Chamber of Dread

Work

2009-07-25T01:41:00.001-05:00

I finished a rough outline for Project G's story. I am satisfied with it, as it looks to contain all the beats I want. It's not 100% this-is-it-no-further-revisions stuff, and I left some ambiguous spots open for future ideas, but overall I think it perfectly encapsulates the story I want to tell. Now to actually sit down and write the thing...

AND NOW

2009-06-29T01:23:00.002-05:00

So anyway, it came to me: Chances are, the things I want to make that are not immediately viable (comics and television, mainly) have a slight chance of never being viable. What to do, if I still want to make them? This is where the Internet comes in.

The idea: post scripts of some sort. So, even if stuff like Project G or Project N never really get off the ground, I can still scratch the itch to have them down somewhere for people to enjoy. Plus, what if some talented or influential people come across them, and are interested? Oh, the glories of the Internet!

What's taxing me: How to write them. Posting a straight-up comic book or TV script would be simple enough. On the other hand, if they will exist purely to be read by online passers-by, it doesn't work for two ways: (1) It will seem like a desperate pitch, rather than as a story on its own, and (2) The format is not really fun to read, unless you're a buff of the particular field. Too many breaks and weird formatting.

The solution I've come up with is utilizing a sort of neutral script-style, one that can be easily translated into different formats, but works as reading material on its own. The way I imagine it, it would be a combination of stage scripting and novel-style narration. The only real problem right now is how to deal with scene shifts. It really shouldn't be that hard to work around. Chapters, maybe?

Going with Things

2009-06-16T00:01:00.003-05:00

A buddy suggests that I should probably write something. He's probably right.

At work yesterday, I got a new idea for a series of undetermined medium that more or less continues something I was working on before. It was an interesting process: I started with a concept (someone taking part in a shotgun wedding) and then expanded upon events (someone punches out the mayor, and then takes on a hoard of angry rednecks). And now I have the basic idea of the series. It is all very silly.

One thing I decided: Project N2, the postapocalyptic semi-sequel to Project N, has changed to the point that one relying on the other is pointless. Although the connections between the two ideas (the shared setting and at least one character) remains, they are more or less considered different series now. I feel this is for the best, as while Project N remains primarily comedic, Project N2 is drifting away from anything resembling light comedy, although it still features goofy subject matter. I don't want it to go completely dramatic, that's just not going to work for me or the story, but it has its own tone now, separate from the thing it spun off from.

Speaking of Project N, I've been trying to figure it out for the last few weeks, and I still see a tonal clash. I've attempted to organize the story ideas into different 'cycles', where they can be set to fit eachother. Even so, the stories themselves range from silly light comedy, darker (and more down-to-earth) stuff, and completely out there oddities. Some story changes have also ostracized the supporting cast a bit, and since they are important (but that importance may be changed to better suit the current state of the concept) I'll try to work them into it. Aside from these difficulties, though, I am happy to see some much stronger story ideas come from the last little bit of brainstorming.

I've also have been coming much closer to making a card game that I am satisfied with. It still seems a bit convoluted, and some ideas aren't coming to me to cap off the thing, but it's progressing. Unfortunately, after reading up on another game, I've now got even more ideas, which essentially means I'm going to scrap what I was doing before to integrate this new stuff. Damn.

CoNOMdrums Part VIV The Heretic

2009-05-05T23:26:00.003-05:00

Simple problem for Project N:

Are the elements actually working together organically, or is it just one bunch of stuff going on one side while a completely different set of stuff goes on somewhere else? Is there room for both? How do I make them work?

This is what happens when you combine two different ideas into one thing! Or, actually, what it was was me having one idea and then adding new stuff onto it to make it more interesting. Thing is, I like both the base idea and the stuff added onto it. But it seems that by focusing on the latter stuff (which is more big, entertaining, and weird), I might be pushing out the base idea (which is more character and dialogue-based). It might not be much of a problem once I am more confident that I can convey the original idea (basically, once I am confident that I know the characters' voices).

P/P

2009-04-20T20:02:00.002-05:00

That stands for two ways I figure you can define a character: personality and pathos.
What and why, essentially. One is the surface elements of the character, the stuff the audience will generally notice and identify the character with, which includes basic stuff like likes/dislikes, habits, etc. The other is the deeper psychological aspects of the character - motivations, the emotions they feel and that inspires their personality. Although the latter can be made surface, sometimes it can remain hidden and needs to be identifed through careful examination by the audience.

We'll take the modern Punisher as an example (SORRY I'M BEING TOO LITERARY RIGHT NOW! JESUS CHRIST!). His personality is that his goal is to go out and kill criminals for revenge. His pathos is that he is a sociopath who uses revenge as justification for being a serial killer. That's not the most subtle one, but it works as a simple example.

(Alright, a more subtle example. The protagonist of the novel Flaubert's Parrot. His personality is that he is obsessed with Gustave Flaubert. His pathos is that he is a simple-minded individual who doesn't understand why things in his life go wrong, and he is constantly looking for reasoning through Flaubert's life and literature.)

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because I noticed last night (adding more to my 'character encyclopedia' that a friend of mine challenged me to make, and has been really helping me figure out my characters a bit better) that I was focusing quite a bit on pathos and not as much on personality. This isn't necessarily a colossal problem, but its making me rethink things. It's pretty much the opposite of how things are usually created (what and then why, rather than my why and then what). So basically, I need to figure out more elements of the character's surface-level characterization so they actually seem three-dimensional.

I am reminded of a post made on one of the blogs I read went over some elements of the personalities of the world's three most well-known superheroes (Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man), identifying their cooking/eating habits in rather bizarre detail. It was able to combine both personality and pathos perfectly - Superman likes rich foods because he can't gain weight, Batman can't cook because he's rich and gets other people to do it for him, and Spider-Man is pathologically inclined to go for cheap/average things because he has spent a good part of is life poor. Stuff like that.

What I need to do is to give some of my characters hobbies.

And Now A Problem

2009-03-05T00:00:00.003-06:00

Posting here is like a special event.

For something different, I will point out a bad habit/problem in my writing that I have noticed and should fix. I will likely have a series for this; there's plenty to document.

This problem I have dubbed "Arthur Dent Syndrome". I have tendency to write stories featuring a protagonist who merely observes their new (often surreal) surroundings, have it explained to him/her, and then react sarcastically/weerily/angrily/etc. Basically, they seem to be protagonists who are acted upon rather than act (which isn't exactly like Arthur Dent, but close).

The thing is...I really hate that kind of protagonist. Or, more accurately, I don't like to see that kind of protagonist played a lot. It's one of things that bugs me about even classic Disney movies...pretty much 100% of the time, the protagonist just goes from place and place and things happen to them instead of them instigating the action. The constant "well, they made the supporting cast interesting, at least" excuse has become weaker and weaker the more I think about it. I'd prefer they get out at least one interesting main character every once in a while if they plan on sticking to the formula.

Truth

2009-01-19T19:45:00.000-06:00

All that stuff I promised? Yeah, it was a lie.

Sorry.

Christmas Gifts

2008-11-30T23:12:00.004-06:00

I have a ton of creative writing class stuff finished. When I get that stuff back and make necessary corrections, I will probably post them here.

I am learning valuable lessons about editing from this class. My short play (10 pages long) went through about 8 periods of revision before being submitted.

Project G has been altered a bit as well. I removed a recurring concept that just felt like clutter. Of course, this led to me having to change how certain things happen, but it seems to have worked for the better, allowing the stories to feel more organic in their digression.

Now I have to deal with a real lack of in-between stories. I have most of the major events planned out, but have very little to put between them. This can probably only be solved with time and brainstorming.

Glower Power

2008-11-02T21:00:00.003-06:00

Project N's only real push the last little bit has been the addition of nerd references. Nothing to be proud of, really.

Project G's structure has been update yet again. I have figured an interesting way to present the story, and some added focus, and some ways to make some of the characters interesting. Wow! Now all I have to do is tie it into every other thing I've made up for the thing. The good ideas are caught in a jumble, but they will prevail, and the jumble will straighten itself out and get a job.

Since I'm in a creative writing course as we speak, I've done some creative writing. I'll post it eventually.

Too Long, Amigo

2008-09-14T16:54:00.003-05:00

Things have been hectic.

Major things have happened. Less with Project A, which will undergo a name change and a pilot script penned by the compatriot at some point but otherwise has cooled down in development progress. I've been trying to get some things tidied and work on the next phase at the same time, but that hasn't been a tremendous amount of work.

Project G is in a weird phase. I've been tweaking it more and more, and even attempted to reorganize my storylines once again. Even with all the stuff coming together, the ideas I have for my opening issues still feel oddly thin and unexciting. It may take much more work to get this thing to work smooth, and then there's more work after that to get it readable.

