Community Awards: The Real Neat Blog Award – December 2019

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WordPress Community Awards are always amazing. It’s a great feeling to get various community awards since it feels like recognition of other bloggers for your work and it also allows you to create interesting articles. Today I have the pleasure to receive the Real Neat Blog award from Sanato1 over at his website. He writes amazing pieces on anime, music, games and many other things. Here is a fun fact, we both started blogging around the middle of 2013. Well, I was writing since 2010, but I only started to write in English a few months before he did. Something that’s quite cool is that he’s an attorney and writes about al those various subjects. It’s a really interesting read. Anyways, let’s get into the actual award and the Q&A that’s attached to it. 

The usual stuff

Here are the rules once again:

1. Display the logo
2. Thank the bloggers for the award.
3. Answer the questions from the one who nominated you.
4. Nominate 7 to 10 bloggers.
5. Ask them 7 questions.

The questions

1) Is there a game, book, or other work that you’d like to experience but that you can’t because it’s untranslated, not ported, or otherwise inaccessible?

That’s an interesting question. It would be extremely easy to look at various animes or games that didn’t get translated into English.

Of course, various works got subtitles but I’m too slow of a reader to follow subtitles and I honestly prefer works in a language I can understand since I feel that native jokes almost always get lost in translation. For example, if they use in a clever Japanese wordplay in an anime, they have to either translate it in the subtitles or let it slip by.

But, after some searching, I found something that you might not really suspect from me. There was this publisher in Belgium called Transposia. They used to localize games like Freddi Fish, Spyfox, Pyjama Sam, Putt-Putt amongst various other games to Belgium and the Netherlands. One of these series is Skipper & Skeeto which is originally called Magnus og Myggen in it’s native Danish language.

hqdefaultSadly enough, Transposia wasn’t able to localize every game into Dutch. Various games only got realized in Danish.

Besides my native Flemish/Dutch language, I can speak French and English but I can’t speak Danish. While one of my blogging buddies is Danish, I think it would be a hassle to fully translate the whole game just to be able to play the game.

Surprisingly, some of these titles got translated into English, but those aren’t the adventure games. The translated titles are the edutainment games. But, they would be nice to add to my collection as well. But, that’s for when I have the budget to let them ship overseas from the UK.

2) What’s one work that really affected you or stuck with you in the last year, and why do you think it did?

If you mean 2018, well, to be honest… I have played so many amazing games, I can’t say one single game. Games like Death Mark or Shadow Of The Tomb Raider are two games that come to mind. Most games that stick with me have either an interesting story mechanic or have a really strong message.

Now, if you mean 2019, I honestly think you’ll have to wait until I reveal my top 10 games I played in 2019. But, if you have been reading my articles, I think I have given various hints about the games that are big contenders for the top spot.

If we are talking outside of games, that’s going to get tougher. Then I think I could say the Death Parade anime. Just the whole concept of the show is mindblowing and well written. The ending really touched my emotional strings. I also started watching it around the time that my pet cat Sparta passed away last year.

3) If you could revive one series of works that’s been abandoned or dropped by its creators for any reason, what series would it be and why?

That’s a tricky question and for several reasons. Sometimes it’s better left in the past to let the series or work end on a high note. Sometimes they ran out of ideas and it’s better to end it.

I could talk about animes like Log Horizon and No Game No Life. These animes have a lot of source material to create new season(s) but due to various reasons, haven’t gotten a new season. Now, I could also talk about my wishes for a new Indiana Jones game or a follow up to Time Hollow, Monster Tale, Stella Glow or Etrain Odyssey. But I’m not going to.

There are so many things that could be revived but they might never live up to expectations. I don’t want a sort of Duke Nukem Forever situation on my hands with the franchises I adore.

Besides, there are so many games, shows, music… out there, it’s getting insane. So, I’m the sort of guy the tries to experience as much as I can instead of trying to revive or keep a show alive. Yes, I vote with my wallet on what I want to see.

4) When it comes to music, do you prefer songs with vocals and lyrics or instrumental pieces, or do you have a preference at all?  If you prefer one type over the other, why do you think that is?

I don’t have a preference. But, I do notice that a lot of my favorite pieces of music have vocals and lyrics. Yet, I also have a lot of instrumental tracks that I adore as well. In most cases, these are tracks from shows or games that are quite nostalgic for me.

But, I think I’m going to talk a bit more in-depth in a future music article on this subject.

5) When was the last time you bought a magazine, newspaper, or another form of print media?

Now, if we also include physical copies of games; then I have to say the day of writing this article. I ordered two retro games for quite cheap online. If we are talking about things print on paper, then I have to say; past summer. When I bought an art book of a Wii U game and a strategy guide on a garage sale.

