Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 82
October 4, 2017
Name your own price Humble RPG Maker Software Bundle!
Click here for the link. Offer expires 2017-10-18 11:00:00 PDT.
Calling all aspiring indie game makers. Your bundle is here! And you have a role to play. 1) Pick up a bundle of RPG Maker software and starter packs. 2) Check out awesome games like Echoes of Aetheria, Skyborn, Pale Echoes, and more for inspiration. 3) Build your own game and enter it in the Indie Game Maker Contest!
(Okay, you don’t have to do #3. All we ask is that you have fun!)
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for the software in this bundle is as much as $679. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Redeem your keys. Software keys can be redeemed according to the individual instructions on your download page. For more information, please check the full system requirements here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, Extra Life/Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, the IndieCade Foundation, Child’s Play, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Pay what you want Adventures in Science Fiction book bundle!
Click here for the link. Offer expires 2017-10-18 11:00:00 PDT.
To read will be an awfully big adventure. With this bundle of science fiction titles from Open Road Media, the whole universe is at your fingertips. Explore other worlds from Buzz Aldrin, Octavia E. Butler, Greg Bear, and more!
Pay what you want. All together, these books would cost over $199. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post Pay what you want Adventures in Science Fiction book bundle! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
October 3, 2017
Name your own price for a Stardock games Humble Bundle!
Here’s the link. The offer expires 2017-10-17 11:00:00 PDT.
Sittin’ on the stardock of the bay. Drop anchor, because you’ll want to stay and play these games for a while. Pick up Offworld Trading Company, Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion, Galactic Civilizations III, and more titles from Stardock Entertainment!
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $237. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!
Redeem on Steam. All of the games in this bundle are available on Steam for Windows, and Offworld Trading Company is also available for Mac. Pay $1 or more to access Steam keys. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
New book – Atari Flashback: The Essential Companion
I’m happy to say that my new book, from Prima Games, has officially been announced! Atari Flashback: The Essential Companion, will be released towards the end of November both online and retail (Amazon, GameStop, Barnes & Noble, etc.).
More details to follow, but for now, here’s the official information about the book:
A Classic Console—40 Years in the Making! The classic Atari 2600 console has captured the hearts of gamers of all ages. This retrospective celebrates many of its greatest games. Travel back in time when a joystick and a single button were the only things needed for endless hours of fun!
Relive the Nostalgia: Includes original box art, full-color screenshots, classic advertisements, and more!
Covers Over 65 Classic Games: Includes Adventure, Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, and Yars’ Revenge!
The Console: A look back at the history of the Atari 2600 in all its glory – all 40 years!
Plus Much More! Packed with fun facts, tips and tricks, and details on how to play the games!
Free Mobile-Friendly eGuide: Includes a code to access the eGuide, a web-access version of the complete guide optimized for a second-screen experience.
The post New book – Atari Flashback: The Essential Companion appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
The Longest Lived Personal Computing Platforms
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, there are some of us – me included, naturally – who just aren’t happy unless we replace our electronic devices every year or two. The promise of faster, better, and just more of what we already love is hard to resist. Of course, this wasn’t always the case. There was a time when we had to ride out what we owned for 5 years, 10 years, or even longer. One great example of this was in the early personal computing revolution.
Kicking off what would eventually be a mass market for personal computers, the infamous trinity of the first truly recognizable try at such devices, the Apple II, TRS-80, and Commodore PET, were all released in 1977. Of course, the personal computing revolution started out slow. It was difficult then – and a number of years after – to know exactly why you’d want a personal computer other than it being a pretty cool box of electronics that may or may not have gone “beep.”
Regardless of how slowly personal computers were adopted by the general public, it was between 1977 and 1984 that the longest-lived personal computing platforms would be released (and, as you’ll see later, depending upon how you define it, no later than 1982). These platforms had the right combination of power, timing, market presence – and in some cases, cost-effectiveness and sheer luck – to dominate over the many dozens of other computing platforms that would spring up over the years.
Of course, the question of longest-lived computing platform does not necessarily have a straightforward answer. For pure longevity, the IBM PC and Compatibles computing platform may never be matched. A big x factor inherent in the question, though, is how long said platform remained the same after release. In other words, could you buy one of these systems at launch and continue to use that same system through the remainder of that platform’s commercial lifespan, particularly in terms of the majority of software released? For all but one of these platforms – the Commodore 64 – the answer is no. As such, the Commodore 64 – the single best-selling personal computer of all-time – stands alone in terms of longevity because it’s the one that ultimately had to evolve the least to last, even though it ranks fourth (or sixth) in terms of active-time-on-market.
