tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28290105851580743742024-02-19T02:31:45.272-08:00Analytical OtakuLianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-73663533651671233752013-08-08T08:53:00.001-07:002013-08-08T08:53:22.077-07:00Top Ten Best Robots<div class="MsoNormal">
Robots are the coolest thing to ever come out of the human
imagination. I don’t care if they will one day enslave humanity, they are still
pretty flipping sweet. But which robots are the sweetest of all robots? I
decided to take a trip down memory lane, revisiting my favorite robots from all
walks of media. This is not a comprehensive list. I’m just one person, and I
can only consume so much sci-fi media in the average day. However, the
following are my personal favorite machine men (and women). These are the
awesomest of automatons, picked for their ability to blend great sci-fi with
fascinating characterization. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 10: Nagato Yuki <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6430">(The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)</a></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c5/Human_Yuki_Nagato.jpg/220px-Human_Yuki_Nagato.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course you're going to give a robot purple hair. No way that will be conspicuous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the outside she looks like your typical otaku fantasy
material. An emotionless girl in the same line as <a href="http://wiki.evageeks.org/Rei_Ayanami">Rei Ayanami</a>, who is more
puppet than personality. However, that is part of Nagato’s appeal. She is a
convincing robot, simply because she does not understand human feelings. Her
motivation is that of a machine: fulfill her programming by preventing an
oblivious, reality altering teen from destroying the world. And yet, throughout
the series, hints are dropped that she desires more than this mundane task. She
reads voraciously, although expresses little interest in stories. She plays a mean
video game, although is apparently unconcerned about the outcome. Her true
self, the things that make her more than a machine, are hidden below the
surface. It’s up to the audience to spot them. In a way, it is the audience’s
observance that makes her human. She herself doesn’t notice her own feelings. It
takes the better part of the series for her to develop a self-awareness of the
fact that she is more than a machine, much to her own surprise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 9: Wall-e <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E">(Wall-e)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From his droopy eyes to his love of musicals, Wall-e is one
of those creatures so cute that it should come with a warning for diabetics.
Everything he does is designed for maximum <i>Awwwwww.
</i>In fact, when you get right down to it, there isn’t a lot to the character.
He is a simple machine with simple wants and desires. But that is part of what
makes him effective.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.empireonline.com/images/features/100greatestcharacters/photos/63.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how the shape of his eyes make them look droopy and pathetic. That ups the pity ante.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wall-e is an interesting experiment with the uncanny valley.
He doesn’t look or move like a human. As such, the audience views him more as a
charming dog than a person. This allows him to have simple emotions and
motivations that still resonant with us. He isn’t as complex or intricate as a
human, but he doesn’t have to be. His simple, barebones view of the world comes
across as a sort of child-like wonder that the audience can sympathize with. He
invites compassion because of his simplicity. Our would-be electronic overlords
could learn a thing or two from him, and how less is more when it comes to
earning the trust of the meatbags. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 8: Marvin <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11.The_Hitchhiker_s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy">(Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all need someone we can laugh at and mock, to feel better
about our own pathetic existence. Marvin satisfies our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gEjxzsVAE4">schadenfreude</a>
beautifully. He is so miserable and useless, and yet he possesses one of the
greatest minds in the galaxy. So when bad stuff happens to him, we get to be
assholes and laugh at both the smart people in our lives and the technology we
are slaves to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marvin explores what it would mean to be vastly
intellectually superior to everyone around you. It would absolutely suck. He is
so much more intelligent than all the other life forms around him that he is
utterly alone and bored. It just goes to show that being smart doesn’t make you
happy. Quite the contrary. It makes you absolutely miserable. Marvin is an
exploration of what it would really mean to be an ultra-intelligent robot
trapped in a society of mind-numbed humans, all wrapped in Adams’ hilarious
satire. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 7: Octus <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sym-Bionic_Titan">(Sym-Bionic Titan)</a></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110326214950/sym-bionic-titan/images/7/7e/Octus!.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You never hear him rant about his body image issues, despite the fact that he looks like a dismembered eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of the reason Octus is included on this list is because
the show he comes from is so damn badass. It’s not so much the essence of the
character, but the way he is handled. He has this child-like wonder about even
simple things, like the way teenagers talk, but he is also capable of making
astute judgments about relationships and the social order. He is developed as a
character, becoming increasingly intelligent and sympathetic, without ever
losing his robot essence. In fact, his journey isn’t the cliché “become more
human.” He accepts the fact that he is a robot, and he is aware of the fact
that he is capable of emotions. And he can also morph into a giant
city-stomping mecha, so he has that going for him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 6: BEEMO <a href="http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/adventuretime/index.html">(Adventure Time)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s nice to know that even after the apocalypse, Japanese
hardware will still be functioning. At least, I think BEEMO’s accent is
Japanese. In any case, the little video game console that could is an adorable
addition to the Adventure Time cast. It is a quirky, androgynous little fella.
It is chipper, upbeat, and always ready for everyone’s favorite activity: video
games!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/321/f/c/so_cute_a_beemo_by__coldfusion_-d4gifa4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="264" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who wants to play video games?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of BEEMO’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MVvkqbXiws">appeal is nostalgia.</a> From its innocent world
view to its chunky interface, it harkens back to the gaming days of yore. This
helps the adult viewers feel a connection to it and to their childhood. BEEMO
isn’t just a machine; it is the living incarnation of those lazy days fighting
over who got to be player one on the NES.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 5: The Giant <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Iron-Giant-Special-Edition/dp/B00009M9BK">(The Iron Giant)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, I don’t want this to get personal, but if you never
watched <i>The Iron Giant </i>then we just
can’t be friends any more. Especially since it has one of the greatest robots
of all time. The Giant isn’t a very eloquent destroyer of worlds. He says very
little, and for the most part he is content to chill with his best friend, an
awkward little kid. The two hang out and have good, wholesome fun times. Until
the government has to ruin everything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is best about the Giant is how well it communicates one
of sci-fi’s most powerful themes: technology is amoral. It is only how we use
it that determines good or bad. It’s a common message in many sci-fi works, but
<i>The Iron Giant </i>manages to get the
message across with half the bullshit. It lays it down straight: just because
you have the weapon does not mean you pull the trigger. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi0z_6e1sBw">Because you are not agun. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 4: KOSMOS <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenosaga">(Xenosaga)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
KOSMOS is most likely the product of some Japanese man’s
confused sexuality and power fantasy. She is a robot. Shaped like a scantily
clad woman. Who can fire a planet destroying canon from her abdomen. She is
part sexy anime chic, part merciless death machine (full-time lover).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs43/f/2009/057/8/c/Kosmos_by_Jkuo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="523" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's nothing even REMOTELY fanservicey about this design. <a href="http://jkuo.deviantart.com/">(Also this artist is talented)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, all joking aside, KOSMOS is a fairly simple concept
taken to ridiculous extremes. She is hyperbolic in her power and blatant in her
fetish-fuel. But the world she inhabits, Xenosaga, takes itself so deadly serious
that those things don’t matter. The game’s heavy-handed narrative counteracts
the silliness of the concept, making KOSMOS something you end up accepting and
understanding. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 3: Gir <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/InvaderZim?from=Main.InvaderZim">(Invader Zim)</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121228224655/invasorzim/es/images/4/41/Gir-vector2-1-.png" width="276" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indulge me in my innermost hipster for a moment while I rant
about how I liked Gir before he became a <a href="http://search.hottopic.com/clothing/Invader-Zim">Hot Topic whore</a>. Yes, he is overused,
and yes, half the people who wear those shirts have never seen Invader Zim.
That doesn’t make Gir any less awesome. He is living proof that computers are
only as smart as the people who make them, and so the only thing we have to
fear is our own stupidity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gir really is like the Earth dog he badly masquerades as. He
is stupid, oblivious to the damage he causes, but also with that cheerful
demeanor that makes it hard to blame him for anything, even when it is clearly
his fault. In a way, he fulfills my childhood dream of a talking dog. Sure, he
wasn’t designed to mimic dog behavior, but he’s stupid and he will eat whatever
shit you throw at him. That’s enough dog-like charm to win me over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 2: GLaDOS <a href="http://www.valvesoftware.com/games/portal.html">(Portal)</a></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I was a robosexual lesbian, GLaDOS would be my lover of
choice. Yeah, she is psychotic and manipulative and cruel, but she’s also
incredibly funny, and isn’t that what really matters? It’s hard to stay mad at
her, even if she does repeatedly try to kill you. She’s just so clever with her
insults, it doesn’t matter if they are directed at you and designed to corrode
your self-esteem. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><img height="299" src="http://images.wikia.com/half-life/en/images/4/4d/Glados_new_body.jpg" width="400" /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But seriously, GLaDOS is an extremely complex, multi-faceted
character. She’s like this black hole of passive aggressiveness. You know she
is a terrible person (machine), but discovering exactly what makes her that way
is such a fascinating experience that it makes up for everything else. It says
something that even after a whole game of trying to kill you in the first
Portal, players are glad to hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI">“Still Alive.”</a> You don’t want her dead,
because she is such a rich and complex personality, it would be a shame for her
to cease to exist. It would, however, be hilarious for her to be put into a
potato. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Number 1: Bender <a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/futurama">(Futurama)</a></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/filepicker%2F6qTV3y2QpiRLxVFVQLmg_bender_and_fry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aw, look at him being all loyal and shit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember when Futurama first premiered. I was nine years
old, way too young to appreciate the intricate social commentary, the superb
characterization, the dedication to a well-sculpted sci-fi world. All I knew
was that I loved Bender. He is one of my favorite character types: an
unrepentant asshole. My mom hated this show, and I was technically not allowed
to watch it. But I still persisted, begging and pleading and turning it on
anyways. Because to echo the words of Phillip J. Fry himself, I always wanted a
robot best friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bender is a raging alcoholic, womanizer, gambler, and
convicted felon. He is the exact opposite of everything a robot is supposed to
be. That’s what makes him so awesome. Futurama is all about how the future and
technology won’t magically solve all our problems. It doesn’t matter if Bender
is made of metal, he still falls prey to the weakness of the flesh. It doesn’t
matter if he has a super computer for a brain, he still makes terrible
decisions due to his own ego. Human nature, or at least the nature of
self-interested sentient beings, will always prevail over technology and
reason. It is at once kind of disappointing and relieving. Bender shows us that
perfection is impossible, even through digital means. But at least we can
always bury our problems in alcohol. And really, isn’t that a lesson worth
learning?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Did I forget to list any of your favorite robots? Give them an honorable mention in the comments!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And if you liked this post, you might want to check out these articles:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/ultimate-nerd-test.html">The Ultimate Nerd Test</a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning-terms-how-goals-influence.html"><b>Winning Terms: How Goals in Video Games Influence Players</b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-what-is.html"><b>In Defense of Vocaloids: What is Artificial?</b></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-75713413831323699852013-05-21T18:48:00.001-07:002013-05-21T18:48:39.919-07:00Producer Spotlight: myGOD-P<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s time to shine the spotlight on another ace Vocaloid
producer! This time it the multitalented <a href="http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/MyGOD-P">myGOD-P</a>. Yes, that is his name. Before
he settled on that bold moniker, he went by the handle G9fried@GRM. As you
might be able to guess from his names, his music is eccentric. It leans towards
techno/rock, but he’s covered genres as varied as opera and ballads. His works
are weird and wonderful, and every Vocaloid fan should listen to a few. So pop
in your earbuds and let’s take a listen to a sampling of myGOD-P’s works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/NpucHdjGajk/mqdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking normal enough so far! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of his earliest songs is titled “BAND of <st1:stockticker>CATS</st1:stockticker>.”