Project N has spent most of the year being worked on to much satisfaction. More recently, I decided to do something drastic, though: change format. I realized that Project N, in its original ideal medium, was way too ambitious, and in order to make sure it gets made at all (and I would like it to actually see the light of day), I decided I should also make it into a comic like the other main projects. Now, this poses its own sets of problems (some things in my original idea could not be transfered to sequential art), but it also gives me a tad bit more freedom. As well, I can use it as a sort of "pre-made storyboard" to use if I ever get the chance to pitch it in its original form, if that ever happens. I generally dislike that kind of pandering, but dammit, I want to see it released both at all and hopefully in my original conception as well.

I've also found a minor idea I had some time ago being developed into something enjoyable, which is good. It may even get its own code name, some day! Keep reaching for the stars.

ANSWER ME

2008-08-08T22:25:00.002-05:00

Apparently, my collaborator wants to write a treatment for Project A very soon. Not a whole lot of work has been done on it lately, with some tidying and little detail work like that. It seems the hardest thing right now is thinking of a new title that is pleasing to us and the imaginary audience. I try and try and try...

I started redoing the story timeline/draft for Project G, as well. It's helped me make a few new angles, and I've come up with a few new exciting plots in order to justify each stuff (especially the introduction of a few supporting characters). It also makes things seem a bit cleaner, as of now.

My current problem with that latter is making sure the central character stays central and is sympathetic, as right now it seems to drifting between Mary-Suedom and borderline psychopath.

Le Sigh

2008-07-23T00:31:00.000-05:00

Hear no Weevil

2008-07-05T20:37:00.002-05:00

I don't think Weevils make sounds.

After a period of simmering, I've attempted to go back to Project G and fix some stuff up. While I have many entertaining ideas, and even a destination for the story, I have a hard time making things coherent. And while I don't need a big, long story that is all connected (that's not what the book is supposed to work like), I need a consistency (or at least a logical flow) in the tone and character development.

To start my revising, I decided to take a hard look at the supporting cast (of which there are a lot), and figure out what their purposes were and whether I really needed them, or at least in the form they were in currently. I found myself unable to drop any yet, but I altered one who seemed like a complete non-presence to something that befits a non-presence (and ties into the ending!), so that works. I may be able to make more changes as I go along, and hopefully everything will fall into place after that.

SEE NO EVIL

2008-06-24T00:04:00.002-05:00

No evil here.

The reason I don't make comics

2008-06-15T23:11:00.005-05:00

Looks like it's back to ye olde drawing board for the storylines I was doodling up for Project A. Well, I still have some more concepts a-cookin' up, so maybe some of those will stay.

It seems unfair that after all this week I've been doing working on this one Project for weeks now (practically abandoning the other two!), I need to do it again. It's actually perfectly fair and apart of the creative process, but still fuck the creative process it's a big meanie.

Here's the reason why I don't make comics for real:

Oh, You

2008-05-28T23:39:00.003-05:00

My collaborator and I were working on a story/issue outline for Project A, and it went pretty well. We know how we want the thing to move, and while some stories are still a tad vague and/or left open for ideas that may come later. We may need to get some clashing ideas between the two of us hammered out at another time.

One thing we improved from before is reason: the events happen in the order they do and at all because of some kind of logic, where before it would just...happen, without much reasoning. It also gives the story a vague 'chase' feel that infuses some much needed excitement and maybe even suspense into the whole affair. My colleague made some changes to some characters, too, and I was more or less in agreement to those changes. Some of them even provide some good visual possibilities! Goody.

Now, refining. As well as trying to get characterization into there somehow. I have some ideas for the protagonists, but the antagonists and side characters are a bit harder. I mean, I want to make them interesting, too, but it's hard to get real personality into the ones who are destined for the morgue in a short time. That's what getting better at writing is all about, I guess: figuring out how to make things that are seemingly difficult work nonetheless.

From Idea to Story: Meat

2008-04-26T15:28:00.004-05:00

One of the big problems that appears when you're writing a series: does the basic story concept fill an entire episode? Can you imagine enough events to fill the required space, and make it interesting to boot?

I'm having this issue mainly in Project G, although Project N has it to a degree as well. The thing with Project G is that I spend quite a few stories introducing secondary characters - this proves to be a problem. I'd say SOME of these introductions have enough meat to write an entire story around, but others definitely do not. So, while I need to get these characters introduced, I also need to have something to keep the reader intrigued aside from the initial dazzle of yet another shiny new character, especially when they appear as "HI! My personality will be here soon, too!" That isn't good, either. I need a strong hook to get people intrigued with their presence. Better work at that.

For Project N, it seems a lot easier. I've been able to bond story ideas together to create some sort of super story. It helps that I generated more malleable ideas for this than Project G.

Now, how about those personalities...

Bending Expectations

2008-04-13T23:05:00.003-05:00

Went through a small idea surge for Project N. But not the normal Project N, the followup.

Here's how it goes: it was around the time Futurama was announced to be returning, and for one reason or another, I thought "You know what would be neat? If they brought back the show, only with a completely new cast of characters. It would totally fuck with the audience!" Of course, no one working in Hollywood is as brilliant as me, so I don't suppose this idea where ever be used in any mainstream product. However, I figured that I definitely could use it for my stuff.

At first, the idea was just there, attached to Project N like a leech. It would retain the same writing style, and setting (location-wise); but, it would take place in that ever-giving chestnut, the FUTURE. That way, I can justify the new cast and a ton of new insanity. However, that's about where the development stopped. I just couldn't get a good idea of how the characters and situation would work. It would basically be a way to continue it after the events of the first part of Project N was completed (and the ending for it is pretty final, at least thematically).

Recently, I figured it out. Project N-2 could be a thematic expansion of the first part, and that led to further development. I also read a lot about 2000 AD (but haven't actually read it. May have to change that), and that inspired me to create a certain kind of crazy future. With these two combined, I was able to start making something that I felt was less ambiguous in its purpose and more satisfying.

If you wish to know (why would you?), the theme I am trying to use is that of intelligence, and how one uses it. The general atmosphere of the first one was that everyone was stupid but the main characters - and when you're a cynical nerd like I was/am, that's what the world seems like. Most of the recurring secondary characters represented different ways intelligence can be handled - bitterness about the world around you, trying desperately to make a difference despite social problems, or manipulating the masses for your own ends. I really like this concept, and I hope I can flesh it out and make it work, and not come off as some pompous preacher or Has-no-Subtlety man.

So, Project N-2 will go a step further; instead of the main characters feeling they're the only thinkers among a crowd of dopes, the main characters of really are the only intelligent ones left. Ah, the future opens so many doors.

Basically: sometime in the future, most of the world has had part of their mental functionality disabled, but not to the level of COMPLETE retardation, just to a cartoony kind a airheadedness that I'll have to hammer out. In the particular setting, there is pretty much one intelligent family left, and that's where the main character comes from.

At the same time, there is a subplot about AI, and a sort of reversal of the usual depictions of intelligent machines in the future. Basically, computers with human-level AI were created to take over the jobs that the now partially incapacitated humans can't do, like occupations in politics and education. However, all the computers are made to never turn against humans, and they are given a bit more reason to do so than Asimov's code (which includes an idea I like quite a bit - a genetically-altered group of thugs who police the computers, mostly by smashing them into bits). So, instead of machines repressing humans, the machines themselves are being repressed. Someone must have done this before, and much better.

The plots generally evolve from there, but also revolve around what happened to the rest of the world in THE FUTURE (which I figure right now will be about 80-100 years from now). Where is the weirdness I included in the Project N-1 seems more random (but I'll still try to develop some kind of internal logic for it all), the weirdness of Project N-2 will develop more around the condition of the world. Of course, that doesn't mean it will still totally make sense (the one idea I have right now is a cult of wet suit-wearing humans, based on Lovecraft's Deep Ones and living in the flooded US south).

Wow, I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever gone into the ideas and stories in-depth. Did I say I wasn't going to do this? I am boring you?

Finish

2008-04-04T17:23:00.002-05:00

Let's get that last bit of Project posting done, shall we?

