tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75575026341384627662024-03-16T11:51:46.652-07:00Titans Terrors and ToysAn eclectic blog about geeky stuff: movies, TV shows, video games, virtual reality, comic books, toys, and other forms of visual art.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.comBlogger743125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-56415408854637077502023-11-16T06:33:00.000-08:002023-11-16T06:33:53.840-08:00The Terminator is Being (Re)Animated on Netflix<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SpYZe-xqTJkzneUidc3jvKfT1CmZopjN4UiE7D64eX7g3RAbAt-vPYjOyE6SAmy2lNZ5HfGnNGLStTYabXB64KtiuSKLu5UscbbaMms0HEnI8AedjaF4QZe0vf6lp7ccpvt489Ghc8x0sQCYi8I-GzBR2wmwVaE1Wle65zrt1NfoW2AV02rTkkIF_nQ/s768/4a7b7cb404772c3e95ccc5d9e0d21755.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="768" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SpYZe-xqTJkzneUidc3jvKfT1CmZopjN4UiE7D64eX7g3RAbAt-vPYjOyE6SAmy2lNZ5HfGnNGLStTYabXB64KtiuSKLu5UscbbaMms0HEnI8AedjaF4QZe0vf6lp7ccpvt489Ghc8x0sQCYi8I-GzBR2wmwVaE1Wle65zrt1NfoW2AV02rTkkIF_nQ/w640-h356/4a7b7cb404772c3e95ccc5d9e0d21755.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Recently, Netflix announced that <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/terminator-anime-release-date-photos-news" target="_blank">an animated entry in the Terminator franchise</a> will be arriving on its platform sometime in the near future. This announcement was made along with a teaser trailer that doesn’t show anything, other than to announce that a Terminator animated series (simply named <b><i>Terminator</i></b>) is coming to Netflix soon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The new animated series will be written by Mattson Tomlin and produced by anime studio Production I.G. Not much is known about the plot of the series, other than that it takes place in 1997 a few days before “Judgement Day”. How this fits into the other Terminator timelines (if any) remains to be seen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve been waiting for an update about this animation series for a while. It was <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/26/22303696/netflix-terminator-anime-series" target="_blank">first announced</a> way back in early 2021, and news about this show had become so scarce since then that I assumed it did not make it past a pilot episode. Hollywood does have a habit of announcing projects that ultimately never see the light of day: for example, TV spin-offs have also been announced for <b><i><a href="https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/mimic-reboot-series-paul-ws-anderson/" target="_blank">Mimic</a></i></b> (1997) and <b><i><a href="https://collider.com/dark-city-tv-series-alex-proyas/" target="_blank">Dark City</a></i></b> (1998), but both of those appear to have been shelved.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m hoping that by switching to an animated format, the new Terminator animated series can explore aspects of the franchise that the films never did. I’m still impressed with what <b><i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851851/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_11_tt_8_nm_0_q_Termina" target="_blank">The Sarah Connor Chronicles</a></i></b> TV series did in just two seasons, so hopefully this will do the same (and maybe run for more than two seasons). I’m also curious to see what kind of style Production I.G will bring to the Terminator franchise. With cyberpunk anime series such as <b><i>Ghost in the Shell</i></b> and <i><b>Psycho-Pass</b></i> under its belt, this studio is great choice to continue a tech-centric franchise such as Terminator. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B009XSMMUG&asins=B009XSMMUG&linkId=b1e9e2711ce381429fee8379fdf61361&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00P4M40AK&asins=B00P4M40AK&linkId=3e03cbb85f6b65780a44a7c60b8294f3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B017J7V7A8&asins=B017J7V7A8&linkId=c151ba884d3b6891906d2be80eb7d4c2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-71458205050538406312023-11-10T11:07:00.001-08:002023-11-10T11:07:08.090-08:00Super7: Pre-Code Horror Comics ... as Action Figures!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwJ7NsuCxvFR4YqXXRgGWEVUS72Ak3wtFSJGa6WcBSaubi9nPQ9MzZ8HrE9dgNBZYrOue4cyhg7XIXIS4kEa3k-F2zBD9JwhX0ZTSSZinrztvzntmAHMdgQm9tw9TTkLy7ZFE6C297vBw_NGWFcjpBUTwza3GiUqWapMfcRZMH96ERAEio5ubAXMVV_E/s508/S7PreCodeHorror.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="508" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwJ7NsuCxvFR4YqXXRgGWEVUS72Ak3wtFSJGa6WcBSaubi9nPQ9MzZ8HrE9dgNBZYrOue4cyhg7XIXIS4kEa3k-F2zBD9JwhX0ZTSSZinrztvzntmAHMdgQm9tw9TTkLy7ZFE6C297vBw_NGWFcjpBUTwza3GiUqWapMfcRZMH96ERAEio5ubAXMVV_E/w640-h414/S7PreCodeHorror.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I have to hand it to Super7. After they decided to keep the 3.75” scale action figure standard alive, it has become clear that they are willing to pick up ANY merchandising license from which to make 3.75” scale action figures. As such, their latest line of action figures is one I certainly did not expect them to do: a four-figure line of characters based on <a href="https://super7.com/collections/pre-code-horror" target="_blank">covers of controversial horror comics</a> that were printed during the 1940s and 50s before the Comics Code Authority in 1954.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The selection of figures Super7 is releasing as part of this line are based on the covers from the pre-code horror comic titles <b><i>Baffling Mysteries</i></b>, <b><i>Black Cat Mystery</i></b>, <b><i>Chilling Tales</i></b>, and <b><i>Ghostly Weird Stories</i></b>. The cardback art features reproductions of the original covers, and each of the figures also have glow-in-the-dark versions. I'm not sure why these four particular covers were selected by Super7, although the Radium Man figure represents one of the more shocking covers from that time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm913VGNWwJSc8A1smATaPOZjLuKOtN-WSo3yqO3RZGQQDg7mo9wM_G23EjFAahKwJZF11ES4hPrBVRVhV1NwFHIieos8IOu-_ZedreoOg7Ckv2YWt6X2LYEZW_g3Ra1XLa2z8lLiPtrSxO-cdhLp0j3oLccFUPbSYH54jPSRnR7bv0Rq7JUXxqw1Ydc/s2048/RE-PreCode_W1_Group_Hero_2048-comp.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm913VGNWwJSc8A1smATaPOZjLuKOtN-WSo3yqO3RZGQQDg7mo9wM_G23EjFAahKwJZF11ES4hPrBVRVhV1NwFHIieos8IOu-_ZedreoOg7Ckv2YWt6X2LYEZW_g3Ra1XLa2z8lLiPtrSxO-cdhLp0j3oLccFUPbSYH54jPSRnR7bv0Rq7JUXxqw1Ydc/w400-h400/RE-PreCode_W1_Group_Hero_2048-comp.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Super7's Pre-Code Horror figures, in both regular (above)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>and glow-in-the-dark versions (below).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgcueJ3Q80EaDn1Iodb9ddP0vKC4LZMdrTjTK42bvxKjtwJfZJ7jU9hK6-fVOGStjL4msfWUK_nVgk7wgDDaYFtl4gZpkYt-enS53oMDMatWmBOEsrh-ryhwXNDL3Ipmps0glItcwFtpXpnhnrznflArxi3ZZucS4DeeKesml6Zd9KOS3NlImdXrqM3U/s2048/RE-PrecodeHorror_W3_Group_Hero-comp.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgcueJ3Q80EaDn1Iodb9ddP0vKC4LZMdrTjTK42bvxKjtwJfZJ7jU9hK6-fVOGStjL4msfWUK_nVgk7wgDDaYFtl4gZpkYt-enS53oMDMatWmBOEsrh-ryhwXNDL3Ipmps0glItcwFtpXpnhnrznflArxi3ZZucS4DeeKesml6Zd9KOS3NlImdXrqM3U/w400-h400/RE-PrecodeHorror_W3_Group_Hero-comp.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As a horror nerd, I'm always glad to see when this particular chapter of American comic book history receives some recognition. I've previously <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2012/02/brief-history-of-50s-horror-comics.html" target="_blank">reviewed</a> <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2012/06/weird-world-of-eerie-publications-book.html" target="_blank">books</a> about pre-code horror comics and their enduring legacy after they were removed from the shelves. These comics were the R-rated horror movies before R-rated horror movies existed, before special effect artists could create the ghastly images on the silver screen that artists had already drawn on the printed page. However, I'm not sure who else would be interested in buying these figures outside of die-hard horror fans. At $20 per figure ($25 for the glow-in-the-dark versions), it would be cheaper for fans to buy reprints of the original comics than it would be to collect this line.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0CGY26CKJ&asins=B0CGY26CKJ&linkId=9b3f8792c7b7a786c3c9dad517f252cd&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0C5Q8F6W5&asins=B0C5Q8F6W5&linkId=e378e11ea3b214aa4c64acac3d467fc1&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BL72N2M3&asins=B0BL72N2M3&linkId=183a176fd5933c9c8230d755cfe48af7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-9667061079625769292023-10-25T07:24:00.002-07:002023-10-27T08:50:50.278-07:00This Friday: A Halloween AR Art Event in Old Town, San Diego!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYwUjVeVAw9f4Z-66l51UXM9yL1lG5BhL3Zar4zmZSHcqdC7ykVdQ0VoXvQOlXOuoLqD657mjrknT7DTxINJnn3e_7HEmtJmInJ9c8QJffraSSjt-5z732gkEiurHempN5Sizg7XSedHa2qLIIVChUpWOaLlaSUDIkgJKp8Uk37Frn7MuTpHt0Is-jaY/s775/394560314_10223058636749645_6249426521013704993_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="775" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYwUjVeVAw9f4Z-66l51UXM9yL1lG5BhL3Zar4zmZSHcqdC7ykVdQ0VoXvQOlXOuoLqD657mjrknT7DTxINJnn3e_7HEmtJmInJ9c8QJffraSSjt-5z732gkEiurHempN5Sizg7XSedHa2qLIIVChUpWOaLlaSUDIkgJKp8Uk37Frn7MuTpHt0Is-jaY/w640-h396/394560314_10223058636749645_6249426521013704993_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">For those of you who live in and around San Diego and love playing with virtual tech, you're in luck this Halloween. <b><i>The Phantom Gallery: A Spook Augmented Reality Art Experience</i></b> is on its way!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>The Phantom Gallery</i></b> exhibit will consist of Halloween-themed augmented reality (AR) art created by a group of digital artists (and yours truly) and will be exhibited in the Old Town neighborhood of San Deigo, California on Friday, October 27. This self-guided, in-person event will be a unique experience, where folks will stroll through the streets of Old Town to uncover hidden ghostly masterpieces that only reveal themselves through the latest AR tech.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The artists who are participating in this augmented art show include <a href="https://www.artstation.com/cabeladams" target="_blank">Cabel Adams</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bingkoland/" target="_blank">Kevin Ang</a>, <a href="https://www.jackiclarkarts.com/" target="_blank">Jacki Clark</a>, <a href="https://www.hollidayhorton.com/" target="_blank">Holliday Horton</a>, <a href="https://www.rogalskiart.com/index.html" target="_blank">Jason Rogalski</a>, and <a href="https://willowmoonart.com/" target="_blank">Willowmoon Art</a>. I will have some AR pieces in this show as well, including <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2023/09/recycling-analog-trash-into-digital.html" target="_blank">my virtual VHS rental shelves</a> and a few 3D posters of classic movie monsters.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3UEosZFiHiuYo0bwq9cPVHMfbxn8KVR85ok4D78KVxGYV3Mh6ScHs1LvZ9L883VVqj9TlfAuMEusIwHq40BtQNITLe8Rx7eX-WRHJi8vJw2ua-j0XC3nuP5IpJjC_2qr_CvIioDLOck9gHAMe5Ye6mbUO-obGTxVaJHxyJ7YMeMZz5-t6qsFwELWmZQ/s1164/SDARGhosts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1164" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3UEosZFiHiuYo0bwq9cPVHMfbxn8KVR85ok4D78KVxGYV3Mh6ScHs1LvZ9L883VVqj9TlfAuMEusIwHq40BtQNITLe8Rx7eX-WRHJi8vJw2ua-j0XC3nuP5IpJjC_2qr_CvIioDLOck9gHAMe5Ye6mbUO-obGTxVaJHxyJ7YMeMZz5-t6qsFwELWmZQ/w640-h490/SDARGhosts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Three of the AR ghosts who will appear in <b>The Phantom Gallery</b>.</i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">To see this Old Town art exhibit, you will need to download the map that will be available to download</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">on the event's <b>Discussion</b> tab</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this Friday via </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/885526586480546?ref=newsfeed" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><b><i>The Phantom Gallery</i></b> Facebook page</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. Print out the map and use your phone's camera to scan the QR codes associated with specific locations on the map. The <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/aero/get-started.html" target="_blank">Adobe Aero Viewer</a> will load and direct you to scan the location to load the AR art, which should appear on your device's screen. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Because these art pieces are geo-coded, you will not be able to see them anywhere other than the physical locations to which they've been assigned. However, I have a few video clips below that you can preview to see the kinds of virtual art that will transcend the visible realm in San Diego this Friday, art that includes ghosts, a dragon, and a giant demon skeleton. Happy Virtual Halloween!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6K4Za4GUWHmLkp7riQJTwe47kZkjaJZFXw8yaJ8p1z1QZ9d0t4VEFaQfHuW5Fo94aJZ6HAcISlOmmY-X7Pw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzilIP4sTdUkvqinJfXi3gYVH5nXgPObajz5K2zUOlCwQDKYMthCFqK0LfcRO8n_evdoIA6F6DD2BJMIg2p3Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbrYZwzvctI6LrnaSJSakQftsZM4SkmguY-insMPy8on3czCquyDCvETzNfbAnFPkA4s-iMZ2PGCo3QttJ6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFl-E0vxX6uH3pqnr7he4PavgS-o-Mf7iQLpTL9c4e1yBjgvWxEUb6nfj0R2zjSl93AuoMVCUsaxRaKTvwXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxI7gD2qHvkNUbYSpFx-BX81-gMdDoZfnLnrq5t8Kjb5MbXkryTwnALvcr2y7uTzvvakdv7ZrxsQTj9gA-Jqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br />
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B088416GVM&asins=B088416GVM&linkId=67cdc03a2a3477c404ea155a1681e205&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0741FNH18&asins=B0741FNH18&linkId=4d40da4b46c4d03b898bd80fa5d8541a&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B011NTK8QM&asins=B011NTK8QM&linkId=5d999fed53684b77c4ac3e5dee0d2af0&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-10583422210185598112023-10-20T07:00:00.002-07:002023-10-20T07:05:30.228-07:00Alien: Blackout Mobile Game to be Delisted by End of October 2023<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeQRIIThbY26Id_gOfPK6JPrXqHAoA834EeVuV9GZiOozAGe_n73Ejj6ufS4WXFAX2vGxE3pUY8zrxGaX03Wep9_c1mukKY6Aquit-drpz2bZliqZx8G81HUGEC0NHPu6rwT5qkKg2TqkzHu4EKJ37b9mid7hipFpdUbgNdWF-iTKgDl1vOdUnhF_XmQ/s1200/Alien-Blackout5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeQRIIThbY26Id_gOfPK6JPrXqHAoA834EeVuV9GZiOozAGe_n73Ejj6ufS4WXFAX2vGxE3pUY8zrxGaX03Wep9_c1mukKY6Aquit-drpz2bZliqZx8G81HUGEC0NHPu6rwT5qkKg2TqkzHu4EKJ37b9mid7hipFpdUbgNdWF-iTKgDl1vOdUnhF_XmQ/w640-h360/Alien-Blackout5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the current media age of streaming platform madness, the Alien franchise seems to be doing well for itself. It has had two recent video game releases, a new movie and a new TV series in the pipeline, and a VR title in development by <a href="https://survios.com/studio/aliens/" target="_blank">Survios</a>. Unfortunately, there have been some drawbacks, such as <a href="https://www.avpgalaxy.net/2023/10/10/alien-blackout-to-be-delisted-from-app-stores-by-months-end/" target="_blank">the recent announcement</a> that the mobile game <b><i>Alien: Blackout</i></b> will be removed from all app stores by the end of this month.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is an official statement that was recently released by the game's development team:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUhNLLYyBNA_bY1Tr8636M67V98gHgfu25nUSWwIKJvPnb4-uOVG_jptOOMtIXWnPhcAOcW9YVW3596kGEWbwEg_iChHHH0z075pmArI37yQFx0Q_PVGU8XUcdm2APFOkSWQ6t5X_NGTODZKMcgwOfqOtbXkS_Dk0HEzde8GuzkpzxQYgB8-_wgdhDBU/s600/F8GKIaybgAM3Zuo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUhNLLYyBNA_bY1Tr8636M67V98gHgfu25nUSWwIKJvPnb4-uOVG_jptOOMtIXWnPhcAOcW9YVW3596kGEWbwEg_iChHHH0z075pmArI37yQFx0Q_PVGU8XUcdm2APFOkSWQ6t5X_NGTODZKMcgwOfqOtbXkS_Dk0HEzde8GuzkpzxQYgB8-_wgdhDBU/w614-h640/F8GKIaybgAM3Zuo.png" width="614" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I was among the fans who were disappointed that the sequel to 2014's amazing </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2022/11/virtual-star-beast-look-back-at-alien.html" target="_blank">Alien: Isolation</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> was going to be a mobile game, so I didn't give much consideration to </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Blackout</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> when it was released back in 2019. However, now that I have an iPad, I decided to give this game a shot before it completely disappears and I am </span><i style="font-family: arial;">VERY</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> glad that I did. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Blackout</i></b> takes place immediately after the events of <b><i>Isolation</i></b>, and players assume the role of Amanda Ripley (again voiced by Andrea Deck) as she helps the crew of the space station Mendel escape from a Xenomorph. Ripley uses digital maps, motion sensors and camera feeds at a maintenance access point to guide the crew through different levels of the station to avoid the Xenomorph while simultaneously using vent hatches to protect herself from a Xenomorph attack. The premise of <b><i>Blackout</i></b> reminds me of lab mice in a maze looking for a reward, except in this case it's humans looking for the reward of not being mauled by a Xenomorph.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ks9-_rO9BgIkw775hdRBmpyAChowGTSxN1RyFliyLsYdgwCWkAx4ctpt2LdXXnwCZ1YevW5p9olbPvYDQJMzpfNKyngENLh1HaSvIeYM-Qi9ncRm3VM8WkZm5N1xrHDZUvI-FeCRA1mcJtAp2DZnI-nZX8IzFYzUnu9va1C01-43YT9QF1uai5br90/s1010/alien_blackout_android_ios_switch_004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1010" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ks9-_rO9BgIkw775hdRBmpyAChowGTSxN1RyFliyLsYdgwCWkAx4ctpt2LdXXnwCZ1YevW5p9olbPvYDQJMzpfNKyngENLh1HaSvIeYM-Qi9ncRm3VM8WkZm5N1xrHDZUvI-FeCRA1mcJtAp2DZnI-nZX8IzFYzUnu9va1C01-43YT9QF1uai5br90/w640-h480/alien_blackout_android_ios_switch_004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the maps in <b>Alien: Blackout</b>.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The great thing about </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Blackout</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> is that it </span><i style="font-family: arial;">FEELS</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> like it belongs in the Alien universe. Like </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Isolation</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, the controls, locations and computer graphics look like they were lifted straight from Weyland-Yutani itself. Many compared this game to </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Five Nights at Freddy's</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> upon its initial release, but the claustrophobic locations and limited options for escape fit in perfectly with the style of horror for which the Alien movies are known. In fact, the game's pervasive feeling of helplessness makes the Xenomorph so much more formidable, proving that just one of these monsters is enough to be terrifying. You will not always </span><i style="font-family: arial;">see</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> the crew getting attacked by the Xenomorph, but </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZbcLIXhyxA" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">you will <i>hear</i> them being attacked</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and there's nothing you can do about it when it happens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At its core, <b><i>Blackout</i></b> is a survival horror game but with a different style of play that most other games in this genre follow. Players have to multitask between protecting the crew, protecting themselves, and monitoring cameras, maps and sensors to figure out where the Xenomorph is. Furthermore, players can provide basic instructions to the crew to increase their chances of survival, instructions such as run, slow down or hide. Providing instructions to the crew took me a while to get used to, because I don't play many games that require interactions with NPCs. This aspect of <b><i>Blackout</i></b> sort of reminds me of how players had to share resources with NPCs in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(video_game)" target="_blank"><b><i>The Thing</i></b> video game</a> from 2002 so they would complete tasks, provide support, and not become so afraid that they take their own lives (yes, really).</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRmvnrcMYG_i4sijhAmaW43fPtHppxH1Z6PFukdWwdg4aq9yZPDLatxHh9e1rQ9MJ4-37V8LxqdWwNQ_1jnHc1St2JzNfZjqfZ47E3uP8OYpSHvz95YnqQH6Pk0xZCHZ0l9QxYlEwcsRxH0yv07nDLqs-GhNSfdCmGVSkUa2twmlwlMLpQbz6I0rIYVM/s1920/alien-blackout-android-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1920" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRmvnrcMYG_i4sijhAmaW43fPtHppxH1Z6PFukdWwdg4aq9yZPDLatxHh9e1rQ9MJ4-37V8LxqdWwNQ_1jnHc1St2JzNfZjqfZ47E3uP8OYpSHvz95YnqQH6Pk0xZCHZ0l9QxYlEwcsRxH0yv07nDLqs-GhNSfdCmGVSkUa2twmlwlMLpQbz6I0rIYVM/w640-h330/alien-blackout-android-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">A Xenomorph is about to attack Amanda Ripley in <b>Blackout</b>.</span></i></div></i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Blackout</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> won't appeal to all mobile gamers or all Alien fans. Fans who prefer the action-based, gun-heavy aesthetics that the sequel </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Aliens</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> is known for will probably hate this game. Furthermore, I cannot imagine playing this game on any device that's smaller than a tablet. It was clearly designed for use with touchscreen controls, so playing it on a small screen could become very frustrating. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of the Alien franchise who is looking to experience that universe in ways that fit its style of cosmic horror, </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Alien: Blackout</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> is a must-play.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">You can buy <b><i>Alien: Blackout</i></b> for both <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.D3Go.mendel" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alien-blackout/id1401510106" target="_blank">Apple</a> devices. Hurry before it's gone!</span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B096DP8FNN&asins=B096DP8FNN&linkId=217c55c857ee61707428b1c753f82f30&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=9189143051&asins=9189143051&linkId=14ebf1b890202df0a0332f8847593637&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B073435BMR&asins=B073435BMR&linkId=595a86ad81e7cd88e081a83e5cae4246&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-55711418750887352522023-10-18T08:28:00.003-07:002023-10-18T08:28:38.220-07:00London After Midnight: The Lost Film that Refuses to Stay Completely Lost<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogQ5hU8DlpViwe2YDHMs08Z1Hi4AZWxKyR4TnCX9f3sTcAMb1fZtQPebjbof-Q6muI4ARqwfmGEhhO5bUq4xH8t5pMBb0rq0D4nol6IS0TNKEB2RVDnxmOZ7EH5UjCeCw6Ct8R_0OeEoyd5sbrTM7vXWt_SP0milPr227dVfzIZyHqs-HXjXEjhWIY38/s834/london-after-midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="834" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogQ5hU8DlpViwe2YDHMs08Z1Hi4AZWxKyR4TnCX9f3sTcAMb1fZtQPebjbof-Q6muI4ARqwfmGEhhO5bUq4xH8t5pMBb0rq0D4nol6IS0TNKEB2RVDnxmOZ7EH5UjCeCw6Ct8R_0OeEoyd5sbrTM7vXWt_SP0milPr227dVfzIZyHqs-HXjXEjhWIY38/w640-h454/london-after-midnight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As a nerd who loves collectibles, I've seen plenty licensed merchandise connected to all sorts of movies, TV shows, comic books, cartoons and video games. Yet of all the titles that keep popping up in collector circles, the one that repeatedly surprises me is a film that has been lost forever: <b><i>London After Midnight</i></b> (1927).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>London After Midnight</i></b> was a mystery horror film from the silent era that starred legendary horror actor Lon Cheney (a.k.a. "The Man of a Thousand Faces") and was directed by Tod Browning. Even though all copies of this film have been lost, that hasn't kept posters, film stills and publicity photos of Lon Cheney in makeup as his <b><i>Midnight</i></b> character Professor Edward Burke from being shared among monster movie fans and published in books and magazines. It also hasn't stopped the steady production merchandise based on Professor Burke, which so far has included model kits, statues, busts, and figures of varying sizes and features. For a film that hasn't been seen in decades, that's a pretty impressive run of merchandise.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The latest replica of Professor Burke is being produced by NECA as part of its <a href="https://necaonline.com/2023/10/london-after-midnight-1927-7-scale-action-figure-ultimate-professor-edward-burke/" target="_blank">Ultimate Universal Monsters line</a>. This 7-inch articulated figure comes with a lantern, a removable hat, extra hands, three interchangeable heads, and an attachable winged cape. Pre-orders are being taken for this figure now, and I wouldn't be surprised if <a href="https://super7.com/" target="_blank">Super7</a> and <a href="https://jadanextlevel.com/" target="_blank">Jada Toys</a> soon release their own versions of the Burke figure in 3.75- and 6-inch scales.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5AlrROvFD_J2jjexToQ0eg-74zqCEhJmekEN8kf5F9MSggeaWN5KnRydhvG2dO7TcbsKLBes0e9mGXWkPzsb2h2HxS3JV9nmReFuDGM3yZQ4Y0RjQsvfrS09WMlqeLpmxoE9ifujIfMpOurAY-BPqPpQGD8sgdps2FOAQhrkLGLTYFnez71JxRlWkRQ/s2560/06150_UNP_1-scaled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2560" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5AlrROvFD_J2jjexToQ0eg-74zqCEhJmekEN8kf5F9MSggeaWN5KnRydhvG2dO7TcbsKLBes0e9mGXWkPzsb2h2HxS3JV9nmReFuDGM3yZQ4Y0RjQsvfrS09WMlqeLpmxoE9ifujIfMpOurAY-BPqPpQGD8sgdps2FOAQhrkLGLTYFnez71JxRlWkRQ/w640-h512/06150_UNP_1-scaled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>NECA's Professor Burke figure and accessories.