It’s jazz influenced, with some nice piano work in the background. While the
song itself is kind of bland, it’s worth listening to in order to see just how
varied myGOD-P can be. This work shows him beginning to experiment with genres,
adding overtones of ballad music and melancholy vocals to a swinging jazz
number.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/nm6202066">http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/nm6202066</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exclamation of my heart” is another early song, and it
still shows the developing stages of myGOD-P’s over-the-top style. However, it
is very catchy. Pay attention to the echoey vocals. This is prominent in his
later works. Once again, this song comes across as an experiment, more playing
with the technology and seeing what it can do. It is still a highly interesting
listen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/nm6231394">http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/nm6231394</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120816105656/vocaloid/images/f/f6/Suiside_Girl_Silent_Boy_myGOD-P.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...aaaaand normality is gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want versatility, check out his Kagamine opera,
titled “Garasu no Kutsu.” This piece shows that he is a master of the slow and
sorrowful as well as the frenetically upbeat. Seriously one of the most moving
Kagamine pieces, it is filled with orchestral swells and vocals that speak of
hope and longing. There aren’t very many Vocaloid songs out there like this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?index=54&list=PL1A36B56365155B90" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skip ahead to his song “Virgin Glory,” featuring Hatsune
Miku. This song is weird as all get-out, with a funky, screechy guitar line and
a pulsating beat. It has simplistic yet nonsensical lyrics. The whole thing
feels off-kilter, like a normal techno song turned on its side. What is also
significant about this work is the <st1:stockticker>MMD</st1:stockticker>
accompanying it. It’s very simplistic, but the sheer absurdity of it would also
become a hallmark for myGOD-P’s videos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ji-C092qtxU" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you thought the last song was strange, get a load of “<st1:city>Battle</st1:city>
in TAKAMAGAHARA.” Once again, it’s a techno/rock song that is just a little out
of the ordinary. The lyrics alternate between lofty and beautiful to hoarse and
grunting. There’s a lot going on at once, like the song is trying to see just
how over-the-top it can make itself. That is classic myGOD-P. Once again, it
has a <st1:stockticker>MMD</st1:stockticker> accompanying the song that is
just…baffling. Check out MEIKO and KAITO rocking those guitars. Yeah baby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WYUJEcklORM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the awesome just continues to escalate with “HYPER
TIME!” This work bears the traditional repetition of techno buzzes and beeps
with the complex guitar solos of rock and roll. The vocals are heavily
distorted, to the point where he lists Yowane Haku as the singer instead of
Miku. MyGOD-P loves messing with the vocals, turning them inside out until they
no longer sound like a human singing. The result is slightly unsettling but
totally cool. Did I mention that deino made the character models?
If you don’t know who<a href="http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Deino"> deino</a> is, you haven’t been to the dark side of Vocaloid. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MzpAo_QWLYA" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“take the field (FULLMOON)” is one of my favorite Vocaloid
songs. It even has the underused LOLA adding backup, along with a sexily
distorted KAITO. The guitar is rocking, the beat is strong, it’s really
something you can bang your head to. At the same time, the scratchy singing and
unusual choice of background harmony make the whole song feel like some
otherwordly rock concert. The music video gives the same effect. It’s simple,
yet weird. It really feels like you tuned into the MTV of another world
(provided their MTV actually plays music, unlike ours). The frantic pace of the
song makes it feel like it ends all too soon, but that’s what replay buttons
are for.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O57TctfnUWM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Returning to his Kagamine roots, “I WANNA TRUST YOU” is an
upbeat duet between the twins. Compare this to his earlier works and you can
see how distinctive his style has become. There’s his signature blend of
techno/rock, but with a brass accompaniment that speaks of jazz. Once again,
myGOD-P isn’t afraid to blend genres as it pleases him. The vocals are deeply
satisfying, with an alternating between a deep, confident Len and a high,
energetic Rin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vhv7hhg5uA8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Posterization” is another song that seems to be commenting
on the media saturation in society. It’s bizarre enough that I can’t be sure.
The <st1:stockticker>MMD</st1:stockticker> is minimal but effective. MyGOD-P
uses repetitive lyrics that slowly build to an explosive finale of noise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZtcSNcngeig" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, no survey of myGOD-P would be complete without
mentioning his Girl and Boy series. This is a sequence of songs that tells the
story of an ill-fated couple. It was actually based around a doujinshi story,
and then myGOD-P made songs out of it and got artists to illustrate it. His
most recent work is a medley of the songs that includes a PV. Unlike his
techno-explosions, this series represents his softer, more heartfelt side. The
songs still show traces of his style, with the guitar backgrounds and
occasionally distorted vocals, but for the most part they sound more “normal.”
This doesn’t mean they are bland. Instead, they are just story-focused, more
reliant on the message of the lyrics. This series is a must listen if you love narrative
songs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9lT6BI-UBrE" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there we go: my GOD-P in a nutshell. Of course, he is an
extremely prolific artist (up until about a year ago). <a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/11535084#+sort=0">He has a huge catalogueof songs to look through.</a> So if you liked the stuff you saw in this spotlight,
go check out his other work! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you have a Vocaloid artist you want spotlighted? Let me know in the comments below, or shoot me a message.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/producer-spotlight-iwashi-p.html">And if you are looking for other cool Vocaloid artists,check out my spotlight on Iwashi-P</a>.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-part-3-tell-me.html">Or, if you like narrative songs, be sure to check out my post about them.</a></b></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-23771032090913333672013-03-10T13:06:00.001-07:002013-03-10T13:40:40.597-07:00Madness in the Method: How You Do Something Says More than What You Do<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Context is everything.</span><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/editorial-im-tired-of-saving-the-world/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span>Roughly 90% of games send you on a quest to save the
world</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">. But like we covered before, the way you accomplish a goal is every
bit as important as the goal itself. For example, consider</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Okami.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Okami,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">players are yet again tasked with
saving the world. However, instead of some buff warrior, players assume the
role of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun. Since she is a nature goddess, her
can restore harmony by purifying corrupted spots of land. The player isn’t
supposed to just save society, but the very land itself.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://wildtyme.blogspot.com/2009/01/130-nature-and-nurture-okami-and.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">By
placing the focus on saving nature</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">, the game suggests that nature is both
valuable and powerful. It also suggests that nature is something that needs to
be protected. While the game has no overt environmental themes, it still
communicates an ecological message through the game play.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img src="http://static.tumblr.com/gjdee2v/vkOm8ogu5/tumblr_m8i9h7z9kr1rye1gyo1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Eveything about this game sets it apart, including the goals.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sometimes,
goals communicate a message not intended by the developers. Even if a message
is unintentional, the programmers set up the system for the world. They make up
the laws of that fictional world, and their imaginary land reflects how they
believe the real world should work. For example, in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Jak and Daxter: the Precursor
Legacy<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>the main goal of the
game is to transform your friend back into a human. There are threatening
monsters called Lurkers, but when players fight them, it is only so they can
advance their journey. Even doing good deeds has a selfish purpose. The local
townspeople<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.ign.com/wikis/jak-and-daxter-collection/Forbidden_Jungle">always
bribe you upfront with Power Cells,</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>so
you don’t help them out of the good of your heart. While the player does end up
saving the world, it is less out of intentional effort and more due to unlikely
happenstance. The entire game is about serving self-interest. Even if the
developers weren’t consciously putting that into the game, the way they set up
the system reinforces the idea of looking out for yourself first and foremost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In the sequel,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Jak
II,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>the goal is to overthrow
Baron Praxis’s totalitarian rule. The goal is a generally noble one, but the
methods involve terrorism, bribery, and blackmail. Even if the player doesn’t
agree with the morality of a mission, the only way to move forward is to do
what the game wants. Through the set-up of the game, it suggests that the ends
justify the means when it comes to overthrowing a corrupt government.
Sometimes the strictness of a game can be rhetorical by only allowing one
solution to a problem, suggesting that is the best solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nAKe7eoxvK7H5Fxjorjr4SpUJg2GglhXgKmEXcQ11y3eNFhw2KKivkDttGIhUDPFJeOfCBQbtPvCMzPYmq05rzvxUKQP2_1VVbTOUhR-vPCkJmo2KwImPIJws36L9LpJnZWoOekxRrg/s320/Jak3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jak II </i>teaches us that if violence isn't solving your problems, you aren't using enough of it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">BlazBlue,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">on the other hand, encourages the player
to use as many different methods as possible.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>BlazBlue<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>is a fighting game, which means
that the game play consists of one-on-one battles. In most fighting games, the
story will be tournament style, with players having to beat several opponents
in order to progress.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>BlazBlue<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>takes a different approach, with
branching storylines that take multiple play-throughs to reach. The only wat to
reach some of the branches, players must lose certain battles. In fact, in
order to achieve 100% completion the player has to lose all possible battles
once. By including losses as part of the completion requirement, the game
suggests that both winning and losing are valuable experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pGmVYsbZ0Ht7OrBXH-b1wkcRBAxtNde7pHZ6HWxxKcGnoNWOALjMn-6WAaW08bREAWLjiF64XxUgq5oGg9-OMnf1m69_sef6abY11hyrCbgUODlbZV7iEc5IMeSyFGdoyd3APAcP6uc/s400/BlazBlue__Calamity_Trigger_by_GiovanniSama.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Blazblu<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>shows us that if violence doesn't solve your problems, you aren't smashing the buttons fast enough. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Goals suggest something is worth value, but making something a
goal does not make a convincing argument by itself. Video games are often
criticized for glorifying violence, but “violence is an element of play that
serves specific purposes.”</span><sup>1</sup><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Because
players are aware that it is only a game, they do not see the things they kill
as living beings, but as challenges and hurdling blocks. Whether or not the
violence in video games has negative effects on people is a subject of much
controversy, and no conclusive evidence for either side has emerged. At the
moment, though, the goals in video games are not always directly parallel to
actions in real life, but remain abstracted. In order for the creator to
persuade the audience that game goals apply beyond the game, they must create a
system that is comparable to real life. Then, they need to show real-life
rewards that could motivate the player. “Immediate goals provide immediate
rewards,” and the success the player feels over small victories will motivate
them to continue through the game to achieve larger victories.</span><sup>1</sup><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Developers need to provide adequate
reason for the player to become invested in the stakes. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This concludes the goals section of video game rhetoric. For Part
1,<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning-terms-how-goals-influence.html"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span>check here</a></b>. For Part 2,<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/your-objective-is-anarchy-how-video.html"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span>check here</a></b>. Make sure to check out the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">main
Rhetoric directory</a></b>, and check back for the next section, where we
delve into choice and effect in video games! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Oh, and if you want to make me really happy,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/108201">check out my novel.</a></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You can get it for free with the
coupon code YP65T.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reset-Changing-Look-Video-Games/dp/1576754332/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362946651&sr=8-2&keywords=reset+changing">DeMaria,
Rusel.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><i>Reset: Changing the Way We Look at
Video Games</i>. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2007.Print.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-74781175332135985052013-03-07T18:19:00.001-08:002013-03-14T06:35:11.896-07:00Tsunderes: Hot and Cold Heartthrobs <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been watching <i><a href="http://www.funimation.com/shakugan-no-shana">Shakugan no Shana</a>, </i>because I was curious about why the show was so popular. After
much investigation, I have a startling deduction. People like Shana. Why?
