Excitement and Childhood
Whenever I write, I often find myself returning to my childhood and with good reason. It's not only something easy to grasp at and express, but it's the time in my life where the most joy can be found. Not only, as a child, is everyone free from the responsibilities of a job, or schoolwork, the stress of not knowing what you wanted to do with your life, or about making your significant other happy (and no, proposing to your childhood friend in kindergarten doesn't count as having to worry about a girlfriend). Life as a child is a blissful time, for most, and a lot of people would give a whole lot to be back into that mindset.
Let me digress to another childhood memory. I'm about seven years old and somehow NBA Street finds its way into my home. Who bought it? Maybe my brother, or my parents as a gift. I dunno, I don't really like basketball. When I started getting into this game, though, I was glued to it. I didn't know any teams or any individual players, but the game was so fluid and well-crafted that I didn't care. I blew through career mode and my brother and I played a bunch of the multiplayer. Hours and hours of my time was sunk into this game.
My uncle Doug, the one that got me into videogames in the first place, happened upon this game as we were playing it. This was when he was still pretty heavily into games, so he was better than my brother and I at them. After he was acquainted with the controls, he played me in a match and, of course, he easily bested me. As a kid, I was apt to cry at the slightest provocation, and this was enough to do it. I started bawling and denying that I was crying over losing the game, but There was no doubt that losing was the reason. It's kind of embarrassing now, but, as a child, this was the biggest worry I had. Losing to my uncle in a basketball game.
It takes a lot to pull an adult or a teenager into that mindset again, but Nintendo has always been able to tap into my inner child and make me want to buy everything they pump out. From consoles to entries in their tried-and-true series, I really want everything they have to offer. I stood in line for the Wii at 4 in the morning with my dad, I pre-ordered Twilight Princess nearly two years before it was out, and now the 3DS has grabbed on to my eyes and forced them to stare at its secret parts. Whenever anything about the 3DS comes on screen, whether it be on the television or on the computer, my head turns.
What's that? Augmented reality? Count me in. Glasses-free 3D? Yes please. Ocarina of Time remake? I have to change my pants. To link this back to what I've said earlier, the 3DS erases all of my worries when I hear about it. Something about the thing just taps into my childhood and I've no idea why. All of its features, all of its promised titles just make me want to dump $250 on this device.
Thank you, Nintendo, for bringing my childhood back.
Mar 24, 2011
Mar 19, 2011
Gameplay Vs. Game Premise
Some gamers need solid gameplay to lead them to the end of a game, and that's no fault on them. From old games like Doom to newer ones like the Black Ops or Modern Warfare 2, we see proof that solid, reliable mechanics are all it takes to drive a game home. Yes, Call of Duty games have a story, but that isn't the focal point. It's eight to ten hours of explosions to get you ready for multiplayer, and there's nothing wrong with that. Other gamers, like myself, are far more driven by story and development. The Mass Effect series comes to mind, especially since the gameplay in the first Mass Effect game was lacking in some areas. Of the two, gameplay or premise, which is more important?
A few days ago my brother bought Alpha Protocol. It was used and pretty cheap, but he bought it because I've been talking about it for a while. If you've heard of Alpha Protocol, than you know its sad, sad story. A story more twisted and intriguing than a serial killer, with character interaction and development punctuated by short- and long-term consequences to your actions, all lost under the sea of broken mechanics and shitty gameplay. I'm here to tell you that every bit of this is true. In the five hours I've had my paws on Alpha Protocol, several missions have been spoiled by AI that is borderline retarded. For example, a guard was suspicious of a noise I made to distract him, but instead of going to investigate the noise, he walked towards me. He didn't see me at all, but he was clearly homing in on my exact position.
Frustration after frustration, Alpha Protocol is a game that I can't stop thinking about, no matter how many times I try to tell myself it's terrible. Back to Mass Effect, one of the big hooks is actions and consequences. You can talk to people and be good, bad, or neutral. How people think of you affects your endgame in the form of your close friends dying or humanity thinking you're a total dick. That's great and all, but that game assumes everyone hates an aggressive person and loves a kiss-ass. The characters in Alpha Protocol have different expectations. There's a female character who dresses quite provocatively, and reacts well to aggressiveness and suave attitudes, but not very well to being objectified and viewed as a sex symbol. Another character, Sean Darcy, is a cocky prick who thinks he's the funniest guy alive. You can get on his good side by joking back to him and giving him underhanded compliments, but he's bothered by kiss-assery. These dynamic and unique characters give the game a truly unique feel, and takes away the written-in-stone lines between good and bad.
