My Deepest Sympathies

I just want to begin by expressing my most deepest and sincere sympathies to the victims of the Oslo, Norway terrorist attacks. The acts were despicable and tragic, but I feel completely unqualified to make comments on them.

As I type this, I consider my reasons for doing so... this Kotaku article more or less sums it up, so please give it a read.

Now I ponder why I would even bother publicly stating my own personal feelings on this matter, clearly it is because of the "gamer angle". And well honestly, it feels on the verge of being crass.

What's important here is that citizens were murdered... and not just citizens, but children. All in the name of ideology and in aggressive "defense" of said ideals.

That said, as of the present, I have little to say regarding gamers and the attacks. In my best attempts to be respectful as possible, I don't choose to invoke the deaths of one hundred innocent humans to make a point about anything at this time.

Perhaps, in short time, there will be a day where it feels more appropriate to make a probing analytical comment, but it is not now... but I speak only for myself. Events like this can help to put things into perspective, and there is a lot at the moment to consider.

But, I encourage all who are willing to use this as a catalyst to promote heightened understanding in your own local community. And to Norwegians and all those around the planet who have lost those who are most important to you, know that my love and thoughts are with you... for whatever that's worth.

Passage

Maybe it's just a unique night, but this is the first time that I can think of that I was moved to tears by a game.

That's all I really need to say, download here: Passage

What's your all time favorite idle animation?

Hello internet, I thought I would update with my recent activities.

After my Alice review, I promised an analytical critique of the symbols of the game, because I find that entertaining in it's own right and also because I want to demonstrate that video games are fully capable of provoking deep thought about something other than timelines, character relationships, and general canon. I thought before doing so, it would be suitable to read through the source material of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, to see if that adds any gravity to particular elements in the game. This not only entails that I find a quiet place to read in, but also a quiet place in which I feel comfortable reading children's literature.

But aside from that, I've been messing around with Game Maker 8 in hopes of learning a bit more of what it's like to be a developer. It's been quite a fun experience, and I'd recommend it to any of my fellow code-illiterate noobs who would like to get a feel for creating simple games. As with any new program that let's me flex my creative muscle, I've had an alarmingly good time learning the program, made simpler by the fact that two basic tutorials are provided with the installation.

The little moments have been quite entertaining, such as: while working on the second tutorial for making a simple vertical scrolling shooter, I was having an issue with the testing wherein every time I shot an enemy plane close to one of the islands in the background, the explosion would also destroy the island. Not only was it neat to be able to pinpoint what I did wrong in the design, but it was one of those glitches where it unexpectedly inspires you to add a new element to the game.

Anyway, I'd recommend the program to all my fellow creative types, give it a whirl. I know it has inspired me to learn a little bit more about programming than I had wanted to in the past. Consider it a game design gateway program, so have fun with that, kiddos.

'Til next time, keep exploring digital rabbit holes.

Another Victory for Video Games

So today the Supreme Court struck down the California law banning the sale of violent video games to children in a 7 to 2 vote. This is an obvious victory for everyone in the gaming industry and perhaps one for the First Amendment as well. Of course I was on the side of the industry, but I thought it would be a worthy endeavor to examine the law and supposed repercussions from both sides of the argument. No worries, I shan't delve too much into the many overdone topics of violence in video games and how it affects children, as better people have handled that question anyway.

So what exactly was the law attempting to do? Well, obviously it was trying to limit the access that children have to video games. Does that mean it made it illegal for children to play violent video games or even for violence to be in the games themselves? Simple answer is "no". It would still have been possible for parents to make the purchase of such games for their children if they deemed it appropriate. So, that said, what reasons do we have to be glad the decision was made in the first place?

Alice Pressed Against the Wall: A Review of Alice: Madness Returns

It's been too long since I've had the pleasure of playing a game not only about the strange things that I find interesting, but also one that has only recently been released. Alas, the planets have aligned and now I find myself fully reviewing a game, almost like the big boys, except of course I got my copy after release and refused to unfairly speed though it for the sake of a timely review. All in all, I must say I have rather enjoyed the experience.

