Video Game Frugality, Free Charities, & Joe Berry

One of my favorite frugality blogs, The Simple Dollar talked about video game frugality and getting the most bang for your buck. Not too long ago I talked about the joys of free gaming on the net his advice focuses on console gaming.

Ever want to give to a charity but you didn't have a spare time or a spare dime? Let advertisers foot the bill. The Literacy Site allows you to click through once a day to help fund the purchase of books, this site also has donation pages for hunger, breast cancer, child health, the rain forest, and animal rescue. The Ecology Fund, has a very similar mode of operation but it focuses entirely on environmental issues. FreeRice is unique in that you can make as many small donations of rice as you want, and you get to test your vocabulary while you do it.

Lately I have been on a music kick so I have to mention FineTune. This slick little site allows you to create your own mini-net radio with play lists of music. I have also recently had the honor of meeting country singer and all around cool guy Joe Berry today. Personally I am a big New Wave, Punk Rock, Celtic Rock (ETH Rules!), Classical, Big Band Jazz, and Heavy metal fan, but I have got to say country is growing on me.

Free Tabletop RPGs, Odd Batteries and Neat Houses

Hi everyone I just wanted to set up a quick post to show you a site dedicated to free table top RPG games Have fun delving through them.

I have been poking around sites looking for interesting tech I found Sugar powered batteries and liquid power batteries that you may find interesting.

Recently I have been considering a move and I found very interesting prefabricated houses

Table Top RPG Game

I enjoy table top role playing games, and one of my interests is game development. I have recently created a table top role playing game and I will be distributing this for free on the internet.

The game is called Farm Champions (FRMC) and it is a quick play fantasy role playing game.

Farm Champions

I hope that you enjoy it.

I apoligize that I have not been posting regularly as I have had limited access to a computer. I expect uninterupted internet service in early to mid-January.

Recently I have discovered, "The Blog Readablility Test". I hope you enjoy it.

Get a Cash Advance

A Few Fun Links

Today I wanted to do something a bit different. I will be giving you a few video game related links from around the web that I found fun or interesting.

Kongregate is my flash game site of choice with over 2000 games. Desktop Tower Defense 1.5, Feudalism, and Momentum Missile Mayhem Ultimate are a few of my favorites.

If you are interested in what goes on in the world of video game politics the one place that is required reading is GamePolitics. The game politics blog is well written and it is frequently updated.

Shareware Game Review: Astral Masters

Astral Masters
http://astralmasters.com

This game is similar in feel to a collecting card game, the free sample game offers unlimited game time with a limited access to cards. Registration is inexpensive and it adds quite a few cards to your library.

The cards represent spells that summon creatures or they have other game play impacts such as creating direct damage or healing your creatures. The game can be enjoyed as a single player game or online multi-player, this adds replay value to the game.

The game is similar enough to Magic the Gathering to draw comparisons, but dissimilar enough that it does not feel like a clone. The spells are placed into four basic categories based on the traditional elements; fire, wind, water, and earth. The elements are well balanced and each has unique strengths and weaknesses.

Pros: Easy to learn, yet deep game play. The ability to have network or Internet multi-payer adds to the value of the game.
Cons: While the game does have some dynamic adjustments in order to fine tune the cards and add new cards they tend to be infrequent.

Bottom Line: If you enjoy Collecting Card games you will love this. This is a solid game that will keep you up at night 5/5

Browser Game Review: Adventure Quest

Adventure Quest.

This browser game is free with an additional charge for optional content. Most of the quests and classes remain intact for the free game, however the availability of powerful items and skills greatly improves with the "Guardian" registration, thankfully similar to a shareware game the registration is a one time fee.

This game is set in a fantasy realm with several sci-fi elements. The setting is quite refreshing in the fact that the game is laced with a light, campy humor that shines through most of the quests. The Non-Player Characters are memorable and fun.

Game play is typical of single player role playing games. The main character is a blank slate with a number of classes to train for as well as customizable attributes. The game is shown from a first person point of view that switches to a third person point of view during combat. Combat is a turn based system that allows you to cycle through your equipment without wasting any turns. Activating items requires skill points, a resource that refreshes quickly during combat while magic depletes your magic points which can only be refreshed outside of combat, or through the use of items and skills.

Adventure quest is very dynamic. Every few weeks new content is added to the game. You can count on a few permanent additions as well as temporary quests that give great rewards.

Pros. Very dynamic, Quests are frequently updated. The option to have a single battle allows you to get a quick game in without the time investment of doing quests. The ability to switch armors (Classes) to access new skills on the fly helps keep combat interesting.

Cons. Simple graphics with limited animations, there are no mini-games.

Bottom line: This game feels surprisingly deep for what could be described as a casual RPG. If you enjoy RPGs and you are looking for a change of pace from overly serious settings you should check out Adventure Quest. 4/5