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Because no copies remain, we'll never know for sure if <b><i>London After Midnight</i></b> was actually a good movie. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_After_Midnight_(film)" target="_blank">According to Wikipedia</a>, most reviews at the time of its release were mixed; Browning himself would later remake <b><i>Midnight</i></b> as <b><i>Mark of the Vampire</i></b> (1935) with Bela Lugosi. Nevertheless, most of the interest in Midnight stems from Cheney himself, an actor who provided horror fans with iconic depictions of classic characters in <b><i>The Hunchback of Norte Dame</i></b> (1923) and <b><i>The Phantom of the Opera</i></b> (1925). Even if <b><i>Midnight</i></b> itself is best left forgotten, the images of Cheney in the makeup he wore for that film continue to stir the imagination about what might have been.</span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1399939890&asins=1399939890&linkId=a8c3be1ea1bbbb394b42108940a20170&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1593939930&asins=1593939930&linkId=e376b750fd5480ebcd7f83e7ef08cef8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0000B1O9L&asins=B0000B1O9L&linkId=3b821bd31e829361989b986df3cf95b9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-91667380674322487462023-10-11T07:09:00.000-07:002023-10-11T07:09:11.171-07:00Optimus Prime Rolls Out on Snapchat<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAGhNtMDl0BD85GBkveSDVFWQ5WXis_63iUdZUTOnEgQlETn6Y5lM4MYiZ2A_4kafwoR21OkIlv3-rePwXDDXX-7EHWtPcWuEU3pKdo-aZnGGZTWlyznJkM5sUskROU2HGnyKY2uHT5IbFqSVSZQ6VA_hOR88nuBTz5qmVD22wNpVIVI9yolvDIa0sT8/s985/OptimusPrimeModel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="985" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAGhNtMDl0BD85GBkveSDVFWQ5WXis_63iUdZUTOnEgQlETn6Y5lM4MYiZ2A_4kafwoR21OkIlv3-rePwXDDXX-7EHWtPcWuEU3pKdo-aZnGGZTWlyznJkM5sUskROU2HGnyKY2uHT5IbFqSVSZQ6VA_hOR88nuBTz5qmVD22wNpVIVI9yolvDIa0sT8/w640-h382/OptimusPrimeModel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When it comes to the current state of augmented reality (AR), I'm going to paraphrase Charles Dickens: It is the best of times, but it is also the worst of times. Thankfully, we have Autobot leader Optimus Prime to show us the way (sort of).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've spent over a year using <a href="https://poly.cam/" target="_blank">Polycam</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epicgames.realityscan" target="_blank">RealityScan</a> to take scans of all sorts of 3D objects. While I've put some scans on display in <a href="https://framevr.io/harborsmall" target="_blank">FrameVR</a> <a href="https://framevr.io/washingtondcannapolissculptures" target="_blank">galleries</a> I set up online, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with them in AR. I have yet to find a good platform for the distribution of AR content, but I recently heard that <a href="https://www.snapchat.com/" target="_blank">Snapchat</a> has added AR capabilities to its lens feature. I don't expect Snapchat to become <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/snap-shutter-business-focused-ar-132002291.html" target="_blank">the YouTube equivalent</a> for AR content, but it's a start. Last Thursday, I created an AR lens of scan I took of a scrap metal sculpture of Optimus Prime so that Snapchat users can bring this Autobot into their own AR spaces. This must have been a good choice, because it has gotten over 55,000 views since then.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, this particular version of Optimus Prime has his own story. This Optimus Prime doesn't fight Decepticons; instead, he's bothering <a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2023/04/georgetown-board-recommends-to-remove-transformers-doctor-plans-to-challenge-the-decision/" target="_blank">a bunch of residents of the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington DC</a> who think he's an eyesore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyqJk5a0hnL-84VU91P6ZitoGwEkGulybjgCf2cHUM6xxy4S0eEXTbpaJSwAbtWbelpcNzGSNcdqtArv5Dr904G4_wQRl514tXRt8LfsSEkWhba24x3pf3v5oyzb9A5XhPW48mPeg6XgL_JA1whoI_1H09-c_aBELt8AfyxUelZwWYJlDs1pQJHoZ6AQ/s1015/GtownTransformers02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1015" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyqJk5a0hnL-84VU91P6ZitoGwEkGulybjgCf2cHUM6xxy4S0eEXTbpaJSwAbtWbelpcNzGSNcdqtArv5Dr904G4_wQRl514tXRt8LfsSEkWhba24x3pf3v5oyzb9A5XhPW48mPeg6XgL_JA1whoI_1H09-c_aBELt8AfyxUelZwWYJlDs1pQJHoZ6AQ/w640-h424/GtownTransformers02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Autobot scrap sculptures in Georgetown (above) and in AR (below).</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2oaOMZPuO0mCFT-ZeTijMzhdFbQeY2bfuSIxI-GdxAasToNWno3IeXy094jUJTJvGNwhkbz4Q833uIEB7huvxykVWAIo1WJT4LSN4dSOyoK4vpllzlcumUw45xWqxNPJLC3Hazj6JltBUOkfsg8WQnRlRG8aJ3htMqvNyRthVqh31irWJR7v7ba_wrI/s1081/GtownTransformersScans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1081" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2oaOMZPuO0mCFT-ZeTijMzhdFbQeY2bfuSIxI-GdxAasToNWno3IeXy094jUJTJvGNwhkbz4Q833uIEB7huvxykVWAIo1WJT4LSN4dSOyoK4vpllzlcumUw45xWqxNPJLC3Hazj6JltBUOkfsg8WQnRlRG8aJ3htMqvNyRthVqh31irWJR7v7ba_wrI/w640-h548/GtownTransformersScans.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I heard about the Optimus Prime sculpture and his companion sculpture Bumblebee on the news last April. These two sculptures belong to neuroscientist and Georgetown University professor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_Howard" target="_blank">Dr. Newton Howard</a>, who had them mounted in front of his house in 2021. The sculptures were made from spare medical parts from equipment used to treat neurological ailments like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, the diseases that Howard has researched. However, other residents of the Georgetown neighborhood have been fighting to get these sculptures removed for a long time, so I thought I would get scans of the sculptures before they disappeared.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below are snapcodes for the Optimus Prime and Bumblebee lenses. When you view them through Snapchat, you can adjust their size and placement, and you can even walk around them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKi132JdKSg0H2RqeydW68tBv9lx7uIx0NFLoSPaVKpxLYnIe74EhX5EZrvjkW8VkS6OhFYqdO7jCvIWWBJbx7ZmT02ChN_9A7AjmGcBuFba8S5cQKNr1naLX9JEuG6ZG8nqYeQgDv73YBGfpkLs3h-b7LBvwv0iMjnYNH9xkgkvCMxJ44sXX2pMhZ64/s320/Optimus%20Prime%20snapcode.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKi132JdKSg0H2RqeydW68tBv9lx7uIx0NFLoSPaVKpxLYnIe74EhX5EZrvjkW8VkS6OhFYqdO7jCvIWWBJbx7ZmT02ChN_9A7AjmGcBuFba8S5cQKNr1naLX9JEuG6ZG8nqYeQgDv73YBGfpkLs3h-b7LBvwv0iMjnYNH9xkgkvCMxJ44sXX2pMhZ64/s1600/Optimus%20Prime%20snapcode.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The snapcodes for Optimus Prime (above) and Bumblebee (below).</i></span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1psyac-HcgY-fu2C4Wwf2GV_fZlwkJSYnr5pgkzjMmNMewgp9oJT1gnKrrABi_cTkSHqPw0KAkyCGyb9AIRhACCAKBStkqtojL5J5k9j9GFeukxdYePDQir-rNuoyB3t-ZAYJnzmvQ0vLPtIyBnfHuaJJoudghkwuCp2bPphnA2TVC1f00MulNr2lvnk/s320/Bumblebee%20snapcode.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1psyac-HcgY-fu2C4Wwf2GV_fZlwkJSYnr5pgkzjMmNMewgp9oJT1gnKrrABi_cTkSHqPw0KAkyCGyb9AIRhACCAKBStkqtojL5J5k9j9GFeukxdYePDQir-rNuoyB3t-ZAYJnzmvQ0vLPtIyBnfHuaJJoudghkwuCp2bPphnA2TVC1f00MulNr2lvnk/s1600/Bumblebee%20snapcode.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">While I was at Georgetown getting the Autobot scans, I also did a full scan of the stairs that were scene in the final moments of <i><b>The Exorcist</b></i> (a.k.a. "The Exorcist stairs"). Below is a video short I made of that scan that I posted on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbL1NSPZrJtrv4RlNsNKfA" target="_blank">MindEyeMedia channel</a> on YouTube. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iUpEhNog7k4" width="320" youtube-src-id="iUpEhNog7k4"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B07D5QRVSS&asins=B07D5QRVSS&linkId=878c22bf7cc5af10c9a932b5fcc19782&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B07VVRJNDW&asins=B07VVRJNDW&linkId=19134c76a4a54bd7e197a931a85f3a43&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=1974710580&asins=1974710580&linkId=41cabef248f2b83609141c74dcac2d2a&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-87040431412673466632023-09-28T06:35:00.004-07:002023-09-28T06:35:55.908-07:00Recycling Analog Trash into Digital Trash: My AR VHS Horror Movie Rental Shelf<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlqpyOoOaXm0To2uaC-EmG1DdlUluLmqXftvL3iQ97r_JKVoisw8_8zg1nbEi9GSOk_aphq8XzSumXqc4O6_xsoqEg1carRh4Vxy_QeronzSqeOnN4tzkijSjTnayhBQJcRXVnZmTuiyxsJ5k4gTKP9EIXlQ1AReLrgGTYXgq5cFf_FrLTgX6NQCYcvI/s912/VHSShelvesModel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="912" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlqpyOoOaXm0To2uaC-EmG1DdlUluLmqXftvL3iQ97r_JKVoisw8_8zg1nbEi9GSOk_aphq8XzSumXqc4O6_xsoqEg1carRh4Vxy_QeronzSqeOnN4tzkijSjTnayhBQJcRXVnZmTuiyxsJ5k4gTKP9EIXlQ1AReLrgGTYXgq5cFf_FrLTgX6NQCYcvI/w640-h492/VHSShelvesModel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It's been said that you can't go home again, but you certainly can use augmented and virtual reality software to re-create it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As a fan of trashy VHS cover art (see previous posts <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2010/04/judging-vhs-tape-by-its-cover.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2012/04/vhs-rental-memories-good-bad-and.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-video-dead-video-nasties-and-vhs.html" target="_blank">here</a>), I still miss the local VHS rental store experience from the '80s and '90s. It was almost like going to a tasteless art gallery that's filled with shocking, gaudy paintings. Since the VHS era has been over for a long time and video rentals have shifted to online transactions and vending machines, I took it upon myself a year ago to use AR to re-create the kind of horror movie rental shelves I remember from those bygone years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, I'm not the only one who misses the VHS rental experience and I've seen a few re-creations of video stores on social VR platforms. One of the most accurate replicas I've seen is a Blockbuster video store that's part of the same shopping plaza as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyAMRDN_Bo8" target="_blank">77077 Arcade & Bar</a>, which can be found on the <a href="https://hello.vrchat.com/" target="_blank">VRChat</a> platform. However, these virtual VHS stores usually feature mainstream titles the most people will recognize, not the obscure selections that used lurid and grotesque artwork to attract the attention of potential viewers. Even if some of those films are best left forgotten, the art used for their VHS box covers are very memorable. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn7xdn52jh83W-hQW-cJ6d-p8L6t2Dav7zSrBA6mGZv_cX5_80mI0oNktq_kFrpMPmosCqbLMqHfJXiVxAY4oJzE_ex74O9iAWYV3dCc08gY8w_JnA-2ObksHb5-YvMoZfQQzwFGoXIl4mmYDrGWMylsaFqdJr6XDn5dwxvsLmfQ1HsJZjmSZwcE85EY/s1920/20230926_191119_MixedReality.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn7xdn52jh83W-hQW-cJ6d-p8L6t2Dav7zSrBA6mGZv_cX5_80mI0oNktq_kFrpMPmosCqbLMqHfJXiVxAY4oJzE_ex74O9iAWYV3dCc08gY8w_JnA-2ObksHb5-YvMoZfQQzwFGoXIl4mmYDrGWMylsaFqdJr6XDn5dwxvsLmfQ1HsJZjmSZwcE85EY/w640-h360/20230926_191119_MixedReality.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The exterior (above) and interior (below) of</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>the virtual Blockbuster video rental store in VRChat.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdIVsLMZHk7ppKElJ8N1R7L4qNxq-nJWH79MFEMLk-yGHAO5FbfEb7gg_g7FFSpKego9ZddeE4c1cQT83-IkwCv2ijOps5wZ2aPqKUT_jPnpIDbDE9QyLIZxjJlCSV6YMYutVVS07Skhu4wbPNV0TuHxBKXl4CNGBJTKzbninwg25njE21TAhMHTqqYw/s1920/20230926_191233_MixedReality.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdIVsLMZHk7ppKElJ8N1R7L4qNxq-nJWH79MFEMLk-yGHAO5FbfEb7gg_g7FFSpKego9ZddeE4c1cQT83-IkwCv2ijOps5wZ2aPqKUT_jPnpIDbDE9QyLIZxjJlCSV6YMYutVVS07Skhu4wbPNV0TuHxBKXl4CNGBJTKzbninwg25njE21TAhMHTqqYw/w640-h360/20230926_191233_MixedReality.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I used <a href="https://www.adobe.com/products/aero.html" target="_blank">Adobe Aero</a> to create my AR video shelves. I took high-resolution PDF scans from <a href="https://vhscollector.com/" target="_blank">VHS Collector</a> to assemble the boxes, and I got the shelf model from <a href="https://sketchfab.com/" target="_blank">Sketchfab</a>. I assembled the boxes in Aero, instead of creating the boxes by using 3D modeling software such as Blender. I figured that it would be easier to build my shelves using one program, instead of shifting multiple models between two programs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWIICmkve7JYCBXY-cD_oQ1xolnAjztOt3yMWizDosj2aeQCNN7YSk8kJ8lPM_cZQPyhfTN66ubybtX8_yoRShYOPVoDAO5NqNMoQJKbPxymIvHCITtWD_uJOYTRqTgCrPJGK8w9rzaDes11rGc68OrMoNwn_tel5bWPk6f7NLMRj73EWic71WVZiWio/s1357/VHSShelvesModelCropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWIICmkve7JYCBXY-cD_oQ1xolnAjztOt3yMWizDosj2aeQCNN7YSk8kJ8lPM_cZQPyhfTN66ubybtX8_yoRShYOPVoDAO5NqNMoQJKbPxymIvHCITtWD_uJOYTRqTgCrPJGK8w9rzaDes11rGc68OrMoNwn_tel5bWPk6f7NLMRj73EWic71WVZiWio/w508-h640/VHSShelvesModelCropped.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is the list of the movies included in this AR model, starting from the top shelf: <b><i>Buried Alive</i></b>, <b><i>Exorcism</i></b>, <b><i>The Beast</i></b>, <b><i>The Gates of Hell</i></b>, <b><i>Headless Eyes</i></b>, <b><i>The Possessed</i></b>, <b><i>Demoniac</i></b>, <b><i>Terror Out of the Sky</i></b>, <b><i>Body Shop</i></b>, <b><i>Burial Ground</i></b>, <b><i>House on the Edge of the Park</i></b>, <b><i>The Video Dead</i></b>, <b><i>Making Contact</i></b>, <b><i>Seven Doors of Death</i></b>, <b><i>Death Ship</i></b>, <b><i>Asphyx</i></b>, <b><i>Blood Castle</i></b>, <b><i>Monster Dog</i></b>, <b><i>Fear</i></b>, <b><i>Rana: The Legend of Shadow Lake</i></b>, <b><i>Inn of the Damned</i></b>, <b><i>Attack of the Beast Creatures</i></b>, <b><i>Crypt of the Living Dead</i></b>, <b><i>Don't Look in the Attic</i></b>, <b><i>The Icebox Murders</i></b>, <b><i>Crocodile</i></b>, <b><i>Dr. Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks</i></b>, <b><i>Death Warmed Up</i></b>, <b><i>The Stuff</i></b>, and <b><i>I Spit on Your Corpse</i></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I was able to add some interactivity to my AR model, although it is limited. Users can touch any of the VHS boxes on their tablet/cell phone screen, and the selected box will move off the shelf and flip so that the user can look at the back of the box. However, I never figured out how to program the interactive feature to return the boxes to their original shelf placement; for that, users will have to close and reopen the AR model.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IZs1jZTL4-XHYMU6s89MkToAYf2Awlhdl_-22ZPOWdVZB0GFCz9JoYXO4tCR4d31LctuvzF5p3DUuoeQ6UjlfvnQ7smG7xDBN5ikq0EtSvaSUIOzXNSXL67K1IoLuZuM52qdXa3UKPme8mrPzq7YRcj2gifDlC5st13b33yRaWB7pcd-n1FV90Cbiz0/s1552/DeathShipCoverCU.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1084" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IZs1jZTL4-XHYMU6s89MkToAYf2Awlhdl_-22ZPOWdVZB0GFCz9JoYXO4tCR4d31LctuvzF5p3DUuoeQ6UjlfvnQ7smG7xDBN5ikq0EtSvaSUIOzXNSXL67K1IoLuZuM52qdXa3UKPme8mrPzq7YRcj2gifDlC5st13b33yRaWB7pcd-n1FV90Cbiz0/w448-h640/DeathShipCoverCU.png" width="448" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">A closer look at the <b>Death Ship</b> VHS box.</span></i></div></i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below is a QR code you can use to access my AR model, so you can put this piece of nostalgic digital trash in your own personal space.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmaCKibKPGI1z0OVSYCYrymL_sZZTioJc59YMCS-5Z5eXf5lUg9dD7xJEWcrVtEXZGS0luvGXJic65EICOm7HUH9X7mFCH0pqvrS_WHBngWUc0ArFGuxUsr_fzv0H5Rur3JZ-T8wK6ZP4LWNfUI6YCJx1dpqREZA8OPxwMuMNCN8PCEqrT0bDiFO3WuE/s1024/VHS%20Shelves%20Motion%20QR%20Code.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmaCKibKPGI1z0OVSYCYrymL_sZZTioJc59YMCS-5Z5eXf5lUg9dD7xJEWcrVtEXZGS0luvGXJic65EICOm7HUH9X7mFCH0pqvrS_WHBngWUc0ArFGuxUsr_fzv0H5Rur3JZ-T8wK6ZP4LWNfUI6YCJx1dpqREZA8OPxwMuMNCN8PCEqrT0bDiFO3WuE/s320/VHS%20Shelves%20Motion%20QR%20Code.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the video that I made about my AR VHS horror movie rental shelves last year.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SuhRoRIkzpk" width="320" youtube-src-id="SuhRoRIkzpk"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0764348671&asins=0764348671&linkId=de20c3d2e65015316963bd3890f7c364&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08JF5HWJQ&asins=B08JF5HWJQ&linkId=b53febf339eeab890723124a6d1a7911&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1845130103&asins=1845130103&linkId=76537bdbc2a65ee031314ad889bb6cf6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-32733541812891775782023-09-21T11:19:00.003-07:002023-09-28T06:37:20.521-07:00Meditating in Virtual Worlds<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmPr_N4Sd7lnvvvmCE54_dYQC6CUKQqYEYd9mrBhEosa9MCQ5VSzMDy_OwfuqZtOvedk3G2dPstiHg4jM-SjHBtlkRynDnCuvujbPcsItZqXTE4e2ZfuogJbn_63z24FvhMW78RyyJv0Cs2TUMWxGZa-imt6XhboS6rSN9NhExSWmftTewELSMU97i50/s1280/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmPr_N4Sd7lnvvvmCE54_dYQC6CUKQqYEYd9mrBhEosa9MCQ5VSzMDy_OwfuqZtOvedk3G2dPstiHg4jM-SjHBtlkRynDnCuvujbPcsItZqXTE4e2ZfuogJbn_63z24FvhMW78RyyJv0Cs2TUMWxGZa-imt6XhboS6rSN9NhExSWmftTewELSMU97i50/w640-h360/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been having a wonderful time in VR, with its vast selection of social experiences, unique environments, and immersive games. However, one thing that I did not expect was how much VR would contribute to the practice of meditation. Here are a few VR titles that I recommend for those who are looking for peace of mind through mesmerizing digital spaces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Personally, I've frequently found it difficult to meditate. I've got way too much intrusive clutter inside my head to quiet it on my own, so using audio and visual cues like the ones provided in these apps has successfully helped me focus on relaxation. These apps also demonstrate the biggest advantage that VR has over other mediums: its focus on engaging three-dimensional environments. Providing beautiful, relaxing spaces that can be readily accessed through a headset is something no other form of media can do, not even AR.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of the VR meditation apps I've tried so far, I've divided them into three categories: environmental, abstract, and environmental/abstract. Environmental apps place the user in vivid, calm environments as a means of encouraging relaxation, while abstract apps take cues from the user to create patterns of colors, lights, shapes and sounds to induce a meditative state. The environmental/abstract apps combine both approaches, creating a balance that neither of the other categories can achieve by themselves. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Environmental apps are the most common type of VR meditation app that I've found. Of those, the most ambitious is <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/397750/Guided_Meditation_VR/" target="_blank">Guided Meditation VR</a></i></b>. What you will get with this title is plenty of customization, from the kinds of guided meditations you want to do to the kind of music you'd like as part of your meditation (if any). Yet what I found to be most impressive about this title is the sizable selection of environments from which the user can choose to meditate. The selection includes locations such as tropical islands, forests and mountain ranges, each rendered in high detail. Furthermore, users can either find a specific spot within the environments to meditate, or they can select the option that lets them drift through and above the environments as they engage in meditation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRkoJ2gBCUabjQIrJfLuh9AVhg8VT1604TiiJ31vQ-XOEBhAhyG1kzA-AxX6PEWysguVFZQ_q8DS92Xuo_gnN-NxIJbT-wfYd7vroYr42Wvmhd54NRmEYO3vNR8f6BZoyrSg3wsCjwq45b5KfMNrDtjLcwXjHYY5Jjs9t33-intb5sE_C9DvJ-U0a4CM/s616/capsule_616x353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRkoJ2gBCUabjQIrJfLuh9AVhg8VT1604TiiJ31vQ-XOEBhAhyG1kzA-AxX6PEWysguVFZQ_q8DS92Xuo_gnN-NxIJbT-wfYd7vroYr42Wvmhd54NRmEYO3vNR8f6BZoyrSg3wsCjwq45b5KfMNrDtjLcwXjHYY5Jjs9t33-intb5sE_C9DvJ-U0a4CM/w640-h366/capsule_616x353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There are two other environmental apps I would recommend for mediation in VR: <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/587580/Nature_Treks_VR/" target="_blank">Nature Treks</a></i></b> and <i><b><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/865540/PLAYNE__The_Meditation_Game/" target="_blank">Playne</a></b></i>. <i><b>Nature Treks</b></i> is mostly a walking simulator that provides a selection of natural environments; within the environments, users can choose the time of day and add items such trees, flowers and rocks to the landscape. <i><b>Treks</b></i> also features a meditation feature, where users will be placed within a glowing lotus blossom where they can meditate in the habitat of their choice. On the other hand is <i><b>Playne</b></i>, where users find themselves on a deserted island. The goal is to build an environment on the island while learning existential and meditative lessons from a fox spirit guide. <i><b>Playne</b></i> isn't the most graphically impressive app of the ones named here, but it is still very good at what it does and is the most interactive title that I list in this post.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Abstract apps in VR are harder to come by, and many of them are kaleidoscopic audio/video experiences that run for a short amount of time. The notable exception among these apps is <b><i>Soundself: A Technodelic</i></b>. I can't adequately describe it in my own words, so I'll quote the Steam page for <b><i>Soundself</i></b>: "An exhilarating journey into altered states of consciousness, powered by your own voice. Explore a hypnotic world of light, color, and sound. Emergent music harmonizes with you, as you drift through strobing tunnels of light, impossible shapes, and deep into a meditative trance." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP5Fv3cJQPyG2OfT4J6sA0uQ8Z0BFbYmbTNdWB2w44It18jdku6z5lf36B3dPep3UTLELKKJ_QFf12Vf8gpnccjZcBaQuk1RjUYI4by3ejhNMEFkZswkC-yeDWPZSvAP_MX09AkIiCXdnkWXa9JrsFhedZPVSHdWcXcpN18ZVKTPokNVjVaox88XwXt8/s1920/2020-03-26_00019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP5Fv3cJQPyG2OfT4J6sA0uQ8Z0BFbYmbTNdWB2w44It18jdku6z5lf36B3dPep3UTLELKKJ_QFf12Vf8gpnccjZcBaQuk1RjUYI4by3ejhNMEFkZswkC-yeDWPZSvAP_MX09AkIiCXdnkWXa9JrsFhedZPVSHdWcXcpN18ZVKTPokNVjVaox88XwXt8/w640-h360/2020-03-26_00019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Soundself</i></b> was the first app that I encountered that generates visuals, sounds and rhythms based on my voice and I'm still amazed at how effective it is. It excels at harmonizing with the user to create a meditative state; as such, <b><i>Soundself</i></b> has become one preferred meditation apps. Users can choose how long each session is, and they can also turn off the strobe effects if they prefer. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback about this app is that it was taken off of Steam last June so the creators can use it instead for medical and therapeutic purposes. (You can learn more about the non-Steam version of <b><i>Soundself</i></b> <a href="https://soundself.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.) Hopefully, once <i><b>Soundself</b></i> establishes itself within professional psychiatric circles, VR users will regain access to this app sometime in the future.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Good abstract apps can be hard to come by and environmental/abstract apps are even more rare, but that does not make them impossible to find. The app I found and highly recommend is <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1619350/DeepStates_VR/" target="_blank">DeepStates</a></i></b>, which is a VR creation of <a href="https://epicscapes.de/" target="_blank">Marc Zimmermann</a>. <b><i>DeepStates</i></b> consists of six different environments from which users can choose to meditate. Each environment is extremely detailed, which significantly enhances the immersion effect. The environments include natural landscapes, a temple that consists of four geodesic domes, and a strange, non-terrestrial location. As users begin their meditation, the app generates multicolored visuals and spatial sounds to encourage relaxation. Not only do the light effects appear in front of the user but they also permeate the landscape itself, further encouraging harmonization between the user, the app, and the artificial environment in which the user is meditating.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_YLlRFJkjEQrhrtZE1ClkcSWO2mkOi3s0biz1gXI0ozmTsGXtfN8h9GjO6FA7iV_nTU2R_ulPKilAI7pF4A7Qxmki-8YWymjCJ27oAfMRtOOb9SfNyAxDyXvWGfhImy2weWtxrwY-dd9ldEilBpmvlSr8vocbUI4YgiHtEmzgEtON8jsU6MQR62c1Mg/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_YLlRFJkjEQrhrtZE1ClkcSWO2mkOi3s0biz1gXI0ozmTsGXtfN8h9GjO6FA7iV_nTU2R_ulPKilAI7pF4A7Qxmki-8YWymjCJ27oAfMRtOOb9SfNyAxDyXvWGfhImy2weWtxrwY-dd9ldEilBpmvlSr8vocbUI4YgiHtEmzgEtON8jsU6MQR62c1Mg/w640-h360/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Zimmermann has discontinued development on </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>DeepStates</b></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> and has moved on to </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Realms of Flow</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, another meditation app. I also have run into some problems with the audio features in </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>DeepStates</b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">, and it took me some time to figure out which settings on my PC I needed to select to activate the audio in my headset. Nevertheless, I would still recommend </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>DeepStates</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> as a VR meditation app. It is very well designed and provides users with so many options to customize their meditations--it has the most customization options of all the apps listed in this post, which enables the users to fine-tune their meditation session to fit their preferences.