Violence in Video Games

Video games are very near and dear to my heart. I've been playing them since I was very young. In fact, my very first video game was the original Mortal Kombat, and I remember being absolutely fascinated with the animations when I wasn't busy freezing all of my opponents with Sub-Zero. I've grown up with video games, and they've provided the backdrop to my entire life. Some of my fondest memories have taken place with a controller in my hand. They've told me incredible stories, shown me rich and vibrant new worlds, forced me to make impactful choices, and even introduced me to some of my best friends in real life. Since those first days in Mortal Kombat to the moments yesterday when I beat Far Cry 3 and gaped at the screen, to the many, many more years I will be playing them, video games have had their hand in shaping my life.

Eleven days before Christmas, 20 children and 6 adults were shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary. The event shook the country in a way that it hasn't seen since the Columbine shootings. As the country recovers from the shock, we look for places to point the fingers. For whatever reason, we are not satisfied by blaming the person who walked into the school and actually pulled the trigger. In our minds, there has to be something more, something more to blame and some sort of action that needs to be taken to prevent this from happening in the future. The deaths need to mean something.

A Recommendation

So, a bit ago, one of my friends recommended this stand up comedian to me, knowing my love of most things stand up. So, I meander on over to this guy's site, watch a few videos that are posted there, have a few good laughs. Then, then, I discover this guy has a blog, and since I like reading even more than listening to stand up comedy, I give it a whirl. Several hours later, after many tears are had and my gut is sore from the pseudo-convulsions that come from laughing constantly for several hours, I was sad to learn that there were no blog posts remaining. /sadpanda

Fortunately, Mr. John Jacobs updates his blog rather frequently, and it's become one of my favorite websites to frequent (right up there with Reddit, YouTube, and The Oatmeal).

Anyway, point to the story, I've been offline for a while (well, not offline, just quasi-obsessing over SWTOR and new world events therein). I check tonight to see not one, not even two, but four (!!) new blog posts. Commence many minutes of reading. He wrote a very, very interesting blurb about WWE and why watching it is awesome (which it is... yes I'm older than 10). I left a comment, because I laughed rather a lot. I realized I was the only one who has done so.

Problem.

Not enough people experiencing hilarity.

Must fix.

Or at least try. So, here's that effort. I strongly, oh so strongly recommend that you go check out Mr. Jacobs' site, because you won't regret it. You'll even come back and thank me later. Fear not, I accept PayPal so you can thank me without even getting out of your chair. Very considerate of me, I know.

So, anyway, here's the link. Enjoy. You're welcome.

P.S. He updates WAY more regularly than I do - winning already.

Review - Mass Effect 3

The Good
+ It's Mass Effect
+ Best gameplay of the series
+ A startling and powerful conclusion to the series

The Bad
- Lots of controversy around the ending
- Lack of Jack Wall composing the score

Spoiler Danger
Very Little

A Welcome Home of Sorts

So yeah, hi! Long time no see and all of that.

Yet again, I'd like to try to get on board with the writing piece of my life, and this blog certainly needs to be a central part of that. New year's resolution this year... write more.

Sound like the same old song and dance as last year? Yeah, it sure is. But, this year will be different! I know it!

Despite the fact that I write for a living, I do so on a technical level, and, frankly, that part of my job is slowly being phased out. Now I'm excited when I sit down to write an email that will be longer than two paragraphs. Clearly, the writing aspect of my life is lacking, and that is especially true of the right brained portion.

So, this year will be different, this year will be one of actually making updates. I'm not going to set any goals for myself as far as posts per day or week or month - I just don't have that kind of time in my life right now. I do know that I want to update this regularly, and to have some interesting content for people to look at, even if that happens to be me venting about work in vague, obtuse phrasing or waxing philosophical about this, that, or the other thing. I hope you'll enjoy the ride.

First up, a review, and actual review of Mass Effect 3. One thing that I constantly regret about the game and my handling of it on this blog is the fact that the only thing on here is me complaining about the ending. Well, I have many more opinions about the game than just that complaining, and the game has come an incredible distance since then, so I'd like to give my overall opinion.

That and more coming up sometime soon. See you then!

Review - The Amazing Spider-Man

The Good
+ It's Spider-Man
+ <-- That guy, Andrew Garfield
+ Emma Stone
+ It's freaking Spider-Man!

The Bad
- No Willem Dafoe
- ...
- I fail at "bads" in movies this year

Spoiler Danger
None

The Avengers Review

The Good
+ Characters
+ Amazing writing and directing
+ No super hero felt overdone

The Bad
- Um... it ended...

Spoiler Danger
No spoilers

First Impressions After Beating Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 completes the 5 year, three game journey of Commander Shepard. It completes my favorite video game (franchise) ever. It is my favorite game of all time.

Or at least...

It was supposed to be.