I just can't help it. I've got this craving for blast-in-the-past pc games.

These past couple of weeks, I've been giving in more and more for this particular craving. I downloaded a wonderful game I call IVAN, which is the shortened Latin name of the game. Something to the equivalent of "A Road to a Violent Death". Anyways, the game is spectacular. If you've never played it, get ready to be the most frustrated human being for the first 20 minutes of the game. It is a tough nut to crack, but the nut REALLY is worth it. You'll see what I mean when you play it.

The other game, which I currently have running in the background of this blog, is: Virtual Villagers 3 "The Secret City". If you haven't played any of the series, you might want to give it a shot. At less than a few Mbs of room (You can download the trial for free online), the game packs a punch. Also, very frustrating like IVAN. Checking on my villagers as they continue to struggle for their virtual lives gives me purpose on my computer... I seem to be setting up tasks to complete while it runs in the background... I check them as I finish the tasks, and then move on once I'm bored again. The fun thing is, it keeps on playing, even while you sleep. So don't sleep in!

Haha. They're both genius games, and use up so little space and minimal processing, and are just the thing to whet your appetites for new games. Guilt-free snacks of the gaming world, that seem to consume me with intrigue more than the big-budget games that are coming out lately. (Probably because my computer can't handle those kinds of graphics)

I'll hunt down some links that you can puruse if you're interested in checking these lil' games...

IVAN

Virtual Villagers 3

... then Supreme Ruler 2020 is making quite the statement about the state of our world.

I'll go back a bit..... I've always felt that video games, whether they mean to or not, act as a time capsule to the concepts they host. Thinking back to earlier RPGs, especially text-based ones, they always had specific stories to tell their audience. It was a sort of common trope back then that today is seen as a bit pushy. Today, users want to make their own stories with the characters they create, and open-environment games like Oblivion reflect that demand from the consumer.

But, watching the demo reel for Supreme Ruler 2020, I had to ask: "What does THIS say about a gamer's needs?". In the demo, the user is fighting in war-torn North America, and the land is divided into some of the same divisions of the Civil War... Don't quote me on that, but there is certainly some interesting splits being depicted in the US in that demo. Now, in my experience, most countries in North America tend to keep civil war ideas on the D-L. Canadians rarely discuss the Quebec-separatist movements (at least on this side of the continent), and Americans don't really reminisce on the Civil War. Are they still relevant? Maybe not, but, the developers of Supreme Ruler seem to think so. I'm not sure what to think yet, I haven't played the game... it just made me wonder if the developers see this as a sort of science fiction that could come true?

Sorry for all the bad grammer, I'm having an off-day in the writing department. Cover-letter writing is exhausting... I'm applying for so many jobs, that when they phone, I barely know which employer is which. Anyways, I hope all my fellow gamers are taking it easy, nto doing too much other than playing games on this Sunday afternoon.

Oh, and PS, did anyone get Grand Theft Auto yet? I reaaaallly want to hear how it is! I heard rumors of 'best GTA EVERRRRR', but, I'm skeptical thus far. Gimme a shout if you've tried it!

Eeeeeuhhhhhh....

I haven't written in forever. I've been scrambling to finish off my exams, term papers and resume stuff. It's been crazy. I really don't have much to say other than I'm feeling tired of the manic lifestyle of being out of school (sort've) and without a job (sort've). Bleghhhhh...... Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegh

Or: Another sign of the gaming apocolypse -- Gamers Instinct.

Today I saw the ad on Gamespot for the "Gamers Instinct" (which, by the way, is foul grammatically because of the implied but invisible apostrophe, but nevermind that). On the ad, cleverly featured and with much gusto, something straight out of Barnum: "Make your mark on the gaming world by joining our panel!". Violently green and shiny to the mind's eye as a new puppy, I impulsively decided to join.

Let me admit now, in my opnion, ads on websites are a violation of what the internet has to offer (in terms of free conent). But, I'm torn. Entering the world as a young woman who needs an income to buy her expensive games and toys, I can see the appeal of making some cash, any way you can. I suppose, I'm congratulating the ad (before I criticize it later in this post) as it did what it was supposed to do: Make me click on it and join their membership. But let's be honest. if they can afford to make that caliber of advertisement, they aren't making a tiny profit. They are probably are generating dump-truck loads of money still hot from the hands of greedy gremlins all across the webverse. Greedy Gremlins like me.

But, I digress! What I truly mean to speak of is the rather sobering implications surrounding the practice of using "Greedy Gremlins" for this little job. As the ad proclaims brightly, they want people to JOIN to "have opportunity to influence the direction of gaming-related research and product development".

Did you get that? They said that your input will direct product development of games. I would hazard to guess that MANY of Gamespot's clientelle join Gamespot for this VERY reason. They want to change the way that developers make games, because I think many of us are becoming aware of what potential games have to be the focus of many people's lives, *if they're done right*.