</span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B099VMT8VZ&asins=B099VMT8VZ&linkId=a9d22aa29e53e5714f552a6a9d6287d8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0B76YX4XF&asins=B0B76YX4XF&linkId=8744282ff9c5b48f4280f7833871e60e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BF5LKP5Q&asins=B0BF5LKP5Q&linkId=063579668c4d48dbd32b93b70131f365&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-52680291519963082142023-09-13T10:18:00.001-07:002023-09-13T10:18:10.007-07:00Jaws Returns in Shark Summer by Ira Marcks<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mhlVgfIBRKCZNMuD5kIrfF75fJ5ozv9WgSOoolDULaiH72UlSseLwqpNbRXdOMFJnmj3bIHllcYuEjZMlkEsutn5_lmhJKL9M77mbvE9u-YhegtakFd_0JtfWtQekSLUgm_Wc_LDK0N3dm6hMGEE7HiDMWv_8q9y90CV4bU2wm7ztvbHqRcXDnjxoSQ/s540/shark+summer+3d+book+sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mhlVgfIBRKCZNMuD5kIrfF75fJ5ozv9WgSOoolDULaiH72UlSseLwqpNbRXdOMFJnmj3bIHllcYuEjZMlkEsutn5_lmhJKL9M77mbvE9u-YhegtakFd_0JtfWtQekSLUgm_Wc_LDK0N3dm6hMGEE7HiDMWv_8q9y90CV4bU2wm7ztvbHqRcXDnjxoSQ/w400-h400/shark+summer+3d+book+sq.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the many years that I've been a fan of <b><i>Jaws</i></b>, I'm still amazed at how often fans have stepped up with their own contributions to the franchise's enduring popularity. I've seen fans produce <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-review-of-adventures-in-amity-tales.html" target="_blank">books</a>, <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2017/09/from-shark-city-ozark-limited-edition.html" target="_blank">screen-accurate replicas</a>, and even <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-fantastic-fourth-review-of-lou.html" target="_blank">feature-length video tours</a> related to <b><i>Jaws</i></b>, productions that Universal would never bother with but nevertheless keep the franchise afloat among the fan community. Adding to this sizable selection of fan-fueled content is <b><i><a href="https://www.sharksummer.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Shark Summer</a></i></b>, a young adult graphic novel by <a href="https://iramarcks.com/" target="_blank">Ira Marcks</a> that was published in 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I try to keep myself updated on the release of new <b><i>Jaws</i></b> content, but I didn't know <b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> existed until I saw it at a local bookstore a few weeks ago. Just looking at the cover, which prominently features the word "shark" and Marckus' recreation of <a href="http://www.rogerkastel.com/" target="_blank">Roger Kastle's iconic shark art</a> looming behind the book's main characters, my <b><i>Jaws</i></b> junkie impulses kicked in and I bought the graphic novel after quickly flipping through the book's pages to verify that there's a giant shark in it (mechanical or otherwise).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> tells the story of teenager Gayle Briar during the summer of 1974, when a production crew arrives in Martha's Vineyard to shoot a movie about a monster shark. With her summer plans sidelined due to a broken arm, Gayle strikes up a friendship with amateur filmmaker Elijah Jones and island history buff Maddie Grey to shoot a documentary in the hopes of winning the cash prize at a film contest. Yet as they proceed to produce their film, Gayle and her friends uncover a local secret that's more monstrous than what Hollywood brought to the island.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWkk5k7-GVk6KzZYBd1scyYTyz4i3QmnEXPqIfsliTJm0oGXZQhjLMtWvaekpsa7I2piKZ9NR0fOUqG0B49_fDb0KnOYa4R5wafzlGlQ5ygIHgnwjYSTvOQnhSMrC7ZawhrrtU_hP9nsxeNVOpzeMImOphx9dFmKC1Dz5Q8q0z934ouqlkZXdC5_Br8E/s2500/SS-TheVineyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2500" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWkk5k7-GVk6KzZYBd1scyYTyz4i3QmnEXPqIfsliTJm0oGXZQhjLMtWvaekpsa7I2piKZ9NR0fOUqG0B49_fDb0KnOYa4R5wafzlGlQ5ygIHgnwjYSTvOQnhSMrC7ZawhrrtU_hP9nsxeNVOpzeMImOphx9dFmKC1Dz5Q8q0z934ouqlkZXdC5_Br8E/w640-h466/SS-TheVineyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Elijah Jones' map of Martha's Vineyard.</span></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> is a fun read that's aimed at young adults but can be enjoyed by older readers. It's a moving coming-of-age story that includes a <b><i>Nancy Drew</i></b> type of mystery as a sub-plot, with Martha's Vineyard and the production of a yet-to-be blockbuster movie providing the background. For <b><i>Jaws</i></b> fans, Marcks drops all sorts of nods (both visually and in the dialogue) to the movie and its production; in fact, the official <b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> site has a page devoted to <a href="https://www.sharksummer.com/easter-eggs" target="_blank">the <b><i>Jaws</i></b> references</a> that appear throughout the book. He also effectively uses the <a href="https://www.sharksummer.com/island-tour" target="_blank">history of Martha's Vineyard itself</a> to build the mystery that Gayle and her friends aim to solve. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Interestingly, for as much as <b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> references <b><i>Jaws</i></b>, the movie, its cast and crew, and even its studio are never identified in the book by their actual names. In fact, the movie itself is called <b><i>Shark!</i></b>, not <b><i>Jaws</i></b>. I'm assuming that this was done to avoid any copyright issues with Universal, and Jaws fans will pick up the veiled allusions anyway. Thankfully, the mechanical shark is still named Bruce.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The combination of a poignant story, vivid characters and a rich supply of background details make <b><i>Shark Summer</i></b> an entertaining read and a great addition to the collection of any <b><i>Jaws</i></b> fan.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=031646144X&asins=031646144X&linkId=ff8dcb142e30d654e2386a77616b0daf&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0316278068&asins=0316278068&linkId=00caaed7e5071c06c95e3d845403a649&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B09K2BBMN7&asins=B09K2BBMN7&linkId=d178457574c72b0d3ac7a44bb6fab71d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-81783266145605435622023-09-07T07:48:00.005-07:002023-09-07T13:42:26.791-07:00Crocodile 1979 Movie Poster in AR <iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4BSa54o48dM?si=wIC9jDROpsqmHppF" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the Crocodile 1979 movie poster as it appears in 3D augmented reality. I used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Aero to make this AR model.</span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-37916350746508567122023-08-28T12:11:00.003-07:002023-08-30T12:44:09.808-07:00Go Brick Racing with the Nifeliz R18 Race Car Kit<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmTykIInRu5o0NH-g1g3NEIU_uSaJcy-HrehjIBXc7QwkunYvCskUzyaDeavDWbDRRqFAO2xUmu-G1V3iC6YnLPNK5iMic9V7yQejg9KI_ClG30778LQmY179og2Pk68OSgWS9WY6Bvs4OaRzFQOsUTiNFqTdenqAki7aJdPSaqFK0aml0WhJHsKjqxQ/s1578/R18%20Race%20Car.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1578" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmTykIInRu5o0NH-g1g3NEIU_uSaJcy-HrehjIBXc7QwkunYvCskUzyaDeavDWbDRRqFAO2xUmu-G1V3iC6YnLPNK5iMic9V7yQejg9KI_ClG30778LQmY179og2Pk68OSgWS9WY6Bvs4OaRzFQOsUTiNFqTdenqAki7aJdPSaqFK0aml0WhJHsKjqxQ/w640-h282/R18%20Race%20Car.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was a kid, I collected small, die-cast Matchbox cars. Matchbox cars were fun, durable toys--three-inch cars and trucks of a wide variety of colors and shapes that were ready for play. Now that I'm older, my tastes in scale-sized car replicas have become more ambitious, making them the perfect fit for Nifeliz's 1:10 scale R18 race car kit. Nifeliz sent me a kit to assemble, and here's my review of this impressive build.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nifeliz has established a great reputation for ambitious brick car replica kits, and the R18 kit ably lives up to that standard. This kit consists of 1,685 pieces (including rubber tires for the wheels), and the finished car is 19 inches long and 9 inches wide. Below are pictures of the R18 box, which has a front graphic that's designed to look like the hood of an R18 car.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVeggJFDE8D4ZseesY1vdeTHvUZcB-HqAj3g8W93ypWWTcZ9soEdvjTqLIu4SaYDbQgEPLVQmd15-IxFf1MEWjAg6JXK2v8nPHoa6RgU1Vp4Gj0fMcLgd-Y8eFjra3FYdpBa6Scjc7YW6r0MvclZNc7McdMGYlS3bNA6q5vxPLnGlbU22UB7_mhBktxw/s4624/20230821_153111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVeggJFDE8D4ZseesY1vdeTHvUZcB-HqAj3g8W93ypWWTcZ9soEdvjTqLIu4SaYDbQgEPLVQmd15-IxFf1MEWjAg6JXK2v8nPHoa6RgU1Vp4Gj0fMcLgd-Y8eFjra3FYdpBa6Scjc7YW6r0MvclZNc7McdMGYlS3bNA6q5vxPLnGlbU22UB7_mhBktxw/w640-h480/20230821_153111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJTLc5_PfEJYiCMnHa9SMAuHvI4Z58HhawEaELAQKNoJtd8c7W0QqDKmjz7FhhN55iosN4voySAsqgCAS4mDeNpryNfCqyoKwBHX_PYgteP7uMEGRIx5rEQiozWgMLXMk9Dxc9FQw569KA2yQZ8Gy4xKG634IXj5Neu01r50PgQDz_bHUXN27tZmG4bI/s4624/20230821_153044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJTLc5_PfEJYiCMnHa9SMAuHvI4Z58HhawEaELAQKNoJtd8c7W0QqDKmjz7FhhN55iosN4voySAsqgCAS4mDeNpryNfCqyoKwBHX_PYgteP7uMEGRIx5rEQiozWgMLXMk9Dxc9FQw569KA2yQZ8Gy4xKG634IXj5Neu01r50PgQDz_bHUXN27tZmG4bI/w640-h480/20230821_153044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The instruction manual is printed on glossy paper and features 162 pages of instructions that line up with the numbered bags which contain the parts. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, but what really stands out to me about the manual is how the first few pages discuss the creative process behind the creation of this kit. The text is in both English and German.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHrMF7_o3DZCsXep_L8-f8osv1MTARz52N3JCHH0ia6OAG6Jabe9X42tfljrm9bqDNULxLf55P6EwVjd9CktMppqSiQLph14Jhw0YZSVbfVtd5tQsC0Q7I_kjop86wF37acFcLmn7RhJoNjkHALVOIAiGlnvadTdkQfVJ-5GE9UfvHV3E4lj_hF27SI/s4624/20230821_174424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHrMF7_o3DZCsXep_L8-f8osv1MTARz52N3JCHH0ia6OAG6Jabe9X42tfljrm9bqDNULxLf55P6EwVjd9CktMppqSiQLph14Jhw0YZSVbfVtd5tQsC0Q7I_kjop86wF37acFcLmn7RhJoNjkHALVOIAiGlnvadTdkQfVJ-5GE9UfvHV3E4lj_hF27SI/w640-h480/20230821_174424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPpYWSDs2dg6EEpGQQGJlnPoIrHx4WOcK3KzxbbAaWH2h-JAlACubGQ9TMlnslN27PC2uiQ5OGwAPboMc9Dfc6kbD5wZbq3eEEHTsUlR1QKSGft5Q8LI75QAttqSQsvhvamiqg5ZThFAES5cOpwVw2JdgD2w0oNRfLZ_ZDIf8LIWrXGAXwF1RoWZuSUA/s4624/20230821_174549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPpYWSDs2dg6EEpGQQGJlnPoIrHx4WOcK3KzxbbAaWH2h-JAlACubGQ9TMlnslN27PC2uiQ5OGwAPboMc9Dfc6kbD5wZbq3eEEHTsUlR1QKSGft5Q8LI75QAttqSQsvhvamiqg5ZThFAES5cOpwVw2JdgD2w0oNRfLZ_ZDIf8LIWrXGAXwF1RoWZuSUA/w640-h480/20230821_174549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It took me several hours to complete this build. I took some pictures as I was constructing it so you can see the frame and some of the interior parts that are crucial to the finished car. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RB2iioN4kc-SXpYdG2TRZW3z2KNMhYow7nN1E6JtfwBuFxpwPFVfPl7TpWl5lAZxWGHjRjfgEbWT92kY4CD-v2c4Ii3Pbi70_da9zFrhSs_X4VKG9P7oRQao8GfvSy6OaV8Sk9sVW-EYkwhkq_pX-eZqCso1a0nW9aYjBMHVcXQIUhBBi-yHo90r12c/s4624/20230822_095118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RB2iioN4kc-SXpYdG2TRZW3z2KNMhYow7nN1E6JtfwBuFxpwPFVfPl7TpWl5lAZxWGHjRjfgEbWT92kY4CD-v2c4Ii3Pbi70_da9zFrhSs_X4VKG9P7oRQao8GfvSy6OaV8Sk9sVW-EYkwhkq_pX-eZqCso1a0nW9aYjBMHVcXQIUhBBi-yHo90r12c/w640-h480/20230822_095118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjlTb99fmKK_oD32FPGtPTKJqduOI_b8gZb3CwJwqV9L_tMyQJevN0KYC1IUjydBPq-RnfYTC4ukMS23Jk-4Uiyfmig5ScCdZxgvbJTchiXXgQz0VHMZ9STrztQBNDkdj51Sd7Ph2-VIcqaQ-gRtzTD8Ez0L85lF35FAULkZl6kchi5abU3xD9KgJ0zg/s4624/20230822_095206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjlTb99fmKK_oD32FPGtPTKJqduOI_b8gZb3CwJwqV9L_tMyQJevN0KYC1IUjydBPq-RnfYTC4ukMS23Jk-4Uiyfmig5ScCdZxgvbJTchiXXgQz0VHMZ9STrztQBNDkdj51Sd7Ph2-VIcqaQ-gRtzTD8Ez0L85lF35FAULkZl6kchi5abU3xD9KgJ0zg/w640-h480/20230822_095206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3drX9_ZJ7NPlNeAJY29kKJiVmPTApTr-sXmdbiVY4kmolJusomlbCYw3-7WCVaKLDOF9XL4ztbs8kHzdGxlwirjgxbXsnUvGBacFH2X3upVAzHTosLW6MP-N2Mu8KfyYyAj5P7bHgyqE3amhP0V6pv7cF2xxrBst2j_NvwV0A_jcFymTAFGsJhO-u_EI/s4624/20230823_123559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3drX9_ZJ7NPlNeAJY29kKJiVmPTApTr-sXmdbiVY4kmolJusomlbCYw3-7WCVaKLDOF9XL4ztbs8kHzdGxlwirjgxbXsnUvGBacFH2X3upVAzHTosLW6MP-N2Mu8KfyYyAj5P7bHgyqE3amhP0V6pv7cF2xxrBst2j_NvwV0A_jcFymTAFGsJhO-u_EI/w640-h480/20230823_123559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjtTsbXhIoaX80Qdq_dBUH1lceu_njolx7RnXRDSeikVjkb2megNtfcEG4xNysetJKguDj642PHuiu5RcPGbLy1dm_dPjKFWhbV0kspnKwI3vdqPDmI0lDIzryY9rOYh4OPvlRNI0vc3bbSQaFwTXaYMS4Lqs6Os7NadCahr6MsZOdC3piGrtl68mZYk/s4624/20230823_123618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjtTsbXhIoaX80Qdq_dBUH1lceu_njolx7RnXRDSeikVjkb2megNtfcEG4xNysetJKguDj642PHuiu5RcPGbLy1dm_dPjKFWhbV0kspnKwI3vdqPDmI0lDIzryY9rOYh4OPvlRNI0vc3bbSQaFwTXaYMS4Lqs6Os7NadCahr6MsZOdC3piGrtl68mZYk/w640-h480/20230823_123618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjUUQyW6pSLLWDgPkGTlPPkxBMUO5odQdP-i7P0WjbMz0V6wGio0FnKa-J90J82ivLn1tmQ3x9U0DiZBIMxnmAQlq1kdF2oU6VlsXCMTck75aorbMlKAgdXwtQkKC6rTtna50BxKQib1zo_0N3SMn-AkxZvhuITPbhaO-Baf96Ec0VVojeOVvgqfcmJw/s4624/20230823_123642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjUUQyW6pSLLWDgPkGTlPPkxBMUO5odQdP-i7P0WjbMz0V6wGio0FnKa-J90J82ivLn1tmQ3x9U0DiZBIMxnmAQlq1kdF2oU6VlsXCMTck75aorbMlKAgdXwtQkKC6rTtna50BxKQib1zo_0N3SMn-AkxZvhuITPbhaO-Baf96Ec0VVojeOVvgqfcmJw/w640-h480/20230823_123642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F3SKpVphXPj189Fxz13sXlzFyZdLNahHvpi-RfTHkmMPr5x7t2vAKqpr550J-9ikLnh6VYMrOmjp-hvsKCpYdSG_6iiJSjrk2Tme7jG_-7jSvpLeRt-2tftTzFMl2lOzjVuBDScpA7-GCdP3NiPHsR8iOY4G0kJbUHINwFkC25MyfutaIRYSPHxCjrM/s4624/20230824_105036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F3SKpVphXPj189Fxz13sXlzFyZdLNahHvpi-RfTHkmMPr5x7t2vAKqpr550J-9ikLnh6VYMrOmjp-hvsKCpYdSG_6iiJSjrk2Tme7jG_-7jSvpLeRt-2tftTzFMl2lOzjVuBDScpA7-GCdP3NiPHsR8iOY4G0kJbUHINwFkC25MyfutaIRYSPHxCjrM/w640-h480/20230824_105036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvoXNxIpoDDEOGOmO_tDMO0VcEL1L_MXjKFqo5UU96tL57eU7M9mQtXGu7Tnmr4xW2POVsev7E4vHm0xxz4KvbyofxeSUyrGfdc0kVNltEKzbJDqv0Z461sNMKuOISH7xJDnsWqPvSXqnt7cMWJ6a_YWcPEk4ehyaUomAC-y9CgC-6yyQntuG89ITJT8/s4624/20230824_105130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvoXNxIpoDDEOGOmO_tDMO0VcEL1L_MXjKFqo5UU96tL57eU7M9mQtXGu7Tnmr4xW2POVsev7E4vHm0xxz4KvbyofxeSUyrGfdc0kVNltEKzbJDqv0Z461sNMKuOISH7xJDnsWqPvSXqnt7cMWJ6a_YWcPEk4ehyaUomAC-y9CgC-6yyQntuG89ITJT8/w640-h480/20230824_105130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below are pictures of the completed R18 race car. Plenty of decals are provided, but I only used a few of them. I'm still amazed with the build's details and features as they are, so I kept the decals to a minimum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvrm2NTdwN7CJ0C7g7zBgrtGWBkGaQwKgKZNV7KXwHxzZijPRlRIgpgr8STamh1Wlgg9k6I7MklCpUulS8bvhAzKo8xbJDUrPgsLqqUEYEoB41x1N62Ai8ndhhwd8M2t4_bBIIY3McW00520xy8ela-gUX616vm3DHI9r56Yi8C3BVNQ4CpQ395LH8Po/s4624/20230827_103607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvrm2NTdwN7CJ0C7g7zBgrtGWBkGaQwKgKZNV7KXwHxzZijPRlRIgpgr8STamh1Wlgg9k6I7MklCpUulS8bvhAzKo8xbJDUrPgsLqqUEYEoB41x1N62Ai8ndhhwd8M2t4_bBIIY3McW00520xy8ela-gUX616vm3DHI9r56Yi8C3BVNQ4CpQ395LH8Po/w640-h480/20230827_103607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1tuKfR3nbRmpWnlmHObweb3PFCDWokrJ9BQggRLTbz5exhh1X6a09ZrZfWfU9EIo4Eru0qJ4qsVnGRR0ZclD3TlEHpuUhR0xDbVe11EZ1oAQ5eTow5SwbqQYUhT-0zjn0T_09v5PRuA7PAcUCBRY13zFINvwS4HA1Jn0QeqZrSmhp6XXcQMSAx273Ec/s4624/20230827_103628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1tuKfR3nbRmpWnlmHObweb3PFCDWokrJ9BQggRLTbz5exhh1X6a09ZrZfWfU9EIo4Eru0qJ4qsVnGRR0ZclD3TlEHpuUhR0xDbVe11EZ1oAQ5eTow5SwbqQYUhT-0zjn0T_09v5PRuA7PAcUCBRY13zFINvwS4HA1Jn0QeqZrSmhp6XXcQMSAx273Ec/w640-h480/20230827_103628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYA1ELlew40LUQzstyLixjQi_SHXoIH8JnBTKATMfPlp78tKYD4YO0gPOD3CLNEOjqVYbwv_6guCSj3HbHXRSOS8WF24JrzIs2JocHj2omo5-l3gC-fNcqs43mcO_NR14o-MeVbVq0uPDoNuwedp4LZ1niP9l9jzuyow-jQq7bp9bU66jNSo47DT5MY/s4624/20230827_103708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYA1ELlew40LUQzstyLixjQi_SHXoIH8JnBTKATMfPlp78tKYD4YO0gPOD3CLNEOjqVYbwv_6guCSj3HbHXRSOS8WF24JrzIs2JocHj2omo5-l3gC-fNcqs43mcO_NR14o-MeVbVq0uPDoNuwedp4LZ1niP9l9jzuyow-jQq7bp9bU66jNSo47DT5MY/w640-h480/20230827_103708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4smUSjPTw4k1eh1lnwABvqJuGbgsK5TpDsxvbk9-OXdXc6zfQjwKxGjyXJHTK48q7wMBWPwnlDmXEskBR1DOLQTLgWohVzazf6XU6YIoNjcccg7ZA1aRp2qe970cXv178yZWCCjHmPk5aoWlGwCL9tq0BSpggPBvq6zJ_t3FmkeXBDdfgIfSJw3JsBE/s4624/20230827_103758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4smUSjPTw4k1eh1lnwABvqJuGbgsK5TpDsxvbk9-OXdXc6zfQjwKxGjyXJHTK48q7wMBWPwnlDmXEskBR1DOLQTLgWohVzazf6XU6YIoNjcccg7ZA1aRp2qe970cXv178yZWCCjHmPk5aoWlGwCL9tq0BSpggPBvq6zJ_t3FmkeXBDdfgIfSJw3JsBE/w640-h480/20230827_103758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjsIKtoaEjHhLlSGFplvmQxmVmFJms1Lc7-TMr2bylIuYeI7a49CoFg2W1aZRdpkXsIugkBiFJ_hBuJd1zYUEP7VmJD2_HPP7fAUKmlWC0XvoZ0i2NiiEBs1MpjzRN1yimJbdBsCzIZMvaHtSweBpkbSy0DjqKuunwpEqxuv5LIH61AZWCjRB9k9oAi0/s4624/20230827_103837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjsIKtoaEjHhLlSGFplvmQxmVmFJms1Lc7-TMr2bylIuYeI7a49CoFg2W1aZRdpkXsIugkBiFJ_hBuJd1zYUEP7VmJD2_HPP7fAUKmlWC0XvoZ0i2NiiEBs1MpjzRN1yimJbdBsCzIZMvaHtSweBpkbSy0DjqKuunwpEqxuv5LIH61AZWCjRB9k9oAi0/w640-h480/20230827_103837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfxUazhwm4dLiegd2WvYuvOmHc4Nnewj4dh9w7Zz5GHIIXg38dE9O3oLFHXDzTNEzwSmAX9kB7yuIDssOOmfln9QpYgKHWFVct1zDdOetQvK_q2WT3FCCV680_hiMP0BWN0loV0ACH8PRIp05dAVpVmNPgOkhZtIhdwatZmZ49EsK9vh3c6nhXxof-Do/s4624/20230827_103914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfxUazhwm4dLiegd2WvYuvOmHc4Nnewj4dh9w7Zz5GHIIXg38dE9O3oLFHXDzTNEzwSmAX9kB7yuIDssOOmfln9QpYgKHWFVct1zDdOetQvK_q2WT3FCCV680_hiMP0BWN0loV0ACH8PRIp05dAVpVmNPgOkhZtIhdwatZmZ49EsK9vh3c6nhXxof-Do/w640-h480/20230827_103914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nifeliz's designers of the R18 race car kit wanted to provide a wide selection of features to add to the immersion and playability of the build, and they succeeded. The steering wheel can be turned to move the car's front wheels, and the pistons in the car's V4 engine move whenever the rear wheels move.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiZiW9uiJDjD78iPBuIYwBLrYX091GM6iSI0DBUfx6I4R_z9SqV5xJHJYbGWnOW92RSXlTW6Hy6RdAkxKU6iqDrFWgy5Ls2vrCzGhWqii5qRF151LAVaWIaJjZBZFIeKo_ttUBhW22_kBxMoZS9mRponY9KtkdVduKdL6zcIibwpY4GNObumSbd7zkn8/s4624/20230827_104031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiZiW9uiJDjD78iPBuIYwBLrYX091GM6iSI0DBUfx6I4R_z9SqV5xJHJYbGWnOW92RSXlTW6Hy6RdAkxKU6iqDrFWgy5Ls2vrCzGhWqii5qRF151LAVaWIaJjZBZFIeKo_ttUBhW22_kBxMoZS9mRponY9KtkdVduKdL6zcIibwpY4GNObumSbd7zkn8/w640-h480/20230827_104031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgt0QDWgOh_KI12igMDBY7mLBa4_H_IPWDk3xn2ffB10BF_k3KIO2eny2hoT01ozt7JA8PGbKaJYgi6UoY0coObydRtaVVH1IfOu1VFIz-Y4mCMUppY4ZdhIwFDDzVcTyVS0NIpgSr4vHkN0Vv-go9pc8O4ylXgSrRUgqTrRf6TRGo9TMQ6FueNl1G5I/s4624/20230827_104053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgt0QDWgOh_KI12igMDBY7mLBa4_H_IPWDk3xn2ffB10BF_k3KIO2eny2hoT01ozt7JA8PGbKaJYgi6UoY0coObydRtaVVH1IfOu1VFIz-Y4mCMUppY4ZdhIwFDDzVcTyVS0NIpgSr4vHkN0Vv-go9pc8O4ylXgSrRUgqTrRf6TRGo9TMQ6FueNl1G5I/w640-h480/20230827_104053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5ox9VMMI94TIo6o7wtfR85F3dCBRrdInwVLgB53iJfQ_W8E6920ZRq8b59dsF4-389WRuRv3aOTyWp4WvP0SXN6L9UmtsoVGOQ-y0XP-OPhHVPsZnBcz-VCBUUSwJ3mqdd17ifJ7HBzTBwOuYebh2CoAoQuLn9DUY1hflBilYWr4KVDcvIxoMIoEMlk/s4624/20230827_104324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5ox9VMMI94TIo6o7wtfR85F3dCBRrdInwVLgB53iJfQ_W8E6920ZRq8b59dsF4-389WRuRv3aOTyWp4WvP0SXN6L9UmtsoVGOQ-y0XP-OPhHVPsZnBcz-VCBUUSwJ3mqdd17ifJ7HBzTBwOuYebh2CoAoQuLn9DUY1hflBilYWr4KVDcvIxoMIoEMlk/w640-h480/20230827_104324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The R18 race car kit is for an advanced builder, and it requires a lot of patience and an ability to handle small parts. Furthermore, most of the pieces in this kit fit together tightly, so disassembling parts of the car to fix an error is tricky to do. I ran into this problem when assembling a set of gears that fit into the right side of the car. When these gears are properly assembled, a knob can be twisted to open the doors to the driver's seat and to crank open the rear hood. I couldn't get these gears to fit together properly so this feature doesn't work in my build, but I can still manually open these compartments anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nifeliz's R18 race car kit is perfect for car enthusiasts and brick fans who enjoy assembling complex, mechanical builds. Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3Pgtxp0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> to purchase the R18 race car kit and click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/1222A6DE-A609-4ABC-A40C-BEA8D6696A0D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> to see other Nifeliz kits that are available on Amazon. You can get 5% off of your R18 purchase by using the code 05CDXR18. You can also check out the <a href="https://www.nifeliz.club/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nifeliz blog</a> and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NifelizSet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nifeliz YouTube channel</a> for more information about current and upcoming Nifeliz brick kits.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below is a picture I took of my R18 race car build next to an augmented reality 3D model I made of the build using <a href="https://poly.cam/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Polycam</a> and <a href="https://www.adobe.com/products/aero.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adobe Aero</a>. Just download Adobe Aero onto your smartphone or tablet, scan the QR code under the picture, and then find a solid horizontal surface where you can place the virtual R18 model. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3qyPLG16x6AgE-nr8CTyKrc7xlmtRbhsctKs-YwxrEvVDnC7z7Uc-PAQU6wCZYia8RVtSQNqKNr6S9pTptvd37ps5M7HxB7b03Uy-nuAdrNwE1M2e3VFHWt_-dH3u2Zcc35apV92OGZAOM06S3Dr9PNZaaVXDi85lg6cphqtSLHCqrX0PWRk9BcZUjk/s1552/Nifeliz%20R18%20Scan.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1552" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3qyPLG16x6AgE-nr8CTyKrc7xlmtRbhsctKs-YwxrEvVDnC7z7Uc-PAQU6wCZYia8RVtSQNqKNr6S9pTptvd37ps5M7HxB7b03Uy-nuAdrNwE1M2e3VFHWt_-dH3u2Zcc35apV92OGZAOM06S3Dr9PNZaaVXDi85lg6cphqtSLHCqrX0PWRk9BcZUjk/w640-h448/Nifeliz%20R18%20Scan.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NfchAwZfiNxZ3N6GNxFrzK3q8iS8lU2FTf1etBizUsdhim1ZlbbtW6L7-BgOPeVdPtb5Czi6bk5jWxzih84MjXs3nevWGlFh8sOYK6Dzb8J8LbPdriDxTuZdbSMuwsL6S_Wk4jDzZBZ2J0n-xbhRy8UBnDOwGBrqdYtBeXJoSdKrrsESBnDe0iK9EiY/s1024/Nifeliz%20R18%20QR%20Code.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NfchAwZfiNxZ3N6GNxFrzK3q8iS8lU2FTf1etBizUsdhim1ZlbbtW6L7-BgOPeVdPtb5Czi6bk5jWxzih84MjXs3nevWGlFh8sOYK6Dzb8J8LbPdriDxTuZdbSMuwsL6S_Wk4jDzZBZ2J0n-xbhRy8UBnDOwGBrqdYtBeXJoSdKrrsESBnDe0iK9EiY/s320/Nifeliz%20R18%20QR%20Code.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0CBLHB35R&asins=B0CBLHB35R&linkId=e27675d78bd9d09e4b636190b0899f45&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0C7FGNVRZ&asins=B0C7FGNVRZ&linkId=34c708d277667de4e1d433e3b4ada828&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09MF1K2WL&asins=B09MF1K2WL&linkId=f10566bf6305841f8f7f8b4b47f8e563&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-85629981819442751812023-08-08T12:48:00.002-07:002023-08-10T09:02:33.621-07:00Adventures at Lego BrickFair <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkgjmnQr1SZRkC4cLfTRZpc5g026gvScp_kmPdZVng1Kdm2ADpaDQdJyzKl9nz8whb9Fab4cuObtdDJp_33CzDk62RRR-NwPj-3HHwMbu60Tfw0lTGgrnxs6iSOBC_-xFFFKQ7Mw2sbj0x-s5uHjAWKY2MUy0zW0m97M1mRFvv80EnGU5QZjZCrxpLhE/s397/Lego%20BrickFair.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="77" data-original-width="397" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkgjmnQr1SZRkC4cLfTRZpc5g026gvScp_kmPdZVng1Kdm2ADpaDQdJyzKl9nz8whb9Fab4cuObtdDJp_33CzDk62RRR-NwPj-3HHwMbu60Tfw0lTGgrnxs6iSOBC_-xFFFKQ7Mw2sbj0x-s5uHjAWKY2MUy0zW0m97M1mRFvv80EnGU5QZjZCrxpLhE/w640-h124/Lego%20BrickFair.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The internet is loaded with countless examples of how Lego fans use their brick skills to construct a wide variety of impressive builds. However, there’s nothing quite like seeing these builds in person.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Last weekend, I went to the <a href="https://www.brickfair.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lego BrickFair</a>, which was held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, where dozens of Lego fans and groups displayed their creativity through an impressive array for builds that moved, lit up, or depicted detailed landscapes. Below are some of the pictures I took, along with a few descriptions of what the builds are supposed to be and who made them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Plenty of builds were based on different pop culture icons and franchises. The pics below include nods to <b><i>Ghostbusters</i></b>, <b><i>Godzilla</i></b>, <b><i>The Muppets</i></b>, <b><i>Scooby-Doo</i></b>, and video games such as <b><i>Animal Crossing</i></b> and <i><b>Pac-Man</b></i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqD5c285hGw4EktwWd6xobfZ0i2R44nUOQ5KeD1uWI-Tchcr7eEDTfCaVueadSwdD3YL2EfSQMN4Qr7Qt4LuVCkWAjBx_f7MNSkacIoqWU03iqimwS2ew-qh_cnmpGmiE6fDYTyFDk55_PsD5dqUbzsbuJ4ACCxk7c1w9_xXUk97uVx4v1g77HW0hSeo/s4624/20230805_153531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqD5c285hGw4EktwWd6xobfZ0i2R44nUOQ5KeD1uWI-Tchcr7eEDTfCaVueadSwdD3YL2EfSQMN4Qr7Qt4LuVCkWAjBx_f7MNSkacIoqWU03iqimwS2ew-qh_cnmpGmiE6fDYTyFDk55_PsD5dqUbzsbuJ4ACCxk7c1w9_xXUk97uVx4v1g77HW0hSeo/w640-h480/20230805_153531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK0jVae40K_DG0lsjpKa5vkPai3Pp3y8K0im9AfIFt55wVHpOTofVkl7ZloKVUd9aNv50bHS1JhcKO-kfGSk0vl4gFYrtugz3Ab5Su-wXlEEKxZ-yg2m-kEBnMfala6S1z1e-QtXx2UcV-RS2G9FW9kObnCMjazrBHHeDzF-5N_Q9HnCioOOiNf_xrQg/s4624/20230805_153805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK0jVae40K_DG0lsjpKa5vkPai3Pp3y8K0im9AfIFt55wVHpOTofVkl7ZloKVUd9aNv50bHS1JhcKO-kfGSk0vl4gFYrtugz3Ab5Su-wXlEEKxZ-yg2m-kEBnMfala6S1z1e-QtXx2UcV-RS2G9FW9kObnCMjazrBHHeDzF-5N_Q9HnCioOOiNf_xrQg/w640-h480/20230805_153805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyjSDzkRXW1WrrnvJWTGUlCeL_C-uAPxKozmXFeCOoM0axCzbNFZfd8axE4GWwX_Up1aeNalr_HC-JsEEee87t0yN-LJyJh3IpJUrnxACb-vnLv9oeSXbswpOKMjL1sZhuCBLajSV7xiRU_eZMDsrrijUR8f1zhdE-71zP3rGoLhaleK4n22wrf9HkME/s4624/20230805_150630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyjSDzkRXW1WrrnvJWTGUlCeL_C-uAPxKozmXFeCOoM0axCzbNFZfd8axE4GWwX_Up1aeNalr_HC-JsEEee87t0yN-LJyJh3IpJUrnxACb-vnLv9oeSXbswpOKMjL1sZhuCBLajSV7xiRU_eZMDsrrijUR8f1zhdE-71zP3rGoLhaleK4n22wrf9HkME/w480-h640/20230805_150630.