#deadalus

[owa-tagoo-siam]

[edalynn-ink]

my best friend (in love with a writer): He said we're just like Icarus- isnt that romantic?

me (aromantic, neurovidergent, ancient history special intrest): ...neither of you were raised in a impossible labrinth created by your father, Deadalus??

[emiett]

Buncha old OC sketches and dumb comics

[randomisedgaming]

Robotica / Deadalus on SEGA Saturn 50/60Hz comparison and region changes.

A little while back, I got an email from a kind reader telling me the PAL version of Robotica Cybernation Revolt looked optimised on Saturn. It was an early list entry and on re-review having picked up a cheap Japanese copy of the game, I can confirm it was, but only a little.

What's interesting is as I got a Japanese version, I noticed a number of region changes, between the two versions not really discussed online. Robotica is one game I wrote off a bit back in the day as an average FPS.

Sitting down and playing it this weekend, it's an interesting early Saturn titles with some impressive ideas and elements. It does get very repetitive and the environments are rather dull, but it's got some gameplay elements rarely seen on the system.

The game also does do a great job of building the atmosphere and tension. The game is a Roguelike or Mystery Dungeon games that has you battling your way through 30 floors of the labyrinth that make up the Deadalus space computer. The Japanese name is a nod to Greek mythology as Deadalus was the builder of the labyrinth that trapped the Minotaur.

Most of the 30 floors are randomly generated each time to play, apart from a few mission based ones. The game is clearly designed for people to speed run over and over again, as there is no save feature or option menu and the game can be cleared in under two hours. The aim is simple on each floor find the key and escape. Where the key is, the map layout and the exit are changes each time you play, as do enemy placements and rooms. So you can land in a starting room with the exit and key in it or have to explore every corner of the map for both to find them in another floor.

It's a decent FPS, with a soundtrack that gets the tension right, the music also has a subtle touch of becoming more upbeat on each stage after the key is found. The map slowly fills itself in as you explore, it's all real time and tracks the path you have taken as well. Each floor also has a computer terminal placed on it that when found and accessed, shows the whole floor and also turns on the lights in some. Few games did this at the time and the map is a full on 2D transparency, along with other elements of the HUD.

You quickly learn you have to balance your ammo and robots abilities in order to survival.

The lighting effects for an early 3D Saturn game are also well done. The enemy sprites also scale really well. Where it doesn't hold up as well is the frame rate which ranges from about 8-30fps a second, pending on what your are doing. The game seems to run at 60fps like almost all Saturn games, but doesn't use it and most elements are locked at 30fps, only the damage effect on your crafts seems to use it and only for a few frames.

I do wonder if this is a game that isn't tied to the frame rate as special skills like the hover jet allow you to zoom around the map in seconds, if at uncontrollable speeds.

The main reason for this blog post is the region changes are rather interesting. On the PAL optimisation front the images has been stretched a little. It's hard to tell if the speed has been changed due to the yo-yo like nature of the frame rate. At 50Hz it is slower that the NTSC-J version at 60Hz and having compared both versions at 50Hz they look to run at roughly the same speed.

Left is the NTSC Japanese version and right is the PAL version, both running at 50Hz.

As we can see the PAL version is stretch a little at 50Hz to take up a little more of the screen. However this ratio changes mean that elements of the map are a little distorted. At 60Hz in the Japanese version the game's map is a perfect square, which is not the case with the PAL version running at 50 or 60Hz. The PAL FMV intros are also misaligned a little on screen at 60Hz and are a little bit lower than they should be, but nothing major.

Where things get interesting is the HUD in the PAL and NTSC U versions. The main cursor for the HUD seen in the NTSC J version has been removed.

