Make the Pilgrimage

So, quick blurb there. Just got back from seeing Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Never read the comic. In fact, I knew nothing of this thing until a few days ago when my Fraternity Brother texted me to say a bunch of us were going to see it. Then, my fiancee plays a preview, and there I was. Long story short, it kicks ass, both as a film, and a culture piece. Seriously, I don't think anything better captured the feel of the last decade like this movie. Very cool. Go see it.

I'm sure there are some fans of the comic out there who are pissy about some nit-picky thing or another, but again, I only just saw the movie so they can go get K.O.ed. Yeah, that was corny. Oh well. So, yeah, none-existent followers, go see it. The movie rocked.

Eat some craft

En taru Tassadar! I return from the Galaxy of Starcraft (2) for a brief post. First, I have news for ya. The Blizzard Fighter concept I mentioned earlier, though I have motivation for it, having played Wings of Liberty, I've decided to wait until the SC2 trilogy is done as I'm sure there will be plenty more worthwhile characters to come. That's not even to mention the fact that Diablo III will hit the shelves before that happens. So the Blizzard Fighter postponed. I know, I can just hear the whines from my non-existent fans, but oh well.

Other than that, the Starcraft 2 kicks major ass. I won't give a lengthy review as there's a crap ton of those out there. I will say in regards to those reviews however, that I disagree with the comments that the ending falls flat. I think it was perfectly fine for a first installment of a story. It wasn't a blatant cliff hanger a la Halo 2, as it brought resolution to the protagonist Jim Raynor. Yes, it left a lot open, but errduh, trilogy.

When you finish the single player campaign there's not a lot left for you to do with the game outside of competitive play. I know a lot of people out there live, breath, and toke that sort of thing, but I was never big on it. That's why I'm really looking forward to seeing what the modding community is going to come out with. The Galaxy Editor is much superior to the original, offering up enough tools to create entire games from different genres. In fact, in the single player campaign there's an arcade console on your ship the Hyperion called the Lost Viking. Homage reference aside, the console contains a fully fleshed out 2D scrolling shooter made in the game engine. I've had a few ideas for some SC2 powered games myself. I might post them here for some quickies in the future, but for now, it has me exploring the editor.

At any rate, I'm starting to ramble so let me close things so I can get back to chores and other constructive things. I have some ideas for small posts which I'll be putting up in the near future. To recap the above: Blizzard Fighter postponed, Starcraft 2 rocks, meaning of life explained. Let me leave you guys off with a couple of glitch pictures from my SC fun.

Top 5 Final Fantasy Babes

Ok, so I lied. I didn't get any non-photoshop posts in. Can't be helped. That's what happens when you move, but I do come with the goods. Namely, Final Fantasy, or rather, the women of:


The above hotness courtesy of wbd (Tifa), HyaKkiDouR4n (Quistis, Rikku, and Fran from his FF Extreme Beach Volleyball, Killrave (Lulu). Make sure to check them all out. These aren't the only ladies they can flaunt.

Before, we get started, it should be noted that through extensive research, and by extensive, I mean none, I have determined that the following lovlies are by far the most popular amongst FF fans for looks, styles, and kicking major ass.

#5 Rikku

(from Sabtastic)

Though higher in my personal opinion, it's easy to see why any Final Fantasy Hotness list would include Rikku. She's bubbly, fun-loving, and she looks so good in a bikini she even wears one into battle. It's because of these qualities that we find this Al Beauty (terrible, terrible pun) as #5 in the hottest Final Fantasy babes.


#4 Quistis

(from OmeN2501)

Simply oozing with sex appeal, this 18 yr old instructor will not only teach you what you need to survive on the battlefield, but will leave your classmates drooling around you. So sexy that she has her own fanclub (of both males AND females), Quistis with her stern whip and glasses, earns her spot as #4 with the appeal of that librarian you were too young to hit on.


