The Chronicles of Rituro Erganesti

...not physically, mind you. Just across the innerwebnets.

 

As part of a staff trial for Shaw's revamped webspace offerings, I'm slowly migrating myself to a new corner of online-dom. The address will be http://rituro.shawwebspace.ca. I'll leave all my previous postings and the majority of my photos here for now (as long as MSN Spaces exist, so will easy storage) and populate the new site going forward.

 

See you there!

(Apologies for the delay.)

 

My latest season of Warhammer has come to a close and I'm thrilled with the results (displayed in W-L-T):

 

 

 

BEASTMEN:           0-0
BRETONNIANS:     0-0
CHAOS:                1-0
DAEMONS:            1-0
DARK ELVES:        0-0-1
DWARVES:            1-1-2
EMPIRE:                4-1-2
HIGH ELVES:          5-5-1
LIZARDMEN:          5-1-2
OGRE KINGDOMS:  0-0-1
ORCS & GOBLINS:  2-1
SKAVEN:               0-0
TOMB KINGS:        2-0-2
VAMPIRE COUNTS: 0-3
WOOD ELVES:       2-0

MULTIPLE:             2-0

 

.667 Win Rate!! WOOHOO!! That'll be a high bar to clear this season, but the best I can do is try. I hope to get a few matches in with the new Chaos and Beasts armies once they begin to show up in-store, so we'll see how this season goes.

It's been a while since I updated my dusty little corner of teh interwebnets, so here goes.

 

The "balls" section of this post is yet another updated remake of the classic Dodgeball game for NES. Featuring a host of teams and, most importantly, the option to create your own, SDB was originally one of my "Top 3" games of the summer. I say "was" because, while the first fifteen minutes of catching and chucking powered-up dodgeball was a blast, the novelty wore off very, very fast. Sure, creating a dodgeball version of my Blood Bowl team, the Nuln Bombers, was cool, but by the time I'd blown through the tournment twice, I'd played enough SDB to last me for quite a while. The problem is that the game's concept, while brilliant, is shallow and confusing. What's the point of dodging when I can catch the ball far easier? Why do I need to waste three players from my team to stand around the outside of the playing area and only pass the ball around? Boys, if you have the ball and you're standing next to an opponent, I want you to brain him as hard as you can.

 

There's an interesting 8-player Free-For-All option to shake things up and, theoretically, multiplayer support should give this game longevity; however, that would require convincing someone to play against me. Final verdict: rent or pass.

 

Another of my "Top 3" summer games, this one delivered and is still delivering -- ~30 hours in and I've barely dug into the vast job system. Folks, if you know me, you know how much I wax reverent about Shining Force II as the pinnacle of its era in turn-based strategy RPGs. Well, we have a new champion. And, again, if you know me, you know how huge of a statement that is.

 

How does FFTA2 take the turn-based crown? The big one is positioning; specifically, attacks from the side and behind cause more damage. As a Warhammer player, this is how it should be. If I manage to get behind or beside you through superior positioning, I should be rewarded, and FFTA2 does reward. The variety in missions is another huge plus. No longer a simple "destroy or be destroyed" fight-fest, there are now missions such as "satisfy petitioner", "defend target" and "speed battle" to keep missions fresh. One thing I'm not completely sold on are the "laws". Every battle, the Judge will issue a law for the fight; break the law and you won't receive any post-mission bonuses or be allowed to revive clanmates during the battle. Stay within the law, however, and you'll receive some nice loot at the end of the fight. While this encourages tactics in a sense, it can also be mind-boggling and frustrating when laws such as "No Dealing More Than 50 Damage", "No Attacking From Behind" and "No Missing" appear. (The latter in particular is a doozy; all my attacks have a 95% hit chance! How am I supposed to avoid that 5% miss chance?!)

 

Rituro and Clan Mercan (don't ask me where I got "Mercan" from... I think I just closed my eyes and pushed letters until something good came out) are currently ploughing their way through the side missions, so the main story is going as slow as molasses. Still, there are some engaging side-stories going on at the same time, which is no small feat considering all the missions to choose from. The story of Klesta the monstrous Crushatrice and House Bowen was particularly well executed, leaving me with a huge sense of satisfaction when the two clans finally brought the beast down. Final verdict: Buy! More to come on this front for sure.