The game did not sell very well, despite its hugely engrossing world and interaction system, and it didn't sell because the action mechanics are, honestly, pretty terrible. As a result, the realistic consequence system and ditching of the almighty Karma meter are going to be buried and forgotten. The premise and scope of the game are pretty awesome, but it fell short of glory because of its broken gameplay. It feels janky and unpolished, and it's a shame because a few more months would have done the game well. I believe that mechanics are more important than the premise of a game but, with that said, I will always opt for a game with a good premise and promising features. People who make games should always try to push the envelope (within a reasonable amount, of course) and deliver unique, fulfilling gameplay experiences, and Alpha Protocol is oh so fulfilling.
When it works, that is.
Some gamers need solid gameplay to lead them to the end of a game, and that's no fault on them. From old games like Doom to newer ones like the Black Ops or Modern Warfare 2, we see proof that solid, reliable mechanics are all it takes to drive a game home. Yes, Call of Duty games have a story, but that isn't the focal point. It's eight to ten hours of explosions to get you ready for multiplayer, and there's nothing wrong with that. Other gamers, like myself, are far more driven by story and development. The Mass Effect series comes to mind, especially since the gameplay in the first Mass Effect game was lacking in some areas. Of the two, gameplay or premise, which is more important?
A few days ago my brother bought Alpha Protocol. It was used and pretty cheap, but he bought it because I've been talking about it for a while. If you've heard of Alpha Protocol, than you know its sad, sad story. A story more twisted and intriguing than a serial killer, with character interaction and development punctuated by short- and long-term consequences to your actions, all lost under the sea of broken mechanics and shitty gameplay. I'm here to tell you that every bit of this is true. In the five hours I've had my paws on Alpha Protocol, several missions have been spoiled by AI that is borderline retarded. For example, a guard was suspicious of a noise I made to distract him, but instead of going to investigate the noise, he walked towards me. He didn't see me at all, but he was clearly homing in on my exact position.
Frustration after frustration, Alpha Protocol is a game that I can't stop thinking about, no matter how many times I try to tell myself it's terrible. Back to Mass Effect, one of the big hooks is actions and consequences. You can talk to people and be good, bad, or neutral. How people think of you affects your endgame in the form of your close friends dying or humanity thinking you're a total dick. That's great and all, but that game assumes everyone hates an aggressive person and loves a kiss-ass. The characters in Alpha Protocol have different expectations. There's a female character who dresses quite provocatively, and reacts well to aggressiveness and suave attitudes, but not very well to being objectified and viewed as a sex symbol. Another character, Sean Darcy, is a cocky prick who thinks he's the funniest guy alive. You can get on his good side by joking back to him and giving him underhanded compliments, but he's bothered by kiss-assery. These dynamic and unique characters give the game a truly unique feel, and takes away the written-in-stone lines between good and bad.
The game did not sell very well, despite its hugely engrossing world and interaction system, and it didn't sell because the action mechanics are, honestly, pretty terrible. As a result, the realistic consequence system and ditching of the almighty Karma meter are going to be buried and forgotten. The premise and scope of the game are pretty awesome, but it fell short of glory because of its broken gameplay. It feels janky and unpolished, and it's a shame because a few more months would have done the game well. I believe that mechanics are more important than the premise of a game but, with that said, I will always opt for a game with a good premise and promising features. People who make games should always try to push the envelope (within a reasonable amount, of course) and deliver unique, fulfilling gameplay experiences, and Alpha Protocol is oh so fulfilling.
When it works, that is.
Mar 11, 2011
Purchasing and Purchasing a Right to Use
You go out to a store, and you buy something you want. Let's say it's a book. You buy this book, holy shit, you've been looking forward to this book for a year and a half now. It's the second book in the series, and after reading the first, you're hooked. So you take this book home, but as it turns out, you have some plans, and they're important to you. While you're out, you say, "Man, that author sure picked a crappy publisher to team up with." When you come home, your book is gone, with a note left by the publishers.
Have you just been robbed?
When you purchase something, you own it, correct? Well, a Bioware forum use, "v_ware", had this happen to him. He bought an online copy of Dragon Age II and posted a question: he asked if Bioware had "sold their souls to the EA devil?" Bioware and EA responded by hitting him with a 72-hour ban. Not just any ban, however, they got him with a community ban. This means that anything to do with EA, for 72 hours, he was totally stopped from using. When he went to install Dragon Age II, he wasn't allowed to.
Has he just been robbed?
Yes, in short. This person paid about $60 for a game, meaning he owns it (or at least a 'license to play', some smart-asses will say), but either way he has a right to play and own his copy. His activation code was in his possession before he was banned, so he should have had access to it. Regardless of whether or not he broke forum rules, that should not cross over into his purchase history. He bought rights to play the game, and taking those rights away (and essentially stealing $60 from him), regardless of what amount of time, is illegal.
