Genki Life Magazine
THE FIVE STAR STORIES ROLE-PLAYING GAME 
Monday, May 5, 2008, 16:39 - Announcements
Posted by Administrator

After receiving requests from the last decade, I finally updated this RPG site for a more modern feel. Aside from minor formatting problems, I feel that it’s done and completely playable. Sure it’s not polished like many of the commercial RPGs out there, but that’s to be expected from a homebrew game system. At least, in the early development of this RPG, a group of friends and I play-tested this RPG. It all worked out fine.

I originally started writing this game in the late 80s and early 90s. It was a time when paper and pencil RPGs were the norm. It’s unfortunate that with the advent of card and computer RPG games, the pen and pencil games went to a rapid decline as well as the ability for players to use their imaginations in games. This was the basis of a role-playing game...to use your imagination to “play” the role of your character. In my opinion, todays computer RPG games don’t deserve to be called RPGs. You don’t play a role our use your imagination, but to control a pre-made character in a series of events...always linear. Therefore a more appropriate term for this genre of games should be called “simulated adventure games.”

But anyway, I want to thank all the people around the world that tried to keep this RPG alive and requested me to post it once again. I dedicate this RPG to all of you hard-core role-playing gamers. I will my very best to add more material to game in the future. Unlike the times when I originally wrote this game, I don’t have time dedicated to upkeep this RPG. As with us “old-time gamers,” we all have real jobs, families, businesses to run, etc. And most of us play RPGs very little nowadays. But to a new generation of real RPG gamers, keep the genre alive.
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OUR VISIT TO ROYAL T MAID CAFE 
Sunday, May 4, 2008, 16:36 - Travel
Posted by Administrator

Our day started out going to the Los Angeles Comic Book and SciFi Convention at the Shrine Auditorium near downtown. It was a “spur of the moment” decision to go, especially for me. This was one few times where we went to a non-anime convention. LACBSFC is a monthly con that’s just a large exhibit hall for local sellers. On occasion, they have special guests that sign autographs and/or hold panels.

The main reason we went is to meet Stan Lee, the creator of the Marvel Universe. The guys got his autograph while I just took pictures. It was really something see Stan Lee in person, nothing like on TV. He just had a heavy presence in the room when he walked in and began signing autographs. Other than that, we just walked around looking for goods to buy. It was a quick trip.

After the LASBSFC, we looked for the Royal T Maid Cafe in Culver City, about 10 miles west of LA along to 10 Freeway. It took no time to find. Parking was around back of the cafe. When we entered the cafe, we were warmly welcomed by a nice maid (above). She offered us treats as she explained about the Cafe. We were given handouts for further explanation. We were offered complimentary coffee drinks as we wandered around looking at the art exhibits. Yes, Royal T is a combination cafe, art gallery and gift shop. They had their grand opening back on April 12th and are not fully opened. The told us that the cafe is nearing completion and total service in a couple weeks (around mid-May). The artwork presented are my local artist and heavily influenced by the “kawaii” Japanese culture.

The modern industrial look of the cafe was intimidating when you first walk in, but the pretty maid staff quickly cast that aside and made us feel very welcome and comfortable. This is something that were are not accustomed to when entering any establishment...ever. We were like fish out of water at first. But after relaxing a bit and unwinding with a cup of expresso and some lattes...we actually enjoyed ourselves at the cafe as we walked around. Being the first maid cafe in SoCal, it was a unique experience to actually go to one. We talked and joked about going to maid cafe in Japan when ever we go. Just going to Royal T gave us otaku a taste of a real maid cafe and the real otaku lifestyle. For us, the drive from the Riverside area is well worth the gas and traffic pain to go to Rayal T. I’m planning to have birthday party there....soon.

And lastly, on the way home, since Royal T didn’t have a menu yet, we stopped by the Curry House in La Puente to eat...curry. What else?

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