Category: News

The Pillow Fight League Awakens

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The idea of it began with a spontaneous pillow fight at a New Year’s Eve rock concert in 2005. But it wasn’t until 2006 at the Vatikan goth bar in Toronto that the Pillow Fight League truly began. The Pillow Fight League — an all-women’s competitive sports organization — combined mixed martial arts and pillow smashing techniques against each other in sixty-six events all across North America and even so far as South Korea. For six years, the costumed superheroes, villains, and anti-heroes of the Pillow Fight League, under creative stage names such as Sally Spitfire, Carmen Monoxide, Olivia Neutron-Bomb and Guillotina battled their way through five minute unscripted bouts of pillow swinging and grappling until 2011 when the organization went into a hiatus.

For five years, with the exception of at least one group known as the Bedlam: All-Girl Pillow Fight Revue made up of some of the League’s members, the Pillow Fight League as a unified national and international sport, group, and event remained in slumber.

This all changed six months ago when Brandy Dawley purchased the rights to the original Pillow Fight League and its tenets: becoming its new President and vowing not only to re-awaken the League, but to introduce it to a far vaster dream. Even though sanctioned by ” the Intergalactic Pillow Fighting Association” according to its home page, the Pillow Fight League has created a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in order to provide its athletes and staff with compensation, insurance, training, and contribution to and the reconstruction of overall infrastructure. There are also some very nice perks for backers that want to see the sixty-seventh game happen and who want to be a part of the next chapter of the League’s history.

Pillow fighting as a sport is a fascinating concept. Pillow fighting itself is often associated with girls sleepovers, model shoots, and male fantasies, but there is something incredibly innovative and fitting on a physical and philosophical level in utilizing something considered to be soft and pliant in order to create a harder and challenging sense of atmosphere, activity, and competition. Certainly, there is something subversive in this act.

Once, in 2007 ESPN went as far as to call the League “a glimpse of the future in sports.” Perhaps that future has come again.

Allison Road Opens a Path to Kickstarter

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Perhaps it isn’t fair to compare Lilith Limited’s Allison Road to Hideo Kojima’s P.T. and the Silent Hills game that could have been, but the parallels are there. From vengeful white-clad ghost onryō women, locked doors, a ruined sense of domesticity, a slow building of dread and suspense, eerie radio broadcasts, to even so far as referencing “Dad was such a drag” there is definitely some overlap between Allison Road‘s prototype gameplay and the late and lamented Silent Hills demo.

Credit: Playthrough by TacticVisionz.

However, the comparison ends there. Whereas P.T. was a demo with a closed reality of cyclical torment that slowly reveals its gruesome and surreal nature, Allison Road is an upcoming game with a house filled with a first-person voice-over perspective, some Christian iconography, odd noises becoming more frequent, a property you can survey from the outside, and eventually mysteries you can explore during the day … if the horrors of the night do not destroy you first.

But while Allison Road might have started off as a small fan project by Chris Kesler and eventually the endeavour of the expanded team Lilith Limited, its prototype gameplay has taken the YouTube Let’s Play community by storm and become a green-lit phenomenon on Steam.

And now Allison Road‘s path has branched out into a Kickstarter Campaign. While Silent Hills would have been on the PlayStation 4, Allison Road is planned to be on PlayStation, XboxOne, Mac, Linux, and PC: while having an Occulus Rift interface. Kickstarter rewards include designing a scare for the game, and a standalone Lucid Dream PC game set in the Allison Road universe.

Currently the Kickstarter Campaign is receiving a massive amount of support and rewards are disappearing fast. It is hoped by Lilith Limited that their nightmare will commence in 2016.

From Horror to Adventure: Scott Cawthon’s FNAF World

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It always seemed clear, at least to many Five Nights at Freddy’s fans, that Scott Cawthon was not finished with Five Nights at Freddy’s even after stating that his fourth game would be the last in the franchise. Yet what has always been striking was the fact that while the premise of the games was that the animatronics of Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, Freddy and friends were possessed by the spirits of dead children, the animatronics themselves seemed to have personalities and history beyond just being haunted.