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gY2QUiBJcRvZ85z2vwkUJ2JG13jF4LZx4hhhUZSL96ylO00jq8ZR5D3vALVfyl5uLHAITXjPbA_vPtOY9xzUDpRXnlVv4BBcS1hMkHALw1zYi0r_gecIkN2oSOCd_xjU-waRgw3YU1PReEAZywl0LDV0K2SAJfEYPODK-i-_Y6ivSsD20R2fvBGdvxA/s4624/20230805_153515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gY2QUiBJcRvZ85z2vwkUJ2JG13jF4LZx4hhhUZSL96ylO00jq8ZR5D3vALVfyl5uLHAITXjPbA_vPtOY9xzUDpRXnlVv4BBcS1hMkHALw1zYi0r_gecIkN2oSOCd_xjU-waRgw3YU1PReEAZywl0LDV0K2SAJfEYPODK-i-_Y6ivSsD20R2fvBGdvxA/w640-h480/20230805_153515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAdtTTpPPcROmmZWsHAGzxQiX-SjwRfA74nzeUUN7ZsSfvs6wP8Ti6Oe5bNXLhnmJR9ZlgpqflOSK2sLu3XPJklgIlUBVHi1OlzKz1FH88m5HzSEcIJkhEg85ckHex671r7P89odv61UCwZvpC44IWwfWdMMwjIDszV5Zln0cLPKPeBkWZerZAGbV128/s4624/20230805_153438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAdtTTpPPcROmmZWsHAGzxQiX-SjwRfA74nzeUUN7ZsSfvs6wP8Ti6Oe5bNXLhnmJR9ZlgpqflOSK2sLu3XPJklgIlUBVHi1OlzKz1FH88m5HzSEcIJkhEg85ckHex671r7P89odv61UCwZvpC44IWwfWdMMwjIDszV5Zln0cLPKPeBkWZerZAGbV128/w640-h480/20230805_153438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vV2aZsHVLsXHigP6lSeXTe5wXMopsUNP6rShrHyO98gUaN2APKGmiAU7B42WB2iaTzUGGRUjudcd5ZZJPkjftQ9AaQjy5-wQ591yEA0OCGpYGhl52rm8RYJXwchbnULY9Xa7xRsD5g_6ocyYFYthR5Xvz4T3hbRsucacMVWpfiEubEjxjcRIpbjaxUQ/s4624/20230805_153407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vV2aZsHVLsXHigP6lSeXTe5wXMopsUNP6rShrHyO98gUaN2APKGmiAU7B42WB2iaTzUGGRUjudcd5ZZJPkjftQ9AaQjy5-wQ591yEA0OCGpYGhl52rm8RYJXwchbnULY9Xa7xRsD5g_6ocyYFYthR5Xvz4T3hbRsucacMVWpfiEubEjxjcRIpbjaxUQ/w480-h640/20230805_153407.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2kA38QUCHmETC-GExhJ1qDUqeyWEX-pRLABHlKQoSkig_x0uUTyiLXwCLPyBWMfBu9e3COKIXI04i9xV1XAblp-57f0YmewIkGpbwtbTcnse9BBQr46XVIV6gZGmTRk1iguCrnAE_x0BHjuW3u9QPSn-8E2l3XXoCutPPF0cMpBcnsFOie6fE5hDybs/s4624/20230805_153357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2kA38QUCHmETC-GExhJ1qDUqeyWEX-pRLABHlKQoSkig_x0uUTyiLXwCLPyBWMfBu9e3COKIXI04i9xV1XAblp-57f0YmewIkGpbwtbTcnse9BBQr46XVIV6gZGmTRk1iguCrnAE_x0BHjuW3u9QPSn-8E2l3XXoCutPPF0cMpBcnsFOie6fE5hDybs/w480-h640/20230805_153357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b><i>Pac-Man</i></b> sign below could be viewed from two angles. On one angle, Pac-Man is chased by ghosts; on another angle, Pac-Man is chasing the ghosts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MqLxbRIFsPw0g5rs5YpNCNIB7t4wrark8kSMj_DggdM_ATXiiDF-7VTrPiThpRrKZsZHqPK9FzMMWIi8CJBzJUhzxqoJm5Z2VL5liadkg3XIJw7_aKt1bX14_JikNxs-CNqf1ETMhYhC7gbSrRAUk7BtpEupnnUFlDwUcDCC9pK7hpEdccpiJgnttR8/s4624/20230805_152857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MqLxbRIFsPw0g5rs5YpNCNIB7t4wrark8kSMj_DggdM_ATXiiDF-7VTrPiThpRrKZsZHqPK9FzMMWIi8CJBzJUhzxqoJm5Z2VL5liadkg3XIJw7_aKt1bX14_JikNxs-CNqf1ETMhYhC7gbSrRAUk7BtpEupnnUFlDwUcDCC9pK7hpEdccpiJgnttR8/w640-h480/20230805_152857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEuxjmsFjIHtkcTHkfhIZ044oyjC7QmDup9ZSZE0NMb6CZKu8kjVNK6XHHLLe9-3fK1Qm2m10uCjeAtm0gPMh3V_Xf2wGOadM7Vat-LEyuvoAtC5GJLZq53Je24ZUfWkny-xpZ_vUUB2HQLSNmpBvzLfe1AG-PXdlgouXR_k_ch_XwsaZJRB3r73tTUE/s4624/20230805_152957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEuxjmsFjIHtkcTHkfhIZ044oyjC7QmDup9ZSZE0NMb6CZKu8kjVNK6XHHLLe9-3fK1Qm2m10uCjeAtm0gPMh3V_Xf2wGOadM7Vat-LEyuvoAtC5GJLZq53Je24ZUfWkny-xpZ_vUUB2HQLSNmpBvzLfe1AG-PXdlgouXR_k_ch_XwsaZJRB3r73tTUE/w640-h480/20230805_152957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The castle below is a depiction of one of Bowser’s castles from the <b><i>Super Mario</i></b> video games. This build featured a number of flashing lights and moving parts, and visitors were encouraged to trigger a sensor that would open the castle’s main gate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13kgosSbzPBqUP3Sp_XAbdftKIVdWgCHXvUYZXuuXARoysiBUN55GDg_uzt_xvbFqRkhEwutKTjkd0iex0w8JEiVBYFG7p6pL3vujB64eA_yLIHQdeUCnT5ri3Qp4hKumnefdl80CTe-qwPn7AavwWu-rPZUZMdyU_o1bOHNW1ywacVWrlbcG3V1SqjE/s4624/20230805_153548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13kgosSbzPBqUP3Sp_XAbdftKIVdWgCHXvUYZXuuXARoysiBUN55GDg_uzt_xvbFqRkhEwutKTjkd0iex0w8JEiVBYFG7p6pL3vujB64eA_yLIHQdeUCnT5ri3Qp4hKumnefdl80CTe-qwPn7AavwWu-rPZUZMdyU_o1bOHNW1ywacVWrlbcG3V1SqjE/w640-h480/20230805_153548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Brick skyscrapers of all types dotted the expo hall, with many of them bordered by brick roads and moving brick rail systems.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0Il-PR62YdVo6mV6qXkDlPG3gF95hugyy7qrRyBCVgOnDFlcMZJfe27XnVpN666UK-wV9aZdz8b2t2Exz3JTyi4MDZEpqV1n2Lv3IbTeeVHpo3C_I6G5xAqxuGCMbmQHNpyradWbbknRaGLIhJT0vcFM7nnsqgMNqHz7vYGoy-1V9W40stWBk5j3uWU/s4624/20230805_150832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0Il-PR62YdVo6mV6qXkDlPG3gF95hugyy7qrRyBCVgOnDFlcMZJfe27XnVpN666UK-wV9aZdz8b2t2Exz3JTyi4MDZEpqV1n2Lv3IbTeeVHpo3C_I6G5xAqxuGCMbmQHNpyradWbbknRaGLIhJT0vcFM7nnsqgMNqHz7vYGoy-1V9W40stWBk5j3uWU/w640-h480/20230805_150832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkJqpwdMVxeLmv4k2sTSF-_fPRVrP1wquF7lA9C3ISkzd2JQP-0L6MsoTP4VHmD5JOpY4FzjNBC08f7qdvJCg7YQonmSYEyviHgId24Ehy-4qeBTd-C6A97CHxwX4VOellpcoKSUSqoDwSeDbgCvU_E5iwCuvs9bD1N6EvQECrVJ2N3lXEyBkXp11D3w/s4624/20230805_154057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkJqpwdMVxeLmv4k2sTSF-_fPRVrP1wquF7lA9C3ISkzd2JQP-0L6MsoTP4VHmD5JOpY4FzjNBC08f7qdvJCg7YQonmSYEyviHgId24Ehy-4qeBTd-C6A97CHxwX4VOellpcoKSUSqoDwSeDbgCvU_E5iwCuvs9bD1N6EvQECrVJ2N3lXEyBkXp11D3w/w480-h640/20230805_154057.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the largest builds was a towering megalopolis, a gigantic arrangement of interconnected buildings. This build featured many levels, store fronts, glowing screens, and minifigures. The crowded, high-tech look of this build was very reminiscent of the aesthetic of Blade Runner; in fact, a few levels featured landing pads for flying cars that resembled the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinner_(Blade_Runner)" target="_blank">Spinners</a> from the Blade Runner franchise.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUczaUqSMHiwlDw9Lws6F00y8QLOaf1PXZ_mqwoHCphvaBqmHxGIDxsFVPGJFRYnAR5_j38-afAur_n2zyHbsRO-LIBaLQC90__BevViMJmB0Qp4DxzBrrKO4Y2YQWBK_yuPr5eajVGsWVqSrnTUG9Q-_rqqvHweuzCjqy2BU426Dz3tbwWR-grWb_bs/s4624/20230805_152424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUczaUqSMHiwlDw9Lws6F00y8QLOaf1PXZ_mqwoHCphvaBqmHxGIDxsFVPGJFRYnAR5_j38-afAur_n2zyHbsRO-LIBaLQC90__BevViMJmB0Qp4DxzBrrKO4Y2YQWBK_yuPr5eajVGsWVqSrnTUG9Q-_rqqvHweuzCjqy2BU426Dz3tbwWR-grWb_bs/w480-h640/20230805_152424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa54lSARsHnhNkzgCjnwcIwySLG6fUbIQ6tOiTawy3aKGreiRdAtBMA9UB4-RRoth-SkHBS_DPs1eOL0U3p7WwkYucsRlFDtO0P7JAhWHFXFw_U7_r4TSI9CKXstTAKKesyPA5E7O_oQjJs9kKu5rOPXjDkmAdxFQMob8pmdQGSnFh5k7m39fjv3ZZIg/s4624/20230805_152518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa54lSARsHnhNkzgCjnwcIwySLG6fUbIQ6tOiTawy3aKGreiRdAtBMA9UB4-RRoth-SkHBS_DPs1eOL0U3p7WwkYucsRlFDtO0P7JAhWHFXFw_U7_r4TSI9CKXstTAKKesyPA5E7O_oQjJs9kKu5rOPXjDkmAdxFQMob8pmdQGSnFh5k7m39fjv3ZZIg/w480-h640/20230805_152518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The build below was a rotating build that depicted different characters and stories from ancient Norse mythology.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuGDSIN4zCYyeHArPUAaOowlb8ewJ-QarJqXDv37yyfGHbFzLD1yoLgqRWKwod1Wtp_fSycBMTwC-F_eYYWDUbDTdjr1UaeV8L9W49OMQA-EIwFoDa2Vos7PIVr-ASpjq-Sx0PU0tV7knRBkp9WQDXI0YQlDPcTxl5VbFcrL6IYkSv7taUNg4eCloJV4/s4624/20230805_154118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuGDSIN4zCYyeHArPUAaOowlb8ewJ-QarJqXDv37yyfGHbFzLD1yoLgqRWKwod1Wtp_fSycBMTwC-F_eYYWDUbDTdjr1UaeV8L9W49OMQA-EIwFoDa2Vos7PIVr-ASpjq-Sx0PU0tV7knRBkp9WQDXI0YQlDPcTxl5VbFcrL6IYkSv7taUNg4eCloJV4/w480-h640/20230805_154118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlqur2YKEMeCuBLkkhnH7urTW-R4qKsAC4NgYFc4rbVAv9LERU7C4P_lPfybLMILiYTaehAb2oe0tP4Vv7bpF9XllKFnHChbIJ_6XW-x51wsHJZcBoaF96Taf0S4Q1ceJvQbVEBD7o7Z1-2aF9wfrjBMSGAeP0WEH68bJ_FV1_xP1-Ycsaq-pBNtHt9k/s4624/20230805_154126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlqur2YKEMeCuBLkkhnH7urTW-R4qKsAC4NgYFc4rbVAv9LERU7C4P_lPfybLMILiYTaehAb2oe0tP4Vv7bpF9XllKFnHChbIJ_6XW-x51wsHJZcBoaF96Taf0S4Q1ceJvQbVEBD7o7Z1-2aF9wfrjBMSGAeP0WEH68bJ_FV1_xP1-Ycsaq-pBNtHt9k/w640-h480/20230805_154126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The builder KW Legoformers displayed a selection of his Lego Transformer builds, which were largely based on the Generation One toys that were released during the ‘80s. He even had a Lego version of the Devastator combiner set standing next to the actual toy as it was originally released in 1985. He also has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@kwlegoformers7400" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a YouTube channel</a> devoted to his Lego Transformers, where he changes his builds from robot to vehicle and back. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-X1OzokkSGv0YSyLwzG2YVpSAV9TbLLuuvuhjR7ZVcto_JbOiGwK9D-XftjVxs-r9FklobBIzEjVJ0Kh196dNWfZprxAPjzAONZMTK-pcKCGE_CiiNgb8nrcod82KoLne7vySHSqD-kZ3nsqpSdPcFKtPEu4dE8vSShRVaO7ga6Ez7zXwCVdFxODyK3o/s4624/20230805_153835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-X1OzokkSGv0YSyLwzG2YVpSAV9TbLLuuvuhjR7ZVcto_JbOiGwK9D-XftjVxs-r9FklobBIzEjVJ0Kh196dNWfZprxAPjzAONZMTK-pcKCGE_CiiNgb8nrcod82KoLne7vySHSqD-kZ3nsqpSdPcFKtPEu4dE8vSShRVaO7ga6Ez7zXwCVdFxODyK3o/w640-h480/20230805_153835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrFwN77EJHyQpxkgmSgfq5MI2LY-SNE9FssFRZlvpHZzmNH2eMfCoBioJV9fIrjo_KaL6wSIZ_r9eIQESwZgYalifCFSdRURB-weBGDuaHDYsUQdNL9Ns2gv7vSIy_8L0PF01I385HcQoDXDfqK5NY3toeicWgqATPIcpAU4td2YRdpP3vgs_0q-LYHI/s4624/20230805_153853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrFwN77EJHyQpxkgmSgfq5MI2LY-SNE9FssFRZlvpHZzmNH2eMfCoBioJV9fIrjo_KaL6wSIZ_r9eIQESwZgYalifCFSdRURB-weBGDuaHDYsUQdNL9Ns2gv7vSIy_8L0PF01I385HcQoDXDfqK5NY3toeicWgqATPIcpAU4td2YRdpP3vgs_0q-LYHI/w480-h640/20230805_153853.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Both DC and Marvel superheroes were well represented at the expo. One of the more unique Marvel builds was a Red Skull castle. If you look closely, you can see a Captain America figure in the mouth of the castle’s skull.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpC1CJNxO8QgLcOLw4K2QgHwkG99CJVU3jQJzcF2dKGDqXZ3Vef3YYKd8xkdvHxN03JFuDHFjYyj2HI820r_ptT4-mHBPcqjHKEfuXmSPELxC1RbqfXwUppgFlrMzXXgZrwpr15ZHii9yCFhN-8NJsvsxZAFAepDOAS-t5Pxmtcuc0hLjWQM8md4Q1So/s4624/20230805_150929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpC1CJNxO8QgLcOLw4K2QgHwkG99CJVU3jQJzcF2dKGDqXZ3Vef3YYKd8xkdvHxN03JFuDHFjYyj2HI820r_ptT4-mHBPcqjHKEfuXmSPELxC1RbqfXwUppgFlrMzXXgZrwpr15ZHii9yCFhN-8NJsvsxZAFAepDOAS-t5Pxmtcuc0hLjWQM8md4Q1So/w640-h480/20230805_150929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In this picture below, look closely at the card next to the black van. There were plenty of Batman-related builds at the BrickFair, but this was the only one I saw that was a callback to <a href="http://www.megomuseum.com/wgsh/playsets/batlab.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Mobile Bat Lab Mego toy</a> from the '70s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe9O4Ex6nEufN1GfY4IHo2qb3zM2s2Ake5iogtTfr7-X0U_xtEXRH5j3KdhPhNbftdvp66wg-9O3geYyVjWKqhEYJih06x-C6iieqveKp21F2Jl9DTGc-02DI4QY-fdSSw-1ilvF5H1UxcfNpNqQPHaIwTo3hQERI6b3wamzflK3TY_TAN0_wGiIa5VA/s4624/20230805_135801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe9O4Ex6nEufN1GfY4IHo2qb3zM2s2Ake5iogtTfr7-X0U_xtEXRH5j3KdhPhNbftdvp66wg-9O3geYyVjWKqhEYJih06x-C6iieqveKp21F2Jl9DTGc-02DI4QY-fdSSw-1ilvF5H1UxcfNpNqQPHaIwTo3hQERI6b3wamzflK3TY_TAN0_wGiIa5VA/w640-h480/20230805_135801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Some fans built upon classic Lego lines. The pictures below show how some fans expanded <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/history/articles/f-lego-space?locale=en-us" target="_blank">the classic Lego space line</a> with larger, more detailed vehicles. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jYkZcRZf0Oz_32kYosQlyJJY2zxaoOT2D6TmP6aamcukWPFzEve63oIVhTgRYmexVhdmhZionTmfFBGUp9-HWzwoQjuvcp7ONV-Guur_yuoFzvvudzjClCwcPbug8H3ogk_6lD7yBcRzJoCjxXyM24rKVgUArjAKNZD_EhVnWZxcqXZqFpLKVq8Uang/s4624/20230805_151050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jYkZcRZf0Oz_32kYosQlyJJY2zxaoOT2D6TmP6aamcukWPFzEve63oIVhTgRYmexVhdmhZionTmfFBGUp9-HWzwoQjuvcp7ONV-Guur_yuoFzvvudzjClCwcPbug8H3ogk_6lD7yBcRzJoCjxXyM24rKVgUArjAKNZD_EhVnWZxcqXZqFpLKVq8Uang/w640-h480/20230805_151050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GIqiXqQV90Vlnk77WIoGWikDQFov9Mr2tKcHdzLBN1DpvQa4pNZMpDWTOUW79ZtOG-1yncQ0TgywyeiWcdkkx_9LupOEMFRXwFcMo_4rRpqcbQ9kJPlw53fpsCsbH12ChfRh2pdkAC3yGuwuKZrjbu6hlNZIsCuxLTQGeSURVb_KLLSqrgGk0MSlwQM/s4624/20230805_151329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GIqiXqQV90Vlnk77WIoGWikDQFov9Mr2tKcHdzLBN1DpvQa4pNZMpDWTOUW79ZtOG-1yncQ0TgywyeiWcdkkx_9LupOEMFRXwFcMo_4rRpqcbQ9kJPlw53fpsCsbH12ChfRh2pdkAC3yGuwuKZrjbu6hlNZIsCuxLTQGeSURVb_KLLSqrgGk0MSlwQM/w640-h480/20230805_151329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One ambitious display was that of an aquarium, with the fish suspended in the “water” by a web of transparent lines.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmAjGTFOho07MC7guEKWUdjyuRhU8HG3OZan3lIEG9nNUINQ4OVZiHz8KaCCR-fVFy4yAxOzDUdq9t1PFrL9H627FdRiRLxwUpDybh3RuBr18hhjU7MAnJJb54fVbSAWUi787oj2aJGXf6lbZiXN9g7ozMmp4VkIrdCYFldIoyoWS1gXFFCUif-F9G3g/s4624/20230805_152039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmAjGTFOho07MC7guEKWUdjyuRhU8HG3OZan3lIEG9nNUINQ4OVZiHz8KaCCR-fVFy4yAxOzDUdq9t1PFrL9H627FdRiRLxwUpDybh3RuBr18hhjU7MAnJJb54fVbSAWUi787oj2aJGXf6lbZiXN9g7ozMmp4VkIrdCYFldIoyoWS1gXFFCUif-F9G3g/w640-h480/20230805_152039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Not pictured here is the booth hosted by the <a href="https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/hrnm.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hampton Roads Naval Museum</a>, which is located in Norfolk, Virginia. While this organization is not a Lego fan group, it uses Lego for educational purposes <a href="https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/hrnm/education/brick-by-brick.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">by providing kits and instructions</a> based on actual Naval history. You can visit their website here to learn more.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-9339327365061981142023-07-30T15:29:00.004-07:002023-07-30T15:29:55.922-07:00Nature Goes Cyber with the Mechanical Chameleon Brick Set by JMBricklayer<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplpjvGJBRzuCwpVG9W9_sbqH8Xa_ycOjaiZnxRp33da6cNMqE1U6pcyYukQYgjmGDfRNoyYDod9-Wo12szjyAzlJweRdlZ4hCVHl2dWFD8g_SO_OvANnM6iXyNE4DwfRAFHFhd0mgAi8G-GZiwb_ksszjrK6NmdCJ8uG5wTK7MjtkDMUXD-PWfnMfNIM/s4624/20230729_131342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplpjvGJBRzuCwpVG9W9_sbqH8Xa_ycOjaiZnxRp33da6cNMqE1U6pcyYukQYgjmGDfRNoyYDod9-Wo12szjyAzlJweRdlZ4hCVHl2dWFD8g_SO_OvANnM6iXyNE4DwfRAFHFhd0mgAi8G-GZiwb_ksszjrK6NmdCJ8uG5wTK7MjtkDMUXD-PWfnMfNIM/w640-h480/20230729_131342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was growing up, I was a big fan of <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2010/11/zoids-robo-strux-and-starriors-oh-my.html" target="_blank">the Zoids robot kits</a>. Still popular today, the Zoids kits are produced by Tomy and allow people to build small, motorized toy robots that are shaped like some kind of animal (usually dinosaurs). Along those lines is the Mechanical Chameleon brick set, which was recently released by JMBricklayer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">JMBricklayer's Mechanical Chameleon isn't a complete robot kit; it takes <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2015/02/exploring-inner-workings-of-giant-robots.html" target="_blank">a cutaway approach</a>, with the inner workings of the robot chameleon revealed on the left side and the robot's "skin" on the right side. As such, most of the kit's parts are used articulate the robot's inner workings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below is a picture of the kit's box, as well as a page from the kit's instruction manual that outlines different parts of the robot's build.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOq6bcoauEblZ5ase9cjzNyL-xFjnrLZ9VUUytJmUlcCv4ktRFg8MoSBj1EyDX4LNukYWENrLuXX8rpZXaH1DbvSyIt-oPHlIyW-6at7q9BIiddiQrQqRCVMFtoKpK5R5i8ek6VDxWzceo-LjBJ66P_59leFIr4cEzkwpUcSfoSLB2PGWA-RFSLXW1jo/s4624/20230729_103209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOq6bcoauEblZ5ase9cjzNyL-xFjnrLZ9VUUytJmUlcCv4ktRFg8MoSBj1EyDX4LNukYWENrLuXX8rpZXaH1DbvSyIt-oPHlIyW-6at7q9BIiddiQrQqRCVMFtoKpK5R5i8ek6VDxWzceo-LjBJ66P_59leFIr4cEzkwpUcSfoSLB2PGWA-RFSLXW1jo/w640-h480/20230729_103209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXRvvJG3y48RYGxBCccAP5Z6aTSaDFB30eDnP_pucP0jZq-28tH7vXubPaZmBy2q7Ow9rfzcVO_gKU4AN0leme_glBvILZaZOopXXv4NsG267wkbGjT1ybs1DN1L0_Atj3hn6bb3u80DjGacCPRXU4IDjNOMg1CdPltxgxUTifUYY0wrf5E7XZTkp35Y/s4624/20230729_103229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXRvvJG3y48RYGxBCccAP5Z6aTSaDFB30eDnP_pucP0jZq-28tH7vXubPaZmBy2q7Ow9rfzcVO_gKU4AN0leme_glBvILZaZOopXXv4NsG267wkbGjT1ybs1DN1L0_Atj3hn6bb3u80DjGacCPRXU4IDjNOMg1CdPltxgxUTifUYY0wrf5E7XZTkp35Y/w640-h480/20230729_103229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kB37271FXc_TvU23jdfZ5bOejf9nuKj6wOC80bz3N9uOMK0VyaN8yfoDgSZdaSjjauc8CbdFnG-FER2D09P7GzPUp1heXHPWdZZB60VGf32FnMddSlaGcqrImOyNAuoPbtqOxQbPop1GWOvkMO3Dz1gA3FkGISUiiSpSf9xEiKDVTtuVDfmHHT_WohE/s4624/20230729_132156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kB37271FXc_TvU23jdfZ5bOejf9nuKj6wOC80bz3N9uOMK0VyaN8yfoDgSZdaSjjauc8CbdFnG-FER2D09P7GzPUp1heXHPWdZZB60VGf32FnMddSlaGcqrImOyNAuoPbtqOxQbPop1GWOvkMO3Dz1gA3FkGISUiiSpSf9xEiKDVTtuVDfmHHT_WohE/w640-h480/20230729_132156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In terms of details, the Mechanical Chameleon kit knocks it out of the park. The pictures below show the completed kit from different sides--from its extended, semi-transparent tongue to its jointed, bendable tail-- as well as close-ups of the exposed side of the kit. The kit includes decals that add all sorts of technology-themed symbols to the build; even the name plate on the kit's base resembles some kind of technical display akin to <b><i>Star Trek</i></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYTcw0pW4mquCMyqbkDIzeENVP4o2uEksG2xmJ8eJ6NkURhqW7S9FYAlpnvfMEEMzP4jAfTRI5dt3S4Vk_fYju-DyocmUYC4bGYCJF_RDAq2FmvRyZk38IQVMEPXs6MtJG8KAAp_bpL_kpTvGzVHrvmkWZwtxRB232TVWX_ZzVCdqL7vrlgqaIDd6q4U/s4624/20230729_131342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYTcw0pW4mquCMyqbkDIzeENVP4o2uEksG2xmJ8eJ6NkURhqW7S9FYAlpnvfMEEMzP4jAfTRI5dt3S4Vk_fYju-DyocmUYC4bGYCJF_RDAq2FmvRyZk38IQVMEPXs6MtJG8KAAp_bpL_kpTvGzVHrvmkWZwtxRB232TVWX_ZzVCdqL7vrlgqaIDd6q4U/w640-h480/20230729_131342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gzpiMTmliXtAePhNsOwQHiFZdB2skJVfNeiMgWs38spxySkdr0iPLK_VlL6nULpjKJi_7s-Aj8aafOvAEOs-s9DSLq5AZOD3ZcBrL16Jy1kMTCQD1fFHZUn1-ypnl7ym-RRqVXv_lv7Fiuu7jbMlds88Ta4t3AcIdC0nuY2nNANuTgLB7JRoUY4sFOI/s4624/20230729_131400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gzpiMTmliXtAePhNsOwQHiFZdB2skJVfNeiMgWs38spxySkdr0iPLK_VlL6nULpjKJi_7s-Aj8aafOvAEOs-s9DSLq5AZOD3ZcBrL16Jy1kMTCQD1fFHZUn1-ypnl7ym-RRqVXv_lv7Fiuu7jbMlds88Ta4t3AcIdC0nuY2nNANuTgLB7JRoUY4sFOI/w640-h480/20230729_131400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_09wTQO8njnPcfphBzWbsb1qwbiRYbhkqFFFGH5YLxr-ZFnHPe4ZleD7YV6N27cd9tXMdss5gLt4bUjJL7D4lGFSG3aQ2fwIklKeGYIxm0WqHjb6p9zNDkxEOf3ugQXNiatlZmbzP1NSQPNUV20vFwJgm5vtuVxPA1ycHYDHOvEYSLXM6GDBv8vlzw/s4624/20230729_131414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_09wTQO8njnPcfphBzWbsb1qwbiRYbhkqFFFGH5YLxr-ZFnHPe4ZleD7YV6N27cd9tXMdss5gLt4bUjJL7D4lGFSG3aQ2fwIklKeGYIxm0WqHjb6p9zNDkxEOf3ugQXNiatlZmbzP1NSQPNUV20vFwJgm5vtuVxPA1ycHYDHOvEYSLXM6GDBv8vlzw/w640-h480/20230729_131414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLf40k7gv3fzcSAFADS0OUeTT9qbG83q9TUDm0W7B-u0kEwHavBhaJGRXiUXjUBydJlKYezgnT2-8p3tIv9lyXORPhdprNzKnsB727md2IBq7vH22H-uWqHVjeNdZeMjx8Zq57HDfqxn_uAitxRDjLETayRlmQ4PxYY6kmwWESHfwnyZp1P4c88RSnWs/s4624/20230729_131424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLf40k7gv3fzcSAFADS0OUeTT9qbG83q9TUDm0W7B-u0kEwHavBhaJGRXiUXjUBydJlKYezgnT2-8p3tIv9lyXORPhdprNzKnsB727md2IBq7vH22H-uWqHVjeNdZeMjx8Zq57HDfqxn_uAitxRDjLETayRlmQ4PxYY6kmwWESHfwnyZp1P4c88RSnWs/w640-h480/20230729_131424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw4JUXe_Nyy8W7ZsyWwFOYfv72zb3eE-Uc1NtWza5NkmbmIwjrc6kFEuCqip6zokGWigbzZJpTr9ekvf5sFPvm-k1MSB3YoEFZOuJvInWFfVRfciJOVhUD-zZWD_E7vDV2Pp0VBxlfv5iod4C2xEud8AEstofdQkBQKWggPNEDzxekrl4Py9ptwlbnM0/s4624/20230729_131609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw4JUXe_Nyy8W7ZsyWwFOYfv72zb3eE-Uc1NtWza5NkmbmIwjrc6kFEuCqip6zokGWigbzZJpTr9ekvf5sFPvm-k1MSB3YoEFZOuJvInWFfVRfciJOVhUD-zZWD_E7vDV2Pp0VBxlfv5iod4C2xEud8AEstofdQkBQKWggPNEDzxekrl4Py9ptwlbnM0/w640-h480/20230729_131609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Even the tree stump base that supports the Mechanical Chameleon build is stuffed of details. It features leaves, branches, plants, and swamp water represented by green transparent bricks.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvUaItMgsi8m2wGfkcaUfwep0W3e3agzq7eqyV_anmtZLdq4LQTmrF_kTOHoNU53OY3IC4x05I6wcu0-jrKRvNUin1d3RRwqO8b82JHYP8Xbz4eDzcq0SGNwIo8hQsCnDEWWYf1qB6j0ytI4R0D1LVLopqjTPJfpSkMCnbKjGwSev0mngd-yTH6XgG8c/s4624/20230729_101613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvUaItMgsi8m2wGfkcaUfwep0W3e3agzq7eqyV_anmtZLdq4LQTmrF_kTOHoNU53OY3IC4x05I6wcu0-jrKRvNUin1d3RRwqO8b82JHYP8Xbz4eDzcq0SGNwIo8hQsCnDEWWYf1qB6j0ytI4R0D1LVLopqjTPJfpSkMCnbKjGwSev0mngd-yTH6XgG8c/w640-h480/20230729_101613.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMF4rVu3tJRN60vAexc6Rfu1cMCiv4Uh2Qv7GcDTEWVijin-veBnaiCS2POHd8eX_YJ9XuqUKVrIgGiP4V0bERpybFlzY36r70spsAX333Vw2CxURtFWDqzNjBBuuTftE6SKC9TQTSe3mzJaWC8AUzZhA6b7q_dkHGg6eNwKShp5yd9EJmT7AtJtFEgs/s4624/20230729_101636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMF4rVu3tJRN60vAexc6Rfu1cMCiv4Uh2Qv7GcDTEWVijin-veBnaiCS2POHd8eX_YJ9XuqUKVrIgGiP4V0bERpybFlzY36r70spsAX333Vw2CxURtFWDqzNjBBuuTftE6SKC9TQTSe3mzJaWC8AUzZhA6b7q_dkHGg6eNwKShp5yd9EJmT7AtJtFEgs/w640-h480/20230729_101636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI1R_rGgr5o0MespMCPBjKPfO3o9fQssa9F82iKOlFNX-gtYWO6J62kdqBqbef5Y96zcg_YB81YcWrLHTtWYWKMLYDZbBRj2bpnezjdK3h4xj2-l7f_3z-og613W2HQysgjDVFKGzkFtUNsCbWW4QA_W0uudmSiAzBnRZn2ww8jPIF277tt_3yB8z7BE/s4624/20230729_101549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI1R_rGgr5o0MespMCPBjKPfO3o9fQssa9F82iKOlFNX-gtYWO6J62kdqBqbef5Y96zcg_YB81YcWrLHTtWYWKMLYDZbBRj2bpnezjdK3h4xj2-l7f_3z-og613W2HQysgjDVFKGzkFtUNsCbWW4QA_W0uudmSiAzBnRZn2ww8jPIF277tt_3yB8z7BE/w640-h480/20230729_101549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RJwYnImUi9XqrN-xzvVAVdpFt1tg9OwOeoMWUChs698LKKrzyz9WvpELvMdNddvBCrd9SWCNGp7PQTConzRstfXwWUfFOjvwrwoSvUHJtdn0UuO50UkStQAKDqlrXIxKJz7rlzSiq8m4fSLyHis9uGqLn5DEiu6NprdNXHXQZj0tat7qTWmY-0qreQQ/s4624/20230729_101702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RJwYnImUi9XqrN-xzvVAVdpFt1tg9OwOeoMWUChs698LKKrzyz9WvpELvMdNddvBCrd9SWCNGp7PQTConzRstfXwWUfFOjvwrwoSvUHJtdn0UuO50UkStQAKDqlrXIxKJz7rlzSiq8m4fSLyHis9uGqLn5DEiu6NprdNXHXQZj0tat7qTWmY-0qreQQ/w640-h480/20230729_101702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EooMjmEjoNBkNhia5q8cf0zCtZsFuu5QZMj-qcPZW6RTsS63HprJavfskcM2PSr3E8MXCq7ozLRjl53cijZG1OgC92PqPeRQCIHGAIdlZucV0bVAnN4UVqGEe73nBmD0KwJiRUFic_HR3dS1Y_exyhglnv12aT0tkd3xhI_bAT_KHjzk-5-bTHow2RQ/s4624/20230729_101730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EooMjmEjoNBkNhia5q8cf0zCtZsFuu5QZMj-qcPZW6RTsS63HprJavfskcM2PSr3E8MXCq7ozLRjl53cijZG1OgC92PqPeRQCIHGAIdlZucV0bVAnN4UVqGEe73nBmD0KwJiRUFic_HR3dS1Y_exyhglnv12aT0tkd3xhI_bAT_KHjzk-5-bTHow2RQ/w640-h480/20230729_101730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIC6tvEvrN1PZlFmmm-JZKZZqec9etoIyvGiyhZBvhIfvbEbH1afgfxNZonYzsv7nsE9od-bSNkM-fFFE25DqDxHTpmQo2wTRuwnj0k5zsaQCQnskqay4--YJKWpVYD7m5UXO2hIOEchyrq1YzykmFZobSMIafPptGxTZjrL50V2uoOkIGvaP5SMOxpA/s4624/20230729_101747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIC6tvEvrN1PZlFmmm-JZKZZqec9etoIyvGiyhZBvhIfvbEbH1afgfxNZonYzsv7nsE9od-bSNkM-fFFE25DqDxHTpmQo2wTRuwnj0k5zsaQCQnskqay4--YJKWpVYD7m5UXO2hIOEchyrq1YzykmFZobSMIafPptGxTZjrL50V2uoOkIGvaP5SMOxpA/w640-h480/20230729_101747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the kit's main features is its lighting tube, which is activated through a switch that's located in the exposed half's torso. The kit lights up on both sides, but the lighting tube on the robot side really adds to the kit's mechanical theme.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqVcLBX50gj8jQ2707MRPSas0IgaeTh9e44rdxg7pD0QnvqZ8j0Zi1LFSZnL7hJCLjoFZxW5AFBtoPJNcjoTE9AUGC-bmQOIoMd7R5pW-VJCHYmp5SUTKD72aX-9I_us6Rvue3Pn5bVicYQwlz3qo43CJ4UYyCvazEOPlo3-31jYir9zc_vaMoysnr00/s4624/20230729_131656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqVcLBX50gj8jQ2707MRPSas0IgaeTh9e44rdxg7pD0QnvqZ8j0Zi1LFSZnL7hJCLjoFZxW5AFBtoPJNcjoTE9AUGC-bmQOIoMd7R5pW-VJCHYmp5SUTKD72aX-9I_us6Rvue3Pn5bVicYQwlz3qo43CJ4UYyCvazEOPlo3-31jYir9zc_vaMoysnr00/w640-h480/20230729_131656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7kOT8AdmQdRyUKiTEnlWTfttpEqRcg_MutFnXcNhb_dJLbJ8ZyamdtZsvP3lPxWtaZOxkWrQ7dLPEMe54CCXSOmzAZ-5fr-_rQG-dtedEd03pme8IdDIq150Tiib4CbJ0Cka7GjQ0PN3W7DKOp5iEYl_LK_j8f-S32F6xj0kxNgyDySU_M5RhuLYSAs/s4624/20230729_131825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7kOT8AdmQdRyUKiTEnlWTfttpEqRcg_MutFnXcNhb_dJLbJ8ZyamdtZsvP3lPxWtaZOxkWrQ7dLPEMe54CCXSOmzAZ-5fr-_rQG-dtedEd03pme8IdDIq150Tiib4CbJ0Cka7GjQ0PN3W7DKOp5iEYl_LK_j8f-S32F6xj0kxNgyDySU_M5RhuLYSAs/w640-h480/20230729_131825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH72b_DL1UecKyYjKF7WOWriJRv-PHfDlsHCuppq8g1M7UMxwmQVUoYSOGZyPmabFGKsBLgY9MYaNN0Psut-dpCyAiaWT2HKn4kH2_HBxfJEabJbZ2N0jSkbiNJUfrnYoLsgPYibN-C2xHayr1K7MS9THji8juzAjMkHsBTzmeykWhEPNjBwKuriv-CI/s4624/20230729_131947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH72b_DL1UecKyYjKF7WOWriJRv-PHfDlsHCuppq8g1M7UMxwmQVUoYSOGZyPmabFGKsBLgY9MYaNN0Psut-dpCyAiaWT2HKn4kH2_HBxfJEabJbZ2N0jSkbiNJUfrnYoLsgPYibN-C2xHayr1K7MS9THji8juzAjMkHsBTzmeykWhEPNjBwKuriv-CI/w640-h480/20230729_131947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The kit's instructions are easy to follow, but I ran into some problems with getting the lighting tube to stay in place. (There's <a href="https://www.jmbricklayer.com/chameleon-70124-building-tutorial/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an alternate set of instructions</a> available online in case you run into problems trying to follow the instructions in the manual.) The problem I ran into is that the lighting tube itself isn't very flexible, so I had to struggle a bit to get the tube in place. I eventually got it to stay put and it blends in perfectily with the rest of the mechanical parts, but it does look a little different from the completed kit shown on the box. Also, the Mechanical Chameleon is strictly a display piece; it has some moving parts but this kit is meant to be seen and admired, not to be used as a toy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're a toy robot fan like I am who likes intricate details, you'll enjoy the Mechanical Chameleon brick set. The finished build looks fantastic, and the light up feature make the kit really pop out as a display piece. If you'd like to purchase JMBricklayer's Mechanical Chameleon Brick Set, you can either purchase it at <a href="https://amzn.to/3XVK4kU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (https://amzn.to/3XVK4kU) or at <a href="https://bit.ly/46UBzup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the JMBricklayer store</a> (https://bit.ly/46UBzup). Use the discount code JMBMEM15 at either site to get 15 percent off of your purchase. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;">
