Alpha: 7 Days to Die 1.1 News Update 2

7 Days to Die developers returned their validation servers and forums after being taken down a several days. Earlier in the week, players experienced a mysterious validation check error that brought game play to a screeching halt. Several flocked to the forums for answers but were met with inquiries from their fellow community members.

"We apologize for the downtime, " developers said. "but [we] hope you’ll enjoy the new ride and added benefits that are coming soon."

There's still not any definitive word on what may caused the error. Rumors of alien invasion, killer bunnies, and government conspiracies are still running rampant.

"We've been lying low pulling our site down for maintenance," developers said. "and [to] prep our new spiffy servers to support our huge and growing fan base."

Most likely the developer's file hosts failed under the pressure of increased members or there might have been a minor hacker attack that revealed system vulnerabilities. As a result, the developers took the extra time to improve their system which resulted in new forums and structure for the 1.1 release.

" We have new spiffy forums up and running," developers said. "Due to the new forums, your old password is gone!"

Players received an e-mail if they owned registered account that gave them a link to a new registration page. Those wanting to play the game have to click the link and register their account before the validations errors will fully disappear.

"You guys have been asking so here are a few things we’re including in the first official Alpha 1.1 update coming soon, " developers said.

Their new updates in 1.1 include improved memory management, game needs less memory 6 player consumer coop and multiplayer, version check and login check that can be bypassed now when their server cannot be reached, better dedicated server support (unlimited players), console does not pop up on errors, item duplication bugs fixed, additional recipes for brick, decayed brick, pavers, red wood, and more Zombie stair pathing has been improved.

Hey Survivalist,
We’ve been lying low pulling our site down for maintenance and prepping our new spiffy servers to support our huge and growing fan base. We apologize for the downtime but hope you’ll enjoy the new ride and added benefits that are coming soon.

NEW FORUMS PASSWORD RESET - Folks we have new spiffy forums up and running. Due to the new forums, your old password is gone! To reset your password, click here. You will be sent an email to reset the password. Be sure to check your spam folder, we’ve had reports that the email is put there sometimes!

SUPPORT TICKET PAGE COMING - Folks we’re working on a new ticketing system to better handle the volume of orders. Please be patient and we’ll have it up and running soon. If you’ve had a problem with your order and/or are waiting on an activation key please be patient a little longer. We will get to you soon.

NEW PURCHASING SYSTEM COMING - Folks we’re sorry but our purchasing page is down right now! We’re busy working on helping the folks who already bought the game and still need our support. Check back soon as we’re busy working on an improved buying system.

ALPHA VERSION 1.1 COMING SOON! - You guys have been asking so here are a few things we’re including in the first official Alpha 1.1 update coming soon.
Improved memory management, game needs less memory 6 player consumer coop and multiplayer Version check and login check can be bypassed now when our server cannot be reached Better dedicated server support (unlimited players) Console does not pop up on errors any more Several item duplication bugs fixed Added recipes for brick, decayed brick, pavers red wood and more Zombie stair pathing improved

You stay cool,
The Fun Pimps

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7 Days to Die: Version Check Error

At approximately 6:30 pm central time 7 Days to Die customers experience a failure with the validation files on the Fun Pimps server.

-Version Check-
<b> [php BB Debug] PHP
Warning </b>: in file
<b>/home/rhuenink/public_html/p

Minutes after the failure, players posted on the 7D2D complaining about the error. Some have theorized that the developers were uploading a new patch but that seemed unlikely as no information was given out prior to the error.

"Same problem here. They're probably updating the server used for validation," forum member said. "Give it some time. I'm sure they'll have it working again within a reasonable time frame.

Other members think they might be under attack by the government, undercover aliens, North Koreans, and/ or just plain hackers.

"This is not an issue that anyone can fix, this is an issue that Fun Pimps has to fix on their end," Scarlett Snatch said. "This is an issue with the game, not the computer, not your software, nothing that you can control."

Some forum members have posted information for bypassing the error. Here is a post. Without validation, I would caution against downloading unproven practices.

"We are all just SOL until the Fun Pimps decide to do something about it....," Scarlett Snatch said.

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7 Days to Die: Tips and Tricks pt 1

The following has been compiled from the Geezer's in Arms forum and the 7d2d forum. This is the collective knowledge of hours of discovered game play.