When you also consider how much time Scott Cawthon put into designing these animatronics and their toy selves, it isn’t really surprising that he wanted to create a new game like FNAF World.

Oops. Wrong bite.
Perhaps the first clue that FNAF World was going to happen came from FNAF 4 itself:  in the form of its easter-egg Fredbear and Friends.

The main indication that FNAF World was going happen was through Cawthon’s constant website updates. Cawthon’s fanbase got to watch as his page changed from a thank you tribute with all of its motley antagonists, into a shinier version of its former self replete with new additions and cartoon “Adventure” character makeovers.

It was during this transition, from horror into fantasy, that Cawthon informed his fans on Steam of his intentions to make FNAF World as a role-playing game: in which all of the animatronics, formerly nightmarish enemies, will become its player characters.

FNAF Thank You

This transformation from Five Nights at Freddy’s horror into FNAF World‘s adventure is not unlike watching Disney create cartoons from the grisly nature of early folklore. Still, early Disney always had a dark and adult sensibility and with Scott Cawthon’s storytelling abilities, FNAF World will have its own intriguing story premise.

FNAF World

FNAF World‘s adventure begins in 2016. Seriously.

River Song Returns For The Doctor Who Christmas Special

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So we’ve been following the adventures of Mr. Cantankerous, my pet name for the Twelfth Doctor, for a little while now and I know that I’ve always wondered just how his wife, Professor River Song, would handle him. I mean, we know she tends to pop up at the most unlikeliest of times but it wasn’t certain as to whether or not she would return after her appearance as a holographic psychic ghost in “The Name of the Doctor.”

Well, it turns out that we might get those questions answered after all. Alex Kingston is returning to her familiar role for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special. Of course, with the obligatory Who out of the way, we have to deal with the elements of What and How. What is going to happen in this episode. And how is River Song going to come back?

I mean, we know that hers and The Doctor’s time lines are generally parallel. He is seeing her from the supposed end of her biological life to the very beginning, and then all the Timey-Wimey, wibbly-wobbly in-between that would make The War Doctor weep about his midlives crises.

Almost any scenario could be possible at this point. She could appear as a psychic ghost in The Doctor’s head again, that much is true. They could run into each other in between encounters with monsters and other time lines, with her not knowing about his new incarnation as she’d still be with Eleven. But there is also the possibility that with being downloaded into the Library she has amassed all of its knowledge and simply waited and managed to create a new physical body for herself ala re-evolution.

I am just as curious to see what this Doctor Who Christmas Special will be about. I’d love to see her totally put Clara in her place with regards to The Doctor, or outright punch Missy in the face for messing with him. Maybe they will all have a tea party on the TARDIS together. And perhaps somewhere in there, River Song might help Mr. Cantankerous find Gallifrey or, at the very least, see how cantankerous he can remain around her?

I don’t know about all of you, but even at the end of summer I actually look forward to Christmas now.

Han Solo: Before He Shot First

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There have been a lot of Star Wars mysteries after the Old Trilogy. Some of these have been answered: such as how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, what happened to the Skywalker twins’ mother, and how the Empire came to be. Still more mysteries occurred however: such as why Jar Jar Binks ever existed, why Palpatine now has the first name Sheev, and who thought it was such a great idea to give Han Solo a wife.

But I digress because, aside from the fact that we still don’t know what Yoda’s species are, there is also the other matter of Han Solo. No, I’m not talking about whether or not he shot Greedo first in a cantina long long ago in a galaxy far far away, because the answer to that should be painfully obvious at this point.

On the contrary: I’m talking about finding how he got that blaster in his hands to begin with.

