Infinite Space Insights: Rebalancing a Hypothetical Sequel

Infinite Space Insights: Rebalancing a Hypothetical Sequel

As good as Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars is, I would not be surprised if its sequel turned out to be even better still. However, for this to happen, some of Sea of Stars' balance issues need to be addressed as follows:

• Currently, Gorgar's Garthan capital ship (one of the possible allies the player can encounter) may spawn even if the Garthans' home world (whose host star system is always a white F-type star, which is hotter than a yellow G-type star, but cooler than a bluish-white A-type star) and correspondingly higher Garthan fleet strength is not present on a randomly generated sector map. Preventing the Garthan capital ship from spawning  under such circumstances would thus make such a scenario more challenging by reducing the potential maximum attainable score, but on the other hand, would reduce "wastage" of fleet slots (of which there are six - four for capital ships and two for fighters). 
• Related to this, In Sea of Stars, it is possible to have a maximum fleet size of five vessels (three capital ships and two fighters) if the map contains Zorg and Muktian home worlds, but recruitable allies that fly Zorg and Muktian capital ships are absent in addition to the Damocles and Kestrel (both of which are quest-specific). while both the Zorg and Muktian fighters can be recruited from the map by visiting the systems where they are found (and in the former case, after transferring an item from your inventory to the mercenary owning said Zorg fighter). Preventing a Garthan capital ship from spawning as a recruitable ally under such circumstances would thus remove the possibility of potentially having too much dead weight on the player's roster.
• If any one of the Zorg, Muktian, and Calatian home worlds are present on a randomly generated map, the probability of negotiating an alliance with them should initially be 100%, by giving their respective allies a 100% chance of spawning on the map at the start of a game. To balance this out, such behavior should be incentivized by increasing the credit bonus earned through diplomacy.
• The probability of quest-triggering items, fleets, and discoveries spawning at the start of a game should be decreased from 100% to 20% or 25%, to reduce the probability of completing the corresponding quest and gaining its associated score bonus.
• If Esmerelda (who will steal a random item other than the Klakar Beacon from your cargo hold and deliver the former to the homeworld of a randomly selected faction, including your own, or your ship's towels if you have no such items) is present anywhere on the map at the start of a game, either or both of the only two items capable of capturing her (the Toy Robot and Lookout Frogs) must also be guaranteed to spawn alongside her, albeit in a different system from where she can be encountered in both cases. This makes it more likely for the player to earn her associated 500-credit bonus; to make this task even easier, both the Toy Robot and Lookout Frogs could grant the ability to detect Esmerelda's location on the map by marking it with a dashed blue circle (assuming the player has never previously encountered her), to allow the player to actively seek her out upon storing either item in their cargo hold. Neither item should be 100% guaranteed to spawn at the start of a game if Esmerelda is absent from the map, though, nor should they be able to detect other potential passengers (Phredd and Smetlov's Brain) - both of these rules are retained from Sea of Stars.

Hopefully, if Digital Eel (which has been the franchise's developer since the original game) were to ever consider developing an Infinite Space IV, they could (should?) at least examine the possibility of implementing at least some of these balance adjustments into the next installment.

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 261: Rosso Roof Retrofitting Revisited

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 261: Rosso Roof Retrofitting Revisited

As I've previously stated in this series, the '86 Rosso body sets (specifically, the notchback variants with their wraparound rear windows) are ideal candidates for roof transplant surgery, since their wedge-shaped profiles lend themselves well to this procedure. However, I haven't yet mentioned some of the possibilities I've just tried - until now, that is. This time, I'll be looking at two more options that suit the Rosso quite well - particularly in certain sizes. The caveat of having to resize the 3D roof fixtures accordingly to match the morphing settings still applies, however, so keep that in mind.

The first experiment shown here involves placing a 3D roof fixture from the SHD Euro 80s Sports set (specifically, the one marked FER_512_TES) on the mid-engined notchback variant with a 2.45m wheelbase. The result is as follows:

Above, from top: Placing this variant of the SHD's 80s Euro Sports 3D fixture roof set on this test build (shown here finished in a patriotic red-and-white-on-blue livery) built on a 2.45m wheelbase wasn't a truly perfect fit - I couldn't get the base of the B-pillar to align with the trailing edge of the doors - but it still worked well enough for my needs, due to the resulting car having an Esprit-like side profile.

