Sow Joan's Stalk Market-Update

I'm not prepared to declare I've found any pattern to the White Turnip Trade in Animal Crossing: Wild World for the DS but I would like to share a few quick thoughts. For the uninitiated, you access the Stalk Market by talking to Sow Joan on Sundays between 6am and 12noon. That's when you buy. You sell through Tom Nook. Ask him for his Turnip Price first.

So far my best guess--based on the limited data I've collected--would be that we're dealing with a random number generator. The number is thrown out if it is outside of a predetermined boundary. Sow Joan's price for turnips is generated the same way but with a much smaller set of numbers to "choose" from. That is a number is generated but if it falls outside of say 90-115 then a new number is generated until the number is greater than 90 but less than 115.

The point is that on initial inspection it appears that it may be impossible to determine a pattern from the data set. Of course, if the number is pseudo random some useful pattern may yet appear. The DS could be generating true randoms from ambient mic noise, stylus inputs, clock outputs, or analog button presses however. Only a statistical analysis of the occurence of given numbers in the data set would be conclusive.

Since we know that the game uses random numbers to generate dinosaur fossils from unidentified rocks it might be possible to use fossil data as well. I'm sure the same random number generator or array is used. That might make it possible to determine the array or the boundaries of the numbers.

I will continue to collect data in an effort to resolve these theories.

You can always find my data and graph here.

Panzer Tactics DS

I'm a big Advance Wars fan and I just assumed that this was going to be a letdown compared to Dual Strike. I'm pretty happy I took a chance on this title. It's very similar to Dual Strike but it actually has a lot more depth and detail. In fact, it might be a problem for some; too many variables. You've got 150 unit types, half a dozen terrain types, logistical issues like fuel and ammo, visibility, unit morale, officer effects, movement costs, weather conditions, fame points, defense bonuses; the list goes on. Did I mention 150 unit types? There's definitely a learning curve here. I still can't figure out what to use to take out those Russian KV-2s. It all makes for a very deep turn-based strategy game.

Graphics are pretty good but can be hard to decipher at first. With 150 unit types and only 50 pixels or so to render them in it can be hard to tell the difference between your Pioneres and your Fallschirmjagers at first. First thing you're going to want to do is turn off cloud effects just to clear up some of the noise on screen.

Controls are a good mix of stylus and buttons. I'd probably just use the buttons but the hex grid makes moving around the screen with the D-Pad a little less than smooth.

Wifi included but it's a bit of a chore trying to find a matchup online. You're probably best off phoning your friend beforehand to set up a match. Fortunately the single player, 30 mission campaign is more than enough to keep you occupied for months.

So glad they added a Save Anytime feature. That way I can still take this for the ride to work and pick it back up on my lunch.

A hold. See if you can borrow it from someone first to see if you'll like it. I love it but it's not for everyone.