Stargrace

What Happened Next?!

I made it to August 31st and posted every single day – and then something happened, and I stopped. Since I moved to BC my PC has been giving me issues. Nothing big, just the odd program not working here and there (microsoft outlook, for one). Problem was that the program that wasn’t working ended up being The Sims 4. One of my most anticipated games for the year. I was pretty heart broken. I got the game to run just fine on my laptop and another computer in the house, but no matter what I tried, it simply wouldn’t run on my main desktop. I tried pretty much everything. I re-installed windows (three times), re-installed Origin, The Sims 4, disabled all firewalls and anti-virus programs. I swapped out the ram, I swapped out my video card, you name it and I tried it.

After attempting almost every possible solution I could, and even talking to an actual person at EA (I know, they exist!) I decided that the last thing it could possibly maybe be, was an issue with my aged first generation i7. In other words it was time to replace my motherboard and processor. There hasn’t been a BIOS update available since 2010, and lets face it, it was time.

So I ordered the components from Newegg.ca, they arrived the next day (I love their prices and prompt service) and after a few stressful hours (I have a watercooler that needed installing too) I was faced with a new PC. It was time for the moment of truth. After ALL of this, would The Sims 4 finally run? One thing that I really liked was that I didn’t need to re-install windows when I added the new components. I had to activate it again, but aside from installing new motherboard drivers, it ran perfectly fine.

I swear I held my breath while I loaded the game.

IT WORKED! Finally, days after launch, I was able to get in-game. Everything runs like a dream. I wouldn’t suggest if a game doesn’t work that people should run out and purchase upgrades but in my case it worked. I honestly did attempt every possible solution first (did clean boot, couldn’t launch it in safe mode, attempted cleaning my registry, etc etc, you name it, I did it). Now my computer is MUCH happier, which of course in turn makes ME much happier. So. Expect LOADS of Sims 4 stuff over the next little while. I know, the game is lacking some features, but I have been having a lot of fun playing with it so far, and I know it will only get better and gain more features as time goes on. Maybe I’m just using rose coloured glasses, but oh well.

MStar Online

One of my latest game fascinations is a game called ‘Mstar Online‘ – it’s basically Dance Dance Revolution for your keyboard. It’s a free to play game from Garena, and it’s all sorts of fun. Basically you have to download their chat client from the link above, switch the client to Singapore, and then you should be able to play (after a lengthy download, some patching, and dancing on one foot). The music is catchy, and dancing isn’t all you can do.

There’s player housing, gardening, outfits to plan, daily quests, and a bunch of things that I haven’t even figured out yet, something about couples. There are multiple types of dance rooms that you can queue for, and ranks of skill. I have been playing in the beginner rooms but I can go up to the second rank and at least know I’ll be able to hit a few of the right keys. The third rank (advanced) is so far beyond me it’s not even funny. I have no idea how anyone manages to play on that rank because the steps you have to follow along with are just a blur of images to me.

You can play by yourself but you’ll earn less points that way and after your beginner buff falls off you won’t earn any points at all but you’ll be in ‘training mode’. The idea is to play against (or with) other players, and earn points that way. Of course the less mistakes you make, the better.

Why am I so taken with this game? I’m honestly not sure, but it is incredibly fun and of course that means I had to share.

And Then there were Two

Chewy is great, the guinea pig I adopted yesterday – but they really should be in pairs for optimal guinea pig happiness. These are herd animals, and they’re used to having one of their own kind to get along with. Then comes along Mog, my second guinea pig. They’re getting along pretty well so far, talking away in their cage together and making all sorts of guinea pig noises (Chewy wasn’t making any sounds at all when I first brought her home) and I assume they’re being happy after listening through some “what sound is this” clips.

On the gaming front, I pre-loaded the Sims 4 and I’m all set and ready to play! I can’t wait. O.K. technically I can wait because I have no other choice, but I’m really dang excited. I can’t help it, the game looks amazing from all of the developer ‘lets play’ videos I have seen so far. I have been contemplating picking up a console system as well, I would probably go with a PS4 but I’m not completely sold on the idea yet, especially with so many PC games coming out that I know I am going to fall in love with. Still, it would be nice. I have also been looking at the Nvidia Shield tablet, which I think would get a lot of use here at my place.

I haven’t been doing a lot of gaming this weekend, but I’ve been thinking about doing a lot of gaming, and I suppose that’s alright too! As always, happy gaming!

Nothing to do with Gaming

Every so often I make a post that has nothing at all to do with gaming, and today is one of those days. Sorry!

My condo informed me that because I have new carpets, I wouldn’t be able to get a cat or a dog. This was a pretty big deal to me. I’m a huge animal person and because I work from home and spend a lot of time here, it’s important that I feel comfortable. After some research I decided since I couldn’t have a cat or dog I would look into getting a guinea pig. A friend of mine mentioned that guinea pigs get a bad rap because people tend to buy them for their kids – but they’re actually very nice pets for adults, with distinctive personalities.

Pictured above is Chewbacca, also known as Chewy. She’s the newest little family member and she’s incredibly cute. Right now she’s a bit scared and still getting used to her new home, but she’s in a much better place than she was, and I’m really happy. She has been getting used to the sound of my voice, and I have managed to lure her out with fresh carrots, which she enjoys a HUGE amount. She also managed to find a wooden toy that I put in her cage for gnawing, and while I haven’t actually heard her make any sounds yet besides one chuff, I’m sure she’ll become more vocal with time.

I’ve always grown up with pets around. I had a hamster growing up, cats, dogs, fish, birds, and I really think they add a lot to a household. Today I’m going back to pick up a cage mate for little Chewy, I want her to be as happy and comfortable as possible and I know that guinea pigs are herd animals so this will certainly be in her best interest.

That being said, I did manage to get a bit of gaming done before I went out – and my adventures in MStar Online will be posted some time tomorrow! As always, happy gaming!

Character Combinations

Since most of my time in EverQuest 2 is spent boxing two accounts, one of the things I tend to do is try to come up with combinations of characters to play together. Some combinations work better than others and of course now that there are mercenaries in game the combinations are much more flexible than they once were. My main ‘go to’ combination has been my swashbuckler (main account) and fury (boxed account). I some times alternate with the shadowknight from my main account, but my swashbuckler (for the most part) is able to do just fine.

I also have a tank (or two) on the second account so that I can play it alongside a healer from my main account. I haven’t done that in a while, but my typical combinations include the paladin (boxed account) with my defiler (main account). Then I also have a bunch of support classes for when I want to play with friends and we already have a healer / tank. Again, since there are mercenaries these days it doesn’t really matter WHAT people are playing, but I like to have a healthy selection available.

I still have two characters who are not 95 on my main account (they include a warden and a ranger) so I may work on getting them there before the expansion comes out in November. I’m not exactly in a rush, but it’s nice to feel ‘completed’. I do also have a handful of characters that could use some love on the boxed account, but like most alts, they’re not a priority.

If you box what combination of characters do you usually use? Is it because you’re most comfortable playing those classes or because you think they work well together or perhaps some other reason? I always love hearing back from people who box, I know there used to be quite a few of us but I think with the release of mercenary that number may have dwindled some.

In any case, let me know in comments! As always, happy gaming no matter where you find yourself.