw Sonic as old hat by the time I had a Gamecube? Because for some, Station Square, the Chao-raising, and the Sonic-verse in general is remembered fondly by those who played the Adventure series as teenagers. It appealed emotionally to young, developing minds in ways the Classic Sonic games never did.
And I had my own similar, moment but on another format: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask on N64. Those games had a huge impact on my teenage brain: ideas of relationships, the strangeness of the world, etc. Looking back, while those Zelda games are clearly more technically accomplished than the Sonic Adventures, having retained their place in gaming culture thanks to remakes, are the moody story and thematic elements a similar salve to an unsure, youthful mind?
My question is, as a former-therapist or near-therapist-to-be, what's your take on the role of games as self-developmental tools? Was there a game that, growing up, somehow intimately shaped your worldview, looking back?
I realise that was quite a long letter. Sorry about that. Oh, and great work on Found Footage. Wozniak!
Stuart Lindsay
That's a real good question, Robert. Everything we do or consume shapes us, to one extent or another. I'm not sure I've ever encountered anything in a game which sort of hit me in a profound way, though, and it doesn't feel like games have shaped my worldview as such.
Certainly, the games I played growing up weren't that deep or complex - but I know I used them as a bit of an escape, when the teen years were tough. And I know that, creatively, I've kind of absorbed the language of games and games culture, and that has worked as an influence.
And... y'know... here I am still writing about video games, because I missed it. They're more my security blanket than an influence, I think.
Certainly, the games I played growing up weren't that deep or complex - but I know I used them as a bit of an escape, when the teen years were tough. And I know that, creatively, I've kind of absorbed the language of games and games culture, and that has worked as an influence.
And... y'know... here I am still writing about video games, because I missed it. They're more my security blanket than an influence, I think.
PIPEDREAM IN SILVER
25 Years of Digitiser could only be rightly celebrated by the publication of the long teased book. With a silver embossed cover for the Silver Anniversary, with expanded “… Of My Years” stories.
A section on the language of Digi would be excellent too, with explanations as to the origins of things like “Huss!”, “Moc-Moc-a-Moc” and “…me do”.
I’d like to see alternate history Digi, excerpts from a “what if” universe where it never ended and how it adapted through the end of analogue Teletext and the dawn of Digital. How about one where it ran in the 80s? Maybe even go so far as to have Digi Down the Decades with mocked up versions of how it might have been throughout different periods of the 20th Century (probably with board games, cards or toys).
Definitely have something written by all previous contributors, as far as possible.
I’d also love some character plushies and an actual Man Diary diary (probably day to a page with each alternating page featuring a brand new Man adventure). If the latter is not possible, may I please have a Man reveal-o?
Glyn Heaviside
25 Years of Digitiser could only be rightly celebrated by the publication of the long teased book. With a silver embossed cover for the Silver Anniversary, with expanded “… Of My Years” stories.
A section on the language of Digi would be excellent too, with explanations as to the origins of things like “Huss!”, “Moc-Moc-a-Moc” and “…me do”.
I’d like to see alternate history Digi, excerpts from a “what if” universe where it never ended and how it adapted through the end of analogue Teletext and the dawn of Digital. How about one where it ran in the 80s? Maybe even go so far as to have Digi Down the Decades with mocked up versions of how it might have been throughout different periods of the 20th Century (probably with board games, cards or toys).
Definitely have something written by all previous contributors, as far as possible.
I’d also love some character plushies and an actual Man Diary diary (probably day to a page with each alternating page featuring a brand new Man adventure). If the latter is not possible, may I please have a Man reveal-o?
Glyn Heaviside
The book will, hopefully, happen later this year. Once Found Footage is done and dusted, I'll have a bit of a rest and then look at crowd-funding the book. I've no idea how well it'd do... but I've already collated all the Games/Scripts of my Years posts, with a view to rewriting and expanding on them when I get time.
I can't guarantee all of your ideas will be featured, but I'll make sure it has plenty of extra content for those who have already read the memoirs on here. There's still a ton of stuff that has been left out.
Plushies? Can't promise those either - we're a bit shy of merchandise at the minute, as I think everyone had taken their fill of it... but we'll probably be doing some Found Footage merch around the time of the series launch.
I can, however, offer you a Man reveal-oh.
