For people who haven’t watched The Fifth Element, this song was literally composed to be something impossible for humans to sing (it was sung by a non-human in the film.)
You know the problem with Shakespeare’s Hamlet? It doesn’t have any dinosaurs, for starters. Or time travel, now that I think about it. Those pirates are barely mentioned. Ophelia doesn’t kill anyone (else) either. And only one ending! To Be or Not To Be [official site] rectifies the lot.
Dinosaur Comics writer Ryan North turned Hamlet into a zany adventure-choosing game book with the help of $580,905 in Kickstarter funding in 2013, and now it’s become a virtual narrative choose ‘em up you can play on your personal computer.
North’s take on the classic brought it oodles of endings and odd branches, a choice of three characters – Hamlet, Ophelia, and Hamlet Sr. – with their own abilities and paths, a whole load of all-caps, and art by a huge list of famous webcomic artists. And jokes, I guess. Lots of jokes. Actually, jokes are probably the main feature. Jokes are probably the driving force for this even existing. If he couldn’t add jokes, I bet he wouldn’t have even bothered.
What does this new digital version bring? Music, sound effects, animation, and achievements in a interactive novel sort of way, and it dresses the choose-your-own-adventure within the choose-your-own-adventure up as ye olde text adventure game too.
To Be or Not To Be is out now on Windows, Mac, and Linux through Steam for £8.99 or its site’s Humble widget, which gives a DRM-free version and a Steam key.
def. looking forward to post-presidency Obama just wandering the US getting his game back. Like not going to districts to campaign for candidates but to challenge people to three-on-threes
Obama: My Basketball Game is 'Broke' NBCNews.com When President Barack Obama leaves the White House in 2016, chances are his basketball skills will be dead "broke." "I'll be honest with you, my game is a little broke," Obama said Friday during a town hall in Indianapolis. "I've been a little busy." The well ...
Jason tipped me off to the Strip Silence/Select All Forward techniques a few months after I started editing ATP, and it dramatically improved both my efficiency and the output quality.
Just be careful of the two big potential pitfalls to this approach:
Strip Silence serves effectively as a noise gate, so the same caution applies as noise gating: if there’s any audible hiss on the tracks, usually from full-blast MacBook fans or a noisy preamp with a high-gain mic, listeners will hear the noise cutting in and out between runs of speech. You’ll need to remove the hiss first with a software noise-profile remover so you’re left with tracks that are nearly perfectly silent when their people aren’t talking.
These all work similarly: you select a “silent” part of each speaker’s track that contains only the noise for a few seconds, capture that noise profile, then remove the profiled noise from the whole track. Audacity, Amadeus Pro, Sound Soap, and Adobe Audition all offer this. I’ve tried all four, and in my experience, the best one by far that leaves the fewest unnatural-sounding artifacts is Adobe Audition’s. (Of course, a better and probably cheaper solution is to eliminate the noise source.)
And when working with Strip Silence, leave some space around the newly chopped-up speech blocks so nobody sounds artificially cut-off too early. I like settings 1%, 1.2, 0.2, 0.3 in the Strip Silence dialog, which I’ve memorized because Logic doesn’t remember them between sessions and I need to enter them every time.
"I had police point a gun at my little brothers because of you. They could have been shot, they could have died. Because you chose to swat my stream. I don’t give a shit about what you have against me, or what I did to you. For that I am at a loss for words. Your gripe is with me. But do not involve my family in this. They don’t deserve it."
Those were the tear-streamed words of 27-year-old Joshua Peters, aka Koopatroopa787, moments after he was swatted Thursday at his St. Cloud residence in Minnesota.
Peters earns a living streaming his sessions of Clash of Clans and RuneScape. At about the 5:40 mark of his live Twitch.TV stream, he excuses himself, saying: "Cops are here, one second." The session continues for about 15 minutes and he returns upset.
if I ever get my book published and it has a section on FF.N you can bet your freakin asses I’m going to be posting my own secretly canon fanfiction and never telling anybody
Yeah but the first time somebody tells you your work is better than the canon it’s going to be surprisingly upsetting and you’re going to huff and sulk and not be able to explain why.
not gonna lie, I'd have murdered people to have this bedroom as a little boy
We can't take our eyes off photos the Wall Street Journal published in its recent exploration of the pricey, Disney-inspired "princess bedroom" boom ... nor can we scrape our jaws off the floor at the dollar amounts quoted therein. $35,000 for a wee carriage-shaped bed, you say?