I used to buy gaming magazines often but my budget doesn’t allow that lately. So, I decided to save some money by not buying them anymore. It’s a shame since now that they are dying out, I might not be helping the cause by not supporting them.

6) Is there a holiday you don’t get to celebrate/take off because of family or work reasons but that you wish you could?

Luckily, I don’t have that issue. Since I work in schools, most of the holidays fall either on weekends or during school holidays.

And my family is rather small so we are able to celebrate almost every holiday together. And since this year, I can celebrate Valentine’s Day due to my meeting my soulmate this year.

7) If you had to create a new holiday, when would it be and what would it involve?

I would have a holiday to celebrate godfathers/godmothers and their godchildren. As a godfather myself, I find it a shame that a holiday doesn’t exist for that. Since I find the tradition and relationship extremely beautiful. Because it’s a sort of 3rd parent to the child.

Now, what would it involve? Something similar to Mothers or Fathersday? Where godchildren could make a small present for their godparents? And that the godparents could create/buy a present for them?

I tag and ask:

Now, as the rules state. I have to tag 7 to 10 other bloggers.

So, here we go:

  1. LaterLevels
  2. TriformTrinity
  3. Well-Red Mage
  4. NormalHappenings
  5. BearedGamer82
  6. LividLighting aka Lighting Ellen
  7. KillerRobotics
  8. VideoGamesNebula

And the 7 questions I want to ask you:

  1. Did your view or look at games change since you started writing a blog?
  2. Is there something you miss in the current gaming industry?
  3. What’s your favorite part about writing a blog?
  4. What’s something you wish you owned?
  5. What’s something unique about your hometown?
  6. Do you think that these kinds of tag questions should be themed?
  7. How much time do you put into your blog daily, weekly, monthly, yearly?

I’m also looking forward to the answers of the other bloggers! While I could nominate a ton more of them, I think I’m going to leave it at those eight. Each of these blogs is an amazing read and I highly recommend them!

So, thank you so much for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I hope to be able to welcome you in another article but until then, have a great rest of your day and take care!

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Personal: My pet cat Sparta, my twinkling star

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Sparta

° 24/04/2008 –  † 13/07/2018

For those who don’t follow me on social media, I have to bring sad news today. My pet cat died due to the consequences of kidney cancer on 13th July 2018. I have to thank everybody who sends me supportive messages over Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, mail, Discord…

Sparta’s death affects me a lot. So, that’s why I decided that I wanted to write this article for her. I want to honor and thank her for everything she had done for me. Also, for everything she has done for my blog too. So, I’m going to talk a bit about her. I’m sorry if the article is a bit all over the place… Anyways, let’s not get distracted.

In my opinion, she was the mascot for my blog. She served as an inspiration to my nickname. In the past, I had only “Jonez” as a nickname. But, I quickly found that was a commonly used name. As a kid, I had the bright idea to make it “Jonez001”, which was a YouTube username suggestion spit out by the registration form.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Japanese culture. So, I decided to work that into my nickname as well. At that moment, Sparta was enjoying a nap on my lap and that’s when I decided to rebrand myself to NekoJonez. Neko is the Japanese word for cat.

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Sparta also served as inspiration for my blog icon. As you can see, it’s a Gameboy cartridge with my nickname on and with a cat paw print. When ZoeF and I were in a call deciding how it should look, I remember me saying that I really wanted a cat paw print on it.

Besides being an inspiration and mascot for my blog, she was an amazing family cat. She was one of the most affectionate cats that I have ever met. She was also a great companion. She jumped on the sofa closest to me while I was gaming and first watched the TV when I was playing before falling asleep. Sometimes she jumped on my lap, and I remember a few times she actually started purring when I finally had beaten a level or a boss. To be honest, the fact that I started to pet her might have something to do with it.

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If the weather was clear, she spent most of her days in our garden. Watching that no other cats or animals entered the garden. She was a small cat, some people even though she was still a kitten. But, that didn’t stop her. She attacked or scared the other cats away if they dared to enter her domain. The fact that she does this surprises me since when she was one year old, we got another kitten. And those two became best friends. Sadly enough, that other kitten didn’t come home after a few months.

If the weather wasn’t clear and especially during the winter, she wanted to stay inside. She didn’t like going outside, besides when she had to do her “little room visit”. Something she will be remembered for is when you were sitting on our sofa underneath a blanket, she would jump on the sofa and then go on your legs and fall asleep there. She did that with my mom, my godchild, my sister and myself. And if she didn’t do that, she jumped on the nearest sofa were nobody was sitting and started to sleep there.

During her life, we had to move houses twice. And every time she moved with us. She adjusted pretty quickly after the move as well. It almost felt that she didn’t care where she was. The thing that mattered to her was that she was close to us.

