myau

Ever since a good friend of mine gave me my 20th Anniversary Sonic the Hedgehog I’ve decided that I would like a few Sega characters sprinkled throughout my collection. I was surprised by how much I liked seeing Sonic standing next to my TV and games. It really added some charm to the collection. The problem is unlike Nintendo there aren’t many Sega figures being made. So I was very surprised to find that there is an Earth Worm Jim figure.

Earth Worm Jim Figure

I first saw this relatively new Earth Worm Jim at Fan Expo this past fall for $20. And somehow in the excitement I forgot to buy him. About a week ago I found him again by chance at a local comic book shop for the same price. So I picked him up (along with a cool Gordan Freeman figure)!
Jim is very well done. The sculpt and paint are perfect. I don’t think he could ever be done more accurately. He could have a little more articulation but for me he’s perfect. I’ve placed him next to his game on one of my more sparse shelves. He helps fill it out a bit.

Jim’s New Home in the Collection

And if Jim weren’t cool enough, my good buddy has struck again and given some more goodness for the Collection. Below you’ll see bead art for the main characters of Phantasy Star 1.

Phantasy Star Bead Characters

This craft is very clever and particularly well suited for 8bit and 16bit video games. Up close they don’t look that great but from the right distance they look excellent. I don’t think this will be their final home. I might move them to the top of the book shelf once I figure out a way to get them to stand.

Jim, Alice and the crew in the Collection

My buddy who gave me the bead figures (and Sonic) has a pretty good retro video game collection himself. He’s been focusing on 8bit and older. If he ever gets around to posting his own stuff I’d love to put up a link.

This is his blog about the little things in life; the mundane, the silly and the fun: robinsbyacres.blogspot.ca But don’t bother going there. He doesn’t care anymore.

On an unrelated note: While I was searching online to find out what people call ‘bead art’ I found this little graphic that someone whipped up. Looks like they intend to make this graphic into a bead art version. Of course I’m a big Retro fan and I also really enjoy my xbox so I couldn’t help but fall in love this little gem. A Bill Gates boss battle! Epic!.. and even a bit ominous looking.
Great job Doctor Octoroc! You Rocked it! You might want to check out Octoroc’s own site (www.doctoroctoroc.com) where you’ll find some pretty unique stuff like a Sonic Christmas level mock-up complete with 16-bit Xmas music.

Pixel Art by Doctor Octoroc

Poor Mario. I hope he wasn’t the groups healer.

My artist buddy sent me a little update to the Phantasy Star poster he’s been working on. He just began adding some detail and slowly it’s starting show some life.
(Previous related post)

Odin is starting to look like the tank I always knew he was. He looks tough,weathered and experienced. Just the kind of person who would hunt without any regard for self preservation. Just the kind of person you might find turned to stone in the depth of some cavern.

His armor in this drawing struck me as awesome. Phantasy Star has managed a balancing act where it sits right in the middle of super technology and the middle ages. Where laser guns, iron axes, light sabers, leather armor and wands are all formidable. It’s as if Algo received its technology unnaturally. As if by chance it was brought to them or some catastrophy knocked their civilization back a millenium leaving remnants in it’s wake. Odin’s armor looks very advanced yet simple enough to use. And it looks like it would be right at home in any of Phantasy Star 2,3 or 4. It’s a small detail that in my eyes really ties Phantasy Star one to the Mega Drive sequels in a way that the original Master System art work couldn’t.

Noah and Alis are not as detailed yet but they are taking shape. I do love how Noah’s cloak and Alis’ hair are whipping around in the wind. Feels very epic. The whole image feels as if they now understand the task before them. Even though Myau is also not yet as detailed as Odin he (she?) stands out. What a great impression of this little titan. Very different from any others I have seen and very cool. The slender face and huge ears rock. I use to wonder how we went from Myau to Nei (from PS2). I always felt they must share some evolutionary steps.

If you’re thinking I’m a little too preoccupied with Phantasy Star I’d think you’re right. I just can’t help loving this game.

Concept Sketch