Mediaholics Journal: Blaster's Happy Home Designing Week (9/4/17-15/4/17)

Well so much for my week long break... that's going to be all the free time I get isn't it?

Well I can assure you things have not been interesting this week, only doing four houses this week, though now I get to decorate houses... and most of the ones I've seen haven't needed anything outside. I turned Cesar's house into a construction site, and all through the process I'd been questioning the purpose of a manhole on a beach and why I was even needed to turn a house into a construction site. I also think I've broken the laws of physics and put Carrie and Pecan's houses on the same lot, because that's how physics works. And put Pekoe's house in one of the most peaceful places I can think of, the middle of the desert.

I was also tasked with three new buildings, the hospital, a cafe which for some reason they didn't want a kitchen in it, so I didn't give them one, and a store which I honestly didn't use as an excuse to use the car as furniture...

The only other bit of note was an excuse to use those playcoins I'd been collecting since Super Smash brothers for 3DS on... tutorials and more furniture, which for some reason I cannot get all at once even though I have 300 of the useless bits of digital gold. What, you think these weeks are going to get longer? I can only do one house a day. Down below are the pictures taken for your enjoyment.

ACNL: Medaiton Journal Week 2

Mediaton Journal: Bear With Me

Day 8:

I wake up and a house moved in right next to me…surprised? Not really. Inside was the new neighbor, Tex. He’s a pretty chill villager. Heh…get it? He’s still moving in so I’ll give him time.

                The Mona Lisa shipped to my house so I went to the museum to donate it. I noticed there was construction going on near Nookingtons. At the museum I learned that the painting I got was a fake. I am never trusting that Fox again.

                I went over to town hall to see the results for the poll. The result was yellow bench. I placed it near Butch’s house because I plan do to something great there in the future, possibly a park or something. I donated for the bench upfront, mainly due to my impatience.

                While combing the beach, I found a sailor knocked out cold. He called himself Gulliver. He forgot where he was going and needed me to help him remember. We figured out he was going to Singapore after he told me some landmarks he saw there. He promised me that he’ll bring me back a souvenir for helping him.

Day 9:

                I walk outside and there was another plot to the north right of my house. This is starting to become an issue. I saw Tex walking outside, and he was just enjoying the cherry blossom petals that seemed to be falling through the air like confetti.

                There was a small celebration for the completion of the town bench. Isabelle made it somewhat of a big deal, but I suppose it is the first PWP that we worked on. I understand her enthusiasm.

                Isabelle informed me about the new gardening shop in town. It is run by a Sloth named Leif. That shop really helps me with my hybrid gardening. I got some cooler flowers there like lilies and violets.

                An interesting visitor came by the town tree today. She was a fortune teller known as Katrina. She gave me my fortune for a relatively cheap price. She told me that luck was based off the clothes I wear. Since my dress was already lucky that day, I felt pretty good after that. That day I happened to shake a tree and out came a lucky cat!

Day 10:

                Today was the fishing tourney! So everyone was wielding their fishing rods to compete for the biggest catch. Except for one villager, the one that was moving in. Her name was Pinky and she was a pretty big panda. It has come to my attention that I have three bears in my town now.

                For the fishing tourney, Chip the Beaver set up his tent in the plaza. The rules were that any fish goes. So I grabbed my rod and fished for the majority of the day.

                At the end of the day though, even after I caught a good number of sea bass, Wendy won the tourney by a couple inches. I ended up taking second place. Don’t worry, I’m not bitter at all…..Wendy….

Day 11:

                I saw Pinky outside after she unpacked everything. She seems really nice. For some reason she likes to make Waluigi sounds at me.

                Naomi asked me to deliver Tammy a shirt. I gave it to Tammy but…it honestly looked kind of silly on her. I held back my laughter and told her it looked good. I guess she’s going to wear that for a while.

