Easthampton Zinefest! 2017

     If you're just stopping by the site because you saw us at the Zinefest, thanks so much for coming out! We had a lot of fun and got plenty of new ideas.

     This blog has been my personal blog for a while and is also kind of a mash up of a few other blogs I used to post on. In other words, it's pretty random right now, but of course the general theme is "playing."

     Stay tuned for more content, including some Dungeons and Dragons campaign stories, and of course, the fabled origins of Wizard Kitty and Punko Turt!

Public Economy Introduction Post

     There's an idea I've been working on for a few years now that used to have its own blog, but now I'm moving it over to Playing Mode and beginning a new phase of work on it. It is now called "The Public Economy," and the basic gist is to design a new economy for the world that is sustainable to the environment and fun to participate in. The only difference between working and playing is whether or not you enjoy it, and if we pull this off we will have a mighty fine renaissance on our hands.

While I get the new work up and running, please feel free to explore the old blog:
http://type1orbust.blogspot.com/

Playing Mode 8/20/2016

     The past two weeks have been productive for getting to a workable version of the Arca. Things just entered a pre-alpha stage last night with the game being technically playable right now. Rules for Character Sheets and Arca Sheets are being hammered out now, and next will be further sheets for each game. The main analog systems right now are Magic: The Gathering, Heroclix, and Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. (With a bit of Heroscape/Arena of the Planeswalkers thrown in) After that, analog will try to move on to Warhammer, Warmachine, and Malifaux. Digital is harder to sort out but will mostly focus on RTS and RPG's where you create/name your own character(s). 

Current Games:

Magic: The Gathering (Tabletop) Not much playing, but still simmering here.

Pokemon Go (iOS) Hit level 24 a week or so ago. Going slow now, but still playing.

Age of Empires II HD (PC) Messing with low population, deathmatch, and age restriction settings.
Heroes of the Storm (PC) Just leveling characters still.

DnD 5th Ed (Tabletop) Playing Espilthork the Dwarven Skald.

Last of Us (PS4) Beat it. Didn't like the ending at all, but the game was solid.

No Man's Sky (PS4) Following the Atlas Path, 15 jumps in. Just trying to name as many systems and planets as I can, farming a bit along the way.

PC GAMING BONANZA - I've just been installing and trying out a bunch of stuff from the backlog: Total Annihilation, Icewind Dale, Alpha Centuri, Age of Mythology, Risk of Rain.

Music:

Original Broadway Cast - Hamilton.
If These Trees Could Talk - Above the Earth, Below the Sky

Screen:

Steven Universe - Season 3

Books:

Finally started the Dark Tower. Not sure if I like it yet.
*Edit 8/29: Dark Tower is pretty good, I'm about halfway through. Also I got the Batman/TMNT crossover hardcover and the story was okay but the artwork alone was totally worth the purchase. The alt covers drawn by Eastman are amazing. 

Playing Mode 7/8/2016

     Lately I've just been trying to rough out all the background stuff for The Arca. It's on its 4th version at this point but things have been moving along. It seems that 2016 is the year gaming dreams come true considering I am actively playing Magic, DnD, Steam, and soon to be PS4 with friends. It is so much fun!

Current Games:

Magic: The Gathering (Tabletop) Gearing up for Eldritch Moon

Kirby Planet Robobot (3DS) Beat the game easily but still playing with the other modes.

Pokemon Go (iOS) OOOOOH BOY 

Age of Empires II HD (PC) Learning to defeat "moderate" AI.
Heroes of the Storm (PC) Just leveling characters still. Favs: Raynor, Thrall, and Muradin.
Diablo 3 (PC) Barbarian Season 6

DnD 5th Ed (Tabletop) Playing Valerra as a cleric!

Music:

Tyr - Valkyrja
If These Trees Could Talk - Above the Earth, Below the Sky

Screen:

Daredevil Season 2 - Almost done!

Books:

Sadly, no reading has been happening. 

PAXEast 2016!!!

     If you're one of the fine folks we met at PAX let me take the time to thank you for stopping by the blog! This is currently a small project but we have some ambitious goals, and if all goes according to plan we can save the world by playing our asses off. We'd love to have you playing along :D

Playing Mode 4/19/16

     I've been doing nothing but prepare the blog for PAX and I still wasn't really able to get caught up but it's good enough! The last time I posted one of these was February and I've made a ton of progress since then. Arca Magic is fun and the story is coming right along, even if the written side of it lags behind. It's amazing how time consuming all of this is, but I'm not about to stop. (Sidenote: did you know Megaman was a genre of music? Cause it is.)

Current Games:

Magic: The Gathering (Tabletop) Mostly just messing with the new Innistrad intro decks.

Kirby Triple Deluxe (3DS) Going back for all the sun stones.

Geometry Dash (iOS) 

Heroclix (Tabletop) The new TMNT set is luring be back to the plastic crack.

Music:

The Protomen - Act I and Act II

Sammus - Infusion and Another M

MC Lars - The Zombie Dinosaur LP and This Gigantic Robot Kills

The Megas - Get Equipped and History Repeating

Screen:

TMNT 1987 Season 1

TMNT 2012 Season 3

Gravity Falls Season 1

Disney Pixar's Cars

Books:

The Silmarillion - JRR Tolkien 

Playing Mode 2/20/16

     I've been working on Sigmund and Valerra's backstories leading up to the start of the Rally Point storyline, and also generally still updating and organizing this blog. The "Arca Magic" mod for Magic:The Gathering is ready to start being play tested.

Current Games:
Age of Empire II (Steam)
Rise of Nations (Steam)
Magic: The Gathering (Tabletop)
D&D 5th Edition (Tabletop)
Pokemon Y (3DS)
Tap Titans (iOS)
Magic Duels (iOS)
Dominations (iOS)
Clash of Clans (iOS)

Music:
Pity Sex - Feast of Love, Dark World
Metric - Pagans in Vegas
The Lonely Wild - Chasing White Light, The Sun as it Comes

Screen:
Deadpool
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Adventure Time Season 7
Steven Universe Season 2
Agent Carter Season 2

Books:
What If? (Various Authors)