Space Ruckus: The Great Invasion (2009 Storyboard Adaptation)

In 2009, I began writing storyboard outlines for Space Ruckus: The Great Invasion. I had come to realize that the original story treatment from a few years prior would no longer suffice. I decided that now would be a good time to dig it out again with Space Ruckus: The Great Invasion playing a rather significant role in the ninth chapter of Nintendo Rhapsody. The storyboard outlines themselves were originally intended for the storyboard artist, and thus, have quite a few stage directions and POV information. It was fine for the storyboard, but not so fine for the casual reader. I have simplified a few things here and there for ease of reading. The chapter titles, by the way, were only temporary. They each borrowed from a different movie. It was my way of having a little fun while writing.

Chapter 1: Stand by Me

In a distant star system, an orbital base has been constructed for the purpose of mining the resources of Ralin V. A Class V gas giant with enough natural materials to power an entire fleet. A formal request was recently made for additional personnel. The base had found itself short-staffed for several lunar rotations. A transport ship is due to arrive shortly. Captain Trilobite monitors incoming communication signals from the bridge of the orbital base. His crew is eager to see some fresh faces. A signal is soon detected from the transport ship. It has requested docking bay permission. Captain Trilobite stands in attention and simply bobs his head to indicate approval.

The transport ship lands in the docking bay on deck one. An "All Clear" message is given over the loudspeaker. Captain Trilobite departs from the bridge and enters the lift. A stream of multicolored lights pass over him as he descends through the lower decks. The new fleet personnel begin to emerge from the transport ship. A man in a blue suit steps out onto the deck of the docking bay. He approaches a security officer with a clippad in their hands. The officer asks the man for his name and rank. The man replies with a grin on his face, "Bill Grig. I am only a rookie, but I promise you won't be disappointed!" A man in a grey suit emerges from the transport ship. His name is Joe Commer. These two men were previously stationed together on the Ethorian orbital base. They are very good friends.

Captain Trilobite welcomes the new personnel to the Ralin V base. He only wishes that Commander Gunner could have been there to welcome them himself, but he is currently away on a deep space assignment. Members of the existing Ralin V crew greet Grig, Commer and all the other new arrivals. They are then escorted down the corridor and assigned crew quarters on deck two where they take a few moments to settle in. Grig enters his quarters and has a seat on the bed. In an effort to give his new living space a touch of home, he removes a photo from his bag and places it on the overhead boarding. In the photo, Grig's mother can be seen holding a delicious looking cake. Back on his home world of Orth, she is a renowned chef specializing in desserts. Grig is proud of everything she has accomplished. A message is soon transmitted over the intercom. All new personnel are ordered to report for flight simulator training on deck three.

The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Quest for Glory)

In 2012, I wrote a series of blog entries on the subject of Sierra On-Line memories. It was entitled The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. It covered Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and King's Quest. The three Sierra On-Line franchises which I had the most experiences with at the time. I often regretted not having a place for Quest for Glory. Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness was, for the most part, my only true experience with that series. It was the only Quest for Glory game that I possessed the original box for. But it was a game, and a series, that I had immense nostalgia for all the same.

With the sudden passing of friend and fellow Sierra On-Line fan, Roberta Vaughan, I decided that now might be the best time to revisit The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. I am in the process of further exploring various memories of Sierra On-Line. Everything from Space Quest to You Don't Know Jack. From Police Quest to 3-D Ultra Pinball. From King's Quest to Quest for Glory. It may be thirteen years late, but here it is. The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line for Quest for Glory! The series formerly known as Hero's Quest. Sierra On-Line changed the name due to Milton Bradley releasing a board game with a nearly identical name. I sometimes refer to the series as Hero's Quest for Glory. Watch your step! The paint is still wet!



The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Quest for Glory)
Hero or villian. The choice is yours.

So you want to be a hero? It takes more than a mere sword or the ability to conjure a spell to proclaim oneself a hero. It takes courage, determination and self sacrifice. The capacity to drop everything in a heartbeat in the pursuit of helping those in need. And being humble enough not to expect anything in return! A true hero will be judged not by the fancy cape adorned on their back, but by the contents of their character. A cool sounding name never hurts, however!


Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero? The Milton Bradley Chronicles
So You Want to Be a Pirate? The Secret of Spielburg Land
Quest for Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero?

As the 1990s were slowly drawing to a close, I suddenly found myself playing every single point and click adventure game I could get my grubby little hands on. My brother, on the other hand, had begun to develop a slightly different taste in gaming. He would often seek out games with complex role-playing elements. Games with deeper character customization, level progression, skill trees, turn-based combat and upgradable gear. What if we had the best of both worlds?

While browsing yet another store bargain bin, we happened across a Sierra On-Line game entitled Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness. A sticker was stamped on the back of the game's box that read, "VALUE PRICED MERCHANDISE - No tech support provided." Based upon the information printed on the box itself, we could infer that the game was indeed a hybrid between a point and click adventure game and a role-playing game.


Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness (Front of Box)
Courtesy of The Sierra Chest

Nintendo Rhapsody (World 0: The Schoolyard Menace)

Nintendo Rhapsody is an ongoing story about how Nintendo, and video games in general, helped me through some of the harder times in my life. Each chapter, known as a 'world' in Nintendo Rhapsody, is rather self contained with introductions and conclusions.

This particular chapter of Nintendo Rhapsody, World 0: The Schoolyard Menace, serves as a prequel to the events that unfolded in World 1: Far From Home. It chronicles my earliest years in elementary school, a few of my experiences with the Atari 2600 game system, and the circumstances that led to my first encounter with the Nintendo Entertainment System.



World 0-1: Our House

I attended preschool at the YMCA when I was three years old. I was accompanied by my maternal grandmother. She would often stay with me during the classes. I was already showing signs of an attention deficit. My preschool teacher, Mary Ray, seemed very concerned with my inability to remain still. She also raised concerns about my delayed motor skills. My grandmother also seemed worried. I would be entering elementary school at Orchard Dale soon enough. A possible recipe for disaster. A month before my first day at Orchard Dale, my parents and I moved into our new house. They had recently reconciled after a trial separation. During their separation, my mother and I lived with my maternal grandmother. I rarely saw my dad during that time. I still vividly remember the day that my dad drove up in his gold colored Chevrolet Monte Carlo. With a smile planted firmly across my face, I quickly rushed out to greet him. He took me in his loving arms, and it was then that I learned we would soon be moving into our own house. It was time to go home. As my entry into Orchard Dale grew closer, I began to settle into our new home. It was certainly a bigger place than what we had previously on Ruoff. I would even invite my imaginary friend, Haugau, over to visit on a few occasions. He had been a close companion of mine during those tough times while my parents were separated, but as their relationship improved, Haugau and I would slowly drift apart. I eventually learned that he too was moving away. We parted forevermore on a corner near my grandmother's house. Farewell, my shorthaired transparent friend. We shall always have our memories. Our home would soon be joined by two tabby kittens named Tom and Jerry. They were named after the popular cartoon series. My dad would refer to Tom as a puppy as he would often do tricks for him. My morning routine at that time consisted of a juice pack, a package of Ritz Bits and episodes of Woody Woodpecker, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street. Big Bird was like an idol to me. At long last, September was finally upon us, and with it, my very first day of Kindergarten. One could only hope that Mrs. Evans was prepared for my arrival.