In addition to this, I tried another variant of the same fixture (specifically, the FER_GTO) on a longer and wider (2.66m wheelbase) variant of the same body set, with the same body style, resulting in a more flowing side profile, as follows:

Above, from top: This alternate option on the '86 Rosso is less effective on the shorter, smaller variants by comparison, but works better on the longer, larger ones, due to its less angular rear half.

This leads me to conclude that proportions are the key factor in deciding on which 3D roof fixture works best for a specific body set. What might be a good fit for one particular body set may be less effective on another one (or even a differently sized variant of the same set), so you'll need to weigh up the pros and cons of each 3D fixture roof variant before deciding which one to install, if you indeed go ahead with the procedure.

As an aside, the three-tone livery on the first example ties in nicely to the next post in another one of my series.

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 238: An Early Christmas Gift We're Thankful For

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 238: An Early Christmas Gift We're Thankful For

Having just returned from a Thanksgiving vacation in Europe covering three different cities (Zurich, Prague, and Amsterdam, in that order), I'd like to show you another challenge entry, which you can find here:

Above, from top: The 1982 KMA KX2 may be small and light (on power), but it was designed to leverage it in the best possible way in all situations.

The car in question is the 1982 KMA KX2 1.6 - a small, light, analog machine of the kind I rarely saw in Europe (mainly due to my visit taking place during late fall/early winter - I even saw snow on some days), and in an increasingly complicated, tech-heavy motoring world, a highly refreshing tonic had it existed in real life. And just like my previous challenge build, this one comes with Beam export cameras at the hood and driver's side eye level.

Why, then, do I consider this build an effective antidote to the bloat that has plagued the car industry for a decade? For one, at less than four meters long and with a width of under 1.8 meters, it doesn't take up too much space on the road - perfect for the narrow, confined spaces commonly found in many European city centers and mountain passes. Also, with just 120 horsepower (from a 1.6-liter straight-four mounted transversely in the middle, revving to 7500 rpm, and driving the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and helical limited-slip differential) pushing along 950 kilograms, it's surprisingly quick (0-60 mph in under 7.5 seconds), without being overpowering. Finally, with relatively narrow tires (165/70R14 front and 185/60R14 rear), it doesn't have too much grip for its drivetrain - the lack of power steering (also made possible by the low weight and those narrow tires) also helps.

Its softly-sprung all-strut suspension (chosen due to cost and space constraints) also works in its favor. While it retains a sporty driving experience, it still retains enough compliance to serve as a daily driver. Speaking of which, air conditioning and a tape deck come as standard, so you won't be sacrificing too many creature comforts, either. And with 4-wheel vented disc brakes, you'll have enough stopping power (and zero risk of fade) if you have to save yourself - and the car - from a sticky situation.

All in all, this would be a great way to venture into the world of mid-engined cars without throwing yourself into the deep end with an actual supercar or hypercar, and risking your license (and someone's life, especially your own) in the process. Happy (belated) Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas everyone!

Infinite Space Insights: Preventing a Yellow Kawangi Invasion?

Infinite Space Insights: Preventing a Yellow Kawangi Invasion?

With Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars handling the Yellow Kawangi Invasion quest differently compared to earlier games, and even removing the unique item flag on specific items for good measure, you may be surprised to find out that these changes make it possible to prevent the Yellow Kawangi Invasion quest from starting at all. Here's how you can do it.

1. Make sure the map does not fulfill any of the requirements for the other four quests (Ravian Invasion, Urluquai Crusade, Primordius, or Swamp Pirate Rebellion). In that case, the Yellow Kawangi Invasion will be the only quest that can be triggered.
2. If the above requirement is met, play normally and explore every star system on the map except for the one where the Limited Vacuum Collapser can be found. Be warned that visiting that particular system will start the quest, and you'll never know what you'll find in a system .
3. Ensure that you have a Timeless Bauble in your cargo bay. This item can be activated and converted to any other item by typing its exact name.
4. Create a second Limited Vacuum Collapser (which is no longer a unique item in Sea of Stars, and hence can be created even if one already exists on the map) from the Timeless Bauble.
5. Make sure there is at least one star system within five light-years of the first Collapser. 
6. If such a system exists, move your fleet to that system, then activate the second Collapser (the one currently in your possession), making sure to set the fuse timer to a value that allows your fleet to escape from the blast radius before detonation.
7. Once you've reached a safe distance, stand back and watch the fireworks. The moment the star system containing the first Collapser is overwritten, the Yellow Kawangi Dreadnought will not spawn on the map at all.