This all rolls back around to piracy. Time and time again, we're pegged by absolutely ludicrous DRM to prevent pirates from taking games, but legitimate customers are treated like shit. Sure, he didn't pirate the game, but what's stopping him now? He paid money, and in return he was restricted access to his purchase. People who didn't pay money for this game get to it without developers interfering, not to mention they get all of the DLC and extra content for free, too, without any hassle.
Look, publishers, if you want people to stop pirating, just be nice to us. Don't ban us from our rights, don't take our money and don't bludgeon us into unconsciousness with your unreasonable DRM and policies.
You go out to a store, and you buy something you want. Let's say it's a book. You buy this book, holy shit, you've been looking forward to this book for a year and a half now. It's the second book in the series, and after reading the first, you're hooked. So you take this book home, but as it turns out, you have some plans, and they're important to you. While you're out, you say, "Man, that author sure picked a crappy publisher to team up with." When you come home, your book is gone, with a note left by the publishers.
Have you just been robbed?
When you purchase something, you own it, correct? Well, a Bioware forum use, "v_ware", had this happen to him. He bought an online copy of Dragon Age II and posted a question: he asked if Bioware had "sold their souls to the EA devil?" Bioware and EA responded by hitting him with a 72-hour ban. Not just any ban, however, they got him with a community ban. This means that anything to do with EA, for 72 hours, he was totally stopped from using. When he went to install Dragon Age II, he wasn't allowed to.
Has he just been robbed?
Yes, in short. This person paid about $60 for a game, meaning he owns it (or at least a 'license to play', some smart-asses will say), but either way he has a right to play and own his copy. His activation code was in his possession before he was banned, so he should have had access to it. Regardless of whether or not he broke forum rules, that should not cross over into his purchase history. He bought rights to play the game, and taking those rights away (and essentially stealing $60 from him), regardless of what amount of time, is illegal.
This all rolls back around to piracy. Time and time again, we're pegged by absolutely ludicrous DRM to prevent pirates from taking games, but legitimate customers are treated like shit. Sure, he didn't pirate the game, but what's stopping him now? He paid money, and in return he was restricted access to his purchase. People who didn't pay money for this game get to it without developers interfering, not to mention they get all of the DLC and extra content for free, too, without any hassle.
Look, publishers, if you want people to stop pirating, just be nice to us. Don't ban us from our rights, don't take our money and don't bludgeon us into unconsciousness with your unreasonable DRM and policies.
Mar 8, 2011
Today's Entry in Things I love, Pt. 2
Alright, let's get right into it.
3) Being inspired. Well, not being inspired, but specifically the moment when you get inspired. No matter what you're doing, that feeling that you need to get off of your ass and go do whatever it is you're inspired to do. I write a lot, and when I get shocked into alertness by an idea that's screaming and punching the confines of my skull, I get up and get writing. Like Chuck Palahniuk says, "Shit or get off the pot."
Nothing is quite so fulfilling, don't you agree? In a life where we spend all of our time begrudingly doing homework, waking up earlier than we want and going to bed later than we care to, having a moment where nothing else really matters and there's only one thing you want to do is, truly, a gift.
4) Cooling down. It's winter right now in the Great White North, and it kind of sucks. Before I go out, I have to put on a huge coat and gloves and stand around while other people get ready. In most cases, it's super hot in the house and I get a vaguely naseous feeling in my tummy that waxes and wanes. My feet get uncomfortably sweaty in my shoes and my face alternates between shivers and burning hot, and then, finally, we can step outside. Instead of getting a nice, cool breeze and feeling relief from the sick feelings and overly-hot coats, a massive and ice-cold breeze punches me in the face but stays out of my coat. I stay hot underneath my coat, but my face and hands and legs get stiff and frozen-cold. When you get back inside, your joints seem to be stuck together and the process of heating up in painful.
When you're hot and sweaty, though, a cold shower is the most relieving thing you could ever imagine. All of the thick, sticky, sweat that's making your clothes stick like you to glue gets washed off. The grime and dirt and generally unclean feeling gets swirled down the drain and everyone likes you better for being clean. Cooling down with a nice, cold shower on a hot summer day? Unbeatable.
Alright, let's get right into it.
3) Being inspired. Well, not being inspired, but specifically the moment when you get inspired. No matter what you're doing, that feeling that you need to get off of your ass and go do whatever it is you're inspired to do. I write a lot, and when I get shocked into alertness by an idea that's screaming and punching the confines of my skull, I get up and get writing. Like Chuck Palahniuk says, "Shit or get off the pot."