 

OK, this wasn't on my "Top 3", but after watching the demo of Civilization Revolution I needed to get me some Civ. Small surprise: this sucker is addictive because it's freaking awesome. Mr. Meier, you make guiding a fledgling nomadic tribe towards global domination fun. There are so many details that add to the experience without overwhelming, like Civics, Health/Sickness and Religion. (Interesting side note: it is endlessly hilarious seeing what countries develop which religions. "The French have founded Confucianism!") Final verdict: Buy.

 

 

 

Meaning of Title #2: I GOT A NEW COMPUTER!! Yes, my old rig survived six years -- a marvel, considering how quickly computers age -- due to careful downloading, many upgrades and some TLC. *sigh!* Ah, memories... aaanyhoo, I obviously couldn't simply toss out my old computer, so it has been decommissioned to the second bedroom as a dedicated Sims 2 computer. This leaves me with my freakin'-awesome new rig, which has the following specs (courtesy of my new friend with benefits, NCIX):

 

Well, sort of. First, some history.

 

The year is 2000. I'm in my last year of high school (Class of '00! Woo!), I've just started getting into PC GAMER and the MMO craze is in its infancy. In an issue of PCG, an ad describes a game that stays active "24/7". Now, even though we take this concept for granted with a myraid of browser-based games online, back then, this was a novel idea to which only MUDs, MOOs, MUSEs and Ultima Online were the current subscribers. Needless to say, I was enthralled. I had to play this futuristic, hybrid FPS-RTS game that kept on going...

 

...except I would need a credit card. And a decent computer. And Dad's permission to rack up a decent-sized internet bill for tying up the modem. (Ah, weren't those the days?) Sigh.

 

I follow the game like the doe-eyed fanboy I can become (see: Blood Bowl) until 10SIX dies with the collapse of its main server, Heat.net. Sigh again, move on.

 

Then, on a totally random whim -- I blame the glue fumes from this weekend's army building blitz -- I wonder, "Whatever happened to 10SIX? Maybe Wikipedia has a nice article about it." Load up IE, surf to Wiki, search for 10SIX... and it redirects to Project Visitor? Blah blah blah, originally 10SIX, blah blah, Heat.net, blah...

 

...RESSURECTED?!

 

That's right, ladies and germs! Awash in all its low-polygon, no-pathfinding-AI glory, the four warring corporations are back on Planet Visitor to wage war over Transium. Grab your hoverboard and catch some lo-res air as you build up a mercantile empire! (...only to log in and find it destroyed while you were offline.) Whee!

 

Fair warning: to open an account, there's a $1 surcharge to keep the spammers out and a $4 entrance fee for a seven-day trial. Still, that's $5 to taste a game that was well ahead of its time: a genre-blending sci-fi MMO that really deserved more attention than it got. Check it out at http://www.projectvisitor.com.

 

*cue the Anvil Chorus, or possibly the Latin-language theme to Subspace Emissary*

 

So, yeah, it's been a while -- two months, if my previous post is any indication. Why? Primarily, no news; secondarily (...that's a word, right?), work has been disgusting as of late. 10 hour shifts on average... bleah. But enough about me and my laziness (forced or otherwise) regarding this tiny blog: let's talk Smash!

 

All hail Super Smash Bros. Brawl! I'm sure many of you are familiar with the previous version of this game, Melee, found on the GameCube. Take that game, multiply by a factor of awesomer and you get Brawl. WiFi (haven't delved into that yet, hope to soon), more characters, more challenges, more stages, custom stages (easily my favourite part)... it's everything you could ask for in a game that revolves around reefing on the "A" button, and more!

 

Sure, there are strategies, and once you learn them you're an unstoppable machine. (Or, y'know, once you realize Ike is already an unstoppable machine even if the hands of an untrained monkey, that works, too.) Combos, juggling, timing... it's all there, all balanced (moreso than Melee), and all (I use this word again because, well, yeah) awesome. Heck, my little brother picked up a GameCube controller and, within ten minutes, was rockin' and rollin' with Pikachu. Sure, it was because he discovered Down + B = "PIKAAAAA!" and B + Final Smash = "CHUUUUUUUUUU!!!", but it proves just how easily accessible yet incredibly diverse this game is.

