I've been pretty busy these last few weeks, while at the same time trying my best to take some time off.
Apparently, time off is a good thing. Time off is necessary. We released The Maleficent Seven at the start of the year, and we're gearing up to the release of Last Stand of Dead Men in EXACTLY one month's time. That's two books out in the same year, one written straight after the other, not to mention one or two other short stories for various things yet to be announced. So I've pretty much been working nonstop since November of 2012. Wow. When I say it like that, I suddenly start to feel very tired...
I'm still waiting to hear back from Harper Collins on things like the back cover reveal, and possibly putting up a sample chapter or two. I also need to pick a date for a VERY informal reader get-together in Dublin over the next few weeks. When I said I'd do this back in April I had no idea I'd be so busy, so hopefully I'll still be able to fit it in. Oh, and in a matter of days I'll be posting the tour schedule for LSODM, which will be kicking off at the Edinburgh Book Festival on August 25th- where copies of the new book WILL be on sale.
I normally HATE early releases, but seeing as how it's only a difference of four days PLUS the fact that the Edinburgh audience never reveal spoilers, I don't mind this at all.
Er... I think I've strayed from the point of this Blog entry... what was it again?
Yes! Time off! That's it!
So, I haven't ACTUALLY been able to take any time off, but then I've never been one for taking holidays. However, I have managed to watch a few movies in the evenings, and watch a few TV shows to relax, and to play a few video games. And THAT is the point of this Blog entry.
Over the past few months, I've played two very good games. Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider. I've talked about these games in an earlier post. Of the two, I preferred Tomb Raider. It just felt more visceral. The gameplay was excellent, the atmosphere was amazing, and the tension was nerve-shredding. But apart from all that, it was the character work that stood out. Tiny emotions flickering across Lara Croft's face, paired with such wonderful voice acting, meant that I really cared about her. I liked her, and I didn't want anything bad to happen to her. In contrast to the gritty, naturalistic world of Tomb Raider, Bioshock was hugely imaginative fun with great gameplay, stunning visuals, and a great supporting character. The best supporting character in video games, I reckoned.
And then came The Last Of Us.
The Last Of Us is survival horror. 20 years after the outbreak of a fungal virus that latches onto a person's mind and drives them insane, the world is in ruins. Survivors gather in quarantined cities. Life is miserable. Life is cheap. Death is quick, cruel, and common. But outside the walls of the cities, it's even worse. That's where the Infected roam.
(A fungal virus sounds pretty laughable, right? Type 'Cordyceps' in to any search engine. Read up on what it does to ants. Now imagine what it'd do to people.)
You control Joel, a man in his 50s who has to escort Ellie, a 14 year old girl, across America. They go from city to town to suburb to countryside to mountains, and not only do they have to avoid the Infected, they have to avoid most of the other survivors as well. Because these are NOT nice people.
This is a game that combines the best elements of both Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite. The world is grim and gritty but so, so beautiful. Lush greenery spills up from cracked cement. The sky is a million shades of orange at dusk. But the action is brutal. And the supporting character is astonishing.
Play this game for a few hours and you'll start to really care about Joel and Ellie. Play it for a few hours more and you'll find yourself terrified. You'll hear the clicking of the Infected around you as you crouch in the darkness, and you'll freeze in fear. Why? Because you want to keep Ellie safe. That's ALL you'll care about.
This is one of the best games I've ever played. Is it the most fun? No, that'd probably go to one of the Uncharted games, just for sheer entertainment. But this is definitely the scariest, the most tense, and the most involving. It sucks you in and it doesn't let you go. This is a masterpiece of gaming that will be used as a benchmark for all games that come after, and as a piece of storytelling it succeeds where so many other stories fail.
It's brilliant. If you're over 18, then ready yourself, and go play it.
Monday, July 29, 2013
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«Oldest ‹Older 1801 – 2000 of 4948 Newer› Newest»THEN I COULD MAKE A DUBLIN DAES PENCIL CASE OH MY GOLDEN GOD (I have a thing for making pencil cases :P)
Yep. Making a Dublin Daes pencil case for sure.
*writes it down somewhere so I don't forget*
#ChaseForBook9
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Back COVER OF LASODM IS BEING RELEASED!
*Screams and Dies*
*Comes back 2 life*
Cannot miss this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*frowns at Brad's comment*
*checks Derek's Twitter*
*ROLLS AROUND SPAZZING UNCONTROLLABLY*
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
*is never going to finish homework*
#ChaseForBook9
Yep it's true:
The back cover of Last Stand Of Dead Men is being released in under 1 hour!
34 minutes left! <3
Hi Helena haven't saw you in ages!
Hey there Mr. Maguire! How're you?
hello
#chaseforbook9
Hey there Sherlock. *grins*
only got two mins but will be back later
#chaseforbook9
Hello Sherlock!