While it looks like a big circle in the middle of the screen, it acts as the crosshair for your weapons. As you move the yellow marker in the center moves up or down with the Laocorn, to show the direction any shot will travel in. The arrows light red to show your direction of travel and also the speed etc.. It's rather useful and to the left of the HUD it has a timer telling the player how long they are taking, perfect for the speed nature of the game. Below the timer is the radar which is the only part of the center HUD that was kept in the western versions, but pushed to the far left of the screen.

Other changes are that the English text is slightly improved in the western versions and the collected key image looks different. Its position has also changed, can't help, but think the key in the western version doesn't look right and I suspect the visual change might be a bug. Also the energy bar's position on screen has been lowered a little in the PAL version.

Left NTSC J version and Right PAL version both at 60Hz. Which show the text and key design changes.

You can also see the PAL version takes up the whole screen at 60Hz in the above images.

Finally one last little change Japanese text was included in the opening intro, but was removed in the English version.

There aren't a huge amount of changes, but the HUD's removal does impact the gameplay. I would take a guess that SEGA of Europe or Acclaim who published it in the USA felt the HUD took up to much screen space. Pictures of the HUD are on the European box, but not in-game. The lost of the HUD does lose some of the immersion of the game as you are meant to be controlling the Laocorn robot I will admit. It also makes shooting a little harder as you lose the crosshair.

Its removal does nothing to improve the game and I think a much needed high score and save system, should have been added. To track your completed runs would have been a better addition. It's not the greatest game ever made, but can still be picked up fairly cheaply and is a fun game in short bursts if you like this type of gameplay. I will admit that I will be playing the Japanese version from here on out. As the original HUD to me improves the game.

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[mvfm-25]

" Race on the earth! Fly in the sky! "

Saturn Fan Magazine n05 - May, 1995.

[transdragonlira]

Was it really Icarus's pride that brought his downfall?

Icarus's story is one that speaks to many people's imaginations, and how could it not? The imagery of one litterally reaching for the skies, and tragically falling down is a rather strong one. It's no wonder that so many renaissance paintings focus on this story.

And Icarus isn't alone in his pride, many Greek myths often have hubris (or hybris) as a main theme in their story. From Pheathon thinking he can ride the sun chariot to Tantalus thinking he can trick the gods into eating his own son. The Oddysey has hubris on both sides: the suitors harrass pelelope, thinking they have a right to marry her, and Oddyseus not thanking the gods after they helped him win the Trojan war. Compared to all of these stories, Icarus's pride kinda pales in comparison.

This brings me to Ovidius's telling on Icarus. It's the one I read in school, and is a rather interesting take on the story of Icarus. In his version, Icarus does not talk. (He tries to yell out for his dad while underwater, but fails.) In general, Icarus doesn't seem to be rather proud of anything. His main trait in this story seems to be that he is playful, and maybe even a bit mischievous. The way we see him described is in this snippet:

"puer Icarus una stabat et, ignarus sua se tractare pericla, ore renidenti modo, quas vaga moverat aura, captabat plumas, flavam modo pollice ceram mollibat lusuque suo mirabile patris impediebat opus"

(Ovidius Metamorphoses 8, line 195-200 Latin text sourced from: https://benbijnsdorp.nl/OvMet.VIII.html#VIII,183)

You can read a translation of the entire myth here, but basically what is said in these lines is that the boy Icarus is playing with feathers that were blown away by a breeze, and he softens the the wax used for the wings, playfully messing with his father's work.

The next time Icarus is described doing anything, he is taking delight in his flight ("gaudere volatu", line 223), and becomes reckless beause of that ("puer audaci coepit", line 223). Note that the website I linked translates 'audaci' as proud, which I disagree with, as 'audaci' means something more akin to 'brave' or 'couragous', but can be used deogatory as well, but then it is closer to 'reckless' or 'overdconfident' rather than proud. I wouldn't call it wrong outright as translation is complicated, but I definitly disagree with it. He gets tempted by his desire to fly higher. And then, the wax melts, and the feathers fall from his arms, leaving behind arms, useless for flying.