Project N
This one is a bit different, as it is not a comic. Rather, it is something even more impossible to get made - a TV show. Yep, I want to step into the world of scripted television as well. Albeit, the Internet could make it easier. More on that later.
The snappiest way to sell....errr, describe it, is "20% autobiography, 80% insanity". What that entails is that it uses characters and events based off real people I know/knew and real things I have experienced, coupled with whatever ideas I can come up that sound entertaining. I'd hope the fantastic elements will drown out any sense that this just me feeling like my life is SOOOOO amazing and interesting. And they are indeed fantastic elements. Realism is not an obstacle!
Now, this could easily turn into a 'LOL random story of the week LOL', but I am attempting to create a coherent 'universe' for the show, as well as linked-but-not-continuity heavy storylines. Some of my favorite shows have several standalone episodes beforehand, and then for the final few go nuts and show the thread connecting them all and tying up loose ends in an epic way. That would be what I'd want to do. Also, try to get big theme that would be represented by all the characters and their actions.
I don't think I mentioned that this would be animated yet. I know, I know, that's a pretty obvious nerd thing. Even so, I think that it would best suit the stories and some of the style things I want to do. Yes, I want to do style things.
Now, I imagine this as a TV show, but chances are that won't work out. Add in the difficulty of getting animation...animated, and this then turns into the hardest of my projects to make into an actual product. Even so, I will make a serious attempt if I get some creative credibility sometime in the future. And even if I can't get on TV, as I mentioned, the Internet provides an alternative. If I can get some suckers to do the actual drawing section (much like my comics), I can easily air it on the web. Who knows? Maybe by the time I get to chance to do my thing, this will become standard. Ah, the Internet. Finally, us slices of egomaniacal mediocrity get a chance at fame!

And that's the last of my main projects. I have a few smaller ideas that I would like to see come to fruition, and maybe sometime I'll talk about them, too. The evolution of these ideas may be interesting, although only to me. The rest of you, how many or few there are, are just unwary hitchhikers.

I already did!

2008-03-30T21:16:00.000-05:00

Life in the Projects

2008-03-28T20:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, not everything I waste time with is stupid and just short-term nonsense. Some things I've been working on for a while, and do actually want to see through to the end. Now is about time I write an introduction to these serious projects of total seriousness.

Project A
This is a collaborative project with a friend of mine (who will know what it is upon reading the project title initial). It is a comic series with a limited (although what that limit is has not been decided yet) run, divided into a number of ‘volumes’ (or, at least that’s the plan right now). We’ve been developing it for about 6 years, although only 1 or 2 of those were of anything good.
I won’t bog anything down with pointless details, but I’ll let you know it’s a somewhat cartoonish sci-fi/action/adventure series. The actual story changes between volumes, and it is mostly made up of single issue stories with some multi parted ones thrown in when necessary. The basic structure reminds of some cartoon action series, but hopefully our book will suck less.
We’ve been kicking around ideas for this thing for years. We’ve been adding and removing concepts and characters in hopes of making something coherent eventually. Recently, we’ve been going about creating series bibles and first draft scripts, which would mean we are somewhat close to satisfaction. It’s a wondrous time.
One thing that seems to be slightly debated right now is tone. I always imagined this being somewhat comedic (the characters really can’t be taken that seriously). But I also agree with my friend that turning it into something more…substantial is a far better goal to shoot for. It’ll definitely require more thought in order to get it right.
Of course, all this story stuff won’t matter if we can’t find an artist. Yup, we both want to make a comic but neither of us can draw. Wacky world we live in, eh? Well, I’m sure we can convince some talented sucker to work for peanuts.

Project G
Project G is also a comic series, although I don’t have the benefit of a friend assisting me with it. Aside from that, this is pretty different from Project A…but also very similar. They actually do have some connections, but I’m going to downplay that because creating fictional universes is for losers.
This one is more of fantasy/sci-fi project, with a family bent. Given a bit more freedom with this concept, I’m going in the direction of ripping off Grant Morrison and Neil Gaiman every chance I get. Including generous helpings of psychobabble, until I realize it is pretentious and boring. Even so, I try to create as many fun, weird, and interesting ideas as possible, while actually trying to develop my characters. It’s actually difficult in some instances; some of the concepts I’ve had for a while lend to some juicy, evolving personalities, while others don’t inspire much beyond ‘the x that y!’. This is a concern for all my projects, actually. I’m not exactly always aiming for *insert valued literary giant*, but I want some level of effort in there.
But much like the other comic project, this one requires I find an artist. It becomes more difficult when I want a specific style for this comic, as well as the ability to change style on a whim. I’ve actually been trying to think of an art style that is more creative than I had been imagining in the past, but I’m not too good at that, it seems. Maybe I should’ve learned to draw…

To be continued. Yep.

The Card Game Conundrum

2008-03-25T16:05:00.003-05:00

Forgot to mention - the vast majority of the posts will be ideas. Since it's a lot easier to type things than make things, ya see.

It is much more difficult to create a card game (especially of the collectible variety) than one would think, if one would think it at all.

1. You need to be able to create a coherent, machine-like system that has all the right rules in place and all the main mechanics balanced out. Another problem is keeping the rules simple enough for normal humans to understand, but with enough depth to contain some level of strategy.

2. You have to imagine all the different types of cards, making sure they all have a proper place and aren't just design clutter, and all the balancing and mechanical rules therein.

3. If you REALLY want to do something of quality, you have to think of interesting game concepts that are in at least some way original and convey the setting or concept you came up with. You can come up with a slight variant to Magic any time, but that's sorta boring. In fact, I've found most 'combat-oriented' games without any sort of twist are pretty dull, so I try to do something a little meatier.

4. Once you start creating cards, you have to figure out the right balance of card types for the set. It gets even more complicated when you plan for expansions. Expansions pretty much require you to keep coming up with new ideas to keep the thing fresh, too.

5. The most important thing: balancing the cards themselves. You really have to pay attention to the mechanics and all the other cards you've made, making sure you avoid including overpowered bombs and unstoppable interactions. Hell, even the actual card game producers have trouble with this, especially when they are on a schedule.

So, that's what I constantly face when I try to design card games for fun.

The main difficulties I find? I'm constantly creating rules that are so stupidly complicated even I can't get the hang of them, I don't give myself enough material (or don't think hard enough) to come up with interesting new twists and ideas for the rules, or I just feel like I'm ripping off someone else (example being my most recent project, which feels to me like a blatant copy of Decipher's rather neat Lord of the Rings system, except not nearly as smooth). So, no matter how many times I tried to come up with a system, I'm never really satisfied with it. Maybe that'll change if I keep going, do more research, and get the hang of balancing and mechanics.

And if you're wondering why I make card games for fun, it's because I like designing things. Gets the brain juices a-flowin'. Also, fuck off.

Examples 5: Ideas

2008-03-23T12:14:00.002-05:00

I will periodically post ideas for things. These will be the most impenetrable posts, so maybe I'll include something to occupy the 98% of the human population that doesn't care.

I actually have no examples, so this isn't really much of an example post. Ain't I a stinker?

Examples 4: Photoshops

2008-03-23T12:08:00.003-05:00

Actually, I use Paint.net. Because it's free, ya see.

(Context means nothing)

Examples 3: Drawrings

2008-03-23T12:05:00.002-05:00

I can't draw :(

(Click for large version)

Examples 2: Youtube Poops

2008-03-23T12:00:00.003-05:00

Youtube Poops are basically taking footage, and throwing them together in a bizarre, somewhat random mixture that takes advantage of as many of the video editor's special effects as possible. I'm not particularly good at them.

Examples 1: Comic Strip

2008-03-23T11:56:00.002-05:00

One type of thing I hope to post every once in a while are unfunny comic strips, like the following:

(Click for the whole thing)

A place for creative endeavors

2008-03-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

That is chock-full of...heady goodness.

The End...And The Beginning

2008-03-22T21:21:00.005-05:00

As promised, here's an archive of my Simply Smashing, as tomorrow this blog will be converted to something else. It's been lots of fun, gang. But now, it's time to stop talking about Brawl, and more time just playing the damned thing.

The 50 Characters Who Could've Been in Brawl
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Appendix: Who SHOULD not have been in the game (and thankfully wasn't)

Character Posts
Dojo Prediction Posts
Items and Techniques posts
May Be Related posts
Modes and Other Stuff posts
Music posts
News posts (which is...most of them)
PUUUUUUUUUUNCH!
Rumor posts
Stage posts
Simply Smashing-centered posts
Video posts

The future of Simply Smashing...

2008-03-21T12:16:00.003-05:00

...is that it has no future. Since it has served it's purpose as a place for me to speculate about Brawl, I've decided to convert it to something else. However, I will be sure to reward all one of you who stuck around this long.

I will be keeping most of the posts from the past, and make an archival post to serve as the transition between the two blogs. However, there will be some casualties, in the form of the 'What We Know' posts. Since you could find the same information from a combination of Wikipedia, GameFAQs, and Brawl Central, I see no point in continuing to update and save them. Sorry, but it's the way it has to be.

The one-year anniversary of this blog is in two days. What a perfect time to pull the rug up from all of you!

Report #2

2008-03-14T23:01:00.003-05:00

Unlocked all characters and stages.