As part of a whole slew of planned Star Wars standalone films, in 2018 we are apparently going to see a movie detailing the origins of our smart-mouth smuggler friend. What is even more fascinating about this is that the writers of the script are, none other, than Lawrence Kasdan — the writer of The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and the yet to be released The Force Awakens — along with and his son, Jon Kasdan.

It’s not certain if the film will reveal the entirety of Han’s story, but it certainly show us how he became a scoundrel and a scruffy nerf-herder: and that could be something. I have to admit that I am pretty leery of many prequel ideas after of the disappointments many in geekdom have faced from the Prequel Trilogy and some of Disney`s decisions in the new Expanded Universe. It will also be very strange not to see Harrison Ford who is Han Solo be Han Solo.

But we have the man who created some of the best films of the Star Wars series and the team behind The Lego Movie coming together to make this movie a reality so speaking for myself, I will reserve my judgment on this and The New Trilogy.

And yes, I could definitely see Chris Pratt, Star Lord, playing a young Han Solo. It goes without saying.

Will Brooker Launches My So-Called Secret Identity Volume Two

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Last year Will Brooker, along with his creative collaborators Sarah Zaidan and Susan Shore, published volume one of My So-Called Secret Identity through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Now they are doing it again.

My So-Called Secret Identity Volume Two takes place in the aftermath of Catherine Abigail Daniels’ — or Cat’s — encounter with the villain Carnival. Cat has gone from being a Do-It-Yourself amateur superhero that invited herself into “the theater” — the dynamic between heroes and villains of vast social means and damages done towards innocent bystanders — to becoming a celebrity and power in her own right.

But what does this ultimately mean for Gloria City, her rivals, her peers, the people who admire her, and Cat herself?

Then, to complicate matters further, the theater changes: or at least enters another Act. Most of the important top-tier male superheroes such as the Urbanite and the Major go off-world: leaving the majority of female superheroes and lower-tier heroes to their own devices in Gloria City. Carnival, Gloria City’s Joker analogue, is now in custody and at their mercy. Perhaps at any other time, Carnival would have “Joker immunity”: that no matter what atrocity he commits or incident he finds himself caught in, he will always survive and be captured only to escape yet again.

Yet now the superhero women of Gloria City are wondering the same thing: after everything he has done, should they kill Carnival? And Cat, one of his former victims and his recent jailer, ponders this and more. She came into the superhero scene to dismantle “the theater” from the inside, or not play by its rules altogether and save lives. Will she help make new rules, break old ones, or become a part of the system of violence, retribution, and collateral damage that she once wanted to destroy?

Smart is a superpower, but will it still be enough?

My So-Called Secret Identity Volume Two will explore these thoughts and themes and more. My only regret is that Will Brooker says that this will be the end of Cat’s story. As a fan, I feel there are many more stories that can still be told in this influential series. And they can be.

Among other goodies, such as pin-ups, sketches, exclusive T-shirts, and even personalized water-colours if the Kickstarter Campaign’s stretch goal of 12,000 pounds is exceeded, you’ll not only be paying artists for their work but also the inclusion of three extra short stories that will expand on the backgrounds of key characters.

My So-Called Secret Identity is important: in the way it looks at power dynamics, the superhero mythos, the mentality of practical DIY costumes branching into cosplay, and how it treats female superheroes. With accolades from comics artists such as Mary Talbot, Pat Mills, Trina Robbins and others, I hope you will consider backing this Kickstarter Campaign.

Save The Toronto Zombie Walk!

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Unfortunately, the annual Toronto Zombie Walk is risking some head shots.

According to a Facebook status written by Thea Munster, the Founding Director of the Zombie Walk, the event was denied its Celebrate Ontario funding. In addition, this year they have been asked to pay for additional barricading on Yonge Street and expenses with regards to using the Nathan Phillips Square’s Pan Am stage and added security. As Thea Munster also explains, the Toronto Zombie Walk Board might decide to discontinue the event itself.

However, something can be done. The truth of the matter is that zombies, however unique they look as individuals, coming from various places of death, disarray and reanimation, have always had strength through their numbers: and knowing what is ultimately their inevitable goal.

