SWTOR MMO and the New Frontier....

So, SWTOR gets ready to launch on Dec. 20th, 2011, and it is with baited breath for many, many gamers.  Where do I fall into the mix?  I am excited, but I am not beyond myself with anticipation.  Here is what I have been thinking about so far.

1.  It's Bioware.  That has a lot of non-MMOers excited.  Those who play Bioware RPG's for example.
2.  It's Starwars so that has a bunch of Star War nuts (me included) excited.
3.  It's a new MMO made by a big player in the industry.  MMOers love anything new in the MMO space.  Will it be the same old grind?  Will the questing be fun?  How will PvP be handled?

So, yes of course, this game is going to make a big splash.  But fans have fears out there too.  Will this game let us down like Star Wars-Galaxies?  Will it be a flash in the MMO pan, among us fickle MMOers, like Rift seems to be?  BTW - that game was fun why am I not playing it?  Are you?  How come we do not hear about it anymore?

So as many of you know I still play LOTRO regularly.  Will SWTOR capture my attention to play for years. I actually doubt it will for several reasons.

1.  No matter how cool this MMO will be it will never, never, never be as cool as watching the "first" Star Wars in the movie theatre in 1977.  Or replace how I felt at the end of that movie when Luke was standing in his orange jump suit receiving his medal by Leai with Han and Chewie standing by.  I felt true wonder and sadness and happiness and just wow all at the same time.  I was 8.  So I just doubt that this MMO can recreate that feeling.  But deep down inside I hope it does, or at least a 42 year old's version of it.

2.  I really like crafting.  I have no idea why, going out and farming "mats" to then come back and make a pie brings me joy.  But it does.  So this MMO has little helpers or assistants or sidekicks or something that does that for me.  People are really psyched about this functionality.  Me, not so much.  Of course, I have not checked it out yet.  So I am curious.

3.  The Grind.  I don't know sometimes I like just mindlessly going out with my two handed ax in LOTRO and killing boars.  I don't mind the Grind as long as I can, when I want, go get a story.  Now the reviews in Game Informer cite very engaging story arcs.  The one I remember was a Bounty Hunter Class had to recover a lost child taken by the father and hired by the mother.  After interesting story choices between light and dark, you meet the father who does not want his son whisked off to a Sith Academy.  That's not so bad right?  So what do you do?  I have to admit that does sound very engaging.

4.  Will I really feel like a Jedi?  I don't know, I have a hard time "role playing" in an IP that is so well known.  It is easy to a be a random dwarf fighter in DnD or LOTRO.  But to actually role play a Jedi?  I mean it is so iconic.  I am not sure there is room for my interpretations of Jedi life in there ya know?  I know I know the classes are sightly different than the movie Jedi's and set like a billion years before A New Hope, but you know what I mean.

5.  I know they are a sponsor, but I am so psyched to be playing this on my Doghouse.  I love that computer.  It really was a treat to myself.  All the bells and whistles and every time I boot that baby up and it seamlessly plays Dawn of War, or Starcraft, or Civ V and of course LOTRO and all at max settings with no fuss no muss.  I know it is going to rock the Starwars MMO.  And I will be at peace right along with big fan cooling my dual cross fired graphics card.

So as the game gets set to release, I am excited to be on the pre-release timeline.  And I really like how BioWare is allowing a download even before pre-release play.  This allows them to work the bugs out and hopefully avoid server crashes as a billion gamers get set to adventure in the wake of Luke Skywalker's X-Wing.  At its least, this will be a fun ride.

HD

The Link List......Navin (PaintedFigs) and MouseGuard RPG live play

Here is Free Navin Link Interview.   Some people have reported that this link "times out" or does not allow any more downloads.  I do not know why it works for some but not others.  Cross your fingers.

The D6G Episode with Navin was D6G Ep: 42

OR

Here is the Pay Link for the Navin Interview, which allows one use per user.
   


B.  Here is Part II of the MouseGuard Session Play.

Per Request this is unedited.  So I do not recommend you play in front of little ears.
If you would like the edited version (which I have pending if requested) just let me know.

C.  Here is Part I of the MouseGuard Session Play.  (Edited).





HD
raef@jimmyjango.com

The Navin Interview and THDGPS FAQ.

The First Evah Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show.  The Navin Interview:  Whatever Happened to Painted Figs? 

