Column Casting Call

Hey there, visitor. Are you currently enrolled as a full-time student at Western Michigan University? If you are, I need your help.

Sadly, Game Brain is approaching the end of its run under my stewardship. I will be graduating this summer, so the weekly print column will be gone next school year.

There, there. Dry your tears. This is why I'm asking for your help. I need a Bronco to take up the reigns of the weekly column for Fall 2010 and beyond. We need somebody to keep representing the video game community at the Western Herald. Believe me, full-time columnists are rare but greatly appreciated.

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100th Post: This Week's Column

Here's an interesting idea; throw out the old letter grade system and use XP in school grading. One prof in Indiana is trying just that in his video game design classes.  This week's column explores this concept and asks some questions about its viability in education and the workplace.

It's so gamer guy!

This week's column is up over at WesternHerald.com. It covers Microsoft's recent repeal of regulations against displaying sexual orientation or religion in Xbox Live gamertags.

Speaking of Microsoft, I played "Perfect Dark" today instead of studying for an exam before work. Oh. My. God. It is gorgeous. It has everything from the original and then some. I can't wait to get some multiplayer games going. I'll have to make a practice setup so my friends and I can get into the swing of things. I could go on, but there's a busy week to finish.

From Pixels to Plastic (Preview)

For the past few months now, I've been chipping away at a video game-related craft project. There are some really amazing custom action figures on display throughout the Internet; more than a few are of video game characters.

I can't come close to the level of expertise of many customizers out there, but I try my best. I've picked up on a few techniques that have finally allowed me to achieve the effects I need, so I figured it was time to make the figures I always wanted when I was a kid.

From the pic, it should be fairly obvious who one of the custom figures represents. The other will take some guesswork on your part. Both figures are 75% done; I waiting on some new parts for one and am improving the paint job on the other.

Things are pretty busy for me, so it's rare when I have a chance to do projects like this. So it might be a while before I get the figures finished and photographed (a whole 'nother can of worms). In the meantime, see if you can guess who the mystery figures are and stay tuned for the big reveal.

Doctor's Orders

This week's column is up at WesternHerald.com.

Sorry I'm late

Forgot to post the link to last week's column. Which reminds me, I have to get next week's column under way soon. Term papers have been taking a higher priority, although I've been taking plenty of time off for gaming over Spring Break.