Subspace Emissary I find is decent mindless fun. It's very much a beat-em-up with elements of Mario and Kirby thrown in. It can get very frustrating at times. Enemies can get incredibly obnoxious, and some enemies are so loathsome you just want to find the guy who designed them and beat him senseless with a tennis racket. Stickers will come in handy, so stock up (especially put fire-boosting ones on Mario and Pokemon Trainer). The last level is very annoying if you don't figure out what to do. Remember, before exiting a room: GO TO EVERY BLUE DOT IN THAT ROOM. There's a map: use it constantly. It'll save you an hour, maybe.

Been able to get into With Anyone matches. Lag varies, but it's generally not bad at all. I prefer 3 or 4-player matches, and since those are guaranteed in With Anyone pretty much, I like it there. With Friends also seems to be working well. Overall, I say the online is good, if you're okay with not-XBL quality service.

Stage Builder is a good time, as expected. The little area around the structures can be a downer at times (I can't make good tunnels using the cavernous objects, for example). But with a good imagination, and once you've unlocked everything and studied what you can and can't do with them, sky's the limit.

The challenges makes things interesting. They are a reason I keep going back to the single player modes, despite getting all the good stuff. The few that I know I can unlock...it feels like every moment I don't have them unlocked, they mock me silently. Oh, I will eventually beat classic with every character. Just you wait.

I'm addicted to the Coin Launcher. I liked collecting trophies in Melee, but this makes it so much more enjoyable. Every time I get a large stash of coins, I will immediately go there and use them all. I have over 250 right now, so I'm still a ways away.

I use the Wiimote/Nunchuck setup. First bit had some unease with the shield button and throwing items. Some changes here and there, but now I can't live without it. Controls are no longer a issue.

Of course, the bottom line is that the game is fun. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Oh yeah, there was some shit at the Dojo, too. I'm sure unless you're European, you don't give a rat's ass. Don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Something must be done, and soon.

Progress Report

2008-03-11T15:33:00.002-05:00

Characters Unlocked: Captain Falcon, Marth, Ness, Luigi, Falco, Snake, Ganondorf
Stages Unlocked: Mario Bros., Luigi's Mansion, all Melee stages
Subspace Progress: 28%, I think.
Online lag: Played two different people (one orange circle, one red circle). Lag was about two seconds delay for movements at first, but it gets better over time. Have only gotten on one With Anyone match, lag was worse than usual. Disconnected before we could get to the results screen (which is sad because I won).

Adventure mode is good fun so far. Fortress level was a bastard, though.

Oh yeah, Flat Zone 2 and G&W music on the Dojo today. Hurrah!

Note:

2008-03-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

Busy playing.

Be back soon.

-Matt

Hey lookee here

2008-03-07T17:22:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. To tide us all over, here's some predictions for next week:

Stage - Ooooo, glowy.
Character - EVIL! EEEEEEEEEEEEVEEEEEEL!
Special Moves - Peach, Sheik
Stage - Returned to Sender
Character - A flat man is walking!

in that order.

Dojo Update: Snapshots Galore

2008-03-07T09:50:00.002-06:00

For the last update before the game releases here, the Dojo continues the tradition started by the Japanese Melee site by posting submitted snapshots. They're all very neat, and you'll never be ever to get some nearly as good, so soak it in.

Dojo Update: ROB

2008-03-06T11:52:00.002-06:00

And now, one of my favorite new character additions! Yes, I do love robots in general, but me and ROB in Smash Bros. go back.

Back when Brawl was first announced, I took part in the early wave of character speculation. Yes, ROB was among the first I thought, and I really wanted to see him too. I even designed a moveset for him (not much like the real deal, though). However, even thought I always wanted to see him, as time went by my expectation decreased, and was pretty low when they showed the ROB Squad in the Adventure mode. But, I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy to see one of my most wanted making it in.

The character page makes him look even more interesting. And he has a pretty odd tertiary unlocking condition, and I don't know if I'll attempt it...but we'll see.

Dojo Update: Item Encyclopedia

2008-03-05T09:47:00.002-06:00

You can't get the item section more complete than describing every single item.

Dojo Update: Donkey Kong's Special Moves, 75m

2008-03-04T13:50:00.003-06:00

Double the monkey today! I hate every ape I see! From ChimpanA to Chimpanzee!

Dojo Updates: Secrets for Continuing

2008-03-03T09:41:00.002-06:00

Shhhhhh, they're secret.

Edit: More? You want MORE?

Yo Frankie, Let's Bust This Guy In the Lobanza!

2008-03-01T14:37:00.004-06:00

You can't say I don't spoil you. In the Everything page, I've now included all the events and co-op events. I've always got a complete (to my knowledge, so don't question it) list of every trophy and sticker. All the unlockable ones haven't been marked yet, but eeeeeeh.

For fun, here's someone sampling some of the English voices in the game :

As you can hear, Meta Knight is terrifying. Pit sounds a bit odd. And Falco is so very Bronx. It's perfect.

Ike is a jerk. "You get no sympathy from me". YOU JUST HIT ME WITH YOUR GIANT ASS SWORD, ASSHOLE.

Bonus:

A little more than a week away...

The Prediction Process

2008-02-29T17:44:00.002-06:00

Predicting characters is too easy these days. It's the other stuff that'll kill ya.

Character - Crush. Kill. Destroy
Stage - OLD
Stage - Something fishy
Special Moves - Peach, Donkey Kong
Normal Item
Game Mode

Dojo Update: Spear Pillar

2008-02-29T09:46:00.002-06:00

Forgot to mention, you really should ask Lucario how it keeps it's hourglass figure...and perfectly cylindrical torso.

Now is another Po-key-man! stage. Some new details are new! It is one of the whackiest stages in the game, with all the flippin and the floppin and the hippin and the hoppin, it don't know what the jazz is all about. It's like Jello puddin pops...no, it's more like Kodak film...no, it's like the New Coke. It'll be around forever, heh heh heh.

Dojo Update: Lucario

2008-02-28T10:38:00.002-06:00

It looks like it's wearing a sleeveless, fuzzy turtleneck.

Dojo Update: Clear %

2008-02-27T10:01:00.002-06:00

How to get 100% in the Adventure mode. This should be fun.

Dojo Updates: Samus & Pikachu's Special Moves

2008-02-26T11:51:00.002-06:00

Uno, dos, tres.

Wait, I didn't have anything to link to in 'tres'. :(

Dojo Update: Mastah Hand

2008-02-25T10:15:00.001-06:00

PIMP SMACK YO ASS

The Class, and some Predictions

2008-02-22T18:41:00.002-06:00

What Sakurai told people at GDC. It's quite unfortunate no footage was allowed to be taken - sounds like the thing was a hoot. Highlights include Sakurai singing the main theme, demonstrating animation using little figurines, and talking about how they make characters work in the same game, but still play like they should.

And now some predictions!

Character - Dog
Stage - Dog's favorite mountain
Stage - Some old ones
Special Moves - Peach
Normal Item

Falcon Update: PAAAAAAAAUNCH!

2008-02-22T01:15:00.004-06:00

PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH.

Oh, by the way, today has Sakurai speaking at GDC, abouting adapting characters into Smash Bros. Should be fun. See also this interview with IGN.

Dojo Updates: Meteor Smash, Bowser's Special Moves

2008-02-21T17:01:00.003-06:00

And we edge ever closer to have every character page complete, with Bowser's special moves being explained. This actually makes more sense, as Bowser has some actual changes, quite unlike most everyone else. Prepare to learn the details of his new body slam!

Also on the agenda, Meteor Smashes! We all know what these are. Apparently, this is the last Smash 101 update. I will sure miss them. No, really, I will!

Dojo Updates: Ice Climbers & Zelda's Special Moves, Falco

2008-02-20T09:39:00.002-06:00

You know, I only missed a day because I have such important stuff to do. Yeah, very important stuff.

Yesterday's updates confirmed suspicions that they are going ahead and finishing off every character page with special moves articles. They'll be pleasant distractions in between secret stuff, I guess. Only 6 more to go!

And secret character #4 is Falco. The update explains his new normal moves, how his side and down specials work, and what makes his Landmaster different.

Dojo Update: Luigi's Mansion

2008-02-18T01:14:00.003-06:00

And the new stage for the day is Luigi's Mansion. In a game filled with breakable stages, this is the most breakable. I mean, you cause the whole thing to collapse! That is madness!

Predictions and Fun

2008-02-16T14:38:00.002-06:00

Let me think about next week:

Two Hidden characters - Both with similar names
Hidden Stage - For the man in green
Normal Item
Game Mode

As a bonus, Here's every single song in MP3 form for you to download.

