Jack Unbound - A Starbound Story

Screen Capture from Episode 1 - "Pilot"

I have been enamored by several "Let's Play" series on YouTube over the years. These video series are basically people playing video games while adding their own voice over narration and reactions to what they're doing in games. I stumbled into this genre when trying to determine whether or not I would like a particular game - and have since used it more often and more reliably (with better results!) than typical game reviews and media. Actually getting to see someone play a game hands on and mess around in the world lets me know fairly quickly whether or not its a game I would enjoy or not. I even dabbled in doing my own "Let's Play" of a game once, but it was a disaster. Although I do think I can tell a fun story when prompted, it's difficult for me to speak and play at the same time. It's difficult to think of what to say while you're actively engaged in another action. It was awkward and terrible and I abandoned it. I decided "Let's Play" are not for me.

Then a thought occurred to me several years later. Perhaps a series doesn't need a voice narration. I don't need to bring my personality to the series if I can invent personalities that are engaging to an audience. I may not be very good at narrating my own actions in a game, but I am good at narrating a story. So I began to ponder whether or not I could tell a story within a game I'm playing. I wondered for a long time if that type of video would even be entertaining to a general public audience. I fear that it isn't, but I decided to go forth and create a pilot. Some people love it. Some people think it's tediously boring. Personally, I think it's cute and I have fun doing it. Since it's not a traditional "Let's Play" series, I've opted to categorize it as a "Let's Role Play" series. I don't think I invented this genre, but the role-play series I see on YouTube are far and few between.

Jack Finds an Abandoned Mining Camp

I decided to play an open-ended sandbox game called Starbound. I've mentioned it before in a couple of "Week in Review" columns as it's a game I've been playing on and off for about two years. The game is still in development and so content changes a few times a year. I think the game finally hit its stride with the current version, called Spirited Giraffe, and has provided an ample staging ground for telling a dynamic story. There is enough to do and the added convenience of bookmarking and teleporting to and from worlds which was absent before now. The basic premise of the game casts you in the role of intrepid space adventurer, braving the dangerous of unknown planets to forge your destiny in the universe. I know that's vague, but the game is so open there really isn't any set path for a player to explicitly follow. This is what makes it such a fun playground in which to invent a story.

The story revolves around Jack - as of yet no known surname - who awakens on a broken down starship and is forced to mine the planet below for enough materials to repair the ship. Jack's ship was attacked while he was in stasis and he remained in stasis for twenty years. There is much Jack doesn't know about the current state of the universe and humanity, but he's desperate to find out - and reclaim some of what he's lost. He is accompanied by his prison ship's Artificial Intelligence who seems to have an agenda of his own.

Jack Does Some Light Tomb Raiding

While I tend to play Starbound at a rather frantic pace, consuming and exploiting each new world I visit as quickly as I can and then moving on to the next, I really wanted to slow down with Jack. I spend a lot of time building up shelters and other constructs for Jack as he explores the universe. Typically such things are just for fun and there's not a huge amount of incentive to spend the time gathering and building up huge bases, but because I'm playing Jack with a realistic mindset, he eats everyday and sleeps every night. He hunts and gathers and mines and builds. The series is much slower paced than the average "Let's Play" of Starbound, but within the series there is an unwinding narrative about Jack's past and what he intends to make of his future.

I'm posting weekly on YouTube. I try to have a new episode up every Friday and if I do any heavy building, I post a "Build Episode" on Mondays or Tuesdays. Those episodes don't really progress the story, but show a lot of the edited out footage of building up structures and shelters. I hope you check it out and more importantly, I hope you enjoy it.

Jack Unbound



- TOP
@TOPGamingBlog

The Return to Blogging

Many times this year I've thought about returning to TOP Gaming. I originally started this blog as a way to get back into writing. I'm a storyteller at heart, one of the few and proud gamers of the world who actually value a good story and strong characters over graphics (and to some extents gameplay). Blogging was mostly an exercise to get myself writing every week and perhaps launch into bigger and better writing projects in the future. After a personal tragedy in 2013, I returned to college to finish a degree in Applied Linguistics and decided that since I was writing a paper every week, I really couldn't afford the time to write about video games every week on top of that. I was certainly getting enough writing practice.