Obviously, you will not be able to pull this off this trick if you are unable to perform any of the steps above. But if you can do it, you'll spare yourself a lot of hassle in dealing with a Yellow Kawangi Dreadnought, regardless of whether or not you do so in direct combat.

Above, from top: This Sea of Stars playthrough was unusual in that I was able to prevent a Yellow Kawangi invasion before it even began - by creating a second Limited Vacuum Collapser using a Timeless Bauble, followed by detonating the second Collapser within five light-years of the system containing the first Collapser (which would've triggered the quest if discovered) before I'd even visited it, thus overwriting that particular system and preventing the Yellow Kawangi from arriving at all.

In short, it takes a lot of luck (and a little bit of skill) to pre-emptively prevent a Yellow Kawangi incursion before their Dreadnought enters the sector map, but it's theoretically possible. Just don't expect to gain 5000 extra credits (which can only be acquired by destroying the Dreadnought after it has appeared, before it annihilates your home system of Glory) if you pull it off, though.

A Brief History of Black Holes in Infinite Space: From Navigational Hazards to Interstellar Shortcuts

A Brief History of Black Holes in Infinite Space: From Navigational Hazards to Interstellar Shortcuts

Every game in the Infinite Space trilogy has featured black holes on every randomly generated map. However, their depiction varies slightly between individual games, although they are generally considered to be navigational hazards throughout the whole series. With that in mind, let's take a look at these vast cosmic whirlpools and how they came to be regarded as potential gateways to interstellar shortcuts in later games.

In the original Strange Adventures in Infinite Space, black holes had to be avoided at all costs, since their immense gravitational pull would ensnare and destroy any flotilla that got too close to them (with the exact distance depending on how fast that flotilla could travel between star systems); if that flotilla was your own, the game would immediately end. Black holes were spawned randomly at the start of a game, and would remain hidden unless you discovered them by getting close enough. Unlike in later games, however, you could rename any black holes you found, and there were hardly ever more than two of them on any map.

Discovering a black hole in the original game. Note that you can rename any black holes you find in Strange Adventures, a feature omitted from both sequels.

Black holes were left mostly unchanged for Weird Worlds and Sea of Stars, with a few exceptions. Having an Anti-Graviton Shunt (a new item introduced in Weird Worlds) installed on any ship in your flotilla would render it immune to the effects of a black hole, and you can even visit them, although you won't find any items there. While orbiting a black hole, you can even enter it and emerge in another black hole (including the one you just entered), regardless of whether or not you have already discovered it. Doing so, however, would run the risk of damaging a random piece of equipment in your fleet, but only in Weird Worlds.

In addition to this, if the map contained the hidden space station Primordius, it would always spawn at a black hole. In Sea of Stars, it was also immune to detection via a Continuum Renderer Array; as for the black holes themselves, there were now always five of them on any map (whereas in Weird Worlds, smaller maps would have fewer black holes), and each one would be marked in red on the map after it was found, unless you were using an Anti-Graviton Shunt.

Interestingly, Weird Worlds also allowed you to completely remove NPC fleets (except for the Klakar Frigate) from the map without actually attacking and destroying them in direct combat. This trick requires the use of an Aethric Mirror and an Anti-Graviton Shunt. To pull it off, you'll need to visit a black hole, and use the mirror on an NPC fleet (except for abandoned vessels and Primordius, all of which are immune). If successful, you will swap places with the NPC fleet and destroy it in the process. 

From my own observations, this is an overpowered tactic. In fact, one theory as to why the Aethric Mirror was removed from Sea of Stars is that the developers deliberately wanted to prevent players from completing the game in such anticlimactic fashion. Then again, considering how much easier it is in that game to destroy hostile fleets by conventional means, it may not even have been necessary to consider including the Aethric Mirror on the list of obtainable items this time around.

Above, from top: Three types of black holes in Sea of Stars: hazardous (red), explored (green) and non-hazardous (purple).