Dojo Updates: Green Hill Zone, Luigi

2008-02-15T01:06:00.002-06:00

I'm not late! You're the one who's late!

Anyway, Sonic's stage was posted yesterday. We know much about it, but the post confirms that the middle sections break because of you, not randomly as some of the videos made it look. Also, they did some fine work on the graphical detail of the stage.

But the main attraction is another hidden character, the most obvious one of all...that's right, Luigi! With Luigi, some great screenshots, and the name of his Final Smash: Negative Zone! Strange, not one of the side effects of the attack is "Unleashes Blastaar, the Living Bomb-Burst!"

Dojo Update: Yoshi's Special Moves and Hidden Parts in Stage Builder

2008-02-13T01:06:00.002-06:00

Double update today, one is old news and one is brand new news.

I don't quite understand why they explain Yoshi's special moves now...is it because he's a rather complicated character? Or will we be seeing special move updates for the rest of the veterans now? If they're double updates, I guess I can see that happening (and that would mean 8 more of them to go!). We'll have to see.

Today's hidden material is stage builder parts. The stuff you need to earn includes conveyor belts, ferris wheels, some strange stone head statues, springboards, and cave-like structures with roofs. They're all fairly easy to unlock, with three packs that must be unlocked by either playing on created stages a few times or creating a certain number of stages. Stage Builder looks to be one the best aspects of the game, and if you aren't spoilerphobic, I'd suggest going to Youtube and looking up some of the insane deathtraps people have come up with.

Delayed Reaction: A Very Short Play

2008-02-12T18:04:00.000-06:00

Characters:
Executive - A big important fellow at Nintendo of America.
Smedley - A lowly gofer.

Setting:
NOA HQ on January 3rd, 2008

Executive: Smedley!

Smedley: Yes, sir?

Executive: I have been informed that the studio in Tokyo has completed programming on Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Smedley: This is true, sir.

Executive: Aw, excellent! We'll be getting this baby out on time and raking in the green, or so my infallible market psychics tell me.

Smedley: Well, sir...

Executive: Yes, yes, yes, once I get that nagging ex-wife off my back with those blasted child support payments, me and Miz Honey will be off to the Bahamas...

Smedley: Actually, sir...something has come up.

Executive: What! What is it now?

Smedley: Our contacts in Japan tell us the game has to be delayed a week...because...because...it's so popular, they don't think they'll be able to meet demand!

Executive: You just saved yourself a thrashing, Smedley. This is good, it sounds like it will make us EVEN MORE money! Let us also delay it a week, make sure every 8-year-old and man-child gives us their sweet-tasting retail dollars on day one...

Smedley:...That...That's...the other thing....

Executive: Hm?

Smedley: We...sorta...don't...have...the...English...copy...ready...for...

Executive: Yes, Yes, SPIT IT OUT!

Smedley: wecan'tgetitdoneintimeforfeburarytenth!

Executive: WHAT! WHAT KIND OF INCOMPETENCE AM I SURROUNDED BY?!?

Smedley: It's not...our fault...sir...pleasedon'thitme!

Executive: THEN WHAT HAPPPENED?

Smedley: Our production copy...it was sort of...stolen.

Executive: HOW COULD IT BE STOLEN?! WHO DID THIS?! I'LL GET THE GODDAMN FBI ON THEIR ASSES SO FAST THEY'LL WISH THEY DOWNLOADED A METALLICA CD INSTEAD!!!

Smedley: You're not going to believe me.

Executive: What possible answer could you have that I can't believe in? This is California, for god's sake!

Smedley: It was...a cult.

Executive: A CULT? ARE YOU JOKING?!

Smedley: No, sir. It was a cult. A cult that worships...something or other...one of those dark sleeping gods with an unpronouncable name.

Executive: What could a cult want with the production copy of Super FREAKING SMASH BROTHERS?

Smedley: Apparently, it has the exact opposite properties of an ancient disk they have...and when the two are combined, they will unleash horrors upon the Earth unthinkable to the minds of man.

Executive: Ohhhhhh...all those millions of dollars...

Smedley: However, sir, there is some good news...

Executive: What good news could you possibly have after this?

Smedley: We have hired every spy, mercenary, masked vigilante, magician, cyborg, and alien among us on Earth to raid the cult's compound and reclaim the disc. We had to siphon money from the production of the Mother DS collection to do so, but who'll notice? They should have it back soon.

Executive: Alright, alright...as long as this is taken care of...we'll just have to delay it an extra month...my blood pressure is going nuts...Smedley?

Smedley: Yes, sir?

Executive: Get me a Vodka, some Vicodin, and a prostitute from China Town.

Smedley: Right away, sir!

Dojo Update: Mario Bros.

2008-02-12T01:03:00.000-06:00

And our first secret stage! Definitely one of my favorites.

For all you obsessives out there, I recently added a brief description of every level in the Subspace Emissary to the 'What We Know' page. If you're not spoiler-shy, check it out on the sidebar!

Cute

2008-02-11T21:23:00.000-06:00

For those who haven't seen it:

Dojo Update: Quick Techniques, Plus I made a video!

2008-02-11T01:25:00.000-06:00

Quick Techniques shows us a few things you may or may not know you can do! Among them are tourney favorite Small Jump (known to them as 'shorthop') and Perfect Shield (known before as 'Power Shielding'), the new swimming ability, and more new stuff like Pivot grabbing, eating while down, reflecting attacks eventually breaking down.

Now, here's a stupid video made by me:

You don't need me

2008-02-09T19:10:00.000-06:00

You totally know what yesterday's updates were.

But, predictions in any case:

-Secret Character #3 (LET US INTERPRET, GAIN INSIGHT!)
-Secret Stage #1
-How to Play - Crawling, Wall Clinging
-Normal Item(s)
-Game Mode - Team Brawl

Dojo Update: Marth

2008-02-07T12:54:00.000-06:00

Another secret character went up today, and it's Marth (who's not really a spoiler since he's in he game's intro). It seems to me that their doing this in order of Vs. match unlocking, so the next one is Mr. L, guaranteed.

Also, check out the trophy list, as I've updated it with MOST of them (couldn't identify all the Pokemon names and other such things). Stickers....will be much harder.

Dojo Update: Assist Trophies

2008-02-06T01:05:00.000-06:00

Aha! Just as I predicted! They did an update detailing a selection of Assist Trophies, including three they had mentioned before in passing. Finally, though, clear pics and art for Jill and Metroid, and our first real glimpse of Kat & Ana and Helirin! I'm going to assume in a few weeks they'll give us 'Assist Trophies, Part 2' that will include Barbara Bat, Infantry, Isaac, Shadow, and Ray.

It's good to see stuff getting done around here!

Dojo Update: Final Destination

2008-02-05T18:07:00.000-06:00

It's Final Destination. That's all it is, really. I don't feel like linking right now.

Maybe I'll do a recap instead of doing this every day now. Leave the rest of the week for other things.

Dojo Update: Port Town Aero Dive

2008-02-04T11:13:00.000-06:00

Here we are folks, finally we get the F-Zero stage. So, everyone who refuses to watch videos of the game can now enjoy the madness!

A Selection of Awesome Song Rips

2008-02-03T23:13:00.000-06:00

Dojo Update: Ness

2008-02-01T01:14:00.001-06:00

Well, this is kind of neat...they changed the front page of the site, no longer posting the actual updates there, but giving us the most recent list. They're really going out of their way to make sure no one gets unintentionally spoiled, aren't they? The hidden characters even have their own section in the character section (I'm assuming they'll stop being ? boxes after...what, US release date? European release date? I guess we'll have to see)

Well, we already knew that Ness was in the game, so I'm not going out of my way to non-spoil you. His character profile goes the extra mile, not only telling us how to unlock him, but explaining how he differs from Lucas. His PK Thunder is harder to use and hits harder when he launches himself, he has a yoyo, his PK Starstorm fans outward, etc. etc. Good of them to do that. And reflecting ten projectiles? What a bizarre unlock condition (albeit, it's a tertiary one).

I'm hazarding a guess that these will go in order of their Vs. matches appearance, which means that Lu...er, that guy is next.

Dojo Update: An Announcement About Future Updates, Game Mode Introduction Video

2008-01-31T01:03:00.000-06:00

Today's update is two things: one, this notice that warns everyone that hidden characters and other features are going to be posted, as well as the the plan that the site will continue for another two months. Second, this video that displays all the game's features.

So there you have it.

Dojo Update: Brawl, plus a fair warning

2008-01-30T22:10:00.000-06:00

Today's update tells the world how to start a match. It also reiterates the starting lineup, shows us how to switch the forms of Zelda and Pokemon Trainer, and the Item Switch basically telling us all the items.

No mention of Bonus battles in the game...doesn't sound like it.