*realises I'm being distracted by my phone*
...
Evil phone
#ChaseForBook9
I 'm good. do you remember me Brad Wood well i took a taken name Dynasty Maguire.
I think I do remember you. Hm, I like your taken name very much!
Thanks! I like yours too!
15 minutes until it's up!
*fan-girls*
I JUST TOLD MY MUM THAT IT'LL BE UP SOON AND SHE JUST GAVE ME THIS STRANGE LOOK I think she knows not to disturb me right now and that she should be scared :P
#ChaseForBook9
And thanks!
I know this is weird but I just screamed and woke my lil' baby bro up. Oops. He's went back to sleep though.
ELEVEN MINUTESASDGDHJHFKEDHFIGHFEKHF
11 minutes!
*SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS*
10 MINUTES OMFGG ASDFGHJKLORGSDHJKNFJA,MSZNFC JXZ,BFMNCSDKJZXGBFMNVDSKJXCMN *dies*
*remembers I can't die yet I have to see the cover*
*resurrects self*
Lets do a countdown 9mins now! asu9deieqfjnefqnjifqen
*rocks back and forth repeating omfgg over and over*
9 mINUTES
EIGHT MINUTES! 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
8MINUTES
*Feels sick*
OMg!!!!
I'M SOOOOOOOOOOO
EXCITTTTTTTTTTED
7MINUTESGUYSAREYOUREADYCUZI'MNOTREADYFORTHEFEELSEXPLOSION
7 mins!!!!!!!!1
Think Derek's just reading our comments? Laughing evilly to himself?
He probably is, Hel XD
HI DEREK! *waves*
6 MINUTES NOPE STILL NOT READY FOR THE FEELS EXPLOSION
hjklljhggfdfghjkl
TOO EXCITED
#chasechasechase
5 MINUTES
Of course he is!
But we'll have it soon!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
AHH FIVE MINUTES!
#chasechasechase
HEY FLORA!
4 MINUTES
4 MINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
3
back, 4 mins
#chaseforbook9
Why can't it be 1!11
2
2
#chaseforbook9
HELLO CAIN! AND EVERYONE ELSE! :D
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH TWO MINUTES!!!!!!!!
#chaseforbook9
2! OMG! Am dying now!
1
ONE MINUTE
WILDLY REFRESHING
UNDER 6O SECONDS!!!!111
its here
Hi! :3
Somehow, this morning, YouTube lead me from They Might Be Giants to Chumbawamba to The Flaming Lips to The Animal in Me to Trampled By Turtles to Superchunk to The Promise Ring to Nine Inch Nails to Fabi's Video Deds (which are beautiful and spectacular and just plain wonderful :3) to My Morning Jacket.
I don't even know how.
Some of those bands, I don't even know/enjoy very much. Others I enjoy rather a lot.
And while Fabi's not a band, she still rules, so, like, yay. :P
#ChaseForBook9
*facepalms*
Missed the post by the two minutes it took me to remember those and type it up there. :P
*rolls into new post*
#ChaseForBook9
hello blogland!!
i am nerves because i just pro-formed a play i wrote infront of my class...
what are you counting down...?
So that happened.
Pffft. Rude.
ARE WE HERE NOW???
#ChaseForBookNine
*stares* Landy gots to post new one
@Zaf: IKR. O_O
#ChaseForBookNine
I think so, Star...^^ And that's what I wanted to say before I couldn't write any more:
It would have been wonderful if you had gone to Bavaria! I wish you a lot of fun, though!
#ChaseForBookNine
Hello, Edward.
hello adra
Oh god NJ....
Hi Edward, Zafira and Dragona! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
hi mithria
*giggles* DOOORS
@Mithria: THanks! :)
Hello, Edward.
#ChaseForBookNine
I'm just trying different profile pictures... don't mind^^
Hello, Dragona.
#ChaseForBookNine
That profile picture's awesome. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Heya Dragona
Next try xD
NJ birthed a lamb
Hi guys...
I've had a VERY productive day today. I've been playing Mass Effect 2 for 4 hours. I freed a slave, beat people up, shot some robots, recruited an assassin, saved quite a lot of people, saved an alien soldier from a giant robot which nearly killed me but I shot it with a particle beam and also destroyed some Husks. So yay. :)
hello eli
I eat crayons and poop rainbows. ha.
Sorry, I disappeared for a bit. I had to untangel my knitting wool so I could resume knitting.
#ChaseForBookNine
you can call me Eli or Ulcabhán or Eli i don't care anymore. DEREK LANDY SIGNING HERE I COME.
Hey Brave! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
I'm not going to a signing this time, I don't think.
I'm going all the way to IRELAND next year, sooo.
