Mediaholics Journal: Blaster's Happy Home Designing Week 1 (27/3/17-1/4/2017)

“Today is the day our new employee arrives, yes, yes!” 

So while Marissa leads the town and stalks Meregue, I’ve got the pleasure of being a Happy Home Designer. Well at least it’s not Amiibo Festival, I think I’d die if I had to play that every day. Trust me when I say days in Happy Home Designer are nowhere near as long as days can be in New Leaf. So, don’t be surprised if these are far shorter then Marissa’s New Leaf posts. The rule with this is that one in game day equals one real world day, even if one in game day is about five minutes (which is great for me as it means I can do these while rendering videos). So, what do you get up to on day one of the game?

First, character customization. While in NL (for the record, as it’ll get annoying to say it going forward, NL means New Leaf and HHD means Happy Home Designer for these posts), your facial features are determined by the questions you ask Rover, whereas here, in what I’m unofficially calling Holicity (Marissa’s being Mediaton, here being Holicity, get it?!), you do get full face customization to your own preference. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a picture of my face day 1 so the face reveal will have to wait at the time I’m writing this part, but it will happen one day! Unfortunately, as well, character customization isn’t as in depth here (no going to work in PJ’s for me ☹) but there are other accessories, according to the game, that I can get later down the line for my head. So yay?

After a basic introduction to the team, staring you as “the one who will do everything in this game because you’re not an NPC”, Lyle, Digby, Lottie and Tom “break your leg benders” Nook, you’re tasked with designing your first home. A home that has “all things Cute, a lovely atmosphere and is an utterly charming room” because NPC houses are one room buildings in Animal Crossing, and you’re given access to an assortment of items that have a very clear cut theme to them, in that they are varying shades of pink, and have a heart pattern to them, all for your co-worker Lottie. She couldn’t do it herself due to being so busy which work, which is understandable. Allow me to show you what I did with the place.

I tried to go for a comfortable, yet functional room including a desk station with a digital overhead clock, eating area for guests, and a bed to sleep in with a large rug to cover the birch wood floor panelling and to bring the room together. Trust me when I say none of that’s mandatory, and depending on the random villagers I get, I may or may not be showing that off. For science, of course. Lottie though was happy with it and with her seal of approval, I went back to the office to stay the night, as I don’t get a home to myself… Truly, the lifestyles are vastly different between the two games. Onward to day 2!

Day 2

So after coming from a house that I'll never see, in a uniform that may never get washed. I arrive to work to find a panicking Lottie, and my first customer, for tutorials are not done yet, and you must move Goldie into her hew house. Goldie, loves books, loves them, and wanted to live in a forest of books. Admittedly, I was tempted to give her exactly what she wanted, and fill her house with nothing but books, but that is a punishment that I'll save for those who... deserve it...

Still, I like to keep customers happy, and decorated her house as she asked. A lot of Green wooden furniture, two large bookcases full of books, a pile of books on her table, and her record player to which I forget the name, which has shown me that there is music options for the houses, so now every house will get one. Besides, they don't need things like kitchens and bathrooms... right? I also learned of a new power I have, the power of telekinesis over living things. Not just plants, but villagers. Trust me, I'll be showing pics off in Day 3, but believe me, it is hilarious, and kinda makes me think of this. No idea why...

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2ZWrNjTUs4

After her free Airplane lessons, Goldie did enjoy her house and taught me Joy in the process, now this automaton with the powers of a god can blend in better with the living folk... With another client happy, it is onto Day 3.

Day 3

Couldn't find a image of him that wasn't tiny, so here's his amiibo card

This automaton is getting sick of your tutorials you questionably happy game...

Alas, yes, there are more tutorials, being a "Client List" allowing you to travel to completed houses, and the LR=Camera, so here's a face reveal.

The other "tutorial" in this was outdoor clients, basically you can go outside and see if people are interested in you making a house for them. Our newest victim... I mean client, is Lopez, who wanted a metropolitan styled house. I think its safe to say I did that, correct, Lopez?

The game does unfortunately get repetitive very quickly, hence why I stick to doing them by weeks.

Day 4

Who's bright idea was it to make me work for my own work? What kind of backwards logic is that?

So because there are no clients booked in, I have to step outside and find clients. And who do I find? a Blue frog and a black horse that seems to hate the colour spectrum and sticks with the extremes. I managed to get in contact with mayor stalker, get her opinions on the decision, and it turned out it was the horse's lucky day. Congratulations... Roscoe, you're getting a house.