So why am I (clumsily) writing an editorial against "Gamers Instinct"? Well, unsavoury grammer aside, I don't really think it's a logical or esteemed decision to give precendence to the greediest of our population. I'm talking about those that are hungry for content, easy cash and quick fixes. Of course, I know some of you joined because you do beleive that this will push gaming in the right direction, but consider the following:

What kinds of questions are they asking? What *part* of product development are they going to be changing in relation to your answer?

Without answering a single question (other than filling out your details on a quick sign up sheet) they have already learned something about you. You want. Because, if you didn't want, why would you do a survey? I mean, people who are satisfied by their jobs, I assume, would be less likely to fill out a survey, because there's just no need. It's grunt work.

And here's the logical fallacy they are encouraging in their survey-grunts : The gaming world as a democratic system, subject to the whims of the little people (us). Gamespot is not a democracy. The gaming world doesn't change because people vote... something many Gamespot trollers know intimately. Games get crappy, and no amount of complaining will result in the company doing the same tragic mistakes again. All of this, grey and blue, shiny and yellow, has been carefully chosen by a designer to look appealing to a certain demographic (us). The reviewrs and writers on staff carefully consider the financial aspects of purchasing games. For example, how many thousand pages of "Super Amazing Console No in EVERY HOME: Sales only to rise, says president" have your eyes skimmed over in the last few years? You may not care, but the people at Gamespot certainly do hold the transfer of money in their thoughts.

So what am I saying? Gamespot, but perhaps more extremely, this "Gamers Instinct" only really cares about the money. I'm diving dangerously close to sounding like one of the baddies of Hot Fuzz when I say this, but what about "the greater good"? Sure, the reviewers aren't hooved capitalists, snorting and rolling in the blood, sweat and tears of the plebs (us). But, they have to be faithful to way the industry works. And that, my fellow gamers, is through the judicial application of dollars and cents.

So, when you hear the revolutionary words of "Change!", keep in mind who is saying it, and why. Chances are, you won't like who it is. (Haha, ok, I love that James Bond song a little too much). The democratic slang of "change" and "power" have very different implications in a cusiness society. But, it's intentional, I am finally about to argue. Gamespot, and this "Gamers Instincts" are playing a little roleplay with their audience, playing with our communual desire to change our world, but using it to further the increase of their own wallet. This is an *exaggerated* exchange to hammer home my frustration...

Gamers Instinct: strolling briskly up, patting you roughly on the back Hey! Yeah, you there! With the... uh... face! Do you like videogames? I see you've got a controller in your hands and you're on a site erected in the glory of brotherhood of gaming!

You: Oh, well, yeah I-

Gamers Instinct: keeps talking Haha yes! Isn't it funny how the gaming world has changed! In my day, nerds like you didn't do much more than pop pimples and wipe the grease on your mom's old sofa in the basement!

You: What? I didn't do-

Gamers Instinct: still talking ...And now I'm writing an ad in order to make you feel like a democratic citizen! pausing now, leaning close Guess what son? You can change this world. Yes, you. You with the face. No, no. Had to beleive, but I really do mean you.

You: What do you mean change?- Because I really hated the way that the graphics on Bir-

Gamers Instinct: Yes yes yes, we know all about it. Listen I'm a busy man here, and I have some clients who are interested in getting your financial records, so, I'm going to need to get you to fill out these twenty-five surveys before the end of the month, that'd be great. Thanks. heading back to his fancy office

You: Whoa, hold on. I have a job and can't -

Gamers Instinct: turning around Didn't you say that you wanted CHANGES?! You gotta do some WORK, son, to get some say in the big business! Don't you know what's at stake, son? attempting to calm down....... There's a ten in it for you, if you do enough surveys....

You: ............................................................... yeah, ok.

Final Thoughts: Bleak. I know. I'm sounding an awful lot like a doomsayer. But if media culture has taught us anything about who we are as a community, it's that we are a group of people who like extreme sensation. Most of us are imaginative and can easily suspend our disbelief for a while, in order to gain the thrills offered only in the virtual world. Ads work on this basic principle, and keenly accept and encourage us to act imulsivley, in order to sell more product for more profit. Demand goes up, but the product's value has the potential to decrease, to further increase the profit margin. This means, trashier games filled with meaningless insane graphics (that are MUCH easier to do with the market flooding with young people who know how to manipulate software) with vapid storytelling. The games of the future can be less concerned with the "future" of the gaming world, because that's not what is most important. It's the cash.

***Afterthoughts**** Woof, what a rant! I wrote this in the spur of the moment, and it sounds a bit snarky! I would love to hear your thoughts on the whole messy issue, or have some critical input to gain some refinement of my point or the other sides of this argument. I can be pretty extreme when thinking out just one side! Thanks for reading it all, if you made it all the way down here! What stamina for crazed editorials you have!