#ChaseForBookNine
Ha! Now I found a picture that I absolutely love! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
*explodes Em*
STARARARARARARARARARAR! [Tacklehugs several times]
You'll probably be gone when I'm back, so...
Bye! [Vanishes]
#ChaseForBook9
@Mithria: It's beautiful. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
i hope you enjoy Ireland Star.
WARNING!
It rains.
TWENTY. FOUR. SEVEN.
Em's on Minecraft lol
:( FOURS FABI!
I'LL MISS YOU!
#ChaseForBookNine
@Brave: I'm from nothern England.
I'm used to similar weather. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
ADRW GET YOUR ARSE ON SKYPE
Thank you, Star!
Oh, I just found a new toy xD
http://derhobbit-film.de/runen_generator.shtml
Check it out if you like "Lord of the rings"^^
#ChaseForBookNine
OK THIS IS THE BEST PROFILE PIC. EVER.
Brave . . . your display name says "i have hanged my name."
The sad thing is, I didn't even notice when I first read it. :P My brain often doesn't notice typos when reading.
#ChaseForBookNine
I think we're going . . . *sighs*
Fours, everyone./
See you in two weeks. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Brave, I love your profile picture!
Bye Star! I'll miss you. Have fun in Germany! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
I LOVE YOU STAR
bye star
qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm
i have just had an idea
Which idea, Edward? Do we have to be afraid? ;)
#ChaseForBookNine
no, dont be afraid, its a good idea. it probably wont work but its an idea.
Tell us please, Edward!
#ChaseForBookNine
i wont say because it may not work.
Now that's not fair, you know. You tell us that you have an idea and then you won't tell us which idea it is? Grrr.
#ChaseForBookNine
its practicly impossible
I /may/ have just raided Trip's bar on the minecraft...
did you get a drink for everyone?
I did
*sighs* minecraft...ugh the amount of money for it is stupif
*nods* of course! And I put them up for ransom. I demanded 20k
Too quiet nobody is doing anything
Start something, Zaf, and they will follow you^^
Anyway, gtg now... Bye!
Bye Mith!!
*hugs Olivia close* Oh little one...dont be evil
bye mith
*hums Disturbed, grinning widely with Dimka on her shoulder, raiding the bar*
*takes a bottle of whiskey*
*laughs, running from the bar to the park*
*walks into unlocked bar and takes cider*
Im sorry for being distant my bro stole the laptop and now be back at half six
bye brave
Can I have one too Adra? I could use one! *has Olivia drinking a bottle of formula*
.... I'm in a field, get your own.
*has actually left enough money there, but without anyone knowing*
I STOLE IT I STOLE ITTTTT
Alexis: *throws dynamite at Adra*
WO AH WO AH OH WHOAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOHHHHHHWOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHOOOHHHHWOAHHHHHHHHHHHH
what i'm just singing perrie's high note in DNA
#ChaseForBook9
*catches it, lighting it up with a lighter, then throwing it down a hole in the ground*
omg Mara :3
*takes money on counter and uses it to buy drink*
*the money wasn't on the counter*
Alexis: not fair!
*looks at money which turns out to be a parrot* oh
XD
Oh, how about her solo in Change Your Life?
OOHWOAHOHWOAHOHWOAHOOHYEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
#ChaseForBook9
Hi guys i'm back. Imma kill you if you don't tell me your idea Edward.
Mara you will be happy when you find out that i like 1D.
Or Always Be Together...
OHWOAHOHWOAHHHHHOHWOAHOHWOAHOHWOAHOHHHWOAHOHHHHHHHHWOAHOHOHOHHHHHHH
GAH ILY LITTLE MIX
#ChaseForBook9
wait am i alone in bogland? where is everyone.
REMNANTS. THATS IT. THEYVE BEEN TAKEN BY REMNANTS.
why is it that whenever someone does comment for more than five minutes that i jump to the conclusion of remnants?
I confuse myself.
I'm here? okay
oh whoops i didnt see that comment from Mara. I still confuse myself though *nods firmly*
Trying hard to fight these tears
I'm crazy worried
Messing with my head this fear
I'm so sorry
You know you gotta get it out
I can't take it
That's what being friends about
I, I wanna cry
I can't deny
Tonight I wanna up and hide
And get inside
It isn't right
I gotta live in my life
I know I, I know I
I know I gotta do it
I know I, I know I
I know I gotta do it
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Push until you can't and then demand more
Determinate, d-determinate
You and me together, we can make it better
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Hate to feel this way
And waste a day
I gotta get myself on stage
I shouldn't wait or be afraid
The chips will fall where they may
I know I, I know I
I know I gotta do it
I know I, I know I
I know I gotta do it
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Push until you can't and then demand more
Determinate, d-determinate
You and me together, we can make it better
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Okay, It's Wen and I'm heaven-sent
Music like a veteran
Renegade, lemonade, use it in my medicine
Go ahead and try to name a band we ain't better than
Reason why the whole world's picking us instead of them
People need a breather 'cause they're feeling that adrenaline
Stop! Now hurry up and let us in. Knock!