 

Gift for reading this far: Friend Code! 1590-4547-0875

 

Pit is definitely my favourite character, new or old. From the returning fighters, DK (surprisingly) is now right up at the top. In the maddening multi-way tie for 3rd place, I also like Link, Samus, Meta Knight, Pokemon Trainer, Snake, R.O.B., Sonic and Ike ("We like Ike! We like Ike!").

 

Wow, that was disjointed and all over the place. I blame the crazy work hours. Master Control is not for the faint of heart, nosiree!

 

Need go read book, calm down, etc...

(a.k.a. screencaps from City of Villains)

 

Gasp! The evil Snakes have constructed a temple underneath Mercy Island!

 

 

This looks like a job for...

 

 

 

(Technology Brute; Super Strength/Dark Armor)

 

The product of years of research by a mad scientist (who else?), this exoskeleton allows the scientist to live indefinitely by feeding off the souls of those he defeats in battle. With each soul comes power, life... and deeper madness... bwahahaha! Hey, wait a minute, what is he --

 

 

Hey! Who told you it was OK to go fishing with some Canadian? Get back to work, slacker! Yeesh.

 

-~-+-~-+-~-

 

Gasp! Who's that surveying the city from atop an old apartment building and a construction crane?

 

 

It's that young punk, the scourge of Mercy Island,

 

 

(Mutant Corruptor; Energy Blast/Kinetics + Flight)

 

Leveraging his mutant ability to tap into the energy of the Earth's rotation, Flash Cosmic dishes out punishment in form of powerful energy bursts! Plus, if things get too dicey, Flash can take to the skies and rain energy down from above! (...which is how I managed to get him on top of a construction crane to take those photos.) Also, isn't he just a snappy dresser? Yessiree!

 

-~-+-~-+-~-

 

Gasp! A wave of Skulls gang members threaten to overwhelm a lone bow-toting figure!

 

 

But this is no ordinary bowman... this is the myth, the legend...

 

 

(Natural Mastermind; Ninjas/Trick Arrows)

 

Long thought to be dead, this criminal mastermind proves his worth yet again by resurfacing on the Rogue Isles. Weak but not beaten, Deatheye and his few loyal ninja followers look to carve out another empire and add another chapter to his impressive legend.

 

-~-+-~-+-~-

 

Gasp! Did you feel something behind you? Is someone there?

 

 

No... it couldn't be... it is! It's...

 

 

(Science Stalker; Claws/Combat Reflexes)

 

A product of a secret government super-soldier experiment, the assassin known only as Bonesnapper walks amongst the shadows, striking with precision using her wrist-mounted blades. Feel some pity for these corrupt members of Rogue Island Police (RIP), as they are but moments away from tasting her fury.

 

 

-~-+-~-+-~-

 

 

It's the best kind of road trip -- a geeky one! Saturday, January 12th was to be a grand day in Geek Lore and, in a sense, it was. However, in another sense, it most certainly was not.

 

For the last three months, White Dwarf (the official magazine of all things Warhammer) had advertised a 1,000-point Warhammer Fantasy tournament in all Battle Bunker-class stores, which includes Games Workshop Metrtotown in Vancouver. Since 1,000 points is a great travel size for an army, I quickly drummed up support for a road trip at our local Games Workshop, GW Victoria. Originally, this road trip was to consist of myself, Darin and Lance, with Darin driving (he loves that Nissan Versa of his, what with the snazzy steering wheel console of awesomeness). However, as luck would have it, Jessica had a copy editing workshop in Vancouver that same day, so she joined up with the intention of catching the SkyTrain from Metrotown while we gamed. Lance would later drop out as he bought a house (who does that?! *sigh*).