Trivia

• you can place Cob Web to slow zombies down?
• the fastest ways to fell a tree is to destroy the block underneath it?
• you can select different spawn points (bedrolls) on the map - even those placed by other players (coop)?
• you can hold down the mouse button to continuously attack?
• there are currently eight different biomes in the game, each one with unique sources of materials and resources (forests, snowy mountains, pine forest, plains, deserts, burned forests, radiation zones)?

Function Keys

Almost ever F-Key has an unique function?

• - F1 Menu
• - F2 Player Stats
• - F4 Switching Windows-/Fullscreen Mode
• - F5 Third Person View
• - F7 UI on/off
• - F8 FPS on/off
• - F9 Take Screenshot (screenshots are placed in game default folder)

Keyboard Tips

• you can rotate the camera in third person view by holding down the ALT key?
• you can quick transfer items from inventory to hotbar by shift-clicking on it (and vise versa)?
• you can zoom in and out the camera in third person view by holding ALT and using the scroll wheel? (allows nice pictures combined with F7+F9!)

Zombies

• zombies slow down at night if they pass the light radius of a placed campfire/torch?
• if you pause after each use of the pickax (ie. for mining) for a second you can almost mine unlimited with full stamina? Zombies first scream before they attack you?
• the sledgehammer is the most powerful melee weapon currently in game, able to kill almost every zombie with one hit?

Food

• Blueberries, potatoes and corn grow at very fast rates.
• Corn will grow randomly with ears being on each stalk in either 1, 2, or 3 ears per stalk.
• Potatoes will yield 5.
• Blueberries yield 3.

If you do not have a "Hydrated" Soil block (which is noticeable by the color of the block. Either normal dirt color, or a darker brown) you have to gather the plant sprout that you have harvested, re-til the soil, and then re-plant it. If it is hydrated, you do not have to replant the sprout each time.

MISC

• The crafting list on the right shows everything you can make WITH the current items in your inventory. If you select an item that is WHITE in the list it will show you the shape you need but not the ingredients needed. If it is Green then you have made it before and clicking it will auto fill the ingredients and have the item ready to move into your inventory. 
• Now here is the most helpful thing....if you continue to click the green item in the list, it will continue to fill ingredients and add to the item stack for you to pull into your inventory. The ONLY time you have to put ingredients into the crafting area is the first time you ever make an item.

• Spikes...The small spikes you make with sharpened sticks are deadly. If you mistakenly place them on the block your standing, you are most likely dead. Be very careful trying to place them around in grass.
• Grass... makes it hard to work with anything. The collision boxes are off at the moment. Clear the grass in your building area to prevent accidents.
• Glitches- If you lay down a chest in a two high tunnel and step onto the chest, Your head will glitch through the block above and yes you can see to the top of the world but you are also stuck. Break a block overhead and to the side to free yourself. 
• Glitches- When mining sometimes the material seems to disappear when in fact it has glitched through another block. It will usually show up after breaking the next block.

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Alpha Release: 7D2D 1.1 News

The developers for 7D2D did not set a deadline for their upcoming 1.1 patch to their game in Alpha. Alpha 2 will feature flying enemies, acid puking hulks, a better AI for the zombies, repair tools, and renewable resources.

"We're hoping to make the world at least 4x bigger," the developers said "We will probably also have a random generated nearly infinite world too so if you don't want to play in Navazgane you can create a random map and play that.

Concerns have risen as the internet have begun modding, cracking the multiplayer features, and pirating the game. There are concerns over the message boards that curious players who crack a god-mode in multiplayer will abuse the features and ruin the game play of others.

"Over time we hope to thin the herd (pirates) and at least prevent them from playing online," a developer said.

The game is an amazing single player experienced that is only enhanced when working with a group of friends. There are tons of potential as long as the Fun Pimps take a lesson from Minecraft developers in how to handle multiplayer, creative mode, and survival mode. 

"There will be a few options," developers said, " We want to have a random world generator where the creation menu has options to enable/disable a variety of things."

At the moment, the multiplayer features are limited to 4 players who are able to connect to each other's IPs. This is dangerous as player's information can be at risk. Several from our group have been attacked after web addresses were leaked through YouTube and Twitch. No one knows when full multiplayer features will be released.

"Not for some time, but we are making a few enhancements along the way since people found a way to play it anyway, " developers said.

