The giants of anime are coming, huh? Boy, Wired sure is on the cutting edge of this one. Thanks for telling us, guys. Can't wait for GitS II though.
Wired 12.09: The Giants of Anime are Coming
"The story has become Hollywood legend: In the mid-1990s, veteran producer Joel Silver met with two brothers. A little-known writer-director team, they were pitching an idea that Silver just couldn't wrap his head around. Finally they showed him Ghost in the Shell, a 1995 full-length Japanese cartoon by Mamoru Oshii. 'We want to make a live-action version of this,' they said. Ghost was like no cartoon Silver had ever seen. Rather than the family-friendly fare conjured up by the word animation, it was a violent tale about a futuristic world where people are so entangled with computers that nobody knows who is human and what is real. Quickly grasping its appeal, Silver gave the brothers the thumbs-up to produce a movie about a futuristic world where people are so entangled with computers that nobody knows who is human and what is real. The brothers were named Wachowski; their movie was called The Matrix."
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Monday, August 30, 2004
David A. Spitzley's Mythic Detroit
A developing Urban or Dark Fantasy setting built around Detroit. Since its relatively close to Cleveland, some of the magic may bleed back and forth. Perhaps as parts of a Triangle over Lake Erie.
Mythic Detroit
"If you say the name 'Detroit' to most people, they have very little idea there's more to the city than cars, Motown, houses that burst into flames on October 30, and (thanks to His Eminence Marshall Mathers) the presence of a road named 8 Mile.
"As you might expect, this page is intended to rectify this somewhat. I won't be pointing out mundane stuff like the Renaissance Center, Ford Field, or any other elements of the recent downtown building boom. Personally, I'm much more interested in the odd, the whimsical, the 'What the Hell?' factor. Every city has it, and Detroit, a major metropolis during the first half of the 20th century, has at least its fair share."
Mythic Detroit
"If you say the name 'Detroit' to most people, they have very little idea there's more to the city than cars, Motown, houses that burst into flames on October 30, and (thanks to His Eminence Marshall Mathers) the presence of a road named 8 Mile.
"As you might expect, this page is intended to rectify this somewhat. I won't be pointing out mundane stuff like the Renaissance Center, Ford Field, or any other elements of the recent downtown building boom. Personally, I'm much more interested in the odd, the whimsical, the 'What the Hell?' factor. Every city has it, and Detroit, a major metropolis during the first half of the 20th century, has at least its fair share."
TSG: Blowing Up Gotti
TSG: Blowing Up Gotti
"As the daughter of a serial killer, Victoria Gotti has done okay for herself: hack novelist, supermarket tabloid scribbler, and, now, star of the A&E reality TV show 'Growing Up Gotti.'"
"As the daughter of a serial killer, Victoria Gotti has done okay for herself: hack novelist, supermarket tabloid scribbler, and, now, star of the A&E reality TV show 'Growing Up Gotti.'"
Frustrated chimp takes up smoking
Frustrated chimp takes up smoking
"Sexual frustration has driven a mild-mannered chimpanzee to take up smoking and spitting, according to China's Xinhua news agency." [via Jonny]
"Sexual frustration has driven a mild-mannered chimpanzee to take up smoking and spitting, according to China's Xinhua news agency." [via Jonny]
Friday, August 27, 2004
Tarantino to star in Muppets film
That sound you are hearing is the thumping of Jim Henson's body against the inside of his coffin...as he is spinning in his grave.
BBC NEWS
"Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino is to appear in a new Muppets film based on The Wizard of Oz. " [Via Jonny]
BBC NEWS
"Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino is to appear in a new Muppets film based on The Wizard of Oz. " [Via Jonny]
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Grant Morrison - Punching Holes Through Time
Sequential Tart
"I had the great privilege of interviewing Grant Morrison way back during Tart's first year of existence. The result, while interesting, wasn't the definitive Grant Morrison interview I wanted for our publication (mostly due to my inexperience as an interviewer back then). I waited three years to pose the possibility of an extended interview with the man. In that time, I thought hard about every question I ever wanted to ask the author about his writing. I realized that I didn't want to ask him about specific pieces of his work (which speak for themselves, by and large), as much as I wanted to ask him questions concerning the craft of writing, the influence of other art forms on his work, how and why his work keeps evolving and changing every few years, and so forth."
"I had the great privilege of interviewing Grant Morrison way back during Tart's first year of existence. The result, while interesting, wasn't the definitive Grant Morrison interview I wanted for our publication (mostly due to my inexperience as an interviewer back then). I waited three years to pose the possibility of an extended interview with the man. In that time, I thought hard about every question I ever wanted to ask the author about his writing. I realized that I didn't want to ask him about specific pieces of his work (which speak for themselves, by and large), as much as I wanted to ask him questions concerning the craft of writing, the influence of other art forms on his work, how and why his work keeps evolving and changing every few years, and so forth."