I wanted to do a grand reopening in January with a "Best of 2014" article, but that fell to the wayside as I prepared to move from Maryland to Hawaii. It's roughly 4800 miles to move a family of five. No big deal. My supportive wife says, "It's never too late." So perhaps I will do a review of 2014, or perhaps I won't. I haven't decided what to do, honestly. All I have decided is that I need a creative outlet. I've been out of school since January and comfortably settled in Hawaii since March. It's time to get back into writing - and hopefully back into blogging.

The last real post on this blog was Music May of 2013. It was a huge undertaking and it was one of my favorite projects that I've ever done. It took months of preparation and hours of writing and listening to music. When Grooveshark crumbled in April, I was fairly devastated. My entire blog was dependent upon Grooveshark to provide the optional, ambient background music of TOP Gaming. It was another crushing blow and another setback to my return, because I knew once I came back I'd have to address it. I still don't know how to solve the issue. There really isn't anything quite like Grooveshark on the internet that I'm aware of. I don't know how best to integrate video game music with video game musings. I'm sure that in time something will come up.

May 4th of this year, a new son was added to my family. He's asleep right next to me as I write. The weekend leading up to his birth was a very difficult weekend for me and I wrote a yet unpublished blog about how I was feeling at the time. I'd also like to polish up and publish that blog for you sometime as it was an amazingly powerful outlet for me to vent some pretty strong emotions - and yes, I somehow managed to tie it together with a video game, or specifically a video game song that I don't know how to feature on this blog at the moment.

That brings me to June - which it is for a few more hours. I didn't really have any life-changing or blog-disrupting changes this month. I probably could have posted a bit earlier, but I did not. I got caught up in the Heavensward launch for the MMO Final Fantasy XIV, but now things have settled down and I'm trying to set aside more time for creativity and expression. That's really all I have. I don't want to tease an audience (whatever's left of one) into thinking I'm truly back. I haven't really thought this through. I just thought it was long overdue that I sat down and wrote.

- TOP                    

@TOPGamingBlog 

Music May Revisit

Hello.

I'm deep in the middle of final projects, papers and exams - as I was a year ago. Music May (2013) was such an exhilarating escape from life's hardships. It was one of the best collaborations with my brother, writing and designing the entire project. Today while I'm supposed to be finishing a research project, I am immersed in some of the music from last year. I wonder how some of the tracks I'm listening to today didn't make our cuts a year ago! I will share one (maybe more!) that I found today.

This is a live version of "Baba Yetu" by Christopher Tin. It was featured as the main anthem for Civilization IV. His original version won a Grammy award in 2011 and was the first piece of video game music to ever win a Grammy. I have always loved the original, but I found this today and was blown away on this original take on the piece.



Here is the original for any who have never heard it.



Many years ago, I had the pleasure to speak briefly with Chris Tin. I appreciate all he's done to bring video game music like "Baba Yetu" to a wider audience. I've been interested in his music (video game and otherwise) ever since then.

- TOP
@TOPGamingBlog

I know it's been a long time since I've spoken to you, world. I miss you. I miss blogging and I miss my faithful readers here and on Twitter. I look forward to a return and I'm sorry I've been away so long. At this time, however, I don't want to make any promises I can't keep. I just want you all to know, I think about you every time I play a game - which I promise is still quite regularly. It breaks my heart that this is my first post in 2014! You guys deserve better.

The Surtr Saga - Part 4

Crusader Kings II - The Surtr Saga


Chapter 4
The Life & Legacy of King Tyrsormr I.

• Year 957 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 40) 

The new King is unconcerned with threats to his throne and invades Ulster in March.

• Year 958 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 41)

Ulster is conquered in May and renamed Strangfjordr. In July, Grimr's faction rears up to thrust Norway into war over the throne, despite Grimr no longer holding any landed titles. In September, Jarl Sigurd, the King's brother, also raised a banner against the crown. 