This doesn't really seem like someone who is particularly proud, does it? He's just a kid, experiencing something that is unique, freeing, and most importantly, fun. It's more akin to a kid playing with a new sled going down a hill that is too steep and hitting his head on a tree than someone who is actively displaying great pride and hubris. Icarus downfall was not caused directly by his pride, but by his mischief.

However, even though Icarus's downfall wasn't brought upon by his pride, pride still played a major factor in his demise. You see, the story doesn't end after Icarus dies. After Icarus dies, the story highlights a bird, laughing at the weeping ex-father. This bird is then revealed to be Perdix, a nephew and former student of Icarus's father, Daedalus. Perdix was an intelligent young man, and quickly became as good as an inventor as his uncle. In fact, soon he had invented the saw, and the compass (the drawing tool). Daedalus, his pride hurt, pushed him of a roof in an act of jealously. Saved by pallas, Perdix was turned into a bird. (Perdix is a family of partridges) Daedalus, however, had to flee from Athens to Crete, where king minos imprisoned him and his son, setting off the events of the story of Icarus.

In Odivius's telling of the story, Icarus does indeed die because of pride. It's just not his pride, and it is not really his story either. The story really puts its focus on Daedalus. He is the one who talks, he is the one who thinks he can overcome both gravity and gravity, and gets punished in a most ironic way. Yes, Daedalus survives, but does he really live? He is free from prison, yet will be forever cursed with the fact that he could not save his son, who is now trapped in the Tartarus forever. Icarus death is a direct cause of his hubrisistic actions.

So no, Icarus's fatal flaw isn't his pride, it is his playfulness and his mischief. But nonetheless, he died because of pride. (at least in Odivius's version of the story)

[nk-writing-official]

A new poem, about the ups and downs of mental health, posted to my website. Read "Flight" now!

nk-writing.com/poetry

[pastelclownkitty]

yeah okay

Tag that oc who is traumatized and evil but u love them

.

[forklesbian]

Deadalus failed to ask out Gawain and then made "Cheese Blasted Smores"

He needs to be put down.

[fairytalesofthewind]

And flew like a moth to you, sunlight, oh, sunlight (The Fall of Icarus)

A Sunlight by Hozier x Daedalus and Icarus by Ovid x Jegulus fic

Read on Ao3 

961 words

Regulus hated his life with his parents, even more now that his brother was gone. He longed to join Sirius in his self made exile. He couldn’t imagine a world without his love, but it had now been closed off by the seas between them. 

But even though his parents, the seas, land and waves obstructed his path to Sirius and happiness, he would find another way. The land and the seas may hinder him, but the skies lie open. His mother might control many arts of magic and with that also people, but she did not possess, nor did she control, the sky. 

Regulus knew he had to resort to unknown arts, magic not even familiar to his terrible mother. A type of magic that was hidden in the deepest part of their Black library. A magic that would allow him to change his nature. 

The freckles on his shoulder blades, of which the Black brothers always claimed looked like constellations, were replaced by feathers in rows. A warm and foreign magic placed small feathers connected by thread on his skin, before adding longer ones. Then wax joined in such a way that eventually beautiful wings were created. 

He was already standing near the window of his room. Isolated from his family, sent without food after the smallest of disagreements. He looked at the picture of Sirius, grinning at him from his dresser. He was unaware of Sirius’ peril on the other side of the seas dividing them, but aware of the urgency of his freedom. 

Regulus admired the miraculous work of this ancient magic, and moved his thumb over the yellow wax. He let out a beaming smile, he could finally be free. 

Regulus, however, was still a reasonable boy. He knew not to fly too low, for then the waves would weigh down the feathers. He knew not to fly too high, lest the sun burns the wax off his wings. He would find the golden middle course, which was already very familiar to him after years of mediating in the Ancient and Noble House of Black. 

He also knew not to get distracted by other destinations, but to fly straight to Sirius. He knew he had to follow the path the magic paved for him; a dark purple string of stars. 