"Verizon Communications will sell its local wireline operations in California, Florida and Texas for $10.5 billion, citing uncertainty around federal Internet regulation as one reason for the move, although Verizon executives said the sale has been in the works for several years"
itwbennett (1594911) writes "Verizon Communications will sell its local wireline operations in California, Florida and Texas for $10.5 billion, citing uncertainty around federal Internet regulation as one reason for the move, although Verizon executives said the sale has been in the works for several years. It's no secret that local wireline phone service has been a shrinking industry, and Verizon and other carriers see mobile as their greatest growth opportunity. Verizon Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam cited the Federal Communications Commission's upcoming net neutrality proposal as another potential threat to the growth of wired services. 'Washington should be very thoughtful how they go forward here,' he said. 'This uncertainty is not good for investment, and it's not good for jobs here in America.'"
Marvel Executive Editorial Director Ryan Penagos announced today on Twitter that editor Sana Amanat has moved up the chain to become the publisher’s director of content and character development: Hey, throw some big congrats over to @MiniB622! She’s now @Marvel‘s Director of Content & Character Development! Well deserved! — Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) February 6, 2015 […]
When director and writer James Gunn pitched his idea for Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Marvel called it "risky" but gave it the greenlight, Gunn said in an upcoming episode of the Alison Rosen is Your New Best Friend podcast, Uproxx reports.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2’s story won’t be beholden to the comic book that preceded the movies, according to Gunn.
"It’s different than what’s in the comic books," Gunn says in the podcast episode slated for release next Monday. "Peter Quill’s father is somebody different in the comics. So then when the movie came out, we got greenlit on the sequel right away. I went in and I sat down with those guys and I’m like, ‘OK, here’s what I think the sequel should be.’ And they were like, ‘Oh, whoa. That’s risky, but okay.’ Now I’m going to turn over the story in a few short weeks and we’ll find out how well it works."
Gunn also said that the sequel’s form began coalescing as he was shooting Guardians of the Galaxy. Not only will it answer dangling questions, but it will introduce new characters.
"We’ll get to know some of the characters a little bit more and then we’re going to meet a couple of new characters who will be very important to Guardians movies and probably important to the Marvel Universe as a whole."
Last year, Gunn said he’d like to explore the Ravagers, Yondu and Kraglin, as well as Nebula and the Collector in future installments.
Marvel announced that Guardians of the Galaxy would get the sequel treatment in the weeks before the first movie hit theaters. Last October, Marvel Studios announced that the untitled sequel would arrive in theaters May 5, 2017. In the same month last year, Marvel also announced that a Guardians of the Galaxy animated series was in development.
this game is pure splatbook madness on a level not seen since Shadowrun 2/3E
Announcing an Age of Rebellion Sourcebook for Diplomats
“The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.”
–Princess Leia Organa
Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce Desperate Allies, a new career supplement for the Star Wars®: Age of Rebellion™ Roleplaying Game! Desperate Allies is a sourcebook for Diplomats of all kinds, inviting you to join in tense negotiations, make last-second deals, and spread hope in a galaxy consumed by fear of the Empire. Within this supplement, you’ll find plenty of new opportunities and tools for Diplomats, including three new playable species and three new specializations, along with new items and vehicles well suited for diplomatic missions. You’ll also find rules for establishing Rebel bases, allowing you to enrich your campaign with diplomatic embassies, covert intel outposts, secure safehouses, or any other bases you can imagine.
Feeding the Fire
The Alliance to Restore the Republic is committed to fighting the Empire, but not all battles are fought with blasters. Diplomats use their words to fight for a better future. They convince new systems and factions to declare their support for the Rebel Alliance. They supply troops on the front lines with much-needed weapons, tools, and provisions. They spread hope for a brighter future in a galaxy choking on fear of the Empire.
Diplomats can come from all walks of life and serve many functions within the Rebel Alliance. They may have been politicians or Senators before the rise of Emperor Palpatine, or they may have come from much more lowly origins. A Diplomat might have extensive schooling, or may just have a knack for getting the right equipment to the right people. No matter what background or specialization your Diplomat may have, you’ll find plenty to learn and take advantage of in Desperate Allies.
For more on the new additions included in Desperate Allies, we turn to lead developer Max Brooke. Developer Max Brooke on Desperate Allies
Desperate Allies is a sourcebook for Diplomats and all other representatives of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, giving Age of Rebellion players and GMs new tools to tell stories of politics, intrigue, and dramatic twists. This book offers three new species with long histories as diplomats: the cunning Neimoidians, the wise Caamasi, and the calculating Gossams. Additionally, Desperate Allies features three new Diplomat specializations. The Advocate, Analyst, and Propagandist provide your Diplomats with unique new avenues for development, and give other characters access to potent social abilities that their careers might otherwise lack. This supplement also includes new backgrounds, motivations, and two powerful signature abilities to give Diplomats an edge.