"A Black and White Bastion"? Seriously? You're one step away from depressed goth levels of bleak. It's so bleak I can make it look like I killed you on your bed. See?

Still, it is insulting that you think my artistic tastes are, and I quote, "GOOD", not only did you not need to yell but you also call my genius sub par. You wanted my work, and this is what you do to show it? I should have given you a worse house. "Thanks for teaching me Aggression you bleak foal.

Day 5

I think its almost time I got a promotion.

Before going back outside to scalp for more customers, I was informed by my lazy boss and Isabelle of a town work project I'll be tasked with designing tomorrow. Unfortunately I wasn't able to ask what the state of stalker mayor's town is. I only have a basic idea of what it is at the time I write this, something about installing hydrants and benches...

At least the choices today were easier to pick, in theory. There is only room for one automaton in this village, so the walking fruit gets a house. That was my logic before seeing what I got myself into. All the jerk gave me to work with was fruit, bloody fruit. This abomination of science drove me insane. They wanted fruit, they got fraging fruit! That fact that you like the hoarder design for your house also disgusts me. HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS?!

Day 6

From houses to a School with one class room? Eh, lets see where this goes.

It is a tiny school though when all that's needed is a Teacher's desk,  four desks, and four seats, in one room. Truly, this will house the growing minds of tomorrow. I do believe Isabelle will agree, I decided to make some more use of the room, turning it into a lecture hall with a few extra facilities. Still wish the school could have been a full school and not a room, I get bored sometimes and would like more of a challenge then just designing one room.

ACNL: Mediaton Journal Introduction

Day 1: Moving to Mediaton

                April 2^nd

I was riding on a train and on my way to a new town. I left my last town for a breath of fresh air. I’m not going to leave forever I will visit another time, although we are not thinking of that town right now. I’m on my way to Mediaton, a town with a river that leads into the western sea. It was a newer town that was recently put on the map.

When I got off the train I was greeted by four residents of the town. It seemed that they planned a welcoming party…although this is the first time I was meeting them, it was really weird. The yellow dog even insisted I was mayor for some reason. I think they were mistaken; maybe they are looking for another human? Before I could argue the yellow dog dragged me to the town hall to discuss further. She said her name was Isabelle, the mayor’s secretary, or really my secretary. She gave me an ID and told me to go find a house. She pointed me the way to Nook’s Homes on the map. Nook was really generous to let me place a plot down for a house since there were no vacant houses. The best we can do is a tent but it’ll be cozy enough for the day. I’m sure I can quickly get enough money to pay off the mortgage. I know my ways. My house is placed near some neighbors and the local shop. I wanted a pretty convenient place.

I went back to the Town Hall to tell Isabelle that I successfully placed my roots down. She gave me a small tree to celebrate the official founding of Mediaton. During the celebration I saw all the residents there, but there was one that caught my eye. She was a rhino but she looked particularly sweet. Maybe it was because she looks like a cupcake? I learned that her name was Merengue and her house wasn’t too far from mine. The first thing I did after the celebration was meet her, with all the other villagers of course.

The villagers were kind to me, but I wasn’t sure it was just because I somewhat have authority over them. I wasn’t officially the mayor yet but they treat me as such. First there’s Biff, who is a Hippo that’s into sports. Despite his buff appearance, he’s somewhat of a dork. He lives next to Wendy who is an outgoing nerdy sheep. She comes across as someone who updates their social media pretty often. I should remind myself to share my profiles with her. Chester is a panda that appreciates older antique things. He enjoys newer things sure, but his love is in old black and white movies and history books. I forgot about Naomi the cow, but she doesn’t speak much. She’s the most secluded from all the other villagers. Why her house is behind Town Hall is beyond me.

Then there is Merengue. I have to admit it she’s cute, no, she’s downright adorable. She has a huge interest in baking and she watches restaurant shows all the time. I talked to her so often that day, she joked that it almost felt like I was stalking her. Maybe I should give her a break. She grew enough attached to me that she gave me the nickname “Muffin”. Since she was so into baking, I’m not surprised I would be called a food item.

                I did a lot that day. I met a ton of people, found some furniture, and even paid off my house. Even though there were construction sounds outside my house, I slept like a rock in a coma that night.