Because <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundere">tsundere</a>. There is something about those grumpy little lolis that drive
people crazy (in the best way possible). I like ‘em too, as they are a far more
compelling romantic lead than the usual hopelessly insecure high school girl.
But why are tsunderes so fun to watch? After many hours of psychoanalysis (ie
me sitting on my bed having a <i>Toradora </i>marathon)
I have developed a theory. Tsunderes are popular because they are the perfect
combination of hard-to-get, emotionally fragile, and flattering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://www.kawapaper.com/d/6490-3/Kawapaper_Shakugan_no_Shana_0000091_1280x960.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this sassy little sheila. What's not to like?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People like a challenge. It validates your existence when
you do something that ordinary people can’t. So the idea of a tsundere, or someone
who is not normally cold, suddenly being torn by their emotions, is
captivating. Being in a relationship is hard enough. But winning over a
tsundere is like completing a marathon with one leg tied to spare tire. It’s
not something the average mortal can do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But in a nice little paradox, most tsunderes are emotionally
fragile, which means that they would be easy to be in a relationship with. Like
Shana, who emotionally withdraws because she doesn’t know how to handle her own
emotions, tsunderes are a “go at your own pace” romance. Tsunderes are too
stubborn to admit they like someone and enter a relationship. At the same time,
they immaturely refuse to let someone go. This leads to a sort of push and pull,
a sweet-spot of noncommittal love. The merry-go-round of emotion means that a
relationship with a tsundere can continue indefinitely without ever being
constricting or binding. They aren’t ready to completely commit to a
relationship, so why should you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://konachan.com/image/75ebd65d3ba9a0eaaca6421077f0a265/Konachan.com%20-%2053244%20apron%20neon_genesis_evangelion%20soryu_asuka_langley%20vector.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because she makes you a gourmet dinner doesn't mean she likes you, okay?! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>But let’s not forget the most important aspect of any
hypothetical relationship: they make you feel good about yourself. Tsunderes
are usually tough, hardened people. Like the ferocious Palmtop Tiger from <i>Toradora, </i>they are quick to judge and
condemn. But their special someone magically makes them melt into a pile of
squishy goo. Surely someone capable of such a marvelous feat must be amazing!
Either that or the designated male-lead. But the fact remains that tsunderes
are flattering because their love is so begrudgingly given.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://images.hologfx.com/Doki/Zero%20no%20Tsukaima/Zero%20no%20Tsukaima%20-%20F%20-%2003.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can win over this, then you deserve a medal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be an oversimplification to say this is a complete
analysis of what makes tsunderes the go-to for romantic leads. There are a
wealth of other factors out there. However, you can’t deny that there is
something so psychologically satisfying about the love-hate dynamic. So if you can’t
get enough tsundere, have some recommended viewing:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/1195/Zero_no_Tsukaima">Zero no Tsukaima</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/4224/Toradora!">Toradora!</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/2034/Lovely%E2%98%85Complex">Lovely Complex</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/2026/Hayate_no_Gotoku!">Hayate the Combat Butler</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/8630/Hidan_no_Aria">Hidan no Aria</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/5530/Pandora_Hearts">Pandora Hearts</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/4382/Suzumiya_Haruhi_no_Yuuutsu_(2009)">The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/71/Full_Metal_Panic!">Full Metal Panic</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if you liked this post, check out my other articles!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-get-your-friends-addicted-to.html">How to Get Your Friends Addicted to Anime</a>: Spread the joy of anime!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/shounen-soft-core-porn-for-girls.html">Shounen: Soft-core Porn for Girls:</a> An explanation of why shounen is so popular with the ladies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-what-is.html">In Defense of Vocaloids</a>: A series of posts about why Vocaloids are so dang awesome.<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #604c60; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Oh, and if you want to make me really happy,</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #604c60; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #604c60; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/108201"><span style="color: #b0719d;"><span style="font-style: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">check out my novel, </span></span><i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b0719d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">P</span>eter Pays Tribute</i><span style="color: #b0719d;"><span style="font-style: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">.</span></span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #604c60; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #604c60; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">You can get it for free with the coupon code YP65T.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-69265541876222388262013-03-06T20:13:00.001-08:002013-03-06T20:19:56.817-08:00Damian Wayne: Gone but not for long<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant Morrison is batshit insane. Everyone knows it. And in
his latest flight of insanity, he killed one of my favorite characters: Damian
Wayne. Yes, it’s official. <a href="http://whatculture.com/comics/batman-the-untimely-death-of-damian-wayne.php#comment-238107">Damian dies in Batman, Inc. #8</a>. But I will bet good money that he isn’t going to stay dead. In
fact, if you pay close attention, hints at his resurrection are everywhere.
Read on, and dry those tears, you big baby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://comicdomwrecks.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/batman-inc-8.jpg?w=630" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="291" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't worry; he's just sleeping. And that's just V8 juice. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a huge fan of Grant Morrison. He’s one of the most
brilliant writers in the comic industry. Heck, he wrote a story where the Doom
Patrol defeated the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse with Dadaism. Anyone who
does that is solid gold in my book. And something you have to understand about
him is that he loves playing with expectation. He understands not just the
medium of comic books, but the fan culture surrounding it. Remember <i><a href="http://them0vieblog.com/2009/08/01/grant-morrisons-run-on-batman-batman-son-the-black-glove-batman-rip/">Batman R.I.P.</a></i>? Where it was clearly set
up that Bruce was going to die, but then didn’t, but then died immediately
after in Final Crisis when everyone was off guard? He likes to take people by
surprise. And Damian’s death was not surprising.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lijlduOAaW1qeeubdo1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="247" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never taken LSD, but I imagine it looks something like this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>And it doesn’t matter how gruesome Damian’s death was. Grant
Morrison isn’t afraid to embrace the kookiness of comics. In fact, he relishes
in absurdity. He wouldn’t be above writing some <i>crazy</i> plot arc or resurrection story to bring Damian back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I think he will. Why? Well, back during the Batman and
Son arc, there was a mini-arc about three false Batmen. In an interview, Grant
Morrison talked about his inspiration, and how hard it was to come up with new
ideas for comics. He wanted <a href="http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/blogs/latest/entry/comics-continuum-batman-rip-to-the-return-of-bruce-wayne-what-the-hell-is-going-on-with-batman-part-two">to do an arc with imposter Batmen,</a> but found out
that it had already been done way back in the Silver Age. No one remembered or
cared about that story, so he could have just retold it. But noo<i>oooo. </i>He had to reinvent it, adding in
some drugs and guns and some sort of apocalypse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s278/itbegins2005/Blog%20Stuff/ToddHitman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="355" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the third fake Batman, who may or may not be the anitChrist. I'm not sure. It's all very confusing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does this relate to Damian? Easy. The story of Batman losing a Robin has
already been told (thanks, Jason). In fact, not only has it been told, but
pretty much a decade after that was spent on Bruce angsting over not being
there in time for Jason. The story has been done to death. I highly doubt a
writer as original as Grant Morrison would be content to rehash the same tale.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, he has bigger plans. He’s been<a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43925"> planning on killing Damian since day one</a>. Ever since he started <i>Batman,
Inc. </i>he wanted the story to focus on Damian and Bruce’s relationship,
culminating in Damian’s death. Keyword <i>culminating.
</i>Damian dies in issue eight, but the series is supposed to last twelve
issues. There is still much more story to be told. And really, if he did want
Damain’s death to be his great message, his lasting contribution to comics,
then he would have saved it for the climax. But he didn’t, which means that he
still has plans. There are only four issues left, so the plot isn’t going to
shift away to some other struggle. No, the focus needs to stay on<a href="http://boonmovies.blogspot.com/2012/12/do-you-suffer-from-catwoman-syndrome.html?showComment=1362628696726#c686023243756155596"> Bruce and Talia and their son. </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also according to Grant Morrison, this whole arc is supposed
to have divorce undertones. Talia may be an uncaring bitch, but the second
after Damian dies, she starts crying. Obviously she is already rethinking her
decision. Gee, what’s a woman with access to a Lazarus Pit going to do over the
loss of her child? Beats me.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="232" src="http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120721110331/villains/images/f/f5/Talia_al_Ghul.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This slut showing an emotion that isn't flagrant sexuality? That's a sure sign of the apocalypse. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other end of the writing spectrum, Peter J. Tomasi,
the current writer for <i>Batman and Robin, </i>talked
about his future plans for the series. To sum it up, they don’t intend to bring
back Tim as Robin. They don’t want to do another “Batman needs a Robin” story.
And they refused to comment on any long-term plans, but he did have this to
say: <a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43937">“</a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43937">there's a big, epic picture in view over the horizon, but there's plenty of lightning storms and hurricanes for myself, Pat Gleason and our partners in crime Mick Gray and John Kalisz to still fly through before it all becomes clear.”</a> Yeah, it’s vague, and yeah, I
shouldn’t read too much into it. However, the Batfamily has been going through
quite a few shakeups recently. I’d like to think the writers aren’t stupid
enough to throw a new character into the mix while the waters are still muddy.
So I don’t think it’s likely that they’ll introduce a new Robin. And Tim is not
coming back as Robin. And the title <i>Batman
and Robin </i>is not being cancelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">This is all
speculation based, so let me wrap this up with the cold hard facts: Damian
makes money. Right now the character is growing in popularity. Popularity sells
books. You know what sells even more books? Media hype. Just check out ebay and
see how much an issue of <i>Batman, Inc. </i>#8
is going for. The only reason DC would slaughter the golden goose is if they
had a way to bring it back laying more eggs than ever.<a href="http://www.comicvine.com/forums/damian-wayne/941/ways-to-reverse-the-event-in-batman-inc-8-spoilers/753684/"> *coughLazurusPitscough*</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/10/108292/2899424-35517583_super.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought you were a bro, Grant Morrison. I trusted you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">So like I said, I
am willing to bet good money that Damian makes a comeback within a year. In the
meantime, don’t panic. Just enjoy these coming issues for the emotional issues
they explore. Don’t be upset over Damian’s death. Instead, enjoy the
(hopefully) psychologically complex stories coming out. And try to act a little
surprised when they decide to bring Damian back. It makes the writers feel
good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>If you like this article, make sure to check out my other stuff!</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-demand-stephanie-brown.html">I Demand Stephanie Brown:</a> How bringing Steph back could improve <i>all </i>of the Bat-comics</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/dont-cry-for-young-justice.html">Don't Cry For Young Justice:</a> Why Young Justice being cancelled isn't the end of the world</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/your-objective-is-anarchy-how-video.html">Your Objective is Anarchy:</a> How video games encourage rebellion.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-71365335818073198222013-02-18T20:45:00.001-08:002013-02-18T20:45:04.427-08:00Pewdiepie vs. Tobuscus: Can't we all be friends?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/PewDiePie">Pewdiepie</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Tobuscus">Tobuscus</a> are two awesome people. They make
money playing video games, for crying out loud! It doesn’t get much cooler than
that. Yet for some reason, many of their fans don’t think the internet is big
enough for both of them. They claim one is better than the other. This is the
internet, so stupidity isn’t shocking. What is shocking is what we can learn by
studying these primitive tribes of fans. Or re-learn, as the case may be. Some
chump named<a href="http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/erikson.htm"> Erik Erikson</a> noticed this decades ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The short story: human beings enjoy excluding others. It’s
built into our systems. Still have a shred of faith in humanity left? Read on, and
allow me to destroy it for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.deviantart.com/download/291935152/pewdiepie_and_tobuscus__by_xxgerard_wayxx-d4tt6ls.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternatively, you could just look at <a href="http://xrainbowscout.deviantart.com/art/PewDiePie-and-Tobuscus-291935152">some furry fanart.</a> That should destroy your faith in humanity pretty fast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Humans go through several stages of psychological
development. One of the most painful (or most hilarious, if you are an outside
observer) stages comes in adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Once kids
hit the magic of puberty, they realize that the real world can be a scary
place. They also realize they are worthless chumps who can’t hope to make it on
their own. So what do they do? They form primitive packs (I believe <a href="http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/cliques.html">the cool kids call them cliques</a>). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="308" src="http://www.utdallas.edu/~kprager/erik_e1.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what Erikson's Developmental Pyramid looks like, in case you're interested. I know, it's not shiny or filled with pop-culture references. So sue me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>However, it isn’t enough just to be in a pack. The way our <i>amazing </i>human brain works is that we
define ourselves with negative assertions almost as much as positive
assertions. So it isn’t “I like rock music,” but “I do not like dubstep.
