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Emzee

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Blog Entries posted by Emzee

  1. Emzee

    4000

    By Emzee,

    Well, after many years, I've finally done it. 4000!
     
    Just 8000 more to go and that Vahi is mine!
     
     
  3. Emzee

    2002 - 2003

    By Emzee,

    Don't ask why, but I spent a great deal of time in Storyline and Theories. I think this is because that forum was the first to show up on my address bar whenever I typed in bzpower.com (I didn't know how to bookmark at this time), plus every forum looked the same to me so I didn't really pay attention to what forum I was in (yes, I was one of those members). So most of my first few posts were in S&T, with this one being my very first (as far as I know - I got up rather late the next day).
     
    BZPower was cyber-attacked in November 2002. The forums were offline for quite a while after that and I was sure the era of BZ had met its end. Fortunately, I was wrong.
     
    So, you may remember last entry when I mentioned Flow of the River. That's how I discovered the RPG Forum, which I thought was an odd name for a forum that had computer games. The forum was populated with game project that were doomed to fail (FotR could possibly be included in this, since the game was only half-finished by this point and the creators had gone on hiatus). Still, I checked out the 3D C++ game topic, and many other topics using RPG Maker to make their stuff. I really wanted to believe I could find something to fill that void of no Legends of Mata Nui PC game. Well, since the game projects (most of them at least) weren't going anywhere, I decided to start making RPGs myself.
    Now to shamelessly parrot from my site's About page:

     
    This actually sums up my first year well. The rise and fall of an aspiring RPG Maker. I also enjoyed the luxury of learning more about the BIONICLE storyline and other facets that I would've never found on Bionicle.com. I had gotten used to simply visiting BZPower first, then, if LEGO posted an update, I'd check out Bionicle.com through the link that BZPower posted.
  4. Emzee

    Be A Bzgamer!

    By Emzee,

    We're still recruiting for our Software Library! If you like to play downloadable BIONICLE computer games (not something that's common besides Glatorian Arena) feel free to apply!
  6. Emzee
    School started this past Thursday, and I'm taking 18 credit hours (which is 6 classes for those not in college yet). I thought I'd just share what I'm taking this semester, so here we go:
    Digital Art - designing professional-looking artwork with Photoshop Understanding World Music - studying the basics of music all around the world Probability and Statistics for Software Engineers - Math Math Foundations for Software Engineers - more Math Business and Public Law - An interesting look at civil court cases involving both small businesses and corporations Professional and Technical Communication - teaches one how to write like an engineer I have a full load this semester. I would say how this will inevitably cut into my activity here at BZP, but my work load here is light and I haven't been that active here. At best, I'll be just as active then as I am now. I'm not looking forward to the new math classes I have to take, mostly because they involve a lot of Calculus, which didn't serve me well when I took Physics. I have to take these classes though, and do well in them, do I'll just deal with it. 
    ...can't like I'm excited about writing either, as I'm afraid this may be another English class -- there's a reason I didn't major in English or Humanities. Math is the lesser of two evils.
  7. Emzee
    Since I have nothing better to do that Sunday (>_>) I'm thinking of driving to Austin for the store opening, provided that I still have plans for Saturday. If it turns out that I won't be doing anything Saturday I'll go that day instead.
     
    I don't know why I'm putting this out there, no one I know is going and no one else would recognize me. Plus, I'm still not 100% sure I'm going (I still need to take my car to the auto place to make sure it's up for 200+ mile (per trip, so 400+ total) drive. If you hear anything back from me about this event, then you can rest assured I was able to make it.
  8. Emzee

    2004 - 2005

    By Emzee,

    Ah yes, my third year at BZP. It had now become permanently part of my e-routine, checking posts in the RPG forum as well as browsing the other boards. The last half of this year mostly was about the 2nd movie - the best BIONICLE move, IMO. I lot of people weren't sure on what to expect, considering the setting was entirely different. All-in-all though, the movie was very well-received (minus a few naysayers, but I will get to them later in this entry.
     
    You may remember me mentioning an MNOLG for the Metru Nui saga. Well, a BZPer named -Takua- apparently shared my desire for another adventure game, and the Metru Nui Online project (known as MeNOL) was born. I didn't take part in this, and at first there wasn't really much to show from the project. -Takua- was a beginner, but it was great to see such an ambitious project be started. It also wasn't the only game being created in the Software forum. Since no FCG forum existed, any video game that wasn't an RPG went in the Software Forum, and several other projects had sprung up there - all using the application called Game Maker. Thus, near the end of 2004, the "game company fad" had started. Everyone wanted to start a company and hire strangers off the street to create interesting content, much like people are doing now. No doubt, it was a great way to make new friends, but what came of it? Well, surprisingly, a lot more than you think. Most of these game companies actually were able to release something, and many times they were able to release multiple games. I was truly inspiring to see such interest in fan-created games, and I was glad to see the fade last a long time.
     