                Butch said he wanted to move away. I begged him to stay and it actually worked. Why would he want to move away so soon? It almost felt like he just got here. I’m pretty sure this town still has room for just one more villager anyway.

                Wendy asked me to start calling me Muffin, because she heard it from Merengue. I said sure, why not. I count her in our little friend group anyway. Afterwards I was tending to my flowers. I grew a few hybrids, but the most that was growing was my rose garden. It already produced a purple flower!

  Day 12:

                I talked to Chester and he asked me to give something to Merengue that he forgot about. He started whispering to me about it when Merengue was in earshot. I wonder why he’s worried about it.

                While going around town I kept on tripping over myself. Katrina happened to be in town that day and I asked her about it. It did have to do with my luck after all, and she told me my only saving grace is a long sleeved shirt.

                When I went to the Able Sisters, Mabel was there with a brand new sewing machine. She told me that I can use it to make intricate designs. I could actually make a decent town flag with this, instead of the place holder we have now. I bought a long sleeve shirt as well as other clothes to match with it. I was all dressed in blue.

Day 13:

                I found a lost book on the ground. I asked Biff first who was walking there at the time and the first guess I had was right. I also figured because the title of the book was Pecs and Quads of the Rich and Famous.

                A skeleton fell out of a tree. I’m not sure if I should call the cops, the skeleton looked pretty fake. I figured I would just take it home for it to be a cool decoration. I’m not sure if I regret my decision or not.

I felt so tired after that for some reason….I just kinda….slept….

Day 14:

                I walked into town to find that Nooklings was closed for renovations. There was also another store being built next to the Able Sister’s. It’s pretty exciting to see the shopping district get bigger.

                I got done paying my home loan, so I went to Nook’s. Nook introduced me to an otter that honestly won’t shut up. His name is Lyle and he’s a spokesperson for the Happy Home Academy. There’s a competition to have the nicest house. I suppose I won’t have that much competition around my town. It feels like everyone wants me to ruin their houses.

                The day was a lazy one afterwards but there was an interesting camper today. He was a cat that traveled from far away. He speaks of a land filled to the brim with terrifying monsters. He gave me a few items including a little pet pig, and what’s supposed to be a monster egg. I’ll guess I’ll keep these in my house.

Mediaholics Playlist: ID (Purpose)

Source Link: youtu.be/Cjq2bLlP8Pw
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Should probably note that most of the Fire Emblem songs come from Awakening, as the only one of us who has played Fire Emblem at all, has only played Awakening and Fates (and Heroes right now, but that's besides the point). If you'd like more variety, we're open to ideas.

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: Ema Skye: Scientific Detective

Source Link: youtu.be/M3_NiRrpQDw
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Look, Science and magic can coexist.

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.

Opening Impressions: Ducktales, Woohoo

Gotta love it when the opening impressions can take up one arc. Five episodes to an arc makes it very easy indeed. So, thanks to the new reboot coming out on Disney XD soon, to give it more of a variety then Cartoon Network has going for it (we do not need 176 episodes of Teen Titans Go a week. Stop it!). I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the original show, see how well it opened up, to reasonably compare the two once it comes out.

Mediaholics Playlist: EDEN Theme

Souce Link: youtu.be/Ad9-CJQTs7s
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

"4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams[b] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." ... Oh wait, wrong Eden, my bad

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: Guardian Boss Theme

Source Link: youtu.be/2C_d5ZU7CT8
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

Ehh, I've seen bigger

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: Big Blue

Source Link: youtu.be/Wo3aFAoeW2A
Playlist Link: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0UmlA10uAY8JFBgyAE4PJVbaZZbe3dTb

We never said there wouldn't be alternate versions of songs...

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.

How I'd "fix": Lego Dimensions

Well, fixed is being used loosely here.

With talk on Dimensions ceasing production, and counter talk saying that it isn't, I'd like to go back to it to talk about things I'd like to see done if they do go for a "Dimensions 2". This is not meant to be me saying I could do the job better, far from it. These are more ideas that, if I was a part of the development team for whatever reason, what I would suggest.

