In Spring 2009, I took a class on video game design at whatever college I went to!  For my group’s game concept, we came up with TCNJ RPG, the RPG where you play as a student!  Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors (including, but not limited to, the lack of time, the fact that the class’s teacher proved to have a knack for getting hung up on largely irrelevant issues while ignoring things like keeping the project on schedule, and that the class was forced to use a toolkit that proved not at all suitable for complex games), the game was never finished!

That said, I did manage to compose quite a few songs for it, all of which solely use the Setzer SPC soundfont, giving them that SNES sound that is so popular nowadays.  So here they are!

1. Yet Another Day (Dorm Room)
2. A Leisurely Stroll (Outside Travers)
3. Here There Be Tex-Mex Scones (Eickhoff’s Theme)
4. What Dangers Await? (Campus Map)
5. Welcome to the Future (The Student Center)
6. Beyond Our Control (President Gitenstien’s Theme)
7. Opposition (Battle Theme)
8. Wow! I won! (Victory)
9. F (Game Over)

Anyway, in the game Portal, the player must navigate a series of progressively more difficult “test chambers,” each of which prominently feature a sign corresponding to that chamber.  The sign includes the test chamber’s number, illustrations of what the test might entail, and the like.

After playing the game, I decided to make a similar sign corresponding to my building (West 13), with modified versions of the Portal illustrations showing some of the strange things my floormates had a tendency to do, such as trying to wash ice cream cones down the drain, slamming the door loudly, and jumping down the stairs!

So without further adieu, I present you with Testchamber 13 West, the unprintably large sign!

Download the original PDF!

This venue is, of course, the 1855 Room, named for the founding year of the college on whose campus it was constructed.  Among the few restaurants of its kind in the Ewing area, the 1855 Room, located just over two miles east of the Trenton Mercer Airport’s main terminal, enjoys a privileged position among similarly-priced establishments.

The main dining room’s décor, echoing that of perhaps Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia, can only be described as a triumph of form and function.  Glass coverings on tables, for example, both enhance the appearance of the tablecloths and prevent them from becoming stained, a small but important step towards a more sustainable restaurant.  Artwork adorning the room’s walls proudly displays images from the establishment’s heritage, lending the entire area a historical ambience greatly differing from the cold, sterile look of most competing chain restaurants.

The menu at the 1855 Room is fairly nonconventional, presenting only a limited selection of food.  However, while seemingly disappointing, this limited selection allows the 1855 Room to achieve its legendary rapidity of service, the speed of which rivals even that of the quickest fast-food establishments.

The meals available included classic restaurant staples such as Shrimp Scampi, Flank Steak, and Grilled Tilapia.  Garnished with a sprinkling of parsley, the steak is quite excellent, as is the shrimp.  One would do well to punctuate any meal at the 1855 room with an item from the restaurant’s dessert selections, which include pies and various types of cookies, a refreshing diversion from the mundane menus found at similar establishments.  The cookies, served from an impeccably arranged platter, feature a supreme variety of colors and flavors, ranging from classic varieties like chocolate chip to the more exotic such as fudge cookies interfused with macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips.

After a meal at the 1855 Room, one may do well to visit the various nearby attractions, such as the noteworthy Alumni Grove nearby, or the historic Green Farm House located just up the road, all whilst enjoying an after-dinner mint, provided courteously by the establishment.

Download “The Random Article”

And then I added some Apple Loops.

Download “Gerfühl Der Eule”

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