    On the other side of things though, other parts of BZP and the BIONICLE fandom as a whole weren't doing too hot IMO. Criticism of the line increased exponentially, mostly from people simply entering their mid to late teens and naturally losing interest in such a "childish" hobby like BIONICLE. Granted, not all the critics thought like that, but it easy to tell which side a critic was on by looking at their criticisms in 2004/2005 and seeing if they're actually still around. If they're not, chances are they were just bitter about growing up and not seeing the line mature with them. I of course, loved the line at this point. 2004 was one of my favorite years because of its urban feel. It felt more sci-fi, and thus, familiar to me. BIONICLE was in its prime, and it was disappointing to see so many people refer to it like it was a childish toyline with a cheap storyline. Nowadays, I've just accepted all of that and am content with enjoying my childish hobby, but I was 15 then - you know how 15 year olds are.
     
    Stay tuned for next year's summary: when the fandom strikes back!
  9. Emzee

    Finally Done!

    By Emzee,

    With my first year of College, that is.
     
    Finals were okay, but I was busy with this programming project while I was studying for tests and I kept getting off-track. I'm just glad it's summer though, even though it's blazing hot now.
     
    Well, that's all for today. I hope things have been going well for the rest of you bloggies.
  10. Emzee
    This won't be very long. Today (or tonight, rather), I want to talk about the highs and lows emotionally involved in my upcoming RPG, LoMZ 2: The Infestation. I won't spoil anything, but I will point out that in the original Infestation (that's still up for download and still being played) I had intended on achieving a sort of catharsis from the players. Seeing innocent characters brutally murdered, friends about to kill each other, and enemies sitting back and laughing as if they already won. These feelings of sadness, shock, and anger (among other emotions) are important in enhancing a storyline.
     
    I'm just here to tell you that the storyline in this new version in like Infest. on 'roids. The villains are crueler, crazier, and in some cases, cooler. As for the heroes, they still have their various flaws, and I've made effort to make them more noticeable this time, which will intensify the diversity in the 8 characters that the player will be allowed to control.
     
    That's pretty much it for now. Sorry I don't have a screenshot this time. I'll try to post one later.
  11. Emzee

    Guess Who's Back?

    By Emzee,

    Eh, with the new sig guidelines finally being rolled out, I think BZPower deserves a little something from me.
     
    Now to clean this place up a bit... *gets broom and dustpan*
  13. Emzee
    Took my History exam on Tuesday, and I'm very glad that that's over and done with. The multiple choice questions were excruciatingly hard, and I'm kind of peeved I couldn't have gotten a higher grade in that portion. Oh well.
     
    I still have other academic projects, but I always feel somewhat lethargic after taking tests...
  14. Emzee

    Super Bowl

    By Emzee,

    Really not sure if I'm going to watch it or not. If my friends have something planned, then I'll probably end up joining them. As my Staff Bio says, I don't really watch sports (or TV in general), so I'm not as hyped about it as some other people here are.
     
    Yeah, this was just a ramble entry. You guys got any plans tonight?
  16. Emzee

    Hey Everyone!

    By Emzee,

    I got something else I want you all to check out.
     
    Cyan Productions is a diverse company working on many different games. Two of those games are the Star Tohunga games. These RPGs, while weak in graphics, more than make up for it in terms of gameplay and interactive roleplaying. Just click the link and at least look over the topic, if nothing else. It's summer and you've probably got nothing better to do anyway.
     
    So what are you waiting for? Check it out!
  17. Emzee

    Not Fun...

    By Emzee,

    *sigh* Work on Influx is continuing, but I've reached possibly the hardest part of the game: AI. I've just managed to get the logic down on paper, and implementing it has been successful. However, since this is a 3D game, Physics and animation have to play a part, and sometimes what I want the AI to do may be hindered by the Physics since the Physics system controls how the character moves.
     
    Then, there's sequencing: having one process go after another. This is generally how lines of code are processed, by they're processed so fast that it all looks instantaneous. The challenge presented is that I must have one command cycle through the game loop until it is done, then when that command is completely finished, another command can start. The key is to hopefully do this without the use of hundreds of booleans (or switches, or toggles, if that makes more sense), which right now looks like the only possible solution.
     