Also, I will tell you now that I'm going to include spoilers in the 'Everything we Know' page (characters AND stages). How to unlock things, though, will go to my Unlockables page (even though I still don't know most of them). Subspace will remain mostly spoiler-free, if only because I don't know how the events go at this point, but I will include bosses and character teams.

IT ARRIVES (SPOILERS)

2008-01-29T13:31:00.000-06:00

Edit: Finished

CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Go here for most of the info

OH...MAN..OHHHHHHHHH MAAAAAAAAN!

Dojo Update: First Songs in My Music

2008-01-29T01:07:00.000-06:00

I didn't think they could topple tonight's bevy of spoiler goodness, but damn they came close. Here is every single song available at the start of the game. And oh it is packed with goodness.

MONA PIZZA!
DONKEY KONG COUNTRY FINAL BOSS!
AI NO UTA!

Go see it for yo self, foo'!

Game Intro Video + Tonight's the NIGHT!

2008-01-28T22:01:00.000-06:00

So, let-a-me a-see-a...

Green Hill Zone stage confirmed.
Marth is back.
Lots of Subspace awesome.

Good show, I'd say.

Edit: THE TIME...IS NOW!

FOOTAGE!

As you can see, we get Port Town from F-Zero GX as a starting stage, as well as Final Destination and Shadow Moses.

There's an abolute ton of information coming in now, and I'll try to stay with it.

Dojo Update: Vault

2008-01-28T10:06:00.000-06:00

Today we get a look into all the features of the Vault. Pretty much as we expected - Photo Album, Stage Builder, Replays, Challenges, Masterpieces, and a new feature called the Chronicles, which is basically a big list of every game that makes some sort of appearance in here. Some new trophies and stickers to add, too.

Onto other things, the fifth Iwata Asks interview is up, giving us the finer points of the Final Smash (apparently been around in concept form since the original game) and Assist Trophies (hopefully stomping the people who still think a playable Animal Crossing character is coming). A few videos there, too, including one that confirms Jeff from Earthbound as an Assist Trophy!

Even more Demo Videos Galore

2008-01-27T17:15:00.000-06:00

For some reason, here's some guy from the Netherlands who has another bunch of Japanese in-store demo videos. Mostly focusing on Pokemon Trainer, and from it we learn that you can choose which Pokemon you start with. See:

Another interesting video, confirming some of my suspicions. Yep, when you don't have a second character in a Subspace level, the second player becomes a different-colored version of Player 1's character.

And was that Super Mario Bros. 3 Doomship music I heard? Neat.

Also, in another video, it shows that when King Dedede gets the Hammer, he actually uses that and his hammer at the same time. Awesome.

Demo Videos Galore!

2008-01-26T16:38:00.000-06:00

And now for more fun, this Youtube user has uploaded several battles from the Japanese in-store game demo. Dedede and Pokemon Trainer footage, yeah! Apparently, the battles are between some of the most prolific players in Japan.

Wow, the soccer ball is powerful. And Sandbag!

Guessin'

2008-01-25T17:17:00.000-06:00

Week of Japanese release, EXPECT ANYTHING. But more specifically, EXPECT THESE THINGS:

Zero Suit Samus' Final Smash
Stage - Sonic
Game Intro Movie (possibly tied into another update)
One or maybe all of the remaining Techniques in the game - Crawling, Wall Jumping, Wall Clinging...
Assist Trophy
Character on either day of release or the day after

Dojo Update: Masterpieces, Plus Rag Info!

2008-01-25T11:17:00.000-06:00

In one of the most obvious pieces of cross-promotion ever, Brawl contains short demos of games on the Virtual Console, basically giving every player a chance to know the games the characters come from. Very neat.

In other news, another supplement from the Famitsu gives us more information. The 21 character starting lineup has been confirmed once again, and we're given some great details about the characters, including their general weight (basically, at what % Mario's forward smash takes them out), what kind of techniques they have, and their most powerful attacks. Oh yeah, and Final Destination is back, too.

One new technique revealed by the magazine is called 'Wall Clinging'. Basically, sticking to the wall for a few seconds, giving you ample time to wall jump. Only three characters (Diddy, Sheik, and Squirtle) are confirmed to be able to do this.

Check out the front page of Brawl Central for the whole shebang.

Dojo Update: Video, Plus MORE VIDEO

2008-01-24T11:14:00.000-06:00

Here's an odd update: a test battle online to show us that one's connection is hunky-dory at about 500 Kilometers away from your online opposition. Really, it's more reassurance for the Japanesie folks who get the game next week, but it's still fun to see some high-quality match videos. There were two videos posted: one on the Japanese site, one on every other.

Last night, there were a number of videos posted. The 5 minute one especially, is awesome:

Dojo Updates: Mushroomy Kingdom, Mario Bros Ground Theme

2008-01-23T11:03:00.000-06:00

Mushroomy Kingdom continues the tradition of stages based on the classic Super Mario Bros. atmosphere. However, unlike previous stages, the design of this is directly pulled from Stage 1-1 from SMB, with a leisurely scroll there to help you see the sights, and brand new background. Sometimes, when you select the stage, it will even appear as the Underground stage 1-2. Nifty.

To go with it, there is a piano remix of the Mario Bros. theme. It's very pleasant.

Dojo Updates: Manaphy, Iwata Asks, plus Someone has a Copy?

2008-01-22T09:04:00.000-06:00

Manaphy is probably the coolest Poke Ball Pokemon ever. When you get it, it switches control between you and an opponent, so you're their character, and they're your character for a short time! Madness!

Director M. Sakurai is also featured in the newest edition of Iwata Asks. We get some insight into Sakurai joining the project (how it was either that or go poor), but the main point for most of us is the identity of the secret developer who has, up until now, been referred to as 'The Studio'. It is, in fact, Game Arts, the people who have made cult RPGs like Grandia and Lunar. The 'large-scaled game' referred to a long time ago in relation to 'The Studio' was Grandia III.

There will be more to that interview to come, so stay tuned!

But wait, there's MORE. Someone on 2chan has apparently got ahold of the game, and posted the game disc and starting lineup:

The classic screen looks pretty legit. I can only guess the 100% proven collection of characters and other such secrets will be out by the end of the week. Finally.

Dojo Update: Zelda's Final Smash

2008-01-21T10:43:00.000-06:00

After the excitement of last night, it seems like everyone pretty much didn't care about what's on the Dojo today. Considering it's something we already knew, albeit now with the distinction between Zelda and Sheik's versions of it revealed (and answering my question from last week).

So here it is. Take it or leave it.

Well, crap, genuine breakthrough

2008-01-20T22:17:00.000-06:00

Now, I already posted this video, but check it again here.

At about 4:20, pay attention to the lower right section of the screen.

Don't feel like it? Here's some screencaps (click to get a decent size):

Notice anything? I'll let it sink in.

SPOILER ALERT: Ness, Jigglypuff, Lucario are confirmed.

Well, I'm surpised. I'm also surprised that GameFAQs finally did something useful.

Edit: Nintendo noticed! They replaced the video with the previous version! Thankfully, the Internet remembers all:

Weekend Rumormongering

2008-01-19T23:54:00.000-06:00

I haven't been reporting most of the purported 'leaks', and since most of them have been shot down in the last while, I guess I have no reason to. But here's two new ones, just for kicks:

On many forums, a 'newspaper review' said that there are 48 characters in Brawl, and there will be new clones. Now, 48, for me, is completely unbelievable. Adding to my skepticism, the scan of the 'article' in question looks more like a printout. Apparently, part of the article is even copy/pasted from the Wiki article on the game. Count me as not believing it at all.

Elsewhere, on NeoGAF, a lone poster states that there are 35 characters and 41 stages (counting Samus/ZSS and Zelda/Sheik and single entities). I am more willing to believe this, as it sounds a whole lot more attainable (and, really, was pretty much how much I was thinking). Still, 'some guy on the Internet' isn't exactly numero uno when it comes to people I will believe completely, so take it with a grain of salt.

Ugh, this is complete crap. I can't wait for some knucklehead to post some actual screens of the full game so we can free ourselves from the iron grip of the random Internet guy. Here's to two weeks from now.

Predictions from 1/21 to 1/25

2008-01-19T00:35:00.000-06:00

Game Mode - Data
Music - F-Zero
Character - PAAAAAAAAAAAUNCH!
Stage - F-Zero
Zelda/Sheik's Final Smash
How To Play- Crawling

That wasn't so hard, was it?

Dojo Update: Sticker Power-Ups

2008-01-18T09:49:00.000-06:00

Hey, remember that 'powering-up system' they said was in the Adventure Mode? Well, it's been under our noses the entire time. That's right, it was the stickers all along.