Before getting on with the review, I would like to mention that I've been using Lewis Carroll references throughout this blog since I began writing it. But now that there finally comes a time in which it would actually be fitting, I refuse to quote anything from The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland because that would be expected and I am a very petty person. Notice the title? That's the first non-Carrollinian thing I thought of with the name “Alice” in it, which is the first line of a Sisters of Mercy song, unsurprisingly entitled “Alice”. Proof that I too can make a sporadic decision about something without giving it much thought, and I actually frequently do... well I guess I couldn't survive for very long without that ability... Anyway, moot point, carrying on now!

I lied. I actually chose the line because Alice being “pressed against the wall” reflects the scrutinizing nature of the reviewing process. I thought about this for a very long time. :<

Considering how I have a few additional readers since my last review, I thought I would briefly reiterate the method in which I review video games (skip if you already read my Resident Evil review or if you just don't give a damn). Generally I begin with the theme of the game, it's ultimate raison d'etre and developer's intentions the same way one would begin evaluating any other type of art. I critique this by how the experiential elements of the game are presented. Such examples of a game's experience would be: story, music, atmosphere, art style, environment, characters, sound, pacing, etc. Then I evaluate whether the challenge factor supports or dissolves the experiential expression of the game. Game challenge may include things like: difficulty (always on “normal” for reviews), combat, boss fights, gameplay/mechanics, level design, mini-challenges (puzzles, minigames, vehicles, etc.), secondary content (hidden items, sidequests, unlockables, etc.), and so on... I think you get the picture.

Now, it's in the nature of this blog to be focused on creative and unique games, otherwise the theme and my review method would be futile. So, with that in consideration, realize that it's entirely likely that I will only be reviewing creative and unique games. This means that the games will be measured mostly within the narrow spectrum of other artistic games, rather than the much broader horizon of games in general. That way, I can favor games with creative merit without artificially praising them against the wide world of games that don't have any interest in taking artistic risks; think of it like choosing to remain within a particular genre, because the qualities you're interested in largely don't exist in other genres. This, I believe, will be the best method for keeping my reviews as objective and fair as possible within a frame that obviously favors subjectivity (also keep in mind, this is an extra precaution that I typically reserve for “new releases”). Well, here's to hoping this will actually be the last time I feel I need to preface an entry with the same old stuff, so without further ado...

My review of Alice: Madness Returns

For the Snark was a Boojum, You See: Not a Review of Alice: Madness Returns

First of all, let me say that this is most definitely not a review for Alice: Madness Returns. Why is this not a review of Alice: Madness Returns? Well... because I haven't finished Alice: Madness Returns yet, and until I'm getting paid, no arbitrary obligation I've made for myself to the internet will inspire me to speed through a game that I'm enjoying and have been waiting to play for the better part of a decade, such as Alice: Madness Returns.

Oh, since were in that neighborhood, I would have liked to do a comparative analysis of A:MR versus Duke Nukem Forever, considering they came out on the same day and they both had an absurd (nigh unethical) wait time before release (though the wait for Duke was about 4 years longer). Unfortunately, I can't do that because I've never really been a Duke fan, so it would be terribly biased. All I know is that I seem to be exponentially more pleased with my long awaited game than the majority of Duke guys... not that I'm gloating, I'm just... yeah I'm gloating. A goth chick beat out the Duke, breath that in and savor it for a moment. Actually, I wonder if Duke wouldn’t have been into that sort of thing behind closed doors.

