I Own a Time Machine
The Caravel headquarters has many things stored in its basement. There are vaults housing all manner of documental archives, blueprints, and devices. One of these devices is a fickle time machine. This week, I was able to activate it and go back in time -- about two months, that is. However, there's a catch. I can't
physically go back in time. My conscious mind is sent back, and while there, I am only able to perceive events that were somehow connected to the workings of Caravel itself.
This is what I saw...
Click here to view the secret text
×March Contest --
29th Storage Manager discovered an absolutely humongous Adder had gotten into the Long Term Archives without anyone noticing and ate Artwork Cabinet 7. Fortunately, several forumites pitched in to speedily replace the lost works before anyone noticed.
An Empire Brass Medal For Artistic Excellence and a prize from the Prize Pile were awarded to Jutt for taking great risk to record "
Birth of a Slayer"
.
The Rooted Hold Wooden Trophy For Graphical Brilliance was awarded to eb0ny for complete, detailed plans of "
King Dugan's Dungeon Original Level 13"
.
And 1st Award Awarder's Pewter Goblet for Visual Genius was bestowed upon Techant for her rendering of "
Castle in Poister"
.
You may view the complete collection of archived creative genius here.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewsitepage.php?id=241733
April Contest -- The
Bluffmeisters Guild convened last month to hone their bluffing skills. After several grueling rounds of trickery (or were they?), we settled upon the best bluffers.
In 1st place, Syntax, with Multilingual Traveller/Killer Bluff;
in 2nd place, VIPCOOL, with Monkey Mayhem/Splintered Hand;
and in 3rd place, coppro, with Out of Air/Lunch in Italy.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20767
New Holds
Wanting to play some decent holds, but don’t know where to start? Look no further - here are some recent holds to make it easy to decide what to play.
March
Kolby's Challenge
What happens when you get a bored smitemaster in search of a challenge? Why, “Kolby’s Challenge” of course. In this hold you take on the role of Kolby, smitemaster extraordinaire, who did something I’m surprised nobody has done sooner, which is to only draw your sword when you actually need it. I mean, it must be pretty damn tiring to wave around your sword all the time. Although it takes a little while to get used to this new dynamic, I’ve heard through the grapevine that it is well worth persevering through this great little hold, something that the introductory levels help you to figure out. But be warned if you do persevere, this hold leaves you wanting more!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20615
Dungeon of souls
This is mxvladi’s first hold, but definitely not his last, judging by the fact that he has already erected two more holds (see below). In this one, instead of being just a bloke with a sword, you’re a sharp-footed slayer, setting out to solve your bad day. This hold is not plain sailing by any means, but it is interesting enough to warrant an investigation. Check it out!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20511
Master of hook
Two puzzle levels, and a third level for hold masters.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21000
46-th Slayer adventure
More tricky puzzles.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21048
Artful Architecture
A collection of four puzzling levels by Jutt. Each level contains eight normal puzzle rooms and one secret. There's no storyline, but this should be perfect for all the puzzle fans out there, filled with masterful lynchpins and design layout.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20617
Museum Of Ooze
Can you help Beethro beat the MOO? In Larrymurk’s (recent winner of the Architect lifetime achievement award) latest hold, you’ll find a detailed study on tar, mud and gel as you admire spectacular reward displays (or so I hear) and post-master bonuses. This had been labelled as Larrymurk’s funnest hold yet, and not one of his hardest (thank goodness!). But then again, I shouldn’t have to be writing this – it's by Larrymurk! Go get it and tell me about the post master bonus. Please, I’m dying to know.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20479&page=0
April
Pandora’s Box
This is another hold where you don’t have to lug around a sword all day, but this time, it seems you’ve forgotten to carry your sword altogether. Instead, you must rely on luring monsters to their death, including manipulating slayers. I guess it goes to show that you don’t need a Really Big Sword ™ to solve all your problems.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20860
Madness in the Spring
Lynchpin puzzles, feature quirks of TCB *and* a sense of humour combined into one hard hold? It’s madness I tell you! Or maybe it’s just Boyblue’s latest creation. Although it warns that you need a good proficiency with TCB elements before you embark on this adventure, it’s got plenty of people talking about it.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20955
*Slayers End*
I really want to highlight this hold, as I’ve heard that this hold shows great promise for Neather2, who has been making rooms for a rather long time now. Unfortunately its just so hard I can’t write a proper blurb. Sorry!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=21063
Unfinished Work
A collection of assorted puzzles by Hartleyhair. He had a collection of unfinished holds, so decided to combine them into one hold and release it!
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20922
...As you can see, there are all kinds of things that happened in the past. It is safe to say that the past is simply full of history. If this flood of information hasn't overwhelmed you, then it's high time to talk about the present:
Gone gold
DROD: The City Beneath version 3.2 is at last going to press. Everyone who participated in TCB development will get what's coming to 'em, and for people who already purchased the game, you'll soon have the option of ordering yourself a physical copy of the game on CD for reduced additional cost. There will be some unexpected little goodies in there too. For fans who already have TCB, you may get the 3.2 patch
here.
May Contest – Mini Contests
For this month's contest, things are a little different. Instead of having one big contest, you get to make, and participate in, lots of little mini contests, with real rewards being offered for both. As of this post there is already a puzzle race, a debating contest, a storytelling competition, a contest based on sheep, a contest set to make impossible rooms among other architecture challenges plus more.
Join the Fun!
Topic Picks
The Fourth Annual People's Choice Awards
The results are in! Come see what players judged excellent this year.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20470
The Infohut
Got questions? "
Ask the Infohut."
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20391
Limericks
Read the amusing entries (and non-entries) to this unofficial contest.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20440
Gimmicks
A discussion of the role and types of innovation in gaming today.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20839
The Grind
A discussion about a common feature of RPGs - whether it is or can be good, whether it is necessary, and what exactly defines it. Of particular interest now that RPG holds are being published.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20317
Strange Songs
What's the weirdest song you've ever heard?
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=20697
A Look into the Future...
And now it's time for Caravel to focus its lumbering might on upcoming titles. Puzzles for
Frogs and Mice and
DROD RPG have been completed, and story and artwork is getting done. The newest just-for-fun addition to the DROD RPG game engine is the ability to script certain game sound and graphical effects to fire off at any time, like particle effects and explosions. Also, we have two great candidate holds approved for upcoming Smitemaster's Selections.
I think it's also safe to say that the future will be simply full of history.
____________________________
Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me.
Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
I am Gandalf the White.
And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.
[Last edited by mrimer at 05-10-2008 04:47 AM]