 
Being the careful sort, I called GW Metrotown in November and December to sign up/confirm, and I was assured all was good to go: show up at 10am, start playing, good times. I had already been practicing since October with a new 1,000-point Tournament list, as had Darin. He juggled his list a few times as we practiced against each other and other players in our store, honing our tactics as fine as we could.

 

Saturday morning comes and Darin picks Jessica and me up from our apartment bright and early. One drive later, we're on the ferry with no problems. Darin and I start a game of Blood Bowl using our private league rosters (because what geeky road trip would be complete without a public display of geeking?), although we only get through the first quarter before Jessica and I head to the cafeteria for breakfast. Still, it was a quarter to remember, as it saw the death of one of Darin's cherished Chaos Warriors, Bella Dusterman, due to a six-man gang-foul that went undetected by the referee. Heh, heh, heh...
 
The ferry docks and we resume driving. The plan is fairly straightforward: make our way to the tunnel, cross whatever bridge is on the other side, turn onto Marine Drive, turn up Boundary and make our way to Kingsway. At that point, we're in my old BCIT stomping grounds (woo!) and Metrotown is a snap to find. Easy, right? Wrong! Snag #1: although we make it to Hwy. 99 and the tunnel just fine, the exit to Marine Drive off the bridge isn't marked until just before you hit the exit! As such, we whip past it -- no biggie, right? Just turn off, find our way back to Marine Drive and all is well, right? In theory, yes; however, we somehow get turned around and end up driving further away from Metrotown! (In hindsight, had we turned left instead of right at one point, all of this could've been resolved... oh well!) At this point, Jessica calls her parents for some over-the-phone navigational aid. With the looming skyscrapers in the distance serving as a visual aid, we make it to Kingsway and find our way into the Metrotown parkade with only a few minutes to spare. Phew!
 
Darin and I grab our model cases and head upstairs. A quick scan of the labyrinthe-like floor plan reveals GW Metrotown and we make our way there with little difficulty. Only problem is... well, look at the photo.

 

 

 

See our bags by the door? Note the lack of other people lined up for the tournament? Something's clearly amiss. While Darin finds a bathroom and I take close-up photos of the display cases (some nice armies, too), the lone GW staffer in the store opens shop. Confused, he assumes we're here for the launch of the Warhammer 40k Ork Codex. When we tell him we're here for the 1,000-point Warhammer Fantasy tournament as advertised in White Dwarf for the last three months, his reply is devastating:
 
"The what?"
 
Groaning, I grab a White Dwarf off the shelves and point out the ad. The staffer -- his name is Dave ("These are the Daves I know I know, these are the Daves I know...") -- readily admits that the ad references his store but had no warning or idea there was going to be a tournament here. I'm not sure if Darin and I were broadcasting "crushing disaster" vibes or not but regardless, Dave let us take over one of the display tables and play as much as we wanted, since active games are great for enticing potential customers. Dave was quickly and repeatedly introduced to the zany, rambunctious, loud and altogether fun style of play practiced in GW Victoria, characterized no better than by my night goblin squig hoppers, Da Boing Boyz -- boingy boingy boingy boingy! By the end of the day, sporadic "boingy boingy boingy boingy" shouts could be heard echoing through the Battle Bunker (take that, stuffy Vancouver types!).
 
And because life is occasionally better when you keep score:
 
Game 1: Pitched Battle -- Although I win key combats in some brazen frontal charges (a near-suicide tactic against the new rules for High Elves... each pointy-eared, dress-wearing pansy has the Speed of Asuryan special rule; in other words, Always Strikes First!), Darin uncharacteristically rolls like a man posessed. The elves hold their ground, pummel me senseless and win the game.
 
Game 2: Take and Hold -- My goblins show up big time, defeating first Dragon Princes and then spearmen; however, the Swordmasters of Hoeth take the building before I can get there. Considering the special rules for building fights, this means game over, right? Wrong! Hardezz, having abandoned his unit of orcs to avoid a spell, charges in solo. He issues a challenge, but the noble refuses and backs away from the fight. Nine Swordmasters attack instead... and none can wound Hardezz! Hardezz responds by bashing the lights out of an elf, winning the combat! Darin rolls leadership... and fails! Hardezz has taken the building single-handedly! The best part? Remember those goblin chariots that destroyed the Dragon Princes? They're parked around back. [insert evil grin here] One mop-up later, it's a victory for the greenskins!
 
