Friday, August 28, 2009

Greetings from Slacker Complex!

I technically have a lot to post, but I've been too busy enjoying my new PC and "Shadow Complex". I probably should get a few posts up before school starts (Sept. 8). I'll be negotiating for my old jobs as columnist and copy editor for the Western Herald soon. That will probably take up the majority of blogging time this fall, especially with an important semester at school.

Now promises, but I will try to get something new posted up in here. 'Cuz ForceFlow luvs ya.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

That's Gamer

I understand the good intentions behind this ad campaign, but they've gone and shot themselves in the foot. It's similar to telling someone, "Don't say 'gay', retard!"

The term "gamer" carries a lot of negative baggage, though not quite as much as the words associated with LGBTs. Obesity, incompetence, violent behavior and crime... all stigmas that are associated with video games and those that enjoy them.

Yes, the slogan in the ad hits home for a lot of people. There's truth in what they're saying, but not a lot of tact. It takes advantage of a hurtful stereotype to provoke thought about another one.

Ultimately, it's a nearly useless tactic. Those with the brains to actually consider the message are probably not the perpetrators of the slur. Make no mistake, we're talking mostly about young people here. They don't change their behavior overnight because of a thought-provoking poster. In fact, they're more likely to ridicule it on the Internet and go on for pages and pages about it in forums.

The target of this advertising should be parents. Who else shapes the world view and behavior of children so significantly? And while many will still use slurs like "gay" throughout their childhood, one hopes that parental guidance will teach them to abandon this bigotry as they mature.

At the very least, kids will learn to suppress their bigoted outbursts and keep their thoughts to themselves. No one is free of prejudice, myself included. I may view the majority of the 6 billion people on this planet as scum, but it doesn't do me any good to go around pointing it out. After all, there are a lot more of them then there is of me.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Fall 2009 Hots n' Nots

In two weeks time, I'll be back home in Kalamazoo, enjoying a brief vacation before starting my senior year of college. I have some catching up to do video game-wise; I'm behind on two content packs for "Fallout 3" and have been itching to try "Shadow Complex" for XBLA.

There's never enough time for video games in the fall, especially when so many new titles are released within a few months of one another. Whether I can afford the money and time for them or not, here are the titles that I'm psyched for. The others... I should be, but I'm just not feeling it.

HOT
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1. Perfect Dark (XBLA)

No "remake", "reimagining", none of that bullshit. This is the real deal, albeit with fancy HD graphics and a good framerate. If the new version doesn't support full 8+ player online play (with all the features from the N64 version), I'll be heartbroken. Heartbroken, but I'd still hit that.

2. The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition

It seems I'm even more of a gamer snob than a "Star Wars" fan, because I never picked up TFU last year. The inclusion of new content, an artbook, and lower retail price may finally be enough reason to pick up this mediocre hack n' slash.

Besides, I can't get enough of the Emperor in TFU. He's like Don Corleone and The Pope with telekinetic powers. Of course, the way TFU plays fast and loose with canon always bothered me a little. In this version, you can trounce Boba Fett, Obi-Wan, and Luke, so it's all good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy!

3. Left 4 Dead 2

I'm actually one of those people who were upset by Valve's announcement of a sequel so soon. It sort of stunts the growth of the first game. Which was great, but it sorely needed some additional content. But since it's Valve we're talking about here, there are a few certainties: The release will be delayed, the gameplay will be improved, it will kick ass like all other Valve products. I would rather have seen a new "Half-Life 2" episode (long overdue), but can you blame a developer for cashing in on zombiemania and the popularity of the first game?
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NOT
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1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Like the oft-changed title of this new release, the "Call of Duty" games can't quite seem to decide what they want to be. The franchise has gone from World War II Commando to Wack-a-Mole with Commies and Arabs. While parts of "Call of Duty 4" were awesome (C-130 gunship, flying over "Baghdad"), they were too short. You find a cool gun and only use it for two minutes before getting tossed into some random military scenario. The online multiplayer has always been good, but unless they tighten the narrative a bit and get rid of the limitless bad guys, I'll pass.

2. Halo 3: ODST

Not much here for anyone who isn't an unflinching "Halo" fan. Run around, shoot aliens with underpowered guns while a computer bitches at you. Master Chief was a pussy when it came to feats of super cyborg strength. Where's the appeal in not having a shield? Unless there's some sort of squad-based dynamic, chalk this one up to Microsoft milking the ol' Bungie cash cow.
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