Click Here For Navin Interview

But first to answer, in one place, a bunch of questions that I have been receiving.

Ok so a lot has happened, and I have received a bunch of questions through twitter and email since the birth of the idea for the Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show.

1. First.  There is no falling out between Russ and Craig and I.  I look forward to the very next show I can be on.  The closest show is definitely show 100 and may be earlier depending on the rotating 3^rd chair schedule.  I see myself as just going off to make a solo guitar album while the D6G band still tours.
2. Why my own show?   I realized after I decided to step down that although I do not want to podcast at 3-4 hours a week, I do still love podcasting.  So, I thought hey, this is a chance for me to do all the things creative and entrepreneurial that I was unable to do for a variety of reasons with the D6G.
3. What is The Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show? 

·        I imagine it to be a blend between a talk show and an interview show. 

·        It is designed to last one hour MAX.  It is designed to fit that itch of gaming interest where one may not have the 4 hours for a D6G episode. 

·        I imagine 8-9 shows a year.  Shows - not an ongoing podcast.  Approx. 1 show a month with a built in “holiday” of 3 months.

·        It is designed to compliment the D6G episodes.  Where the D6G reviews and discusses the new game hotness, interviews the new game’s designer and all things “this year” in gaming.  I plan to talk any game or other HD item of interest via Raef’s Round Table style.  I want to talk to game designers, game insiders, game store merchants, and talk comics, videos, and anything else gamers do or talk about.    

·        It is designed to be ad free.  I personally dislike ads.  That is not to say ads are bad or not a good source of revenue, I just do not like watching them myself.  So I do not want my show to have them, BUT I believe in paying myself for the show.  Ie.  I do not watch “The Walking Dead on T.V. (ad supported).  I buy it though Zune on xbox (viewer supported).  I do want to have corporate and listener sponsorship.  And hey sponsorship is and ad too, I get it.  But to me, I can take those as a listener/ watcher.  I believe we gamers should support what we like ourselves by paying up when needed.  That is just me.   

·        Why pay per click episodes?  See above, I wanted to have it both corporate and listener supported.  I did not need or want a huge listener base.  A big listener base will still be very complimentary to my ego.  J  Hey, I already have done that with the D6G, I want to do something new.  I thought I could build a small but loyal listener base.  And….a pay per click/show is almost never done.  That was appealing to me.  Could I be the ONE that made it happen.  You see, I use to play the Sisters of Battle in 40K when they were just a list in a White Dwarf.  No one played them. Everyone told me not to play them if I wanted to be competitive.  They were not viable, and some would say, were not viable even after a few codices.  I still played them, I was like: “No!  I can make them win!”  Well, I could not.  I am sure others could, but not me.  I lost and lost and lost.  Ah….hubris.  Well I wimped out.  No pay per click/ show.  This time I am going to listen to the advice of others.

4.  So…it is not pay per click/show then?  Nope.  And to be honest it’s sort of a relief.  After listening back to the Navin interview, I wanted all gamers to hear it….and business students….and the guy down the street…and whomever the freak wants to.  And, who knows where it will go?

5.  So how do I get this show of yours?  Well for now, you have to go to my blog or click this link.  Since I had the show set up for pay per click that is the podcast host and method I chose.  I will see about making the show port into iTunes and other podcast catchers directly for upcoming shows.

So, that is my story.  I hope you enjoy the Navin Interview and a new show format set in a plethora of gaming podcast show goodness.

Raef “Hollywood” Granger.
raef@thehollywoodgps.com

Test....Test....Almost There....Done!!

Ok, so I think I got it.
  MouseGuard Session Play (First Half)

So one of my goals with Raef 2.0 (which is the term I am calling the re-launch of my law firm in Portsmouth NH) was to learn how to host my own website, was to be lean and mean with staff, and to teach myself new entrepreneurial skills.

So on that front, I have built and hosted my own website on Squarespace for my lawfirm at raefgranger.com.  It was a little time consuming, but I taught myself to do it. I am rather proud of myself actually.  The website is ok. It is not that, I am proud of teaching myself how to get a domain on GoDaddy then point the domain over to Squarespace, to have my url show up in the address bar, not Squarespace's url.  I also created email addresses in Google Apps (which I love by the way); and created domain aliases in Google Aps, and have all my domains accounts manged under my main login for Google Apps.