Given that traveling through black holes no longer damages any of your ships (or any equipment installed on them, for that matter), it is now more viable than ever to use them as shortcuts through interstellar space if you have an Anti-Graviton Shunt. If you want (or have) to visit a distant star system on the map that would take a very long time (around 365 days, or 1 Earth year) to reach via conventional means, it may be faster to find a nearby black hole, then enter it, and from there, keep entering other black holes until you find the one closest to your desired destination. From there, it should be a short hop to your final destination - saving you plenty of time compared to a direct approach.

In short, black holes seem intimidating for newcomers to the Infinite Space trilogy, but you'll quickly learn how to avoid them - unless you have an Anti-Graviton Shunt, in which case you would be better off exploiting them instead for a faster trip through Sector Prime.

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 43: Automania and European Observations

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 43: Automania and European Observations

It's been a few weeks since I went on vacation to Central Europe - first to Budapest, then to Vienna (with a few hours spent in Salzburg for good measure), before heading back to Budapest. During that time, I took note of how the automotive landscape looked like in those countries - a fitting place to do so considering that the VW Group has a manufacturing plant in Hungary, as do several other carmakers such as Suzuki. Ultimately, there were several facts about it which left me intrigued. So here they are, in no particular order.

First, most European customers still believe that passenger cars (usually small hatchbacks or mid-sized sedans and wagons) are as popular as ever, even though crossover sales are still increasing. In fact, Austria's best-selling car, the VW Golf, is a small hatchback, albeit one available with a dizzying array of trims and powertrains; I saw countless examples of its various. A recent CSR round (which came immediately before the most recent one, in fact) reminded me of one of the reasons why such small cars are so popular: they are commonly used as first cars, and also procured in large quantities by driving schools for use in their fleets. My entry for that particular round, the Hanson Heron, was exactly that - a small, economical and affordable hatchback which could also serve as an ideal family car.

Two trims of the Hanson Heron: the 1.8Ti (above, blue) and 2.0Ti (below, white)

Second, European car buyers tend to be more adventurous when selecting exterior colors. This explains why many of the cars I saw were brightly colored, with eye-catching reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and even purples of varying shades and finishes. Conservative monochrome shades - whites, silvers, grays and blacks - were present, but more rarely seen than in other markets, hence my preference to select bright colors when designing a car in Automation unless it does not suit the car's era or market sector.

Third, the streets of Vienna were filled with all manner of premium cars, from luxury sedans and SUVs to sports cars and supercars. In part this is explained by its citizens being quite wealthy, and more willing to spend it on a car which suits their tastes, now that the late-00s recession is now a distant memory. I also found many examples of such high-end cars in Budapest, although they were somewhat rarer over there. In fact, the only kind of premium car I never found while on vacations was the most prestigious one of all - the multi-million-dollar ultra-high-performance hypercar.

Fourth, the available grades of gasoline in Austria and Hungary are restricted to 95RON premium unleaded and 98RON super unleaded. The latter fuel type is less readily available, however (especially in Hungary), and more expensive. Regardless, both of them tend to have a lower sulfur content than 91RON regular unleaded, which is still in use in some countries. Owners of electric vehicles have nothing to fear, however. Vienna and Budapest, like many other European cities, have a large number of EV charging stations, although the sheer cost of such an extensive EV-friendly infrastructure generally makes it more difficult to implement in developing countries. Besides, if the electricity is generated primarily from fossil fuels instead of renewable energy sources, what's the point of an EV charging network anyway?

Before concluding this post, I would like to tell you that I found an example of a board game very reminiscent of Automation during my brief visit to Salzburg. It was called Automania - a fitting name for a car-themed game. Up to four players can compete to be in control of the largest car manufacturer in the world by expanding and upgrading their factories, while hiring specialists to help them accomplish their plans. Also, much like Automation, they can tailor their products to suit the desires of the game's markets - although unlike Automation, there are only two markets in Automania. In addition, players are able to develop either low-cost, mass-market cars, or more expensive, higher-end products. Ultimately, though, the player who makes the most profits over the course of the game wins.

That concludes my retrospective on the motoring-related observations I made during my first-ever visit to Continental Europe. Given that I have just mentioned CSR75, however, it would be remiss not to dedicate the next post to it. Until then, see you next time, and happy motoring.

