Firework Night

Posted by Jam on November 6, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , .

Another year goes by I didn’t give the slightest interest in Guy Fawkes night. I remember as a kid how much I loved going to see firework displays. for several years id do a few backyard displays for my neices and nephews but somewhere along the lines my interest just fizzled out. Strange thing adulthood.

Yet on the other hand, im still so in to Fighting Fantasy and can tell any other fans who read this to keep September 2nd 2017 available and watch this space, as I believe a 35th anniversary convention (FFF2) is due to be announced. Ian Livingstone hisself has acknowledged the source this info came from so lets hope so. Would love to meet him again. 

Anyway, heres a gif of our kitten, Drut, not playing fairly.

https://jamsplace.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/videotogif_2016-10-10_19-02-06.gif

Bugged

Posted by Jam on November 4, 2016
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Been a while since I posted here. Many apologies but lifes been quite busy. decided to make two bug out bags. One home one enough for me and the Mrs and also a streamlined one for at work. That way im covered almost 24/7. 

Had a good Halloween party at Susies last weekend. It was fancy dress so naturally I went as the Hunter on #Left4Dead

However im all bunged up with a heavy head cold now. Still at work but at least its Friday. 

Talking Dead (Spoiler)

Posted by Jam on October 25, 2016
Posted in: horror, The Walking Dead. Tagged: , , , .

Ok so if you havent seen season 7 episode 1 of The Walking Dead yet please click this link to navigate away as there is a huge spoiler ahead. 

Seriously you don’t wanna ruin this for yourself!

Come on now here goes the spoiler, besides which I’ve just passed wind so click away!!

You gone?

There. Lovely. So how brutal was that episode? Extremely of course and we now know why they kept Abraham alive. To make us hate Negan even more! And I think it worked wonders. But how many of you thought then thought

 ‘yaaay Glenns been spared!’

Yea, me too until Daryl stirred things up. Oh Daryl… you wally. That could’ve been anyone else as well. Despite how shocked you may be feeling right now, the prosthetics have once again proved to be on the mark and the writers seemingly inexhaustable. This episode is probably one of the strongest three of the series. Certainly the most tragic since we lost Hershal.It was really uncomfortable to watch. I guess this is how they wished to convey it though so full marks for achieving that. But where now from here?

My what a big stripey kitty!

Dire Vampire

Posted by Jam on October 10, 2016
Posted in: gaming, horror, vampires, videogames. Tagged: , , .

​In all honesty, modern Vampire videogames are far too slash n dash for me. What the industry needs in my opinion, is some Hammer-esque with loads of suspense and a hero that isnt some kind of acrobat sword swiping weirdo with superhuman reflexes and magical powers. 


How about the good old Van Helsing character, or even an average John Doe who has a smattering of knowledge and just everyday items and wit to hunt down and take on the titular bloodsucker. Think Horror of Dracula, Salems Lot, The Lost Boys, Fright Night. Above all, stick to the vampire we know and love, dont make them electricity throwing wizard genius types. Shoot plenty of 1st person scenes to draw players into the game (rather like Resident Evil) with creepy creaking floorboards and secret rooms. 

Sometimes less is more, and the game itself should be foremost rather than what the characters can do. Jam out!

The Girl With All The Gifts

Posted by Jam on September 28, 2016
Posted in: Authors, books, films, movies, Reading. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

This time last year, my work collegue lent me the M. R. Carey book, The Girl With All The Gifts. Last night we was lucky enough to go and see the film adaption. Although an amount of the book content had been left out, this film presented us an hour and fifty minutes of fun with a screenplay fairly loyal to the story. Horror fans should enjoy this film which sheds a new light on the cause of “undeath”, although as in 28 days later, these ghoulish creature are living infected rather than decaying ressurections. The titular Girl, played by the talented young Sennia Nanua really delivers the character I had visualised in the book. The ever amazing Glenn Close and Gemma Arterton co star, this film is real girl power! With some incredibly well timed sequences and the odd jump scare, I recommend you see this film if not at the cinema then as soon as its on DVD but the book itself is far more superior!

Sennia Nanua (middle) with co stars Glenn Close and Gemma Arterton

Epic Books

Posted by Jam on September 8, 2016
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Creative writing doesn’t get any better than this. British author Jonathan Green has now opened a kickstarter for an epic adventure book set in Oz. But this isnt a cover to cover read. You can assume the role of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman or Lion and decide what happens during the story as choices are given to you. 

Illustrator Kev Crossley provides the artwork for this nightmarish adventure with a steampunk twist. Pledging towards the production costs in this crowdfunder will open up a choice of rewards, from a dedication in the book to a special hardback edition. To learn more,  click this link here.

Could you face the Wicked Wizard Of Oz? Feel free to like and share and look out for the Facebook page and Twitter posts #WickedOz .

Tin Man Games Triumph

Posted by Jam on September 7, 2016
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​Ive been avoiding reviewing this far too long as my laptop was elsewhere at the time of launch. I am a huge fan of Fighting Fantasy books and have been so since 12 years old. 

When the crowdfunding campaign was launched for the production of this version of The Warlock Of Firetop Mountain I knew id be in safe hands with Tin Man Games at the helm. They had released several text based versions of a few FF titles but nothing of this calibre. I HAD to back it, earning myself a TinMan pinny in the process. Did they deliver? Of course they did! TinMan overlord Neil, whom I met breifly in 2014 was a big fan like me so could only ever do it justice. 

The mountain dungeons look incredible, the avatars of the monsters look like they have sprang right out of a copy of Out Of The Pit (the FF bestiary) and Russ Nicholsons artwork looks as good as it ever did. To make gameplay even longer, TinMan have cleverly integrated several subplots and and army of new monster and characters… including more than one hero character. 

I cannot recommend this game enough. Gaming nerds from the 80s who dabbled in Dungeons & Dragons or Warhammer will especially love the floorplan/miniature feel, but anybody will enjoy playing this game at all.

Well done to Neil and all at TinMan.

 Jam!