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Category: Coin Opera II

The Sidekick Advent Calendar: Days 17-23 Bonanza Catchup!

Dr F’s eager (read: terrified and on precarious contracts) elves have been busily Twine-ifying some of the old alchemist’s favourite poems, making them interactive and, frankly, semi-sentient for the Sidekick Play-Poem Archive. On top of this, Fulminarian minions Jon and Kirsty have provided commentaries on the poems, so now you get to see what we really think. Here’s a roundup of the most recent additions this yuletide, with extra giffitude:

Day 17



Day 18



Day 19



Day 20



The Sidekick Advent Calendar: Day 10


Did you know that Doomdark the Witchking doesn’t actually appear in the 1985 game Doomdark’s Revenge? He leaves the hard work to his sorceress daughter. So where is he, and what is he up to?

Kate Potts has the answer in today’s addition to the Play-Poem Archive, and you might not like it. The Germans have Krampus the Christmas devil, and we, it seems, have Doomdark.

Seven-Player Co-op: a Coin Opera II event!

For those of you unable to access the Facebook event, this Thursday 6th November we will be hosting Seven Player Co-op, an evening of game poetry, at the Four Quarters Bar, 187 Rye Lane, Peckham.


Contributors to ‘Coin Opera 2: Fulminare’s Revenge‘ reunite for an evening of poems based on, or inspired by, computer games, featuring: Samuel Prince, Gabrielle Nolan, Harry Man, Emily Hasler, Clifford Hammett, Jon Stone and Kirsten Irving.

And possibly a Top Secret End of Level Boss. I can say no more for now.

We’ll be setting a quiz and offering as a prize on the night the top level Kickstarter reward!

So that’s:
  • a copy of Coin Opera II in all its hot-foiled glory!
  • a copy of procedurally-generated and hand-sewn experimental poetry pamphlet Core Samples, featuring poems which drill through levels in Zool, Trine, Grim Fandango and more!
  • a poster featuring sprites of all of COII’s contributing poets.
  • a rather snazzy badge.
  • a copy of Super Treasure Arcade, a full-colour pocket booklet featuring a poem a game for every year between 1971 and 2013.
Nearest station is Peckham Rye Overground and readings will start between 7.30 and 8pm. Lots of buses too! The bar also has old school arcade machines, so you can take your pick of entertainments!

Coin Opera II custom poems #5: Fallen London for Claire Trévien

As top-tier rewards during our Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing of video games poetry anthology Coin Opera II, we offered backers the chance to have their own custom poem written on a game of their choice. In the run-up to our Seven-Player Co-op event on Thursday 6th November at Four Quarters Bar, Peckham, we’ll be revealing the finished poems, now in the hands of their wonderful backers.

Poet and storyteller Claire Trévien selected Failbetter Games‘ steampunk text adventure Fallen London. Kirsty used the familiar refrain of the game to bring the narrative swinging back around each time.

Here’s what a mysterious stranger dropped through Claire’s door:






And here’s the poem to read (simpler text below, as the author was a scrawler):



Hmm. This might be a bit easier on the eye:

Delicious Friend
For Claire Trévien

The Embassy is quiet tonight.
No lesser imps by sulphurlight.
You could go home and pour a tot.
Perhaps not.

No, you have business. Old acquaintance.
A scent of debt and smoking incense.
“I thought I’d have to have you caught.”
Perhaps not.

She welcomes you with blazing eyes.
“I do hope you can help,” she sighs.
“Perhaps you’ve never been this hot.”
Perhaps not.

She tells you that she’s burning up
and can’t be quenched by any cup.
Your legs are weak. The candle’s squat.
Perhaps not.

You hand her now the blotto youth.
“He’ll do quite well,” she purrs. In truth,
you nearly ask, “Do well for what?”
Perhaps not.

“Your hand is empty. Stay awhile.
I’d like to see that thieving smile.
You know, we both might learn a jot.”
Perhaps not.

“Well, I’ve jawed on for eons, kitten.
Tell me of your expedition.”
Rapt, she wants to hear the lot.
Perhaps not.

You tell her of the rubber men
who flubbled through the laudanum dens,
and nearly mention what they sought.
Perhaps not.