    Maybe I'll go back and work on the menu. That was fun.
     
    P.S. Stay tuned this week for my 8th BZP anniversary, where, starting on the 20th (3 days before my join date) I'll talk to you about what was going on during that year and what I was up to (since very few you know much about be from before 2008/9). I will be funny and entertaining. Promise!
  18. Emzee

    Almost There...

    By Emzee,

    We're almost to the end of this... interesting decade. Certainly glad to have been a part of it. Everyone born from tomorrow on will have missed all the fun! Also, y'know what'd make a good resolution? Try checking out the RPG forum, especially you Epic writers. Specifically, check out the all-new BZPRPG that'll be showing up in a few hours. Guaranteed fun or your money back!
     
    Anyway, I won't be online for New Years, so I hope you all enjoy the switch from 2000s to the '10s. Happy Early New Year!
  19. Emzee

    2005 - 2006

    By Emzee,

    This is about the time when the Game Company fad drew to a close. MeNOL was finally released, and it was awesome, though it only had one level. Unfortunately, free time for -Takua- and Tula began to become more scarce, and there simply wasn't enough time to get an update out. On top of that, there were foundational issues in the programming, and the creators realized that in order for the game to improve, they would like have to start from scratch (yes, I've been there many times myself).
     
    In other regions of software forum, we had the laughable rivalry between Biotech and Anaglyph. I don't really want to explain that in detail, since it was so long ago and again, we were fifteen year-olds.
     
    Another memorable point in this year was when fandom, having finished it reeling from the massive backlash of 2005. In 2006, they fought back in droves, and the Bionicle subforums changed from complaining about BIONICLE to complaining about people complaining about BIONICLE and complaining about people complaining about people complaining about BIONICLE and... (etc.)
     
    Yeah, it was whirlwind. When it all came down to it, it seemed like people just didn't respect each others' tastes. I think we're a little better about it now, but then again, we're also older now.
     
    That's pretty much now I remember this year: lots and lots of tension. My 4th year pretty much marked the end of my browsing through general BIONICLE subforums, and sticking mostly to RPG Forum due to all the bickering. Unfortunately, not even the BZPRPG was safe from that though. Stay tuned for tomorrow when I fully explain why I left the BZPRPG, and also go over my huge comeback in game development with the debut of The Legend of Mata Zuto: Fall of the Conqueror.
  22. Emzee
    Yeah, I doubt most of you know about those. I know that sounds like the Golden Cheese of Awesomeness or something like that, but don't be fooled. I'm getting one tomorrow and it will be due on Tuesday. Most likely? I will be literally working on it the whole weekend. Still though, I can say that they're a little bit better than have to take an exam in only an hour's time, but I don't know if I can stay in my room for three days straight doing Physics problems.
     
    And I see Hero Factory has touched down on American soil. I hope Smeag and DV can get their hands on them soon - we're overdue for a review from one of them - especially DV.
     
    Oh, and lastly, clickety-click.
  23. Emzee

    In Other News...

    By Emzee,

    I finally shrunk down my gi-normous approval seal. It's now only 200 pixels wide. If you still have the oversized one, scroll down and switch it out with the new one.
     
    Yeah, I think that's all I have to say for today.
    EDIT: I need to change my av for this blog... eh, I'll do it later.
  24. Emzee

    Things Are Heating Up

    By Emzee,

    ... in the BZPRPG at least.
     
    For the first time in the BZPRPG's history, a region has been pummeled so many times by evil organizations that city just collapsed on itself. Subsequently, the RPing topic was closed, since there's nothing there.
     
    Now what's happening? Cities and organizations are gearing up for a war against the Cabal of Cruelty. It'll be interesting to see what my character or my city, Zuto Nui, will do, since they supply power to practically everyone, including the CoC. I don't know for sure, but I think that they're a huge comsumer of Zuto Nui Power's company's electricity as well. It means Mr. Dyrnn will have to hit the books and see about what he'll have to do to minimize profit loss.
     
    That's pretty much it as far as BZPower goes. Oh, and I finally finished that Wedding Arc with Friar Tuck. The reception was cancelled though, so there won't be a party.
  25. Emzee

    So I Finally Have A Break

    By Emzee,

    I'm getting a little bit of a Fall break this week, and it feels great to have a little bit of breathing room so far. I'm hoping you young people can be a little more relaxed than I am.
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