Travel Round-Up, Oct 14 - Nov 20 2017

Travel Round-Up, Oct 14 - Nov 20 2017

The past five weeks have seen me leave my home for more than two days at a time, not once, twice, or even thrice, but four times. In each of these trips I had a very enjoyable experience, and rekindled my desire to travel long distances. Granted, two of these were actually not very ambitious, since they both involved a short stay at the Aston resort in Bogor, but I still had a chance to relax and rest while my parents were hard at work attending a major conference. In each of these visits I used the hotel's pool for swimming practice not once but twice. Apart from this, and the fact that I caught sight of a brilliant sunset and rainbow during a thunderstorm (complete with forked lightning!) on the second visit, both trips were otherwise relatively unremarkable, for I had nothing to do all day but sit in my hotel room for much of my stay.

The other two trips were much more memorable, simply because the destinations were much farther away. It was during the latter of these that I finally got the chance to visit Bangka for the first time - not the island of Belitung, mind you, but still a new destination for me nonetheless, even though my parents had already been there multiple times before. And as expected, it was definitely well worth the wait.

The local cuisine in Belitung was excellent, and I enjoyed all kinds of freshly caught seafood - which comprised the bulk of the region's food production - throughout my stay. I also got to see more than a few Chinese temples - the region had previously been settled by ethnic Chinese, and their heritage was clearly evident in how the temples were designed. But even this trip seemed somewhat ordinary compared to my visit to Toronto a few weeks earlier.

For starters, it was my first trip to North America in over 15 years, and was a far more ambitious affair, although by staying at the Chelsea Hotel, on Yonge Street, I could easily reach the sightseeing tours that start and finish at Yonge-Dundas Square. In the space of just one week, I visited such major tourist hotspots as the Casa Loma (the only real castle in Canada), the Royal Ontario Museum (famed for its displays of historical artifacts and mineral specimens), the CN Tower (the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere), the Ripley's Aquarium (which contains a multitude of exhibits depicting various freshwater and marine habitats) and the Ontario Sciencentre (the go-to place for anyone wishing to fulfill their scientific curiosity, with an IMAX theater and many hands-on experiments among the main attractions), among others. I enjoyed my visits to each of these, but felt like I was only scratching the surface, since I skipped several points of interest, such as the Hockey Hall Of Fame, Bata Shoe Museum, and the University of Toronto. Nevertheless, having done so much in so little time, to call this trip epic would not be an exaggeration, considering the diverse array of culinary delights on offer, including those found at the Saint Lawrence Market and Distillery District - the latter was once home to actual distilleries, but is now used for retail space.

The real highlight of the trip, however, was my visit to Niagara Falls, between Lakes Erie and Ontario and right on the US/Canadian border. Other waterfalls may be larger (in terms of height, volume and/or width), but Niagara is the most famous one by some margin, especially when it is surrounded by fall foliage. A boat ride down towards the Horseshoe Falls (the second and larger of the two waterfalls that make up the system) confirmed what I had suspected for years: that a rainbow is only present when someone sees it, and its shape and size are dependent on where the observer is standing. The fact that I got to see some of the idyllic countryside nearby a few hours later, and even sampled some wine at a nearby winery, was icing on the cake. And yet there was one final surprise, for I caught my first glimpse of an aurora on the return flight, which passed very close to the North Pole; it was bright green, and lasted for several minutes, changing its size and shape erratically the whole time.

What about the future? I will most definitely not be repeating last year's Christmas visit to Bali, because the formation of an ash cloud above the increasingly unstable Mount Agung has effectively rendered the whole island off-limits to aircraft, although ferries remain unaffected. Instead I plan to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve at Plaza Indonesia, right in the heart of the city. If it were ever to happen, it would be unprecedented, but not entirely unexpected. One thing's for sure: it's going to be fun.

The Way Back North: My Visit to Toronto Explained

The Way Back North: My Visit to Toronto Explained

Next week, I will accompany my parents on a trip to Toronto, Ontario, where they will be attending a conference. To make the most of my time there, I plan to visit several major sites in and around the city. For this, my first visit to Canada (or anywhere in North America for that matter) in more than 15 years, I will be staying in the Chelsea Hotel, off Yonge Street and just north of the Eaton Centre. And since it is the middle of the northern hemisphere fall, I will need to wrap up warm, but I am sure it will be well worth it.