This all helped for the podcast and blog too.  And helped for my credit report updater product called Powered by RD Reports which is going through a re-branding which means all different web skills and re-pointing.  So anyhoo, I knew I need to learn these skill sets.

Another one of my goals for Raef 2.0 was to also learn how to publish, host and sell a podcast.  Because I started by wanting to create financial podcasts in the bankruptcy sphere.  But I figured hey, I already have experience podcasting in the gaming sphere, so why not start there.

So with Russ "TechGuy" Wakelin's help to choose payloadz, I am launching my first test product.  The Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show (G.P.S.) which is a full session of MouseGuard.

This is as asked by many of you, the session role play for MouseGuard:

Cast of Characters:

Breaker as played by Dr. Lombardi, Cornelius (Patrol Leader) as played by Greg "the Scot", Algemon the IV as played by Doc, and Ember as played by Moss.

The season is Fall, and the Patrol has made its way to Elmoss to find the lost mailmouse Nigel.


[Here it is.  Tech Test for The Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show (this is not the show format)  MouseGuard Session Play - First Half.]

Ok a lot Brewing Here....

1.  I am planning my next session for the Skype MouseGuard with Doc.; Dr. Lombardi, Silberman, and Moss. Here is what I mailed them today after we left off last session.

Yesterday's chase left you tired and sore and the cold weather snap has sapped your strength.  You enter Elmoss at nightime, the moon hangs high in the air.  Dinner has been completed and you seek out the Lords of Elmoss to determine the whereabouts of Nigel and his precious package.  There are three Lords, The Lord of the Moss, Lord of the Wood and Lord of the Harvest.  One of these three must know of the whereabouts of the lost mailmouse.  


2.  I am also working on a cool project along with eight others headed by the esteemed Mr. Gallant and Mr. Turner. I cannot say what it is, but I can say it involves adventures on the high seas. 


3.  And I just pre-ordered the Star Wars MMO.  A bunch of us local yocals have formed a guild on both sides so we can be on the same server.  It should be really interesting.  For me to be hooked to the game, it will need to have a good crafting system with an Auction House.


That is all......


HD

The Next Step

The Next Step....


I am happy to announce my new show "The Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show".  It is set to air in December of this year, 2011.

Wait, (you may be asking yourself) if you have time or the desire to podcast why are you not just back at the D6G?  We loved you there.  (Thank you very much for all the kind emails, tweats, and forum posts on that subject).  Why are you making a new show?

Well let me explain a bit.  In my short time away I gained some perspective on my desire, thoughts, and personal goals.

• I have been presented with a bunch of micro opportunities that I wanted to explore.
• As I grow my law practice into what I want it to be, I have carved out time and space for other ventures.  One of them was podcasting in the bankruptcy/ finance space.
• But I also thought, hey, now that I have my own business again, what if I podcasted or worked on my own flavor gaming podcast during the day instead of late at night?
   

The fun of any entrepreneurial venture is "What if??"  I began to ask myself, what if I did a pay-per-click downloadable podcast....and what if it was episodic in nature and not continuous.  And what if I just did 8-10 shows a year that would give me some built in breaks, and what if, it was like a radio talk show on all things I like to talk about; comics; light game reviews on the feel vs. the rules; gaming entrepreneur interviews; and entrepreneurial interests in general (like Starbucks is accepting donations from us to give to banks!!).  And what if it was shorter in length like about an hour for when we just don't have the time for a full dose of D6G goodness; and what if it was both sponsor supported and listener supported.

Then just like that....boom.....done...the idea was formed.  I grew really excited and thought for weeks on the new format.  I talked to the guys at D6G to make sure this was not stepping on any toes, and they assured me to go have fun and give it a try!  With the D6G's blessing, I am excited to start The Hollywood Gamer Podcast Show.  (See the acronym in there?)  :)

Right now the concept is, there are those of us out there that like the things I like, (for good or for bad).  Our interests vary but our passion stays strong.  We pay 3.50 for Starbucks coffees vs. the more cost effective travel mug; we donate to podcasts and websites to keep them going; we buy farming games; we still like buying hardcover RPG and Rule books; we still like comic book collecting; and of course we are incredibly handsome and funny.

