It's Not a Game

With the 2009 Game Developer's Conference in full swing, I've been doing a little looking into, you guessed it, game development. The gaming industry is incredibly interesting, and for years I've loved pontificating about it, without any real knowledge of its inner-workings. I'd call myself an armchair general, but I don't know what the video game equivalent of that is, though I imagine both could have the word "armchair in them". In any case, an industry so reliant on technology is constantly evolving, and players like Nintendo have proved that hardware isn't necessarily the key to to success. But where, oh where, might a relative newcomer to the cold hard facts of the industry go to educate myself on how things really work? There are any number of places, but I am particularly fond of Gamasutra. As their tagline says, they are devoted to the "art & business of making games". Perfect! Even a cursory glance at the articles they feature is a great resource to breaking intelligently into the conversation of video games. And there are things to talk about. The upcoming OnLive service is sure to impact the gaming community. If you don't need to buy a console or even a fancy pc to play next gen games, I think you may potentially gain new players, but there may also be a negative effect on publishers and developers. How can they make money in a state of perpetual renting? Also, the idea of virtual ownership of a game without a physical copy is definitely an avenue that will be explored in the future, and OnLive is perhaps just the first major step towards it.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Gaming isn't all about video games! What about all the fun games we play that don't require an outlet or $400? Well, fear not! David Sirlin website, the aptly named Sirlin.net, is full of awesome design articles on all types of gaming. Admittedly, he's worked alot on some video game projects, but he doesn't limit his insights to that style of gaming alone. All of it is insightful and an interesting read. At the very least, it gives you some food for thought. I'm particularly interested in his book "Playing to Win". Winning as a lifestyle for self-improvement? That's something I can get behind!

There's a Cat in the Couch

In fact, this post has almost nothing to do with a cat in the couch, though when I began writing, there was a cat in my couch, which led to this corresponding story. Take a look for yourself, just click on the picture.
Have you ever heard of M.U.L.E? Probably not. It was a game developed for the Atari 400/800, and ported to a variety of systems, including the NES. M.U.L.E. is heralded as one of the first great efforts at a multiplayer experience on a single console. Though it didn't make huge waves at the time, it has maintained a strong fan following, including noted game designer Will Wright, who dedicated The Sims to Dani Bunten, creator of M.U.L.E.
So, what makes M.U.L.E. so great? Basically, it's just a lot of fun! It plays alot like a boardgame, where up to four players attempt to harvest the most resources on a space colony. In order to collect your resources, you have to install M.U.L.E.s (Multiple Use Labor Elements) to gather your resources. From then, it's a mad dash to the finish as you deal with space pirates, storms, M.U.L.E.s running away, and everything else under the sun! It's a great time, and if you get the chance to play it on an emulator or through one of the other versions out there, I highly recommend it.
Curiously, despite its strong resemblance to traditional board games, I don't actually know if it could be replicated. There are a few game mechanics, such as the way land is claimed, that are problematic to replicate on a table top. Hopefully I can work out some of the issues, but in any case, there may be a new version of the game coming out this summer. Hooray! It just goes to show that a good game is a good game, despite time, or hardware limitations. Design is what's important, and too often these days that's what developers miss.

Have you met TED?

I met TED today, and I have to say, I am pleased to make his acquaintance. If you are unfamiliar with TED, so am I, but here's the run down. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and is a conference of some pretty fantastic speakers that happens annually and/or semi-annually, I'm not entirely sure. Either way, you have to apply if you even want to attend, so there you have it. It's a pretty fancy shindig. A podcaster I follow linked a talk by Adam Savage of Mythbusters on his website today, with the declaration that "EVERY creative person out there needs to watch this." That's a pretty strong endorsement, and seeing as I've watched hours of Mythbusters in the last few days (thank you Netflix), I decided to give it a try. At only 15 minutes long, it was pretty fantastic, and I recommend that others watch it as well, but then do as I did, and mosey on over to the TED website and watch a few more. Bruce McCall's piece on his art was amazing, as was Aimee Mullin's speech on her 12 different pairs of legs.
There are a few reasons I find these short videos valuable. First of all, the people featured are interesting, engaging, and aren't simply chosen at random for this conference. They have something to say that's worth listening to. Secondly, they're just plain inspiring. Like so many others, I am a creator who is more often than not afraid to create. For one reason or another, it is always easier to take things in than put them out. Let me tell you, putting out has never been my strong suit. Sorry, I had to say it, but really, I love to see the myriad ways that people find fulfillment and inspiration in their creative endeavors. It helps me to feel a part of the creative community.
Quite honestly, as much as I loved these talks (and I do), I find a similar amount of creative vindication coming from that lone podcaster who recommended the video, Scott Johnson, seen here with his Kim in beautiful Utah! That's right, he lives in Utah suckahs. Eat it! Why do I admire Scott? He has two actively running webcomics, My Extra Life and Experience Points. He also has his own creative art projects. He manages two popular podcasts, ExtraLife Radio and The Instance, both of which are of the highest quality, and a few other personal podcast and video podcasts as well. Why do I admire him? Because he creates! Not because he is famous or well paid. His creative works aren't how he makes his living...or is it? That's what inspires me. Scott, and the TED Conference speakers that I've listened to, are all people who are living "authentic lives" as Frankl might say, who have taken up the mantle of the "Citizen Artist" as Paula Vogel might say, and are contributing themselves through their work into the wider world. That's really all I want to do. Creation should never be about getting a job. It should be done because, well, frankly, that's what makes life interesting, and I feel enriched when I see others who have seen their labors come to fruition, even if only for themselves.