Once More With Rampage!!
An interesting looking blog by another geek. Looks like a nice mix of news and opinion. I'll have to check the link on Warren Ellis and the Global Frequency series.
Once More With Rampage!!
Edit: Checked out the Global Frequency site and was left overwhelmingly unimpressed by it. I am sure that it will be an ok program, but the site was just boring and, well.... boring.
Once More With Rampage!!
Edit: Checked out the Global Frequency site and was left overwhelmingly unimpressed by it. I am sure that it will be an ok program, but the site was just boring and, well.... boring.
Acting in the office of a parrot
Just reasons to dislike John Byrne, outside of the usual of course...
Acting in the office of a parrot
"I remembered that this wasn't the first time Byrne had to retract a public statement (later proved to be false) about a fellow professional. When Fantagraphics recently asked people to place orders with them in order to help them with their financial troubles, I made an order which included a few back issues of The Comics Journal, which always make for interesting reading. One of those issues (#82) featured an apology written by Byrne in which he retracted some statements he made about Roy Thomas at a convention panel. Like the Larsen apology, however, the phrasing of the apology left something to be desired, as you will see below."
A link to the main page.
Acting in the office of a parrot
"I remembered that this wasn't the first time Byrne had to retract a public statement (later proved to be false) about a fellow professional. When Fantagraphics recently asked people to place orders with them in order to help them with their financial troubles, I made an order which included a few back issues of The Comics Journal, which always make for interesting reading. One of those issues (#82) featured an apology written by Byrne in which he retracted some statements he made about Roy Thomas at a convention panel. Like the Larsen apology, however, the phrasing of the apology left something to be desired, as you will see below."
A link to the main page.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Please save my mother
Please save my mother
A kitten watches fire Capt. Levy Davis try to revive its mother at a house fire in In Bowling Green, Ky. The oxygen did the trick, and both cats, along with a third, were taken to the Humane Society.
A kitten watches fire Capt. Levy Davis try to revive its mother at a house fire in In Bowling Green, Ky. The oxygen did the trick, and both cats, along with a third, were taken to the Humane Society.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Cunning Folk
Just a little something interesting to throw out for folks, something to put a little flavor into their Fantasy games. Particularly useful for Fantasy Fudge GMs and Players, using the Hedge Magic "rules" for 5-point Fudge.
Cunning Folk
Cunning Folk
All New Meaning To 'Fox in Sox'
All New Meaning To 'Fox in Sox'
"A man has tried to extort the widow of legendary US children's author known as "Dr Seuss" by threatening to circulate a painting of his famous characters engaged in sexual acts."
"A man has tried to extort the widow of legendary US children's author known as "Dr Seuss" by threatening to circulate a painting of his famous characters engaged in sexual acts."
Killer In The Phone
Killer In The Phone
"A NIGERIAN mobile telephone firm has sought to quash a widespread rumour that users answering calls from two "killer numbers" had been struck dead on the spot."
"A NIGERIAN mobile telephone firm has sought to quash a widespread rumour that users answering calls from two "killer numbers" had been struck dead on the spot."
Hatebeak
No, seriously....
Parrot Lead Death Metal Band
"Face-crushing guitars, head-pounding drums, bass so low you'll vacate your bowels, and vocals so scorching, so extreme they simply can't be human! They're not. This death metal outfit with a parrot for a singer makes trashes the pathetic birdfeeder you call the metal underground!
"That's correct, a parrot for a singer, savaging you with feathers of razored steel! This is not Jimmy Buffet's parrot - be warned! Try as one might, they will not escape the claw; nothing can dodge the talons of hate!! These three songs are an ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY beak in the ass of all things sacred in the underground. The holiest shrines of metal and hardcore seriousness are duly trashed, burned, laid to waste, smeared in Avian excrement. The pecking order has been established! For the last time, it really is a parrot, not the loser from Six Feet Under.
Groundbreaking, nest-crushing, egg-shattering! You can run, but you can't fly."
Parrot Lead Death Metal Band
"Face-crushing guitars, head-pounding drums, bass so low you'll vacate your bowels, and vocals so scorching, so extreme they simply can't be human! They're not. This death metal outfit with a parrot for a singer makes trashes the pathetic birdfeeder you call the metal underground!
"That's correct, a parrot for a singer, savaging you with feathers of razored steel! This is not Jimmy Buffet's parrot - be warned! Try as one might, they will not escape the claw; nothing can dodge the talons of hate!! These three songs are an ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY beak in the ass of all things sacred in the underground. The holiest shrines of metal and hardcore seriousness are duly trashed, burned, laid to waste, smeared in Avian excrement. The pecking order has been established! For the last time, it really is a parrot, not the loser from Six Feet Under.
