Updates and Test Realm.

Shiver..*so* close, now... Test Realm is coming! Celestia is *ever* so close!

Be sure to read the June Update notes. Lots of new stuff, (not just Celestia) Must..read...NOW!

A less-than-comprehensive list of things covered:

Crafting:  Crafting comes to Grizzleheim!

Housing: New Privacy options, and the ability to "kick" people out!

Pets: Price reduction. confirmation window, more..

Dragonspyre: Mob hp decrease, exp increase, fewer mob per quest, (overall DS has been "softened")

other notes:
PvP temporary fix vs. "chain stunning"
New Clothing (Beastmaster Set)
Badges, snacks, spells, ect!

And in other news....*almost* Celestia related

I try to keep this blog W101 related. Honestly, I do. I know that *sometimes* , I stretch the boundaries..."a bit".

This is gonna be one of those times.

As many of you know, I'm "old". Like "just had a birthday with black balloons" old. I've been around a while. For instance, when I was pre-teen, I used to watch an old anime series called "Star Blazers". Ah, it was my first real exposure to Japanese Anime. Here's a sample for ya:



Well, *now*, in the spirit of "All things from my childhood repackaged for you", check THIS out:



I am so psyched.

Umm, so this has to do with ships, and stars, so I think I can almost reasonably justify posting it here. Nyah!

Major milestone

How about ..10 Million..wizards?

Yeah, that's right. One to the Zero to the Zero to the Zero to the Zero to the Zero to the Zero ? Yeah, you get the idea. Ever think the commons were crowded? Now, you know why. 

From the Official Press release:

TEN MILLION WIZARDS JOIN FORCES TO SAVE THE SPIRAL

IN WIZARD101

PLANO, TEXAS (June 22, 2010) – KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc. today announced that since its launch
in September 2008, more than 10 million Wizards have registered to play Wizard101. Today, the Wizard101
player base continues to grow at an accelerating rate and KingsIsle expects rapid growth to continue for the
foreseeable future.


“Over the last twenty months our domestic launch has taken us from an unheard of company with an unknown
product to running one of the most successful properties in the family entertainment space,” said Elie Akilian,
chairman and CEO of KingsIsle Entertainment. “I am profoundly grateful to the millions of extraordinary people
who call Wizard City home and the  talented writers, artists, designers, producers and engineers who have come
together to create this magical world.”


While the technical and creative design requirements to create a virtual, safe and compelling online universe such
as Wizard101 are enormous, it is the active and enthusiastic community of players that truly makes Wizard101 come
alive.


“We are overwhelmed and honored by this huge achievement,” said J. Todd Coleman, VP and Creative Director of
KingsIsle Entertainment. “We will continue our work to add exciting new content and features to Wizard101 through
the launch of our next world, Celestia, and well beyond.”


As a small gesture of thanks to the wonderful denizens of Wizard City, KingsIsle Entertainment is offering every Wizard
a complementary “Party Pack” and encouraging them to throw a grand celebration welcoming Wizard #10,000,001
to the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts. Each Party Pack will contain a decorative banner, balloons, a festive party
hat and a celebratory cake.


To receive this FREE item set, simply go to www.wizard101.com/promo and enter the word PARTYPACK. 


In Wizard101, kids and families enter the magical world of Wizard City as student Wizards setting out to hone their
Wizard skills, cast spells and summon powerful creatures to fight evil forces. The characters and worlds of Wizard101
are influenced by literature, history and pop culture, giving the game a depth and quality appreciated by families and
players of all ages.

I...AM...CopperMan

Next reveal is out...

And, altough it's not Duracell, it's certainly a Copper Top. (Okay, maybe brass)

If this ain't steampunk, I dunno what is.

Also, I have to go check previous reveals, but I don't remember there being a Celestia script.

Time for some letter substitution. Let's get crackin', cryptos!

New Header graphic

Courtesy of Taji34 , over at Sorcerer's Corner. It is a very thoughtful "welcome back" gift, and I am very appreciative.

"Homework"'s new Header. Thank you, Taji34!

Sadly, Taji's Party kinda evaporated, and the hours I work on the weekend are difficult to work with, so perhaps I will have my (first ever) "Homework" meet-and-greet. Hmmm..I *still* have a Gobbler to give away, too..I have something in mind...heh, heh, heh,,,

365 days does not equal a year.

Well, wanderers, by chronological standards, "Homework" made it to the"1 year" mark on June 6th. I'm not entirely 100% on claiming this 'anniversary', since I *did* take an  8-month 'hiatus' (as KI so politely put it).

There is so much more left to do, and time seems to be the one quantity I don't have enough of. 

So, for the sake of getting past this point, I'll go and say it:

Happy Birthday, Homework.

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Duh, duh.....Duh, duh...

"Candygram"

http://www.spike.com/video/land-shark/2802070

Some Shark facts.

And, speaking of eating, new mega-healthy snacks available at the crown shop:

Ravenwood Newsletter- June

Little Drummer Crab
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?
Holding up a spear, Little Crab.

Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?

It's soon, it's soon.
As early as Late June.
With a quest chain Celestia is nigh.
With a quest chain Celestia is nigh.

Yes, The June Ravenwood Newsletter is up. Go read now.

New Book of the Month, Tips on Video Drivers, and more.