As the magic seized the way, Regulus did not doubt his plan any longer. He threw himself out of the window with the unfamiliar wings, and with the fear of falling and failing, his cheeks grew wet. His hands trembled, but he blamed the strong winds. Underneath the night sky, he felt the stars kiss his cheeks, until the sun greeted him again hours later. 

At first, Regulus felt like a young bird that jumped unknowingly from a high nest into the even more unknown skies. But with the magic guiding him, he soon flew like an experienced albatross, master of soaring flight.  

He did not only see the night sky turn into a colourful and hopeful morning, but he saw the lives of those familiar with the sea. At night he saw many glowing jellyfish along the shore, before the fishermen took over in the early morning. He saw how the large whales avoided the big ships moving towards the docks. He did not only see the fishermen, but they also saw him. They believed him to be a god with his graceful flying. 

Regulus, now more confident, deserted the path the magic had paved for him. Instead, he noticed another strong magic. Not purple and guiding, but sparkling and desperate. He was attracted to the desire to follow it, but the closer he flew, the more tired he became. However tired, the less distance there was, the more warmth his body received. The desire for that safe warmth spread from his fingertips to his heart. 

The vicinity of the source of this wonderful magic overwhelmed him. After hours of flying he once again felt his entire body tremble. After the long journey, he felt the wax chipping away, the feathers following also. Feather after feather fell, until it was only his bare arms and a little bit of magic holding him in the air. It did nothing to halt him, especially not after seeing his destination. He shouted their names, first in glee, but then in fear. Until the sea right before them all took their names from him. 

Both men startled into action. They found feather after feather in the waves, but not Regulus. Until one of them looked back to the shore, where a body lay protected by a purple mist made of stars. 

It was not his brother, but another man, who reached Regulus first. In the most gentle way possible, James took Regulus in his arms. The stars danced around them in approval before they dissapeared into the sea’s gentle waves. 

James felt immense relief as the boy breathed softly against the hand holding his cheek, and he felt his own tears brush over his cheeks. He felt his hands trembling before Sirius joined the embrace. Three of them shared tears of relief. 

As Regulus met James’ eyes it was not his body that took flight, but his heart and soul. Like the stars just moments before, it was as if they danced around them. 

Regulus had been a rational, reasonable boy, and had not flown too close to the sea nor the sun, but he knew that he had flown to his own sunlight. He flew like a moth to James. 

His soul, like his heart, felt like it was filled by sunlight. A soul that was born in the cold and rain, was now surrounded by the love of his brother and the burning flame called James Potter.

[lightthewaybackhome]

The Siege, Parts 1-3 (S1: 19&20, S2: E1)

Part 1

I was trying to notice this time through when Sheppard starts seeming burdened, less ready to smile, more grizzled. I think in Letters from Pegasus when he has to sit there and listen to people be culled, and then makes his video for Sumner, the weight of what he's facing, what his people are facing, really settles down on his shoulders. He seems far grimmer in The Gift, and then here, he just ends Bob. Sheppard isn't messing around. He's no longer the jocular flyboy with smart remarks. He's a man defending and protecting his people, and he will do whatever it takes to make sure they're okay.

Part 2

Sheppard standing up for Elizabeth even at the risk of his own neck is great. I wonder, based on his past history, if he's ever had someone in charge that he could back up with so much trust? The trust they have in each other is gold. (I think this is why so many fans ship them. Their interactions showcase such a strong relationship because they trust each other and back each other and work together even if they don't agree, and they have the same goal: protect their home and their people.)

I love how Sheppard had the foresight to suggest they said a couple nukes. If only someone listened to him.

Sheppard is haunted, haunted, by the fact that he had to kill Sumner. The Colonel tells Sheppard he wishes he'd been there, implying that Sumner would be alive if he had been. He later tells Sheppard that he wishes Sheppard had been there for him, to end his life like he did Sumners. Sheppard is the man they want and need because he has the courage to do the hardest things.