Therefore, I am not like the people who enjoy dubstep.” And so now not only do
they hate dubstep, they hate everything associated with the people who like dubstep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enter a new generation of youngsters: ones who don’t have
social skills and never go outside. They can’t form real-life packs, so what do
they do? They form packs based around internet celebrities. So we can’t all
join hands and sing a rousing <a href="http://pewdiepie.se/post/18572671114/pewdiepie-stephano-ole-dole-doff-kinke-lane">Ole dole doff</a>/ I can swing my sword melody. <i>Nooooooooo. </i>Instead, we have to argue in
the comments about who’s better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eN7dYDYfvVg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you have it. A scientific explanation for why
people are annoying. And the next time you see a little Pewd/Toby war going on,
you can just smile to yourself, knowing that the whiners are still
psychologically immature adolescents desperately vying for a place in a world
that doesn’t want them. I’m sure glad I’m <i>nothing
</i>like them < /hypocrisy>.<br />
<br />
Did you like this post? Then please check out some of my other articles.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/ultimate-nerd-test.html">Ultimate Nerd Test:</a></b> A very extensive test to see just how nerdy you are.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">The Rhetoric of Video Games:</a></b> A series of articles where I talk in depth about video game design and how it impacts the player.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-realized-something-today.html">Abridgers Wanted</a></b>: A post talking about abridged series and what the heck happened to them.</div>
.<o:p></o:p>Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-56702868574905073232013-02-18T15:07:00.000-08:002013-02-20T05:06:24.327-08:005 Ways the Next Season of Korra Could Suck<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you as excited for <a href="http://avatarthelegendofkorra.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/history-is-repeating-itself-when-it-comes-to-the-development-of-the-legend-of-korra-will-book-2-really-release-this-april/#more-1431">the next season of </a><i><a href="http://avatarthelegendofkorra.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/history-is-repeating-itself-when-it-comes-to-the-development-of-the-legend-of-korra-will-book-2-really-release-this-april/#more-1431">Korra</a> </i>as I am? If you are, you’ve
probably spent a fair amount of time wondering what’s going to happen in Book
Two. <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/legend%20of%20korra%20season%202">Who knows what </a>the writers are going to come up with? Whatever they do,
there are a few things I hope they avoid. Let’s face it, even great writers
make mistakes, and if they aren’t careful, they could write the show into an
early grave. Here are five mistakes that could make the next season of Korra
seriously suck.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/4479/553141-legend_of_korra.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, you'd have to be actively<i> trying</i> to make this show fail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mistake One: Loads of
new characters!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With seasons that are only 13 episode long, there isn’t
enough time to develop a ton of characters. Yes, some fresh blood might be
nice, but the show already has existing characters that could be fleshed-out.
<a href="http://chongthenomad.tumblr.com/post/22482779323/private-lessons-feat-tahno-electro-house">Tahno, anyone?</a> Don’t just forget about these characters. Reintroduce them and
build on their existing background. But if they have to introduce next
characters, they should avoid…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="177" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSk19NkN8SRlBQp4rXItju-fDL7CDAmHosrl4Wm7XaeWmX8yxTHNg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahno never was the same after his swag was taken away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mistake Two: Having
all expert benders</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t get me wrong, I love to see awesome benders like
Tarrlok and Lin Beifong throw it down. The amazing bending battles are always a
treat, and seeing the creative ways they use their abilities makes my inner
nerd sing. However, there’s also something magical about watching a character blossom.
In the original <i>Avatar, </i>I loved seeing
Katara grow as a bender and watch her develop her own style of bending. If
everyone in the series is a seasoned pro (like most of the cast is now) then we
lose out on an opportunity to explore the nature of bending through the eyes of
a novice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mistake Three: Keep
the focus on pro-bending<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Pro-bending">Pro-bending is officially my favorite fictional sport</a> (take
that, Quidditch!). I love its complexity and how the writers used it to set the
stage for a larger plot. But that’s just it: pro-bending was a placeholder until
the real conflict could develop. A sports event does not have high enough
stakes to base an entire season around. I don’t want it to disappear
completely, but for every episode that’s about pro-bending, that’s one less
episode about, I don’t know, saving the world or something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/legend-of-korra-avatar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd pay a lot more attention to real sports if they involved trying to set people on fire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mistake Four: M0ar
love triangle fun!!!11!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Spirit of Competition” is my favorite episode from last
season. Watching Bolin cry and run away like a little girl helped justify my
own cruel existence. But the writers need to be careful. Bryan and Michael are
amazing trolls when it comes to shipping. However, you can only have Korra flip
back and forth a couple of times before she starts to look like a callous
asshole. Instead, they should <i>develop </i>her
relationship with Mako. I know,<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/makorra"> I don’t like Makorra</a>, either. But I <i>might</i> if the writers give me a reason
to. Flesh out the existing relationships instead of playing up shipping for a
cheap laugh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="172" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3lefu9yem1r3jc5z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes a big man to cry. It takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mistake Five: Introduce
a new conflict<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bending/nonbending conflict is fascinating. It was a
great way to showcase how the world has changed, showing villains sporting new
technology and providing Korra with a serious, multi-faceted issue to face. While
<a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/04/legend-of-korra/">reusing Amon probably isn’t a good idea</a>, the writers could build on the
anti-bending struggle. It’s a great chance to see an Avatar mediate a conflict,
instead of just fight some pseudo-Nazi regime (aka the Fire Nation).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you have it. Five ways the writers could screw up.
But relax, I’m sure the next season is in good hands. And if it isn’t, I’ll
have something to complain about for an entire year!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more complain-tastic posts, check out these articles:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-demand-stephanie-brown.html">I Demand Stephanie Brown:</a> </b>A list of reasons why DC needs to bring her back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/no-one-likes-faker-wannabe-nerds.html">No One Likes a Faker:</a> </b>Just a few reasons why wannabe nerds are annoying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-what-is.html"><b>In Defense of Vocaloids:</b></a> A series of articles about why people shouldn't look down on Vocaloids just because they are electronic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/02/friendship-is-heroic.html"><b>Friendship is Heroic:</b></a> To all the neigh-sayers (see what I did there) of My Little Pony.</div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-62307520617031461792013-02-07T18:32:00.002-08:002013-02-07T18:54:55.949-08:00I Demand Stephanie Brown<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
DC is stupid. That’s not news. From their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_Crisis_(DC_Comics)">convoluted crossover events</a> to their asinine editorial decisions, they’ve stuck their foot
in their mouth more than once. The most recent offender is the New 52. The New
52 isn’t <i>all </i>bad (only about 90% of
it), but it’s been over a year and some much needed corrections still haven’t
been made. My biggest pet peeve: the absence of Stephanie Brown. Here are five
reasons Stephanie Brown should be brought back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/e/e8/Batgirl_Stephanie_Brown_0010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured above: Stephanie surrounded by DC editors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reason 1: Anchor for
Tim</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim’s been down a slippery slope these past few years. With
the New 52 it’s a bit unclear exactly who he’s lost and when <a href="http://www.comicvine.com/news/five-developments-about-tim-drake-in-teen-titans-0/145262/?page=4&sort=first">(thanks for clearing that up, DC).</a> However, he is not a happy-camper. The cheerful chipmunk
from days of yore (the 90s) is gone, replaced with a constantly scowling grump.
Stephanie’s presence could fix this. Even if they weren’t officially a couple,
she could be his emotional anchor. It would allow the writers to continue to
develop this new, darker side of Tim (in the hope that it one day goes
somewhere) while using Steph to occasionally pull him back to the good old days.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reason 2: DC needs
more girls in their line-up</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hate to play the gender card, but it needs to be said:
female superheroes need help. Even existing female icons like Wonder Woman and
Black Canary are <a href="http://www.thegeektwins.com/2012/03/10-most-ridiculous-broken-back.html#.URRic6Udy1w">played up for their sexuality</a>. Fine, whatever, I won’t write a
ten-page rant on how impractical Starfire’s costume is. I just think that the
equation needs to be balanced. The comic world needs more characters like
Stephanie Brown, younger women who aren’t played up for their sexuality.
DCverse needs Steph precisely because she isn’t defined by her gender. She is a
well-rounded character with a lot to offer. And she just so happens to be to be
female in a genre that needs more strong female characters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/10/109860/2811956-starfire_hotness.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="257" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are her nipples <i>adhesive? </i>How is that costume staying on? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reason 3: Foil for
Damian </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Damian is an obnoxious little fart with all the social
graces of a roasted peanut. Stephanie is everything Damian is not. She was a
great socializing force for him, putting him in situations outside of his
comfort zone. It both humanized him and forced him to grow as a character.