1. Drop the Toys to Life model
   
   This is a no brainer, due to me personally thinking its the main thing holding Dimensions back. I know it sounds weird but hear me out. One thing that the team cannot do, or at least try not to do, is sell power. Most of the power ups you can get from the packs are cosmetic upgrades that do fit the worlds they come from, but have little practical use. There are some that are useful, like a stud magnet, cheaper upgrades, ect. But for everyone of those, there's two more that are "replace music with *x*", "give all vehicles *y*" "wear dino hats". Every Lego game has upgrades like that, but they are balanced out with things like extra stud multipliers, invincibility, and others that have more use to them, help with the pacing of the game, something that Dimensions can't really do because the way to get red bricks are bared off unless you have characters that can get to the Adventure worlds they're from. On top of that, there are characters which are required to get collectables that you could be waiting months to get. Raven's one I know about in Year 2 as you can't complete the Adventure Time level without her, Gamer Kid had 50 arcade games you could only start getting late into Year 1, and unless you have Supergirl, you're not completing the Sonic Level. Just to name a few. None of these would be a problem in a normal Lego Game, as then the only thing blocking off your progression is the amount of studs you had, whereas the way its going with Dimensions as it is, if you needed a character, you're probably paying $25-$80 (that's based on brick and mortar stores in Australian dollars for the record), which on top of the $180 for the starter pack, will not help get customers, especially when the audience you target relies of their parents to buy it for them.
2. Give us a reason to use these vehicles
   
   To those who haven't played Dimensions. around 90-95% of the vehicles and vehicle upgrades... are completely useless and really only exist to make an attempt to justify the price tag of the sets (which they suck at for the record). With the exception of some specific vehicles for the occasional secret area and puzzle, you have no reason to use the vehicles. Boats and submarines are only used in adventure words, which is negated by characters who can swim, which you'd probably find out before you got a submarine. Planes are really only used for lifting specific items onto switches, as there are characters who can fly on their own and fly faster, and cars, while the most useful, still aren't often used unless you want to move faster, in which case you're probably flying. Gadgets are the ones that get the most use along with special vehicles, things like the Ghost trap, Arcade machine, TARDIS, DeLorian, ect, but like the cars, are the most situational. Combined with all the vehicles sharing the same stats depending on what kind of vehicle they are, and you get the 90-95% useless number (roughly). I'd like to see vehicles get more use, levels built around using them, give me reasons for having these. I admit the Lego games have had a lot of issues with useless vehicles, but in other games they did have reasons for you to use them, levels that had you play as them, or puzzles that required a vehicle to be built and used to move on. Rather then "Use a vehicle of your choice to use this dash panel you could fly over" "Use one to lift this box" "Use one to charge up this machine".
3. Real Lego sets based on the game
   
   What do I mean by that? Well, I'd like to see sets based on the idea, even if its just a series of collectable minifigs. Most people who buy the sets, buy them for the characters, especially ones like the Twelfth Doctor, Chell, Sonic, Mr T, and other characters who haven't been minifigs before. There is a market for these characters as minifigs, and if they were turned into sets based on their franchises or from the game itself, that would be even better. Doing this and taking away the Toys to Life aspect would cut the games cost in half, so that the people who want the game can get the game, those who want the sets can get the sets, and those who want both can throw their money away now. Everyone wins!
4. Keep the Portal
   
   I know that might sound crazy, seeing as before I did say to drop Toys to Life. But I will admit that the Portal is a interesting mechanic, and has led to some interesting puzzles. It could even be something like a phone app that connects to the game which would let you do the puzzles, control characters to go to specific areas to do some sort of Rube Goldberg like puzzle, or even take something from Lego Star Wars 3 and have a way to control units of soldiers on a battlefield. You could even connect it to the physical sets, like they do with the Nexo Knights sets, and have a way to scan codes to unlock things like costumes (not characters, not power). There is an idea here for controlling parts of the game with something other then a standard controller that I'd love to see more games take use of, we have the technology for this, and its a safe bet everyone who'd get the game would have access to a phone or tablet.
5. Better navigation in adventure worlds
   