Not long after Sparta was born, she became a stray. Her mother left her behind on the playground of the school where my father teaches. My dad brought her home and placed her into the garage. Not too long before her arrival, I was listing to the Mean Kitty Song by Mr. Safety on repeat on YouTube. That song actually gave Sparta her name. The song is about a very playful kitty that shows a lot of affection. The kitty bites a lot, but in a playful manner. And that’s how Sparta and I met. She actually bit me playfully and then started to play with the ropes on my sweater.

I can sit here and write a whole novel with stories about Sparta. How we found her once sleeping in a watering-can and how I helped her defending herself when she was young. Yeah, Sparta ate her food outside and she was too afraid from other cats to defend herself when they came and stole her food. That’s why I often sat down next to her while she was eating and scared all the other cats away. At night, I used a very strong flashlight my dad has to repair the underside of cars.

Also, for some stories, you had to be there. For example, in my garden, we have a wall covered with ivy. During the summer, the birds love making their nests in it. Sparta knew this and climbing in the ivy to get the nests out of the ivy. And yes, she even caught some birds. It was a funny sight, seeing Sparta disappear into the ivy and then suddenly appearing on top of it.

SpartaSleeping

Something I will never forget about her is that she knew our routines. On 99 out of 100 times, she recognized when we came home or when our car arrived. When she heard that, she came out of her nap spot and sprinted towards the back door and waited to be let in for food. Very occasionally she climbed our garden wall to use the parking lot of our neighbor (which is a martial arts studio) to suddenly appear between your legs at the front door. We never expect this and when she does it, we jumped every single time.

But, seeing her running from the back of the garden when I came downstairs, actually miaowing when we shouted out her name and just being a companion is the Sparta I’ll remember.

So, thank you Sparta for being in our lives these past 10 years. When I take another cat, I’ll give a name to that cat in reference and honor to you. But, you will be missed Sparta. Nothing will be able to fill the void that you left. Now, you are going to twinkle like the star you are in our hearts, where you will live forever in memory.

Thank you for reading this article and I hope you didn’t mind me writing this in honor of Sparta. It helped me mourning and processing her death. Thank you for all the support and amazing messages I got from all of you. So, until the next time and I hope to be able to welcome you in another article but until then, take care and have a great rest of your day.

Publishing: NTales’ Sets Another BIG Content Updates!

If you’re thinking you already got all NTales’ offerings? Think again… RuleMakr, the developer behind NTales: Child of Destiny has recently launched its biggest update yet!

Yes, you read that right. New content and features arrived in NTales that will surely get Saviors scrambling to login to the game. From impressive log-in and loading screens, the addition of guild buffs, battle and main menu enhancement and pet skills update, there is no time for laid-back gaming as helping Queen Laminia save the Kingdom of Lancia must be prioritized.

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What’s New in NTales?

  • Guild Skills!
    • Guild Master and Guild Buff Implemented! Upgrading and acquiring guild skills via using guild medals for all members.
  • Battle UI Changes!
    • Those hindering or covering the battle screen are moved to the menu screen making some icons smaller so the gameplay screen can be more visible and bigger as you play the game.
  • Main Menu UI Change
    • The Main Menu was improved and all are packed in one screen with other features of the game.
  • Improved Pet Skill Description
    • Added a more specific description for the pet skills: damage skills, buffs, and debuffs turns in effect, etc.
  • And many more!

Guild Masters are also in for a surprise. Guild Buff is already implemented in the game. See for yourself how stronger your guild has become. Earn more Guild Medals for higher Guild Skills can acquire.

Those hindrances and some icons in the game were already compressed into one! A bigger screen to play and now a great view for any battle that you want. Also, game menus were already packed into separate views from the battle screen to a menu screen with some features for the better gaming experience.

We know you want more! Pets are now having detailed information specification, description for skills, damages buffs and debuffs. See more of it as you play NTales: Child of Destiny.

Not enough? Well, the NTales team has also announced that they have prepared and opened fun events for everyone where they will give away sought-after items for free! Join now!

Time to get back to NTales: Child of Destiny by downloading it from Google Play. Be sure to follow the official Facebook Page for more news and announcements of the events!

Publishing: NTales: Child of Destiny Welcomes Spring: Big Updates, the Grandest of Events, & Awesome Giveaways!

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In February, 2D Pocket RPG NTales: Child of Destiny had a memorable #ShareTheLove events where players showed the love they have with their friends, families, and fellow saviors. This Spring, NTales: Child of Destiny will launch much bigger events with an even greater reward!