So what does this mean? First, I will be unable to fulfill my duties as an Automationeer for the duration of the visit, and as such will not be able to submit anything for any forum challenges until I return home. Second, my first overseas trip for more than a year should allow me to spend some much-needed time away from a screen. Finally, I will have a chance to visit North America for the first time in more than 15 years, ticking another item off my travel bucket list in the process.

I will be staying at the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto for the duration of this trip. While my plans include a visit to the Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side, obviously), of greater concern will be the sites covered by the Citypass. This ticket costs $72.10 per adult visitor and grants access to the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley's Aquarium and either the Toronto Zoo or Ontario Science Centre for the next nine days. Of these, the CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium can be visited in one go, being located so close to each other and with the Rogers Centre right across the street.

Other places in Toronto which I plan to visit include the Distillery district, formerly the site of actual distilleries but now a sprawling marketplace complete with restaurants; the Hockey Hall of Fame in Brookfield Place, filled with tributes to the best ice hockey players there have ever been; and the St Lawrence Market, another open-air market full of assorted retailers. Also, my literary interests And then there's the Art Gallery of Ontario, a Mecca for anyone interested in creative arts. Finally, the Harbourfront Centre affords excellent views of the Toronto skyline to the north, and lake Ontario to the south.

So in accompanying my parents on this impending trip to Toronto, I not only want to see one of the world's great cities, but also gain a broader understanding of how Canadian culture works, allowing me to compare it with those of other countries I have visited. I'll see you again in a week or so when I have the chance to reflect on what promises to be a wonderful experience.

MacGregor Mayhem, Part 2

MacGregor Mayhem, Part 2: The Competitive Side of Leisure in Queensland's Capital

In the previous post I discussed the various leisure venues on or near Kessels Road in MacGregor, a suburb of Brisbane. This time, however, I will explore the possibilities of them being used as part of a reality TV competition. Such an idea has practical purposes; it could entice more people (especially younger ones) to visit them. More ambitiously, having celebrities undertake such an intense set of challenges there would raise the profile of the sites considerably. But can such a format really work? In the next few paragraphs I will discuss the who, what, where, when, why, and how of such an endeavor.

Unfortunately, I was unable to publish this post for a few months due to work commitments (more on which later), but will hopefully be back on track shortly.

Where: Sky Zone, AMF Bowling, Q9 Billiards, Brisbane Boxing, and Crank Indoor Climbing will host the events in this competition. However, it is possible that the State Netball Centre on Klumpp Road could be used for reasons underlined below. All other venues are on Kessels Road and are just a short walk west from Westfield Garden City.

What: This competition will consist of one visit to each venue. Specifically, Sky Zone will host the dodgeball competition, AMF will host Laserforce, arcade and bowling events, Crank Indoor Climbing will host a climbing challenge, and pool games will be held at Q9 Billiards. In addition, the chessboxing event will take place at Brisbane Boxing, while the State Netball Centre will host - you guessed it - netball (for women) and basketball (for men).

Who: It might seem tempting for a celebrity edition of this hypothetical contest to be held, but for relevance's sake, it would be much better to open it up to ordinary people instead. And besides, most celebrities have more important things to do anyway.

When: Some facilities, such as Sky Zone, do not even have fully air-conditioned interiors, and as such visiting them in the warmer months (especially the southern hemisphere summer, which starts in December and ends in February the next year) can be a more physically taxing experience than a winter visit. However, given that occasional cold spells can also cause discomfort, a spring or autumn date is most preferable.

Why: Remember the game show boom Nickelodeon went through in the 90s? Well, in the wake of a recent resurgence in shows such as this, not just America but also elsewhere (especially the British drone piloting contest, Airmageddon), it's quite possible that a similar phenomenon could occur in Australia and/or New Zealand. Considering that Sky Zone already has a local wall-running competition, a national-level dodgeball league (similar to the one which operates in the United States) would be a logical extension to their repertoire.

How: The competition would be spread out over the span of several days, with a few weeks of filming required. It is recommended that the chessboxing and basketball/netball events would be the last ones to take place, since they are the most physically demanding (they are actual sports, after all). The faster pace of the dodgeball, bowling and laser tag events would ensure that these should be the first ones to be held, given that viewers of this hypothetical program tend to have short attention spans.

