While researching for a new gaming project (yeah, like I don’t have enough on my plate) I ran across a nice little gem called Adventure Creation Kit. While being a far cry from Enterbrain’s RPG Maker series in terms of building RPGs it’s not really the point of this game creation utility. It’s not really geared to build jRPGs like RPG Maker but instead it’s intentionally designed to build games in the tradition of the classic Ultima series, more specifically Ultima 4 and 5.

Granted it’s been around for a couple years or more and I may have even stumbled across it before. But something this time struck a chord with me. Perhaps its been that desire of late to see more games from this era. I do so miss the simplicity of RPGs of the time and IMHO were more fun to play. I remember playing the Ultima series days on end with little to no sleep and barely leaving the room for food and drink. All the while being on a 3-way call with two other friends questing at the same time and sharing finds and clues. This was LONG LONG before the day where MMORPGs like WoW and Everquest were consuming the lives of its players.

I’ll be downloading this when I get home this evening and tinkering with it over the weekend as time permits. I may start building Ultima Obscura or Skara Brae with it. Heck, if I like it enough I may actually build Elendaria with it – afterall Elendaria WAS originally inspired by Ultima 5 during its original conception and would be nice to come full circle.

As some of my friends and family already know, I’m hoping to get my hands on an Android phone soon (if all goes well by the end of the year, if not then for my normally scheduled upgrade in 2010). In particular I’ve been eyeballing the HTC Droid ERIS (aka HTC Hero) which, while not sporting a physical keyboard or flash for its 5mp camera, is just a much better all around phone than the Motorola Droid (yes I realize the Droid is running Android 2.0 while the ERIS is still on 1.5 – but what they won’t mention at Verizon is that Android 2.0 will be available for ERIS come January 2010).

Anyways I’m looking at getting some hands on Java and Android development going and putting some new tech skills under my belt. Mobile Apps are the new hotness right now but I still refuse to get on the iPhone bandwagon. I much prefer the openess of Android.

So with that in mind I’ve been looking for some fun starter apps to build and ran across this page while searching for mobile horror games (always good to check potential competition). Yes the page is all iPhone stuff but it was enough inspiration to get the gears turning. Now I’m hoping to turn out some fun apps for the haunt community. I have a buddy of mine who does iPhone App development so who knows maybe even some ports in the future as well.

13 Devilish Halloween iPhone Apps, Wallpapers & Ringtones

As some of you may or may not know that sometime next year we will be moving out of our current residence to someplace that allows our little family to grow. We’ve lived here nine years and counting and haunted it the last five years. We have been through a lot of great times and a few rough times – regardless, the place will be missed. We’ve been desiring to add another little hellion into our familial circle. In addition our daughter has been hounding us to also add something of the canine variety. We don’t even have room as it is now for overnight house guests. And last but not least, the haunt has been overgrowing the yard. Realistically speaking the place is just too small – it’s simply time to move on.

Since we’re going to be moving it’s also given me the chance to rethink the direction of the haunt. With that I felt it best to close the Necropolis Manor chapter of haunting and start anew – new house, new theme. I have some loose notes for lighting and sound concepts as well as the first couple of new props. We don’t have a title or specifics ironed out, mainly because we just don’t know the where yet. We have been looking around a bit but haven’t picked a location yet – it may be some time before getting settled in. Rest assured that whatever we do it will still be part of the Faegorian Mythos. Nearly all of the props I’ve built in the last three years will have a home in the new haunt.

Now that the Manor is closed though I’ve chosen a new home for all of my dark creations and ramblings – here at Necropolis Labs. I’ve already started tweaking the design and re-organizing stuff with content following in the next few weeks. This will be my new home for ALL of my dark works.

In addition to haunting and dark art I also dabble a bit in music (although it’s been some time since I’ve put down any tracks) and dark fantasy and horror game designs. Content will be divied up amongs these favored things as well as general blogging about the stuff I like.

Categories across the top are: Manifestations, Harrowed, Disturbances, Necromancy, and Catacombs.

Manifestations pertains to the haunt itself (past and present); Harrowed are dark pieces that I’ve created including sculptures and props of all sorts; Disturbances is where you’ll find some of the aural disturbances I’ve created under the pseudonyms Turkoyz Monk-E and Digital Necropolis; Necromancy is where you’ll find information about games I may be planning or working on; and the Catacombs is simply enough our forums.

So sit back and enjoy the dark new ride…