Wishing my head was on fire...

Well folks, if you thought that the return of this blog meant a move away from its comic book roots, then think again suckahs! Before my four hour sojourn in the Minneapolis airport yesterday (which was far more grueling than anticipated), I stopped at Mind's Eye Comics to pick up some reading material, all of which was delightful!I have to say though, that Jason Aaron's Ghost Rider continues to be one of my favorite reads each month. Though this issue was sadly missing artist Tan Eng Huat's talent, but hopefully he'll be back, and if not, Tony Moore's work fit the bill quite nicely.
Ghost Rider works if, and only if, he is treated as something other than the Superheroes of Marvel's other offerings. Originally conceived as a horror comic to capitalize on the current media trends of 1972, that is where the 'ol flame-skull really shines. Ghost Rider lives in the world of the supernatural that lurks right behind the corner, that you always suspect is there, but are too afraid to look for. Where Angels and Demons vie for your very soul, so is the Ghost Rider, spirit of vengeance. I mean, within the first 20 issues, he'd fought Satan countless times, and even met Jesus, who handily pardoned him of his sins. As soon as he starts palling around with jokers in tights, things start going downhill.
Enter Jason Aaron, who, even after the 2007 Nicolas Cage fiasco, managed to put some life back in the flagging franchise. How did he do it? Simple. He pruned the Ghost Rider mythos until it became recognizable once more. Accompanied by Huat's subtly distorted visuals, we have a book firmly embedded in the Ghost Rider mythos, with our sometimes hero beset by Rogue Angels and demons, fighting his battles, not participating in any superheroic shenanigans. The best part, is that it never takes itself to seriously. It's the kind of world the Bruce Campbell inhabits. Some of it is as campy as the nearest KOA, but instead of being a mindless parody, it remains engaging and exciting. This is reason that The Mummy and The Pirates of the Caribbean work in my mind, and why their sequels fail. Simple, ridiculous, but ultimately fantastic.
Take Ghost Rider #33 for example. Basically just setting the groundwork for the series now that Heaven has fallen (you heard me), we are treated to a short history of the Ghost Riders, and are treated to appearances from no less than 19 new Ghost Riders, scattered throughout history, all of which are completely awesome! I have to say that while the Ghost Rider tank and crew from World War II and the semi-truck Devil Rig were pretty fantastic, the cyber-punk Riders of Tomorrow definitely take the cake.
What does this all boil down to? For years, I have firmly believed that our media takes itself too seriously. We don't have to have logical reasoning for everything. We don't always need deep character development. Sometimes, we just need good solid fun. When you over think it, it falls apart. The Ghost Rider is a man who becomes a flaming skeleton and rides around on a flaming motorcycle. He smites the wicked as a weapon of God's vengeance. Oh, and sometimes he fights monsters. Do we need more than that? Jason Aaron has proved that with those simple tools, a continually engaging story can be created. It isn't about a lack of complexity, it's about focus, and using what you have to the fullest. So make what you want to make. Don't worry if it's Pride and Prejudice or The Sound and the Fury. If all you have is the next Army of Darkness, odds are you've succeeded.

My penance...

Here I am, once again. My absence has helped me to recognize how much I missed and I how I enjoy the process of regularly updating my B-log. Blog. Lately on YouTube, I've noticed a cartoon called Blog Smog appearing on the side of my screen, enticing me to view it instead of whatever Royksopp music video I am currently watching. Blog Smog. An interesting concept, and an even better turn of phrase. Is the Blogosphere overpopulated? Does the existence of the term Blogosphere priove that there are too many blogs? Perhaps, yes, but is it a problem?
I say nay! Tis no problem at all! In fact, I would be happy to see everyone with a blog. Why not? This is our internet, and as much as I love sneezing pandas and lol-ing cats (and I do) why not populate with the people? Sure, there's going to be a lot that I won't want to read, and that I won't ever know existed. In fact, as I right this post, I anticipate that my readership will be slim to nil. Despite this, I write. If nothing else, this is a forum for me to organize and express my ideas as part of a community of expressors. And so it is that I write for myself, and if you enjoy it, or even read it, then I have something else to be happy about. If not, I created something here. Though it may be no more than pixels, it is mine, and I created it. Blogs - the Internet's playdough.