Sounds like fun, don't you think? Unfortunately, Australian free-to-air TV networks are currently not interested in the idea of such a game show, and nor are the pay TV networks. However, you could extrapolate this idea to an action-packed, fun-filled travel plan for MacGregor: go to Sky Zone first, book 1-2 hours there (with a game of laser tag or two if you wish), then head across the street to AMF Bowling, and bowl for another hour, followed by a few more laser tag games and some arcade game action (although I am less interested in bowling than I once was, and would rather forgo it if I had little spare time left). You could even reverse the order in which the two facilities are visited. And that's not all; there are many similar sites in the city which you can visit if you are keen on such exciting activities as the ones discussed here. In the next post I will revisit the Sea of Stars for what should be hopefully be the last time, before moving on to other things.

MacGregor Mayhem

MacGregor Mayhem: A Quick Guide to The Epicenter of Fun and Leisure in Queensland's Capital

For this post, I am taking a (hopefully) brief detour from describing Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars and will discuss something of greater relevance to real life. I'm talking about the cluster of leisure and activity centers on Kessels Road in MacGregor, which is a suburb of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. During my two-year tenure as a student at the University of Queensland, I was a frequent visitor to Macgregor, and always enjoyed my time there. So why, you might think, is this part of the city worth visiting?

For starters, there's the sheer number of recreation centers lining this major road, and there are even a few more facilities nearby. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to filling your free time here, and always end up coming back for more sooner or later. Another advantage of Kessels Road is that it is near the Mount Gravatt and Nathan Campuses of Griffith University, and just a short walk westbound from Westfield Garden City, which is serviced by most bus routes and is no more than a 15-minute drive from downtown Brisbane under ideal conditions. Finally, these recreation centers are usually open for long enough for anyone to visit more than one of them on the same day.

I will now describe each center going east-to-west. The first one is Sky Zone MacGregor, which is primarily a trampoline park (complete with foam pit, wall run and Slamball court) but also contains a trampoline dodgeball court and a Laserforce arena spanning three floors (the latter also has locations in Woolloongabba and Strike Wintergarden, with the former being the first such site of its kind anywhere in the world). You can book an hour of jump time there for A$18 per person, and add one Laserforce game for an extra A$5 (individual games can be bought one or two at a time for A$10 or A$17 respectively). However, it is highly recommended for safety purposes that you buy a pair of specially branded socks for A$16 a pair. 

In addition to freestyle jumping, Sky Zone MacGregor hosts parties, trampoline training programs, fitness courses, and dodgeball tournaments. On most of my visits, I booked two consecutive hours of jump time plus one Laserforce game for each hour, and usually took part in a few dodgeball games as well - definitely worth the extra cost, although really fit individuals might want more, while newcomers should start out with one-hour sessions. However, due to the lack of proper air-conditioning inside the building, it is recommended that you bring a spare set of clothes to change into when you're finished. The Laserforce arena was the key highlight for me - as a Laserforce expert, I made mincemeat of any and every other player I went up against, scoring tens of thousands of points each time and thereby making the most of my 10 minutes inside the Alice In Wonderland-themed arena (which rotates players on a continuous basis - up to 20 or so are sent in at a time every few minutes, before leaving the arena after 10 minutes).

Further west is AMF Mount Gravatt, one of the best bowling centers in the whole city, if not the state, even though I never visited it while I was in Brisbane. Its main draw is the bowling alley, but like Sky Zone MacGregor, it also has a Laserforce center and, unlike Sky Zone, a video game arcade. The latter contains a very wide selection of games, ranging from classics like Daytona USA (rereleased and remastered for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2011) as well as modern hits such as Deadstorm Pirates (ported to PS3 in 2010), Transformers: Human Alliance and Batman. As a long-term veteran of each game, I would have little trouble getting a top score (or best race time for Daytona) in each one. Tokens for the arcade can be bought 20, 35 or 85 at a time for A$15, A$25 and A$60 respectively.