Note: This will be a weekly series, all of the days of this week will be released on this upcoming Saturday April 8th 7am AEDT

Mediaholics Playlist: Hisstocrat

Source Link: https://youtu.be/YMvAwAL18n4
Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Cat. I'm a kitty cat, and I dance dance dance, and I dance dance dance

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

Mediaholics Playlist: Facility

Source Link: https://youtu.be/bFWZcYlfRJs
Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

The name's Bond. James Bond.
Behold children, the game that gave you Call of Duty and Battlefield... well, one of, this was the one for split screen multiplayer and fps multiplayer in general.

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

PSA: Lego Scooby Doo, and Journals

The main point of this is related to Journals, but as a quick side thing. A review of Lego Scooby Doo: Haunted Hollywood. Its Scooby Doo done in the Lego Direct to DVD style by the Warner Bros Animation group. Facial animations are a tad subpar, shaggy has a thing for leaving his mouth open weird, VA's very good, but that's about it. Everything else, look at general trends with the last three movies. I'm going to try and get out a small review over the weekend to make up for this, but as you'll see soon, there is a reason why this is being dropped... other then the lack of meat on it to review.

To the meat of this post, an idea Marissa had fairly recently, the Mediaholics Journals. Short and to the point, we both struggle with recording gameplay. We don't have capture cards to cover console games, our handhelds aren't modded to capture handheld games, and our computers are too underpowered to comfortably record games on our computers (as a personal one for me, I hate the "stick a camera in front of the TV" capture. It looks unprofessional, easy to mess up, hard to tell what's going on, ect). We do want to do proper LP's, we just can't yet. So, Marissa came up with what we're calling the Mediaholics Journals. A series of posts related to slower, spice of life styled games where one day in game equals one entry, and (some exceptions excluded), seven entries equals one post. At time of writing we are still working on a loose schedule for when these posts will go live, but both Marissa and I have begun working on the games we've agreed to do for this trial run. Marissa is playing Animal Crossing New Leaf, while I play its watered down version, Happy Home Designer (at least its not amiibo festival). The reason we chose those games is because it is easy to get images in them of what we are actually doing in game. This is experimental for us. Others have done similar entries for New Leaf, but to my knowledge nothing has been done for Happy Home Designer (for better or worse), so any feedback is appreciated for it.

 Animal Crossing New Leaf entries will go live, on average, Saturdays at 7am AEDT

Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer will go live on Sundays at 7am AEDT as well.

(note, like all content on the site, that will change once Daylight Savings Ends, and the states here that are on AEDT go back to AEST)

On the plus side, the content opportunities for the site now are bigger then ever, which I hope is a good thing to you reading this. I'll still be doing weekly (when possible) reviews, the youtube channel gets almost daily videos now which appear here a week later, and now the journals where Marrisa and I can indulge in our inner story writers. More relaxed then reviews, just to have a laugh at what we can do with the situations the games decides to throw at us. Hope you all enjoy what's coming up.

Mediaholics Playlist: Green Hill Zone (Sonic 1)

Source Link: https://youtu.be/6dVYoirpaXM
Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Sometimes you have to look back before you can look forward... but at the same time you do sooner or later have to look forward and not keep trying to look back SEGA.

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

Mediaholics Playlist: Magmoor Caverns

Source Link: https://youtu.be/xhXo4X5h-Uw
Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

I don't think I'll ever understand Chozo planetary architecture sometimes.

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

Mediaholics Playlist: Fortune Night 2

Source Link: youtube.com/watch?v=yCteuA02TLU

Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

You know that weird robot you keep seeing in promotional stuff? Yeah, that's the boss here.

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

Mediaholics Playlist: Fire Emblem (Melee)

Source Link: youtube.com/watch?v=AuOqk_LYI-s
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Thanks to Melee, we did get Fire Emblem outside of Japan. Though I will never understand why some people think Smash is the only reason the series is still alive. Last I checked this wasn't F-Zero or Earthbound *insert usual drum skit here*

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.

Mediaholics Playlist: Good Egg Galaxy

Source Link: youtube.com/watch?v=1H90TxjAPfk

Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

I honestly don't think you could ask for a better start of game level (not including the tutorial galaxy) for this game. A perfect way to start your adventure, and to let others know just what they're getting into.

All songs that go up are randomized from a private list, so we may have songs on there that you like too. We are though always open to more suggestions, as between the people who have helped work on this list, it’s still safe to say that we haven’t played every game, listened to every song. Have one you want to see? Comment it down below and we’ll add it to the list.