15 Days: Part 33 – August 16th to August 31st

No More Yorkshire Tea For Me

It’s time for another blog. After double-stacking lately, it feels like it’s been ages since I sat and wrote anything. Yet, time flies around each time and I’m happy to be here writing another 15 Days.

Part 33 contains:

• QA Partnership with Brazen Gameplay
• A Trip To York
• FLEARUN! Testing
• Fitness Update

QA Partnership with Brazen Gameplay: So, hopefully you will have seen the current, live Kickstarter for the new 16-Bit version of UrbX Warriors but something I haven’t really shouted about yet is that I had the honour of being mentioned specifically within their campaign with regards to QA and testing. It probably won’t come as much of a surprise considering how often I’ve mentioned Brazen Gameplay or UrbX but there is something really awesome about being part of and partnering with the team on these brilliant projects. I see good things ahead. I’ll still be testing various games as I have been along the way but to be heading up the QA of a project by these two legends is something I am very proud of, and it’s another significant milestone.

And with the Kickstarter still going, there’s time to back the game. We hit the funding goal in less than a day but there’s still time to grab yourself some pledge rewards and I’m sure there’ll be stretch goals incoming shortly.

Here’s the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tonywarriner/urbx-warriors-the-lost-city-16-bit-edition

A Trip To York: Every so often, I take a little time off from the day job that is more than the odd day for a long weekend. This time, we went to York for five days. We’ve visited the area before and have enjoyed it more than most places we’ve been. I can’t quite tell you why, only that it feels less frantic than anywhere else. I actually switch off from the day-to-day and simply enjoy the time I have in front of me.

We stayed in a lovely apartment rather than a hotel and it changes everything about the holiday. Not being at breakfast for a certain time, no only one room to spend time in. We went shopping at a local superstore, cooked food in the kitchen, had a living room to watch TV or read books and generally pretend that we were at home, away from home. It was a very welcome change.

As is normal now, whenever I go away, there’s usually some kind of gaming related excursion and with Revolution Software being based in York, I took it upon myself to visit everywhere they are/were linked to and have a photo taken.

Most people stand by the Revolution sign but having spoken to Tony recently, I was reminded that 12 King Street was where Broken Sword was actually programmed. With The Shambles being full of tourists, heading to the quiet of King Street was nice.

I posted these photos on social media recently but I’m fairly certain no-one got the link between the two locations. As a friend said to me, I looked like I was just posing in front of people’s doorways. He has a point! Either way, it was fun, and I’m glad I spent some time doing this. Anyway, here are those photos plus a random selection from Whitby Abbey and York Minster. And a badger.

I do like these old buildings. And looking at Whitby Abbey, I even started thinking of a puzzle for a game. It just came to mind. Everything seems game-related these days. 😂

FLEARUN! Testing: Despite other testing going on, holidays, and general living life, I do sometimes find a little extra time to do some regular playtesting rather than QA, which leads me to share that I’ve been running through FLEARUN! by Lowtek Games. Another fun, challenging game from this studio that keeps my skills sharp, it’s looking pretty good already and I’m sure with what testing remains, it’ll be ready sooner rather than later. If you’re interested in learning more about their games, the link to their website is here: https://lowtek.games/

Fitness Update: After my last update, I was not ‘…back at it within the next few days…’ but I have been improving the other side of my fitness routine, and that’s diet. To be honest, the exercise has not been non-existent as I’ve been walking a lot, been using the exercise bike a couple of times, and generally just easing off the intensive daily fitness that I’d been on since May 4th until Brighton in July. So, there’s been something ticking over. However, in tandem with that is a reduction in food and that lies solely around snacks and, even more key, not snacking late at night. Three regular meals a day, and if I get a little hungry (and I mean I can feel my stomach rumbling), a handful of cashew nuts. Plus, lots of fresh filtered water. It’s been surprisingly easy to get into this routine. Even on the holiday mentioned above, there was no real blow-out of eating whatever I wanted. If anything, it’s the days since I’ve been back where I’ve gorged a little more than in recent weeks. And, as I write this, I’ve kicked the caffeine habit again. I’ve mentioned doing this in previous blogs (just look for ‘Graph Thingy’ in the blog list) and, this time, it’s been less intense a withdrawal. Just a dull headache for an afternoon and evening, followed by a wave of fatigue the next day. Now it’s just the absent-mindedly making a tea or coffee, or the craving for one. But I’ve not given in. Anyway, I think I’m there now. Another day or two and I know I’ll feel amazing.

So, although the exercise has dropped off over the last seven weeks, the balancing of the diet and the unexpected booting out of caffeine has been welcome. I’ll be aiming to work my exercise back into the daily routine at the start of September. All this seems to be coming together nicely and I’m quietly pleased.

That’s it for this 15 Days. I’ve noticed they’re falling into a shorter format lately, and that makes it easier to share updates. Or maybe I’ve just become used to writing them quickly now?

Anyway, until next time, as always, stay safe and thank you for reading.

Paul.