• Year 959 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 42)

In April, an upstart in Ireland declares a War of Liberation on Norway. King Tyrsormr I has his hands tied with challenges to his crown and cannot rush back to Ireland. In October, the Spymaster of Norway discovers a plot on the King's life with his own daughter, Bodil, behind it. Once exposed, Bodil gives up her attempt to assassinate the king. No further action is taken. 

• Year 960 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 43)

August of 960, Jarl Sigurd I of Iceland is defeated.

• Year 961 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 44)

In June, the Chief of Trondelag begins a plot to name someone other than the King as Jarl of Trondelag. King Tyrsormr I sends men to arrest the traitor, but he raises his men in open rebellion. 

• Year 962 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 45) 

There can be only one!

Chief Sigtrygg's rebellion in Trondelag is quelled and Sigtrygg is stripped of his title, strengthening the King's holdings in the Jarldom of Trondelag. In October, the King grows quite ill, unfortunately. It's December when he receives word that Ireland has liberated itself from Norway, including all its territory in Skotland. Norway will take this loss and deal with it later. 

• Year 963 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 46)

In March of 963, Kettil of Shetland sues for White Peace thus ending Grimr's move for the throne. King Tyrsormr I hopes to take time to stabilize the nation now that all rebellions have ended. In October, his eldest daughter who previously made held a plot against the King's life, is married to her cousin, Haesteinn, the Chief of Vestfold and heir to the Jarldom of Iceland. Bodil is named Seer of Vestfold that same month. 

• Year 964 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 47) 

In March, Princess Sigrid comes of age and is betrothed to Bo, Prince of Skotland. In October, Prince Skuli is appointed Steward of Norway. King Tyrsormr I feels his dynasty is growing strong. 

• Year 965 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 48)

King Tyrsormr I decides in April that the time has come to reclaim some of what was lost in the colonies to the upstart in Ireland. Norway's army marches to Caithness. In November, Prince Bo and Princess Sigrid are wed, but King Tyrsormr I finds out too late that Prince Bo is more interested in men than women. Hopefully, this doesn't interfere with plans to put a Surtr on the throne of Skotland. 

• Year 966 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 49) 

Liberate This, Ireland

New allegiances in Skotland bring about a call to arms to aid Skotland with civil unrest, and King Tyrsormr I realizes why the King of Skotland was so eager to marry off his brother to Princess Sigrid. Before the end of January, Norway finds itself alongside Skotland in a war against the Kingdom of Wales. In March, Prince Skuli dies in battle at age 19, putting the future of the Kingdom of Norway into jeopardy. Princess Bodil becomes heir to the crown, but she will have to split the kingdom with her sisters. Because of his wife's age, King Tyrsormr I decides to take a concubine to help him gain another son before it's too late and the kingdom is divided. Thyra Bosdottir is taken to court as concubine. She is the daughter of the imprisoned Chief of Halogaland. 

In July, Earl Fingen the Liberator of Ireland is captured and the conquest of Caithness comes to an end. That following September, Princess Alvor comes of age and is betrothed to another Prince of Skotland, Falki, in case things don't work out with Princess Sigrid and Prince Bo. 

• Year 967 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 50)

In February, another daughter is born with Thyra and is named Asta. In July, the issue of succession is becoming so troublesome that Holmfrid of Skotland is taken as an additional concubine. In August, High Chieftess Asa I of Jamtaland declares war on the crown to support Grimr's claim on Norway. Apparently, the entire kingdom thinks Grimr will make a grand king, but King Tyrsormr I doesn't think so.

• Year 968 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 51)

In January, King Tyrsorm realizes that he's fallen in love with a courtier named Asa. He decides to make her a concubine later that month, upsetting his wife deeply. September of 968, Princess Alvor and Prince Falki are married. In October, High Chieftess Asa sues for White Peace. She is imprisoned and stripped of her title. Prince Bo is named Jarl of Jamtaland in her place. He quickly names Sigrid Surtr spymaster of Jamtaland. 

• Year 969 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 52)

At the start of the year, Norway is stable and Skotland is torn apart by war so King Tyrsormr I decides to take advantage of the confusion and march into the territory of Ross. 