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES March 09, 2018 This March, as Spring Season begins, RuleMakr, the developer of hit 2D Pocket RPG NTales: Child of Destiny, reveals new exciting events, games, and giveaways to assist every Child of

Destiny in their adventure to save the Kingdom of Lancia!

NEW Content Update:
[NEW] Limited Costume: White Uniform

> Purchase Seeds and Get the Costume plus free items for FREE!

As the first of these awesome perks, saviors who purchase Seeds will receive a new limited costume, the White Uniform, among other free gifts and items! Queen Laminia, also made an announcement that saviors should get ready and to keep checking the official website, Facebook Page, and PLUG Community of 2D Pocket RPG NTales: Child of Destiny, for the biggest update and happenings to come this Spring!

What are you waiting for, Savior of Lancia? Login to 2D Pocket RPG NTales and fulfill your role as the Child of Destiny!

Official Links

Download the game, TODAY!

Google PlayStore: https://goo.gl/gtRo5s

NTales: Child of Destiny Official Website

https://goo.gl/tVf8r2

NTales: Child of Destiny Naver Plug Community Link

https://goo.gl/33Q4PE

NTales: Child of Destiny Official Facebook Fan Page Link

https://goo.gl/DYPa9D

NTales: Child of Destiny YouTube Link

https://goo.gl/29KdBE

About NTales: Child of Destiny

NTales: Child of Destiny is a complete take on MMORPG.

This new game offers a multitude of battles, exploration, and special features. Enjoy this new 2D Pocket RPG style! A linear storyline or get distracted with interesting sub-quests. NTales added twists of MMO by implementing Raid Parties, Guild War and PvP. Fighting along your side are adorable and powerful monsters with a PvP Mode of their own! A 2D Pocket RPG you surely can’t get enough!

Summon Pet, enjoy various PvE and PvP game modes! Classic hero classes to choose from but a wide variety of class build to your preference.

Game Features

  • Accomplish impossible missions and side-quests!
  • Gear up your class with great costume, wings, unique equipment and items!
  • Challenging Battle Modes – Boss Dungeon, Infinity Tower, Time Dungeon and Pet Island
  • Summon cute and powerful pets to fight along your side!
  • Tag along your friends to defeat Boss Dungeon, join guild and party with peer!
  • Choose from 3 Classic Hero Classes: Warrior, Magician, and Cleric!
  • Journey to over 200 Maps – Sharpen your skill to defeat the monsters!

About RuleMakr

RuleMakr is a Korean Development Company recently established and aims to bring forth quality and new games from Korea worldwide.

Publishing: My Pet Village Newest Content Update. Get your game updated!

Patchnote-2.6.7One of Google Play Editor’s Choice, with half a million downloads and counting, My Pet Village is hereby revealing its newest content update. Get your game up-to-date and watch out for Special Events offering!

A café-management simulation game such as the famous Restaurant City, Pet Society and FarmVille mold into one and reincarnated to the newest mobile game entitled My Pet Village. Get your game updated via Google Play and AppStore!

Build your own Pet Village NOW!

Google Play Store: https://goo.gl/439ZhX

iOS AppStore: https://goo.gl/8A99Vd

Here are the updates Patch Notes:

  1. NEW Event Open

New Event Open

  • Special event will start
  • Get the Ratan Theme using event points!
  1. NEW Costume

New Costume

  • Cute new costumes were added to the game!

 

  1. NEW Laboratory System
  • New system to use ‘Regular Customer Card’
  • Use Lina’s Laboratory System, ‘Regular Customer Cards’ are required!

New Laboratory

Laboratory Activities

  • Obtain 2x Manufactured Products
  • Increased Delivery Speed by 20%
  • Change Fabien stall Reset Time (2 Hours)
  • Change Stamp Store Reset Time (1 Hour)
  • Decrease Speedy Waiting Time (1 Hour)
  1. Fix Tutorial
  • Bugged tutorials can be restarted.
  • Get the reward in mailbox when you complete the tutorial.
  1. Minor Bug Fixes

 My Pet Village, a café-management simulation, offers various café and pet activities. Manage and upgrade your café for your growing regular customers! Adopt a different kind of pets ranging from dog, cats, rabbits and more! Let them run your errands and perform to customers! Explore different activities for your pet! Compete in weekly events for the best scores! Join global rankings!

For more announcement, update and notice for My Pet Village, feel free to visit our Facebook Fan Page.

My Pet Village Official Facebook Fan Page: https://goo.gl/XtkhwC

About PivotGames Inc.

PivotGames, Inc. is a leading online game developer with more than 10 years of experience in online and mobile game development. They are currently developing mobile games targeting the global market, and plan to grow in earnest through 2016 services. Especially they also provide service for infrastructure, game operating system and data analysis for the long-term service and profit. We can provide reliable and reliable game development and services.