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Games From Yesteryear: Lode Runner: The Legend Returns

maryvarn — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:00:44 +0000

There are a few games from my Windows 95/98 college days that I’m hoping I can play again. Easily, that is, and on modern machinery. One of them is Lode Runner: The Legend Returns.

This was one the of the first games I played with my little brother. I was 17, and he was 4 or 5. He’d sit on my lap as we thwarted monks, climbed ladders, and solved puzzles on my Dad’s laptop.

I particularly remember playing it while visiting my Dad in Bratislava, Slovakia. He was assigned there on a remote tour for the Air Force, the same year I packed off to college. It was a sad year for my mom and little bro. We all visited my dad for a month the summer before college, and we filled that month with tours of central European cities, explorations of Bratislava, Dexter’s Laboratory on the international Cartoon Network, and Lode Runner.

This iteration was my first experience with the classic series, and it was a good one. I think the graphics would hold up today, and the music was fun and hypnotic. It’s a classic “solve the room” game. There were 150 rooms, or levels, broken up into 10 different environments. You were one man, Jake Peril, and your job in each level was to collect coins and get to the exit, while avoiding the dangerous red monk men. You had several devices at your disposal, depending on the level, and I think they were used to alter the ground and sometimes the ceilings around you. You could also make your own levels, which I think my brother explored more than I did.

I see Wikipedia lists it as having been available for the Playstation. Maybe I should hunt that down. It also looks like the lead programmer for the game has some versions available for download, although they all look like they’re the sequel, Lode Runner Online. (sounds like an MMO!) Or hey, I could buy it for $78.99 from Amazon!

Does anyone else remember this game?

Cupcat Catcake Cupcakes!!!

maryvarn — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:00:27 +0000

(Try saying the post title ten times fast)

Do you guys remember back when Chloe drew a pretty little picture of a Catcake? Or a Cupcat? Well NPC reader Melvin does. I was delighted to find these pictures in my inbox yesterday. He had the folks at Beaverton Bakery make these based on the drawing.

I love how he placed them on the laptop. Next best thing to an iPad? I’m very impressed at how closely they resemble the original drawing. I hope they were delicious! Thanks very much Melvin!

Hey Look! It’s Read An RPG Book in Public Week Again!

maryvarn — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:44:29 +0000

You may recall that this also happened back in March when I went over the three levels of nerd stigma. Well it’s here again, for the second time this year! Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to participate this time. I have a job at home this week along with preparing to go out of town this weekend, which means no subway/public time for me. But I do hope to go over Diaspora and Shock, and even though I’ll be doing that at home, I’m telling you about it, which is kind of public….right? Leave comments below if you plan on participating, and what tabletop RPGs you’re into.

The Guild Season 4 Episode 2

maryvarn — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:00:57 +0000

Ok, I know I said I might not post every episode, but this one is so good! And my horrible summer cold is back with a vengeance, so I got nothing else for you but comics at the moment.
As always, you can go directly to http://guild.msn.com to see the latest episode or get caught up. And make sure to catch the season premiere if you haven’t already.

More Avatars as NPC FB Page Reaches 700 fans!

maryvarn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:42 +0000

The NPC Facebook Fan Page reached 700 fans recently, so I uploaded more avatars to celebrate! There are even some of the the holopets. (Also, how should I spell it? Holo-pet or holopet???)

I even made a special avatar of Chloe and Bink napping, in their new designs, seen here along with other special-made avatars.

So if you’re not already an FB fan and want some avatars, join up to get your fix!

Poll: Yeah But Do You Still Like Real ID?

maryvarn — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:00:18 +0000

I was going to do a big post about the results from last week’s poll, but thanks to Blizzard’s fast action on behalf of the outcries about Real ID forum names, there’s not much need. The vocal majority did not want real names in the official forums, and the poll here was no exception. I closed the poll, and you can check out the results yourself here.

But it got me wondering about Real ID in general. Sure, it won’t be required to post in the forums anymore, but it still exists. I have yet to friend anyone with it. If I do, I think I’m gonna limit it to my family. (I always like to remind you that my Mom, Dad, and brother play WoW. ) Have you guys been using Real ID to keep in touch with WoW friends? Do you like it? Does it ruin the immersion? Feel free to use the comments to talk about it, whether it’s touched on in the following poll or not.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

The Guild Season 4 Premiere

maryvarn — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:00:02 +0000

Hopefully you already know about The Guild. But in case you haven’t been keeping up, the first episode of season 4 went live this week! I’ve never posted an actual episode before, (unless you consider Do You Wanna Date My Avatar an episode) and I don’t plan on posting every single one. The latest episode will always be at http://guild.msn.com. And if you’ve never seen an episode, you can get all caught up on past seasons at watchtheguild.com.

Felicia Day’s story of how she started The Guild is one of the things that motivated me to start NPC Comic. Like her, I was playing way too much WoW while unemployed, and procrastinating starting a personal creative project. When I heard how she just made herself sit down and write scripts, I made myself sit down and make comics. I’ll always be grateful for that little bit of inspiration. I heard she’s gonna be at GenCon this year….I might die of nervousness if there’s an autograph line.

N00b Boyfriend

maryvarn — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:19:01 +0000

My brother shared this on my Facebook Wall and I found it hilarious. Maybe you will too.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Poll: What do you think of the Blizzard Real ID Forum Changes?

maryvarn — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:00:11 +0000

The World of Warcraft blogosphere exploded with discussion about Real ID during the past few days, and it’s time to hitch NPC to that bandwagon. Not for the sake of hitching, but rather because I’d love to know what you NPC readers think of the fact that in the near future, you will be required to disclose your full name in order to post on the official Blizzard forums. I realize a lot of you don’t play WoW, but I bet you still have an opinion about it. And remember, this affects ALL Blizzard games….Star Craft 2, anybody?

I first read the news on WoW.com. I’ll discuss my thoughts along with the poll results next week.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

*UPDATE* Blizz CEO Mike Morhaime just announced that, in thanks to feedback from people like you, they decided NOT to go forward with requiring our real names to be revealed when we post on the official forums. Woohoo! Feel free to continue discussing and voting in the poll.

Kitteh Video Dump

maryvarn — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:00:08 +0000

It occurred to me that I’m not yet guilty of subjecting you to cat videos. Until now! For crying out loud, I do a comic about cats. Let’s get some kitteh goodness up in this blog.