Jon Michael May's Blog
June 21, 2016
The eBook Gold Rush is Over
Amazon Kindle authors circa 2011
At last, the eBook Gold Rush is over. In case you haven’t heard the news, paper books are once again surging in popularity while eBooks have apparently hit a sharp decline. The message boards on KDP are filled with authors who’ve “had enough”. They’re packing it up and calling it quits in search of the next fast money market. Meanwhile, us authors remain.
Upon talking a walk through the graveyard (otherwise known as Nook Press), I can confirm that sales are down across the board for most of the authors I know. The bubble has burst and I, for one, am glad to see it.
Amazon Kindle authors circa 2016.
You see, I was never in this for the money. In fact, during the height of eBook sales I was still eating Spam sandwiches. The authors you see leaving (in droves, I might add) weren’t…
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LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Gameplay Video — Play Legit : Legitimate Gaming – PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PC, Handheld, Retro
KJ plays through the demo build, giving his thoughts. Does this feel like a retread, or a freshened Lego experience?
October 21, 2015
A Gaming Home, Away From Home
In the lower level of the Powell building, Tech Commons maintains a number of game consoles and games which students can use and check out during their off hours. The sanctuary away from the busy campus is a place where those needing to scratch the gaming itch can go to play with friends or battle against strangers in host of virtual competitive worlds.
Maintaining a wide variety of game systems, including Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo, Tech Commons in the lower Powell offers gamers a place to game outside of their dorm.
Nolan Kutzman, a sophomore Network Security major, says, “It’s a nice break in between classes for when you don’t want to go back to your room.”
Introduced this semester, the Game Cave is a PC/Steam based exclusive gaming haven. With the availability of Steam, the Game Cave opens up not only a wide range of competitive multiplayer titles, but any single player titles that can be downloaded via steam.
The Eastern Kentucky University Gaming Institute
Eastern is now home to Eastern Kentucky University Gaming Institute, the first bachelor’s degree program focusing on game design in the state. Starting this previous summer and fall, a host of new courses were offered, focusing on design, development, and publication of video games within an academic context.
For the first time, students in Kentucky wishing to learn the intricacies of game design, won’t have to pursue an expensive out of state education.
The Gaming Institute will host a Game Jam in the Wallace building, Friday October 23 through the 25. Entrants will be tasked with creating a complete game within the 48-hour time span.
For more information on Eastern Kentucky University Gaming Institute, the Game Jam, or students wishing to register for classes, contact Dr. George V Landon:
EKU Gaming Institute
521 Lancaster Ave.
403 Wallace Building
Richmond, KY 40475
October 20, 2015
Local Game Studio Scores License to a Cult Classic
Gun Media, a local same studio based in Lexington Ky, has scored the official license for Friday the 13th license. Originally intended to simply pay tribute to the cult classic horror film series as a game called Summer Camp, the game soon became much more when Sean S. Cunningham reached out to the creative team. He gifted them them the commercial license, allowing Gun Media to become an officially licensed title. Now with the help of the creative talents of those that made the franchise what it is, horror game fans can finally play as Jason Voorhees and strike fear into the hearts of those foolish enough to venture out alone at Camp Crystal Lake.
Looking to create a unique experience for players, the game will feature asymmetric multiplayer. One player taking on the role of the iconic Jason Voorhees, while seven other players take on the roles of various archetypal camp counselors. The counselors can work together to reach preset goals or go it alone and forsaking all allegiances, so long as you manage to survive.
“We’ve been talking about Friday the 13th games for twenty years. There was never a particular good idea. As luck would have it, we pulled it together and here we are,” says Cunningham.
Gun Media has its work cut out for it however because with the gift of the official license, comes with it the horde of horror fans who expect the property to be treated with respect and the game to do their beloved franchise justice.
Having $462,159 of the $700,000 goal pledged thus far with 24 days left to go on their Kickstarter campaign, the project has a strong chance of reaching its mark.
September 2, 2015
University Gaming & Time Management
As the fall 2015 semester begins at Eastern and the consumer market marches towards the holiday season, the onslaught of video game releases is slowing starting to pick up. Combined with even a light course load, finding the time to play games, particularly new releases can be challenging.
Time management is a crucial skill for any college student to master and one that can plague freshmen and senior alike. Coupled with a time consuming gaming habit and getting course work completed, to say nothing of even making it to class becomes a distant thought.
With the release of new games such as Metal Gear Solid 5 – The Phantom Pain and any classic time killers from the Call of Duty franchise, gamers are forced to squeeze every free second out of their schedule.
For some, going to class and even sleep aren’t even a consideration.
Pictured: Aaron Lamb, playing Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain – 14 hours into a long night of gaming.
There are those of course that can manage their time more efficiently and have no problem balancing school and gaming. For those, new game release, clan parties, and local tournaments are a welcome reprieve from the grind of a busy schedule. For others, the course work is just something an obstacle in their desire to complete the next big tittle.
May 13, 2014
The Plan – Let’s Play
This was an interesting game, if you can even call it that. It’s pretty and certainly has nice music, provided Suite No. 1, Op. 46 ‘The Death of Ase’ written by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg for the play, Peer Gynt.
It definitely sets a distinct mood as you move through the various environments. I’ll be uploading a second play-through in a moment, that shows the slight difference that occurs once you unlock the single achievement, which can be accomplished when you click the credits after your first play through.
Here’s the second play through of The Plan, showing the difference that occurs after you unlock the single achievement.
The original play through can be found here: http://youtu.be/QHuxTCO6Ucs
May 12, 2014
Star Trek Online – Tempest Class Patrol Escort
Not a bad looking ship.
Originally posted on The Jefferies Tube:
Patrol Escort Refit: Tempest Class
The Patrol Escorts were envisioned as escorts with an engineering bent. The Patrol Escort Refit: Tempest Class improves on those original designs with greatly improved Bridge Officer seating, a 5th Tactical Console slot, and additional aft firepower that will give Tempest captains new options in combat.
The Tempest comes equipped with a Nadion Saturation Bomb console. Firing the Nadion Saturation Bomb lays down a string of explosive fire that strafes between the ship and its target and then continues to detonate past the target. Any enemy ships caught in the explosions will take severe damage. After detonation, an intense Nadion Radiation Field lingers in space, creating a deadly hazard for enemies. The Nadion Saturation Bomb console may be equipped in any console slot of any Patrol Escort.
The Patrol Escort Refit: Tempest Class also comes with the Aft-Firing Tempest Tail Gun. This unique…
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May 8, 2014
An STO Playlist
Here’s the link to the playlist I’ve set up on YouTube for my Star Trek Online videos.
Star Trek Online…or as I like to call it, Kill as Many Aliens as Possible
Here’s a few minutes of me killing some aliens in space, specifically Tholians. If you check it out, please take a few seconds to Like the video and Subscribe to my channel. It only takes a second and helps me out tremendously.