Apple II: 1977 – 1993 (16 years)
TRS-80 Model x: 1977 – 1991 (14 years)
Atari 8-bit: 1979 – 1992 (13 years)
Commodore 64: 1982 – 1994 (12 years)
TRS-80 Color Computer: 1980 – 1991 (11 years)
ZX Spectrum: 1982 – 1992 (10 years)
Special mentions, but ones I personally disqualify because of their dramatic architectural and OS changes through the years:
IBM PC and Compatibles: 1981 – Present (36 years and counting)
Apple Macintosh: 1984 – Present (33 years and counting)
Finally, I would be remiss not to point out what I hope is obvious to all reading this. While most of these platforms are no longer commercially viable on the mass market, these – and even the vast majority of contemporary also-rans – still have thriving modern communities. These communities may be small, but they support their chosen vintage platform with a passion – and with product – that would make even a contemporary owner envious. That to me is the greatest legacy of these technologies.
Did I miss any long-lived personal computing platforms in my quick survey? Let me know in the comments!
NOTE: You can read about these platforms and more in my book, Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time. You can also read specifically about the history of the TRS-80 Color Computer in my book, CoCo: The Colorful History of Tandy’s Underdog Computer. Thanks for reading!
The post The Longest Lived Personal Computing Platforms appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
September 28, 2017
Big sale on BANDAI NAMCO games
Through Monday, October 2 at 10 a.m. Pacific time, The Humble Store is having a big sale on BANDAI NAMCO games. Click this link to check out the games and discounts!
The post Big sale on BANDAI NAMCO games appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Sega Genesis Flashback (2017): The Official Game List (revised)
What follows is the official finalized 85 game list for the retail version of the 2017 release of the Sega Genesis Flashback, which should be available next month. Reviews for the newly updated and optimized hardware (versus the earlier review units) should also be out starting October 13 (preview: it’s really good!). This is an update to the earlier official list (here), which was posted back in July. Of special note is that there are now more Sega Master System and Game Gear games, and fewer Bonus Games.
SEGA GENESIS GAMES:
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Arrow Flash
Bonanza Bros.
Chakan: The Forever Man
Columns
Columns III
Comix Zone
Crack Down
Decap Attack
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
ESWAT: City Under Seige
Eternal Champions
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Jewel Master
Kid Chameleon
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat II
Phantasy Star 3: Generations Of Doom
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star IV
Ristar
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal
Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention
Shining in the Darkness
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Super Thunder Blade
Sword Of Vermilion
The Ooze
Vectorman
Vectorman 2
Virtua Fighter II
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM GAMES:
Alex Kidd in High Tech World
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
Assault City
Astro Warrior
Dragon Crystal
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone The Maze
Kenseiden
Kung Fu Kid
Ninja, The
Phantasy Star
Psycho Fox
Snail Maze
GAME GEAR GAMES:
Baku Baku Animal
Defenders of Oasis
Sonic Chaos
Sonic Drift 2
Sonic Triple Trouble
Super Columns
Tails Adventure
BONUS GAMES:
Adventure in the Park
Air Hockey
Bomber
Bubbles Master
Cannon
Checker
Cross the road
Curling 2010
Fight or Lose
Hexagonos
Jack’s Pea
Jewel Magic
Memory
Mr. Balls
Naval Power
Plumbing Contest
Snake
Spider
Wall-Breaking
The post Sega Genesis Flashback (2017): The Official Game List (revised) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
September 27, 2017
Name your own price Haikasoru science fiction books
Click here for the link. The offer expires 2017-10-11 11:00:00 PDT.
The bundle in the high castle. Viz Media is back at Humble with a bundle of amazing science fiction books from Haikasoru (meaning “High Castle”), the first imprint dedicated to bringing Japanese science fiction to America and beyond. You’ll get stunning stories like Legend of the Galactic Heroes Vol. 1-3, Virus: The Day of Resurrection, The Cage of Zeus, and more!
Pay what you want. All together, these books would cost over $145. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and PRC formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. (Mardock Scramble comes in MOBI rather than PRC.) Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher, Viz Media; the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America; and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
September 26, 2017
Name your own price THQ Nordic PlayStation Bundle Encore (PS3 and PS4)
Limited offer, unlimited fun. The THQ Nordic PlayStation Bundle is back! But quantities are limited, so grab a bundle of PS3 and PS4 games before each tier sells out. You can get Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition, Red Faction, Destroy All Humans! 2, and more!
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $334. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!
Redeem on PlayStation. These games are available on either PlayStation 3 or 4, and for Legend of Kay Anniversary, you get both! Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, Hand in Hand International, and, if you’d like, a second charity of your choice via the Paypal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
September 25, 2017
Name your own price Humble Book Bundle: Hacking Reloaded
Click this link to get the bundle. The offer expires 2017-10-09 11:00:00 PDT.
We can hack it! A great way to strengthen your computer skills is to learn what’s going on underneath. Let No Starch Press be your guide with this book bundle! Get Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking, Game Hacking: Developing Autonomous Bots for Online Games, iOS Application Security: The Definitive Guide for Hackers and Developers, and more.
Pay what you want. All together, these books would cost over $565. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between No Starch Press, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and, if you’d like, a second charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
