Micro Review: Dwarf Fortress

The first thing anyone does when deciding to try a game is either find screenshots or videos of gameplay. Don't try to argue with this assumption, just nod your head an keep reading because what I say next is very important. Do not do this with Dwarf Fortress. DON'T. You're not ready, just keep on reading.

Dwarf Fortress, scientifically known as 'Slaves to Armok: God of Blood Chapter II: Dwarf Fortress' is two games in one. The first game is a deep roguelike that lets you explore a vast and dangerous world filled with friends and foes. The roguelike genre, and I quote the wikipedias for those who don't know, is a sub-genre of role-playing video games, characterized by randomization for replayability, permanent death, and turn-based movement. To put it simply, it is a simple way to play a very complex and often difficult role-playing game. There is another very important component of what makes a roguelike, but you're still not ready and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

The Liverpool Electronic Entertainment Tournament

The Liverpool Electronic Entertainment Tournament (LEET) is a video game tournmanent that I organized back in November '09. I got the idea one day for a video game tournament and, as said best by the Babe movie, "like most of his harebrained ideas, it wouldn't go away." The turnout was quite modest, but everyone had a great time and there was interest in doing it again. So, on April 25th, the second tournament will take place. I want to make it a bi-annual event, something that attracts players from far and wide. I would love if it ended up like the Digby Wharf Rat Rally, something that has become a monstrous tourist draw. However for now I'm starting small with lots of help from gamers and the community. Proceeds will also be going to the Child's Play charity. Check out the LEET website below, and maybe even come to watch on the 25th.
http://sites.google.com/site/liverpooleet/

Micro Review: Wurm Online

Imagine yourself new to this MMO Wurm Online. You enter the world with only a handful of tools. This world is vast, with rolling hills, lakes, deserts, plains, oceans and thick forests. You can shape the world as you see fit, you can clear cut forests, move mountains, dig trenches and mines, all that limits you is time. You decide to go about it alone, thinking that it would be nice to have a quiet cabin in the woods. You set off and explore the world. Starting from the opening location, you go explore using the player built road network seeing farms, monuments, ships, towns, cities, and other user created content along the way.

Abandoned Model Railroad

Me and Joanna found an abandoned outdoor model railroad near the walking trail between On-Line Support and the Town Hall in Liverpool. I asked around and it used to belong to a fellow named Mr Green who was a railroad engineer. He built a model railroad in the woods in his backyard. I got some old pics and recent pics of it, see the linked album.