<p></p>
<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B0C7C31Y78&asins=B0C7C31Y78&linkId=5182fa1d432ebc56e7b9e9b881c129fe&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B0C7GB776P&asins=B0C7GB776P&linkId=9488423047e579f30ffc640b8f2bc479&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B0BVTYFPC1&asins=B0BVTYFPC1&linkId=44e119831448fb6ad2133a2852a65edb&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
</span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-43881585322056862162023-07-28T10:51:00.002-07:002023-08-01T06:33:13.633-07:00M3GAN vs. RoboCop<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEgNSkyaJJ5D-ocgEfbL7aTJnwyJPxXE86CCufrR7zodSOcGRwj6Zpk1W4kQCO55hH_tssAO8yv9Jto4aZRJN15SGB4mjdKTx6yFv146EXPKmO0NN7ezMAt6VdCmvmGtdrVPgpvUhLqXi4zVTbwCkzqAUCPuNyPfoIst4JslIZdkc_NRCjKfHCmjBR0s/s1600/l-intro-1673398408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEgNSkyaJJ5D-ocgEfbL7aTJnwyJPxXE86CCufrR7zodSOcGRwj6Zpk1W4kQCO55hH_tssAO8yv9Jto4aZRJN15SGB4mjdKTx6yFv146EXPKmO0NN7ezMAt6VdCmvmGtdrVPgpvUhLqXi4zVTbwCkzqAUCPuNyPfoIst4JslIZdkc_NRCjKfHCmjBR0s/w640-h360/l-intro-1673398408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I got around to watching <b><i>M3GAN</i></b> last weekend (the unrated cut--why bother with anything else?). I enjoyed it very much, although I can still understand the skepticism of some horror buffs over this movie. Yes, it was marketed hard as a "killer doll" movie because that's exactly what it is, so it inevitably invites comparisons to other killer doll movies (particularly <b><i>Child's Play</i></b> (1988) and its antagonist Chucky). Yet what surprised me about this film is how much it reminded me of <b><i>RoboCop</i></b> (1987) in terms of its satirical approach.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The titular doll in <b><i>M3GAN</i></b> is a creepy and intimidating killer, one that easily earns her place in the horror icon hall of fame. What sets this film apart from other killer doll movies is that director Gerard Johnstone and screenwriters Akela Cooper and James Wan use the killer doll plot structure as a means to skewer the toy industry, which is represented in the film as the fictional company Funki. One of the recurring themes in <b><i>MEGAN</i></b> is how family relationships suffer when we become glued to our electronic devices, but the film frequently reminds its audience that businesses such as the toy industry have a vested interest in keeping us glued to our digital toys for as long as possible. In particular, <b><i>M3GAN</i></b> occasionally cuts away to over-the-top commercials for digital products Funki and its competitors release to capture the attention of kids, commercials that emphasize how utterly stupid "smart" toys can be.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vceMMgRR3h12YK4rldogFm55sQq3u1uy-KBqRCJUj9H86nOt-vO0UNhVG_XZ7_TsC37SVGUTFOXBGQ5W0muw63PVG2N0Q_CH7hT3TQgFAOy3DPVmNOY-oJQJGuiUJmwwephWXiGyUjBAfDqtnkNT558inDOTc5bvmcMp17txRFpSI1Nr68YH6Tndgwg/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vceMMgRR3h12YK4rldogFm55sQq3u1uy-KBqRCJUj9H86nOt-vO0UNhVG_XZ7_TsC37SVGUTFOXBGQ5W0muw63PVG2N0Q_CH7hT3TQgFAOy3DPVmNOY-oJQJGuiUJmwwephWXiGyUjBAfDqtnkNT558inDOTc5bvmcMp17txRFpSI1Nr68YH6Tndgwg/w640-h360/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The ED-290, OCP's perfect playmate for M3GAN.</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This approach to satire matches the approach the director Paul Verhoeven and his screenwriters Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner took for <b><i>RoboCop</i></b>. <i><b>RoboCop</b></i> is ostensibly a superhero movie (in fact, one of RoboCop's more obvious antecedents is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathlok" target="_blank">Deathlok</a>, a character that was created in 1974 by Marvel Comics), but the movie uses the superhero plot structure as a means of making fun of America's military-industrial complex and the excesses of its pop culture. Even though <b><i>RoboCop</i></b> was released back in the '80s, many of its satirical jabs are all too relevant today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't think that the satirical style of <b><i>M3GAN</i></b> is quite as trenchant as <b><i>RoboCop</i></b>. Nevertheless, if you like <b><i>RoboCop</i></b>, you'll probably enjoy <i><b>M3GAN</b></i>.</span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;">
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BQKGVVRV&asins=B0BQKGVVRV&linkId=2d9ed126b1bca88efa43e332a433c1d0&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00GST8UB8&asins=B00GST8UB8&linkId=2ebebd8583a2541e13cea59c4a0ab4f8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09NTMVC31&asins=B09NTMVC31&linkId=20e84b9acc2e6ab9098d2909161cd019&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-22566643547419813472023-07-20T06:49:00.002-07:002023-07-21T16:24:54.891-07:00The Sinden Lightgun Brings Classic Arcade Rail Shooters Home<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-m9ISvlzLPyYaXA7I5bwuFwdFLY8bsUSFm7BeLrfS40fB6zqJY-fGxK-eFcyukvspdP3N3Aqc_l-PfLs4zRJLTSdqhQtREi5SEAKyOS5Wv-LbciqtPtYLC4xfvXeRlSxMttjpTN3D8qrkwy2u7prr6JNnrb_1GRyU3bEN3QZHmflt4NAHLzb1nxzi8I/s4624/20230719_110546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-m9ISvlzLPyYaXA7I5bwuFwdFLY8bsUSFm7BeLrfS40fB6zqJY-fGxK-eFcyukvspdP3N3Aqc_l-PfLs4zRJLTSdqhQtREi5SEAKyOS5Wv-LbciqtPtYLC4xfvXeRlSxMttjpTN3D8qrkwy2u7prr6JNnrb_1GRyU3bEN3QZHmflt4NAHLzb1nxzi8I/w640-h480/20230719_110546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're a fan of classic video games and consoles like me, then you've noticed the steady stream of plug-and-play console emulators that have appeared on the market, emulators that are frequently sold as smaller versions of the original console and come pre-packaged with a number of the console's games. What has been missing in these emulators are lightguns that were made for both arcade and console games. Thankfully, somebody else noticed this absence and did something about it--thus, we have <a href="https://sindenlightgun.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Sinden Lightgun</a> by Sinden Technology Ltd.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't know the Sinden Lightgun existed until I saw a post about it on Facebook. It started as an Indiegogo campaign, and Sinden Technology Ltd. went online during October 2022 to accept orders. The lightgun can be ordered in different colors (red, blue, black or gray), and you can also order a Sinden Arcade Pedal for arcade games that included a pedal feature. The Sinden Lightgun doesn't need a sensor bar, so all the hardware you need is inside the gun itself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I ordered a blue lightgun, and it arrived in a tidy box with secure padding. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0D5L6R6inT1r8iQP6Z5YzmAelpW8VTrFDLpMkw1zne_K7zUNwb7RgEgG1RT0QDU8t1-PggW_4lM5v7ySil6yDcnYQGd8QzlYSOR1mEgjxEY6B_g9yImMxvbLYdWuHNiF_R-0SjufC8ocoVCED2sa3LxTRH8oOa-OdmrA_Vtl9CbVvH9TJu056rru5cA/s4624/20230719_104336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0D5L6R6inT1r8iQP6Z5YzmAelpW8VTrFDLpMkw1zne_K7zUNwb7RgEgG1RT0QDU8t1-PggW_4lM5v7ySil6yDcnYQGd8QzlYSOR1mEgjxEY6B_g9yImMxvbLYdWuHNiF_R-0SjufC8ocoVCED2sa3LxTRH8oOa-OdmrA_Vtl9CbVvH9TJu056rru5cA/w640-h480/20230719_104336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7DK7SuGpX1LKZFEIwqlsFnSMfGx0NnN47PqHkNCHALKzib6jLGESRcZKkeYYOgFSwdZfS4_FSIAlQLbBM6-k75f7wB059A0qDwMOk0yVC-6XZ6WzaAvXnnVy9xqHdCsrT0PYTA-sx0X4xJ0fUhrNUBbNtNGCbrSvIZLsR2b_sQhhVriEks_72Hh3gCc/s4624/20230719_104356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7DK7SuGpX1LKZFEIwqlsFnSMfGx0NnN47PqHkNCHALKzib6jLGESRcZKkeYYOgFSwdZfS4_FSIAlQLbBM6-k75f7wB059A0qDwMOk0yVC-6XZ6WzaAvXnnVy9xqHdCsrT0PYTA-sx0X4xJ0fUhrNUBbNtNGCbrSvIZLsR2b_sQhhVriEks_72Hh3gCc/w640-h480/20230719_104356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The lightgun itself is a sturdy piece of technology. It has the right amount of heft to it, with four buttons and a d-pad that can be customized to accommodate whatever emulator software you are using, and a USB plug for your PC. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdz8MJb5K5UAMqQrmUVKn8WtjWvfYjyEKzaGUOfdfOCgZFvwM5s1UTRKM7jzNxruieeNuvKeJSZvaDLpFV7uXHwDGsh-brqiOronKHiOMnyAUTmY1GvhajawamyXMy3U35UK-b6mVHZucjCQrYNGkz1Cp-8A2h8p4EjWmGdrVpvExXukt1M_0YYjKD84/s4624/20230719_110409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdz8MJb5K5UAMqQrmUVKn8WtjWvfYjyEKzaGUOfdfOCgZFvwM5s1UTRKM7jzNxruieeNuvKeJSZvaDLpFV7uXHwDGsh-brqiOronKHiOMnyAUTmY1GvhajawamyXMy3U35UK-b6mVHZucjCQrYNGkz1Cp-8A2h8p4EjWmGdrVpvExXukt1M_0YYjKD84/w640-h480/20230719_110409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghq6tt7yk4VpUPoSvb08fko_UJ0K_r-2NBV-PySGFlNzbVgbwUAkMBkqJsvOt6tTXcNjRotEV9QX5jE6s6oJD74RiNhh3Kii4v2ZJ5nbwgRB7o6vbfBLWUW6QIpejSPG9Cqug43dzUiA1PBh-odjtmPlrD5tnEK3tICIsEozvwTwpCGHQfTIaNezEQDPs/s4624/20230719_110445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghq6tt7yk4VpUPoSvb08fko_UJ0K_r-2NBV-PySGFlNzbVgbwUAkMBkqJsvOt6tTXcNjRotEV9QX5jE6s6oJD74RiNhh3Kii4v2ZJ5nbwgRB7o6vbfBLWUW6QIpejSPG9Cqug43dzUiA1PBh-odjtmPlrD5tnEK3tICIsEozvwTwpCGHQfTIaNezEQDPs/w640-h480/20230719_110445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The lightgun also features a pump-action sliding handguard so you can "reload" during the game.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OkUz5hLw1VBuGx8Aw1SyyEjgGb8etEL0p5XoJkK-Q849Jvlym7W8JwkRxyvklirUZMsUuLgQPxEXYh5LJcRbZFkw0bGEIdLPhCO18axqQDA7-chwLVWzJShDdXyPn0lO6DC4q5kQn88JfsV2gg1fSPr3EPq4ktSp2SlfvBmk9-SESruP9sNTha63OKY/s4624/20230719_110620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OkUz5hLw1VBuGx8Aw1SyyEjgGb8etEL0p5XoJkK-Q849Jvlym7W8JwkRxyvklirUZMsUuLgQPxEXYh5LJcRbZFkw0bGEIdLPhCO18axqQDA7-chwLVWzJShDdXyPn0lO6DC4q5kQn88JfsV2gg1fSPr3EPq4ktSp2SlfvBmk9-SESruP9sNTha63OKY/w640-h480/20230719_110620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l-hLt8eCz6Ali2u2x1wIE25OdqFeW3Z0DnhyTpiinx3v4wMBymwU5bsZd3xWFAf5CtNAAcLUY_5yrl6BmAwUDQjiuap-szgbPJjdVyumMnFT_MK6_WwxNZJ3PRsH5ek0CANDASKxXelDt41SPDFK860wn5tGfHt3OQWqkWffSLPuJJiA5itY2MFdo3w/s4624/20230719_110637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l-hLt8eCz6Ali2u2x1wIE25OdqFeW3Z0DnhyTpiinx3v4wMBymwU5bsZd3xWFAf5CtNAAcLUY_5yrl6BmAwUDQjiuap-szgbPJjdVyumMnFT_MK6_WwxNZJ3PRsH5ek0CANDASKxXelDt41SPDFK860wn5tGfHt3OQWqkWffSLPuJJiA5itY2MFdo3w/w640-h480/20230719_110637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The lightgun's software is downloadable on the official website, <a href="http://sindenlightgun.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sindenlightgun.com</a>. I found the software easy to install and configure on my PC, and within less than an hour I was using my Sinden Lightgun to shoot down hordes of zombies. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">To clarify, the Sinden Lightgun does not come with any software or pre-packaged games of its own. The emulators that are compatible with the Sinden Lightgun have to be accessed separately, and video game distributors such as Steam and itch.io do have selections of rail shooters that work with the Sinden Lightgun. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.sindenwiki.org/wiki/Sinden_Wiki" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Sinden Wiki</a> provides very thorough information about which games, operating systems and emulators work with the lightgun and how to set them up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My Sinden Lightgun feels like something straight out of an arcade. (It also reminds me of the Dominator weapon from the <b><i><a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2013/10/mental-health-care-runs-amuck-in-psycho.html" target="_blank">Psycho-Pass</a></i></b> anime series, which would make for a great rail shooter.) I tested it with two zombie shooter games I purchased from Steam--<b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1302230/Dead_Containment/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dead Containment</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1694600/THE_HOUSE_OF_THE_DEAD_Remake/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The House of the Dead: Remake</a></i></b>--and it works extremely well. I've played plenty of arcade emulators and arcade game re-releases over the years, but the Sinden Lightgun really took me back to my <a href="https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/home/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave and Buster's</a> days when I would spend hours shooting at aliens, dinosaurs, zombies and other digital targets. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk3fQ-dSVhGjl3JDcEAfBGsxjNXyyala3ErhQzaet7a8-87AC7UTIgfsmel4Hn3si3KsrxOFXywIYyidjhykBtw14rc4-EV656Go8h6jhviqcqFLoFNJZJKvPqyj_6LT8r-GieljjBak52f7SBX58IT3B4mjmzqtL_b5TPjjPjIboB5EQiopLizfWtJI/s1920/dead-containment_computer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk3fQ-dSVhGjl3JDcEAfBGsxjNXyyala3ErhQzaet7a8-87AC7UTIgfsmel4Hn3si3KsrxOFXywIYyidjhykBtw14rc4-EV656Go8h6jhviqcqFLoFNJZJKvPqyj_6LT8r-GieljjBak52f7SBX58IT3B4mjmzqtL_b5TPjjPjIboB5EQiopLizfWtJI/w640-h360/dead-containment_computer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Rail shooters of the damned: <b>Dead Containment</b> (above) and</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>The House of the Dead: Remake</b> (below).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-V39iMax2SaUStofUdVlmoWAvznPU10i5a0JKZDh8G4YUNlFLs5AxQdTjNdVzY81Gg-8Bivq2c9_uA340C_6aEOtDNNKHx1mmOSvLsH5Myg5HZCsSHn1MoQEDJqeAy7ney88YTFUv71cJaurlbjXNY0vAmAJNVQ8X4cxcSZhUD2Q3R9mCHi05j92T1A/s1200/6077791dc42bad2f4f3b3940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1200" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-V39iMax2SaUStofUdVlmoWAvznPU10i5a0JKZDh8G4YUNlFLs5AxQdTjNdVzY81Gg-8Bivq2c9_uA340C_6aEOtDNNKHx1mmOSvLsH5Myg5HZCsSHn1MoQEDJqeAy7ney88YTFUv71cJaurlbjXNY0vAmAJNVQ8X4cxcSZhUD2Q3R9mCHi05j92T1A/w640-h352/6077791dc42bad2f4f3b3940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">To get the most out of this hardware, it would help to be familiar with game emulators such as <a href="https://www.mamedev.org/" target="_blank">MAME</a>, <a href="https://www.retroarch.com/" target="_blank">RetroArch</a> and <a href="https://teknoparrot.com/" target="_blank">TeknoParrot</a>, since these are the means by which you will be getting access to many vintage arcade and console lightgun games. You should review the Sinden Wiki to get a better idea of how the lightgun works, which games work with it, and the kind of software adjustments you'll need to make to ensure the lightgun's compatibility with different games, operating systems and emulators.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you love rail shooter games, then I highly recommend that you get a Sinden Lightgun. Don't let the tech details scare you off--the Sinden Lightgun is a fantastic gaming device that was made by rail shooter fans for rail shooter fans. You can order your own Sinden Lightgun <a href="https://www.sindenshop.com/en-us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">You can also check out my VR video review of the Siden Lightgun on my YouTube channel, MindEyeMedia:</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w9xFW_MeAPw" width="320" youtube-src-id="w9xFW_MeAPw"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br />
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BGYD6GM9&asins=B0BGYD6GM9&linkId=fef156a1c1d0f38c9f0df2bbeaab74bd&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07PFT19MG&asins=B07PFT19MG&linkId=91d0eca189a3576893530a5ee20284af&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BYD5BBSG&asins=B0BYD5BBSG&linkId=3acceb868de3cd6c2457a7f269bad191&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-87162133134705805692023-07-11T09:42:00.003-07:002023-08-15T07:19:31.414-07:00My Red Brick Mech (in Augmented Reality)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2SnE93M9FB0D2P-hWoYjZM2YqXQezdv_oD873NeGSQUKzk7RlMJoMkcL5h7sewOhkTc745P91redngVc0dlsXK8aonQMWdv8VGxBfSOLfzFkHjoPEeEPNJ304pXDb9ThA_W98thwyLK0zX1yO29Tmzsj4sot5e3RxeFT94EyRRinBtz_lyzxkYJTwaQ/s3425/Arms%20Small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2081" data-original-width="3425" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2SnE93M9FB0D2P-hWoYjZM2YqXQezdv_oD873NeGSQUKzk7RlMJoMkcL5h7sewOhkTc745P91redngVc0dlsXK8aonQMWdv8VGxBfSOLfzFkHjoPEeEPNJ304pXDb9ThA_W98thwyLK0zX1yO29Tmzsj4sot5e3RxeFT94EyRRinBtz_lyzxkYJTwaQ/w640-h388/Arms%20Small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When life hands you bricks, make an anime-style brick mech.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I picked up a brick kit a few weeks ago that looked fantastic on the box. Unfortunately, the build didn't come together properly: pieces kept popping off and falling inside of the build, which made the pieces harder to find. However, the pieces that were part of the kit were too colorful to let them go to waste, so I decided to use them for a different kind of build: a brick mech.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As a kid who grew up during the Japanese robot invasions of the '70s and '80s, I've long admired the mech designs from anime series such as <b><i>Mobile Suit Gundam</i></b>, <b><i>Super Dimensional Fortress Macross</i></b>, and <b><i>Fang of the Sun Dougram</i></b>. Unfortunately, my admiration didn't translate to competent model construction when I tried to build <b><i>Macross</i></b> and <b><i>Dougram</i></b> kits that were sold in the U.S. though Revell's Robotech line. Thankfully, a group of Lego fans have been creating their own mech kits, so I decided to take a shot at one of my own with the bricks I wasn’t using.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since I had more than enough pieces for the mech's armor, I needed to find a jointed mech armature as the foundation for my build. I found an armature instruction manual by <a href="https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-97390/Ransom_Fern/ext-1-mech-frame/#details" target="_blank">Ransom_Fern</a> on <a href="https://rebrickable.com/" target="_blank">the Rebrickable site</a>, which appeared to me to have the right amounts of flexibility and external-facing studs upon which to mount the armor. This wasn't a perfect design (I couldn't get the exteriors for the thigh areas to stay on) but it worked for what I wanted to accomplish. It even has hands with posable fingers and thumbs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Below is a selection of photos I took of my completed mech. I've also included a photo and video of what the mech looks like in augmented reality (AR) via <a href="https://www.adobe.com/products/aero.html" target="_blank">Adobe Aero</a>. You can use the QR codes at the bottom of this post to access this model (either in the original size or larger size) through your own AR-capable device.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w-qQRyMRwz-9tNO9s4PsgDWPJm_4ymuQ31YAyz4XDlbjnhEL2sPF-dDw33aAxaxeCic2-SDyzt3qgjcuLWQR_scf_N0N8gVLvlxrgeu3eo-Cc-UJYZIs7_vtmOzWl4HvI-Tb7uKEFqQD2m8VJaqRUS8dzO-1tGSds504XUMd7IGo78Ar8i820gKXfJw/s4624/Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w-qQRyMRwz-9tNO9s4PsgDWPJm_4ymuQ31YAyz4XDlbjnhEL2sPF-dDw33aAxaxeCic2-SDyzt3qgjcuLWQR_scf_N0N8gVLvlxrgeu3eo-Cc-UJYZIs7_vtmOzWl4HvI-Tb7uKEFqQD2m8VJaqRUS8dzO-1tGSds504XUMd7IGo78Ar8i820gKXfJw/w480-h640/Front.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD-0WvouSDP4om-gH-Bd7Uxkc1Z0yJ82ayT_NWwcyi2lIFp1BNSpixroyz-Ayu24RdFxKmIRuoWCArKL9Vp0AmVe_L9FJkiK8GrlmmsR5dlaIHHna-I9GVYp2VQwU5TBm_WgMYnNKwdfXD_1MbaDLlWE-GWoY0dLgEx8rDFj3i1ZjxVcmz9gqBX-RNug/s4624/Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD-0WvouSDP4om-gH-Bd7Uxkc1Z0yJ82ayT_NWwcyi2lIFp1BNSpixroyz-Ayu24RdFxKmIRuoWCArKL9Vp0AmVe_L9FJkiK8GrlmmsR5dlaIHHna-I9GVYp2VQwU5TBm_WgMYnNKwdfXD_1MbaDLlWE-GWoY0dLgEx8rDFj3i1ZjxVcmz9gqBX-RNug/w480-h640/Back.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4oA9wyVozywPaMO2jO3yAIZGYccT1sSkPWaW7SpP2cqc7XsAurpedS6A2I_ABGCBlAqmrW2yaCXqS4wUIE58iLM1_bIAF-YHMF8FTKD47yLsFckAR2MDmvEciHxbvx5JWKTbPSHvHi-lqnum2gNS3RiuyuTY3-ppZCJiaDmqFe_vCrLZdvERYuKr7nU/s4624/Left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4oA9wyVozywPaMO2jO3yAIZGYccT1sSkPWaW7SpP2cqc7XsAurpedS6A2I_ABGCBlAqmrW2yaCXqS4wUIE58iLM1_bIAF-YHMF8FTKD47yLsFckAR2MDmvEciHxbvx5JWKTbPSHvHi-lqnum2gNS3RiuyuTY3-ppZCJiaDmqFe_vCrLZdvERYuKr7nU/w480-h640/Left.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8NPQrapimUZ30iZknCJdMrwoGhqkgmWkzolEjL053kGuZ_13I1KmAQenO0jQW7Vox__LvStZ7lRd7SMQzlk9-K5qQZlZyBHoaqS8drczOkoceC-x9cZJlkzrnDKdCTZ7bi0Lx0hQrC99YIAoNDTzHHgsM4n3cg2v_ExkdQ5WEsgjJsIrL3jLK-2NDE4/s4624/Right.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8NPQrapimUZ30iZknCJdMrwoGhqkgmWkzolEjL053kGuZ_13I1KmAQenO0jQW7Vox__LvStZ7lRd7SMQzlk9-K5qQZlZyBHoaqS8drczOkoceC-x9cZJlkzrnDKdCTZ7bi0Lx0hQrC99YIAoNDTzHHgsM4n3cg2v_ExkdQ5WEsgjJsIrL3jLK-2NDE4/w480-h640/Right.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM94dylkTqNY9Yw1NgZTWD-Mp8dV4b9-pDltpC6LVBAWOVEVIC2zS_rtvS1xUfEtFfT7YPzaM8TMT2ARCU4ytYrknOYa8kTwQtJlyNxXZIEMItPEFFJdoUpRt3tqJ-dZDhTmrDZLAz4nmTBiKZ_WfvK6eO83O0hgsJkZ9zEIMt97YHyVBQxOL1YCmE2gU/s4624/Hand%20Pose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM94dylkTqNY9Yw1NgZTWD-Mp8dV4b9-pDltpC6LVBAWOVEVIC2zS_rtvS1xUfEtFfT7YPzaM8TMT2ARCU4ytYrknOYa8kTwQtJlyNxXZIEMItPEFFJdoUpRt3tqJ-dZDhTmrDZLAz4nmTBiKZ_WfvK6eO83O0hgsJkZ9zEIMt97YHyVBQxOL1YCmE2gU/w480-h640/Hand%20Pose.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnOswnZlfWPyMv-_2mamhV_KYOvAWLdgYzixUJ30VYxWaHI8hhHm-szhDNZgmOu2YGRP4MonrDsusvtK7SLEZh3jHRtolDsasCO94OzCvQ980glYWJhpndhLfsi2CDitUFSbjhjYTs1FrITOAzDPagSmxuOnrE631oi0JuZFnqCn5PvQZnuZY1nKzu0M/s4624/Kneel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnOswnZlfWPyMv-_2mamhV_KYOvAWLdgYzixUJ30VYxWaHI8hhHm-szhDNZgmOu2YGRP4MonrDsusvtK7SLEZh3jHRtolDsasCO94OzCvQ980glYWJhpndhLfsi2CDitUFSbjhjYTs1FrITOAzDPagSmxuOnrE631oi0JuZFnqCn5PvQZnuZY1nKzu0M/w480-h640/Kneel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggKySS897PtNv4pWtS-IbamK3VHAs3HUO6FPQzhwHWvf01sX6unU1rNRqBcWUeEwjEa9NdWG1_KIeZmFipWRDcvEKwPN4vjXc07AmPhYZ882DwI4PBCMahh32JSNomE693gy24qzHq-iTpZUSc9seZAEjLxd4T3CKJJ-tteHfLghTxuBmC2Pj8prF090/s3467/Minifig%20Small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3467" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggKySS897PtNv4pWtS-IbamK3VHAs3HUO6FPQzhwHWvf01sX6unU1rNRqBcWUeEwjEa9NdWG1_KIeZmFipWRDcvEKwPN4vjXc07AmPhYZ882DwI4PBCMahh32JSNomE693gy24qzHq-iTpZUSc9seZAEjLxd4T3CKJJ-tteHfLghTxuBmC2Pj8prF090/w640-h510/Minifig%20Small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInVj0DnJkVTk-TFXBSm5avsZz9pqJyhi9ig_vqzv7lEDqFnzKLJATV6SB7SGd0JCANsegB-Jv_2ZZwptxX5ONBOw3g8bMISFKasxThTEgtoj1ccnLpY9o6s5EgUvRqKdWOH6OhUTo6UcEhnzTZsbZFrFKsJHhS3ctuoTF3vUuyLilQb-jfvyxofXUscg/s1552/RedMechAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1552" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInVj0DnJkVTk-TFXBSm5avsZz9pqJyhi9ig_vqzv7lEDqFnzKLJATV6SB7SGd0JCANsegB-Jv_2ZZwptxX5ONBOw3g8bMISFKasxThTEgtoj1ccnLpY9o6s5EgUvRqKdWOH6OhUTo6UcEhnzTZsbZFrFKsJHhS3ctuoTF3vUuyLilQb-jfvyxofXUscg/w640-h448/RedMechAR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Above: My red brick mech model (left) and it's scale-accurate 3D model <br />in augmented reality (right).</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Below: A video I took of the larger-scale 3D model of my red brick mech</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in augmented reality.</i></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9FVDfAJoJkrFf6X8Oz8ZO9QS8Lj5qDBXcCNNLDIBoASQNqMvciW9CuFtufE0ybxP-LCTV3JvsbhJHWwLeMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHkYLzePKsOVgKkCvJyqZvCqmYi-she0L6tIXYkNbeVkgg-a-QKcGtvJYg6QBupSFeaRQv9MpmOvEI-Rolk7kX5V38_OSXZ-cYw8lK9kaNxVn6twmIgsn1VyzqtwdEd5e-DTDhRWFKYTHkW7M23Pgn7RcQffz-CR4n1EC9N8nenK66KaFhJ4kYsSMB_A/s1024/Red%20Dragon%20Mech%20Small%20QR%20Code.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHkYLzePKsOVgKkCvJyqZvCqmYi-she0L6tIXYkNbeVkgg-a-QKcGtvJYg6QBupSFeaRQv9MpmOvEI-Rolk7kX5V38_OSXZ-cYw8lK9kaNxVn6twmIgsn1VyzqtwdEd5e-DTDhRWFKYTHkW7M23Pgn7RcQffz-CR4n1EC9N8nenK66KaFhJ4kYsSMB_A/s320/Red%20Dragon%20Mech%20Small%20QR%20Code.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Above: The QR code for the smaller red brick mech 3D model.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Below: The QR code for the larger red brick mech 3D model.