   I hate navigating the adventure worlds, I really do. It's slow, easy to get lost, especially in the year 2 worlds, and the tools you have for navigating it just makes it a chore. There are ways it could be fixed. Things like the radar showing some signs of world geography rather then a blank circle with icons giving a rough idea where things are, the ghost studs from previous Lego games (if you choose) to point to the closest collectable to where you are, a way to bring up some sort of map of the world. Games have been designing ways of navigating open worlds since the 80's, we have a good idea on how to be a gentle guide if the player wants, and there are far better ways then "Look at all the arrows clogging up your HUD, there they are, go find them".
6. Less of the old, more of the new
   
   I'm going to probably shoot down a lot of older readers nostalgia here with this. But Dimensions needed more characters that kids of this day and age would know better. There are some that are timeless, like the DC superheroes, and a lot of the Lego IP's in the game helped a lot. But, most children, and I say most intentionally so please don't spam me with "but my kid does", are not going to care about things like The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings (though that ones more debatable), Back to the Future, Portal 2, the original Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, Mission Impossible, The A-Team, Gremlins, E.T, Knight Rider, The Goonies and Beetlejuice. Like it or not, those are aimed at older players, the parents and older siblings. Before anyone says it, no, there is nothing wrong with them being in the game, see before about the minifigs. What I will say was that there needed to be more IP's in the game that targeted children with things they're growing up with, the IP's you can find on TV and in movies right now. Because those would have been what kids would have begged their parents to get, because they knew them. Parents would see the sets from their childhoods, maybe getting them too and congratulations, they just got more money.
7. Lego Engine 2.0
   
   The game engine they're using for these games is showing its age. The games are becoming stale, in game visuals look like they haven't improved, and are aging badly. Their cutscenes are looking better then the games they come from, and showing that they're pre rendered and not done in game. Its time for an upgrade. We have more power then ever in consoles and PC's, yet the games still look like my old PS2 could run them. I'm not saying they need to look rediculous. But lighting and shading could be improved, more detail to the minifigs to make them look more like actual Lego. Basically, take the Lego movie and Lego Batman movie, give the minifigs more articulation points, and that should be what they look like now, but they don't. Heck I'd settle for Lego Worlds in terms of where we should be at visually. It can be done people. I'm even willing to trade off compatibility with the last generation of hardware to do it, even if it means I wouldn't be able to play them yet. It is something that needs to happen.
   
8. Time to go Digital
   
   Before you read on, note that I'm very much on the camp of local multiplayer. But even I admit that, if we can, we should have both. And this also came from a Facebook group I'm a part of related to Dimensions, so thank you to that person for the idea.  Dimensions does have online multiplayer in terms of the Battle Arenas, but at this point, its probably time for some online co-op multiplayer. Just can we please still have local? I know you want to only have one WB but please can we have both?

 I have been working on an updated version of  a character roster, building on what Year 1 and 2 have done, its still some time away as before I publish it, I'd like to give powers to the characters and maybe, if I can get the time to dig into Stud.IO, make mock ups of what they could look like based on currently existing pieces. It's taking longer then I expected, due to brainstorming ideas, and the site content schedule going from weekly to daily. Hopefully I can get it soon though as its something I really want to get out, I'm not really happy with how the first one turned out as it was rushed, its was mostly still my personal work notes. See you on Wednesday for the opening impressions on Ducktales.

ACNL: Mediaton Journal Week 1

Mediaton Journal: Boom Town

Day 2

I woke up and was pretty impressed with the new house’s exterior. Although not as spacious as my villager’s house on the inside, it will have to do for now. I check my mail and I heard a small voice calling to me. I went to examine it and to my surprise it was a talking magic lamp! I was somewhat freaked out by it, but I decided to do as it said and put it in my house for the time being.