That’s right. The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Honourable Michael Coteau, is the person you should talk with should you want this grand recreational epidemic to survive this coming Halloween and for the years to come.

You can write Michael Coteau at his email address mcoteau.mpp@liberal.ola.org and ask him to reconsider and tell him how much the Zombie Walk means to you. In fact, Thea Munster has provided the following form letter:

Dear Hon Michael Coteau,

I am writing to ask you to reconsider funding the Toronto Zombie Walk and Halloween Parade through Celebrate Ontario. The TZW makes a unique contribution to Halloween events In Toronto. The participatory nature of the event attracts thousands of people of all ages, cultures and demographics to be creatively involved in the event every year. In 2014, the event had 15,000 participants and an additional 5,000- 10,000 spectators lined Yonge Street to watch and take photographs. The event also drew tourists from around the world. The TRIEM model calculations indicate that the economic impact of the event was $2,182,025 in 2014.

In 2014, The Toronto Zombie Walk won runner up for Best Free Community Event in Now Magazine, showing that it has become a much loved part of Toronto. A team of dedicated volunteers has taken years to grow this event into a world class tradition. Without Celebrate Ontario funding the event will be unable to support the number of participants at the level of quality that the grant helped build last year, and therefore may cease to exist.

Please don’t let this yearly tradition end,

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

So please geeks, horror lovers and fellow fiends, write to Michael Cocteau and let him know that we want to continue to spread the love. After all, reanimation is the most inclusive thing there is, and raising the spirit of celebration, through enthusiastic necromantic ritual, is always worth the effort.

My own reanimation before the Toronto Zombie Walk, circa 2011.
My own reanimation before the Toronto Zombie Walk, circa 2011.

An Excerpt From The Winds of Winter

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Many of us have been waiting for the sixth book of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire for quite some time. And slowly, glacially — like the encroaching cold magic of the Others — Martin reveals chapters from The Winds of Winter piece by piece to us online.

Just recently, he revealed this chapter: Alayne.

Beware: there be spoilers here.

Alayne is the pseudonym given to Sansa Stark by the clever and manipulative Petyr Baelish and, my goodness, she is definitely coming into her own. The young, naive girl from Winterfell lost most of her innocence at King’s Landing and through Lord Baelish’s “guidance” is starting to truly learn “the game of thrones.” Her dark thoughts and cynical mockery of her interior monologue, in contrast to the silken demure veil of her public persona, is a nice little treat to read.

What’s more is that Sansa — or should I say Alayne — is realizing just what the game of thrones actually is and beginning to implement it. Alayne knows it to be all about interacting with people. It is about finding out what they want, suggesting it, being polite and cordial while inserting doubt and poisonous barbs in her words, observing others, and realizing that a tool in the game — a pawn — can very well be the real enemy that they pretend to be.

Even so, Alayne still has aspects of her original personality. She still enjoys lemon cake and appreciates acts of kindness. Westeros’ betrayals and intrigues have not destroyed the core of decency and idealistic dreams that was once Sansa Stark, but she has learned how to bury them down and not let others exploit them. Now we can just wait for the time when she can turn them on Petyr Baelish.

As for Petyr Baelish himself, his own grander plans are continuing to unfold and it only occurred to me, towards the end of the chapter, that he is well aware of the fact that “winter is coming.” I mean, it’s no stretch that with his network of spies, contacts, and agents that Little Finger would have influence in the Citadel of the Maesters. While the other Kingdoms had been fighting in the War of Five Kings, he kept the Eyrie in reserve: in both its military strength and its store of … food. Certainly the Tyrells and the Lannisters have not been as frugal with their resources and, for the long winter to come, that would be a game changer. Meanwhile Lord Baelish engineers the succession of the Vale and uses his “bastard daughter” to do so.