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwZXk4M5QA2g_8pjyNsr0ZeIMhhMtufCpu5f-eaRh8xaAJtAMl3TV6nd6gt99LaoEHwXStR9Phgjerw_i9j32P_nMql8z5KjV9Kjwv2hiFuqLYr_S-Qx2pjeaVqAR8ZoIF56lB4whOvLK6a_O9E-aeV9pxPBMNCLUS1HWBkwPHdd6fKfih0dBNZimVO0/s1024/Red%20Dragon%20Mech%20QR%20Code.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwZXk4M5QA2g_8pjyNsr0ZeIMhhMtufCpu5f-eaRh8xaAJtAMl3TV6nd6gt99LaoEHwXStR9Phgjerw_i9j32P_nMql8z5KjV9Kjwv2hiFuqLYr_S-Qx2pjeaVqAR8ZoIF56lB4whOvLK6a_O9E-aeV9pxPBMNCLUS1HWBkwPHdd6fKfih0dBNZimVO0/s320/Red%20Dragon%20Mech%20QR%20Code.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BVTYFPC1&asins=B0BVTYFPC1&linkId=0df6be3d5ba9dc92dfa9d1b7043291a0&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BLN79LSS&asins=B0BLN79LSS&linkId=a4c0d9ba3b5c498487dfe46da384b8b9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BCK2F7MF&asins=B0BCK2F7MF&linkId=9eb9ad66a49ef3999430ebd165565ba4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-74850148815466559722023-07-06T07:03:00.000-07:002023-07-06T07:03:00.999-07:00Star Trek: Prodigy and The Streaming Frontier<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVgxbbVMO3GKRh_Vyq7ZQLz5bSmxnnHgeyIL3a0RWNtxyEjJI4-8RdUPJCpG6Z0WQhMR59hMOS3q0Dtsjtgdj-ghcqJ50l1iqUTpFdtUF3QKZ4KCEJMS9CvAQeRMip49Vys8W3lGgk_qaidJGWhBZ5pQQTsiEc4qNAt1X5pIqZVc2gVXlWPHlw8ai6I4/s746/star-trek-prodigy-logo-746x420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="746" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVgxbbVMO3GKRh_Vyq7ZQLz5bSmxnnHgeyIL3a0RWNtxyEjJI4-8RdUPJCpG6Z0WQhMR59hMOS3q0Dtsjtgdj-ghcqJ50l1iqUTpFdtUF3QKZ4KCEJMS9CvAQeRMip49Vys8W3lGgk_qaidJGWhBZ5pQQTsiEc4qNAt1X5pIqZVc2gVXlWPHlw8ai6I4/w640-h360/star-trek-prodigy-logo-746x420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As someone who grew up before streaming services took over popular entertainment, I'm still reeling from the recent cancellation of <b><i>Star Trek: Prodigy</i></b>. Not only will the second season episodes not be aired, but the entire first season of the show has been removed from Paramount's streaming service.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I was initially astonished at how much Paramount had embraced Star Trek as a source of content for its streaming service. (I've been very satisfied with all of the new Trek series, and my personal favorites are the animated ones: <b style="font-style: italic;">Prodigy</b> and <b><i>Lower Decks</i></b>.) Even if fans weren't completely satisfied with all the new Trek content that was being offered, at least Paramount appeared to have a vested interest in building upon the franchise through a selection of new entries produced by talented casts and crews. This new expansion also looked more coherent and organized than when Paramount previously used Trek to provide "flagship" shows for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPN" target="_blank">the United Paramount Network (UPN)</a> back in the '90s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then again, Star Trek always had a troubled relationship with Paramount. There was even a time when the corporate masters at CBS and Viacom decided <a href="https://screenrant.com/star-trek-rights-viacom-paramount-cbs-merger-explained/" target="_blank">to split the Star Trek franchise in half</a>, with the TV half going to CBS and the movie half going to Paramount. But to have a show like <b><i>Prodigy</i></b> renewed for a second season and then cancelled while the second season episodes are in post-production comes as a bit of a shock. Why spend the money to make the episodes in the first place when they are never going to air?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTf3GmoqLgkdnUDnyuY4dh7cfLLUmmEmUJ-_bM0jQ6RA-mrCcJ23rK8PT9QKbmW4MHPZih-oqjNfZFC1xduOaJoTjAj-Zo9sTFXlUVvjqeG5GSKFEjy1E6gbZXPN73s9Qc9AIfoub86L5Ktv52kpgpul5kWBN3LKkEZKhU75cWADSZdmbRO7WznOjwbA/s1332/Star-Trek-Prodigy-tv-series-poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1332" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTf3GmoqLgkdnUDnyuY4dh7cfLLUmmEmUJ-_bM0jQ6RA-mrCcJ23rK8PT9QKbmW4MHPZih-oqjNfZFC1xduOaJoTjAj-Zo9sTFXlUVvjqeG5GSKFEjy1E6gbZXPN73s9Qc9AIfoub86L5Ktv52kpgpul5kWBN3LKkEZKhU75cWADSZdmbRO7WznOjwbA/w640-h296/Star-Trek-Prodigy-tv-series-poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">To boldly go ... and disappear? The cast of <b>Star Trek: Prodigy</b>.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've heard some chatter among media critics that the sudden cancellation of <b><i>Prodigy</i></b> is just one sign of how deeply flawed the streaming model of TV production and distribution actually is. The streaming model started with Netflix, but that company <a href="https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2021/11/18/netflix-reveals-viewing-figures-ends-years-of-secrecy.html" target="_blank">has been very secretive about its viewership numbers</a> and what qualifies as a hit within this system. Further complicating matters are the lack of physical distribution channels (i.e., DVD and Blu-ray) and how proprietary the streaming services are about their content. Essentially, when a show that’s created for streaming is taken off of a service, it can disappear permanently.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">What the sudden disappearance of <b><i>Prodigy</i></b> means is that even popular franchises are not safe from the instabilities within the streaming service model. It also calls into question what the terms "renewal" and "cancellation" even mean at this point, and if series that have been approved for continuation will actually be continued at all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm hoping that the Trek fan base will find a way to bring <b><i>Prodigy</i></b> back, or at least persuade Paramount to release both seasons on Blu-ray. Yet even if <b><i>Prodigy</i></b> returns, we're still stuck with the ongoing mess that is streaming. The only advice I can think of right now is that if you <i>REALLY</i> love a movie or TV show, find a way to get a hard copy of it. That’s the only way to guarantee your access to it.</span></div><div><br />
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0B9Z41HXJ&asins=B0B9Z41HXJ&linkId=3afaf8eb06c428d359a6b5751254d826&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0B1H137WQ&asins=B0B1H137WQ&linkId=e95c3f7d817a35d47abe52d451bd9ad4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0B69XJQFD&asins=B0B69XJQFD&linkId=b776dfc85af6d0e7fc2578d0d44ffdb0&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-11501869386843198692023-06-05T11:26:00.002-07:002023-06-06T13:16:39.482-07:00The Toy Force is Strong with Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO2i7MxmC_KotP5P5otFZMD44PtT6slX-T6zyP0izGjJxHshAXo7mHOZcUPLlBmYzRyZ3CsS8xAtcv6U5FHamXq8blpkP1KGz8n-RdrhaZOV0Svr6YoDBCwt4G1nLmdh9RIGU_DO9hrjVQccAy_Cwmmc1uF0OG4xa2HyTkTe5kqLfIlG72Zt7PgO9/s1920/apps.53760.69776162813131649.5a0614cf-d90a-4580-90d2-d09e65459d75.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO2i7MxmC_KotP5P5otFZMD44PtT6slX-T6zyP0izGjJxHshAXo7mHOZcUPLlBmYzRyZ3CsS8xAtcv6U5FHamXq8blpkP1KGz8n-RdrhaZOV0Svr6YoDBCwt4G1nLmdh9RIGU_DO9hrjVQccAy_Cwmmc1uF0OG4xa2HyTkTe5kqLfIlG72Zt7PgO9/w640-h360/apps.53760.69776162813131649.5a0614cf-d90a-4580-90d2-d09e65459d75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">For a company that's known for its construction toys, Lego has had plenty of success with video games. Whether it's a video game that's directly connected to Lego toys or a video game that's based on an IP that the company has licensed, Lego has successfully combined its approach to play with video gaming, resulting in a series of game titles that are entertaining in their own right and complement Lego's sizable selection of construction kits. With that in mind, <b><i>Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga</i></b> marks a significant leap forward for what can be done with brick-based video gaming.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, Lego has had a lucrative relationship with the Star Wars franchise for decades, and several great video games have been made under the Lego Star Wars title. In contrast to those previous games, <b><i>The Skywalker Saga</i></b> is by far the most ambitious: It is stuffed with characters to collect, missions to complete, worlds to explore, and vehicles to control. Even the <b><i>Star Wars: Battlefront</i></b> games aren't nearly as robust as <b><i>The Skywalker Saga</i></b>. Honestly, I haven't seen a Lego video game this ambitious since <b><i><a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2014/07/bust-brick-made-bad-guys-in-lego-city.html" target="_blank">Lego City Undercover</a></i></b>. To make sure I got everything this game has to offer, I purchased the "Galactic Edition" which includes all of the 16 extra character packs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiQboC2luJzIMeG_B9rGuy4ErSyCTp1aJkj4zUUwdoxmqjQsRAzBN4z_vclvu3lXTPRt5s6h3eB3CI--SIB2qN-4sk_j2nM5Ocpemiop20dPafnod9q_9aVCYdCxhOcUPenc1bwaPTod7Yhlvl6XYrZ6vVTD8eOH6FDmEwQHFjCgK3n50_cWfnn-x/s1400/lego-star-wars-die-skywalker-saga-ps5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiQboC2luJzIMeG_B9rGuy4ErSyCTp1aJkj4zUUwdoxmqjQsRAzBN4z_vclvu3lXTPRt5s6h3eB3CI--SIB2qN-4sk_j2nM5Ocpemiop20dPafnod9q_9aVCYdCxhOcUPenc1bwaPTod7Yhlvl6XYrZ6vVTD8eOH6FDmEwQHFjCgK3n50_cWfnn-x/w640-h360/lego-star-wars-die-skywalker-saga-ps5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>The Skywalker Saga </b></i>includes many of the hallmark features from other Lego games. Players still collect studs, red bricks and other collectibles to access new features, destroy and construct brick objects, and unlock free play modes after completing level-based missions. Lego's trademark humor also permeates the game, with all sorts of affectionate jabs at the Star Wars franchise and a general mood of goofiness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This game goes WAY above and beyond other Lego games in the amount of stuff to do, characters to meet, and places to go. Every time players complete a level based on one of the nine episodes of the Star Wars saga, the worlds that appeared in that episode become available in free play. By the time players finish completing each of the episode levels, players can visit an entire galaxy of planets to explore and complete additional missions. Some of the missions will even take you world-hopping, going to one or more planets to find individuals or items. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">All planets have orbital areas and locations on the planets' surfaces. The orbital areas feature the options of space battles, races, mission options, and capital ship attacks. Some planets have more explorable surface locations than others, depending upon how much they were featured in the movies. For example, the hidden Sith world of Exegol only has one location on the surface, while the city planet of Coruscant has multiple districts. This is a game that players can get lost in for hours.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx512KZvjxYF2Wx02DSu1MgM13iT5yDl_t6mc6Yr6k6R63cRQZvYVxCYVfU8JpJFlg5HOhB_T8CcaPPbxpoSbJ-zpEFbxEO2k4O_JrNZMRZMwFyRXjA_IXPmrGbp3jG3zQvk2OEBP6ap1BWcSwmuicgGZikn75c9BeNHaS1gJribHIc9NJ--oEaoy/s1280/lego-star-wars-1.original.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx512KZvjxYF2Wx02DSu1MgM13iT5yDl_t6mc6Yr6k6R63cRQZvYVxCYVfU8JpJFlg5HOhB_T8CcaPPbxpoSbJ-zpEFbxEO2k4O_JrNZMRZMwFyRXjA_IXPmrGbp3jG3zQvk2OEBP6ap1BWcSwmuicgGZikn75c9BeNHaS1gJribHIc9NJ--oEaoy/w640-h360/lego-star-wars-1.original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The selection of playable characters has expanded to cover all of the nine films, and they are now divided into different classes with different abilities that can be leveled up using stud points. Of particular note are interactions with alien characters who speak in different languages; in those cases, you need a protocol droid like C-3P0 to translate what is being said. For as silly as this game is, it's this attention to detail and diversity of gameplay formats that reflect how much the makers of this game understand and love the Star Wars franchise.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">While <b><i>The Skywalker Saga</i></b> presents an expansive experience with the Star Wars universe, there are some limitations. The expanded character packs feature almost all of the animated and live-action sequels and spinoffs, such as <b><i>Rebels</i></b>, <b><i>Rogue One</i></b>, and <b><i>The Mandalorian</i></b>. However, the worlds that are associated with these titles aren't part of these packs, so players won't be making trips to planets like Lothal, Mandalore, or Scarif. Of the extra packs, I noticed that nothing was included from two of the animated TV series, <i><b>Star Wars: Resistance</b></i> and <b><i><a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-look-at-lego-star-wars-freemaker.html" target="_blank">Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures</a></i></b>. Both of these underrated shows could have added even more worthwhile content to The Skywalker Saga, so it's a shame they weren't included.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAMVt91NiC1Gg80_7f80OSI-HguNy8cB8pyoifRC-LfOmoG-gEUEIoPYSEiz6tuWnvYiRmHnMQqE4Wj_OqKvxr8CKaR2-yriP0DWtTwieAASfagOkKppNOG9MZ3ODXb8OlzDtv6oMZ-s8P_NujrszIB6cnUYm2nS6jyGwo8K5ZDmcdh6Hf5ua0DZ9/s1920/KyloSnowman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAMVt91NiC1Gg80_7f80OSI-HguNy8cB8pyoifRC-LfOmoG-gEUEIoPYSEiz6tuWnvYiRmHnMQqE4Wj_OqKvxr8CKaR2-yriP0DWtTwieAASfagOkKppNOG9MZ3ODXb8OlzDtv6oMZ-s8P_NujrszIB6cnUYm2nS6jyGwo8K5ZDmcdh6Hf5ua0DZ9/w640-h360/KyloSnowman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This title has been marketed around the idea of playing through all nine episodes of Star Wars, but the real strength of <b><i>The Skywalker Saga</i></b> is that it gives players a brickified version of the Star Wars universe to play with as they see fit--something even Kenner itself couldn't do. That alone makes this title one of the most entertaining Star Wars video games I've ever played, something I would even recommend to Star Wars fans who aren't interested in Lego.</span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07T1KMS3V&asins=B07T1KMS3V&linkId=a98090bbb51ed46d592f34d02c6bb88e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0849GZMZH&asins=B0849GZMZH&linkId=b18878733f938f3aab8a5e369906b47a&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BBY1B8GL&asins=B0BBY1B8GL&linkId=10ea451223166f5b954fe78f888e1aa9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-75482655765296555542023-05-15T05:17:00.002-07:002023-07-30T15:30:26.721-07:00Get Your Knight On with the 3 in 1 Medieval Weapon Brick Set by JMBricklayer<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaM0p0ZOSm4b-FhRwxGCGf4Yf33ImCNmfADXOmdb9r8P0spR1Ryoc0ipTxlRwz2xrr8q_oCMv1MYKzXgKyP95ZhYxfm-VEZEKHVBtRsWrclX4UbjCiWcXGAfCgyyd8QW2iSMA0qCSdWFDVO2R8sSW1RAKSzIOBgysZkJ4xfXsrOU4huPZoq8Sp8N_/s4624/Ballista01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaM0p0ZOSm4b-FhRwxGCGf4Yf33ImCNmfADXOmdb9r8P0spR1Ryoc0ipTxlRwz2xrr8q_oCMv1MYKzXgKyP95ZhYxfm-VEZEKHVBtRsWrclX4UbjCiWcXGAfCgyyd8QW2iSMA0qCSdWFDVO2R8sSW1RAKSzIOBgysZkJ4xfXsrOU4huPZoq8Sp8N_/w640-h480/Ballista01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As anyone who has reads this blog knows, I am a big fan of Legos and all things brick based. To me, they are the perfect model kits: no glue or paint is required, with disassembly and reassembly always being options. Thankfully, the folks over at JMBricklayer have noticed my brick love and sent me one of their kits for review: the 3 in 1 Medieval Weapon set. Read on for my complete review, as well as details about how to order this set at a discount.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">JMBricklayer's 3 in 1 Medieval Weapon set provides parts to build one of three different medieval weapons: the catapult, the bombard, and the ballista. When finished, each build features working spring-loaded parts that allow builders to launch miniature projectiles across the room. The set also includes a target sign that you can use for target practice to test your projectile skills.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I assembled all three of the builds, and this review looks at each one individually. I've included a Lego minifig in some of the pictures to give you a better idea of the set's scale. Please note that this kit provides all of the parts necessary to construct the three different builds, but only one build can be made at a time.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>
<hr /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Catapult</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The first build in the instruction guide is the catapult. It includes many excellent details, such as barbs, spikes and blades on the front, sides and wheels, linked chains, and movable wheels. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiB2F-_e3M4yl-Unl8fYmoZb1Xf2lWyRTI01bOaq2rVndaJRk_9nWbOuVlae9W17BuQ0VvMEl1sutQIKhv2Fqpq0Qs5RYnHfPc5PYQDt1Ph-psyjWkI56x8k4L608knzVMGzT8NhH99B4_SJXjJlD6kJ7qhKtGszpSfkHlQ0G529kytWS9GtKrnnr/s4624/Catapult09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiB2F-_e3M4yl-Unl8fYmoZb1Xf2lWyRTI01bOaq2rVndaJRk_9nWbOuVlae9W17BuQ0VvMEl1sutQIKhv2Fqpq0Qs5RYnHfPc5PYQDt1Ph-psyjWkI56x8k4L608knzVMGzT8NhH99B4_SJXjJlD6kJ7qhKtGszpSfkHlQ0G529kytWS9GtKrnnr/w640-h480/Catapult09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRcVKx-aLFOusEW6n4k5c1BNO0f3tKSin142sRe8YRiOdRUZnBvAqctK2WbgTU9TxFfW8wJF0yJirj8URq4UvWNbO3kEAV45QIdiEyOyosZ-oUTuAyGRzCwQXfCOn9ibaQ3dFKVM2kEtRoZrTeXex-fTvqTqlbTBlGQKEPC1lOEkc-tkVaaKOBTej/s4624/Catapult04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRcVKx-aLFOusEW6n4k5c1BNO0f3tKSin142sRe8YRiOdRUZnBvAqctK2WbgTU9TxFfW8wJF0yJirj8URq4UvWNbO3kEAV45QIdiEyOyosZ-oUTuAyGRzCwQXfCOn9ibaQ3dFKVM2kEtRoZrTeXex-fTvqTqlbTBlGQKEPC1lOEkc-tkVaaKOBTej/w640-h480/Catapult04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e5X0XNRs-zd6epKNOwQV04LqH73K4JIQVc6_S6c3TB2XLDX7hfgD5_5KdlqcFb02xgTF2u5ftGpImte6AZ8uJCIfaSnKW_ozibKr4vl_QwfXm46xjE6HXrv3rtISW-v5LzgRZSIuvKpQsgckjeqzozONwlm8YGmmOglfSPz5dHkRoqkUk7igcWIA/s4624/Catapult06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e5X0XNRs-zd6epKNOwQV04LqH73K4JIQVc6_S6c3TB2XLDX7hfgD5_5KdlqcFb02xgTF2u5ftGpImte6AZ8uJCIfaSnKW_ozibKr4vl_QwfXm46xjE6HXrv3rtISW-v5LzgRZSIuvKpQsgckjeqzozONwlm8YGmmOglfSPz5dHkRoqkUk7igcWIA/w640-h480/Catapult06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszmP26k3YM_accIzxWDm9dD8okZ_pz4EK_I69GHd9-S4p0MOz-jmdlUD8oeUP4QKf9b_wr7wsIF-L6PT1kgZsQUTKhIRumrTz1j1c1GETV5LhevEIOqYx3s1sue-7JGJXo20FvhLkAb8hlnDALYEjI2hI92C09wIxDOFfGzSfaNbm875uw7c5HbQP/s4624/Catapult03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszmP26k3YM_accIzxWDm9dD8okZ_pz4EK_I69GHd9-S4p0MOz-jmdlUD8oeUP4QKf9b_wr7wsIF-L6PT1kgZsQUTKhIRumrTz1j1c1GETV5LhevEIOqYx3s1sue-7JGJXo20FvhLkAb8hlnDALYEjI2hI92C09wIxDOFfGzSfaNbm875uw7c5HbQP/w640-h480/Catapult03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2N1htgu_Zebh4OTkY4JdNpoW41tCEbCMrZjRxhOOk8L3lj0oz97VVhAVEwCVCw6vnQXJPYvUAnnUim0QzAjLP_qb7jOH6xMClCOrBKnUuabwAb5LJKFUmh1tY_0ntvfxKzpDVeZeYWgN-NifsVgJ0mQqKSaJfIB8ubcoEVwkxIFs4wsBwDEFFeFc/s4624/Catapult02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2N1htgu_Zebh4OTkY4JdNpoW41tCEbCMrZjRxhOOk8L3lj0oz97VVhAVEwCVCw6vnQXJPYvUAnnUim0QzAjLP_qb7jOH6xMClCOrBKnUuabwAb5LJKFUmh1tY_0ntvfxKzpDVeZeYWgN-NifsVgJ0mQqKSaJfIB8ubcoEVwkxIFs4wsBwDEFFeFc/w640-h480/Catapult02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The catapult also has a working spring mechanism and release lever that worked perfectly to launch objects. The set includes parts to make a small projectile, but the catapult can also be used to shoot Lego minifigs into the air.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSPz5MHronYnuzTk_KjYWXq0PAVLPoXS9Ke11f9lBLHYH2UACbh1yAw0Uit1mKMqkNVJl2pxvm-36_8WZdqX5wQ7pCY_QwKRRC_y5ekoTStGLNjbVgLbqSCliBqFGXFsaJaCnivLmWudrWX8sq8f768JHU3tLRNbUfyeXEq2chZxcxdtLiP6fIBh-/s4624/Catapult07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSPz5MHronYnuzTk_KjYWXq0PAVLPoXS9Ke11f9lBLHYH2UACbh1yAw0Uit1mKMqkNVJl2pxvm-36_8WZdqX5wQ7pCY_QwKRRC_y5ekoTStGLNjbVgLbqSCliBqFGXFsaJaCnivLmWudrWX8sq8f768JHU3tLRNbUfyeXEq2chZxcxdtLiP6fIBh-/w640-h480/Catapult07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gKESyVvVLIUqbtUoKKKZZVp8oz9YtKHNklEKNcQLog8VSVzlAZ8cG91DVdCnJLxIouaweqAk3_wtuWhFoK9Ela8Ku8zAV8-DX_DgBkAwHina5jDRniZ87f0xgCGf2fSi4lHfGGWOged8tnRA-QZXQpGEiwcjCSDy8LliX--IxSh1pAD-KyE3GGsm/s4624/Catapult08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gKESyVvVLIUqbtUoKKKZZVp8oz9YtKHNklEKNcQLog8VSVzlAZ8cG91DVdCnJLxIouaweqAk3_wtuWhFoK9Ela8Ku8zAV8-DX_DgBkAwHina5jDRniZ87f0xgCGf2fSi4lHfGGWOged8tnRA-QZXQpGEiwcjCSDy8LliX--IxSh1pAD-KyE3GGsm/w640-h480/Catapult08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
<hr /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bombard</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The second build in the guide is the bombard, which is a type of cannon. It has many of the same details as the catapult (barbs, spikes, blades, chains and wheels), but the cannon build is more complex than the catapult. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqYw3VZTDYaggOgJw28YUJpXek0KTsqP0IHrMKpIf2DoYa-lJKN9mDLaRAmEBIdQS2pPtUq0O0h-yaWjjxjaIbDKIWYgIlTroSWUcnn7Esk8GLQ7AjMG_4RRO-r7qrRpc7hBr4vh2FRNJtPq8NmKbJ58_P15QYP5ORzFiKT_Yj-REituL_p5VPSSF/s4624/Bombard01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqYw3VZTDYaggOgJw28YUJpXek0KTsqP0IHrMKpIf2DoYa-lJKN9mDLaRAmEBIdQS2pPtUq0O0h-yaWjjxjaIbDKIWYgIlTroSWUcnn7Esk8GLQ7AjMG_4RRO-r7qrRpc7hBr4vh2FRNJtPq8NmKbJ58_P15QYP5ORzFiKT_Yj-REituL_p5VPSSF/w640-h480/Bombard01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeClg3n5_029I-3JZEegsbpyrqJ3_fN1a1kmFtlIcfMQPftN-G_FZorzPXwU5Pp-zyQalsgqNtD032cVpu-vhU7583TE1aI8-ziy-I6TJ26NyQhnddATeg7Jx1XT3SRFz6if3uOxNr3HUPg3mTMn7WmtKv4_mXGhIRJrkVhHVsPh4ci0SONq9LkOZ/s4624/Bombard02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeClg3n5_029I-3JZEegsbpyrqJ3_fN1a1kmFtlIcfMQPftN-G_FZorzPXwU5Pp-zyQalsgqNtD032cVpu-vhU7583TE1aI8-ziy-I6TJ26NyQhnddATeg7Jx1XT3SRFz6if3uOxNr3HUPg3mTMn7WmtKv4_mXGhIRJrkVhHVsPh4ci0SONq9LkOZ/w640-h480/Bombard02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXha73ShuyrC4a1ZmrvF7CVm4gcxShY-oTXka9iPW4fmQXVz5nyGZvMIvMikvRODBCl21AE1q33kkYdAkabrIWI-6i8WLlT0StwJbxV_C9o8lAzUfwUyA-APNtlpkCHzqovb1SlSqPdq6cq0ovJXzFbfS7xt9Q7fN8bZeV2rZ4OgRborBi9oPEi9us/s4624/Bombard03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXha73ShuyrC4a1ZmrvF7CVm4gcxShY-oTXka9iPW4fmQXVz5nyGZvMIvMikvRODBCl21AE1q33kkYdAkabrIWI-6i8WLlT0StwJbxV_C9o8lAzUfwUyA-APNtlpkCHzqovb1SlSqPdq6cq0ovJXzFbfS7xt9Q7fN8bZeV2rZ4OgRborBi9oPEi9us/w640-h480/Bombard03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkiM_0JWUSKrAtTEzqL7AADojko30utDeX085MzFnXiPBsFt4B4e0HV-nXqXbwmbvW5-zFxI-bQxV_tJtzVklW0sLxf7ozV2DejR9XvcEEKi8v9MafuTtJW6SvuR28x-xELff8nxa1LNowFgv1Efi76ymHLQRvVv0C082ofckZDYiG1xihI8WbBin/s4624/Bombard04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkiM_0JWUSKrAtTEzqL7AADojko30utDeX085MzFnXiPBsFt4B4e0HV-nXqXbwmbvW5-zFxI-bQxV_tJtzVklW0sLxf7ozV2DejR9XvcEEKi8v9MafuTtJW6SvuR28x-xELff8nxa1LNowFgv1Efi76ymHLQRvVv0C082ofckZDYiG1xihI8WbBin/w640-h480/Bombard04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU-VW-_p5-RLlsbehNeDO09ryuzcm6_DYUVbD9mR7qc2KZju_xvrI6ZP2L1eax5L7znoyoQ3Y1hD9meVbs1EvlUyrGcjnZDbqRMgiC9fYVuTK38sltQ6klgKj8xP5k4__HbL73_95pKyHxj_LCJCvOUuXPFuCCzcl9OKbEkSSseDczTD8GS5kKRNb/s4624/Bombard05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU-VW-_p5-RLlsbehNeDO09ryuzcm6_DYUVbD9mR7qc2KZju_xvrI6ZP2L1eax5L7znoyoQ3Y1hD9meVbs1EvlUyrGcjnZDbqRMgiC9fYVuTK38sltQ6klgKj8xP5k4__HbL73_95pKyHxj_LCJCvOUuXPFuCCzcl9OKbEkSSseDczTD8GS5kKRNb/w640-h480/Bombard05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">While I couldn't get the release lever to work properly, I could still launch the included projectile (and minifigs) out of the cannon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFa_ge0ngwij9Cvmwp8htc_2NWCFSBT8Dm-SQNKjvpXcPJyGN1Akvs6CyWvGe0Hf8A3XSe9qJEqwzw5YnGcqX-FspZKp8i3isj3fbao1FpDnRhmuEUg0Ru3CX1CkVM4mLIryMtY6gwo2y3V82vOGIewdebSc7cIV__6cIFIYEZ8W_W7KZxarW10SY/s4624/Bombard08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFa_ge0ngwij9Cvmwp8htc_2NWCFSBT8Dm-SQNKjvpXcPJyGN1Akvs6CyWvGe0Hf8A3XSe9qJEqwzw5YnGcqX-FspZKp8i3isj3fbao1FpDnRhmuEUg0Ru3CX1CkVM4mLIryMtY6gwo2y3V82vOGIewdebSc7cIV__6cIFIYEZ8W_W7KZxarW10SY/w640-h480/Bombard08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