Every sticker in your collection has a unique enhancement attached to it. In the Adventure Mode, you can attach them onto your character's trophy base before entering levels, and that characters gains all those unique special abilities. There's a lot of little subfactors that come into play too - some stickers can only be used on certain characters, once you use the sticker you can't take it off without losing it, bigger power-ups overriding smaller ones of the same nature, etc. etc....you're going to need to read the update for every little detail.

I like it. I was expecting something of a similar nature, but having it involve stickers is a great way to use a collectible, and there are plenty of strategic elements to consider.

Dojo Update: Pikmin & Olimar's Final Smash

2008-01-17T01:10:00.000-06:00

And not long after the commercial is posted, here's P&O's final smash. The commercial pretty much showed all that was needed to be known: once Olimar grabs the Smash Ball, he rockets into the sky, leaving all his opponents to suffer lots of damage by getting beaten on by monsters (the more opponents you have, the more damage done). The only real new thing about it is that the rocket flies back down and explodes, causing even more destruction.

Wow, no music yet this week. Unless tomorrow is one of those 'normal' Fridays, we could be seeing a break in the streak of music posts! Oh noes!

Yet another new commercial

2008-01-16T19:53:00.000-06:00

Now with 100% more Olimar!

It appears everyone was right when they speculated his recently-named Final Smash featured him rocketing away as evil beasties ravaged the battlefield. Fun!

Anyway, could that be posted tonight? Makes sense, considering they still need to show music this week and that makes a sensible buddy update for it.

Also, I expect one or two more commercials to be posted, probably next week. Still need one that features Samus/Zero Suit Samus, Bowser, Lucas, the Ice Climbers, and possibly Sheik. As well as possibly whoever they'll show next week, who will likely enjoy lots of PAUNCH!!!

Dojo Update: Sheik

2008-01-16T01:16:00.000-06:00

And to tie into the Famitsu, heeeeere's Sheik. Lookin' slick. Has the same final smash as Zelda, but whatever.

So wait, if they post up the special moves/Final smash in list form, does that mean they won't actually put up a post for it?

Edit: Oh, I see. EVERYONE has their special moves listed. Doesn't change anything at all. Gotcha. But when they post Zelda/Sheik's final smash, will be posted on both pages? Will they be seperate?

New Commercials + Famitus Unloads!

2008-01-15T22:39:00.000-06:00

Cool new videos posted up today. Here's a five and a half video basically explaining the features of the game:

Lots of new trophies and stickers, and just general coolness.

And two more 'normal' commercials:

Wait...is that Duster? Is that someone else? AM CONFUSED AND MUST LOOK TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THINKS.

Edit: VERY IMPORTANT

Japanese game rag Famitsu has the first review of Brawl - its all 10s, putting it on the same level as Soul Calibur and...Nintendogs.

More important, scans show special move lists for some characters, including the final proof that Zelda still transforms into Sheik.

Look here for all scans!

Wow, despite the delay, today has been great.

Dojo Updates: Distant Planet, and Uh Oh!

2008-01-15T01:03:00.000-06:00

The Pikmin-based Distant Planet is a visually beautiful thing. Perfectly captures the atmosphere of the games, has some very unique hazards (rain! Item-dispensing onions! STUPID GIANT BULBORB!), and looks fun to play. Good on them.

WHAT'S THIS?

"Due to delays in the completion of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we’ve had to change the release date of the game to Sunday, March 9th.

I deeply apologize to the people who have looked forward to playing the game for so long and ask that you hold on just a little longer. Thank you for your patience."

BAGUUUUH.

And yet the Japanese version was only delayed until the 31st. Wacky stuff, that is. But now I am forced to get another countdown again! Damn you, minimal effort!

Dojo Update: Challenges

2008-01-14T01:11:00.000-06:00

Here's a nice little feature - the Challenges mode is a way to keep track of all the little things you've unlocked in the game, while simultaneously giving you hints on how to unlock other things. Considering how obscure some of the objectives can be, this is rather helpful. It seemingly also gives you a way to unlock certain things without having to complete the goal - using one of your limited number of Golden Hammers to break the glass case. Also neat.

Some new trophies and music to add to the big post now. Also, seems time to add a SPOILERY unlockables guide.

Next WeeK, I think they will have...

2008-01-11T17:05:00.000-06:00

Two stages
Zelda: Special Moves
Character - The Sheik-esque crossdresser
Game Modes - Data
Music - Mario
Normal Item

Dojo Update: Pikmin & Olimar's Special Moves,

2008-01-11T01:11:00.001-06:00

Two days later, we get Olimar's Special Moves.

Of course, his normal special move pulls Pikmin out of the ground. You can have up to six Pikmin, and the probability of which type of Pikmin you pull changes depending on the floor type. Just like in the games, each color of Pikmin has distinct properties.

His side special tosses Pikmin at opponents, who latch on (except the purple ones) and damage an enemy slowly (with the red ones causing fire damage, the yellow ones electrifying opponents, and the white ones causing extra poison damage).

His up special has his Pikmin form a chain and tether recover. As you can guess, the number of Pikmin you have increases the effectiveness of this move.

His down special calls back all the Pikmin that have scattered. You also use it to change the Pikmin in front, who'll be the first one you use in your next attack.

The update also confirms that Olimar needs the Pikmin to perform smashes, certain midair moves, and throws.

Dojo Update: Snake's Final Smash

2008-01-10T01:09:00.000-06:00

I love, love, love it!

That is, Snake's Final Smash. I've been wondering what he'd do for a while now, and the one they came up with is certainly better than anything I ever thought of.

Basically, Snake jumps off the screen, grabs the rope ladder of an off-screen helicopter, pulls out a grenade launcher, and turns the world into his own personal light gun game. You got twelve rounds to blast opponents with before the time runs out, so use them wisely.

Also, tomorrow's the 200th post, so its somewhat possible that it will be something particularly...particular.

Dojo Update: Pikmin & Olimar, Pikmin World Map

2008-01-09T09:27:00.000-06:00

Your new character...has arrived.

I think most of us were expecting Olimar and crew to be playable, but was I the only who thought it was likely he would be appear this early? Not that it matters. They're here, and we're happy.

Like in the games, Olimar relies on his Pikmin, which he plucks from the ground, to perform most of his attacks, including smash attacks. Here's hoping we see how his special moves work soon. He could definetly be an interesting character.

There's also some music. Its the world map from Pikmin. Its very nice, and its by the guy who made the music for Chrono Cross!

Now, the icon thing. Pikmin is 22, which is unexpected, as I would have thought it'd go between Kid Icarus and Sonic. This opens up quite a few more possibilities.

Dojo Update - STADIUM: Multi-Man Brawl

2008-01-08T08:56:00.000-06:00

Took them a while, but they finally announced the return of the multi-man game. In this edition, your flimsy opponents are four super sentei-esque Alloy Fighters.

And like the other Stadium games, this has a co-op mode. And like the Home Run Contest, it has an online co-op mode! We also get to see the With Friends mode list, confirming to us what is available to you to play online.

Dojo Update - Melee Stages: Part 2

2008-01-07T09:25:00.000-06:00

And to start of the return, here's more returning stages. I can say that I successfully predicted two - Corneria and Yoshi's Island. Also glad to see Onett, which was one of my favorite stages in Melee, back.

Japanese TV commercials

2008-01-04T23:20:00.000-06:00

Lookee Lookee

Edit: Another One Appears:

Next Week's Predictions + EGM Covers

2008-01-04T15:49:00.000-06:00

Alright, next week the posts start up again, and so I predict once again!

Character
2 Stages
Game Mode - Various
Assist Trophy
Music - Pictochat

Also, here's the 12 covers for the Brawl issue of EGM. Mmmmm...why did they just pull out random art for some of those? Oh well, I'll probably get the Wario one. That goes on sale on the 15th.

Finally, if you see a supposed roster leak, look at it carefully. All the ones I've seen so far are bad.

Last Minute Predictions

2008-01-03T18:05:00.000-06:00

Get these out while I still can!

-Assist Trophies: Eggplant Wizard, Rambi, Lololo & Lalala, Lip, Ouendan Squad/Elite Beat Agents, Urban Champion

-Bosses: Twinbellows, Whispy Woods, Combo Cannon, another Petey Piranah, Marx (from Kirby Superstar)

-X: Tunnel Theme will play on an F-Zero stage.

-The second Donkey Kong stage will be a throwback to the original Donkey Kong, with some added elements from the Gameboy incarnations.

-The second Kirby stage will be based on the Gourmet Race in Kirby Superstar

-2 more 3rd party characters, one may be from a game series owned by a company that already has a character.

-Tetris Attack/Panel de Pon music will play on Yoshi's Island.