While there are ways to connect to each other it is recommended to play with only people you know through something like Hamachi. It is an older program that creates a network between people.

"Anyhow, we have a lot of work ahead of us. This is a very early alpha of the game," developers said, "try to have some patience and know we are nowhere near satisfied with the core experience yet, and will add many layers to it yet."



Here's the news from Wednesday - sounds like the 1.1 patch is coming soon:

I wanted to create a place to discuss the Alpha 2 version and future versions. As the questions come in I will create a F.A.Q. by editing this post, and I would kindly request people to read this post or at least skim the F.A.Q. before posting.

Flying Enemies
I've seen a lot of concern regarding the giant mutated infected Japanese Beetles. These things are real life, (although not as big as in 7dtd) and can sting you repeatedly without dying, and can be deadly in real life. That said they won't be deadly in the game. The plan for them is to try and goad the player into making noise by using a shotgun on them, which could draw in a hoard at night. Imagine stealth implemented and you are hiding on a rooftop. Zombies won't automatically know where you are in alpha 2 and there will be a stealth system. So the beetles will be a low frequency semi rare and possibly biome dependent creature that is just there to maybe cause the player to do something stupid and make noise.

Acid Puking Hulks
These guys are sort of bosses, but rare too. They will cause some fairly severe damage to your fort, but any good sniper with a silenced sniper rifle should be able to stop them before they do anything to severe.

AI
The pathfinding will improve, the spawning will improve. The game will not always be 50 zombies at night in your face magically knowing where you are. It will be possible to sneak around at night if you are careful. Zombies might be drawn to light in the future. In a dynamic world pathfinding is a lot more difficult than a static world game. We also want zombies to all attack around your fort and not just one.

Rewards for grinding
We will introduce a repair tool so you can fix damaged blocks. You will get XP for crafting things.

Renewable resources
We are planning renewable resources. So even though loot might get harder to come by, once we integrate bandits, trader npcs and being able to plant trees and make your own fuel from fermented corn and such, I don't think this will be a problem any more. We're hoping to make the world at least 4x bigger than it is currently, and we will probably also have a random generated nearly infinite world too so if you don't want to play in navazgane you can create a random map and play that.

Anyhow, we have a lot of work ahead of us. This is a very early alpha of the game, try to have some patience and know we are nowhere near satisfied with the core experience yet, and will add many layers to it yet.

F.A.Q.

When will Alpha 2 be out?
When it's done. I know that might seem unacceptable to some people but game development takes time to do things right. The 1.1 patch will be pretty soon though.

Will you do anything to stop piracy?
Yes. Can we stop it? No. But over time we hope to thin the herd and at least prevent them from playing online.

When will multiplayer be ready?
Not for some time, but we are making a few enhancements along the way since people found a way to play it anyway.

I don't like the idea of NPC's or flying beetles, can I disable them?
There will be a few options. One is mods to disable them, and we want to have a random world generator where the creation menu has options to enable/disable a variety of things.

Will we be anything we get from special infected?
Yes. Everything we implement will have a use. Like maybe you can use the stinger from the hornet as an arrow tip that stuns your prey, or harvest the acid from the hulk and use it to melt reinforced doors down.

Will we have to start a new game when the patch comes out?
If you want to experience everything as designed, yes. Can you still play your old world? Probably.

How will XP work?
The basic concept is you do things and earn XP, and once you level up you can choose a perk which gives you enhanced capabilities.

Can I make a fan site and use 7 Days to die screenshots or images on my site?
Yes, but you must say that is is a fan site and post a link to our official site at the top of the page. You may also use any assets provided here: http://7daystodie.com/journalist-secret-media-stash/

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7 Days to Die

This page will list all the 7 Days to Die information, walkthrough, and news updates. Bookmark this post to check on the most up to date news.

Guides

Zombie Survival Guide to 7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die Tips and Tricks pt 1

NEWSLETTER

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die: Update #4

7 Days to Die: Version Check Error

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die 1.1 News

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Update #3

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Update #2

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Download Delays #1

Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Pre-release

Upcoming Games: 7 Days to Die

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7 Days to Die: Beginners Guide

Welcome to Zombie-land! This beginner's guide walks you through the process of surviving with nothing to complete fortifications and material production. It is structured to be followed from the first hour of survival to the last. We know the basics like cardio, double tap, and the buddy system but there are a ton more if you want to survive. Learn the rules to surviving in 7 Days to Die.

