AryaBall: Almost There – Just One More Push (Throw, Toss, Fling, Swing, Kick) Away!

Posted on March 26, 2014 by geelw

If you think about it, Babak Forutanpour’s AryaBall is more or less the smartphone of outdoor toys. Like your modern phone is an all-in-one device that does many things, AryaBall takes care of a few popular sports using a clever, innovative design that makes you want to grab one just to try it out. Go take a look at the almost funded Kickstarter and if you like what you see, well – you know what to do. I’m actually surprised that Babak hasn’t thought up ONE sport using everything in that cool new toy, as I could see some network exec slapping himself in the forehead at the very idea of some new (and popular) competitive show that makes for more must-see “reality” TV. Anyway, 45 more hours to go (and counting down) and AryaBall is only a few thousand from its goal… suspense!

Koe (声) Kickstarter: Learning Japanese? I Really Think So…

Posted on February 27, 2014 by geelw

One of the main hurdles (if not THE main hurdle) for some gamers who lobe Japanese games is the language barrier. Another hurdles is laziness when it comes to learning new and important things like languages. Yeas, I said it and you can go on ahead and admit it if you’re reading this and happen to collect or be interested in collecting and playing games from Japan. Some of you (your narrator included) know a teeny tiny bit of the language but just haven’t had the time to sink into some proper learning situations for assorted reasons (lazy!) or are indeed too busy to seek out a tutor. Or we’re just too darn cheap (hey, a good tutor costs good money!). Anyway, Strawberry Games (Jitesh Rawal, Sayuki and Dan Tsukasa for now) is working on what’s looking like a fantastic solution and yes, it’s a Kickstarter project worth helping fund for a few reasons… Continue reading →

I’m Still Half-Dead. Here’s A Kung Fury Trailer to Watch (And Keel Over Laughing About)…

Posted on December 27, 2013 by geelw

So, I’m surprisingly alive, but I think I took a five-minute nod earlier. Anyway, this trailer for a Kickstarter funded film project is making the rounds and while it does pack a punch in few places, all that green screen work is a wee bit TOO perfect for an 80’s action flick. Yeah, yeah, it’s cheesy and hilarious, but somehow, the perfect mattes and effects seem more out of a full-motion video game than an intentionally awful movie that would have landed in a theater around 1987 or later. Granted, if this WAS a game project, I’d pony up a sack of pennies in a heartbeat (BOOM!). But as it is, this is going to make its target without a dime from me and make a lot of people smile in the process. Granted, this could end up like the next Snakes on a Plane if the jokes wear too thin, as what’s here is basically an expensive Saturday Night Live short film that’s stretched to what’s seemingly feature length. That said, you have to love the computer effects and Nintendo Power Glove with the finger tips cut off (those things were always too tight for adults unless they has kid-sized mitts) plus a few other things…

RETRO Magazine Kickstarter: Old Folks Talkin’ About Games Seems Like A Darn Good Idea…

Posted on October 6, 2013 by geelw

And given that I’m ancient enough myself to actually know and have read a lot of work from these old folks, that’s not an insult above and this KS is right up my alley. OK, I’ll be good from this point on, folks. Anyway, RETRO is a big Kickstarter project by some of he best known names from the gaming press’ best years as you’ll see when you check out that link. I know of a few people who could be potential contributors (well, I’m on that list I have in my head as well), but we’ll see if this mag makes its target. It SHOULD, as there’s way too little gaming history and appreciation out there with all the internet whining and moaning about modern gaming’s many issues. RETRO should be a kick in the pants and head the community clearly needs.

General Chaos Is Coming Back via Kickstarter (That’s Major News For Some!)

Posted on September 11, 2013 by geelw

I can recall the first time I played General Chaos on the Sega Genesis and not liking it because it was so different than the strategy games I was used to playing. Of course, that wacky art style and hilarious action-packed gamplay changed my mind quickly, as it took maybe a half hour of play before I was hooked, so I’ve been a big fan ever since. While I’m not sure of how many units it sold, I do know that the game has garnered a particularly loyal fan base then that’s been hoping for a sequel or remake for over 20 years. Well, thanks to Brian Colin and Game Refuge (the same folks behind the original), General Chaos II: Sons of Chaos is now a Kickstarter project you should look into funding. It’s a LOT cheaper than a real war and hell, you’ll both get some laughs to boot.

I’m liking the upgraded art style here quite a lot and it looks as if that trademark humor is intact. The only thing I can say I’d like to see more of is destructible environments, as who wouldn’t want to take out that guy in the wooden watchtower by taking the tower down with him? Yeah, I thought so. Anyway, the funding on this has 25 days to go and is still pretty low considering the goal is a mere $125,000. I guess more people need to study up on their game history. Hmmm… maybe the team at Game Refuge can do something about that like get the original game out on different platforms at some point down the road (with improved controls, of course). That old classic would make a fine game on PSN, Nintendo’s eShop and XBLA that’s for sure and I’m certain an iOS and Android version could be done. On the other hand, I want them to get the funding for this sequel taken care of so we CAN see the original get done up for today’s systems. So, give ’til it hurts (it won’t hurt for long) and prepare for battle as only a General Chaos game can deliver!

Shantae Is BACK… As A Kickstarter Project Well Worth Funding!

Posted on September 4, 2013 by geelw

After a pretty crappy early part of the day… now I actually feel like dancing around the room (but I’m in the library today and that’s not a really good idea). Anyway, WayForward Technologies is indeed working on a new Shantae game for anything that can play it (consoles and PC are the main targets) and YES, you should drop a few bucks to fund it for the stretch goals to make it even better. Here’s a peek at the pitch:

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is the name of the game and it’s already set for a release on a few platforms (it’s already confirmed for Wii U, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows PC via Steam), but WayForward wants to make the game even bigger and is offering up some awesome bonuses as well as cool stretch goals if they fly way over their target. You know the drill: You have a month to pledge (well, 29 days and counting down) and this one’s worth your time to check out just because you’re a fan of the company’s work or you’ve never played a cute as hell platformer with a genie (or half-genie) before and Shantae’s shimmy has you intrigued.

I used to work in a game shop years back and I actually passed up the chance to buy a copy of the original Shantae, which was a DUMB move on my part as that old Game Boy Color title fetches a few hundred bucks thanks to a low production run (and the fact that the game is really fantastic). I’ve missed out on the sequels thanks to them being digital only (boo!), but I’m backing this new game because it’s coming out on a few platforms I can actually get it for (I’ll probably get a Wii U version just to use that GamePad more than I currently do). Anyway, I’m off to that screening I noted in the above post – go make WayForward happier and pledge towards this instant classic, I say…