Crypto Taxidermy

I’ve finished Elvis Sightings and am beginning work on its sequel. (Yeah, I know, might want to get an Agent or Publisher for first book…)

The main character, Floyd, is employed by a crypto taxidermy collector, so I’ve been looking into crypto taxidermy and have found some stunning artists in the field. So far, Sarina Brewer is one of my favorites. If I ever sell a book I am going to buy one of her pieces.

A few months ago I was assigned a new gig with Wildstorm writing up a comic based on NCSoft’s forthcoming MMOG Aion. The game has a pretty extensive back story and the turn around was practically zero, but the book was a ton of fun to write and I got to work with artist Neil Googe, who’s work I think is awesome.

The comic book came out as a give away at Penny Arcade Expo over Labor Day, and is available at GameStop if you pre-order the game (I think)

Aion: Aiva’s Story is a one shot, meaning a one issue series. Hopefully it will turn into a real series. I’d love to write it! Below is the wrap around cover Neil did.

There are a lot of action games on the iPhone, but not all of them are great. On a whim, I downloaded Alive4Ever because I love killing zombies. I really, really do. If you played iDracula, the game will immediately feel very similar. It is a top down shooter with movement controlled by your left thumb, shots with your right.

Alive 4 Ever

What sets this game apart is that it isn’t just a shooter. Alive4Ever incorporates a number of RPG qualities, like experience to level up your character. You can also collect equipment to change your character’s stats. But the thing that really makes it better than the average top down blast fest is the missions. Some are straight up kill the zombie affairs, where others require you to retrieve survivors, vaccine, gold, or a combination of the above. The catch is that when you’re retrieving something, you can’t use your more powerful rifle, you have to switch to your handgun. It does add to the challenge.

As you make your way through the levels, you accumulate cash that can be used to buy better weapons, from shotguns, to assault rifles to pistols. Having a variety of weapons to choose from going into different missions makes the game feel deeper.

I’m a big fan of this little gem. If you like action, pick it up.

Note: I don’t give ratings. I only write about products that I think you should get, or that you should avoid.

TH3 Project Black Genius

A great old Sci Fi toy line called TH3 Project from Italian toy maker Edison Giocattoli. If you like 70’s toys, definitely worth a look.

Wolfestein RPG

I’ve always been a fan of Id Software. I went out and bought Orcs and Elves the day it came out for DS and played the hell out of it. I fired up my iPhone the other day and found their follow up title (in spirit,) Wolfenstein RPG, available in the App Store.

The game is a turn based RPG like the old style D&D games you might have played on your PC or IIe. You move one tile at a time and take turns fighting and executing actions. The graphics are a lot better though, and the game is in your pocket, both plusses over Eye of the Beholder.

The game is a lot like the classic 3D game that was also recently released on iPhone in that you are fighting Nazis in a castle, you have guns, chicken to eat, and prisoners to rescue, so if you’ve ever played a Wolf game, you’ll immediately know what to expect.

I’m really enjoying the game so far, and it drains the battery a lot less quickly than Doom Resurrection does. If this seems up your alley, I highly recommend it.