The Rules to Surviving 7 Days to Die

Day 1 Journey (Day Time)

Rule # 66: Find Shelter
Immediately open your map and decide on a centralized location that you can travel towards. You must arrive there by 4 pm to evaluate your survival options. Make sure this place is surrounded by other areas you can scavenge or escape to at a moment's notice. Consider a second story home for the first night.

Rule # 5: Scavenge along the way
Use the highway to find weapons, food, and wood. You will need these items for the night time.

Rule #1: Pay Attention to Your Time
From this point forward, check your watch. It is your life line because zombies become super aggressive during the night. You will not survive a horde attack in the open.

Rule #14: Arm yourself ASAP (scavenge or craft)

Construct a club before ever attempting to go inside a house. The club is the first item you can easily craft without too much trouble. Refine wood down until you get sticks then follow the formula for the club. Now you are armed and can take a zombie one on one.

Rule #15: Guns (ammo in hot bar)
If you get lucky you may find a gun. Keep backup ammo in your inventory in case you die. When you die your body drops the items you have in the hotbar so try to keep most of it in your inventory.

Day 1 Journey (Evening)

Arriving at Your Safehouse

Fortify your location, find high ground with a strong base and many escape points. For two story homes, block off doors with wood or stone ASAP. Then craft ladders. Take out the stairs and put up two ladders instead so you can make a stand on the second and third floor. Block off the windows. Go upstairs before 7:45 pm.

Day 1 Journey (Night)

Rule #1: Don't Waste Time

At night, there isn't much to do if you haven't collected resources during the day on your way to shelter. You will be forced to sit in your attic listening to the zombies that are trying to breach your defenses. Use the night time to craft, organize, and fortify. Make better weapons, tools, and a base camp. The night is longer than the day so plan for your night time activities.

Let There Be Light

Rule # 91: Build a camp fire
Rule # 42: Build a torch

Stay in the light as much as possible. At night, build a camp fire and torch then light everything up.

Day 2 Journey (Day)

Rule # 98: Gather Resources During the Day

Gather, wood, metal, gravel, food, water, and weapons as soon as the sun rises. Stay in the light. Don't bother going into houses unless you have to absolutely do so. It is dark in there and all it takes is for one zombie to ambush you  while unprepared. Instead adopt a hit and run technique to scavenge out in the open where you can see the zombies walking around. If you go inside, try to draw the undead out into the light.

Return to camp by 4 pm to do basic fortifications and repairs.

Day 3-6 Journey

Now you know how to survive nightly so what do we do? The following is a suggestion on what you can work on to automate your day and night cycle.

Rule # 8: Pimp Out Your Crib

Used concrete, gravel, and metal to level up your fortifications. Don't bother clearing the zombies. When you come back later they will be gone or spread out.

Nut up or shut up Zombie Horde Killing Techniques

Rule #45:  Draw them out of the dark

Whenever possible draw them out into the light. They become slower in the light.

Rule #63:  Shotgun blasts crowds

Reserve the shotguns for crowds. Lead the crowd to where they line up behind you then blast. A single well placed shot will take down several zombies at once saving ammo, time, and energy.

Rule #9:   Headshots are King

If you have to shoot make them count. Shoot for the head.

Rule #65:  Car Bombs

Whenever possible lead crowds of zombies to cars then shoot the car until they explode. This will kill most if not all of them.
 
Rule #187: Kill the Cops and Nurses

When I'm scavenging I usually ignore most zombies unless its a cop or nurse zombie. Target these at all costs. They usually carry weapons, ammo, food, water, and medicine.

Rule #122: Don't trust the hotbar

If you die then everything you had in your hotbar will drop and despawn in 20 seconds. Only keep items that you absolutely need in the hotbar. If you know you're going to die go into your inventory and click your items into your inventory to save them.

Final Mission: Find Your Twinkies I

   Rule # 163 Drink water (toilet and streams)
   Rule # 34 Starvation (takes time to die from Starvation and thirst but minutes for both)
   Rule # 49 Learn to Farm (indoors)

Make sure you spend some time once you are fortified to farm indoors and scavenge for food and water.

