#play session

[easternmind]

I suppose some could accuse me of not paying enough attention to present day Japanese video game production. In the spirit of trying something new and unexpected, I downloaded the Steam demo for Nayuta Studio's second game project, Hollow Cocoon, and recorded a gameplay video as one does these days.

Little is known about this studio or its creators. Their previous work, Cineris Somna, was a one-off adventure the surface of which I barely skimmed. I only found out about it when browsing the catalogue of its publisher, Playism. This new project follows the footsteps of so many other first-person walking simulator horror games borrowing inspiration from the most recognizable J-horror cinema references. There is no end to my amazement at how influential P. T. turned out to be!

I had set my sights on this particular title because of the effort put into replicating the atmosphere of a Japanese country home from the 1980s, a few of its details bringing to mind the original joy of exploring the Hazuki residence. I was pleasantly surprised by how visually consistent the game is for a production of this size, and how the later afternoon indoor lighting summoned memories of my own childhood during that decade.

I doubt I will have the time or the disposition to play the final version but I thoroughly appreciated this detour from my usual routine.

[peridotswallow]

Play Session

@ask-us-m-n-o

Well, that was an experience. Fred thanked Johnny for the help and climbed the stairs back to his appartment. This was familiar. Safe from most troubles. Magic craziness was invading his life, but it could only graze him here.

After reasuring June he was fine he retreated to his bedroom. Fred put Andy next to the radio for now. He didn’t really have a better place for him.

[alwaysbeyondhope]

Finally heading to bed…

But also just remembered that I’m planning a play session with my girlfriend this weekend and I cannot fucking wait for that because good god I want it so fucking bad.

[thedollardm]

So the one shot I ran last night for the players who didn't make it to the last session was a roaring success apparently.

Some of the highlights:

The Ranger, Adam, having a much better day, taking out half of the spiders with his bow.

But then when trying to climb the rick face, slipping on the grass, and knocking himself unconscious by smashing into the cliff face first.

Ravenna, the Rogue, using Adam as a trampoline, launching herself 10 feetin the air, executing a double front flip to land in a T-pose on a 1" wide ledge to retrieve the cursed necklace.

Before knocking himself out, Adam having a panic attack due to his character having extreme arachnophobia that no one knew about, and putting an arrow through the head of the ONLY spider that our Bard had managed to charm, so was not a threat.

After her experience with the necklace, Ravenna decides to put the ring they find on Adam while he's unconscious. Of course, he gets poisoned. While unconscious.

An argument between the Rogue and the Bard due to the Rogue nearly falling to her death on a bridge crossing, but then the Bard rolling a nat 20 on the crossing TWICE, so she basically danced and skipped her way across, pinching the Rogue's cheek on her way past, ending with a back handspring to leave the bridge.

All in all, much fun was had, and they all insisted that this encounter be added to the book :D

[frederikschubert]

play session // uganda kids

[gemmer-seafall-blog]

Today is the day I come of Age.

My mother, rest her soul, wrote these words in the front cover of the journal she left with my caretakers the day she sailed west. Grandma Marjorie gave it to me today, on my 16th birthday, at the end of a long day of ceremony and revelry. I am finally of age.

I believe I was a just and kind ruler, and that I left a legacy that you will be able to use to exceed those feats which I became known for. It is for the same purpose that I write these words for you here. Out beyond the coastal waters, beyond Kreschia Lagoon, our ships have found dangerous currents and rough seas. An archway, a hundred feet tall, rises from the ocean with a terrible and discomfiting majesty. It is to this archway that I set sail for on this day. I fear I may not return. In my stead, I have left you in the care of your Grandmother Marjorie. She has been instructed to pass this on to you when you come of age. I hope that I have chosen well, and  that she has taught you the ways of ruling.

The islands near our coast, Isle de Bjork, Barrenwood Isle, Cinsparr and Kaesich are rich with resources. But we are not the only ones searching for this wealth, others, like Restonia, vie with us for access to these goods. They have little compunction using methods less amiable towards the natives to obtain what they want, but I expect you to remember these words; When you act upon the world, it acts upon you in kind.

Know that I love you, daughter, and that what I do is of such importance that even though it means leaving you lying in your cradle with nothing but a necklace and my crown to remember me by, I still must do it. Rule justly, and raise our people's spirits up through good works and glorious actions. The peace between provinces hangs by a thread, and we must be prepared to protect our fair land once it breaks. Trust in the bounty of the sea, and you will prevail.

It seems only fitting that underneath her words, I write the dream that has consumed me, as it must have my mother before me.

Far to the west, through a stone archway that glows in the setting sun, among waves of  red and gold, I see myself wielding artefacts of great power.  I see caches of riches to decorate the finest of courts, haphazardly piled together in crumbling ruins. I see dark ships, in foreign livery, racing to be the first to arrive, but I know that glory shall be mine, and mine alone.

[lifewithharper-blog]

Playdates

December 28th 2015 I'm hoping to get me and Harper Grace out to more play groups and play dates in the upcoming year. I'm also planning on signing her up to a music play group and possibly swimming lessons. I'm hoping to try and keep us both entertained and possibly make more friends with little ones to try and fill our days.