It looks like Mount and Blade is on sale right now, and after one of you guys gave it a glowing review, I think I’ll give it a shot.

I’m installing it right now. If you’re looking for something to fill a boring weekend, why not give it a try?

Welcome to our renamed site: Giant Enemy Blog. The old URL will remain active for a bit, just to redirect people to the new site. Once Google catches up, the old name should drop off the search results and be replaced by the new one. Special thanks to everybody who submitted name ideas.

I’ve been editing stuff all over the site to try to make things behave correctly, and I think I got just about everything. If you happen to see something I’ve missed, please let me know.

Speaking of editing, I lack the Photoshop skills to fix the logo, so I had to remove it. If anybody thinks they can hack out the old name, let me know and I’ll send you the .psd. If you can somehow fit the new name up there as well, I’ll remove that big ugly header up top.

Couple of housekeeping things:

• Regarding the contest – I appreciate everybody plugging the site in their sigs from the last contest, but those URLs won’t be valid for much longer. If you would, please edit them and let me know, and I’ll give you an entry into this month’s contest.
• Same thing goes for people have have tagged themselves in online games with our old name. I’m aware that the new name is considerably longer, so just go ahead and remove the old one (you’ll keep your entries into the contest).
• We’ll be having our first fund raiser/charity drive soon, so stick around or check the forums for details.

As always, keep up the good work and keep writing. This site isn’t going anywhere.

I’m working on getting the site moved, so you may notice some downtime or site errors. I’ll post an announcement when I’m done.

I’ve narrowed it down to two possible names. Go vote on this thread.

(This article was inspired by the post Goldanas made yesterday)

Let me tell you a story of misery and woe.

Well, not quite that bad, but it’s a story nonetheless. I met my current girlfriend a little over three years ago at the weekly gathering place of my University’s Dance Dance Revolution club. When first I saw her, I knew I had to be dreaming. A tall, slender maiden with long, wavy hair playing DDR? Such a thing could not be possible. Yet, I was wrong. There she was, alternating between DDR and Guitar Hero. My heart was aflutter.

After copious amounts of flirting, we hit it off shortly thereafter. It was so nice to finally find a girl who enjoyed the vidya. Oh yes, she loved the vidya: She had brought a Gamecube to school, even though she didn’t have a TV. Her modest collection of games included Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros, and, sigh, every Mario Party game for the Gamecube.

Oh well, at least she liked the vidya.
(continue reading…)

The site will be on hold for today due to an important announcement.

Short Version
I either need to rename the site or get sued. Suggest a new name.

Long Version
Back in 2005, a fellow over in Great Britain created a board game called Blag! This fellow also trademarked the term in the UK and the US, meaning that anybody who uses the word “Blag” in connotation with games or gaming is in violation of his trademark. I was unaware of said trademark, until he decided to inform me. After exchanging a few polite emails, he’s decided to give me six weeks to change the name of this site.
Although I will be consulting with a lawyer for any loopholes I can jump through, from my non-legal perspective this looks pretty straightforward. Therefore, instead of just coming up with a new name on my own, I’d like to hear what you guys have to say. By that, I mean suggest a new name, not suggest that I fight it out until the bitter end.

What are bead sprites? These are bead sprites (hanging on my fridge):

I got them from my friend Sage, who incidentally provides us with weekly Rock Band DLC updates. Sage happens to run BeadSprites.com, and he’s generously providing this month’s contest prize – Five sprites of your choice. Just go on his site and look around, he’s got plenty to choose from.

Now, how to enter? Well, if you listened to our first Podcast, we discussed how much this site needs more advertising and exposure. To that end, there are two ways you can enter into this month’s contest:

• Just like in the last contest, you can stick a link to the site in your forum signatures.
• If you actively play any games online like TF2 or Left 4 Dead, add [Giant Enemy Blog] to the beginning of your nickname. You’re only required to leave it there for a month. Be sure to send me a screenshot too.

So yeah. Do either (or both) of those, and you’ll get entries into the contest. On top of that, you’ll help Giant Enemy Blog grow. Everybody wins.

Congratulations to Arcadia for winning our first contributor contest. I’ll be sure to stick your prizes in the mail on Monday.

As for everybody else, stay tuned, because I’m going to announce another contest soon. Hint – The prizes are coming from here.

Wow, I almost forgot about the contest. Guess I have to pick a winner.

Gimme a few minutes to tally up all those entries.

If you weren’t aware, most of the games available on Steam are now on sale. I just picked up Bioshock for $5, Audiosurf for $5, and Everyday Shooter for $9.

Sale ends on January 2nd, so go buy stuff.