I can't guarantee all of your ideas will be featured, but I'll make sure it has plenty of extra content for those who have already read the memoirs on here. There's still a ton of stuff that has been left out.
Plushies? Can't promise those either - we're a bit shy of merchandise at the minute, as I think everyone had taken their fill of it... but we'll probably be doing some Found Footage merch around the time of the series launch.
I can, however, offer you a Man reveal-oh.
REVEAL:
END OF DAYS
When Jim Morrison sang "The End", do you think he was predicting the use of game over screens in video games?
Stringfellow Hawke
When Jim Morrison sang "The End", do you think he was predicting the use of game over screens in video games?
Stringfellow Hawke
Press reveal to ask him.
REVEAL:
THE BEST OF BOTW WORLDS
I've never owned a Nintendo Console before but I'm now trying to persuade my children to get a Switch for their birthday, mostly so I can play the BOTW when they're not on it, to enjoy seeing their sense of wonder when they are on it and partly so I can hopefully join in some games when they are on it.
I'm pretty much excluded from their Xbox games these days. I can only put my Nintendo love down to the influence of Digitiser, seeing as I don't read anything else to do with gaming.
I checked out the Zelda cartoon. Unfortunately I was in work at the time and although I tried to explain to my colleagues why I was watching it, it didn't seem to make things better. I'm already viewed with suspicion, being the only Scouser I know who doesn't much like football.
On a different note were you ever particularly into any bands other than Marillion? I'm thinking maybe Faith No More or Boney M, both personal favourites of mine.
Maybe another Block Party type thing/Digifest for the 25th Anniversary, still gutted I couldn't get to the last one.
Monkey Head
I've never owned a Nintendo Console before but I'm now trying to persuade my children to get a Switch for their birthday, mostly so I can play the BOTW when they're not on it, to enjoy seeing their sense of wonder when they are on it and partly so I can hopefully join in some games when they are on it.
I'm pretty much excluded from their Xbox games these days. I can only put my Nintendo love down to the influence of Digitiser, seeing as I don't read anything else to do with gaming.
I checked out the Zelda cartoon. Unfortunately I was in work at the time and although I tried to explain to my colleagues why I was watching it, it didn't seem to make things better. I'm already viewed with suspicion, being the only Scouser I know who doesn't much like football.
On a different note were you ever particularly into any bands other than Marillion? I'm thinking maybe Faith No More or Boney M, both personal favourites of mine.
Maybe another Block Party type thing/Digifest for the 25th Anniversary, still gutted I couldn't get to the last one.
Monkey Head
Hey - funny you should mention Marillion... next week I am off to Holland for the Marillion Weekend. Former PlayStation boss Phil Harrison is usually there. I'll let you all know if he embarrasses himself.
Other bands... yeah. I don't just listen to Marillion. And I don't listen to a lot of other modern prog, most of which feels like a parody of itself. Though the Swedish band Moon Safari are good, and I like some Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson stuff. And older prog bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis, but my tastes are pretty broad.
Talk Talk is probably my other favourite band. Then maybe Elbow, Kate Bush, M82, Counting Crows, Springsteen,... and I've enjoyed stuff by War on Drugs, Future Islands, Public Service Broadcasting... If something sounds a bit 80s, I'm there. I like a good pop song. I like a bit of alt-country. The only stuff I don't really go for is if something is too heavy and lacking in melody.
My favourite album of relatively recent years was by a band called Royworld, but they split up after their first release, which I was very sad about.
A party for the 25th anniversary? We'll get thinking...
Other bands... yeah. I don't just listen to Marillion. And I don't listen to a lot of other modern prog, most of which feels like a parody of itself. Though the Swedish band Moon Safari are good, and I like some Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson stuff. And older prog bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis, but my tastes are pretty broad.
Talk Talk is probably my other favourite band. Then maybe Elbow, Kate Bush, M82, Counting Crows, Springsteen,... and I've enjoyed stuff by War on Drugs, Future Islands, Public Service Broadcasting... If something sounds a bit 80s, I'm there. I like a good pop song. I like a bit of alt-country. The only stuff I don't really go for is if something is too heavy and lacking in melody.
My favourite album of relatively recent years was by a band called Royworld, but they split up after their first release, which I was very sad about.
A party for the 25th anniversary? We'll get thinking...