Final Mission: Find Your Twinkies II

From here on out, you can decide to do anything you want. This is a great game. Find your own Twinkie. This means you need to find your own purpose in the game. Decide on a project and apply the rules you learned in this guide to accomplish those more advanced ones.

We are currently working on creating an underground network of passages and building a stone based tower structure on top of the water. I will update this blog with information on doing more advanced things like explosives. Stay tuned.

The entire Rules to 7 Days to Die series can be found on youtube and on Twitch. If you like what you found here please subscribe for updates, leave a comment, and visit my other channels. It helps keep my blog and channel visible. I really appreciate it. Thanks!

COMING SOON!

Mining and Independent Structures...
2 Amigos Play 7 Days to Die (Co-op walkthrough)

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Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Update #3

Dallas based developers, the Fun Pimps, sent out 22,000 keys after working overtime over the weekend. The company faced growing pains after a successful $500,000 Kickstarter campaign that has put them on the national spotlight.

"We apologize if you have not gotten your key or all of your keys, " representative from the Fun Pimps said "we will work to get those to you as fast as we can."

Hey Survivalist' We have sent out over 22 thousand keys processing everyone we had access to on PayPal and Amazon who purchased the Alpha Game. We apologize if you have not gotten your key or all of your keys and will work to get those too you as fast as we can. If you haven’t received your key or all of your keys it’s for one of the following reasons below. Note these keys will have to be manually entered into the database and will take additional time. You’re an Amazon buyer and did not fill out the Kickstarter Survey on or before August 17th therefore we have to reimport you late survey guys data. This will take some additional time. You’re an Amazon buyer and transaction was on hold and the money did not go through yet therefore we cannot process your order until it does go through.  You’re an Amazon buyer and did not fill out the survey information correctly giving us the wrong email or a misspelled email. This will be a manual database correction and will take some time. You made a multiple item purchase on PayPal or Amazon on a single transaction that was not part of the ALPHA BUDDIES or THE ALPHA CLAN packages which have gotten their keys now.   And for those of you who have asked our PayPal Buy page will be back up today or tomorrow and stay up after Alpha release for everyone to still buy the pledges they want including Alpha. http://7daystodie.com/buy/ You stay cool The Fun Pimps

I finally received my key late Sunday night. I've been streaming the game experience. If you're interested in viewing the game play visit http://www.twitch.tv/theurbanwatcher .

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Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Download Delay Update #2

12,000 keys have been sent out over the weekend. The Fun Pimps continue to process data from Kickstarter, Amazon, and PayPal. Backers are receiving their keys and experiencing slow downs in downloads due to heavy traffic from the Fun Pimps servers

To deal with the strain this small indie company has been working over night to add servers for handling the additional load (two Saturday night). The Dallas based company is being flooded with support requests. It seems that in the rush to get these keys out backers are facing database errors, account verification issues, and general questions about setting up and playing the game.

The Pimps' roll out strategy seems to be a three phase plan. First, they are rushing to get everyone their keys in the most efficient manner possible. Those who bought multiple keys or require manual support by the staff are going to have to wait until the bulk of the keys are released. Finally, the guys plan to focus on general support for 7 Days to Die.

Here is a Sunday released e-mail about the released keys.

Project Update #24: Over 12,000 Key sent out!

Hey Folks, We’re still bringing data into our system and sending out keys and as of this post have delivered over 12,000 keys but we still have more work to do. Last night we increased our download capacity with 2 more servers. We will continue to send out keys until every customer who has purchased the Alpha package or greater has the game. Our customer support has been flooded with emails and we are way behind on this. We will be sending out every Key before we can come back to you folks who have problems that require manual database corrections, changes to your account, account verifications or general support. Simply put we don't have the staff to answer every email at this volume. People who bought more than 1 key on Kickstarter through any package other than the THE ALPHA BUDDIES or THE ALPHA CLAN packages orders may take longer as theses multiple orders need to be entered into our system by hand. People who bought more than 1 key on PayPal in single transaction will get there additional keys but it may take longer as theses multiple orders need to be entered into our system by hand. We appreciate your patience in this and rest assured will get all of you keys as soon as possible. We've been working overtime on this and will continue to do so until all keys are delivered. And for those of you who have asked our PayPal Buy page will be back up tomorrow or Monday and stay up after Alpha release for everyone to still buy the pledges they want including Alpha. http://7daystodie.com/buy/ Stay cool and stay calm you'll get your game The Fun Pimps

There's been no mention at this stage for how to officially report bugs or be better play-testers. However, localized communities are organizing to collect data (photos, conditions, video, bug, threat level etc). It is a good idea to join these groups that wish to improve the game. In "The Science of Playtesting," GameStop gives an overview on how to be a better play-tester.