-Some of the songs that are unlocked by CDs include untouched classics, like the original 8-bit Super Mario Bros. theme, as well as music from the previous two Smash Bros. games.

I may make additions to this in the future.

A look back at 2007

2008-01-02T23:42:00.000-06:00

Well, here it is. This will be my thing talking about what's been revealed over the past year, and what I think about the whole thing. Of course, you probably already know how this will turn out.

You know what? Brawl has been surprising me repeatedly all through the year. I honestly thought I knew what to expect, but they keep coming up with stuff I would have never thought of in a million years. It only makes me want to see the final product even more.

One thing I really like about what they shown so far is that it makes the game look like a really great party game. Now, Smash Bros. has always been a great party game, so that really should be no surprise. But damn, they are kicking it up about 100 notches this time. I did begin to notice it with the Nintendog in the first trailer, but that was the tip iceberg. Items like the Superspicy Curry, the Smart Bomb, Dragoon, and Banana Peel are made for 4-player free-for-all insanity. The sliding boxes are just plain great, and add yet another layer of chaos.

And there are the Final Smashes, the maniacal cherry on the cake of lunacy. They made these fit in really well, by turning acquiring one into another major battle. I also love the creativity and variety among the individual Final Smashes - they aren't all just straightforward big bangs like many of us were thinking. Some of them just look nuts (Lucas and the Ice Climbers, for examples), which adds to my glee about the whole thing.

The stages also contribute to the madness. Many people complain that some of them are too similar, or too small, but they aren't looking at the big picture. With a few exceptions, most of the stages have some brilliant designs, so each one really changes the game, whether it be Delfino Plaza and Castle Siege's constantly changing scenery, Skyworld or Shadow Moses Island's breakables, the Summit's SLIDING DOWN A SLOPE, or Norfair's general hatred of everybody playing on it. What they lack in hills, they make up in hazards.

Speaking of stages, the Stage Builder was another big, awesome surprise. Its one of those I've contemplated in the past, but never thought I'd actually see. It doesn't look like its going to be a hugely exact, professional exercise, but that's okay, because it really should one those things you can just screw around with for 5 minutes.

The pure number of game modes present is incredible. Remember, that was what people were saying about Melee years ago, and Brawl dwarfs its predecessor. We know most of the modes that made Melee such a long-lasting game have returned (albeit, some of them have been toned down a bit, which is fine when you consider everything else they added), some of them with improvements, and some new stuff, too. Special Brawl, Home Run Contest, and Snapshots are greatly improved over their predecessors, Coin Launcher looks really fun, the Video Replays will be fun to make and watch, stickers are a slight, but nerdtastic addition for obsessive-compulsive freaks like me, and all those Co-Op modes. And that's not even getting into the Adventure mode.

Now, that Adventure mode. I knew it was going to get bigger, which was a pretty obvious expansion of the original concept. But they are doing everything in their power to turn it into a legitimate sidescroller in the Kirby Superstar vain. The story, the co-op, the all-new enemies, the boss fights...all of them make this look like a grand game in its own right. My anticipation is enhanced by the fact that they are keeping much of the story and levels under wraps...well, and the fact that most of the hidden characters are unlocked via this mode.

Back to the 'slight' additions, those have got me really excited, too. Stuff like the three taunts and giving every character new alternate colors is just one of those things you don't really think of when you look at what the game offers, but they are fun little additions. They are using those extra colors for more references, too, which is grand.

Online play is very, very important. I will agree to this, even though I'm not a big online player of any games. And while I can definitely see everyone else's problems with Nintendo's system that carries on in Brawl (Friend Codes, etc.)...I really don't have much of a problem with it. I can play with people I want to play with, they give me the ability to play random people (although with limited options, it seems), and that's all I really care about. Rankings are fun for a day or two, but after a while you realize that you'll never climb the list unless you completely fore go all other aspects of your life.

One of my favorite new additions are the Assist Trophies. I mean, they ARE just Poke Balls with a different set of characters, but man that set of characters is awesome. Seeing characters like Drilldozer's Jill or Little Mac make it into the game in some major capacity (even if I wanted them to be playable) is satisfying. Going back to what I was talking about earlier, they also contribute to the party time mayhem, especially ones like Devil or Andross (or probably the best one they've shown so far, Mr. Resetti). The more cameos, the better, I say.

The sheer number of musicians working on the game and My Music have really changed one of the great aspects of the game. We now have many more songs than ever before, and lots more variety. Many of those whiners I like to bash seem to be disappointed that the entire soundtrack isn't orchestrated, but I never thought that would. There are some songs that need to done differently. Some of the songs they've sampled so far have been rather MIDI-ish, but I don't think I've heard one that is particularly bad. Some of them I absolutely adore, and waiting to hear what songs they have in the final game is another one of those things I'm looking forward to.

And last, but not least, is the character roster. At the end of 2006, we had 11 characters confirmed (6 veterans, 5 newcomers). Now, at the end of 2007, we have 23 (6 additional veterans and 6 newcomers). Most of the newcomers they've shown so far have been expected, but there's a reason for that. They really seem to be covering all the required bases so far, and all of the new characters look unique and fun. The veterans haven't been changed all that much, but new move seem to be added when they are a good idea (Mario's FLUDD). For your information, the characters I look forward most to playing are Wario, Pokemon Trainer, Snake, Diddy, and King Dedede, in that order.

I think its also worth mentioning that, currently, we have almost as many unique characters in Brawl as there were characters in total in Melee. I look forward to seeing the rest of the roster, which should be soon.

Predictin' January

2007-12-29T11:44:00.001-06:00

This is it, folks. D-Day. By the end of next month, we'll know everything there is to know about the game. Until then, we get 14 updates until the Japanese release. And they're skipping a week, which changes things a bit.

Ah, and one of them almost certainly the week of the 7th) will include the 200th post. Considering what we got for our 100th post, I wouldn't be surprised if the 200th post was also quite good. But what could it be? I'm at a loss. But it should be good.

Aside from that, the two-and-a-half weeks before release will probably be used to solve the last outstanding mysteries. That means they'll tell us whether or not Zelda transforms (and into what), they'll show Captain Falcon (I don't buy him being a secret character, there's too much F-Zero stuff just lying around), and if there are any more not-secret characters, they'll show them too (its not guaranteed, but there's a possibility). I know I've been saying this forever, but

We'll probably get Zero Suit Samus' Final Smash, as it is an important part of the character. They might get to Zelda's (especially if it is involved with the whole transformation mystery) and Snake's, too, if they have enough time. I'm sure the people will be fine if they don't reveal ALL the final smashes among the characters we know about now.

January is a 4-stage month. Since they probably want to get that out before the game comes out, I expect one week will have two stages. I'm thinking F-Zero and Sonic stages will be the last two announced, with two more secondary stages in the first half. Which series will get secondary stages? Mario, Metroid are covered, and maybe even Zelda, if they count the Temple. I'm going to guess Kirby and Donkey Kong.

The skipped week works perfectly for music. Three weeks, with three series that need music samples. I'm thinking Mario will be last. This, of course, also supports my previous claims of Captain Falcon and an F-Zero stage, as they really HAVE to post F-Zero music, which only makes sense within the context of having something significant on the site already.

I think we'll get a How To Play on crawling, finally (maybe the reason they haven't done it already is because there's still somebody unrevealed who can do it, too). Maybe one or two more. We still need one about Air attacks/dodging, and maybe about Item Catching.

They'll probably fill up the current rows in the Normal Items and Assist Trophies pages. They've been showing a large number of brand-new stuff for both, but I'm sure one or two thing from E For All will pop up (maybe the Deku Nut or Urchin for Normal Items, and Jill or Metroid for Assist Trophies). They might solve the problem of certain items not being on the site by doing more 'screenshot cameos' like the soccer ball, stopwatch, and lightning bolt (see 'Co-Op Events'). There's just so much stuff.

They seem to be nearing completion on the Game Modes front. We should get an update about the Data section (don't worry, it will almost certainly be a double update), and one that explores the rest of the Vault (I'll be getting to that). If there are any more single or multiplayer game types to be shown, they'll put 'em up.

They still need to talk about Team Battles in the Nintendo WFC section, so we'll probably get that. If there's any other major online features, we'll get them too. I don't know if there is, but we'll see.

I've come to the realization that the reason the Adventure Mode section hasn't been getting a whole lot is because they don't want to spoil too much of the game. Which makes sense. We might get another story piece next month, and that power-up method will almost certainly be there, if it really is something special.

Lastly, the Japanese site will get a Notice on release day (duhhh). The only other such specific update I will predict is going to some sort of update that includes the opening movie of the game, whether it be by its lonesome, or shown as part of a Movie Viewer feature (which might be the one that shows the rest of the Vault).