The Carnival. The iron knives.
You tell her you live many lives.
“With many souls? Now there’s a thought.”
Perhaps not.

***

Thanks once again to all of our amazing backers.

Coin Opera II custom poems #4: Civilization V for Helen Lewis

As top-tier rewards during our Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing of video games poetry anthology Coin Opera II, we offered backers the chance to have their own custom poem written on a game of their choice. In the run-up to our Seven-Player Co-op event on Thursday 6th November at Four Quarters Bar, Peckham, we’ll be revealing the finished poems, now in the hands of their wonderful backers.

The fantastic Helen Lewis chose Civilization V for her custom poem, and the finished piece ended up being excavated by Kirsty from many sediments and centuries, with just a dusting of Coleridge left behind.





Here’s the readable text for you to enjoy.



Thanks once again to all of our amazing backers.

Coin Opera II custom poems #3: GTA Vice City for Angela Cleland

As top-tier rewards during our Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing of video games poetry anthology Coin Opera II, we offered backers the chance to have their own custom poem written on a game of their choice. In the run-up to our Seven-Player Co-op event on Thursday 6th November at Four Quarters Bar, Peckham, we’ll be revealing the finished poems, now in the hands of their wonderful backers.

This time it’s the turn of the talented Angela Cleland, who requested a poem on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. This was huge fun for K to write, and began with Cleland’s memory of a particular song playing on the in-game car stereo: Toto’s Africa.

Here’s the physical poem Cleland received, done up as protagonist Tommy Vercetti’s prison-confiscated belongings. Well, it had to catch up with him sooner or later.







And here’s a postcard for you to read.




Thanks once again to all of our amazing backers.

Coin Opera II custom poems #2: Shenmue for Carly Lightfoot

As top-tier rewards during our Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing of video games poetry anthology Coin Opera II, we offered backers the chance to have their own custom poem written on a game of their choice. In the run-up to our Seven-Player Co-op event on Thursday 6th November at Four Quarters Bar, Peckham, we’ll be revealing the finished poems, now in the hands of their wonderful backers.

This time, it’s the turn of the splendid Carly Lightfoot, who chose 1999 action-adventure game Shenmue.

Here’s the physical poem she received:





And here is a readable version, just for you:


Thanks once again to all of our amazing backers.

Coin Opera II custom poems #1: Ecstatica II for John Clegg

As top-tier rewards during our Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing of video games poetry anthology Coin Opera II, we offered backers the chance to have their own custom poem written on a game of their choice. In the run-up to our Seven-Player Co-op event on Thursday 6th November at Four Quarters Bar, Peckham, we’ll be revealing the finished poems, now in the hands of their wonderful backers.

First up, it’s Ecstatica II, chosen by John Clegg. This piece was unique in being the only poem in the series written jointly by Jon and Kirsty as rivals for the protagonist’s attention. Here is the physical poem John received, in the form of a glorious medieval-style scroll (and here’s a video of him receiving it):





And here is the poem itself:




Thanks once again to all of our amazing backers.

Birdbook II/Coin Opera II update!

So a brief update is very much in order on our next two books, Birdbook II: Freshwater habitats and Coin Opera II. To accompany this, I’ve tried to find an image that captures both projects.



Birdbook II is very nearly ready to go printerwards. We’ve received a foreword from the fantastic Tim Birkhead, proofing has been done and it’s just minor tweaks to go. For the uninitiated, this is the second book in a series of four, in which we aim to gather one poem and one illustration for every species of British bird. Each book covers a group of habitats. Volume II is looking great, helped in no small part by the return of Lois Cordelia, who has once again provided her beautiful artwork for the cover.

Coin Opera II, our second anthology of poetic tributes to computer games, is looking good too. With cover art by the very talented Mike Stone and a whole bundle of computer game-themed formal Easter eggs (including what may be the world’s first set of ‘boss’ poems), this is going to be a mighty power-up from our initial micro-anthology, back in 2009. A foreword from Uncanny X Men writer and video games journalist Kieron Gillen, a spot more collaging and rearranging, a good old proof and it’ll be off to press before you can say Hadouken.

More updates to come. Stay tuned!

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