#3 Lulu


Who doesn't want the hot goth chick? Honestly, just look at her. Lulu shows just enough to raise the room's temperature, but only keeps you guessing as she thoroughly conceals the rest beneath a corset and skirt of leather belts. Like that little gap that gives us a little peak of black stockings wasn't on purpose! And if you liked the stern librarian-ness, of Quistis, you'll find Lulu has the brains in spades. How could Lulu make anything less than #3?


#2 Fran

(from Cyzra)

After 11+ games of honing sex appeal in love interests, I think our artists over at Square-Enix decided to cut to the chase in FF 12, and threw modesty out the window. Fran strutted her long, luscious legs into our lives with long bunny ears, puffy lips, flowing hair, skimpy leather leotard/corset with matching stilettos, and other, much seen *ahem* "assets". Be careful though fellas, this #2 isn't only bonded to a sky pirate, but she could kick anyone's ass with how utterly tall those long legs make her.


#1 Tifa

(from Overweight Cat)

Yes, all the ladies on our list are hot, and yes, they all left many a fanboys adjusting their...collars, but without a doubt, more than any other Final Fantasy babe, no other is as lusted after than miss Tifa Lockheart. This small-town-girl-turned-eco-terrorist is simply the most desired female in all of Square-Enix (yes, even the newly acquired Lara Croft). And who could blame her horde of fans? Tifa sports a short leather skirt, barely held on by a pair of suspenders framing what she caries in her toddler-sized t-shirt. On top of that, she's that sweet, caring girl-next-door, and if ALL THAT wasn't enough, she's a martial arts master to boot. Yes, my friends, when looking back upon all the ladies to grace our screens and our hearts, Tifa easly scissor-kicks her way to #1 Hot Final Fantasy Babe.


Bonus Round
Though not actually one of the main Final Fantasy babes, there is one minor femme fatale that I feel deserves mentioning. In a installment where she was surrounded by light-hearted cartoonieness, she still managed to make us all hot and bothered. Let's hear it for the unofficial #6 Beatrix:


(from Randy Monki)

Catch your eye? Good. Because I'm giving an update over here! So the blizzard fighter and some other future posts I'm working on are proving larger photoshop projects than I anticipated, so I decided I'm going to throw in some none-photo-shoppy ones. Buts cool nonetheless. See, I know myself. If I take too long between posts, I'll get focused on something else and leave the blog behind, so be looking for some mini ones. Onward ho!

Here Come the Supers

Last time on Fantasy-Hack: Dan went on a journey through a hypothetical Left 4 Dead 3 and 4 culminating in an awesome showdown with more hordes of the infected than ever before. Before the last shots could be fired four figures emerged on the horizon with promises of great things. But will these glories ever come to pass? Maybe we'll find out, today, on Fantasy-Hack!

No, no you won't. Instead, we're going to take a dip into my mind in see some of my ideas for new super infected, plus a little bonus at the end, inspired by my co-worker, Matt. We'll go ahead and go in order from least likely to fit in, to what I personally feel is the best in the arsenal. Let's get started with...


Hound


(Art courtesy DarkHunter666 on Deviantart)

For the love of God, Valve, give me my zombie dog. Yes, I know, to this point the infection has been only human based, but it only takes the stroke of a pen (followed by some modeling, texturing, and programming.) The hound would be similar to that of the jockey as it would be short and it's main tactic would be to drag the player towards danger. However, unlike the jockey, hounds, would grab a player's leg and start dragging as opposed to their back. This does to the same game affect, but when coupled with the high riding jockey, it forces the player to make quick decisions of which way to aim, high or low. Even if you didn't want another dragging super, a zombie dog would make a great uncommon infected, being fast moving, shorter target, and probably hunting in packs. Audio cues being barks, growling, and howling. Seriously, why has Capcom been the only company so far to see the glory that is the zombie dog?


Scab

The name could stay or change, but the scab was essentially a soldier to became infected and still clung to his gear. When he/she mutated, their arm scabbed over their equipment, melding their rifles to their hands. In essence, the scab is the zombie that can shoot back. However, it does so carelessly, and with poor accuracy, simply seeing the survivors would cause it to fire wildly on full auto in their direction, the recoil causing them to buck about. This forces the player to take up new tactics on the fly, namely, slowing down, and using cover. If the survivors can kill the scab in time, they can recover its gun and ammo. Audio cues would be occasional test firing the weapon, and the sound of static from a two-way radio still on the scab's clothing.