Their banter was hilarious, but more than that, they had a great dynamic. Steph
was a great “rival” for Damian, providing someone on his level that he could
treat as a peer, and vice-versa. Without her, Damian’s become the DC equivalent
of a crazy cat person. Okay, his menagerie is freaking adorable, but Steph was
giving him skills that could help him be a functioning human being. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="262" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lp44hlFF8G1qcaeouo1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or he could turn Wayne Manor into one giant litter-box. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reason 4: An
emotional counter-point for the whole Bat-clan</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as pseudo-families go, the Bats are as morose as a
pack of timber wolves. Even characters who used to be shining paragons of
go-lucky have slipped deeper into the darkside (Tim, I’m looking at you). I’m
not accusing them of being a one-note angst-fest (they are a symphony, thank
you very much), but Stephanie provided an excellent contrast. Her wide-eyed
optimism provided a much needed balance. It allowed the family to have its
dark, somber moments while still being 3-dimensional.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reason 5: Hope vs
cynicism</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place>Gotham</st1:place> is a rotten dumping-grounds
where gross things go to die. You won’t find a more wretched hive of scum and
villainy in all of comic books. In a city as corrupt and unlikable as <st1:place>Gotham</st1:place>,
it’s occasionally hard to see why the heroes bother saving it. Why exactly is
Batman dedicating his life to preserving an already rotten corpse? Stephanie
Brown is a beacon of light. She is a naturally bright and hopeful (and even
shown as a Blue Lantern in the last issue). Her outlook on life allows the
audience to see the good in <st1:place>Gotham</st1:place>. It’s a perspective
that more cynical, world-weary characters like Bruce and Jason can’t bring to
the table. Allowing Stephanie to infuse the city with hope enriches all of the
Batfamily books, because it gives the audience a reason to care.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="349" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqcaa3kHco1qzm8edo1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This might be my favorite image in all of comics.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you have it. Bringing Stephanie Brown back wouldn’t
just appease angry fans; it would make a wealth of other books better. The
world needs more Steph. DC, feel free to redeem yourself at any time. Until
then, I’ll just be over here. Complaining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Leave some love in
the comments if you want Stephanie Brown back, too!<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-demand-stephanie-brown.html">And check out my article about Young Justice being cancelled.</a> This blog is a cornucopia of nerdiness.</b></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-33486283433156297842013-02-05T09:00:00.000-08:002013-02-05T15:41:37.039-08:00No One Likes a Faker: Wannabe Nerds<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Being a nerd is officially cool.
<a href="http://askville.amazon.com/people-America-play-video-games/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1339043">Video games are widespread,</a> superheroes are mainstream, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jediism">Jediism is the seventh most popular religion in the UK</a>.
I guess people have finally figured out that nerds rule the world, and they’re
eager to get a slice of the action. Except that this new, mainstream nerdiness
is an insult to us purist nerds. After all, <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200807/field-guide-the-nerd-its-all-geek-me">part of the experience of being ageek is the social ostracism</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/238350-FakeNerdHeader.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's more to being a nerd than writing on your hand with Sharpie and inadvertently becoming an internet meme. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Everyone is welcome to be a nerd. I
genuinely hope that one day people can feel the same unique combination of joy
and shame I feel when buying <i>My Little
Pony</i> figures. At the same time, every one has a little bit of hipster in
them. We all want to feel unique, and we don’t want to do things just because
they’re popular. So when the things I like <i>do
</i>become popular, but most of the fans are shallow people looking to fit in,
I feel cheated. Do I need to get over it? Probably. Will I? Hey, part of being
a nerd is socially unacceptable passion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://fakeplus.com/pictures/jpg/-socially-awkward-boromir_20120419062246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="311" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A much better depiction of what it means to be a nerd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
So what can we do about these
fair-weather fans? Since I don’t have an answer, I’ll have to make do with
sarcasm and irony.<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/ultimate-nerd-test.html"> Until then, you can weed out your fake nerd friends by taking my ULTIMATE NERD TEST!</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-60787456550541952042013-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-06T14:06:50.908-08:00Ultimate Nerd Test!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 9pt;">
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbduvkuspZ1qe6vsbo1_400.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>For each answer you respond yes to, reward yourself with points. Unless
stated otherwise, each question is worth one point. This is in no way a
complete listing of all possible aspects of nerdiness. It’s just a general
overview of the many ways one can be socially awkward. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>This test is for fun. Don’t stretch your butthole out of shape if you
don’t get a score you like. Even I wouldn’t get a hundred on this test, so take
it with a grain of salt and a shot of tequila. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Nerdiness on the internet<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Have
you trolled someone online? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. Do
you know what a meme is?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. Have
you ever role-played online with people you have never met?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Do
you regularly follow an abridged series (Dragonball Z abridged, YGOTAS, etc.) <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Have you ever been Rickrolled?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6. <!--[endif]-->Do
you scour ebay for rare/ collectible items?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7. <!--[endif]-->Do
you comment on Youtube videos?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8. <!--[endif]-->Have
you ever edited a wiki?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9. <!--[endif]-->Off
the top of your head, can you name four Youtubers you enjoy watching? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever had a real-world conversation
about something you read or watched online? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Creative Nerds<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you read fanfiction?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you written fanfiction? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you ever look at/ draw fanart?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you created an OC?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->15.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever handmade a replica of an item from
a series you like? <b>3 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->16.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you watch AMVs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->17.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever given a hand-made gift to a
friend?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->18.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Does your dream job have to do with working on
or creating the sort of things you enjoy?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->19.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever remixed music? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->20.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever reenacted a favorite scene? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>The Otaku<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->21.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you listen to Vocaloids? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->22.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you seen more than ten different anime
series?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->23.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever imported anything from <st1:country-region>Japan</st1:country-region>?
<b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->24.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you read manga?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->25.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever sought out or bought a food, just
because you saw a character in anime eating it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->26.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you wish you lived in <st1:country-region>Japan</st1:country-region>?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->27.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own doujinshi? <b>3 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->28.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own any bootleg anime?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->29.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own any legal anime DVDs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->30.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever forgone social events in order to
stay home and watch anime?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Old school Nerd<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->31.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever played D+D? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->32.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you subscribed to a comic book? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->33.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you listen to techno?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->34.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you watch cartoons aimed at adults?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->35.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Cartoons aimed at children?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->36.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you know how to play any sort of Trading Card
Game? (Pokemon, Yugioh, etc.) <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->37.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you regularly read science fiction or fantasy
novels?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->38.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Is your room decorated with posters/
paraphernalia for an obsession? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->39.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own more than a hundred books? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->40.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own a pre-1990 TV series on DVD or VHS
(Star Trek, Twilight Zone, etc.)?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Coming out of the nerd closet<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->41.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you attended a convention of any kind? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->42.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever been to the <st1:time hour="0" minute="0">midnight</st1:time> release of a book?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->43.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever cosplayed, not counting on
Halloween? <b>3 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->44.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you sing in the car?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->45.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do people look at you funny when you dance in
public?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->46.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever approached a stranger when you
noticed that they were reading a book you liked?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->47.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own a T-shirt, bag, hat or other article
of clothing advertising an enjoyed hobby?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->48.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you look for opportunities to talk about a
hobby you like, bringing it up even when it isn’t relevant to the conversation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->49.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever overheard someone trash-talking a
hobby or interest you like, and angrily called them out? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->50.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever integrated your hobby into an
assignment or project for school? <b>2
points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Video Game Nerd<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->51.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you listen to video game soundtracks?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->52.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever helped program something? <b>3 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->53.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own more than one game system?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->54.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you own an old school (more than 15 years)
game system? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->55.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you have a subscription to an MMORPG?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->56.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever spent more time working on a game’s
sidequests than on the actual plot itself?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->57.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever completed a game 100%?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->58.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever bought a game the day it was
released?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->59.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever participated in a video game
tournament? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->60.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you play a variety of games, from more than
three genres (ie: puzzle, shooter, RPG, action, etc.)? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>Social (awkward) Nerd<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->61.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever argued over which fictional
pairing is the best? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->62.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever argued about which fictional
character from a series is the most attractive? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->63.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever celebrated a fictional event (a
character’s birthday or major date in a series, etc)? <b>2 points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->64.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Were you frequently picked last for sports?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->65.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you laugh at your own jokes?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->66.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Were you on the honor roll at school?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->67.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you cringe when you meet someone who likes a
lot of mainstream stuff?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->68.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have you made most of your current friends
through a shared nerdy interest? <b>2
points</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->69.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do you do things that are considered uncool or
weird because you like them so much?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 9.0pt .25in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->70.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Are you out of shape?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
How did you do? Below is the
rating scale. Make sure to leave a comment saying what score you got. I will
most certainly use the data to make some sort of spreadsheet or other nerdy
analysis. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>0-10 pts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
You aren’t even a little bit
nerdy. You probably took this test as a joke. Surely there’s no way you thought
you were an actual geek, right? No, you probably wear glasses indoors and go to
the gym on weekends. Weirdo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>11-25 points<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
Congratulations, you’re normal!
Yes, you might have a few quirks, but for the most part you can enter and leave
a party without getting a wedgie once. You will have 2.1 one kids, work a
boring job, and generally fly under the radar. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>26-40 points<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
You are a borderline nerd. This
means that you are probably under the impression that you are the world’s biggest
geek, but you aren’t! This is a golden area, where you can still enjoy things
with a high level of passion while functioning in a social setting. It’s the
best of both worlds. Like that one <i>Hannah Montana </i>song. Because that’s what you
are. Someone living a lie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>41-60 points<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
You are a nerd. But this probably
isn’t news to you, is it? Chances are that you were mocked during high school.