Those that are only interested in playing the game, please try not to plug up the communication channels with complaints or destructive criticism as this game is in alpha. Many folks have high hopes for this game.

UPDATE: (Still no key)

I plan on hosting a twitch session to show off the game footage. If you want to view the feed or chat in the TeamSpeak channel go to www.twitch.tv/theurbanwatcher. We will be using TeamSpeak for any live questions (63.210.145.16:9155). I hope to host this session sometime this weekend or as soon as my download e-mail arrives. Check back here for daily updates, news, and video playthroughs!

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Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Download Delays UPDATE

7 Days to Die, an open world voxel-based sandbox, is working through the weekend to process the hundreds of thousands of Kickstarter, PayPal, and Amazon backers. Their unique approach to open world zombie survival has gained support from the gaming community. 

This unique mash up of First Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Tower Defense and Role Playing Games fills a need in the genre started by the Arma II mod Day Z. The appeal of combining combat, crafting, looting, mining, exploration, and character growth brings excitement after disappointing experiences with the now infamous Hammerpoint's War Z now titled Infestation: Survivor Stories.

The Fun Pimps, Dallas based developers of 7 Days to Die, are feeling the strain of being indie hopefuls. They continue to plead with their newly acquired fan base to not clog up their e-mail system with questions regarding the 7 Days to Die alpha roll out. As expected in a recent update, these developers are struggling to meet big company demand with small start up resources.

Here is a recent e-mail notice given to backers of the project. I will update this blog on a daily basis with news, review, play through footage, first impressions, and recommendations.

E-Mail #22

Hey Survivalist’
We've rolled out nearly 7,000 keys and will continue to keep getting more out today and the rest of the weekend until we a fulfilled all purchases. We've added additional download servers to alleviate the stress for more people to authenticate and download. This is the price we pay for being a small company and growing so fast.
If you haven't gotten one yet don't worry you're in our database. And for you Kickstarter backers who completed the survey we won't be waiting on a percentage to get you going. I would urge all who haven't done the survey to do it asap as extracting the customer data a 2nd time will not be our highest priority. We thank you for your patience, and understanding as it has been very tough on all of us working around the clock to widen our server capabilities to accommodate our new found huge fan base.
We ask you to be patient a little longer as we get you the game in the coming hours or days!
And for those of you who have asked our PayPal Buy page will be back up today or tomorrow and stay up after Alpha release for everyone to still buy the pledges they want including Alpha. http://7daystodie.com/buy/ You stay cool!
The Fun Pimps

E-Mail #23

Heads up Survivalist' We're very happy to announce that the first 500 keys have been rolled out to Kickstarter Backers of $35 or higher! We appreciate your patience in this and rest assured  will get all of you you keys as soon as possible. We've been working overtime on this and will continue to do so until all keys are delivered. And for those of you who have asked our PayPal Buy page will be back up tomorrow or Monday and stay up after Alpha release for everyone to still buy the pledges they want including Alpha. http://7daystodie.com/buy/ You guys rock and remember we love you! The Fun Pimps

UPDATE:

I plan on hosting a twitch session to show off the game footage. If you want to view the feed or chat in the TeamSpeak channel go to www.twitch.tv/theurbanwatcher. We will be using TeamSpeak for any live questions (63.210.145.16:9155). I hope to host this session sometime this weekend or as soon as my download e-mail arrives. Check back here for daily updates, news, and video playthroughs!

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First Impressions: Guacamelee! Gold Edition

Today we're going to discuss a new platformer called Guacamelee! Gold Edition. This game is awesome! That's it. That says it all. No? More? No problem....

Guacamelee! is an artsy, fun platformer that lives in the borderlands of gaming. Everything about this game has a dual name and double meaning. I recently did a First Impression video and was blown away.

Your character adopts a save the princess scenario as a diving board into a larger world filled with Latino cultural references and allusions to the 8-bit days of gaming. (See another duality).