The Laserforce arena at AMF Mount Gravatt also has capacity for more than 20 players, but has a darker science fiction theme, which contrasts nicely with the lighter fantasy theme at MacGregor. It is, in fact, very similar to the Laserforce Headquarters at Woolloongabba, except that you cannot buy memberships there. Entry to individual games costs A$14.90 (or A$16.90 during the peak period lasting from 3:00 pm Friday until 6:00 pm Saturday), with a A$2 discount for underage customers and those with concessions. It is also possible to buy entry to three separate sessions for $19.90 from 7:00 pm between Monday and Thursday (or from 6:00 pm on Sunday); alternatively, you can buy entry to two games for A$16.90 from 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, or one game for a family of four during the peak period for A$49.90.

As for the bowling alley itself, pricing follows the same pattern as the Laserforce arena, except that bowling shoes (at A$2 a pair) are bought separately and the peak period discount is greater by A$1. In addition, a family of four can book one game outside peak hours for A$44.90; this offer includes a pair of bowling shoes for each player. Considering that I have bowled only once in my lifetime thus far, this activity would be a nice change of pace. But no matter what you prefer to visit AMF MacGregor for, you will be guaranteed to have a blast.

The previous destinations appeal to all people of all ages and are specifically marketed towards families. However, the next location I will mention is different because, being male, I would most likely be turned away immediately. Of course, I am talking about the State Netball Centre, which isn't actually on Kessels Road, but is on the westbound side of nearby Klumpp Road. I mentioned this site, however, because I will use it for my idea for a hypothetical reality TV series, which I will describe in the next post. 

Normally, netball is reserved exclusively for women, but since the establishment of the National Netball League (formerly the ANZ Championship), 18-49 males throughout Australia and New Zealand have been watching matches for the netballers' short skirts (or making them into WAGs - an abbreviation of wives and girlfriends). The national side, the Diamonds, practices here, as does the Queensland Firebirds; both were captained by Laura Geitz, whom I met (and even had a picture taken alongside) during my last semester at the University of Queensland. I used the past tense here because of Laura Geitz's pregnancy, which has forced her to take the next year and a half off, although she vows to return as soon as possible after giving birth. On the other hand, the swimming pool nearby can be used by anyone regardless of gender or age.

Returning to Kessels Road, Crank Indoor Climbing is highly recommended for anyone with a head for heights. However, as part of its safety policy, all customers must sign a waiver before completing the registration process, which costs A$5. In addition, climbing shoes, a harness and a chalk bag all cost a further A$5 each, while a comprehensive training session is mandatory. Finally, a climbing session costs A$20 (A$16 for students and under-18s), while a parkour session costs a flat A$16. It's well worth the price, though; even so, if visiting on weekdays, the best time to do this is after 5:00 pm, when most people have returned from work.

When you finally get a chance to try the climbing wall, you'll be confronted with a challenge that will test your body and mind. It's certainly one worth attempting, though, regardless of age or gender. Low impact, great safety and an emphasis on "technique, balance and flexibility" makes it just as much fun as the other activity centers mentioned previously, if not more so. There's even a parkour course which requires one to avoid obstacles and reach the finish line as fluidly and efficiently as possible. All things considered, this and the nearby Sky Zone are great choices if you want to burn some calories while blowing off some steam in the process.

If you prefer a change of pace, consider the two billiards halls: Rack City on the westbound side and Q9 Billiards on the eastbound side. Each of these venues house a large number of tables, allowing many games to be played simultaneously. Usually, patrons tend to play the most common game types such as snooker, 8-ball or 9-ball pool, although one can also play cutthroat pool (a three-player game in which players are eliminated as sets of five balls are sunk until one remains) or 10-ball (9-ball with 10 balls), among other games. You can also try trick shots for a more unusual challenge. OK, so you won't become the next Efren Reyes or Allison Fisher overnight, but these venues clearly have their appeal to someone unable (or unwilling) to try the more exciting stuff on offer nearby.

In short, when you've already ticked off (almost) everything there is to see and do in central Brisbane, Kessels Road in MacGregor is worth a look. With so many leisure venues, it's a guarantee that you'll never get bored visiting it. The presence of a Mr Toys outlet there (for when you want to fulfill your hobby needs) and the proximity of the whole cluster to Westfield Garden City is just a bonus. In the next post I will explore how these venues could be used for a hypothetical reality TV series, before finally returning to the Sea of Stars.