****Note to Gamers Instinct**** Sorry about the cheap shots on the apostrophe thing. I think I know what you were trying to say... you wanted to give the impression of agency, like I said up there. And you meant it in the best way possible. Except, you left out the apostrophe, ergo, it no longer reads "You have possession of instincts!" It reads "There are a lot of people here, who are also gamers..... mumble mumble instinct". Gamers can't "instinct"... so why put it there, where it feels like a verb? Why couldn't you have given gamers instinct? (See, I did what you did there too... so you could see what I mean. The word following gamers isn't posessed... it's just floating there like an uneaten cabbage.) I'm slinging mud because it just justifies my own opinion that everybody has decided to give up on making games because it means something more than just its function in the capitalist perspective. You just were convieniently in my way... I don't suppose I'm going to get my subscription cancelled now? 'Cuz, I could use the money..... ;)

~BirdyBot

Is there life after school?

Because, at this point, I'm about to find out. I'm finally graduating from my measly B.A., and I'm suddenly tasked with finding a job. A REAL job. Not one of those piddles during the summer, where the main goal is to make enough to afford booze and entertainment. I mean like, the rest of my life depends on how well I can track down something, and ace an interview. Sigh, selling yourself is so tedious though. Does anyone have a disposible income that they wouldn't mind paying me? I can do odd jobs about the house, I can be the perfect complement to any LAN party, and have excellent Smash Brothers skills (Ma liddle Pokies!). Come on... there's gotta be someone out there who will be my sugar-game-daddy? Birdy want Spore! LOL.

Pay no mind to me, I have had less sleep today than hours of class.... It makes me a little crazy.

Doesn't it seem to many of you that the gaming industry has gone to ****

I recently visited my local software outlet, and everything was so...... rehashed. Hasn't anybody thought of something new? I remember when I was first introduced to gaming, (back in 1980's) everyone was so alive. Developers where coming up with entirely new genres, and thinking of new ways to do things.

What happened? It's just, mindless trash, sludge out there.

Tired of vapid, shallow first-person shooters that are only made because they are first-person shooters. Tired of RPGs that have the same cast of creatures and the same ridiculous story about someone who wants to save the world.

Did anyone notice that Rollercoaster Tycoon made like, a THOUSAND games, that all pretty much did the same thing? Because I did, I played quite a few of them. Unfourtunately for my wallet, I really should've stuck to the original.....

I'm just tired of the uninspired. The games that have come out recently haven't titilated me like they used to. Am I getting old? Or just, more picky? UGH.

I havent' been writing much online lately... though, it's just that RL has had so much to do! Between school, work and leisure, I barely have time to devote to my ultimate procrastination tool, Gamespot.

I don't know about other Gamespot users, but I spend oodles of time looking at content (both user and commercially created) on Gamespot servers. While others flit between email and Facebook, this seems to be where I end up, time and time again.

I was contemplating the future yesterday.... as I'm often wont to do... and it seems to me that these leisure activities, such as gaming, or more specifically, commercial enterprises that control leisure activities (Like Gamespot), are going to control a large portion of the Globalized world, pretty soon. We as a first-world nation are often saturated with discussion about the 'next big power', and speculate endlessly about how to keep our hands on the reins of social control... and yet... we give so much power to the commerical industries that entertain us.

Doesn't that seem a little fool-hardy? I'm just as terrified by governmental control as the next girl, but, truly government is the lesser evil when it comes to who runs your life... neh? I mean, if commercial enterprises and organizations are informing your social orientation, than brand wars will become a reality. Bullturd arguments about consoles and all that masterbatory beeswax already pumps in the young blood of some of the Gamespot surfers. Who cares what console is greater? Why are you identifying yourself in terms of your affiliation to a console? Sure, roleplay is fun, and not everybody takes the console wars as seriously as some... but for those that do take it seriously, be warned of your actions; You are placing yourself at the mercy of big business, that really only has it's own agenda on the priority list. You will get thrown from that horse....

Come to think of it, government is pretty much the same. Damnit, maybe Sam was onto something when he wrote "Trouble in Triton"... heterotopia indeed.

After reading a fellow blogger's post, I've started contemplating where this community's power lies in changing the industry.

Here's the thing: I've read and expressed myself thousands of complaints about the current trend of developing games has become. How many times do I have to read the words "Diablo-esque" or "Everquest-clone"? I am full to the brim with clones, drones, and especially moans. Because the truth is, complaining about these games and the trend will only go so far.