CHOP CHOP SHOP
Howdy. As requested, a drawing of Chop Chop Master Onion throwing Greendog at a fridge.
Spiney O'Sullivan
(PS. Finding reference images of Greendog led me to look up the short-lived early 90s games comic Max Overload - a suitably early 90s-sounding magazine to host a strip about the early 90s-est gaming hero who wasn't a hedgehog. It was like if someone made a comic out of all the bits of Sonic The Comic that weren't about Sonic, and then it didn't get past issue one. 20 odd years later and I'm still annoyed that we never got more Toe Jam & Earl or Lemmings comics...)
Howdy. As requested, a drawing of Chop Chop Master Onion throwing Greendog at a fridge.
Spiney O'Sullivan
(PS. Finding reference images of Greendog led me to look up the short-lived early 90s games comic Max Overload - a suitably early 90s-sounding magazine to host a strip about the early 90s-est gaming hero who wasn't a hedgehog. It was like if someone made a comic out of all the bits of Sonic The Comic that weren't about Sonic, and then it didn't get past issue one. 20 odd years later and I'm still annoyed that we never got more Toe Jam & Earl or Lemmings comics...)
You're quite the people pleaser, O'Sullivan.
HEY JUDE?
Dear Mr Bonky... about 4/5 years ago I was walking down Shaftesbury Avenue when I suddenly locked eyes with a middle-aged man, who looked above average despite his receding hairline.
He fixed me with a quizzical look. Like a "I know you from somewhere, don't I?" So I started thinking "do I know this guy? He looks familiar, but I can't place him". As we came closer, his face changed from confusion to dismissal. Guess neither of us knew each other, until the little boy he was with asked him something and upon hearing his answer, it clicked. It was Jude Law. God knows who he thought I was.
So my question is have you ever been confused for someone else? Like James May after a night in the police cells for example?
Ronnie Bisque
Dear Mr Bonky... about 4/5 years ago I was walking down Shaftesbury Avenue when I suddenly locked eyes with a middle-aged man, who looked above average despite his receding hairline.
He fixed me with a quizzical look. Like a "I know you from somewhere, don't I?" So I started thinking "do I know this guy? He looks familiar, but I can't place him". As we came closer, his face changed from confusion to dismissal. Guess neither of us knew each other, until the little boy he was with asked him something and upon hearing his answer, it clicked. It was Jude Law. God knows who he thought I was.
So my question is have you ever been confused for someone else? Like James May after a night in the police cells for example?
Ronnie Bisque
Ha ha. You're a real funny guy. Yes: I know I need a haircut. What an odd thing to ask? Uh... I get all sorts of people. George Michael, Mark Ruffalo, Wayne Coyne tend to be the better ones. Then we get into the less good: Marcus Brigstocke, John Belushi, and Guy Garvey I've all had. Big, ugly, fat blokes, basically.
TAG - YOU'RE IT!
So, that Bomberman price tag, eh? It's pretty steep! But then, when I thought about it a little bit, and remembered when NES games also cost fifty "smackers". Somehow, video games have not only ignored inflation, they've actually gotten cheaper!
So here's "the thing": do you think the apparent immunity of video games to inflation, despite rising development costs, is part of the reason we see so much homogenisation these days, with publishers needing to sell millions to just break even?
Surely it can't keep going on like this? And why do you think video games have this "issue", while other "entertainment products" are seemingly content to rise in price along with everything else?
Also, if you were stranded on a desert island with Bodger and Badger, how long would you go before tucking in to that tasty tasty badger meat?
Bentley Topp
So, that Bomberman price tag, eh? It's pretty steep! But then, when I thought about it a little bit, and remembered when NES games also cost fifty "smackers". Somehow, video games have not only ignored inflation, they've actually gotten cheaper!
So here's "the thing": do you think the apparent immunity of video games to inflation, despite rising development costs, is part of the reason we see so much homogenisation these days, with publishers needing to sell millions to just break even?
Surely it can't keep going on like this? And why do you think video games have this "issue", while other "entertainment products" are seemingly content to rise in price along with everything else?
Also, if you were stranded on a desert island with Bodger and Badger, how long would you go before tucking in to that tasty tasty badger meat?
Bentley Topp
I've often wondered about this - how in real terms, games are actually cheaper than they were, but cost more to make. I'm guessing that they sell better than they used to. I dunno.
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