Operation Backlog Completion 2024
Feb 282018
 

Last month, we discussed the disappearance of the Muv-Luv visual novels from Steam, an unexpected consequence of the transfer from Degica to Ixtl.

Now they’re back!

Muv-Luv (Extra and Unlimited) and Muv-Luv Alternative now have new Steam pages, thanks to the help of Sekai Project.

Muv-Luv is now being sold at a lower price, and both are on sale for 30% off until March 15. Muv-Luv Alternative has also been updated with improved scripts, most likely the changes that were never implemented in the previous versions.

So, what if you already had them before the change and you want to switch to the new versions?

According to the official announcement, backers (like me) will be able to get new keys from BackerKit. Valve and Ixtl are working on a solution for users who bought the old versions from Steam.

This has certainly been a strange situation, but at least the Muv-Luv visual novels are available again! If you’re curious about the Muv-Luv series, I reviewed Muv-Luv Extra and Unlimited here and Muv-Luv Alternative here.

Feb 262018
 

The cover has been revealed for Darkling’s Beasts & Brews — Poetry With a Drink on the Side, an upcoming poetry anthology I have a poem in.

Me and poetry? Well, last year I saw the call for submissions for this anthology from Lycan Valley Press, the same publisher behind Final Masquerade.

They were looking for poems about monsters, beasts, and creatures for an anthology that would pair each poem with a drink recipe. I turned to my love of yokai once again and wrote a poem based on the legend of the Noppera-bō.

Here is the full contributor list:

DARKLING’S BEASTS AND BREWS — POETRY WITH A DRINK ON THE SIDE

(Cover art by M Wayne Miller, Cover design by Kealan Patrick Burke)

SECTION 1 — COFFEE AND TEA (11 coffee/10 tea – alcohol and non-alcohol)

The Monster Mash by John C. Mannone
The Morning Named Apollo: A Chimeric Blood Song by Stephanie Wytovich
The Lycanthrope by Paula Berman
The Hunter by E.M. Eastick
The Eyes by Mark Mihalko
Fated to Die by Sarah Tantlinger
With Bared Teeth by Javier Gómez
In Our Past Mortality by Jay Rohr
Lust in the Full Moon by Khalil Goddard
Frontier Winter by Catherine Bult
Evolution of a Young Lover by Frank Heather
Nosferatu by Michael Hanson
Redcap by Kurt Newton
The Night Whispers by Sarah Cannavo
A Witch Reflects on Loss by Rie Sheridan Rose
Backwards Footprints by Donald Armfield
Secrets of the Loch by Louise Smith
A Siren’s Pursuer by Donald Armfield
Hunger by Candice Robinson
The Novealla of Vuowro (#) by Ron Riekki
Figment Fantastica by Taye Carrol

SECTION 2 — COCKTAILS AND MIXED DRINKS (alcohol)

The Seafloor God by Ethan Hedman
A Kelpie’s Promise by Trisha Wooldridge
Siren’s Song by L.S. Reinholt
Widow’s Weeds by Linda Lee Ruzicka
Skin Walking by M.F. Senger
Stolen by Jillian Bost
Bedtime by Lynne Sargent
The Witches Give Birth by Joshua Lupardus
The Rattling Tree by Rob E. Boley
The Confession by Timothy Tarkelly
An I’d Swally the Little Bairns by Kimberly Brannon
Plague Ship by Emerian Rich
Death by Breaths by Gerri Leen
Eternal Epitaph by Don Campbell

SECTION 3 – SMOOTHIES (non-alcohol)

And They Ride by S.L. Scott
Noppera-bō by Samantha Lienhard
Black Vampire by Lavel Wideman
The War Witch by S.L. Edwards
The Power of the Moon by Ashley Dioses
Fisherman’s Lure by Ken MacGregor
The Beast I Am by Jyothika Aaryan

SECTION 4 – MILKSHAKES (alcohol and non-alcohol)

The Scab That Oozes by Nick Manzolillo
Nightmare Upon Dissolution by Jason Ellis
Night On The Town by Andrew Dunlop
The Faerie Rules by MJ Mars
A Prank Too Far by Anne E. Johnson
Whitechapel Werewolf by Samantha Potts
An Vorvoren a Senar by Darren Lester
Frankenspider by Minerva Cerridwen
The Vampire Ogrencisi by Shalom Aranas
Moon in Purple by Morphine Epiphany
Antlered Avenger by Kimmy Alan
He, The Forest by Jay Outhier
Feetures by Shawn Chang
We Are Legion by Allison Shepherd

SECTION 5 — HAIKU SHOTS (alcohol)

Haiku by Darkling
Haiku by J.E. Mason
Haiku by Sarah Yasin
Haiku by Diane de Anda
Haiku by Vanessa Noel Graham
Haiku by Marjoleine Holsbeek
Haiku by Darkling

SECTION 6 — PARTY PUNCH (alcohol and non-alcohol)

Torture of a Pirate by Ethan Nahté
Food Shopping by Anne M. Gibson
Smoketown Zombies by James Quinn
Just Put Out Your Hand by Juleigh Howard-Hobson
Hunger for Life by Andrew Hudson
My Parents Don’t Like Kali ‘Cause She Drives A Mustang by Wolf Boy
Dinner with Jerry by Sally Max
Eventide by K.A. Opperman
Sodium-Vapor by Lisa Treece
When Monsters Share by Shawn Chang
Underneath the Red Moon by Linda M Crate
Siren of the Woods by Qurat Dar
Tommy’s Knocking by Patrick Winters
New Fur for Old Skin by Oliver Smith

SECTION 7 — KILLER CLOWN RECIPES (non-alcoholic)

Clown Night by L.S Reinholt
Within the Darkness of the Carnivále by Donald Armfield

I’m looking forward to the release of Darkling’s Beasts and Brews, and I’ll let you know once there is more information to share.

Feb 232018
 

Back in November, we learned Final Fantasy XV would get an Episode Ardyn DLC, along with at least two more “Episode” DLCs.

Since Tabata mentioned fans’ interest in seeing more of Luna, Episode Luna felt like a safe bet as well.

Now, in new interviews translated by Gematsu, he said there will be four more “Episode” DLCs, and they will probably extend into 2019.

He’s also viewing the new DLC as being expansions to Final Fantasy XV’s overall universe, and thinks users no longer want gaps to be filled in the main story.

(The major gaps have been filled, and Episode Ardyn will help, but I’m not so sure they couldn’t make a few more improvements.)

Tabata also mentioned that the PC version of Final Fantasy XV will have an official mod creation tool.

Final Fantasy XV is the game that just won’t end! Support is nice, but it’s odd that even after the Royal Edition comes out, there will still be four DLC episodes not included. Will there eventually be a more complete edition released after the Royal Edition?

And when will it stop?

Now, I’ve criticized Final Fantasy XV’s DLC several times, but I admit I’ll buy that Episode Ardyn DLC. As for the rest, we’ll see.

What do you think about this latest development, and what do you think is the future of Final Fantasy XV?