Isabelle actually stopped by to give me a house warming present before I got a chance to put the lamp down. She gave me some cute paw print pattered wallpaper that I just had to use. I put down the lamp into its new home as I head to town hall to do mayor duties.

Isabelle told me I have to win over the townsfolk so I can get a villager’s permit before I become mayor, so I did some chores around town. Naomi wanted to change her catchphrase to something fabulous, so I thought of the most fab thing at the time.

Merengue asked to find the elusive peacock butterfly. I thought it was no problem…except the huge glaring problem of it not appearing unless if there are special flowers in the town. I ran around town for hours before I realized it. Sorry Merengue…please forgive me.

I didn’t finish the villager’s permit that day, but I did manage to hone my bee catching technique. So now I have revenge, REVENGE I SAY HAHAHAHAHA!

Day 3

                I saw a visitor to the town today. She was apparently a famous carpenter named Sahara. I gave her some bells to work on my house but my opinion was somewhat mixed...all she really did was track sand on the floor.

                I’ve heard word that a villager moved in today. His name is Butch. He’s still in boxes but I can already sense he’s a bit of a gruff guy. I wonder why he moved so far away from everyone else. Maybe he likes the solitude?

                

I hung out with Merengue later in the day, and I did more chores for the villager’s permit. I eventually got the permit! But…I had to wait until the next day to actually do any actual mayor duties.

Day 4

                I woke up a bit later than usual, and I saw a house plot…straight across from mine. It said it belonged to someone named Tammy. I should’ve known that villagers would pop up right near my house. I had to shake of that thought because I finally got my villager’s permit, so off to the town hall I go.

Isabelle said that I could either enact the town ordnance, or construct a Public Works Project or PWP for short. I’ll put out a poll for the villagers to choose which PWP they would want. In the meantime, I enacted the Bell Boom town ordnance to focus on future payments for the town.

Since all my mayor duties are done for now, I visited Butch who was out and about since he wasn’t a slave to his moving boxes anymore. Despite his gruff personality he sometimes comes off as an old man. Don't tell him that though.

Day 5

The bell boom ordinance is live and I filled my pockets to the brim with bees and beehives. I got a lot of bells and I am going to continue to grind for the future PWP that is currently being voted. I met the animal that moved right in front of my house. Her name is Tammy and she is a bear. Despite her moving right in front of my house, I somewhat developed a soft spot for her.

 I've noticed a hybrid grew in my town. A pink rose. Maybe the town would appreciate if I started growing flower gardens.

Day 6

I find myself frequenting the Able Sisters lately. They have a lot of cute things in stock, I might change my look soon enough...now if I can find a matching skirt. Chester wanted me to bring back Butch to his place. Butch's house was a long way from all the villagers, I guess he just prefers long walks. I feel bad seeing him so secluded; I might have to build a bridge for him in the future once I get enough funds.

Day 7

Another plotted land has sprung up, his name is Tex. He is right next to my house. I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic.

 I said hi to the quiet hedgehog Mabel today. She is working in the corner of the Able Sisters but I always say hi to her everyday, and I appreciate the work she does. I think she's starting to open up a bit more. 

Chester wanted to play Hide and Seek with me, Tammy, and Naomi. Although they picked the worst hiding spots. Tammy even hid behind her own house. Even some of the villagers had odd tasks. Biff wanted me to pick an apple that I'm pretty sure he could've just reached himself.

The last thing I remember was seeing this weird tent in the town plaza. Some fast talking fox who calls himself Redd sells paintings. Looks really useful for building the town's museum, but I've heard that he sells bootlegs. You gotta be careful with what you're buying and who you're buying it from.

Note: This week has a poll for the PWP, please vote on the strawpoll

http://www.strawpoll.me/12630048