Twilight MMO Announced

Need moar EMO!!

General : Twilight MMO Announced

Posted Jul 28, 2009 by Michael Bitton

BrainJunk Studios will be developing an MMOG based on the Twilight novel series. The game will allow players to play either a Human, Werewolf, or Vampire and explore an "open non-linear" world set around Forks, Washington.

The game will also feature a journal that allows players to teleport to different periods of time in order to experience the events found within.

The Examiner has interviewed head of software development on the project, Brandon Gardner, on the game, who described it as:

an open non-linear world set around Forks. I like the idea of letting players explore the world, and discover new amazing things that are not even covered in the book or the movie.

One really extremely crucial feature in the game engine that was licensed for the game is unlimited world streaming, and this feature allows for the game to go in an open, non-linear direction.

The game will be closely based to both Twilight and Midnight Sun allowing the player to play, and experience the story from either Bella’s or Edward’s perspective.

I’m thinking of including New Moon into the project as well. I really think it’s important to allow players to experience being human, vampire, or phasing into a werewolf.

Go here for the game's official website.

Now, I ain't gonna' lie, I got curious when the movie came out and everyone was like, "AMGAZZ, best bookz evah," so I downloaded a copy and read it. I'm happy to report that despite all the gaming I do, I still enjoy my books written by real authors. OH SNAP. That is to say, Stephanie Meyers reminds me of the shitty writing they did in like, "Sweet Valley High" and those other terrible tween books. Oh the ones that 5th graders write about their crushes.

So excited about this game? No. Curious to grief it? HELLZ YEAH! ;)

Books: "The Electric Church" by Jeff Somers

Every so often I do something called "reading," and find something interesting. (GASP! What!? Who the fuck reads anymoar!?) Anyhoo, yesterday I finished up "The Electric Church" written by Jeff Somers, published by Orbit books and adorned with a sexy ass cover by Jae Lee, and wanted to give it a mini recommendation, especially to those of you into sci-fi and cyberpunk.

Not to mention Jeff Somers is from NJ and fellow NJ denizens have to support one another!

You can read the first chapter at Orbit Book's website below:

http://www.orbitbooks.net/the-electric-church-extract/

The book description from Amazon:

In the near future, the only thing growing faster than the criminal population is the Electric Church, a new religion founded by a mysterious man named Dennis Squalor. The Church preaches that life is too brief to contemplate the mysteries of the universe: eternity is required. In order to achieve this, the converted become Monks -- cyborgs with human brains, enhanced robotic bodies, and virtually unlimited life spans. Enter Avery Cates, a dangerous criminal known as the best killer-for-hire around. The authorities have a special mission in mind for Cates: assassinate Dennis Squalor. But for Cates, the assignment will be the most dangerous job he's ever undertaken -- and it may well be his last.

Or learn more about it at the official website:

http://the-electric-church.com/

Books: Baltimore,: Or the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire

I recently read this book and wanted to recommend it to anyone out there who likes "Hellboy," the comic version of "30 Days of Night," and just...comics and good dark stories in general.


Here's the little blurb about it from Amazon:

Lord Henry Baltimore lies wounded in no-man's-land on World War I's western front. As the carrion eaters come to feast, the injured soldier sees an impossibility—the dead eating the dead. But the ravening monstrosity comes to him, further mangles his wounded leg, and claims Lord Henry as his enemy. Lord Henry realizes that a virulent plague that only he now knows about is hiding among the other plagues of the time. The vampire—for that is what the battlefield monster is—destroys his family, but Baltimore maintains steadfast pursuit of it. He summons three friends also experienced with the supernatural to await him at an old inn. They tell one another of their first meetings with Lord Henry, thereby disclosing what the vampire has inflicted on the peer since the incident on the western front. Lord Henry arrives with what is necessary to finally banish the vampiric plague. Even after a fight to near death, some damage cannot be healed. Prolific dark fantasist Golden's popular style is impeccable, and horror comics creator Mignola's copious illustrations confirm the tale's dark atmosphere throughout, from no-man's-land to the old inn to the houses and graveyards where the vampire is encountered. A new classic of vampire literature.

Now this is an "illustrated novel" so there are PICTUAHS to distract people who have trouble getting through the month's "Game Pro" done by Mike Mignola (me likey his his scratchy, hectic ass style.) The creepy black and white block cut rendering of Baltimore and his bad-ass leg inside the book is awesome.

Also check out Christopher Golden's personal site for excerpts about the book:

http://www.christophergolden.com/baltimore/

It's good! (I previously read Golden's "Of Saints & Shadows" series a while ago and I remember liking it then but story wise, I prefer "Baltimore.")