However, once you get out in the real world, you’ll find that your passion
profits you well. You’ll have a lot of drive to pursue your dreams. I just hope
most of those dreams don’t involve socializing with anyone other than other
nerds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>61-80 points<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
You are a giant dork. You have
probably brought shame upon your parents at least once with your nerdy
obsessions. However, you bring great pride to your fellow nerds. You aren’t
afraid to stand up and say, “You know what? My interests are socially
stigmatized, and I’m okay with that.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>81-90 points<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
Extreme nerd alert! Just being
around you makes some people uncomfortable. You’ve always stood out from the
crowd, and not in a teen-comedy sort of way, but in a don’t-make-eye-contact
way. As long as you are comfortable with who you are, though, other people’s
opinions shouldn’t matter. After all, you’ll always have your online guild.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<b>91-100<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.0pt;">
All hail the uber-nerd! You make
even other nerds uncomfortable with your obsession. You’re the guy with the
giant Princess Leia poster above his head and a wastebasket full of
questionable tissues. You might want to consider pulling back a little, lest
you isolate yourself forever. Then again, normal people just aren’t as
interesting as the strange fantasy world you live in.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>Not satisfied with your nerd score? Read some articles on this blog to help brush up on your nerdiness! Here are some articles that will help you get your geek on:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-what-is.html">In Defense of Vocaloids:</a> A series of articles about why Vocaloids rock (sometimes literally).</b><br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/02/friendship-is-heroic.html">Friendship is Heroic:</a> An analysis of why <i>My Little Pony</i> is as heroic as any given superhero movie.</b><br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-get-your-friends-addicted-to.html">How to get your friends addicted to anime:</a> A practical guide for sharing your obsession. </b><br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/seeing-is-believing-how-camera.html">Seeing is Believing: How Camera Placement Can Make or Break Video Games</a> Part of a series of articles on the rhetoric of video games (ie: what makes video games cool).</b></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-79274455640007581012013-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:002013-02-07T18:59:36.076-08:00Don't Cry for Young Justice<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JakeLester/news/?a=73360">Young Justice isn’t getting a third season</a>. This is immensely disappointing, because
the show hasn’t been around that long. There’s still a lot of momentum to the
story, and I haven’t had my fill of the amazing characters. There are thousands
of comic stories the series could draw on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="235" src="http://insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Young-Justice-Invasion-Cast-Season-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that’s the thing. The DC Universe
has so many stories, subplots, and characters to draw from that it would be
impossible to fit them all into one show. Yes, <i>Young Justice </i>ending is sad. I would love for the series to last
longer and develop the characters more. However, you can rest easy knowing that
this isn’t the last time we’ll see these characters and their stories animated.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="180" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2013/02/dcnttg3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When did THIS...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 9pt 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a way, <i>Young Justice </i>ending now is better than the show dragging on longer
than the creators planned. They have a story they want to tell, and after they
tell it, what’s the point in continuing? Just look at <i>Teen Titans. </i>That show was amazing, and everyone was disappointed
when it ended. Fan interest remained high. And what do you know, they actually
have plans to bring it back.<a href="http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/01/beware-the-batman-teen-titans-go-images/"> As a sketch comedy.</a> Yay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="216" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/3/31358/624276-titansgo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...become hotter than THIS?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won’t judge <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans_Go!_(TV_series)">Teen Titans Go!</a> </i>before I see it, but part of what made the
original <i>Teen Titans </i>awesome was that
each of the characters had their own arcs; they developed independently and as
a team. Their stories have already been told. That’s probably the reason this
new incarnation is going to stay away from continuity or character development.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All good things must come to an end. After
a while, a cartoon loses its drive, or the main creative team loses passion, or
whatever. Look at shows like <i><a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/26/10-neat-facts-about-spongebob-squarepants/">Spongebob,</a>
Fairly Oddparents, </i>and a wealth of others that continued past their
expiration date. <i>Young Justice </i>ending
only means that there is room for a new creative team with a different vision
to tell a tale starring teenage try-hards. Yes, there is no guarantee that the
next incarnation will be good. But there wasn’t that guarantee when <i>Teen Titans </i>ended. If the producers had
decided to continue that show forever, we would have never gotten <i>Young Justice. </i>Who knows what good shows
are just a few years away? Small condolences, I know, but endings are only as
sad as you make them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/5/58713/2734132-beware_the_batman_sample_by_lucianovecchio_d5mpr54.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="245" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knows, that next great show could be <i>Beware the Batman. </i>Or not. Once again, I'll withhold judgement until it comes out.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Do you like comics? <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-demand-stephanie-brown.html">Check out my post about Stephanie Brown.</a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Or if you're more of a cartoon person, <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/old-vs-new-lose-lose-battle.html">read my Old vs New debate</a>.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 9.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-39711589692375718032013-02-03T15:32:00.000-08:002013-03-10T13:11:32.364-07:00Your Objective is Anarchy: How Video Games Encourage Rebellion<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning-terms-how-goals-influence.html">Last time we talked about how video game objectives can influence how much a player values something.</a> The
careful designer can set up an objective that forces the player to temporarily
adopt a value-set that is not their own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Speaking of forcing their values on players, <i><a href="http://www.molleindustria.org/everydaythesamedream/everydaythesamedream.html">Every Day the Same Dream </a></i>is an indie
game with a bleak outlook on life. The player is stuck in a vicious cycle of
waking up, getting dressed, and going to work. The only way to “beat” the game
is to go against the system. The player must accomplish five tasks. They are
given no instruction on what they are supposed to do, but must figure it out
for themselves by going against the flow. For example, one of the tasks
involves going to work in their underwear and being fired by the boss. Another
task involves the player throwing themselves off the roof of the building where
they work. The goal of the game is to break out of the everyday routine and
have players think for themselves. The player is forced to “fight the man,”
regardless of their current job satisfaction. And because being a free-thinking
douche is the only way to win the game, the game advances an <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/antiestablishment">anti-establishment</a> doctrine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="246" src="http://rameyer.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/screen-shot-2011-08-05-at-1-42-02-am1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Petting cows: the biggest middle finger you can give corporate America.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s more, the <i>way</i> players accomplish this goal is
rhetorical. Players are rewarded for suicide in the sense that it helps them
progress in the game. The sparse bits of dialogue in the game don’t mention the
main character dissatisfaction or frustration. The game never tells you that it
wants you to refuse labor and become an individual. It doesn’t have to. Simply
by making that a goal, the game illustrates its argument to the player. If you
sit down at your desk and work like a good little drone, then the cycle repeats
ad infinitum. But by throwing social norms to the wind, players are rewarded
with advancement. It’s positive-reinforcement for rebellion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="300" src="http://l.j-factor.com/gifs/EveryDayTheSameDream-Jump.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's very nonchalant about the whole suicide thing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.thinkwithportals.com/">Portal</a> </i>also preaches an anti-establishment rhetoric. In the
beginning of the game, you are in a lab undergoing a battery of dangerous tests
(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BomVB3QkKQs">for science!</a>). An anonymous voice instructs and encourages you over the
intercom. Players are given little context for what they are doing and who they
are working for. Even though they’re kept in the dark, the only way to move
forward is by completing the tests. The players have no choice but to abide by
the rules of an unknown force. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the game progresses, the
disembodied voice shows signs of impairment and malfunction. Still the only
option is to continue through the tests. Things change when the computer
running the tests tries to dump the player into the furnace. The tables are
turned, and now the only way to survive is to rebel and find a way to shut down
the malicious computer running the facility. In this way, the players are both
literally and figuratively encouraged to bring down the system.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="299" src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110422115109/half-life/en/images/d/d5/Glados_new_lair.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GLaDOS just may be the only feminine incarnation of "the man" in existence. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Portal </i>puts gamers in a situation where they have to blindly follow
the voice of authority. <a href="http://www.madinamerica.com/2012/02/why-anti-authoritarians-are-diagnosed-as-mentally-ill/">Then the game takes that authority and makes it insane and unreliable.</a> Players are forced to rely on themselves, not an anonymous
authority. The game is a sort of pro-solidarity/ anti-authority science-fest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">Visit the main video game rhetoric directory here.</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning-terms-how-goals-influence.html">View Part 1 of video games and goals.</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/03/madness-in-method-how-you-do-something.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View Part 3 of video games and goals.</span></a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check back in a few days for the next part in the series!</span></b></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-53067831874876462692013-01-31T18:25:00.000-08:002013-02-03T15:33:55.268-08:00Winning Terms: How Goals Influence Players<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome back to the rhetoric of video games! For these next couple of posts, we will explore how goals influence gamers. If you missed the first couple of posts, make sure to check them out.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes video games “games”
is that they have goals. Without a goal, then it is just an interactive piece
of software. Of course, some games have really loose goals, like <i>Tetris </i>wanting you to stack a bunch of
boxes. Others have very specific goals, like defeating an evil sorcerer or
escaping a testing facility. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="358" src="http://web-vassets.ea.com/Assets/Richmedia/Image/Screenshots/tetris_screenshot_2_656x369.jpg?cb=1334003639" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are you spending hours on end stacking boxes? Because you have no social life, that's why. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter how lightly the game takes its primary
objective, the goals still have rhetorical effect. By designating something as a
goal, a game implies that it has worth. For example, if the goal of the game is
to “save the princess,” then that implies that the princess is valuable enough
to go through the effort of saving. “By stating a rule that defines a winning
scenario, the simauthor is claiming that these goals are preferable to their
opposite.”<sup>1</sup> So the player will see the end goal as the right thing,
and the opposite conditions, or losing, as something that is bad. When properly
applied, goals and the methods to achieve those goals can motivate the player
and convince them that something is worth their time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The setting of <i>Final Fantasy </i><st1:stockticker><i>VII</i></st1:stockticker><i> </i>is a run down, dilapidated world. Big
business has exhausted natural resources, and the whole planet is on a downward
spiral to disaster. Despite this, the goal of the game is to save the world.
This implies that the world, no matter how run-down and used-up it is, is still
something worth fighting for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/gaming-architecture-oxcgn-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This image of <i>FFVII'</i>s Midgar isn't in grayscale. It's naturally that dreary.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many games force players into the role of a
messiah, combating evil in an attempt to restore balance. However, “evil” can
be anything the developer wants it to be. If the developer makes the enemy a
bunch of cartoonish pigs, the player has to fight them to win. It doesn’t
matter how the player personally feels; while ‘they are playing a game, gamers
operate under the logic of the programmer. The designer’s goals become theirs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 1. </span><!--[endif]-->Frasca, Gonzalo. "Simulation versus
Narrative: Introduction to Ludology." <i>The
Video Game Theory Reader</i>. Ed. Mark J.P. Wolf and Ed. Bernard Perron. <st1:state>New
York</st1:state>: Routledge, 2003. Print.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">F</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">Visit the main video game rhetoric directory here</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/your-objective-is-anarchy-how-video.html">Learn more about goals and their influence on players here</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-down-from-heaven-how-simulation.html">Learn how perspective affects games here</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-57274480947798350052013-01-28T16:15:00.000-08:002013-01-28T16:29:31.242-08:00Producer Spotlight: Iwashi-P<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome to producer spotlight! Here I’m going to highlight
talented Vocaloid producers and their works. This week’s producer: <a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/user/2136460"><b>Iwashi-P</b>.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Iwashi is a fairly obscure producer, with only a few of his
videos getting more than 10,000 hits. That’s a darn shame, because he (or she?)
is an absolute god with KAITO. One of the best things about him is that he has
a distinct, signature style to his tuning. In his hands, the normally shrill
KAITO sounds husky and deep. Probably some mixture of gender factor and low clarity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kaito Vocaloid Wallpaper - vocaloids Wallpaper" height="299" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/8300000/Kaito-Vocaloid-Wallpaper-vocaloids-8317131-1024-768.jpg?1359419294377" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't think KAITO can be hardcore? Just wait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His songs have a dark, mournful feel. They are very
atmospheric, with lots of pulsing rhythms. Not quite techno, not quite rock,
but a sort of earthy-pop. KAITO appears to be the only Vocaloid he works with,
but don’t let that turn you off if you don’t like the blue boy. Let’s take a
closer look at some of his works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His very first song was called “receive,” released back in
2008. I couldn’t find any uploads of it on Youtube, so if you want to check it
out you’ll have to use niconico. Anyways, this is definitely an amateur work,
more of a test run than anything. However, you can tell that the composer has
talent. It sounds distinct and cohesive, albeit with only traces of the
elements that would later define Iwashi. <a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3222294">http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3222294</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oCnaTHEWbP4/0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iwashi also draws the cover images for his songs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things improved immensely with “crow.” Once again, it’s not
on Youtube. This song finds a nice balance between sounding like a dirge and a
war chant. It’s face-paced without being sugary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3381164">http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3381164</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oni to Musume” (or ogre and the maiden) is probably his
most popular work. It’s based on a Japanese folk-tale about a blind girl
falling in love with a monster. The sounds fits very well, with a rustic,
old-school <st1:country-region>Japan</st1:country-region>
feel. There are a lot of traditional instruments, and the overall feel is that
of a ballad. The mixing isn’t the greatest, but it is a beautiful song. And it
comes with a cute PV!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q5tJUbLscb4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From this point on, his songs are all awesome. My personal
favorite is “Scissors.” I only understand a few words, but I would guess it’s
some sort of bitter break-up song/ yandere thing. What’s great about it is that
it sounds more angry than whiny. It’s filled with longing and resentment. And a
pretty sick beat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/d26o6HIw6dY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His latest song to date is “free word mind game.” It’s much more
“pop” than a lot of his works, with a very bouncy, upbeat rhythm. However, the
chorus has that cyber-punk element that makes Iwashi unique. Definitely worth a
listen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ftFSQvEpHAI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Iwashi only comes out with a couple songs a year. However,
every one of his songs is a treat. He’s talented, and he deserves more views
than he gets. So if you like KAITO or electronic music, <a href="http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Iwashi-P">check out his stuff.</a>
You won’t be disappointed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you have a producer you want spotlighted? Feel free to leave me a suggestion in the comments!</b></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-5868405272288657272013-01-27T17:42:00.000-08:002013-02-05T15:45:05.219-08:00Old vs New: A Lose-Lose Battle<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woman-child that I am, I still love Saturday morning cartoons.