Groundbreaking, nest-crushing, egg-shattering! You can run, but you can't fly."
Thursday, August 19, 2004
GURPS Update
This links to the pdf file with the conversion guidelines from GURPS 3e to the soon to be released (and currently for sale...I guess...at GenCon) GURPS 4e. Just remember that no conversion is ever perfect or exact, and from what I have seen of the changes for 4e in preview, its going to be a much better game.
GURPS Update pdf file
GURPS Update pdf file
NPR: Dungeons & Dragons
NPR's All Things Considered did a recent story on the upcoming 30th Anniversary of D&D. This linked page features a downloadable RM file of the piece. I have heard it, but I have read that it was not a negative piece, focusing on how D&D has influenced the computer game industry, and recording of a game session with a gaming group in Brooklyn, made up of professional 30-somethings.
Don't forget that October 16th is Worldwide D&D Game Day, as a part of the anniversary celebrations.
NPR: Dungeons & Dragons
"In the 1980s, Dungeons and Dragons inspired millions of kids to spend their spare time pretending to be wizards and dwarves. A new version of the D&D rule book comes out tonight, and the designers are betting it will lure today's kids away from video and computer games."
Don't forget that October 16th is Worldwide D&D Game Day, as a part of the anniversary celebrations.
NPR: Dungeons & Dragons
"In the 1980s, Dungeons and Dragons inspired millions of kids to spend their spare time pretending to be wizards and dwarves. A new version of the D&D rule book comes out tonight, and the designers are betting it will lure today's kids away from video and computer games."
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Steve Jackson Game's Web Forums
In addition to their subscription discussion boards of Pyramid Magazine, SJ Games has introduced a new free forum on their website. Hopefully this will bring together the online communities of GURPS and SJ Games together in one place. Regardless, it is a nice augmentation for Pyramid.
Steve Jackson Game's Web Forums
Steve Jackson Game's Web Forums
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Big Bang Universe RPG
This is my next big piece of gaming work. I am really looking forward to tackling it, since I have been a big fan of the comics, and Gary and Chris' work, for quite a long time. Watch this space for more information about the game and playtesting as time goes by.
Big Bang Press Release
Big Bang Press Release
Grimjack Is Back!
Wow. This was announced in June and I managed to miss it. Let's here it for Grimjack collections!
GrimJack Is Back
"After long legal wrangling, the creative team of writer John Ostrander and artist Tim Truman recently announced that they had recovered the rights to GrimJack, who they created originally as a back-up feature in the pages of First Comics' Starslayer."
GrimJack Is Back
"After long legal wrangling, the creative team of writer John Ostrander and artist Tim Truman recently announced that they had recovered the rights to GrimJack, who they created originally as a back-up feature in the pages of First Comics' Starslayer."
Friday, August 13, 2004
Los Angeles Almanac - Demographics, History, Statistics
A nice resource, for people wanting to set games in the Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles Almanac - Demographics, History, Statistics
Los Angeles Almanac - Demographics, History, Statistics
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Florida braces for double storm hit
I know from my family that where my parents lives (St. Pete Beach) has a mandatory evacuation by 4pm today. So, I guess that things are supposed to get ugly with Charley. No Chocolate Facotry for him.
Florida braces for double storm hit
"Florida authorities implemented emergency preparations as the southern US state braced for a rare one-two punch by a hurricane and a tropical storm."
Florida braces for double storm hit
"Florida authorities implemented emergency preparations as the southern US state braced for a rare one-two punch by a hurricane and a tropical storm."
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Can You Name The 53 States?
Can You Name The 53 States?
"California officials are seeking to shutter a chain of private schools that peddles bogus high school diplomas to unwitting students--many of them Latino immigrants--who are taught that there are 53 U.S. states and an 'administrative' branch of government. The California Alternative High School, which operated 30 schools statewide, charged students $1450 for a 10-week course based on a bizarre 54-page workbook that apparently was authored by Ali G. State investigators last week seized the school's assets and asked a Superior Court judge to close down the sleazy outfit. Below you will find excerpts from the school's workbook, which included questions about Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Traveling Salesman,' the study of 'Matemathics,' and the philosopher 'Aristotale.' "
"California officials are seeking to shutter a chain of private schools that peddles bogus high school diplomas to unwitting students--many of them Latino immigrants--who are taught that there are 53 U.S. states and an 'administrative' branch of government. The California Alternative High School, which operated 30 schools statewide, charged students $1450 for a 10-week course based on a bizarre 54-page workbook that apparently was authored by Ali G. State investigators last week seized the school's assets and asked a Superior Court judge to close down the sleazy outfit. Below you will find excerpts from the school's workbook, which included questions about Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Traveling Salesman,' the study of 'Matemathics,' and the philosopher 'Aristotale.' "
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