So if that describes you or even just interests you then this show is for you.  I have no idea where it will go but that is half the fun.  I do know what it is going to be about.

• The show will have interviews: the first interview is Navin of Paintedfigs.  Many of you have asked where did he go?  What happened to his business?  Well we will all find out.
• It will have round table discussions, of the gaming industry, games and the players that play them.  For example, the second half of the first show, will be exploring: Why do we get attracted to the "New"?  A new Xbox game goes out, I feel the real compulsion to buy it, ya know?  But I have two new games I just bought!!!.  Why do I desperately crave the new one????
• It will have some kind of chat room or call in format so we can talk "live".
• And, the show will have us all talking together on all things of interest in the gaming world, through my, dare I say, unique lens.

I am looking forward to it.  Hopefully that means you will to.

But why charge for the show, Hollywood?

Answer:  I promised in the D6G that I would always be honest.  I make that promise here as well.  I want to test a theory.  I want to see if the pay-per-click model will work.  I mean, this is how I enter my buying space.  I pay for the songs I want on iTunes, I pay for the Walking Dead on Zune, I pay for the audible books I want; I am used to this kind of market place.  It works for me, it may work for others like you.

I am too lazy to write a book for right now, I cannot draw, and I cannot sing, but I can talk!  I want to try sell that product - Me talking.  Does that frighten me?  You bet it does.  The question remains, can a podcast be mainly listener supported?  Hey, the podcast will live or die on how good it is.  If it is good, I believe it will grow and be listener supported.  Will there be advertisers?  No.  Will there be corporate sponsors?  Yes.

How much is the show?  One buck.  Uno dollars or Neuvo Pesos, or .33% the cost of one comic book.  

If it is terrible, it will fail.  I am ok with that. Will it be embarrassing?  Maybe.  Will I feel a little stupid, if no one buys it?  Probably.  Will some of you hate the fact that I am charging?  Maybe.  Will other of you think, "Hey cool, that's gutsy, I respect that!"  I hope so.


When I searched myself (see what I did there) for wanting to charge for a podcast in a world where hardly anyone does, I found I was scared of the thought.  I was frightened of what people might say.  Like "How dare he charge for his own words, his own thoughts, I mean who does he think he is?  He's no Leo Larporte or Scott Johnson or Tom Merritt"



But, once I recognized that fear, I realized that I had to do it. Fear will stop an entrepenurial idea dead in its tracks every time.  I have learned in my years, that if it is fear that is stopping you then you need to face it and go ahead and do it!




So that is it, my new big announcement.  Hopefully you will like the new show format.  Hey if anything it is worth 1.00 to find out right?

-HD

Where is HD Now???

Phew, ok, so here I am back at my blog, and it is nice to write a post.

I just finished up Episode 90 for those of you following along.  It should be airing rather soon, and I think you will like what we have produced.

I have received a lot of well wishes and tweets and emails all wishing me well, my law practice well, and mentioning that I will be missed on the podcast.  I really appreciate that.  Remember I will not be gone on the D6G, and I am cooking up some ideas all related to gaming still so stay tuned on that front.....

In the mean time, here is what I plan to do with my free time.  Hmm....lets see.

• Build Models:  I just recently built the new PP Bombardier Models, and they are freaking awesome.  Really fun to build too.
• Paint Models:  I need to paint a few FOW stands for Matt Alix's campaign that he will be running.
• Go to Game Night:  Craig is hosting a weird west Gutshot event on Nov 1. at Myriad Games.  I cannot wait!
• Run my other law related business.  Go here if that interests you.
• Continue my Mouse Guard adventures.  I am running a cyber campaign with Doc, Greg, Moss, and Angelo and a live campaign with Brian, Matt and Stino and maybe the nefarious Dave.

In Re:  Fantasy Flight Games vs. Stronghold games.  I have received a lot of emails on the IP issue apparently surrounding many of our favorite game companies in the printing and making of Richard Hamblan's Merchant of Venus.   (See GameSalute's nice little blurb on the matter.)  Many of the emails, tweets, and facebook posts (thanks Russ!) say "Help!  Hollywood! Save the Day!!!".  Okay maybe not with so many exclamation points.  I thank you for your confidence in me, really it is nice.  And, well, let me see what I can do ;)

As for all else, may your leaf stay dry in the rains of Autumn.

-HD