As I was saying, this is a fluff entry and it's indicative of why I don't review new releases. When I'm enjoying a game (or trying to enjoy it), I want to savor the experience, not jump through it; plus, how am I supposed to form my valuable opinions if I don't experience the game in an intended rational manner? I may have already mentioned too much about my opinion thus far, just know that even though I'm enjoying the game, my review will be through objective eyes. So until I've finish said review, I've cobbled together some of the notes I've taken and some personal reflections about Alice in Wonderland and American McGee's Alice, to not only keep readers amused, but also to trim the fat while still getting to pass heaping bowlfuls all around.

First, some self-serving autobiographical fun facts, presented as always in smaller font: 

I've actually never been a PC gamer until very recently, from as long as I can remember, I've been a console baby. I didn't get my first laptop until I was 15, and even then, the only thing I wanted it for was gaming. The very first game I got for PC was American McGee's Alice, which had been out for almost 5 years at that point. When it was first released, not only could I not play it (due to an unworthy home computer), but I was also much younger and I was at an age in which I was beginning to outgrow the “everything scares the crap out of me” phase (for more info, see the tiny text paragraph here). But, by the time I was 15, I was reveling in all that was horror, and picking up the classic subverted fairy tale that I had missed out on was a natural choice. Barring the keyboard learning curve, I was in love from the start.

You see, I'm all into that Tim Burton-esque babybat stuff... which for all those somewhat familiar or unfamiliar with goth vocabulary, know that I don't use that as a pejorative against young, angsty Hot Topic shoppers (as is the standard usage), but rather as a term to describe a particularly somewhat cliché, somewhat commercial goth aesthetic. I have been watching movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas over and over as comfort material ever since it first came out in theaters (actually, that's one of the first movies I recall seeing in one), but when I came of that particular teen age, I wasn't down with dressing as many of my bondage pants-donning peers... as I much preferred making fun of them. So thus I obtained American McGee's Alice at a perfect time, allowing me to indulge in my closeted appreciation of all things that would be arbitrarily labeled “goth”, while not having to adopt that persona. Yes, for all those who have forgotten, when you are at that age, it becomes difficult to separate your actual personality from an amalgamation of the things that you are fond of.

Now, I am much older, and there was a significant portion of my senior year in high school in which I spent a lot of my free time studying the works of Lewis Carroll, which of course is the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, for you cretins. That year I was reading a lot of what I fancied would magically turn me into an intellectual, guys like Dostoevsky and even Bukowski, and I have no rational explanation why I suddenly spent a few months pouring over Carroll. It was either because I was fishing for unfortunate similarities between a recently read Nabokov novel (yes, that one) or it was entirely due to my fondness for American McGee's Alice.

You see, now if I was to be presented AMA or A:MR without having a previous affection for it, I would arrogantly scoff and quip about how “Wonderland is dark enough without needing a fresh coat of gawth paint.” But, lucky me, I was fortunate enough to appreciate something before I became all jaded and pretentious! Which allows me to actually make an intellectual argument that if it wasn't for American McGee, as well as all others who would present to mainstream culture a dark take on Wonderland (as well as other fairy tales), then there is a significant risk that the cultural conscious would have forgotten how dark this story actually was... and that that is a good thing!

Looking at the bigger picture, we have the Brothers Grimm and the folks at Disney to thank for how palatable and safe the world of fables and fantasy have become. That last sentence was sarcasm by the way, so consider re-reading it with this knowledge. You see, even though American McGee's Alice utilizes many... many many many many... artistic licenses, it is arguably a much more accurate interpretation of the thematic elements of fairy tales... at least from a 17^th century perspective. See, it's a bit of a sticky wicket, because Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written in 1865, a long time after the Grimm's made children's stories much less grim, and further literary and cultural evolution made darkness much less utilitarian. However, due to the surreal imagery, obscured political and cultural references, and the authors purported questionable reputation (though tarnished may be a better word), the works of Carroll are still worthy of intrigue for adult lovers of nonsense fiction and poetry.