GGGL Book Club: Hellgate London "Exodus" Book 1

So, a few days ago I acquired the first book of the Hellgate London Trilogy, "Exodus," written by Mel Odom and published by Simon and Schuster. Battling a tad of insomnia caused by evil kittens stepping on my neck when I tried to sleep, I finally got a chance to sit down and finish the book off. (I read fast.)

**SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW**

To start, I've read a couple of Odom's books before and I'm not particularly enanamoured by his writing style--I have standards unfortunately, but that's just me. The similes used, one in particular that made me and my man laff had something to do with a thought hitting the main character, "like a palladium spike." ...Right. We get it. It hit him hard. But it so fails literally. I guess what I'm trying to say is that while Exodus' writing is passable and not as painful as say the writing in the Sweet Valley High Series, it's certainly not beautiful to read like Bradbury's (now that man writes well goddammit) or engaging like Gaiman's works. For writing alone, I couldn't recommend it.

However, as someone looking forward to playing the Hellgate London MMOFPS, the book is filled with a lot of back story regarding the Templar organization and the Cabalists as well circa 2020. A number of the weapons such as the Grenadier, the Constrictor, or the spike Bolter are introduced, and we learn of the NanoDyne and arcane magics woven into the Templar's armours that give them their special protective goodness. So in that regard, it's a worthwhile read, although if someone simply put up the info on a website sans the story, I'd be happy enough. Additionally, a lot of the demons are showcased from Gremlins to Blood Angels and some background given on their intelligence, abilities and characteristics (which means I'll know how to kill 'em better when the game comes out.)

Now, onto the main characters:

Simon Cross--the knight in shining armour. Literally. Tall, broad shouldered, blonde and carries a big stick. Raised as a Templar to fight demons, but left the organization when he didn't get to fight any. Boo hoo. Ends up in South Africa doing his own thing for two years until demons come through the Hellgates and start to destroy/terraform London. His father Thomas Cross fell on All Hallow's Eve.

Warren Schimmer--the cabalist/demon marked anti-hero. His powers manifested in youth when he managed to persuade his stepfather to kill himself (but only after his stepfather killed his mom and had turned the gun on him.) Warren is a "creepy," dude who discovers he has the ability of persuasion and more. Eventually, the demon Merihim, the Bringer of Pestilence, takes interest in him and lends him even more powers/protection in exchange for a few favours.

For me, Simon's character is a bit too angsty, boo hoo, you're strong, you're handsome, you even get the lame ass one guy clapping to making everyone clap with a rousing speech deal. (No seriously, I wouldn't make that shit up.) All the girls around Simon are hot bitches and ZOMGZ, they all seem to have some history with him. Blah blah. Bland ass. On the other hand, Warren's read is a bit more entertaining as it involves stupid cabalists who get in over their head and pay the ultimate price...SUCKAHHHHHs. Anyhoo, Warren is burned, thrown out a window, hit by a baseball bat, grows scales, gets his hand chopped off (YOU'RE NOT MY FATHERRRRRRRRRR), grows a demon's hand and rides on Blood Angels. I think we see who wins this battle. I actually enjoyed reading about him since he's fucked up.

So, all in all, I say, read it for the Hellgate background story to get you psyched up for the upcoming game. That's what I did. However, I will be buying the next two books to complete the series for informational purposes only. But for a really good original science fiction book, I'd say try elsewhere.

Hellgate: London "Exodus" Trilogy by Mel Odom

Yesterday I got my hands on the 1st book of the Hellgate: London "Exodus" trilogy written by Mel Odom. I've yet to finish it but when I do I'll review it.

the original trilogy is here:

Hellgate: London Original Trilogy

And here is the Exodus series:

Hellgate: London Exodus Trilogy


Anyhoo, here is the little blurb accompanying the original trilogy:

The once-great city lies in ruins. A massive gash in the fabric of our reality roils against the horizon as it blends into a permanently darkened sky. The world as we know it has come to an end. Demons, the visions of our nightmares, walk the Earth. Mankind, driven in retreat to the sanctuary of the Underground, struggles to survive the Hellish apocalypse.

Among the survivors are those who foresaw the coming of the darkness, those who see it as an opportunity to improve the standing of man, and those who seek revenge for what was lost. All are now banding together in the shadows, arming themselves with futuristic weapons and arcane spells designed for one purpose -- to battle the demonic hordes and take back their world.

However, Exodus takes place 18 years before that in 2020.

Meanwhile, Mel Odom has written a bunch of books including some "Forgotten Realms" one (don't ask how I know) about mean sahagins. I always thought they made noises like the Taun Taun cry from "Robot Chicken"....

WHAT!? You've never seen "Robot Chicken"!?