Journal of Tormod Haugen

It is the last day of the year (indeed), and since I haven’t had any halfway decent posts this whole year, I thought I’d just as well end it with a list. Not at all inspired by Łukasz.

Favorite game of 2010
I haven’t played very many games released in 2010 this year. I had a quick try at Pokémon Soul Silver, after playing through Diamond mainly during travels the last years. It was better, especially with the pedometer adding gameplay while away from the places and times where playing digital games are appropriate. Still, it was mainly more of the same.

As time passed, Elemental: War of Magic was released, and it’s features were the stuff dreams are made of. Mainly dreams made on the memories of Master of Magic of old. Still, missing features and bugs made this less than what I had hoped for. Still, Stardock has delivered before, and with the recent 1.1 release, the game starts to look a little better. Just waiting for multiplayer support.

Judging by time spent playing, Civilization V is a really good game. I mean &emdash; with the Hex based map, limit of one military unit per tile and… well, that’s about it. Bugs, balance issues… I mean, why can’t I play a multiplayer game with someone who didn’t have the same DLC’s as me? That, and a few balance issues has been fixed in a recent patch. Now… why can’t we use leaders from DLC’s in a multiplayer game when all players have the DLC in question?

The bottom line would still be that Minecraft is the game that has brought me the most… feelings. Played as a game is still limited, as there are few late game elements (after making defenses and mining for elements to make better defenses). It is a fun sanbox, both for making fantastic stuff for oneself, and for playing together with children. With the work that is being put into multiplayer, and eventually into gameplay, this is something I’ll keep returning to. Possibly every week.

Favorite book of 2010
This year that has passed has seen me reading mostly old books, both the ones I’ve read before and “new” old books. Of the newer stuff I’ve enjoyed books like Unseen Academicals by Sir Terry Pratchett, Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson and, by recommendation, Glasshouse by Charles Stross. Still, most favorite book is impossible. I’ll put down Terry Pratchett as my favorite writer this year.

Favorite Movie of 2010
Oh. Right. I’m not sure I’ve seen any movies made this year. Like the other years before this. Like any at all. I kind of saw the relatively new Sherlock Holmes movie while traveling by bus earlier this year. Nice Steampunk Action/Comedy – but not much of an Sherlock Holmes movie. So instead I’ll put up The First Great Train Robbery as my favorite. 1979? Oh, right. Well, well…

Favorite TV Show of 2010
I’m just about thrice as happy watching television as watching movies. So I’ll share this one between the odd episode of Mythbusters and some year old episode of Top Gear. Or possibly the first episode of The Muppet Show. Oh, that is not especially recent is it? Oh, well.

Favorite Gift received this year
A hard match between all the games I bought myself on Steam and GOG, and what my mother knitted me. No, actually – no contention. Here’s my favorite gift:

Knitted Totoro by Tesha

Happy new year,

Might 2011 be a better year for you all than 2010 was. Because, there is no need to wish for anything worse is it?