Underworld Ascendant Kickstarter Launched! @OtherSide_Games #‎IamtheAvatar‬

Calling all fans of the classic Ultima Underworld games! Come and join in the pledge for the spiritual successor to the legendary fantasy RPG series, Underworld Ascendant!

Check out the video below:


So what are you waiting for? Christmas?

Pledge now @ http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/othersidegames/underworld-ascendant

I AM THE AVATAR!

My GameStick has FINALLY arrived! #GameStick @Game_Stick

Ok. After a huge stuffed up on the Asian shipment, and several unhappy emails/comments back and forth between myself and the GameStick team, I have finally received my GameStick today.

However, my enthusiasm for this device had dwindled over the months mainly because I am a backer reading about non-backers getting their hands on the GameStick before I do.

Nevertheless, I have the device in my hands now and after spending about 2 hours, here's my unprofessional review on it:

First, the packaging looks alright, and I even received a Thank You note from the team:


And inside the box, I found these things (of course including my Kickstarter edition controller):


The GameStick itself was hidden inside the controller. I just need to slide it out and here it is:


It has a microSD expansion slot, a USB slot for power, a tiny switch to reset the device and of course the HDMI male port to poke into my HDMI monitor to boot it up.  After all the initial setup and update of software, I had to activate the GameStick via their website:


Then another round of software update:


before it brought me to the main menu:


I setup my PlayTag first:


then started downloading all the free games/programs (3 games, 1 media program):

Next, decided to try Shadowgun:


which isn't too bad.  The graphics were normal, so don't expect to compare this with other PC games:


Then I played a bit of Smash Cops:


and lastly, found my handle in the credits page (3rd column from the left, right in the middle "TheAvt"):


I did inform GameStick support to amend my name in the credits page to include my real name, but I guess they either couldn't remember or they were too busy marketing GameStick.

Anyway, controller is very light but looks "plastic-ky" in front.  I like the feel of the back of the controller though.  The package also comes with 1 HDMI extension cable (too short to make a difference), 1 special USB cable (1 male end to poke into the GameStick with the other end split into 1 male USB to poke into the power supply and 1 female USB for you to poke your thumbdrive for extra storage), 1 normal USB cable (to charge the controller) and 1 power adapter.



In conclusion, controller is pretty responsive despite some other reviews saying otherwise (maybe because I am not as pedantic as others).  GameStick tends to be very hot after like 2 minutes.  There aren't many games to choose from, and I just don't want to pay for any games yet because they don't look interesting enough (there is Vendetta Online though, but I know it is not exactly free, so did not install).  The plastic container can only store the controller and GameStick but not the wires.  So not as portable as they would want you to believe.

Shroud of the Avatar successfully funded!

Congratulations to Richard Garriott (creator of the Ultima series) and his team for a successful Kickstarter campaign!


Although the picture above shows a different amount, as of the end of the crowd-funding, the team had raised a total of $2,029,764 (Kickstarter: $1,919,275, Main Website: $110,489)!  And I bet you the amount will keep on raising!

Welcome back, Avatar!

Memento: Aurora Chronicles Pledge Rewards

I received in the mail today my very first physical pledge rewards from the creator of the visual novel, Memento: Aurora Chronicles! Check out the postcard and fridge magnet below!


If everything goes according to plan, I should receive the rest of my pledge rewards, including the game by October this year! If you are interested in donating to this game, visit the official website @ http://www.brightonionstudios.com/

Kickstarter - Torment: Tides of Numenera

Yes. I have finally succumbed to pledging for my 21st project (20th on Kickstarter) and it is none other than Torment: Tides of Numenera:


Because of the tantalising pledge rewards, I pledged the Digital copies of Torment along with Wasteland 2! Excellent!

Kickstarter - Consortium

Due to personal reasons, I have decided to cancel my pledge for "There Came an Echo" and pledged for my 20th project (19th on Kickstarter) called, Consortium:


I have nothing against "There Came an Echo". I just found that the rewards were not that attractive to me. I will still play the game next year when it comes out though. In the meantime, looking forward to more updates from Consortium!

Kickstarter - Shroud of the Avatar

My 19th project (18th on Kickstarter) that I pledged may be my last project I will pledge in a long time. And this future PC game is called: Shroud of the Avatar!