Harpy

The harpy is a witch-level super that wouldn't be able to be used in verses, but would make for a formidable super in single/co-op play. The harpy waits on rooftops and on windowsills for the survivors to walk underneath, then she takes flight. Yes, flying zombie. She would be a combination of the hunter and jockey in that she'd pounce on the player, but instead of mauling them on the ground, she'd flap her wings and start carrying the player into the air. The survivors would have to act quickly to shoot her down, accepting the resulting fall damage, because if they don't, she'll carry the player off to another part of the map dropping them where horde and other supers wait. Audio cues would be flapping wings and screeching.


Urchin

So you're moving along with your group dispatching horde, and a super clamps onto your side, halting your fire. Is it a jockey, or a hunter? But, before you can call out, your team mates must have killed it already because it's gone. You finished off the horde, and you're health is low but when you go to heal you find your health pack gone. You've just been struck by the urchin, a super that specializes in snatching your health items and secondary weapons when you're distracted. Of course it could never steal the gun you're holding, and would always leave you with at least a pistol, but all those other well earned items you fought for are fair game. Unlike the other supers, the urchin's audio cues wouldn't be intimidated, instead, it'd be giggling. If Valve has the guts, the urchin might be a good chance to include zombie children.


And finally, the main course...


Stinger



The most unique, and arguably the most dangerous of the lot, the stinger as you can see has mutated long poisonous quills, but these pointies are only part of what makes it dangerous. It's what happens once you're pricked by one of these. You see, the stinger's poison is a hallucinogenic. When the stinger shoots one of these into a survivor, the player starts to see and hear things that aren't the most truthful. Common infected will randomly appear like supers, supers will appear like common infected, audio cues will come when the super isn't around (imagine the rumbling and roaring of a tank that never shows), and maybe even see one's teammates as infected. This forces the players to talk to one another and adjust on the fly. Plus, if Valve did like I suggest, and not let the player know if they've been hit by quills or not, it'd leave players always with the tension of wondering if they're shooting the right target. Audio cues would be the rattling of quills, and heavy breathing.

The interesting thing is that I was trying to think of new supers when I went to bed, and I had a dream that I was playing and I suffered these effects. It was rather exciting, so when I woke up, I thought up the quills and the name. All in all, I really think the stinger would be the most interesting of all those listed here.


Bonus Round

So, I was at work, and I was talking about my theories for Left 4 Dead 3 and 4, when my co-worker shared a fantastic idea with me. He was hoping that 3 would actually be a prequel, dealing with the start of the infection. What a great idea. Not only would it add to the story, and offer up the new twist of common survivors running around making aiming tougher, but would also offer up interesting new campaigns depending on how Valve decides the infection originated. Personally, I have the images of running through once-sterile-now-blood-soaked labs as a scientist, containment trooper, a janitor, and an administrator. Just sound's awesome to me. Not to mention, if they went with my idea for 4, it'd be cool to see how the survivors lasted through the events of the first two games.


Well, I'm Left 4 Deaded out (speculating on it anyway.) Next time, I think I'll share a little idea I had for a Blizzard Fighting game.

Left 4 Dead 4

Ever since I found out that Left 4 Dead 2 would be staring a new set of survivors, I admit to feeling a little betrayed. I had become accustomed to blasting zombie noggins as the lovable Francis, and his cohorts (yes, even Louis. --_--) I was insulted I'd have to give up Francis for some random newbies down south. Yet, as with everyone else, I was blown away by the content found in the sequel, and I grew attached to the ever-honest Nick. I could live without the rather bland Rochelle, but Ellis and Coach are pretty cool.

