As the colder weather sets in, I’m starting to think more about future projects and have a few ideas lined up for Novara. For now, though, I’m back at it again—building another PC. This time, I’m aiming for a retro approach.
The core of this project is a mini ITX motherboard with a 1.6GHz Pentium M and 512MB of RAM, paired with a Voodoo 3 3000 PCI graphics card. It’s an unusual combination, but that’s the point—I want to mix different eras of hardware while keeping it compact. The plan is to dual boot Windows 98 and XP, or possibly Windows 2000, depending on which works best for the older software and games I have in mind.
In keeping with the retro vibe, I’m adding some modern touches like flash storage for convenience, while still including an optical drive for that old-school authenticity. The target is to fit everything into a footprint no larger than a Nintendo GameCube, while maintaining a design that looks like it could have come straight out of the late '90s or early 2000s.
For inspiration, I’m considering some of the design elements from early Japanese computers. There’s something about the clean lines and compact builds of those systems that’s always appealed to me. I might incorporate some of those aesthetic features into the case design, like distinctive shape choices, simple layouts.
The case itself is proving to be a challenge, as I haven’t found anything that fits the specific dimensions I need. It looks like a custom build is the only option, and I’m thinking of using materials that can evoke that vintage Japanese tech feel - perhaps some brushed metal, retro-style LEDs, and tactile buttons. Venting might be important, MSX style.
While there are still a few details to sort out, part of the fun with these projects is figuring things out along the way. Beyond this build, there are other plans taking shape, but for now, I’m focused on getting this retro-inspired PC up and running.
As for Novara’s journey, I’ve been taking some time to evaluate the story I have so far. Over the past few months, I’ve made smaller changes here and there, trying to shape it into something more believable. It’s not abandoned at all, but I think I could use a creative break, at least until December. Sometimes stepping away for a bit helps clear the mind and lets new ideas emerge naturally.
In the meantime, I’m focusing more on world-building. I’ve been expanding the universe by adding companies, factions, and other elements to flesh things out. You can see some of these details in the inspiration blog, where I’ve noted down concepts and ideas that help bring the setting to life. It feels like a good way to keep making progress, even if it’s not directly writing the main storyline right now.
ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN
I recently finished 'ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN'. The series has been around since the PlayStation 1 days, but I played this one on PC. The story is, well, really mega super stupid—like, over-the-top in a way that somehow works. It’s not exactly a gripping narrative, but it fits the game’s vibe, and I enjoyed it for what it was.
I played on normal difficulty, which was just the right amount of challenge for me. It entertained me for about 15 hours, and I even managed to get a late-game aircraft without having to grind. There were enough missions left to get some decent use out of it, too. It’s the kind of game that’s fun for a one-time run, but I don’t feel the need to revisit it anytime soon.
Overall, I’d call it a "nice to play" kind of game. If you’re in the mood for a popcorn experience where you can just kick back and enjoy some flashy dogfights, it’s worth checking out.
