*does the level 5 dance*

I can't wait for level 6, thats the level where I can make a union!

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I saw an interesting article on Slashdot today. It told of the bigger budgets, obese publishers, and creatively dead franchises that continue to see publishing are snuffing out the opportunity for innovation in an increasingly mainstream market. It linked me to escapistmagazine.com, with an article called "Death to the Games Industry: Long Live Games." Most would call it irrelevant ravings. But Greg Costikyan's words are the truth.

"For the sake of the industry, for the sake of gamers who want to experience something new and cool, for the sake of developers who want to do more than the same-old same-old, for the sake of our souls, we have to get out of this trap. If we don't, as developers, all we will be doing for the rest of eternity is making nicer road textures and better-lit car models for games with the same basic gameplay as Pole Position. Spector is right. We must blow up this business model, or we are all doomed. What do we want? What would be ideal? A market that serves creative vision instead of suppressing it. An audience that prizes gameplay over glitz. A business that allows niche product to be commercially successful - not necessarily or even ideally on the same scale as the conventional market, but on a much more modest one: profitability with sales of a few tens of thousands of units, not millions. And, of course - creator control of intellectual property, because creators deserve to own their own work."

I am probably the worst one to be saying this (with me being a Nintendo freak and everything) but the key word "innovation" is mentioned alot in Costikyan's speech at GDC. Innovation was the key to video games in the start, when the first platformer was created, there was a mess of platformers. When the first 3-D free-roming game came up, you got Driver and GTA close behind. He says the next-gen consoles are going to be the start of the next big innovation. The Xbox 360 and PS3 don't look so innovative to me...

I wonder which console he must be talking about... ;)

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I haven't made an entry in a while, I guess because I don't have much to talk about. A few snippets for you:

My toolbar has gotten 300 downloads!

I got Nintendogs! My dachshund, Quizmo, is very lovable...

I saw an article about Hot Coffee in a magazine called PC Gaming World. It gave me a very interesting view on everything. If you are between 10-16 and have strict parents, ask your parents why you can watch R-rated movies, but can't play M-rated games. If your parents think all video games promote violence, tell them so far this year there have only been 12% of games that are M-rated. Also, tell them to have a look at this chart:

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Well, once again Camp Hyrule (some Nintendo online camp for losers like me) is scheduled the same week as my vacation. I started thinking of ways to be able to participate in this online camp. One of them was get a laptop, there was no way I was getting one in two days, but I kept thinking about it and begged my parents. My birthday was a while ago, and it's official, my sister made a coupon good for one laptop to stick in my birthday card.

Also, I would like to mention a toolbar I made before my vacation, I want you all to try it out. This link is to a website that explains what the toolbar is all about. It is endorsed by a mod, is completely adware and virus free. Comes with a search box.

Gamespot Deluxe Toolbar

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Ok, I decided it was a deal I couldn't refuse, trade in three sucky GBA games, and get Nintendogs pre-ordered FREE. All I have to pay is tax. Sounds too good to be true? Get this. Tell them about the deal, if they don't know what the hell you are talking about, tell them the sale code 3901. Trade in the games and you are done, you get it on the 23rd (because no one ever has it on the first day of release).

Later,

I can't believe I didn't tell you what store was doing the offer! It was EB games! By the way, you will definately need the sale code. The guys at my store had absolutely no idea what the hell I was talking about. Also be sure to tell the clerk which version you want. Also, I didn't have to pay tax, so you might not have to either.

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I have been thinking about Nintendogs all summer. Two and a half weeks seems too long to wait. I want it now! Even my sister wants her hands on it. I envy those who recieved their free copies yesterday. Pooey on them. I WANT IT! ANYONE ELSE WHO DOESN'T WANT IT SHOULD DIE!

Sorry about my little rant, I'm going crazy.

I have just a few things to say:

Has anyone ever heard of podcasts? Probably, they are darn good. If you are looking for a real laugh, go to the Twisted Pickle Show (under comedy in iTunes). At first, I thought it was scripted, I sent him a voicemail and guess what? It's his real life. I can't get over it.

Also, my birthday is coming up and I can't decide whether to get Animal Crossing DS or Mario Kart DS. Help me choose.

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I never was interested in video games when I was young and got my first console, the SNES. I could barely read and my dad and my mom couln't teach me how to play, so it collected dust for awhile. Then the cleaing lady that worked at my house at the time showed me how to play, but I still wasn't all too good at it. Besides, it wasn't like it mattered to me anyway. Still a kid, "casual gamer," played Saturday mornings for an hour or two, completely isolated from the gaming community...

I got hooked when I got a GBC. I played Pokemon Yellow all day, every day. It all started to go very fast. Get a subscription of Nintendo Power, get a GBA, get games once a month, get a GC, DS...

Well, I made it sort of quick so I wouldn't bore you. Thanks for reading!

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