Guacamelee! shines from its beautiful art style, controls, music, and light hearted approach to a classic genre. It enters into the new generation with co-op game play that reminds me of a Mexican Double Dragon or Streets of Rage.

From playing the opening 15 minutes of the game, we've decided to do a "Dos Amigos Play: Guacamelee!" playthrough series for this game. My fellow Geezer, also the founder, Kazuya and I will be playing through the co-op campaign to discuss the Hispanic history, art, and cultural nods while kicking back a few drinks and having a good time. Stay tuned for more footage in future updates.

Check back here for daily updates, news, and video playthroughs!

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Alpha Release: 7 Days to Die Prerelease

Here are some updates on the Alpha Release of 7 Days to Die pre-release. It looks like Dallas based "the Fun Pimps" are having a hard time processing Kickstarter, Amazon, and PayPal alpha backers. Their last two e-mails an attempt to communicate with the public.

This is the mark of true indie game developers. These guys have done everything they've can to get this project off the ground (Kickstarter goal reach $500,000). Now these developers have some organizational development issues to deal with to process and fulfill promises. This is easier said than done especially for game developers who are trying to wear too many hats.

Backers need to give these guys time to sort it out. Indie funding will give them time to put some love into this project and make the game we all want it to be. From their e-mails, I get the sense that they are treading water. I would love to be playing the game right now, however,  I can understand if it will take a while. Those interested may read more below.

Later on I will e-mail the Fun Pimp developers a short interview. In the meantime, create an account on their forums and join a clan or community. People are beginning to team up for some multiplayer action. Here is one thread to look at.

E-mail #21

Amazon Payment Kickstarter Backers - We apologize as made an error in the last post and have discovered that we can in fact get your survey data anytime. So now we will wait until at least 90% of you Alpha or greater Amazon backers have completed the survey and begin collecting and bringing your data into our system and then sending out emails with a registration key and instructions on how to register and download the game.

 We are processing a lot of data and will get you all up and running as soon as possible! And for now we ask that you please do not email us as answering thousands of additional emails will prevent us from getting you the game. We ask you to be patient a little longer as we get you the game in the coming hours or days!
You stay cool! The Fun Pimps

E-mail #20

Hey Survivalist’ There has been a lot of confusion how and when you Alpha Pledge Backers will get the game so here’s the skinny on it. Amazon Payment Kickstarter Backers - Everyone who backed the game by Amazon payments with an Alpha pledge of $35 or more should have received a survey email last night. If not look in your spam or make sure you know what email is tied to your Kickstarter account. We sent them out and have received responses by about 60% of you on every pledge tier. Our understanding of the this is that all of the surveys must be completed and turned into the good folks of Kickstarter before they can give us your information. That said please fill out your survey promptly, thoroughly and accurately as a simple email typo, wrong name or address can prevent us from getting you the game. And if you bought one of the Alpha packs please know your friend’s emails and names as this can prevent us from getting you the game. Paypal Payment Backers - Everyone who backed the game by Paypal with an original Pre-Order purchase or an Alpha pledge of $35 or more will receive in the coming hours or days an email with a registration key and instructions on how to register and download the game. We have not sent these out yet so don't think you've missed it. Emailing US - We apologize for any confusion on this and assure you that getting the Alpha download to all of you is our top priority! We are processing a lot of data and will get you all up and running as soon as possible! And for now we ask that you please do not email us as answering thousands of additional emails will prevent us from getting you the game. We ask you to be patient a little longer as we get you the game in the coming hours or days! Paypal Buy Page - And for those of you who have asked our PayPal Buy page will be back up today or tomorrow and stay up after Alpha release for everyone to still buy the pledges they want including Alpha. http://7daystodie.com/buy/ You stay cool! The Fun Pimps Check back here for daily updates, news, and video playthroughs! Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/TheZombieProfessor Visit theurbanwatcher.blogspot.com Visit www.geezersinarms.com E-mail theurbanwatcher@yahoo.com TwitchTV: http://www.twitch.tv/theurbanwatcher

Urban's Newsletter #1

I wanted to release a newsletter to give site information updates. Welcome to the newsletter. We have added quite a bit of content to the blog this week. Right now, you'll find articles, game journals, how to guides, game play footage, movie reviews, game reviews, and future forcasts.

