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Tuesday, 14 May 2013

What's Your Story? - twaitsfan

While you all wait patiently for me to finish Mean Streets (at least that's what I keep telling myself), I've got a little line-up of What's Your Story submissions. The first cab off the rank is twaitsfan. He may not have made his voice heard in the comments on the blog at this point, but his emails to me have shown a strong passion for and knowledge of the adventure genre.

 
twaitsfan: Knows how to combine good beer with great gaming!
 
My home country is… USA

My age is… 35

The first adventure game I played was… Police Quest

My favourite adventure game is… Tough one... My original favorite was Police Quest 2, but these days I'd probably have to say The Longest Journey

 
The Longest Journey: A fantastic game that everyone should play!

When I’m not playing games I like to… Write (amateur novelist), Read, Philosophize, Drink good beer

I like my games in (a box, digital format)… In a box!  With a big, thick manual.  I miss manuals...

The thing I miss about old games is… Manuals!  But also, the focus on gameplay.  Many modern games are more like modern action movies.  The plot, consistency & characters (gameplay) don't matter as much as the action and effects.  I can't get invested in things like that.  I need a believable, consistent world (even if it's in 8 bit) with characters that I care about.

 
They don't make them like this anymore! Probably with good reason though.

The best thing about modern games is… Lack of load times (I remember playing Codename:Iceman on my 8088 and having to switch disks three times to walk into another room), production values, cinematography, controls, achievements, atmosphere (when done right)

The one TV show I never miss is… Not many these days. With an hour commute, 2 year old daughter and 2 month old son, my games take up my free time instead of TV.  Though when I watch on demand/hulu, I('ve) watch(ed):  Community, Parks and Rec, Lost (oh you evil betrayer!), Firefly...

 
The cancellation of Firefly was a travesty, and Serenity proved the point nicely.

If I could see any band live it would be… I've seen most of the ones I've wanted to see, but Dire Straits escaped me being slightly before my time

My favourite movie is… You're not going to ask this are you?  Hmm.  Star Wars probably, but I really loved The Prestige.

 
I too really enjoyed The Prestige. Magic, mystery and Scarlett Johansson. What more could you want?!

One interesting thing about me is… I just finished my first novel, Dardenfall.  It's part Game of Thrones, part Ursula Le Guin, part Bernard Cornwell.  Or at least I would like to think so!
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14 comments:

  1. Lars-Erik14 May 2013 at 21:05

    Ooooh, Prestige! That's a good one that I haven't watched for a long time. Thanks for reminding me, I thin kthat'll be on the playlist for thsi weekend.

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    1. Lars-Erik14 May 2013 at 21:12

      Wow, and that's after I corrected two space bar placements already.

      When's your novel coming out? I can't seem to find anything about it anywhere.

      Delete
    2. twaitsfan17 May 2013 at 05:37

      Heh - I'd love to get it out there. I finished it just before my daughter was born. And then... well, my daughter was born. I tried going the "recommended" route of trying to get published: first having a short story published. But despite my best efforts, I haven't found any interest in the things I've written. At least not any commercial interest.

      Recently I paid someone to go through a full edit of the book. She finished right before my son was born (2 months ago). And then... well, my son was born. I'm about a third of the way through her edits and hopefully I'll get through them soon. I think I'm going to self publish eventually.

      Delete
  2. Andy_Panthro15 May 2013 at 06:21

    The Prestige is really good, but have you read the book? It has a slightly different take on events, and I think it's better (but can understand the changes for the film).

    Good on you for finishing your own book too, I have attempted to write a novel several times and never manage to follow through with it (it's really hard!). Interesting choice of three influences, I'd certainly like to read it.

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    1. twaitsfan17 May 2013 at 05:41

      I listened to the booktape actually, and really liked it. The book had a bit more of a Frankenstein feel to it, especially towards the end.

      Thanks! I'm happy to share my novel as the thing I like best about writing is being read. And hearing about it of course.

      Delete
  3. The Trickster15 May 2013 at 13:53

    I too did a search for Dardenfall, and all I came up with is twaitsfan's account on other forums. There's no shame in writing a book and not having it published though, if that's the case. It's a very tough market to crack and just having written a novel is a big achievement.

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  4. Canageek16 May 2013 at 11:19

    Serenity never happened. There was only the TV show.
    ...
    Walsh lives.

    *Sees himself out*

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  5. Canageek16 May 2013 at 11:38

    So! I found an adventure game that Trickster will have to add to his list in a few years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lula_3D
    *starts running*

    In news that won't get me murdered there is a new adventure game on Steam: that is also on sale: Nancy Drew: the Ghost of Thornton Hall: http://store.steampowered.com/app/226820/

    Also: The Book of Unwritten Tales is on sale: http://store.steampowered.com/app/215160/

    New(ish) game: Anna - Extended Edition: store.steampowered.com/app/217690

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    1. Aperama16 May 2013 at 12:20

      Richard Cobbett already reviewed this (on pcgamer.com - if you're not already aware of it, Saturday Crapshoot is definitely an article worth peeking at.) Let it stay in the dark. Please. We don't want another Emmanuelle. (Featuring Bouncing Boobs Technology, though..)

      Delete
    2. Canageek16 May 2013 at 12:41

      Which one are you referring to? Lula 3D? I didn't expect Trickster to actually play it; I just ran across it while on a TVtropes and Wikipedia binge.

      Delete
    3. Aperama16 May 2013 at 16:02

      Yeah, Lula 3D was reviewed there a couple of years ago I think. It looked as bad as I presumed virtually anything that tries to be 'sexy' in the terms of computer gaming would be.. and trust me, I have some pretty low opinions of such!

      Delete
  6. twaitsfan17 May 2013 at 05:45

    Speaking of Firefly, did anyone watch Wonderfalls? That was a great show. And having learned his lesson from Firefly, Whedon wrote the season as a complete arc in the case of it getting axed after said season. And what do you know!

    If anyone is looking for a good series to watch with a lady friend, this is top of my list.

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    1. Zenic Reverie17 May 2013 at 09:13

      My wife and I watched it. It was a little quirky and hard to get into for her, but by the end of the season we were anticipating more.

      Another show we enjoyed that I didn't hear much about is Being Erica. Second season is better than the first if I remember right.

      Delete

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