Just like clockwork another brilliant show that Ben Edlund was working on has been cancelled. The WB has axed Angel, even though it has seen stronger ratings this year and has ranked consistently in the top half of all WB programs. If anyone is to blame, let’s lay the finger on Edlund, the creative genius that gave us “The Tick”. And while I really enjoyed the animated Tick and adored the short lived “Firefly” (Edlund’s first TV collaboration with Buffy & Angel creator and hella funny guy in his own right, Joss Whedon.) the guy’s like some sort of bad omen. He either creates or joins a show and injects it with his great humor - which now, considering the DVD sales and reviews of “The Tick” and “Firefly” must be considered ahead of his time – and then the show is deemed too funny or generates a cult following and the networks have to cancel it.

Hey, TV executives, you’re wondering why my demographic is disappearing from all TV ratings? Maybe it’s because of your insistence to cancel anything that shows any promise, or your insistence on cramming one poorly conceived reality show after another down my throat. I could start a new network with all of the great shows TV’s canceled recently: The Tick, Greg the Bunny, Firefly, now Angel. That would be a hell of a line up.

K, so I’m sorry for neglecting y’all for over a week but you’ll have to believe me, there were dark magics involved. John and I finally were able to give Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles a go yesterday and we were pleased with the results. It is, as many have already said, pretty much just a revamped “Gauntlet” with Final Fantasy spells and monsters. But for what that is, FFCC is a success. It’s a fun multiplayer game filled with lots of hacking and slashing and curing and phoenix downing. We’re hoping to get one or two more people into playing the game with us but prospects are a bit grim. It’s not the major game that we had been hoping for but it is a fun way to pass some time.

I found this in my 'my documents' folder. I wrote it for my creative writing class, my senior year of high school. I believe the assignment was to use one of the various WPA murals we had hanging in the hallways as inspiration. And now I'm inflicted in on you. Cheers.

"Last night I had the strangest dream, man." said Ige Chi before he took another drag on his cigarette. Ige exhaled and sat there, staring at Ahmad, who looked like he could care more about the economic policies of Franz Kafka. Ahmad sat restlessly as he twiddled with a small piece of paper and a clump of tobacco. Ahmad, ultimately deciding to roll up his cigarette while his friend related his escapades in REM sleep, made no response. Ige saw all of this but didn't pay it any mind, Ige was determined to tell him his dream; the dream would catch his attention.

I seem to have been struck dumb recently due to this increase of labor. So instead of more words, I present you with a scan of the only thing I've ever drawn that I was proud of:

Trust me, if you ever saw the comic book characters I had tried to draw you'd know that this one is tons better, but I think I like it mostly because of the "Black Flag" tat I put on her forearm, I think it looks rad.

So it’s Sunday and that means that Greg Kasavin has posted yet another interesting editorial. This week Greg wonders out loud why more developers haven’t tried to release games in an episodic fashion, like TV shows. He surmises that shorter game like the two Max Paynes would feel less short if we could only play an hour or two a week. He’s probably right but you and I both know that that kind of approach would infuriate gamers with more time on their hands. It would seem a compromise might be in order. Look at Metal Gear Solid, the level design and pacing make MGS perfect to play in short intervals. Turn the game on and evade the guards on your way to facing Psychomantis. Defeat him and watch more of the game unfold. Turn off game. There that’s a whole level and it’s got enough content to satiate any quick game fix you might have. The point is Hideo Kojima didn’t restrain his users from devouring his masterpiece in one glorious day if they so chose, but through pacing and structure, he also supported gamers who had a much shorter window of availability.

This isn’t to say that I don’t think that games can’t or shan’t be episodic. I was a long-time fan of “Asheron’s Call” an MMORPG that features monthly updates. These updates provide new content that, among other things, progress the game’s story. This is a great feature and helps to make the world of “Asheron’s Call” feel more alive and interactive. MMORPGs should try and do this more often. If they were to introduce more content and have special events in an episodic way they might be able to attract the casual players who’ve passed over the genre thus far.

I'm not sure why but I found this cookie warning funny. It could be bad translation or just manners but I think it means "You're surrounded by golddiggers who only want your money." but I can't be sure.

Whatever the case, I'd like to thank the cookie people for providing me with something to post, my brain's been having a dry spell lately.

Check out my new desktop image.

If you read my Crimson Sea review, then guessed that I'd be down for a sequel, you'd have guessed right, I am, down for a sequel to Crimson Sea, I mean. And this screenshot is part of the reason why. Koei has developed some graphical muscle in their "Dynasty Warriors" golden age.

Tycho over at penny-arcade has some funny things to say about IGN's low review of FFCC. As usual he seems to be telling it like it is, only a few more days until we get to see for ourselves.

I posted my top games of 2003 on Pajamo. Go check it out if you want to see the definitive list, superior to all other lists.