'Cause we're coming to your house and
People keep on smiling like the lemons in their mouths
We're the real deal, you know how I feel
Why they're in it for a bill
I'm just in it for the thrill
Get down now I ain't playin' around
Get your feet up on the ground
And just make that sound like
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Push until you can't and then demand more
Determinate, d-determinate
You and me together, we can make it better
Gotta turn the world into your dance floor
Determinate, d-determinate
Come on and, come on and
Come on and get it going
Come on and, come on and
Come on and get it going
On the dance floor
On the dance floor
D-D-Dance floor
Determinate
Alexis: come play with my sister!!!!
those were the lyrics to my favourite song ever. here is a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OtatoYRMGc
check it out
Lemonade mouth :3
Whaaat?
Omg Stella from lemonade mouth played velma in scoobydoo the movie. Lol.
back
OH I SEE THAT OMG
Hey ed.
Movie
hey adra. should someone start a roleplay quest or later.
i dont know what a rolplay quest is. Ive been so absent.
Evening all!
How's everyone?
#chaseforbook9
still not saying my idea by the way
hello flora
Maybe. I enjoy down time as well... *nods*
Heya flora
What's downtime?
#chaseforbook9
Confused
When there isn't a huge threat in the RP. When we're kind of just chilling. Since we resolved the demon thing- crisis averted and such
I just got Olivia
Ohh okay, that makes sense :)
#chaseforbook9
*picks Dimitri up, putting him in the basket of a motorcycle, closing the lid and revving then engine*
*grins wildly*
*takes off down the road*
Hello I'm back.
*laughs* Hey Dragona!
And of course it does! Maybe.
Oh god...*sighs*
Javier: Zaf focus
I wanna play on a motorcycle
Hah. No.
*drives around a bend that slowly goes up a mountain*
No motorcycles you're too young! *continues feeding Olivia* oh this one eats a lot *smiles softly at the baby*
So im allowed to hang around Niccolo and play with knives but i cant go on a motorcycle with Aunt Adra?!
Hiiiii i'm back.
Alexis please dont argue!
Javier: Alexis your mother is tired she is up a lot with Olivia please stop arguing
Hi Alexis. I do not know if we have met before. my memory is malfunctioning.
Huh four days
:)
#ChaseForBook9
Just because Olivia is awake and Momma is tired!!!! I wish Coco was here. Least he has a head, shares one but he has one.
Oh are we roleplaying. Because i dont understand roleplaying someone enlighten me.
Probably not. Im Alexis daughter of Zafira and Javier and I'm 11
Seriously.
Uhm....basically you are your own character like i dont know how to explain it.
Alexis wants to ride on a motocycle and um... I said no
Leave Niccolo out of it Alexis he has enough in his head
I WANNA RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE!!!! *storms off to lake and aimlessly makes water splash*
Your eleven in real life. Omg. Finallly someone my age. For a year or so i was the youngest on the blog and i was desperate to find someone younger and then someone named brad wood came and he was ten so i was so happy. and then i started wanting a friend my age on the blog. and now theres someone my age. Yay *Dances*
Alexis....*sighs* damn that child
Javier: why does she do that?
Alexis are you An actual person or are you just a blogland regular role playing.
Im just a character.....im not an actual person.
Im Zaf 's character...one of them
Uno?
:)
Over Again:)
Memories...
#ChaseForBook9
Dammmmmmiiiiiitttttttt
I dedicate this page to my baby sister Olivia! She's sooooo cute and funny! And I ded to my Auntie Adra who I haven't ded to yet.
back now
*raises glass, the motorbike wobbling*
*curses, steadying herself*
Huh.
#ChaseForBook9
why are you on a motorcycle adra?
Ok i gtg. Goodbye.
bye brave
So nows what? I wanna learn to fight!
whos teaching you?
The fourth part of my Mass Effect Fanfiction is up now, though it's technically the third part - just from a different point of view.
I have made it as shocking as possible and I have added an appropriate warning at the top.
I'd appreciate it if you could read it and comment.
http://masseffectfanfiction.blogspot.co.uk
I told you if NICCOLO agrees you can.
Javier: come here Alexis you want me to go get you your teddy bear?
Eh. I'm feeling like riding one. Problem?
Bye brave!
not at all.
Hello, everyone.
#ChaseForBook9
Helloooooooo
hello niccolo
...
That's... not right.
... no..
#ChaseForBook9
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