This is designed by Lord British (aka Richard Garriott) who was responsible for my favourite RPG of all time: Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part II. If you love Lord British's games, what are you waiting for? Pledge Shroud of the Avatar on Kickstarter by clicking on the picture above now!

Kickstarter - There Came an Echo

This was one project that I found very interesting. The 17th project (16th on Kickstarter) that I pledged is a PC Game called "There Came an Echo":


According to the creators, this game will be voice-controlled! Very interesting indeed...

Kickstarter - Back to Bed

The following 16th project (15th on Kickstarter) I pledged is an amazing game entitled, Back to Bed:


I backed this because it looked intriguing and I get to put my name in the game credits!

Kickstarter - GameStick Successfully Funded!!!

Today marked a great day for Android based gaming console! The highly acclaimed GameStick had been successfully funded via Kickstarter for a total amount of $647,658! And here's the new design on their facebook:


And there is a rumor of a possible Kickstarter limited edition of the GameStick!


Excellent news indeed!

Kickstarter - The Red Queen of Oz: Two Fates

Today, I pledged for my 10th project (9th on Kickstarter) and unfortunately, it was unsuccessfully funded. The title of this game is called "The Red Queen of Oz: Two Fates":


I wrote to the creator and told him to (taken from a quote in the movie Galaxy Quest) "Never give up! Never surrender!" because I really want this game to materialize and would love to get the graphic novel as well! But now, it will depend on the creator if he wants to start a new crowdfunding...

Kickstarter - GameStick

For the 8th project (7th on Kickstarter) that I pledged, it was more of an impulse buy because I so wanted a game console to acknowledge my contribution. Introducing, the GameStick!


Now, I have to eagerly wait for 3 months...

Kickstarter - Memento: Aurora Chronicles

Because of my new found love for graphic novel game, I pledged my 6th project (5th on Kickstarter) today called Memento: Aurora Chronicles:


Again, if you like this genre, click on the above picture and pledge!

Kickstarter - Soul Gambler

I backed my 5th project (4th on Kickstarter) today. It was a graphic novel game called Soul Gambler:


Click on the above picture to back this project if you love the graphic novel game genre. I played the demo and I was loving this game genre!

Kickstarter - SKYJACKER

The 4th project (3rd on Kickstarter) I pledged was another Space-sim game, SKYJACKER:


According to their Kickstarter webpage, this game is scheduled to be released in the month of Aug 2013!

You can download the demo @ www.skyjackergame.com

Excellent!

Kickstarter - Elite: Dangerous

After pledging for Star Citizen on the RSI website, I am all into independent projects! Hence, I pledged for two more projects via Kickstarter. My very first Kickstarter project is none other than Star Trek: Renegades, a film directed by Tim Russ.

The second project I pledged is another Space-sim game called Elite: Dangerous:

Cloud Imperium Games Corporation raised $6,238,563 at the end of crowdfunding!!!

Today is THE glorious day for all space sim fans out there! Cloud Imperium Games Corporation raised a total of $6,238,563 at the end of crowdfunding for Star Citizen!!! The breakdown for money raised between the two websites:

RSI website: $4,104,189
Kickstarter: $2,134,374

With a total of 89,667 Space Sim Fans:

RSI website: 55,270
Kickstarter: 34,397

Well done everyone! Looking forward to 2014/2015! All stretch goals have been achieved!

And here is the aftermath of the RSI website about 5 hours after crowdfunding ended.  If you missed out on the initial pledging, click on the picture below now to pledge!


As you can see, the total amount keeps increasing! Simply amazing!!

Star Citizen Passed the $2,000,000 Goal Amount!

A glorious day for all Space Sim fans out there! Star Citizen (a game by Chris Roberts) will be made because it has passed the $2,000,000 goal amount! Cloud Imperium Games Corporation managed to raise the funds in just 15 days on their main website and on Kickstarter!


Also, Ships Plans have been added to the website. Click on the picture below to check them out in detail:


And I have also upgraded my pledge from $30 to $60!


I do intend to upgrade it to $125 to get the Lancer package, but it will have to wait until the beginning of November 2012 and before the crowdfunding ends...