This year was great, with awesome shows like <i>Legend of Korra, </i><st1:stockticker><i>MLP</i></st1:stockticker><i>, Young
Justice</i>, and <i>Adventure Time</i> all
putting out new episodes. And being an over exuberant nerd, I had to tell all
my friends just how much I was enjoying the good variety of shows coming out.
To which I often encountered the same dismissive response: Cartoons today
aren’t as good as they were in the 90s. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="197" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSw24rfXfeoTT9Qb_5Ie-m9a28bg3Yp30S0R6Yfoofko4S74vx2yw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My childhood in one picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is that true? Were the cartoons of the late 80s/early 90s
really better, or is it just nostalgia? The people I talked to weren’t “cartoon
connoisseurs” like mwah, but I hear the same thing even among animation
aficionados. See, there was the golden period known as “<a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation">the Animation Renaissance</a>” back when I was young. It was a time when cartoons shifted away
from being glorified toy commercials to original, quality stuff. You had
amazing shows like <i>Animaniacs, Batman:
the Animated Series, Adventures of the Gummi Bears</i>, on and on. Saturday
mornings were an explosion of awesome shows. This lasted until the late 90s,
when cartoons slipped back into the toy-driven model.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/L969142tad4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, the Animation Renaissance was the first time since
the 1950s that high quality cartoons were made for artistic merit, not a quick
buck. That time period paved the way for all my favorite cartoons now. But does
it mean those cartoons are better?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not the best person to judge. I have nostalgia for those
shows, so it would be hard for me to objectively compare them to modern shows
(I’ll probably do it anyways in future posts). However, I think that if people
write off modern-day cartoons as inferior, then they’re cheating themselves. There
comes a point where “respect for the classics” stops people from moving
forward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="283" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ9qP1tz3t6zDXuqtYgsPeT4cxxaV3hdo-bhVetHYsoSxQNCUW5" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be this person. Nobody likes this person.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like the irate fanboy who only plays old-school Nintendo, or
the retro-hipster who only listens to things on vinyl, there comes a point
where you need to put aside old favorites in order to try something new. That
doesn’t mean classics aren’t important, but people shouldn’t believe that the
best humanity has to offer has already occurred. Who knows, your favorite work
could still be a couple of years away. So don’t stick to what you know. Be
willing to give new things a shot, even if you love the old.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And for goodness sake, stop saying everything was better
when you were a kid!</div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-46514838243140627132013-01-23T17:24:00.000-08:002013-01-28T16:22:13.115-08:00Abridgers WantedI realized something today. I don’t hear as much about
abridged series as I used to. Do you remember when they were all the rage? Back
in 2008, when you trawled Youtube for illegally uploaded anime, all you could
find were these poorly dubbed, pop-culture saturated pieces of crap. Those were
the days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://www.headabovemusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/RainbowBridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, not "a bridge," ABRIDGE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you don’t know what an abridged series is, here’s an
(abridged) explanation. It’s when you remix a show, redubbing it for satirical
purposes. Abridging aims to present a show in a humorous light, pointing out
all the leaps in logic and bizarre happenings, while still retaining a strong
love for the source material. Also, pop culture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img height="400" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/153/6/4/YGOTAS__cast_wallpaper_by_yugioh_abridged.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Behold, the crown jewel of self-referential satire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Littlekuriboh made the practice popular with his <i><a href="http://yugiohabridged.com/">Yu-gi-oh Abridged</a></i>, but the idea is
probably older than the internet (although probably not <i>much </i>older, as the technology was more difficult to come by). One
of the oldest examples I can track down is <i>Evangelion:
ReDeath.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i></i><br />
<i></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sPtFxvtfH9I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Abridged series were a great way for fans to come together
and celebrate a show they loved. They forced fans to be analytical, looking at
both what makes a show great and what is absolutely ridiculous about it. In
order to craft a successful series, you had to understand why the show worked,
despite its flaws, and understand character roles and how they advanced the
plot. Sure, some of the abridged series were downright awful, but enough were
(and still are) worth every other painful viewing minute. When done right, they
provide a smart insight into what made a series tick, all with a
chocolaty-fudge coating of sarcasm. I love when people think deeply about what
they like, and I would love to see the abridged series make a comeback.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<script src="//www.google.com/trends/embed.js?hl=en-US&q=yugioh+abridged,+abridged+series,+naruto+abridged,+team+fourstar&date=4/2006+85m&cmpt=q&content=1&cid=TIMESERIES_GRAPH_0&export=5&w=500&h=330" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, interest in abridging has waned. As you can see
from the graph, it experienced peak popularity in 2008-2009, but is slowly
sinking back into obscurity. Why? The reasons are probably too complex for me
to fathom, and definitely too long for this blog post. What I can say, though,
is that abridging still has a lot to offer. I mean, come on, are you ever
really done making fun of something? Don’t let this be a passing fad! Pick up
you microphones, grab your equally nerdy friends, and go make your own abridged
series!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-83691070722971174742012-12-14T10:07:00.000-08:002013-01-23T18:16:01.024-08:00Looking Down from Heaven: How Simulation Perspective Encourages Cruelty<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/seeing-is-believing-how-camera.html">Last time we talked about how perspective influences the player’s relationship with the main character.</a> This
time, let’s look at how view point changes how the player feels about other
characters in the game. Let’s talk about god.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><img height="320" src="http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jehovah-witness-cat.jpg" width="248" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, god <i>perspective </i>(I had you worried for a second, didn't I?)<i>. </i>God-perspective is a top-down view used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_game">simulation and strategy games</a>. The player views things from high up and far away, as
if they were a spiteful god. Oftentimes they act like one, too. See, the
god-perspective puts a lot of distance between the player and the miniscule
figures onscreen. It allows the player to observe humanity impartially. It also
allows them to be an enormous jerk. No game demonstrates this better than <i>The Sims.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="256" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQV2Xv3DpDnW-FYQ2rUWbYmc24fFgV71oyRzxiUtbW86Jkn5R-2wA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those snide little jerks. They're begging for a thunderbolt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In <i>The Sims, </i>while the player does create and control characters, none
of the individual characters are integral to the game. The player can delete
and create new characters at any time. This, combined with the
looking-down-from-heaven view, makes the Sims dispensable. The player is free
to do whatever the heck they want without feeling responsible. While the
ambiguous goal of the game is to earn money and build a merchandise-filled
house, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnk2tk1066o">many players choose to make their Sim’s life miserable</a>. In an online
chatboard, players brainstormed fun things they could do with their Sims.
Responses ranged from “make a huge family and kill them all and make a new
family move in ... in the same house” to “refuse to use the bathroom” to even “Make
your Sim cheat on their husband/wife and see how long it takes them to get
caught.”<sup>1</sup> Players feel no guilt about what they force the Sims to
do, because the remote perspective reduces the Sims to mere playthings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Likewise, in the strategy game <i><a href="http://www.civilization.com/">Civilization</a>, </i>the player is a ruler of a
country, and the goal is to build the best empire (or as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinky_and_the_Brain">an albino mouse might put it</a>, try to take over the world). This involves sending troops to war. When
the player is at war, their forces are referred to as “units.” Their soldiers
and people are not given an identity or any individuality. There is no reward for
keeping them alive, other than the fact that they can be reused as more cannon
fodder. Once again, the top-down perspective gives the player a sense of being
above the action, both literally and figuratively. Because of this, the player
is detached from the struggles of the NPCs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="299" src="http://guides.gamepressure.com/sidmeierscivilization4/gfx/gallery/large/Screenshots/12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently <i>Civilization </i>is about a society of giants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Contrast this with <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/getting-it-right-valkyria-chronicles-230064.phtml">Valkyria Chronicles, a war game that uses the same perspective.</a> At the beginning of every turn, the player views a
map showing the position of their soldiers and the opposing forces on the
field. However, when the player selects a soldier to move, the game switches to
3<sup>rd</sup> person perspective, and the player controls that unit directly. Not
surprisingly, the soldiers all have an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valkyria_Chronicles_characters">individual identity, complete with a unique character model</a>, names, and even personal likes and dislikes that
influence the way they perform in battle. By knowing the strengths and
weaknesses of their soldiers on an individual basis, the player can use them
more efficiently. This play style reinforces the plot, which is also heavily
character driven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The <i>Pokemon </i>series uses a similar technique to spotlight the
fantastical freaks of the franchise. Every new “generation” of games has <a href="http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Player_character">a new, silent protagonist.</a> This protagonist never speaks or shows any personality.
Again, the top-down perspective of the games detaches the player from the
onscreen character, making the human avatar seem disposable and unimportant.
When a Pokemon battle starts, the perspective switches. Suddenly the player
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=pokemon+battle&hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS482US482&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WGjLUO-pLcT8iwLAtIHYAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1366&bih=643">views the battlefield from ground level</a>, from a perspective that may or may not
be the player character. When Pokemon are sent out to battle, the player views
them up close and personal. You could argue that this is to better show off the
violence, but the joke’s on you because <i>Pokemon
</i>is about as non-violent as animal fighting gets. Instead, this makes the player more likely to
care about their Pokemon, whom they see first-hand fail and succeed, than the
player character, whom they see only from a distant view. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l92jfjlp6l1qzegudo1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is at least twice as violent as the average Pokemon battle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So there you have it. Perspective is a crucial part of making a game fun or a flop, and it's something developers should never ignore. By controlling how the player sees the game, developers can control how players interact with their environment and the characters. Next time, we'll look at another critical aspect of making games succeed: goals. Until then, curb your craving for nerd by checking out the rest of my blog!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/sharing-sight-how-perspective.html">Part 1 of Perspective</a></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/seeing-is-believing-how-camera.html">Part 2 of Perspective</a></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">Main Video Game Rhetoric Directory</a></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->"1000 Fun Things to Do in Sims 3." Jan
2009. NeoForum Community, Online Posting to <i>Neoseeker</i>.
Web. <st1:date day="28" month="3" year="2012">28 Mar. 2012</st1:date>.</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-55163362748049517552012-12-13T16:08:00.001-08:002013-01-23T18:16:18.316-08:00Seeing is Believing: How Camera Placement Can Make or Break Video Games<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/sharing-sight-how-perspective.html">Last post</a> we talked about how
viewpoint influences how responsible players feel for their actions. Viewpoint
also changes how the player feels about a character. For example, <i><a href="http://www.ign.com/games/ultimate-spider-man/gcn-694999">Ultimate Spiderman</a></i> shows two perspectives. The player alternately controls Spiderman and
Venom. Because the player also controls Venom, he cannot be the antagonist.
Unlike other mediums, where a villain can share a large portion of screen time
and parts of the story can be told from their perspective, in video games the
player sees their avatar as an extension of themselves, and thus as a
protagonist. Most players don’t mind <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRa1NTh_KwE">doing villainous deeds for shits and giggles,</a> but there is a difference between villainy and being the villain.. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This framing gives the story
more emotional depth. When the final battle comes and it’s time for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JctYLzVJk">Spiderman to beat Venom</a>, it’s not clear who the player should root for. Yeah, Venom’s a
sick abomination who would eat your Granny, but he is also an extension of the <i>player</i>. Players want to succeed in games, so when they controlled Venom their
goal was to help him achieve whatever the heck he wanted. Then they are put in a position where one side has to lose.