<hr /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Ballista</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The third build is the ballista, which is like a large-scale crossbow and it's my favorite build in this set. The decorative details and movable wheels are included here as well, and I had no problems with assembling and using the spring mechanism and release lever. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMGC-iZXnQHAEshX1x-SncjvqjVdROmPvDmfIWoMjvzhV67OI7P2Sxidp6gQZncwdQRhHMonzWGN5fHfPeC8XGV_vlCAzXzWOni_jT2Ang2iGYv6NMJg71dxp9UR4m-Avpz_Vefmpvqo3C9TtgHnGrqk0VpMSgpb8P-G5gVnR85mOYQMaURJJg5td/s4624/Ballista01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMGC-iZXnQHAEshX1x-SncjvqjVdROmPvDmfIWoMjvzhV67OI7P2Sxidp6gQZncwdQRhHMonzWGN5fHfPeC8XGV_vlCAzXzWOni_jT2Ang2iGYv6NMJg71dxp9UR4m-Avpz_Vefmpvqo3C9TtgHnGrqk0VpMSgpb8P-G5gVnR85mOYQMaURJJg5td/w640-h480/Ballista01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NExRp-kSpJShRyw856Gd6wBPeRqoD94hYanBsi77a2bQ7pEr5w0QkfiaLDBGpLYnifH3YVzrBnKU_69yt61wvwKcnGlE6Jxoa-2ssSpCtAexhxSgu5Zrol9FJqpmRP8GIenp49_N_y3AYqBZ_Ha1t1CyH7mEZm5t1hNMaIWNrE9b_53KcltJ71IZ/s4624/Ballista02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NExRp-kSpJShRyw856Gd6wBPeRqoD94hYanBsi77a2bQ7pEr5w0QkfiaLDBGpLYnifH3YVzrBnKU_69yt61wvwKcnGlE6Jxoa-2ssSpCtAexhxSgu5Zrol9FJqpmRP8GIenp49_N_y3AYqBZ_Ha1t1CyH7mEZm5t1hNMaIWNrE9b_53KcltJ71IZ/w640-h480/Ballista02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy6HKp6hIjQIkbuyfGnBRgfAjECEDH2Cqk_Piy4P6aCszh5wkEqYDku4VQ3Wqe7MBRNW4RL7g3T0uOfLD3qH1LXQ0fYWZ93SFsl5FOw5_31NK2HTXHEvdrRjOfJzX2KIzh-KD7BIMIzRwtgCOR2FaOzQgFdCZ8Mu2LUSCYdN1L2OUyJFM2bVBbQ0h/s4624/Ballista03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy6HKp6hIjQIkbuyfGnBRgfAjECEDH2Cqk_Piy4P6aCszh5wkEqYDku4VQ3Wqe7MBRNW4RL7g3T0uOfLD3qH1LXQ0fYWZ93SFsl5FOw5_31NK2HTXHEvdrRjOfJzX2KIzh-KD7BIMIzRwtgCOR2FaOzQgFdCZ8Mu2LUSCYdN1L2OUyJFM2bVBbQ0h/w640-h480/Ballista03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9i5t2PTO7-kCmFGJzAZJdeMdBxKaeRAprhOmeE8O_bpUVYjTuPMyTODDqqrjxRYWkTOpZw7mX0h_8a13mZfo7vTSoQI965moK3qCgG3UIwb-SHylvgnXk3ZEaPBPTvcMV60psRPm729DBk_t_19Aiu3T8yNFEkfHRtPOF6YE8Ey-Zn8tAHkcjDCt/s4624/Ballista04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9i5t2PTO7-kCmFGJzAZJdeMdBxKaeRAprhOmeE8O_bpUVYjTuPMyTODDqqrjxRYWkTOpZw7mX0h_8a13mZfo7vTSoQI965moK3qCgG3UIwb-SHylvgnXk3ZEaPBPTvcMV60psRPm729DBk_t_19Aiu3T8yNFEkfHRtPOF6YE8Ey-Zn8tAHkcjDCt/w640-h480/Ballista04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1Z-ZF90mkN_yOAx8XlMZTlnYdcrDWWB-9FXGayWMzgBVLKsSWNFSlFtfrB2t8q8bPXDr6dePVwEWdrdIU1pZwJix6-5di1SgDOYUDAVUy_Ez_JYCGexaXfbCqnQCNN_qHCA4i3-UTqHemZyzasPq0sYVBgZhRPCwxyDJbncUqmPAjZLcLx7mAEju/s4624/Ballista05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1Z-ZF90mkN_yOAx8XlMZTlnYdcrDWWB-9FXGayWMzgBVLKsSWNFSlFtfrB2t8q8bPXDr6dePVwEWdrdIU1pZwJix6-5di1SgDOYUDAVUy_Ez_JYCGexaXfbCqnQCNN_qHCA4i3-UTqHemZyzasPq0sYVBgZhRPCwxyDJbncUqmPAjZLcLx7mAEju/w640-h480/Ballista05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The set includes parts to make a blunt-tipped arrow, which can be launched from the ballista. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAwN2d8Plzg9av0f1iRGLrqVn77QLBynIBTF2AT7zt2j8PwxTcSzdtFi1ejy9dmwQiLNAIVrwWBhQjoVz7W-PcG6WCDU4Fc4wdDZNH9Ng2vVTk4d6nEJSqN9bfSV-pCErNTOmsAsx-N_uYT4TQ2GawvoOlhX8Et1p7fKrK_G92r7jzIDHgDvu9oRg/s4624/Ballista07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAwN2d8Plzg9av0f1iRGLrqVn77QLBynIBTF2AT7zt2j8PwxTcSzdtFi1ejy9dmwQiLNAIVrwWBhQjoVz7W-PcG6WCDU4Fc4wdDZNH9Ng2vVTk4d6nEJSqN9bfSV-pCErNTOmsAsx-N_uYT4TQ2GawvoOlhX8Et1p7fKrK_G92r7jzIDHgDvu9oRg/w640-h480/Ballista07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8q_UlTtdF4Rfa0mZZsxc1ajifQLyASUd1unVqU1hD-sHX1MnluNKOdFBGNBDoQFxzmw00wuiiArOttCZQFkrWO3EE1cBqXnfXvo_QmRGYCBgHW1mVVNBt-wRhCGxK3J_1WeO_0ue_FAf0Cqxtpp50oHQEa2lntaPUjxWavOnIsloU_baTP8iu3BR/s4624/Ballista08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8q_UlTtdF4Rfa0mZZsxc1ajifQLyASUd1unVqU1hD-sHX1MnluNKOdFBGNBDoQFxzmw00wuiiArOttCZQFkrWO3EE1cBqXnfXvo_QmRGYCBgHW1mVVNBt-wRhCGxK3J_1WeO_0ue_FAf0Cqxtpp50oHQEa2lntaPUjxWavOnIsloU_baTP8iu3BR/w640-h480/Ballista08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwV5LUpZ38VhBKcoMZyLYiF-R3djH3qaKBlZZG-ULaZrnZ-9wtph4GNWyJIXu5k3xFxAyn1PUzW0z1LFmN6QMgH_tH0GyydPqbGfZEjURzym3oEaj_g-hcoh0I_gtJgJwXDblVCW6hxuY_j3phH9ugiJr1zakt0b9niI4y23-jz0k_k2-04XHM3Kl/s4624/Ballista09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwV5LUpZ38VhBKcoMZyLYiF-R3djH3qaKBlZZG-ULaZrnZ-9wtph4GNWyJIXu5k3xFxAyn1PUzW0z1LFmN6QMgH_tH0GyydPqbGfZEjURzym3oEaj_g-hcoh0I_gtJgJwXDblVCW6hxuY_j3phH9ugiJr1zakt0b9niI4y23-jz0k_k2-04XHM3Kl/w640-h480/Ballista09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, I had a great time with this set. The bricks hold together well, all of the necessary parts were included for each build, and the instruction manual is very easy to follow. In fact, the biggest challenge I had with the guide was differentiating the different black connector pieces in the diagrams; once I figured that out, the builds were easy to finish. Furthermore, JMBricklayer bricks are compatible with Lego, so you can add these projectile weapons to your armies of medieval minifigs.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you'd like to purchase JMBricklayer's 3 in 1 Medieval Weapon Brick Set, you can either purchase it at <a href="https://amzn.to/3EmXMFv" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or at the <a href="https://bit.ly/3VWql3y" target="_blank">JMBricklayer store</a>. Use the discount code JMBMEM15 at either site to get 15 percent off of your purchase. You can also check out my VR video review of this set on my YouTube channel, MindEyeMedia:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YmLrJlMRaUo" width="320" youtube-src-id="YmLrJlMRaUo"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=162636303X&asins=162636303X&linkId=63f974a0a18bbb434fd519d6c540a0ce&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1620871726&asins=1620871726&linkId=3f5bbaff30834d7ce68de6f0a55ce87b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1628737328&asins=1628737328&linkId=b3514731a290c9df5dd764b35bb6f02d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-857325943806972162023-04-26T10:03:00.002-07:002023-04-26T10:03:30.999-07:00The Toyetic Wonder of Star Wars: Squadrons in VR<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzMx-vIMkZ66t72jHJC1-PKjlbQdo9gx3IWxqCEbC_ly9zI5cO3sAxaHyMvnkjer7gIa0GpjjWH9eBZqM0mMXZf0-eR5lfazx9a6GiXWXsRJPTvJnLB8Ic376fu8sO6Up1xYUmmaq0H-M7ogu_KKNJkOu1znPjBsgmr6RFDg0CPkfiDGmR8HkduAA/s474/OIP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzMx-vIMkZ66t72jHJC1-PKjlbQdo9gx3IWxqCEbC_ly9zI5cO3sAxaHyMvnkjer7gIa0GpjjWH9eBZqM0mMXZf0-eR5lfazx9a6GiXWXsRJPTvJnLB8Ic376fu8sO6Up1xYUmmaq0H-M7ogu_KKNJkOu1znPjBsgmr6RFDg0CPkfiDGmR8HkduAA/w640-h360/OIP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm a life-long fan of the Star Wars franchise for many reasons. One of those reasons is that George Lucas and his creative team not only created a cool selection of iconic space vehicles, but they also provided many opportunities for fans to step inside of the vehicles to enrich their entertainment experience. They've done this through toys, model kits, video games and theme park rides, but it reached a completely new level with the 2020 release of <b><i><a href="https://www.ea.com/games/starwars/squadrons" target="_blank">Star Wars: Squadrons</a></i></b>, which can be played in virtual reality (VR).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I know I'm late to the figurative party for <b><i>Squadrons</i></b>, but I avoided getting this game at first because it looked very intimidating. However, don't let the outward appearance of this game fool you--it's a fantastic game to play in VR because it puts you right into the pilot seats of ten different Star Wars vehicles. You can upgrade your controller scheme to enhance the immersion experience, but you'll do fine with an Xbox controller. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpxBGK9nFJwkqr_XerLgxn1PSeyPxc-de-qviTx_u6bX3tTME4G92N1ZbQTZ16N5gS4R76cgeuEyYGG2Ke0wj6uh0emhqsBX0DxM4Ph1L2j06Mf9u5Aul9-Q5nPjvRJkDrC9Wa6BFnyF4JSGn6jTpALOM6tX51vgmfaOJ25r60pqGk5achmwywMEU/s1200/cockpit_cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpxBGK9nFJwkqr_XerLgxn1PSeyPxc-de-qviTx_u6bX3tTME4G92N1ZbQTZ16N5gS4R76cgeuEyYGG2Ke0wj6uh0emhqsBX0DxM4Ph1L2j06Mf9u5Aul9-Q5nPjvRJkDrC9Wa6BFnyF4JSGn6jTpALOM6tX51vgmfaOJ25r60pqGk5achmwywMEU/w640-h334/cockpit_cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Star Wars has no shortage of flight simulator games, the earliest being <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_X-Wing_(video_game)" target="_blank">X-Wing</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_TIE_Fighter" target="_blank">TIE Fighter</a></i></b> from the '90s. Likewise, Kenner's made sure that its original Star Wars toy line included action figures that could be put in toy vehicles, thus increasing their play value. In the VR version of <i><b>Squadrons</b></i>, players become the action figures put into virtual toy vehicles, playing in a virtual world that's fully stocked with other Star Wars toys. However, unlike the toys that had to be purchased separately from each other, <b><i>Squadrons</i></b> enables fans to sit inside of life-sized simulations of ten different vehicles in a single video game. Progress! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NsceL1gLZPpP9UXc1X9LT09YJBi70mfBMAPydtOaBqVsdqE34uqTftfuYRFNkAnKbc8gokYDz3giR5RxHQku1sdtZAfxPTjMlyrgO4dMb1BF5-JuHOTMKOvtUypwmoBYrul-g-D7aVSUT0DMjQqYgGAa86oGGvGSld6h-D2ZUb28MKvTZESl5i-7/s1024/DSC05541-1024x758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1024" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NsceL1gLZPpP9UXc1X9LT09YJBi70mfBMAPydtOaBqVsdqE34uqTftfuYRFNkAnKbc8gokYDz3giR5RxHQku1sdtZAfxPTjMlyrgO4dMb1BF5-JuHOTMKOvtUypwmoBYrul-g-D7aVSUT0DMjQqYgGAa86oGGvGSld6h-D2ZUb28MKvTZESl5i-7/w400-h296/DSC05541-1024x758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">My first Star Wars flight simulation experience:</span></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Kenner's X-Wing Fighter vehicle toy</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">(batteries and figures sold separately).</span></i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Honestly, <b><i>Squadrons</i></b> goes the great lengths to provide an amazing vehicle simulation experience. The interiors of each ship are incredibly detailed, expanding greatly upon what has been seen in the movies, TV shows and animated series. The game features cockpit customization options, but I'm still amazed that I can look around the interiors of Empire and Rebel ships to see all the flashing buttons, electronic displays, and scratches and chipped surfaces that resulted from intense space combat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The immersion experience doesn't end with the vehicles. In the story campaign, players have face-to-face interactions with Empire and Rebel characters, sit through holographic mission profiles in briefing rooms, and look around vehicle hangars. In the hangars, players can around life-sized exteriors of the vehicles they will pilot in the missions. Of course, this is another Star Wars fan dream--seeing these vehicles right in front of you in their actual, in-universe sizes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfQ3oTMYBYny21RJ5aaVVlI_gNqIuE6D3YsD4EXD9eN_3j-_iD75iqERpthKzKEr6iyx2YbYm-gu2_13UHjDsQJnA8sekTBbcbk9DZ8lTQzP362_ELKLU_6OlCsgq5stWAFE9e3s0IFCrVklJ43TSUns8DGgN8hsri8ylZn41ep4M3ZOWo6_ym76T/s1920/star-wars-squadrons-review-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfQ3oTMYBYny21RJ5aaVVlI_gNqIuE6D3YsD4EXD9eN_3j-_iD75iqERpthKzKEr6iyx2YbYm-gu2_13UHjDsQJnA8sekTBbcbk9DZ8lTQzP362_ELKLU_6OlCsgq5stWAFE9e3s0IFCrVklJ43TSUns8DGgN8hsri8ylZn41ep4M3ZOWo6_ym76T/w640-h360/star-wars-squadrons-review-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Squadrons</i></b> isn't a perfect game. It has crashed on me a few times, and some fans have complained that the flight missions don't include anything from the original trilogy. Nevertheless, the VR version of this title is one of the best Star Wars experiences I've had because it captures so many things that this franchise offers and puts it into an immersive, interactive environment. I hope that <b><i>Squadrons</i></b> will get a sequel that includes fighter vehicles from the other two Star Wars trilogies, as well as missions based on popular locations from the franchise. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08B6QBD53&asins=B08B6QBD53&linkId=09edaca7ed5dfe671785958728449ac2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09PMT8DKC&asins=B09PMT8DKC&linkId=a6a914083a32935fad46de0643d5f855&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09PMC3BDL&asins=B09PMC3BDL&linkId=962776e175ca3f55c8e04c3a5fa8ab03&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-83160587088043329322023-03-28T10:25:00.004-07:002023-03-30T11:29:12.815-07:00Profiling Ghostface in Scream 6<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoYpyQG8xwilw_NwFifvr0uoY3EGa_yN1DQPd-gM7pq9nbOAnnOYQCumz8jJwgTriKrSyDegLcVkaKwIhl6ftGr4QiGkA7-zdfm2is19Pj5BLNN4JJEaofc3RbH3bV9sFO0hUnjNgYK6P3sOtevsnD6jWaKBI8duIP2-GRU6OPmrV12dslemDnErL/s2000/scream-6-all-ghostfaces.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoYpyQG8xwilw_NwFifvr0uoY3EGa_yN1DQPd-gM7pq9nbOAnnOYQCumz8jJwgTriKrSyDegLcVkaKwIhl6ftGr4QiGkA7-zdfm2is19Pj5BLNN4JJEaofc3RbH3bV9sFO0hUnjNgYK6P3sOtevsnD6jWaKBI8duIP2-GRU6OPmrV12dslemDnErL/w640-h320/scream-6-all-ghostfaces.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I</span><span style="font-family: arial;">'ve been sitting on this post for a while because as a </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Scream</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> fan, I want to be able to discuss it in ways that really get to the meat of the story instead of just writing a review. I saw it in 3D before its official release weekend, and I even have the exclusive </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Scream 6</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> poster that was handed out as part of the premiere. My opinion is that if I'm still excited about a film AFTER I watch it, then it's a really good film--that's </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Scream 6</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> for me. Naturally, I will be getting this title on Blu-ray and watching this movie again to look for the clues I missed the first time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the release of <b><i>Scream 6</i></b>, there has been plenty of fan chatter about the about the identity of the Ghostface killer in the sequel and if it lives up to other identity reveals that happened in previous entries. This post is my two cents about the reveal, why I think it works in ways that might not be immediately obvious upon initial viewing. Naturally, there will be HUGE spoilers here.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In my opinion, the most effective Ghostface reveals happen when the killer has a direct emotional connection to Sidney Prescott or Sam Carpenter, the franchise's two main protagonists. As such, I found the reveals involving Billy Loomis, Jill Roberts and Richie Kirsch to be the most impactful, because they add an extra layer of shock and betrayal to what would otherwise could be an indifferent killing spree. The <i><b>Scream 6</b></i> killers don't have an emotional connection to Sam, but instead to Richie Kirsch from <i><b>Scream 5</b></i>--Richie's father and two siblings are behind the Ghostface mask here, namely Wayne Bailey and his two kids Quinn and Ethan. Wayne is a police officer with the NYPD who pretends to help Sam find the latest Ghostface killer, while Quinn and Ethan each found ways to get closer to Sam, her sister Tara, and the Meeks-Martin twins Chad and Mindy by the time the Ghostface killings in New York begin. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SsQrU00AD6k5WPM2O-iKbnW-1Xvx8PbIEAZ1NlhEvRu1fgdToxVW_m-qknSO5b_dO-GNMb_0UknnT6aHaJ1okjrfdQKVEpa_FW01sqW0ICP0BWz7NKmJJ3J1nIOA89KD92EIGr0_HEETkPQ3wpcEs-TGzOdla0u-i_CUX-fhc90GYLV4Lo8-B0j1/s2000/scream-6-core-4.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SsQrU00AD6k5WPM2O-iKbnW-1Xvx8PbIEAZ1NlhEvRu1fgdToxVW_m-qknSO5b_dO-GNMb_0UknnT6aHaJ1okjrfdQKVEpa_FW01sqW0ICP0BWz7NKmJJ3J1nIOA89KD92EIGr0_HEETkPQ3wpcEs-TGzOdla0u-i_CUX-fhc90GYLV4Lo8-B0j1/w640-h320/scream-6-core-4.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">With the motive of <b><i>Scream 6</i></b> focusing on revenge against a "final girl" who killed a previous Ghostface killer, there are some similarities between the Baileys and Nancy Loomis in <b><i>Scream 2</i></b>. But what makes the latest Ghostface very different from the others is Wayne Bailey himself--he's a deeply corrupt cop, a character type you're much more likely to see in a crime drama or film noir than a slasher movie. (I guess you can say that Wayne is now the official <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095583/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">maniac cop</a> of the <b><i>Scream</i></b> franchise.) I'll be the first to admit that this didn't fully sink in when I first saw <b><i>Scream 6</i></b>, but it gave me plenty of food for thought in the days since.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When looking back at the many clues dropped in <b><i>Scream 6</i></b>, Wayne Bailey has obviously been a corrupt cop for a very long time. Even though Wayne doesn't lay out the specifics of his corruption in a monologue, the film makes it clear that he's adept at abusing his role in law enforcement. By the time of the sequel, it would make sense that Wayne has had plenty of experience with planting evidence, making evidence disappear, spreading misleading information to sway public opinion about a criminal case, and hiding bodies. He helped Richie build a massive shrine to the Ghostface killings that spawned the <b><i>Stab</i></b> franchise, and he specifically says how it was possible to get evidence for the previous Ghostface murders to be part of the shrine when Sam, Tara and the others see it for the first time. Furthermore, if Richie knew about his dad's corrupt behavior, it makes sense that Quinn and Ethan knew about it too and why they were onboard with the revenge plot against Sam. There's a reason why the killings in <b><i>Scream 6</i></b> are more brutal than those in the previous movies--this Ghostface has actually trained with weapons, and probably taught his kids a few things about brutality well before the death of Richie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Given the previous films' commentaries about the complicated relationship between violence, the media and "true crime" sensationalism, I'm surprised that we haven't had some kind of commentary about law enforcement and public perceptions of criminal violence in the Scream movies until now. Sure, there are characters like Dewey Riley, Mark Kincaid and Judy Hicks, but their roles in the <b><i>Scream</i></b> movies follow the more conventional purpose of police officers within a slasher film: to stop the killer (even if cops in slasher movies rarely do). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjFcr-eSrEsbfAbB9HINDgrMENVNWg4sYtrygGE_fY0YfdcWpVcxR1GNWM0Ucol9_bIVt3HI_uzEbWYcy77kSUSrmx9BgALjlf-nq9gVhMo8ws7NE2LZ5GwlpHWjDtj9h5QRLa_zcgDn8Vfw7tr1PX-4wlCqU12_3zMdNp1E3GpHjBZSqgG4XIySX/s1200/Scream-6-presenta-un-santuario-Ghostface-pieno-di-morbose-uova.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjFcr-eSrEsbfAbB9HINDgrMENVNWg4sYtrygGE_fY0YfdcWpVcxR1GNWM0Ucol9_bIVt3HI_uzEbWYcy77kSUSrmx9BgALjlf-nq9gVhMo8ws7NE2LZ5GwlpHWjDtj9h5QRLa_zcgDn8Vfw7tr1PX-4wlCqU12_3zMdNp1E3GpHjBZSqgG4XIySX/w640-h334/Scream-6-presenta-un-santuario-Ghostface-pieno-di-morbose-uova.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Stab Trek: Ghost Face Nine.</span></i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It's not hard to find sites that sell murderabilia, items connected to actual serial killers and their crimes--just enter "crime collector" into any search engine and you'll see what I mean. There's even a Museum of Death, which has locations in Los Angeles and New Orleans. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Death" target="_blank">According to Wikipedia</a>, "The museum displays a wide variety of art and artifacts surrounding the subject of death. Baby coffins are in one section, letters and artwork from various serial killers in another. There are films regarding autopsies as well as explicit photographs of crime victims." I'm sure that the Ghostface shrine was meant to be part of the sequel's commentary about horror franchises, but it's hard to overlook the plot point of a corrupt cop (ab)using his knowledge of criminal evidence processing to enable his son's twisted obsession with a succession of serial killings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There's also the matter of how Wayne Bailey and his kids go about their plan of revenge, as if there is some kind of entitlement behind it. It's not just because Sam killed a member of their family; it's also that their connection to law enforcement somehow gives them the right to seek vengeance against someone who has a connection to a notorious serial killer. Of course, such as sense of entitlement would permeate Wayne Bailey's history of corruption, that he believes he's allowed to manipulate the law as he sees fit BECAUSE he is a cop, so I could see how enraged he would get when his eldest son is killed by someone as undeserving and inferior as a daughter of a violent criminal. I don't know whether the creative team behind <b><i>Scream 6</i></b> meant for the Bailey family to serve as a commentary about recent real-world incidents of police corruption and brutality but it's something to consider, kind of like how <b><i>Scream 3</i></b> was a <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2019/10/scream-3-harvey-weinstein-producer-character.html" target="_blank">commentary about sexual abuse in Hollywood</a> <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/scream-3-harvey-weinstein-wes-craven-rose-mcgowan-a9298696.html" target="_blank">that went unnoticed by Harvey Weinstein himself</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the <b><i>Scream</i></b> franchise because these films have been made by intelligent people who have something interesting to say through the use of horror tropes and <i><b>Scream 6</b></i> continues this tradition in ways that are unique to the series and compelling in its own right. Hopefully, <b><i>Scream 7</i></b> will be just as intriguing and insightful as well.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BBBJQ2YV&asins=B0BBBJQ2YV&linkId=8c75388abb95e2eb0375b0d09564c468&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B081S5XQRQ&asins=B081S5XQRQ&linkId=0f6953444ec2b96e88f8f6ae9c6e06fc&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BXWKCYMF&asins=B0BXWKCYMF&linkId=662a95c59a37d3b978aa0fb6dfba9a2c&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-17161792136216492012023-03-08T11:23:00.000-08:002023-03-08T11:23:12.954-08:00A Look Back at Scream 5 (2022)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcMUguo1zAiKf_MRPZPx4BUjsv9GdA7YDj6dNz7qg6N4hpj3XDyxR8NGGUwya1cZs6yLy_M5T10QjUcp9q24wcqiTL2zn2Hc3V2IjeROWAWCkDzvGxpbku8K2oyJl1_V7aBZQyQ4Ux8DkZ4MdXJ0uZrlkQ9IwmWA-r9oMw1-1HubEudwqfnq338kG/s1000/scream-2022-ghostface-social-featured.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcMUguo1zAiKf_MRPZPx4BUjsv9GdA7YDj6dNz7qg6N4hpj3XDyxR8NGGUwya1cZs6yLy_M5T10QjUcp9q24wcqiTL2zn2Hc3V2IjeROWAWCkDzvGxpbku8K2oyJl1_V7aBZQyQ4Ux8DkZ4MdXJ0uZrlkQ9IwmWA-r9oMw1-1HubEudwqfnq338kG/w640-h384/scream-2022-ghostface-social-featured.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">With <b><i>Scream 6</i></b> arriving in theaters this weekend (I already have my ticket for a 3D showing), it occurred to me that I never got around to doing a post about the most recent entry in the series, last year's <b><i>Scream 5 </i></b>(a.k.a. <b><i>Scream '22</i></b>). I have already written posts about <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2011/03/ghostfaces-gone-wild-second-look-at.html" target="_blank">the original <b><i>Scream</i></b> trilogy</a> and <a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2011/04/scream-4-review-revenge-of-remake.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Scream 4</i></b></a>, so I might as well share a few thoughts about the movie that brought the franchise back and put the pieces in place for the entry that will soon debut. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Please keep in mind that I am writing this post from the perspective of a fan of the <b><i>Scream</i></b> franchise, not as a film reviewer. As such, if you know little or nothing about the <b><i>Scream</i></b> movies, this post probably won't interest you and will spoil a few plot points if you aren't familiar with them already. If you're a <b><i>Scream</i></b> junkie like me, then by all means keep reading.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">First, I love <b><i>Scream 5</i></b>. It's well-written, well-directed and well-cast. It stays consistent with the themes and ideas of the previous films while exploring new territory that moves the legacy of Ghostface forward in unexpected ways. In particular, <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> understands that this series isn't just about Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette); it's also about what would drive a person to go on a slasher-themed killing spree and how the media sensationalizes real-life crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3GkulQblHczooFLA3GIvkAmk3mno8LUoLcl0jbthA5g5eXoUXJb8TWmuRslm4FfEy0C2ExxA7tgqp8PGgn161sYyMs79Vo8gVVizssu0v9FJz44snY5zqZewmXwtMli2g27TBlZ3oeFPKlZrmqacgCR3AvD3nUawEntvmFIHLPjXpeH7iQTBh7AD/s1800/Scream_5_Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3GkulQblHczooFLA3GIvkAmk3mno8LUoLcl0jbthA5g5eXoUXJb8TWmuRslm4FfEy0C2ExxA7tgqp8PGgn161sYyMs79Vo8gVVizssu0v9FJz44snY5zqZewmXwtMli2g27TBlZ3oeFPKlZrmqacgCR3AvD3nUawEntvmFIHLPjXpeH7iQTBh7AD/w640-h320/Scream_5_Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The call is coming from inside the house in <b>Scream 5</b>.</span></i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The motive of the killers in <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> ranks as one of the most insane motives provided in the series. The killers in the previous four movies were connected directly to Sydney Prescott in some way and were motivated by revenge, the thirst for fame, or some twisted combination of the two; in contrast, the <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> killers commit their murders to "improve" the quality of the in-universe <b><i>Stab</i></b> franchise. While I understand that this motive served as a way to provide commentary about <a href="https://www.avclub.com/scream-5-jack-quaid-trolled-star-wars-fans-reddit-the-b-1849035102" target="_blank">how toxic fan communities have become in recent years</a>, it's still incredibly bonkers to consider. It would be like die-hard fans of the <b><i>Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i></b> franchise getting upset with its many disappointing sequels, prequels and "requels" and deciding to hunt down and kill people who are connected to the real-life <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein" target="_blank">Ed Gein</a> murders to inspire better <i><b>Chainsaw</b></i> movies. The <b><i>Scream</i></b> movies have poked fun at the media's fixation with true crime since the first entry, but adding hyper-obsessive fans into the mix takes the franchise's already dark sense of humor to a whole new level.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Putting the fake <b><i>Stab</i></b> franchise into a real franchise that built its narrative around satirizing slasher film cliches was a stroke of genius but <i><b>Scream 5</b></i> reshapes it by turning it into <i>THE</i> motive for the killers. Essentially, the success of the <b><i>Stab</i></b> franchise validates the motives of the original Ghostface killers Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), as well as the other Ghostface killers by extension. This could be inferred from the previous movies but <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> places it at center stage. The sequel makes this point explicitly when Gale says to Sydney that she never should have written a book about the Woodsboro murders in the first place, the book that started the <b><i>Stab</i></b> movies. By doing this, the <b><i>Scream</i></b> franchise comes full circle, with the Ghostface persona assuming a life of its own due to the in-universe media that profited greatly from Ghostface killing sprees.