I think what I appreciate the most are the development of these two characters. When I was first introduced to Baelish and Sansa, I had very different opinions of them. While I believed Petyr Baelish’s skill at the game of political intrigue and social engineering was second only to Varys, I didn’t really think much of Sansa herself as a character. But while both the show and the books illustrate the depths that Lord Baelish aspires to — with still more information to come — to me it seems like Sansa is only starting to apply in A Song of Ice and Fire what she has demonstrated towards the end of Game of Thrones Season Four.

Really, Alayne is becoming one of my favourite characters and I look forward to seeing her skills improve in the game: assuming, of course, that she survives. This is Westeros after all. But tell us: what do you think of this excerpt? And where do you think it will all go?

The Walking Dead’s Gale Anne Hurd Producing MANKILLER

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As the end of The Walking Dead‘s fifth season approaches, the Kickstarter campaign MANKILLER also nears a crucial point.

Mankiller is a documentary about Wilma Mankiller: the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. While Mankiller itself is partially funded by Vision Maker Media for PBS, the purpose of the Kickstarter campaign is to raise funds to complete production and post production on the project that already contains over twenty hours of interviews. In addition to Valerie Red-Horse being its director and producer, the film’s other producer is none other than Gale Anne Hurd: producer of the Terminator trilogy, Aliens, and of course, The Walking Dead.

As such, potential backers of Gale Anne Hurd and Valarie Red-Horse’s Kickstarter campaign be expect to receive some very impressive rewards: including Walking Dead DVD collections signed by the comics series creator Robert Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd, lunch and coffee with Gale herself, signed blue-ray copies of The Terminator and Aliens by Gale and James Cameron, a Terminator 30th Anniversary Poster signed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and company, a regular VIP pass to the sold-out Walker Con Event, a ten minute call with Steven Yeun — Glenn from The Walking Dead, and interactions with Norman Reedus (Daryl), Michael Rooker (Merle), and Melissa McBride (Carol).

And for those of you who are fascinated with activism, and aspects of aboriginal or First Nations history and culture, there are other rewards to consider as well: including art, interaction with Valarie Red-Horse (who has created other documentaries with Gale Anne Hurd such as True Whispers and Navajo Code Talkers), and conversation with Wilma Mankiller’s husband Charlie Soap and their daughter Gina Olaya. And none of this is, by any means, an exhaustive list of what you might find if you back this campaign.

So please: take this opportunity and support Mankiller or go on Twitter and Facebook and let people know this is happening through its hashtag #Mankiller.

Congratulations Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman

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During her stay in Vancouver, Amanda Palmer announced on Twitter and Facebook that she is pregnant. According to her, she and Neil Gaiman will be expecting the birth of their child this coming September.

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It’d be very easy to wax poetic about Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman having a child together. The bold and vibrant Queen of Punk Rock Cabaret and the subtle and encompassing Prince of Stories make for parents full of song, and tales, and laughter, and lessons to be learned, and love. But, hopefully, this is what any child should expect from any loving family.

But you can see why so many fans of the two, including myself, would see this as a big deal. Amanda and Neil have inspired a great many people over the years with their writing and art, in the way that they’ve touched many of our lives, and made themselves part of our words and songs in so doing.

It is also a big deal for another reason. Many of us have not only followed Neil and Amanda’s art, but also what they have publicized about their lives. For all the fanfare and love, it’s not been an easy road for them. Certainly there are events that Amanda disclosed in her Art of Asking that puts some of these facts in perspective.

It is easy to geek out over this news. I’ve followed Neil for years. In a large way, he informed a lot of my current writing style and my sense of story. I was introduced to Amanda through my girlfriend sending me links to her music videos on YouTube and links to her Blog with its chronic lack of capital letters. But for all of their art, they are also human beings. Their child, like all children, has the potential to be awesome and, as someone who has followed them I’m just glad to see some more happiness in their lives. It is definitely a cause to celebrate.

So on behalf of all of us at GEEKPR0N, congratulations Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman on your upcoming child and a new story in your lives.