Nothing is quite so fulfilling, don't you agree? In a life where we spend all of our time begrudingly doing homework, waking up earlier than we want and going to bed later than we care to, having a moment where nothing else really matters and there's only one thing you want to do is, truly, a gift.
4) Cooling down. It's winter right now in the Great White North, and it kind of sucks. Before I go out, I have to put on a huge coat and gloves and stand around while other people get ready. In most cases, it's super hot in the house and I get a vaguely naseous feeling in my tummy that waxes and wanes. My feet get uncomfortably sweaty in my shoes and my face alternates between shivers and burning hot, and then, finally, we can step outside. Instead of getting a nice, cool breeze and feeling relief from the sick feelings and overly-hot coats, a massive and ice-cold breeze punches me in the face but stays out of my coat. I stay hot underneath my coat, but my face and hands and legs get stiff and frozen-cold. When you get back inside, your joints seem to be stuck together and the process of heating up in painful.
When you're hot and sweaty, though, a cold shower is the most relieving thing you could ever imagine. All of the thick, sticky, sweat that's making your clothes stick like you to glue gets washed off. The grime and dirt and generally unclean feeling gets swirled down the drain and everyone likes you better for being clean. Cooling down with a nice, cold shower on a hot summer day? Unbeatable.
Mar 3, 2011
Today's Entry in the Things I love
When there are no more topics floating around in my brain, I get really angry and turn into a prissy bitch. I neglect this blog and I decide that you all suck and that I have no followers or reason to keep updating this. While most of those are probably true, I'll keep updating for my own sake, because I suck at getting things done and this is a good way for me to keep on something. That's what she said.
The reason that I'm here right now is because we have a supply in The Maths and fuck that. So I'm gonna write about a few things I love and hopefully you love them too.
1) Sneezes. My friend just sneezed like three times (he says it's five but I was counting), and it reminded me that I really have to sneeze too, but I can't. On my way to class, I could feel it festering in my nasal cavities, scraping at the sides of my nose and making me anxious to get it over with. Usually at that point, I turn into the sun to get it out, but there were people behind me and I have a reputation to uphold. Nevertheless, the thought of sneezing gets me all excited. The build-up to the release is like nose-sex, a cleansing burst of matter that makes everything else, even if just for a moment, secondary to your pleasure.
Oh yeah. . . Sneezing is awesome.
2) Sleeping in. This is something that's escaped me since the start of this semester. Physics makes every morning an early one, and play practice and performance makes every night a late one. Finally, things are calming down a little bit, but it's been months since I've gotten a few nights in a row of good sleep. Wrapping yourself up in a blanket and burying your face into a pillow is a feeling of comfort that nothing else really compares to, and the way you sink into a certain shape after having a mattress for a long time is like meeting an old friend every night, an old friend that you use solely to sleep with. I can't think of enough vaguely sexual descriptions to get across how much I (and hopefully you!) love sleeping. Just know that nothing will ever be as amazing as a good night's sleep.
When there are no more topics floating around in my brain, I get really angry and turn into a prissy bitch. I neglect this blog and I decide that you all suck and that I have no followers or reason to keep updating this. While most of those are probably true, I'll keep updating for my own sake, because I suck at getting things done and this is a good way for me to keep on something. That's what she said.
The reason that I'm here right now is because we have a supply in The Maths and fuck that. So I'm gonna write about a few things I love and hopefully you love them too.
1) Sneezes. My friend just sneezed like three times (he says it's five but I was counting), and it reminded me that I really have to sneeze too, but I can't. On my way to class, I could feel it festering in my nasal cavities, scraping at the sides of my nose and making me anxious to get it over with. Usually at that point, I turn into the sun to get it out, but there were people behind me and I have a reputation to uphold. Nevertheless, the thought of sneezing gets me all excited. The build-up to the release is like nose-sex, a cleansing burst of matter that makes everything else, even if just for a moment, secondary to your pleasure.
Oh yeah. . . Sneezing is awesome.
2) Sleeping in. This is something that's escaped me since the start of this semester. Physics makes every morning an early one, and play practice and performance makes every night a late one. Finally, things are calming down a little bit, but it's been months since I've gotten a few nights in a row of good sleep. Wrapping yourself up in a blanket and burying your face into a pillow is a feeling of comfort that nothing else really compares to, and the way you sink into a certain shape after having a mattress for a long time is like meeting an old friend every night, an old friend that you use solely to sleep with. I can't think of enough vaguely sexual descriptions to get across how much I (and hopefully you!) love sleeping. Just know that nothing will ever be as amazing as a good night's sleep.
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