In our money-driven world, the clearest voice heard on the developing side of the game industry is DOLLARS. Flow-charts are drawn up, laser-pointers are armed and aimed at sales numbers, meetings are chaired by sweaty, nervous developers and powerful and demanding investors. These developers are first and foremost responsible to their bosses. It's their job to make money for the investors, the company. While most of them must've gotten into the business to develop something new and exciting, their capitalist-minded superiors are fondly remembering market sales of Diablo, Warcraft, Everquest, etc etc etc. Ok, scratch that, those investors are DROOLING, PANTING. They feel the ache, the need.

So what am I saying? Stop hassling the developers and smell the green. They're trapped by their investors to prioritize money over invention. If you've got a problem with the games coming out today, speak with your loudest voice: you wallet. Don't buy them. Don't support the big dogs.

Sure, this meaning that the poor sweaty developers that have given their life-blood creating games that are mediocre at best are going to get fired, cry in their beds at the loss of their dignity and artistic vision, but, by being a smart buyer, you're eventually doing them a favour. You're freeing them from the man!

Ok, I'm getting a little hyper and cataclysmic here, but, I really do feel passion for this.

And if you're one of those people that believe that your actions can never change the industry, consider the following: Before the printing press came out, it cost a FORTUNE to make books. So, those that had the money controlled what got written into books. However, once the printing press was invented, everyone and their mom could almost afford to make books. Not only that, but AUTHOR them too. Now, those independant authors have become mainstream culture. J.K. Rowling, poor as a flea in a matress, created a series that has seen the eyes of almost an entire generation. Pretty fan-tabulous.

Don't worry, it's a consumers' world, if you just know what language to speak.

God, I wonder how many posts in the Gamespottiverse start just like that.

But onto the actual MEAT of my extreme pleasure! I'm getting a WII!!!!!! Well, more truthfully, my friend is buying my sister and I our birthday/christmas presents a little late, and he's decided to slop down some cash for a WII! And I played a wii for the FIRST time only yesterday! GOD. Is it fun or what?!?! I NEEEEED it!

Haha, of course, I'm sooo bloody busy with school, and work... I really don't need any other distractions. And here I am, with a Wii. GEEZ. Hehehehhe. I have NO clue what game I'm gonna get first. I spend SO much time browsing the DS and PC games, I've BARELY paid any attention to the Wii updates. I guess ti's time to investigate. Here goes another 2 1/2 hours lost from school work while I browse the Gamespot vaults for treasures!

In other news, I've stopped playing Sims 2 Castaway Stories. Well, once I finished the storyline, I got a little tired of the AWFUL loading screens. I've moved onto bigger and brighter, a moldy-but-a-goodie, Tales of Symphonia (for Gamecube)! It's GOOD! They've got some old school voice actors that make the game great, and I love the real-time fighting. But who ever heard of TWO discs for a Gamecube game, Weirded out.

Honestly, I can barely write this post, I'm WAY too enthused to look for Wii games!

Writing this post on only a handful of meager hours of sleep, haunted by images of hyenas, hearts, and pictures of beds, I'm barely functioning at school. All because of this game.

Certainly, this is a comman refrain on gamer blogs. Lack of sleep, grouchy mumbles, and psycovisual episodes where the game flashes behind your eyelids each time you snap them closed.

Then this Sims game must be GREAT! Right?

Well, define great. If great is nodding off during loading screens because you just want to "deliver the drum to the cheif" before you go to bed, and then being invited to a Luau, and of course, being much too nice (vs grouchy), you decide to "attend the luau" before sleeping in RL... then yeah, it's great.

But, my big beef is: It's such a joyless game sometimes. And that's saying something, considering it falls in the genre of simulated life. Isn't that depressing, that our imagined virtual life is just as mudane and meaningless as our real ones? Except for those fantastic moments, when we're invited to walk across hot coals by our current mate?

And another thing: How come my Sim is constantly aspiring for something more? I mean, no matter what I buy, what I do, she's always craving something else once I've fufilled it. What does THAT say about the way the designers view real life? If you really think about it, nothing is a more evident proof towards our society as insatiable consumers.

Or, maybe, like with every Sim game, I've started to question my interest level in watching the daily bowel movements of my virtual partner, timing my own to "save time" while playing. Ha. Gross.

All complaints aside, I'm goign to devote many more hours to playing the game, because I'm hooked. I can't turn it off, because I want to see more. More content, more of the story. And because, admist the mudane, awful and boring, there's moments that are utterly charged with human hope. An example, I'm insatiably curious to see the unpredictable outcome of genetic mixing, when my Sim has a baby... I want to see what its skin tone is, what eye colour it has, what it's personaility traits are... etc.... THAT'S the true beauty of the Sims games, the unpredicatable, uncontrollable events that make you scream with rage (peeing yourself before making it to a bathroom) or shout with joy (being awarded random skill point after aliens lift you away)

Life, REAL life, is truly intriguing in its most unpredictable moments.