From left to right: Caamasi, Neimoidian, Gossam.
Tools of the trade are as important in negotiations as they are in the cockpit or on the battlefield, and Desperate Allies has numerous iconic and novel examples of weapons, armor, gear, and equipment that emissaries of the Rebel Alliance use to complete their important tasks. You may find a lightweight and elegant blaster pistol to rely on, or use your resplendent robes to command the attention of a room. Diplomats need transport as well, so this book has a selection of vessels ideal for diplomatic missions – and for evading or outflying the Empire when a job turns dangerous! The life of a Diplomat is rarely a peaceful one in the Rebel Alliance, and the tools and equipment in Desperate Allies give Diplomats the best chance of surviving their adventures. In addition to the wealth of new character options it includes, Desperate Allies provides GMs with guidance and rules to enhance their social encounters and create moments for Diplomat characters to shine. Players will be able join in the negotiation and deals required to bring new soldiers and star systems into the Rebellion. Desperate Allies also features a number of modular encounters and adventure outlines that focus on diplomacy – without depriving players of the fast-paced action and adventure they expect from Star Wars roleplaying! These resources can be used to underscore the theme of intrigue in ongoing Age of Rebellion campaigns or to create stories with a focus on politics and power. Finally, this volume contains the rules for creating Rebel bases, which GMs and players can use to construct and develop their own fortresses and hideouts. Your Diplomats can use these rules to establish embassies, but every character in Age of Rebellion can take advantage of the chance for a secure safehouse.
Desperate Allies invites you to partake in the galactic politics of Age of Rebellion, assisting players and GMs alike in bringing this vibrant part of the Star Wars universe to life!
The Stylus Is Mightier than the Sword
War is a central theme of Age of Rebellion, but without the Diplomats who envision a better life, warfare is just meaningless bloodshed. Diplomats ensure that soldiers have the support they need to wage war, but more importantly, they give the troops reasons to fight – to liberate the galaxy and to see something better built on the ashes of the Galactic Empire.
Look for Desperate Allies at your local retailer in the second quarter of 2015!
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In case you missed the news from earlier this week: WE ARE HIRING A FULL-TIME NEWS REPORTER. Are you that person? Do you perhaps know that person? Check this out and see!
NOW HIRING: FULL-TIME NEWS REPORTER
Good news: the Portland Mercury is hiring! We’re looking to add a full-time news reporter to our award-winning staff—known locally for smart, deep, and accessible journalism. And we want someone with hustle and an unflinching drive to make a meaningful difference in our community.
Qualified applicants must possess the following:
• A substantial body of professional work published within the past three years. We prefer articles, but blog-style posts will be considered. • Snappy, smart writing chops paired with a passion for long-form storytelling and a dedication to accuracy. Show us your well-cultivated voice. • A demonstrated ability to devise and execute high-quality story ideas—with little to no handholding—in an extremely competitive news market. • Experience requesting and digging through public records in pursuit of scoops or must-read context. • Flexibility. Be able to jump from the courthouse to city hall to a police accountability protest to wherever else you're needed. It’s a busy city. • An easy, active relationship with social media. • A thriving cultural life outside of work… and, seriously, a sense of humor. • We’ll like you even more if you can take a good picture or build an amazing spreadsheet or infographic.
Again, this is a full-time position, with competitive salary and benefits. Night and weekend hours aren’t the norm, but they’re also not unheard of.
Interested applicants should send us a résumé, the best cover letter known to humankind, links/PDFs to at least three pieces, and four story ideas. Email everything to newsreporterjob@portlandmercury.com. Snail mail won’t be accepted. Sorry!
Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle is facing claims of domestic abuse from his ex-girlfriend after police in his Kansas hometown say they are investigating whether there is ''more to'' his recent arrest at a hotel than a drug charge that has been dropped.
“OK, um, I was in Vegas about three years ago and um, Reggie Bush put Molly in Champagne. He was handing out 'Molly' on the dance floor to girls. Handing it out. Like giving it to them,” Licciardi said.
“And how do you know that?” asked James O’Hern, an investigator for the DA’s Office.
“[Because] I saw it with my own eyes,” Licciardi responded.
Brady's performance was the 3rd worst of all winning Super Bowl quarterbacks
WASHINGTON—After the veteran New England Patriots quarterback secured his record-tying fourth Super Bowl championship and third Super Bowl MVP, scores of Tom Brady’s harshest critics across the nation announced Friday that they are already eag...
Super Opinionated.