We have added two new contributors to the group. I'd like to introduce Doug_g and Zack. You may recognize them from some of the game night videos. Doug is coming on board as an editor. Zack will be helping put together walkthroughs and instructional material for the site.

We are trying to add entries to the blog as much as possible. We really want to establish a loyal fan base because we feel it is the other half that brings the blog alive. We want to have our fans drive our entries and be able to interact with their ideas and opinions as much as possible. Please keep informed by subscribing by using the e-mail link on the right side of the page.

UPDATE:

We are currently working on the following things to improve the site.

In the works
Adding Twitch videos
Adding YouTube support channel
Generating instructional how to play game videos for Payday 2 and XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Adding more game night footage that show off mods in Left 4 Dead 2
More articles that give readers a future forecast of games
Compiling a walkthrough for Payday 2

Planned
7 Days to Die alpha launch and game footage
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified game day launch review and game footage
MMO Invitation (game not decided)

Distant Future
The Walking Dead season 4 discussions

Please check out our videos on twitch and youtube. We have some material that hasn't been linked here yet.

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Payday 2 Safe House Easter Egg Walkthrough

In this walkthrough, we will will cover where to find the following Easter Eggs: QR codes, Half Life 2 logo, Teddy bear drill from Payday, developer credits/shout outs, and the Joker reference to the Dark Knight.

1# Half Life Logo

Location: Industrial Washing Machine

Easter Egg: Washing Machine Door

Comments: Some argue that the shape of the door and the style of the phrase "the cleaner" is a reference to Half Life 2. Here is a logo for comparison. I don't know to what to think about it but it does share an odd shape not known in most washing machines.

 2# QR CODES

Location: Moving boxes found throughout the apartment

Easter Egg: QR Code

Comments: If you scan it with your cell phone it will say, "I LOVE SECRETS." This is an indication to look around for other easter eggs.

3# Teddy Bear Drill from Payday

Location: Teddy bear on couch

Easter Egg: Pink Teddy Bear has a hidden drill in it.

Comments: This is a reference to the mission No Mercy in the original payday. 

4# The Dark Knight's the Joker

Location: Center of room that guards the secret entrance to the lower part of the safe house.

Easter Egg: Dark Knight Joker's Smile

Comments: Someone finally merged the two works together. The Joker smile is painted on the face of Lady Justice. In the original Payday, the guys rob banks using clown masks. In the beginning of "The Dark Knight" the joker robs a bank with a crew using a complicated elimination plan.

 5# Developer Fan Credits and Shouts

Location: Back alley behind garage

Easter Egg: Several tags are fan references

Comments: The developers included a special thanks to several members of the gaming community that promoted the game through youtube and gaming articles. These guys have a special place in their hearts and minds. Pretty cool.

6# Answer the Phone

Location:  Back Alley

Easter Egg: Answer the phone! Tag

Comments: Anyone trying to complete the missions on stealth will tell you just how important this is to doing so. This is more like advice than an easter egg. Though it can be found in the first payday.

 Here is a really bad walkthrough video we attempted to make. Enjoy!

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Upcoming Games: 7 Days to Die

"7 Days to Die" is a new game gathering major buzz in the underground gaming community. It has been described as a mix of Day Z and Minecraft. 

According to the developers, the story is set in the distant future where nuclear attacks and an unknown virus has devastated the remaining population and left them to survive. You play the role of a survive scavenging your way across an open world.

“7 Days to Die” is an open world, voxel-based, sandbox game blending the best elements of FPS, Survival Horror, RPG and Tower Defense style games. “7 Days to Die” will allow players to build defenses, craft weapons, barricade buildings, scavenge through houses, and survive a terrifying night and day cycle. 

The game has been Greenlit on steam and are currently raising funds on Kickstarter to further develop the game. The best deal seems to be the $35 dollar package because it allows you into the alpha, beta, and retail release of the game. Those wanting to promote without giving money can vote on steam's Greenlit program. It keeps them on the visible which helps a lot especially when they're trying to raise awareness and buzz.

Personally, I look forward to joining a server with a buddy and building a fort. For more information, visit the "7 Days to Die" website. Check back for first impression footage and game reviews.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/TheZombieProfessor
Visit theurbanwatcher.blogspot.com
Visit www.geezersinarms.com
E-mail theurbanwatcher@yahoo.com
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