Ever since the game came out I'm not the only player whose been aching to play as the original four survivors with the new content. Valve did recently come out with the crossover campaign for 2, The Passing, where the set of new survivors crossed paths with three of the originals (RIP Bill.) This is also with the promise of a prequel campaign for the original that will set up the state we find Francis and pals in, in 2. To many's lament, though, the interactions are all purely story. Neither set of survivors is available in the other game. I can understand this, since the story is revealed through dialogue and the story is completely different for both teams. There are mods out there for the PC version, and I think this will have to suffice for now, but come on Valve, don't act like it'd be terribly hard. Even if it's without dialogue cues, we just want to play as our favorite characters through more settings.

Now, onto the picture content. The way I see it, it'll likely take about two games before we'll be able to see our favorite survivors (along with some new ones) working together. In all likelihood, Left 4 Dead 3 will bring on a new set of survivors. Valve may even listen to players' desires for interchangeability and offer up more than four characters. However, given the dialogue nature of the dialogue cue told story I doubt this. No, it'll likely be more zombie goodness through a different set of locales with a new set of faces. Now what I'm hoping for is Left 4 Dead 4.

With a nice pool of popular characters, what I can see Valve doing is a comprehensive story. Nothing cinematic or anything like that, no, that's not Left 4 Dead. What I can see is a group of campaigns where you choose your set of survivors. Each campaign would be set in the same locale, and containing the same series of meta events. However, you would have three teams to choose from, one from each game (the originals toting a new face to round out their group.) From here the teams would run through parts of the meta setting unique to them, occasionally coming across the other teams and helping or hindering them along the way. This would culminate in something big in the final campaign's finale. Maybe all teams would find themselves in the same place forced to fend off hither-to unimaginable amounts of of hordes with the players controlling their chosen team while the others are driven by the computer as back up. Who knows, maybe there might even be a way by that point to have 12 slots open to players via online connection (that'd be mighty epic). No matter the case, this is one way I see the series going, and the way I'm certainly hoping for.

"But Dan," you may say "that still doesn't explain that nifty poster you made up top." And you'd be right. I left that for last, as it is the least likely, but most fanciful hope, for inclusion into the Left 4 Dead series. Well, the team anyway. The setting "Rough Waters" is just my hope for a level set on a cruise ship. Given the size of those floating cities, and their enclosed nature, I just think it'd be an ample zombie apocalypse playground. As for the team listed...if Left 4 Dead 4 were to go the way I imagine it, with the ability to choose your team of survivors, I just think that atmosphere would be perfect for an unlockable team, for a fanciful, non-story jaunt a la alien mode for the original Half-Life. Who would be the members of the team? Why someone from each of Valve's franchises of course: Gordon Freeman, err duh; Chell, though without her portal device; The Spy, though almost anybody from Team Fortress 2 would fit; and of course, the fallen hero Bill could make his return showing the crossover newbs how it's done.

Like I said, the crossover set of survivors is the least likely to be included. That being said, even though Valve will likely never include it, that's not to say our dear modders out there might not. *wink, wink*

That's it for now, but I'm not done with my Left 4 Dead Fantasy-Hacks yet. Come back tomorrow for my ideas on new uncommon and super zombies.

Re-construction!

So, it's been a hideously long time since I've posted anything, and I understand why. I've never been much of a diary writer. I've tried several times and always stop after only a few entrees, just not my thing. Also, I don't think I'm very good at reporting news in the game industry as when I'm in classes, I pretty much have to shut down to everything but school. However, I think I do see potential here. I'm always having ideas that I either just don't have time to pursue or I'm really just kicking the ball around. As such, it has occurred to me that a blog would be the perfect outlet to post these ideas. (Plus it'll be a nifty place to archive them for later use.)

I won't be posting anything today as I'm going to be heading off to Walking with Dinosaurs at the local event center. (Giant robotic dinosaurs for the win!) I'm just posting an update for my non-existent readers, and future-non-existent readers. So be looking for things to be changing soon. No longer will the blog be Artistic Dreams of a Savage Mind, but will be metamorphosed into Fantasy-Jack! err...let's make that Fantasy-Hack. Yeah, that sounds less, uh, yeah.