Regardless, a stark and grim (oh wow, didn't realize how 90's it all was) version of Wonderland in the collective unconscious is a suitable counter-balance to the commercially innocent Disney version and the supposed psychedelia-encouraging nature that another percentage of the culture associates it with. You see, I do believe that Wonderland is a dark and frightening place in it's own right without needing tenebrous analysis. It is however, a very subtle type of uncanny. Whether it's the threat of beheading from the Queen of Hearts, a striking act of violence for children's literature that we'd otherwise be desensitized to. Or it could be something such as the ever so implied threatening nature of the Mad Hatter, that has been culturally retconned to be goofy and whimsical. Basically, the story is filled with disturbing elements that we have forgotten are disturbing due to over exposure, and sometimes it takes an obvious and blunt approach, such as delivered by American McGee, to remind us that this shit is creepy.

Gaze into the visage of MADNESS!

Certainly, I'm not getting into a lot of depth here, and I may be oversimplifying things, but you get the picture. That said, even though I haven't finished an actual review, I can perhaps suggest whether or not you should pick the game up, for those of you who may need a bit of encouragement (or discouragement) without waiting a few more days.

So here it is.

Yes, it's the same video I linked in my first entry about A:MR... But after watching it, you should have one of three separate reactions:

Reaction 1:

If you found the visuals and the music as stunning as I did, or even if you are only a little bit taken by the artistic approach, then what are you waiting for? If you like Alice in Wonderland, either Gothic or goth imagery, artistic games, Victorian era London, psychological horror, or crazy white people... then go pick this one up, this is the video game you deserve.

Yes... go do it now. Spend your consumer points for the stuff that you believe needs to be supported!

Reaction 2:

If you watched the clip and had a neutral reaction and just want to know how it plays, well to you, I say just check it out. Put it on your list of games to rent, even if it's not your thing, it could be worth exposing yourself to something new. I think that's something that can be healthy for us all, amiright?

Reaction 3:

If while watching the clip you thought something along the lines of “wtf is this emo shit?” well, in that case... enjoy your Duke Nukem Forever! Trololololololol

The writer of this blog would like to make it clear to fans of classic Duke Nukem that he mourns your loss in these dark times, and that all critical statements herein are all for the greater cause of what the kids call “teh lulz”.

So, as I've habitually stated thus far, stay tuned for a full review of Alice: Madness Returns.

Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk?

I've been writing a screenplay for enjoyment and playing a lot of Yume Nikki recently, so I would have to say the past several days have had a theme of introspection. From my last entry I think I made it clear that I was a fan of American McGee's Alice, but I had been skeptical enough to avoid getting hyped about the sequel before launch to the point where I largely avoided any news or updates about it. You see, I'm quite the cynic when it comes to video games, especially in regards to series that I care a lot about. I never fangush about anything anymore, and that's really because I've just been disappointed so many times. So, generally I try and avoid games that I think will cause me to react in an overly subjective manner until I've actually played them.

Anyway to the point...

In my last entry, I promised a review, which I plan to deliver, but I thought I should go ahead and say a few things first. Typically, me reviewing a game around it's release date is a rare occurrence. This is mainly because games are way too expensive for my broke college student self when they first come out, and it's rare that I can make the investment right away. But also because I have this ethical perception of how games should be reviewed when they are new versus when they've been available for a few weeks or so. I believe anyone who calls himself a video game reviewer has the duty to review a game as objectively as possible when it's just been released, mostly because reviews have the ability to persuade gamers to spend money on a game or not, thus increasing or hindering the sales.

My review style is somewhat unique and basically revolves around subjectivity entirely. I discuss little about whether a game is "good" in the traditional since, and focus on the artistic merits instead, which is why I feel very self-conscious about reviewing a recently released game. So know that in rare situations such as this, if I do review a game so close to it's release, I will most likely stick to the same formula of the "challenge as a support for the experience". However, due to my self-implemented ethical policy, I will remain as objective as I possibly can be, while retaining my own style and voice.

So that said, stay tuned for a review of Alice: Madness Returns...