by David | Nov 7, 2013 | Books, Geekery, Slider
Digit Games have launched the beta of Kings of the Realm… and after a few hours of gameplay yesterday, I’m calling it. It’s a winner.
Completely free-to-play with an instant community, and an almost endless list of possibilities. Build up your own realm, and interact with others in real-time on the larger map. It’s BETA so there are glitches here and there, the system is still being built and everyone is still learning - but after so much build up it is finally live. And playable. And sooooo good.
I’m working with them on something big for the launch next year *cough* - till then go lose a few hours in gameplay and help build one EPIC MMO.
Go on now. Get to registering!

by David | Nov 4, 2013 | Books, Geekery, Slider
This years shortlist for the IBAs was announced late last week - with a whole lotta fanfare and fun. Now all that’s left is for you to vote for your winner.
Ready?
2013 Shortlist: The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year Jnr.
When You Were Born - Benji Bennett
How Cuchulainn Got his Name (In A Nutshell Series) - Ann Carroll, illus. Derry Dillon
Brave Beast - Chris Judge
A Kiss Like This - Mary Murphy
But wait, it gets better! How about another category?!
2013 Shortlist: The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year Snr.
Stay Where You Are And Then Leave - John Boyne
Eva & The Hidden Diary - Judi Curtin
Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men - Derek Landy
The Keeper - Darragh Martin
I’m not suggesting that you vote for anyone in particular… but, that Landy fella’ is awful pretty.
Go get your vote on!
by David | Oct 24, 2013 | Geekery, MOVIES, Slider
The Mortal Instruments adaptation saga of will-they, won’t-they saga is done. City of Ashes is back in pre-production.
The only worrying thing is the possibility of repeating the same mistakes twice - with Constantin Film’s Martin Moszkowicz blaming positioning and marketing for the film panning.
We are analyzing what we did wrong with the first film — particularly with the positioning and marketing — and what changes we have to make. We are working with a great group of people to reposition the franchise [for City of Ashes].
It had nothing to do with the terrible script and gags forced in there by Zwart? (Bach was a Shadow-Hunter, huh?)
On paper - a return makes sense, just. The film cost $60m to make, with another $60m on promotion - and has made just under $100m worldwide to date. Not the box-office smash everyone predicted so long ago, and not the train wreck that was expected not-so-long ago.
by David | Oct 22, 2013 | Books, Geekery, Slider
The folks at Comixology have had an incredible run - and now they’re sharing a little about who buys digital comics. And where/how/when they’re reading them. And how much they spend.

Yes. 40% hide their spending from partners.
by David | Oct 17, 2013 | Books, Geekery, MOVIES, Slider
Henry Selick - best known for helming A Nightmare Before Christmas, James And The Giant Peach, and Coraline - is moving away from animated film to direct a live-action adaptation of Adam Gidwitz’s A Tale Dark & Grimm.
I remain completely enraptured by Adam Gidwitz’ marvelous book A Tale Dark & Grimm. It’s a hilarious, deeply inventive tale about survival in the world of fairytales and what it takes to forgive one’s parents. So it’s a huge thrill to be joining the team of Kamala Films and FilmNation as the director of the film based on it. Between the great material and a team that really gets it, I hope to make something really special that lasts. - Henry Selick
Anyone read A Tale Dark & Grimm? (I haven’t … but will this week!)
by David | Oct 16, 2013 | Books, Geekery, Slider
The inimitable Matt Griffin has created a gorgeous poster for the Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin this month.
All of the vampires you can think of. On one very handy page.