Humorous Interlude: A Re-Enactment and Interpretation
 
Hardezz: *knock knock*
Swordmaster: "Oh, I say, I'll get that. *prances to the door; opens it* Yeeeeeees?"
Hardezz: "*WHAM -- big green fist to the FACE!* GET OUT!"
Elves: "Fleeeeeeee! *run out the back door en masse*"
Hardezz: "AN' STAY OUT!"
 
(Not that I rub it in whenever I get the chance or anything...)
 
Game 3: Ambush -- Darin has almost all his models with him (since it's his car and he keeps them there anyway), but I only have my 1,000 point list; therefore we use the Ambush rules and pit my list against 2,000 points of his choosing. Things go well initially, but Darin makes a few key tactical choices and manages to direct traffic to his advantage. I can only cry as the ambushers are overwhelmed by two units of Swordmasters, a unit of Dragon Princes and one very angry noble-ridden dragon.
 
Between games 2 and 3, Darin and I break for lunch and a run to the former site of Playdium (*sniff*). Before we hit the food court, GW Dave gets the brilliant idea to call around to see if he can find out about this phantom tournament, since nobody else has come in to the store asking about it. Shortly thereafter, he has the answer: the tourney is at GW Surrey! I ignore my immediate feelings of rage and anger -- THREE MONTHS AND NOBODY TOLD WHITE DWARF THE AD WAS WRONG?!? NOBODY CORRECTED ME WHEN I CALLED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER?!? WTF?!? -- as Dave explains that the Surrey folks are willing to let Darin and I join in for rounds 3 and 4 and waive the entrance fee. Darin and I talk it over and come to the conclusion that, since we've missed the first half of the tourney, there's no way we can win. We'd only be in it for fun, and, at this stage, would we have more fun with powergamers and rules lawyers than we're having here (boingy boingy boingy boingy)? Nope! We stay and head to lunch. After some Quiznos, we hit the arcade that sprang up next to the former site of Playdium (*sniff!*) and get re-acquainted with our inner button-masher. Huzzah!
 
Moving ahead, after Game 3, we break out the Blood Bowl board and continue our game from the ferry, figuring out more or less where the pieces were. Unfortunately for Darin, his luck abandons him and I demolish him in all senses of the word -- something that a Human team should not be able to do to a Chaos team. I out-score him 2-0, I cripple a third of his team, even killing Dusterman (back on the ferry) and Handy, the star ball-carrier! I felt bad about that kill, but hey, the dice had spoken... and boy, did they have it out for Darin.
 
By that point, it was time to pick up Jessica from the SkyTrain (and grab the obligatory Starbucks cookie), but we couldn't leave without a photo to commemorate Our GW Friend™, Dave.

 

(Darin, Dave, Me)

 

We made our way back to the car, succesfully made it back to the ferry without getting lost this time (huzzah!) and, arriving early for the ferry, had dinner in the Tsawassen quay. (Mmmm, Ali Baba's pizza!) Once on the ferry, Jessica chilled with her iPod while Darin and I found the arcade and proceeded to geek it up a little more before joining Jessica for the last half of the trip home. From there, it was uneventful: the ferry docks, we drive home, and it's beddy-bye time.

 

...and now my blog is caught up. Huzzah!

I gots me some gizmos! First up: a new phone to commemorate the end of my tenure with Telus (so long, losers -- huzzah!) and the beginning of my tenure with Rogers (they're buddies with Shaw -- huzzah!). It's a sleek little number with no bells and whistles (except for a camera phone... bleh), which is just how I like my phones.

 

 

And now the big ticket:

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I realize this is almost a month late. Funny thing about a 2GB memory card... suddenly, I have no sense of urgency when it comes to offloading my pictures and videos! Fancy that!

 

Anyhoo, here are some snaps of me and my sisters from this Christmas. Please note the stellar goaltending equipment ("...gills as big as a blue whale's!") and the high degree of skill clearly evident with regards to the self-photos.