Out with the old

Seeing as how I'm no longer a part-time video game columnist, I no longer have much left to sustain the blog with. Sure, I'm playing games more, but I can't stand to write exclusively about them anymore.

You've noticed how low the volume and frequency of new content has been here at Game Brain. That's my fault entirely. But there's also the name: it never really grew on me. It was always just... there. It was fine for the column, but it's a little blunt. And limiting, since I want to expand into other areas of geekdom.

So from now on, all Game Brain content will be posted on the new site, which I will reveal shortly. I hope to have a wider range of content, and some more contributors. Y'know, some specialists. If you're really into, say, comic books, I could use a knowledgeable reviewer/commentator.

We'll have some cool new features, too. I'm really excited about the premise; it took me at least a week to come up with a good name. It's a little strange, but a lot of fun. It won't jump out at you and say "Hey, this site's about video games and stuff!" But I'm sure "Left 4 Dead" fans will recognize the reference.

With that, I have a lot of work to do to get the new site up and running. I'm actually planning posts for a change, so hopefully we'll have more content more often. Like always, I'd appreciate your help and contributions as well.

The mystery site will be revealed soon... 'til then, I'll be going to summer classes and performing on a Battlefield near you.

The Off Season

Between summer classes (starting next week) and my job search in full gear, it's looking like video game business will remain in the backseat for a little while longer. I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and need to recover a little bit.

Those action figures I mentioned earlier are done; I just need to get some decent photographs of them.

Other than that, I can't promise much. One endeavor that I'd really like to try is a tribute to the Build engine... the foundation of historic titles like "Wolfenstein," "Doom," and "Duke Nukem 3d." People these days complain about how the Unreal engines are overused. The Build engine was the original go-to for shooters of the 1990s. I want to download and play as many of the Build engine games as I can and do a big review.

In the meantime, check out this "documentary" on the engine:

This is it

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

Oh, did I mention that it's the last one?

Yep, my two-year stint as a writer is over. Now I can focus more on bite-size content for the blog. The Herald is going to need a new columnist now; it's my hope that someone takes over the video game column.

With a Western Michigan University student representing in the Herald, and me keeping the blog running, I think a lot of cool things will happen. It's a long shot, but I can dream, can't I?

I know it's been a while since I announced those mystery action figures. They're about 90% finished. I just need to add a few touches and get a decent photography setup. Look for that to be my next major post. But it might be a while; final exams are next week, and I'll be in Las Vegas for a printing convention shortly after.

In the meantime, see you in "Bad Company 2!"