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_GGkU2FRwg7dsboEFiSFIiLAeTDOaDJKrciBV-YPdlc1ZyCxr8wrFnlNLdzZTNDETc9DH9FZXjsMvWKg5as0oJ3ffdCl8n6BVjMW_shVM9Vw_mKZgNI_tbdxiR_bF69pfKhHy_HrUIhQEsX8CsJaW8rSDFncvGIBSJBlE6hIDZ11Vi2MswFQYeuv/s1280/Melissa-Barrera-as-Sam-in-Scream-5-2022.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_GGkU2FRwg7dsboEFiSFIiLAeTDOaDJKrciBV-YPdlc1ZyCxr8wrFnlNLdzZTNDETc9DH9FZXjsMvWKg5as0oJ3ffdCl8n6BVjMW_shVM9Vw_mKZgNI_tbdxiR_bF69pfKhHy_HrUIhQEsX8CsJaW8rSDFncvGIBSJBlE6hIDZ11Vi2MswFQYeuv/w640-h320/Melissa-Barrera-as-Sam-in-Scream-5-2022.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Sam (Melissa Barrera) talks to a voice from the past in <b>Scream 5</b>.</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There's an interesting duality between <b><i>Scream 4</i></b> and <b><i>Scream 5</i></b>. They both take place in Woodsboro and both introduce new sets of characters that become the focal point of the story. Mostly, this is due to what each film satirizes: <b><i>Scream 4</i></b> pokes fun at remakes and <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> pokes fun at requels, the murkier film category that consists not of remakes but alternate sequels to original films. Since the <b><i>Scream</i></b> franchise never felt the need to do a remake or a requel, it fittingly took jabs at these notorious means Hollywood uses to keep franchises going (particularly when they shouldn't). These sequels also add new layers to the recurring <b><i>Scream</i></b> theme of intergenerational conflict, between Syndey and her cousin Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) in <b><i>Scream 4</i></b> and between Billy and his daughter Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) in <b><i>Scream 5</i></b>. Jill wants to be like Syndey but in the worst possible way, while Sam wants to get as far away as possible from her father's legacy but winds up embracing it when circumstances leave her with no other choice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(Speaking of <b><i>Scream 4</i></b>, I couldn't help but to think of it when Dewey tells Sydney not to come back to Woodsboro after Ghostface reappears in <b><i>Scream 5</i></b>. Odds are that Sydney no longer has any need to return to Woodsboro, since all of her remaining family in Woodsboro died in <i><b>Scream 4</b></i>.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the same creative team that made <b><i>Scream 5</i></b> also made the new sequel, I'm looking forward to seeing where they take the franchise next. In particular, I'm curious to see how much the public in the Scream universe actually knows about the Ghostface killers outside of Billy and Stu, and if Sam knows that both her dad <i>AND</i> her paternal grandmother were both Ghostface killers. One of <a href="https://screenrant.com/scream-6-poster-shows-horror-sequel-plot-details/" target="_blank">the promotional posters</a> also included a suggestion that the late Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) might play a role in the new story, so I'm wondering where that thread will go. Regardless, if <i><b>Scream 6</b></i> is as good as <b><i>Scream 5</i></b>, I'll be a very happy slasher fan.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08D4Y2BJH&asins=B08D4Y2BJH&linkId=5cd3c261f369548453c1abba6c929901&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09FQ7T9FZ&asins=B09FQ7T9FZ&linkId=95ca3ed728f990fc3602570e894df362&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08DTVZY36&asins=B08DTVZY36&linkId=ef673940deec20d887819650a0405cac&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-63913348082262824072023-03-06T10:17:00.000-08:002023-03-06T10:17:09.411-08:00Point-and-Click Meets Hack-and-Slash in Dead Secret VR Games<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOm1VfzgYMh-A93AIO0DyJFl2PDghWvhmCQB3t9ln-Ts8wq_R7eLLiSd_H-MnQFQMoI_hVzCdZRDBjgE8591tDvnjWDn7psYd4PWKbMSRdn6EuXmyl2zpF385V6yX7-6iVfFYqlg368lcGLFBkzEwVE7pANe61kYgdF8H-aAsGdoVVIn6W5V8Yuy/s1024/39761210130_a30beb89c1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOm1VfzgYMh-A93AIO0DyJFl2PDghWvhmCQB3t9ln-Ts8wq_R7eLLiSd_H-MnQFQMoI_hVzCdZRDBjgE8591tDvnjWDn7psYd4PWKbMSRdn6EuXmyl2zpF385V6yX7-6iVfFYqlg368lcGLFBkzEwVE7pANe61kYgdF8H-aAsGdoVVIn6W5V8Yuy/w400-h400/39761210130_a30beb89c1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As we get closer to the release of <b><i>Scream 6</i></b>, I want to take a look at the one area of media that lacks slasher content: VR. There are plenty of horror games in VR, but you're much more likely to find aliens, ghosts and zombies in those titles than slashers. Nevertheless, slasher fans do have some VR choices: <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/402260/Dead_Secret/" target="_blank">Dead Secret</a></i></b> (2016) and <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/671920/Dead_Secret_Circle/" target="_blank">Dead Secret Circle</a></i></b> (2018), two VR games that were released by Robot Invader. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Taking place in 1965, <b><i>Dead Secret</i></b> puts players in the role of Patricia Gable, a reporter from a Kansas newspaper who is investigating a secluded farmhouse where Professor Harris Bullard was found dead. Suspecting murder, Patricia searches for clues to validate her hunch, a search that makes her the next target of a masked killer called The Woodcutter. <b><i>Dead Secret Circle</i></b> advances the story to Chicago in 1971, where Patricia is still recovering from the events of the first game. After receiving an anonymous tip, Patricia investigates a dilapidated apartment building that might be connected to a serial killer known as The Laughing Man--and may also have ties to Bullard's death from years earlier.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroJ6dFEnM5Ab73bQFhc-r9SWxdUkqDdyN11ae7I4HjnikLlMlI22kBtL5CJWu8eCGDq-qC4cbUhZIsmsv0aVCT22LG-dQKNPcFnR3syuU1UPv3AxpJcsB8T9wvhZGvSRA5eNo0WhyMAMJm98FxtXUTTy4h4H9phlcIAl2TYwgct6j_s2CdVmJMNXs/s1920/sec1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroJ6dFEnM5Ab73bQFhc-r9SWxdUkqDdyN11ae7I4HjnikLlMlI22kBtL5CJWu8eCGDq-qC4cbUhZIsmsv0aVCT22LG-dQKNPcFnR3syuU1UPv3AxpJcsB8T9wvhZGvSRA5eNo0WhyMAMJm98FxtXUTTy4h4H9phlcIAl2TYwgct6j_s2CdVmJMNXs/w640-h360/sec1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The late Professor Bullard's home office in <b>Dead Secret</b>.</span></i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Dead Secret</i></b> was originally intended to be a 2D point-and-click murder mystery game, but Robot Invader decided instead to make it a VR release. Surprisingly, the point-and-click gameplay works well in <b><i>Dead Secret</i></b>, largely due to the detailed, atmospheric 3D environment of the Bullard farmhouse that's filled with interesting clues and details. Such immersion pulls the player into the story, which takes plenty of twists and turns and provides a good list of possible suspects to investigate. The Woodcutter's presence adds suspense to the game, since all players can do is find the nearest escape route whenever the killer appears. Even though the body count in this game is low, that does not make The Woodcutter any less intimidating.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Dead Secret Circle</i></b> expands upon the first game in many ways. The environments are larger, the story is more elaborate, the voice acting is better, the murders are more brutal, and players have more options for interaction and movement within the virtual spaces. Unlike the first game, <i><b>Circle</b></i> lets players interview the suspects to progress in the game, although players can only flee and hide from The Laughing Man whenever he appears; like The Woodcutter, the only way you can stop him is to solve the mystery. Furthermore, Robot Invader remastered <i><b>Circle</b></i> in October 2022, so it looks better now than it ever has before. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHojGRrSMbfcLr_KD7bJWJ_wD5udAPQeeEU5BjWJgebitz-IT_wzoRqVyEyhDOhY4It_o6UpnhqbHZmzRgd55grRrhDtGq9O-ue7BJ6nB3aNL3mnbPn4BcCDQm-6jGI3Ovbz2ezemxnUFB3udVsYxTmjKvAK3XJAIwdVhnFtIzJByJng45LyFSY3r/s1920/Dead-Secret-Circle-free-download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHojGRrSMbfcLr_KD7bJWJ_wD5udAPQeeEU5BjWJgebitz-IT_wzoRqVyEyhDOhY4It_o6UpnhqbHZmzRgd55grRrhDtGq9O-ue7BJ6nB3aNL3mnbPn4BcCDQm-6jGI3Ovbz2ezemxnUFB3udVsYxTmjKvAK3XJAIwdVhnFtIzJByJng45LyFSY3r/w640-h360/Dead-Secret-Circle-free-download.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Laughing Man stalks his next victim in <b>Dead Secret Circle</b>.</i></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">While these titles are essentially mystery games, the <b><i>Dead Secret</i></b> VR games are the only ones I've played so far that capture the feel of a slasher film. You're never sure when the killer will appear and where to go when he does, so you'll inevitably approach each door and dark hallway with trepidation. (Indeed, finding where to run and where to hide are part of the puzzles to figure out in these games.) Like a good slasher movie, <b><i>Circle</i></b> even has an initial encounter with The Laughing Man before the title screen appears. While both games are light on gore, <b><i>Circle</i></b> throws in some blood spatter if The Laughing Man catches you--he'll swing his straight razor at you, and a stream of digital blood will squirt out from your virtual jugular vein. There are also elements of the supernatural and pseudoscience in both games, which reminded me of Dario Argento giallo movies such a <b><i>Deep Red</i></b> (1975) and <b><i>Phenomena</i></b> (1985). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Both <i><b>Dead Secret</b></i> games take their time for players to examine environments, collect clues, read documents and solve puzzles, so gamers who prefer more action-oriented fare should probably play something else. Also, the point-and-click controls aren't always as responsive as they should be, even in <b><i>Circle</i></b>. Yet whatever their shortcomings, what impressed me the most about the <b><i>Dead Secret</i></b> series is how it has been able to do so much with so little. They don't operate at the same level of high-end VR titles such as <b><i>Half-Life: Alyx</i></b> or <b><i>Bonelab</i></b>; instead, they present well-designed locations, intriguing mysteries, engaging storytelling and a few solid scares to propel the games forward. These games even worked on the Oculus Go, which goes to show how much effort Robot Invader put into getting the most out of the production resources it had. I had a wonderful time with these games, and I highly recommend both of them to those who are looking for some slasher fun in VR.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005YR308S&asins=B005YR308S&linkId=810849bc80b98bbf92934c10658fe014&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1620083078&asins=1620083078&linkId=4a2574331a749c927cb5f9e2cf37aa54&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1644300575&asins=1644300575&linkId=2b04bec0c201df7d599ff8c710a55ea2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-33126718782164117652023-03-02T07:07:00.005-08:002023-03-02T16:05:03.493-08:00Tidy Up Criminal Carnage in Serial Cleaner (2017)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9GGnzZ32yBhHHxYQwArJ5vKsYCnSos9u1UleLikzZYX2g25bfZ2tK4GF7QNucCbfoaYYPwIrWIBO3Om61YYPPlbzHjf9M_Inrb3psvR8KLvUkoyNtxHgpV0bhyk7XRcN8NC2qv0SEHilziAw1SUXj7ljqKz9AawrVbD-A4_AR15jbxrLDVRbkfgX/s1920/serial-cleaner-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1920" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9GGnzZ32yBhHHxYQwArJ5vKsYCnSos9u1UleLikzZYX2g25bfZ2tK4GF7QNucCbfoaYYPwIrWIBO3Om61YYPPlbzHjf9M_Inrb3psvR8KLvUkoyNtxHgpV0bhyk7XRcN8NC2qv0SEHilziAw1SUXj7ljqKz9AawrVbD-A4_AR15jbxrLDVRbkfgX/w640-h296/serial-cleaner-big.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In keeping with my slashertastic anticipation of the <i><b>Scream 6</b></i> release, I thought I would take the time to review a video game that does not focus on slashers but instead on the dedicated, tireless folks who clean up after them: <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/522210/Serial_Cleaner/" target="_blank">Serial Cleaner</a></i></b>, a 2017 2D stealth title that was developed by iFun4all and published by Curve Games Limited.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Set in the 1970s, <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> follows The Cleaner, a crime scene cleaner who works for local organized crime. As the game progresses, The Cleaner begins to suspect that his recent jobs are not for crime lords but instead to cover for a serial murderer called the Echo Killer. When local authorities begin to suspect The Cleaner is acting as the Echo Killer's accomplice, he has no choice but to untangle himself from the Echo Killer's spree without becoming his next victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b>, each level has players cleaning blood stains, hiding evidence, and removing bodies from crime scenes while avoiding police officers. Players can use a few items hide from the police (e.g., shrubbery, dumpsters, closets, etc.) and some levels feature shortcuts players can take to move bodies faster. The police aren't very smart in this game; as long as players pay attention to their movement patterns, they will be able to finish their cleaning tasks and leave in the getaway car without getting arrested. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLud2_zsH0IQvjwpfj1bnhT7bBxLQROQCjc5rQxZ9z9BEI8htKgcnZpmCC5tpmZ_yXfuJyacivWp3YHUJgE0MBXsyDkm9WplTrQaEtcmzZjyi0zt9bM8tufEJh2DTCuB9w2huMD82j34euaD6Y7-04BWUvUgbFkhXu8TzkaezG8cr0gFQBgyUjK-w/s1920/Serial-Cleaner_20170702223412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLud2_zsH0IQvjwpfj1bnhT7bBxLQROQCjc5rQxZ9z9BEI8htKgcnZpmCC5tpmZ_yXfuJyacivWp3YHUJgE0MBXsyDkm9WplTrQaEtcmzZjyi0zt9bM8tufEJh2DTCuB9w2huMD82j34euaD6Y7-04BWUvUgbFkhXu8TzkaezG8cr0gFQBgyUjK-w/w640-h360/Serial-Cleaner_20170702223412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> bears a few similarities to another slasher-themed game, <b><i><a href="https://titansterrorstoys.blogspot.com/2023/02/slasher-films-get-game-treatment-in.html" target="_blank">Party Hard</a></i></b>. Both are 2D stealth games where each level focuses on a single location and players have to use their powers of observation and patience to complete the game. Neither game takes itself too seriously, with the right amounts of absurdity and dark humor counter-balancing the inherent ghastliness of the mass murders that happen on the screen. Of the two titles, I think <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> is the better game: The story is much more interesting, and the Echo Killer arc builds to a satisfying conclusion. Furthermore, <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> has style to spare, with a funky jazz soundtrack that sounds like it came straight from the '70s and a retro minimalist art style that fits the cartoonish feel of the game's humor and gameplay mechanics. Imagine if the artist <a href="http://www.shag.com/" target="_blank">Shag</a> decided to contribute his style to a video game, and you have a good idea of what <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> looks and feels like.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Finishing the main campaign is only part of the fun with <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b>--the bonus levels and unlockable costumes for The Cleaner are all rooted in '70s pop culture. The extra levels have players cleaning up crime scenes based on '70s films such as <i><b>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</b></i>, <b><i>Suspiria</i></b> and <b><i>Taxi Driver</i></b>. If you want to dress up The Cleaner like Michael Meyers from <b><i>Halloween</i></b> or Dr. Frank N. Furter from <b><i>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</i></b>, you can do that too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrscFCH-c3wB_1JNSrPsh6rR5wDmv6RfMhZKe7D2G8xoN2NJBK3LxAjj5PPb4xbrinBao8x7wLfCMCuDsRMy_Auhqo77sOfyvufPg49d2-qQ3cef2q2et_cU_hAe79WO-UupzzJbB8rYyFPvtl24xLBjc5MYjfBToHolzlVcoj-nuCRCuWBDnAb6G/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrscFCH-c3wB_1JNSrPsh6rR5wDmv6RfMhZKe7D2G8xoN2NJBK3LxAjj5PPb4xbrinBao8x7wLfCMCuDsRMy_Auhqo77sOfyvufPg49d2-qQ3cef2q2et_cU_hAe79WO-UupzzJbB8rYyFPvtl24xLBjc5MYjfBToHolzlVcoj-nuCRCuWBDnAb6G/w640-h360/OIP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b> did get a sequel in 2022, <i><b><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1337920/Serial_Cleaners/" target="_blank">Serial Cleaners</a></b></i>. The sequel takes place on New Year's Eve in 1999, with most of the game being told through flashbacks of events that happened throughout the '90s. The Cleaner finally gets a name--Bob--and he has a crew of three other cleaners to help him with his dirty work. The Echo Killer makes a brief return appearance in one level that's modeled after a scene in <i><b>Silence of the Lambs</b></i>, but that's it. Instead, the plot of <b><i>Serial Cleaners</i></b> focuses on the four cleaners confronting each other to find out who reported them to the police.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The main objectives from the first game remain the same in <i><b>Serial Cleaners</b></i>, but the sequel has more to offer. Its levels have an isometric layout, and this added dimensionality presents new challenges and lets players interact with the environments in ways that weren't possible in the first game. As the game progresses, players control each of the cleaners, and each has a different specialty that can be used to finish the cleaning job; on some levels, players can even alternate between two cleaners so their specialties can be used in tandem. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBR3qscZW4pKV9AiwN6YuUCjfxeSYKMEnIEgZroyFXzwq5eHqMzeH9_kvOY1VcI3tdouK2RDy8LJxaz2EWXys7BsWoE1qtlJQWTzfNmTnTz9LLyfwX3rzFjAVUS8Iyd0g9iUccgbnXETUCkna2YEB1FWRcj0Ll4c3UJJEUAtp8SNInUfXifd8V4li/s1920/serial-cleaners05_0000954993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBR3qscZW4pKV9AiwN6YuUCjfxeSYKMEnIEgZroyFXzwq5eHqMzeH9_kvOY1VcI3tdouK2RDy8LJxaz2EWXys7BsWoE1qtlJQWTzfNmTnTz9LLyfwX3rzFjAVUS8Iyd0g9iUccgbnXETUCkna2YEB1FWRcj0Ll4c3UJJEUAtp8SNInUfXifd8V4li/w640-h360/serial-cleaners05_0000954993.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">For all of the new features that the sequel provides, I don't think it's as fun or as stylish as the first game. The sequel wants to tell a more serious story, so the humor from the first game is mostly gone. Nevertheless, if you like <b><i>Serial Cleaner</i></b>, you'll enjoy playing through the environments that are in its sequel. Horror fans will also probably like Psycho, one of the new characters. He's a large brute with a dubious sense of reality, and he brings a chainsaw with him to cut up bodies into smaller parts for easier removal. If police see him cutting up a body, they'll temporarily pass out; Psycho can also throw body parts at police to knock them out as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I think <i><b>Serial Cleaner</b></i> is the perfect game for slasher fans who enjoy stealth-based games. There is plenty of blood to clean up, bodies to move, and dark-humored jokes for horror buffs to enjoy, as well as a fairly decent sequel that has plenty of new challenges (and a power tool).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00457XCQ8&asins=B00457XCQ8&linkId=7ffcb2032013931fb62081473c189b04&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B09GCCJ73Q&asins=B09GCCJ73Q&linkId=5b3416abf1c446034b64a935ea3db9d9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01GGN0FJK&asins=B01GGN0FJK&linkId=64eb45167d9ae718d572ea4b5020d44d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557502634138462766.post-54488942107479400692023-02-24T08:12:00.001-08:002023-02-24T17:04:53.856-08:00Slasher Films Get the Game Treatment in Party Hard (2015)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7avhqcqTt2LZntX32h9qo-gTXuRcTuumcf54F-MPzF7pY7sQjnoW6joYiUAlDnOchd-g4BuTHbd0gRsSXsw3Y1lXDn9rYCSJGSpxPiLd565OnthaHRjaYjiRX2w1EWhux6eCi2RQtjRj2wNX-3Fcj265LYu8LmFTauQWx9O2rgn0TrBg63IUvIZ/s512/cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7avhqcqTt2LZntX32h9qo-gTXuRcTuumcf54F-MPzF7pY7sQjnoW6joYiUAlDnOchd-g4BuTHbd0gRsSXsw3Y1lXDn9rYCSJGSpxPiLd565OnthaHRjaYjiRX2w1EWhux6eCi2RQtjRj2wNX-3Fcj265LYu8LmFTauQWx9O2rgn0TrBg63IUvIZ/w400-h400/cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">With <b><i>Scream 6</i></b> getting closer to its March 10th release date, I thought I would do some slasher-related posts to tie in with the arrival of the much-anticipated sequel. Yet this post isn't about slasher films; instead, it's about a video game that was heavily influenced by slasher films, <b><i><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/356570/" target="_blank">Party Hard</a></i></b>. <b><i>Party Hard</i></b> was developed by PinoklGames released in 2015 by <a href="https://www.tinybuild.com/" target="_blank">tinyBuild</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Slasher films have had an impact on video games since the beginning, with both <b><i><a href="https://atarionline.org/atari-2600/halloween" target="_blank">Halloween</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="https://atarionline.org/atari-2600/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre" target="_blank">Texas Chainsaw Massacre</a></i></b> getting their own video games for the Atari 2600. In more recent years, <b><i><a href="https://deadbydaylight.com/" target="_blank">Dead By Daylight</a></i></b> has become the most popular slasher-themed game, and it includes DLC content that allows gamers to play as popular slashers such as Freddy Krueger, Michael Meyers, and even Ghostface himself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In contrast to other slasher games, <b><i>Party Hard</i></b> puts strategy above everything else. Gamers play as a serial killer who sneaks into a series of parties across the United States to kill every attendee. The parties take place in various locations such as rooftops, beaches, nightclubs and yachts, and players have to avoid getting caught in order to finish each level. The levels have plenty of traps players can use, including explosives, poisons and fires; however, even if partygoers don't see players set a trap, they can still be accused of being the killer in the panic that ensues. Each level takes place in a single screen--there are no other places to go outside of what is on the screen, which makes it very challenging to find places to knock off victims and hide bodies. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTyCoKp7RNnPscPk_U_2f5VbNjVGtkkj_F1eFcm6qVwbPRoHeY8ZrL5PmOMmNx3eVUqOmC6QU_AWLtOO8pt4uq_sFBwG_hivN53jUZKPG861YRS7a_kawTB5AzKoXX-SWMzwNoNwhFS5wHQNFmFyOmMtWHjgs-kOQQ4oWsaYux9DTsT638nrgGIbf/s1918/party-hard-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTyCoKp7RNnPscPk_U_2f5VbNjVGtkkj_F1eFcm6qVwbPRoHeY8ZrL5PmOMmNx3eVUqOmC6QU_AWLtOO8pt4uq_sFBwG_hivN53jUZKPG861YRS7a_kawTB5AzKoXX-SWMzwNoNwhFS5wHQNFmFyOmMtWHjgs-kOQQ4oWsaYux9DTsT638nrgGIbf/w640-h360/party-hard-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>What you see is what you get: one of the levels in <b>Party Hard</b>.</i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a series of cutscenes that tie all of the levels together into a single story, but that really isn't important. <b><i>Party Hard</i></b> is all about creative kills and high body counts, and that's it. When players finish the main campaign, there are also bonus levels, some extra DLC packs, and a workshop area where players have submitted their own custom-made levels.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're a slasher film buff like me, you'll find this game to be very appealing. Watching the party guests closely to spot opportunities to get rid of them puts you into to the blood-stained shoes of a silver screen slasher. Usually, the levels start off with taking out victims who wander away alone from the larger group (just like in a slasher film) and then slowly whittling down the number of guests to finish the level. If partygoers see you attack someone or if they get scared, they will call the cops and the level ends when you get arrested. Some levels include bouncers you have to avoid, because they will beat you up and that will end the level as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWBWZuLQOlWORvCJIJ1qkUc2zIkx3WYXWhLJHcWe__IEYcbUG8L6Gbf9-JL7_EqS5b1g_Pu_OS9_QyA33FnAapBIZbs71YTq_UhPMmmLt0YWusMhIXfoIw_Jx1HRbkhPMrMjUgcZXdOMl3yyyPIFgCIHZ4QAd-wB9aYVSwZdnLkTpPESNOlZeW8tx/s1919/partyhardinsert3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWBWZuLQOlWORvCJIJ1qkUc2zIkx3WYXWhLJHcWe__IEYcbUG8L6Gbf9-JL7_EqS5b1g_Pu_OS9_QyA33FnAapBIZbs71YTq_UhPMmmLt0YWusMhIXfoIw_Jx1HRbkhPMrMjUgcZXdOMl3yyyPIFgCIHZ4QAd-wB9aYVSwZdnLkTpPESNOlZeW8tx/w640-h360/partyhardinsert3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The only thing that I didn't like about this game is that it requires a LOT of patience. The levels have plenty of guests to kill off but not many places in which to do it, so players could spend plenty of time plotting out kills but wind up getting arrested due to a single mistake. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_Morgan" target="_blank">Dexter Morgan</a> would be disappointed.) On the other hand, I was addicted enough to <b><i>Party Hard</i></b> that I would spend more time than I should have on a single level to finish it, even if most of that time was spent just watching the party guests wander about until one of them is alone. If you want a fast-paced, action-filled game that keeps you on your toes, <b><i>Party Hard</i></b> is NOT for you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Party Hard</i></b> was obviously made for slasher movie fans, so I can't imagine other kinds of gamers liking this title. So, if you find yourself itching for some slasher film action but want to play a video game instead, you'll want to try <b><i>Party Hard</i></b>.</span></div>
<p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07TJWSZQT&asins=B07TJWSZQT&linkId=2d4114ffa35383ca72da911d685e1848&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00U5VI6G4&asins=B00U5VI6G4&linkId=91d902fbd3cf241935f152b468fc28a3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=titaterrandt-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B085B3HWT9&asins=B085B3HWT9&linkId=c0ada554c81322324b9b04ef9037a825&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 130%;"></span>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105692985678165114noreply@blogger.com0