We're still working on it (status: VIGODA). I know, I know, I really have to start posting more news...that way this'll be kinda like a blog, but without all the rambling on about what I had for dinner and what I think about politics and Alan Moore comics and how Alan Moore comics relate in such a deep, meaningful way to both politics and what I had for dinner.

CRATE EXPECTATIONS
This holiday season we were wandering around a certain home-furnishings place with the word "Crates" in it, and it got me thinking about, you know, crates. I had previously said TCFH was going to be crate-free, but once we put this fine establishment in the game, it was only logical that when you smash it up, CRATES come out. And so they do. Lots of them (and you can pick them out of the rubble and throw them).

STATE AND MAIN
We also have a new Tech F/X all about how gas mains and water mains work in the game. "Gas mains? Water mains? What the heck?" you're probably saying. Yes, these things are all under the streets of the cities, waiting for you to stomp all over them. Water sprays out, gas mains explode and the resultant fire spreads, sewer mains gush. Yecch! Hey, I told you everything would be fully destructible, and you didn't believe me! To be fair, I also told you the game would be done several years ago.

Thar she blows!

SIGNS OF THE TIMES
You hear a lot about in-game advertising billboards nowadays. Well, we have billboards in our games, too - lots of 'em. Not real advertisements, of course -- they're just little references from stuff we like. You can't really read them since they're so tiny, but I know what they say...and I laugh and laugh, here at my lonely little desk. Here are a few:

"Yes, sir, that's my baby - No sir, I don't mean maybe" -- Gus Kahn & Walter Donaldson

OH BABY!
We've been busy, getting into the mission/script-oriented stuff that will make TCFH a real game and not just SimCity with monsters (yes, I know SimCity sorta has monsters DON'T START WITH ME PEOPLE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO FIGHT YOU). Some missions can involve defending your monster's little hatchlings: baby spiders, baby mantises, baby ants, eyeballs, newts, mini-Gobs and, of course -- baby peas (yum). Read all about it in this month's egg-citing new Tech F/X.

Fresh baby peas

I've also updated the Monsters page with more detailed info on each monster, and put some more screens on the screenshots page.

I LOVE LA
Our Los Angeles map is set in the 1940s (WWII-era militarily). This LA will have lots of citrus trees and open space, movie studios, and some of my favorite things: the "vernacular" architecture (aka wacky buildings that look like stuff) that was popular in Southern California at the time (see the great book California Crazy by Jim Heimann). For example, below is the Sanderson's Stockings 30-foot leg (which you can break off and throw around), one of the old Chili Bowl restaurants, the first Brown Derby, and the Tail O' The Pup (still around, but in a different location, and moving again soon). Man, I just love this kind of stuff. Yes, Virginia, there is also a giant donut, even though the first one wasn't built 'til 1950. I'm not going to be real nitpicky about dates when it comes to the fun buildings. You'll see more of LA soon.