And of course, the hardest thing is making the choice to sacrifice his life for his home and family. And the other hardest thing is Elizabeth telling him to go.

Part 3

S: Atlantis, this is Sheppard.

E: John?

S: What other Sheppards do you know?

*crying happy tears*

Rodney crumples with relief that Sheppard is okay. It's just perfect. And then Sheppard, from the Deadalus, has to stop Rodney from talking about Asgard tech. Lol.

Man, the gut-clench when Sheppard can't get through to Atlantis. Is home still there or not?

S: Well, I'm home.

E: *hugs him* Yes, you are.

😭😭😭

Sheppard's courage shines through as he suggests they take the fight to the Wraith.

S: I've learned to trust Rodney about these things.

🖤🖤🖤

Sheppard's plan A didn't work, but he has another plan. While the team works on that, he goes to help Ford. I think Ford is in a lose/lose situation because they don't have the know-how or the time to really help him, and he's not helping himself.

Sheppard trusts his team to carry out his plan so he can go after Ford. Everything works, but Sheppard looks like they lost.

[sl33py-g4m3r]

The Megami Tensei II Experience

marsh video spam incoming~~

I genuinely hope that I haven’t posted these twice~~

not sorry~~~ love this guys essays

unrelated but I kinda regret cutting my hair as short as I did cause it was essentially Akira’s haircut, lol. Isn’t marsh’s avatar Akira from SMT If ?

retro megaten lets go~~~

[hiveswap]

Can you believe it's been over a year and a month since i was this ill about them

On Achilles, Partoclus, and cosmic phenomena

[librarycards]

hello all, and welcome to my final quarterly book rec post of 2024! this quarter was a huge one for sff (and not only on the heels of my own novel's publication - obligatory Failure to Comply [ebook] mention here!) and an exciting one for catching up on both new books and old ones i hadn't yet gotten to.

i guess you could chalk the dominance of sff in this list up to a need for "escapism", though what unites all of the books on this list is a shared, sharp critique of the world that is, whether satirical or serious or both. i hope you also find something you love & are compelled by in this list, especially as a chaotic year comes to a close. if you want more recs, you can check both the above linked tag on my blog, and my substack, where I share monthly media recs!

without further ado, the books:

All Down Darkness Wide by Seán Hewitt

Model Home by Rivers Solomon

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

The False Sister by Briar Ripley Page @flameswallower

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

Amatka by Karin Tidbeck

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

Inversion by Aric McBay

thanks, as always, for another year of enthusiasm for my book rec special interest, couldn't do it without you :333

tags below! if i didn't tag you, regardless of whether or not we're mutuals, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! feel free to make your own post and tag me.

@wheatforme @aldieb @campgender @capricornpropaganda @materialisnt

@closet-keys @podcastlesbian @bioethicists @trans-axolotl @punkkwix

@fatfemmalewife @fatehbaz @lesbianlizzybennet @myalgias @sadhoc

@wozapi @csferreirapoet @floral-ashes @stephen-deadalus @querxus

@snoopyisbisexual @metamatar @heavenlyyshecomes @sawasawako

@growtiredofpublicvulnerability @slowtides @grimesapologist @charliejaneanders

[daffydalcop]

Interview With The Vampire As Greek Mythology

Louis and Lestat as Odysseus and Penelope

Marius and Armand as Zeus and Ganymede

Louis and Claudia as Deadalus and Icarus

Lestat and Claudia as Hera and Hephaestus

[kazperthegh0st]

You know how Deadalus made himself a mechanical body? And Nico was one of the people that actually met him as Deadalus? Can you consider for a moment, a valdangelo AU where over time Leo just kinda replaces parts of himself with machinery over time? And Nico knows it will end tragically. Basically I want to traumatize Nico by analyzing similarities between two great inventors.