• Year 970 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 53) 

Unification or Bust!

The Queen of Norway, devastated by the number of concubines and affair with courtier Asa, is uncovered plotting against the King's life. After a talk, she gives up her scheming and is forgiven by the crown. Meanwhile, by February, the conquest of Ross is won! King Tyrsormr I marches onward to Buchan. In September, another daughter is born and named Bjorg. The more daughters he has without a son, the more divided the nation will become and so the King's stress increases every passing month. 

• Year 971 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 54)

In March, King Tyrsormr I gets word that the people of Trondelag no longer consider themselves Norse, but are calling themselves Norwegian. He isn't sure what to make of this new development. In April, conquest of Buchan is complete. In May, the King's retinue marches into the territory of Moray itself to unify the Jarldom. In November of 971, another daughter, Bothildr, is born. 

• Year 972 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 55)

It's March and a son is born! Toki Tyrsormrsson is the new heir to the Kingdom of Norway. In June, Norway wins victory over the territory of Moray and the Jarldom of Moray is formed. Now unified in northern Skotland, King Tyrsormr I turns his attention to the fractured nation of Sweden, the giant to the east. King Tyrsormr I has watched the spread of Catholicism and Islam and decided that in order to compete with the southern religions, reformation is necessary. He sets his sights on the holy site of Uppsala in Uppland, Sweden. 

In December, Princess Edla of Norway marries Frirek Budlisson, heir to the Jarldom of Novgorod. 

• Year 973 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 56)

The Queen's plot to kill Prince Toki is uncovered and King Tyrsormr is outraged. All of his work to produce a male heir could be undone by his own wife! Queen Bjorg is imprisoned in March and dies alone in prison by July. King Tyrsormr I is burdened by her death, but he feels no remorse due to her treachery. 

• Year 974 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 57) 

In March, the territory of Agder joins Trondelag in declaring itself Norwegian. In July, the civil wars in Sweden come to an end which causes serious problems for King Tyrsormr's ambitions to claim Uppland. 

• Year 975 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 58) 

Back to Ireland!

In March, the Queen of Sweden actually sues for peace and the Jarldom of Svithjod falls into the hands of Norway. King Tyrsormr I now has access to two of the Norse holy sites and spends many months deliberating over whether or not to liberate Hleidra from the Catholic Kingdom of Denmark. He ultimately decides its overdue time to revisit Fingen the Liberator of Ireland and retake Argyll from the Irish. 

• Year 977 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 60)

In April, Fingen the Liberator is defeated and Argyll is welcomed back into the Kingdom of Norway. In October, Princess Sigrid Surtr dies of Great Pox. Despite her husband being the Gay Prince of Skotland, they have two children which is welcomed news to King Tyrsormr I. 

• Year 978 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 61) 

In October, King Tyrsormr I finally feels confident enough to move on Hleidra in Sjaelland against Denmark. 

• Year 979 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 62)

After a year of war, King Fredrik I of Denmark surrenders the island of Sjaelland to Norway in October.

• Year 980 AD (King Tyrsormr I, Age 63)

In January of 980, King Tyrsormr I reforms the Norse faith into an organized religion. He becomes the first Fylkir of the Fylkirate and turns all his attentions to matters of faith. He converts all his vassals to this new faith and begins to spread reformed Norse throughout the kingdom. Jarl Faste of Uppland is his first convert, and becomes a great ally in the expansion of the Norse faith. 

In July, the lords of Norway approve Medium Crown Authority.

• Year 981 AD (Fylkir Tyrsormr I, Age 64)

In September, Prince Sigurd, the King's biggest political rival, dies of severe stress. The King's nephew and son-in-law, Haesteinn, becomes Jarl of Iceland.

In April of 982, Tyrsormr I, King of Norway, Fylkir of the Norse, dies at the age of 64 of natural causes.

He is succeeded by the young prince, Toki I. Long live King Toki!

Tyrsormr Falkisson of the House of Surtr will always be remembered!

First Fylkir of the Norse, King of Norway!

Jarl of Trondelag and Vestalet!