This creates a bittersweet victory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://images.wikia.com/marveldatabase/images/2/23/Ultimate_Venom_Symbiote.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="303" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hipster Venom had tentacles coming out of his back <br />
before Slenderman made it cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The same thing happens in <i>Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn</i>. By allowing
the character to control both sides of a war, the player cannot see either side
as a villain. What’s more, much of your time in the game is spent trying to keep
your troops from dying. Once a character dies they are gone for good, so you
will <a href="http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/921183-fire-emblem-the-sacred-stones/50594931">spend <i>many </i>a battle resetting</a>
over and over. And then you are put in a fight against yourself, where the goal
is to defeat your other team. All of a sudden all that frustration spent
keeping characters alive is fruitless. Kind of like war itself. This dynamic
allows the designers to build a compelling picture of war as a two-sided issue
where neither faction thinks they are wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="314" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_tMJLIsOtG0aBHaTDre6oJfzqLmhyxVw3p4VKAx5OnH6MKV9X" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This son of a bitch cost me several hours of my life<br />
trying to keep his sorry ass alive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perspective can also serve as a cosmetic tool. In games like <i>World
of Warcraft, </i>where the primary goal is raising and developing a character,
the game uses 3<sup>rd</sup> person perspective. Players are drawn to these
games because they want a chance to <a href="http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/pdf/3-2.pdf">create an alternate persona.</a> The character
that the player designs is a “’vacuum into which [their] identity and awareness
are pulled,’” allowing them to step out of their real-world self.<sup>1</sup><b> </b>If you want to be some sort of ninja
cat person, you <i>be </i>that ninja cat
person. Because so much emphasis is placed on creating a new identity through a
fictional character, being able to see the character is paramount. Also, the 3<sup>rd</sup>
person perspective allows the players to see their avatar within a fantasy
realm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="496" src="http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs21/f/2007/298/a/9/World_of_WArcraft_Elf_by_HitokiriPineapple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have the ability to become ANYTHING, and you choose a half-naked elf chick. Way to flaunt that imagination. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Skyrim, </i>on the other hand,<i> </i>allows
players to switch between 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> person
perspectives. In an online forum, players discussed what viewpoints they
preferred. While opinions differed, several players remarked that they used 1<sup>st</sup>
person perspective for battle and 3<sup>rd</sup> person perspective for
exploration. While part of this is due to the interface, where 1<sup>st</sup>
person is better-suited to combat, part of it is also because of the rhetorical
effects of the perspectives. As one commenter put it, he enjoys a “mix of both
for me. I like combat in first person, but I do a lot of exploration in third.
It's nice to be able to see your character and the changes new gear makes, and
the models/animations look much better than I expected they would.”<sup>2</sup><b> </b>Players like to experience the
triumphs of combat in 1<sup>st</sup> person, but when it comes to building a
character and exploring a world, 3<sup>rd</sup> person is better-suited. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
World exploration is integral to
many platforming games, because part of the joy comes from discovering new and
imaginative worlds. <i><a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/2-Psychonauts">Psychonauts </a></i>is a
platformer that takes place within the mindscapes of other people. The worlds are as colorful and varied as the characters, and much of the joy comes from
seeing the onscreen character interact with the environment. For example, in
one level the player is in the subconscious of a giant mutated fish who just so
happens to be terrified of people. This manifests as the player-character being
a towering colossus rampaging through a surprisingly sophisticated cityscape.
The player is suddenly a Godzilla-esque force in a field of buildings that
collapse when you stomp on them and denizens that running shrieking from your
approach. While this set-up would still be hilarious in 1<sup>st</sup>
person, the ability to see the panorama of destruction the player causes adds
to the enjoyment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://oldschoolfool.net/home/Psychonauts_files/Psycho2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured here: Raz destroying Lungfishopolis. And enjoying it. The monster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GlPQy5wsBM">Katamari Damacy</a> </i>also allows the player to destroy parts of the
environment by combining them into an ever-growing ball. Allowing the player to
see the stripped-bare land behind them gives them a satisfaction in knowing
that they have the power to change the way the land looks. It also allows them
to see the citizens fleeing in panic. You leave a wake of destruction and
desolation, like a colorful avenging angel. The 3<sup>rd</sup> person
perspective allows players to see the effects of their actions on the
environment, which is why it is useful for platforming games and other genres
where the focus is on exploration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="246" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_UqtOwgPz2aYbgyp1m4peyR09wxW7PxDNfBC5yux87qOE15o2WQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All shall become part of the collective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
But wait! We're not done exploring the joys of perspective yet. Join us next time for an exploration of being a dick in <i>The Sims.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/sharing-sight-how-perspective.html">Part 1 of perspective here.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-down-from-heaven-how-simulation.html">Part 3 of perspective is here</a></b>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">Main directory of video game rhetoric here.</a></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wolf, Mark J.P.. "Abstraction in the Video
Game." <i>The Video Game Theory Reader</i>.
Ed. Mark J.P. Wolf and Ed. Bernard Perron. <st1:state>New York</st1:state>:
Routledge, 2003. Print.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->"Skyrim: 1st or 3rd person?." <st1:date day="12" month="11" year="2011">12 Nov 2011</st1:date>. N.p., Online Posting to
<i>Gaming Outsiders. </i>Web. <st1:date day="28" month="3" year="2012">28 Mar. 2012</st1:date>. </div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-9178925552370633992012-12-13T12:25:00.002-08:002013-03-10T13:13:24.915-07:00The Rhetoric of Video Games<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Video games are
pretty awesome. That is self-evident. However, <i>why </i>are video games so cool? It’s because video games are a
powerful, interactive medium. They engage players in ways that books or movies
can only jealously dream about. Because it is interactive, video games employ a
different kind of rhetoric than other entertainment. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2119089659">This rhetoric is the </a><i><a href="http://rhetoric.byu.edu/encompassing%20terms/rhetoric.htm">why.</a> </i>Over these next few posts, I am
going to explore how video games engage players. So come with me, and together
we can explore exactly what makes video games so darn awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />
There are so many areas of rhetoric in video games, it would be TL;DR central if I crammed them into one post. Different topics are in different posts for your reading convenience. Click on whatever topic looks interesting!<br />
<br />
Perspective<br />
<a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/sharing-sight-how-perspective.html"><b>Sharing Sight</b>:</a> The <span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">use of perspective controls the degree of
separation the player has from onscreen events. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/seeing-is-believing-how-camera.html"><b>Seeing is believing</b>:</a> </span><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;">Perspective influences how emotionally attached a player will feel to the character, depending on whether or not they view them as an extension of themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-down-from-heaven-how-simulation.html">Looking Down from Heaven:</a></b> An explanation of why torturing Sims is both fun and rhetorically effective.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><br /></span><span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;">Goals/Objectives</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/01/winning-terms-how-goals-influence.html"><b>Winning Terms:</b></a> What do the goals of a game say about the beliefs of the creators?</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/02/your-objective-is-anarchy-how-video.html">Your Objective is Anarchy</a></b>: Learn how questioning authority and free-thinking can be built into the medium using goals.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 47.999996185302734px;"><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2013/03/madness-in-method-how-you-do-something.html"><b>Madness in the Method:</b></a> The developers betray a lot about their own belief system in the way they program their game. </span><br />
<br /></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-86456350568607877922012-12-13T12:19:00.007-08:002013-01-23T18:17:27.424-08:00Sharing Sight: How Perspective Influences Player Achievement<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In video games,
the perspective, or view point, is one of the biggest determining factors in
play style. It’s crazy to think that something as simple as where the camera is
placed could change a game, but it’s true. The way the player sees the game
changes how personal events are. Used effectively, view point can make the
difference between a compelling drama and an uninteresting conflict. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two most
common perspectives are 1<sup>st</sup> person, in which the player sees
directly out of their controlled character, and 3<sup>rd</sup> person, in which
the camera is placed behind a character. Many competitive shooters, such as <i>Call of Duty </i>and <i>Halo, </i>use a 1<sup>st</sup> person perspective, hence the label
“first-person shooter” (FPS). This view is preferable when the game focuses on
precision aiming, because the player can aim directly without an avatar’s body
getting in the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/7224595/Call_of_Duty_Black_Ops_II_Standoff_Kill_Confirmed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except for the hands. Stupid hands, blocking my field of vision.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perspective determines
how the audience relates to the story and the main character. In a 1<sup>st</sup>
person game, players rarely see the character they are controlling. The player
can “transfer [themselves] into the video game character, experience the
intensity of the challenge, and achieve the sense of mastery and exhilaration
of success.”<sup>1</sup> This allows the player to feel like they are directly
responsible for the victories and achievements in the game. <i>Call of Duty</i> is widely liked for its
competitive aspect. Players compete online against one another, trying to
outgun and outlast their fellow players. Part of its massive success and popularity
might be due to the perspective. The players cannot see their own avatar, thus
there is one less constant reminder that they are playing a video game. 1<sup>st</sup>
person perspective allows the player to feel like <i>they</i> are the ones responsible for victory instead of the character
they control. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another popular
FPS, <i>Halo, </i>goes so far as to have the
character be both faceless (constantly wearing a helmet) and voiceless. Because
the character has no distinct personality of its own, players can project
themselves into the game. So it’s not the story of how Master Chief saves the
world, it’s the story of how <i>you </i>save
the world. The player becomes Master Chief. So when they make it through a
particularly grueling level, they know it’s the result of their skill as a
player and not because of Master Chief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="303" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/12/123120/2671109-halo_mc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No glory-hogging for you, Mater Chief.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes
developers may want to limit the amount of responsibility a player feels. In<a href="http://www.suckerpunch.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=50&Itemid=58">
Sucker Punch’s </a><i><a href="http://www.suckerpunch.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=50&Itemid=58">Infamous,</a> </i>the game
takes a 3<sup>rd</sup> person approach. Even though a majority of the combat
relies on aiming, the game does not go into 1<sup>st</sup> person perspective.
Instead, the camera zooms in to Cole, just above the shoulder so that players
can aim accurately. <i>Infamous </i>also has
a lot of platforming elements, and being able to navigate the environment is a
must, so the 3<sup>rd</sup> person camera helps players see their position
relative to other objects around them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://www.ps3vault.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/infamous-screen3jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you imagine how much this would suck in 1st person?<br />
They'd have to rename the game <i>Mirror's Edge.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the 3<sup>rd</sup>
person perspective also has the side-effect of providing a constant reminder to
the player that they are not physically in the game. Because the main character
is always on the screen, there is distance between him and the player. <i>Infamous’</i>s main draw comes from its
morality system, where players can choose between “good” and “evil” alignments
determined by their actions. “Evil” actions take the form of injuring innocent
bystanders, killing police officers and basically being a giant douche. By
distancing the player from the character, the player is also distanced from their
actions. This allows the player a greater sense of moral freedom, because they
do not feel directly responsible for the acts they commit. If they decide it
would be funny to blow up a car with a bunch of snotty kids in it, well, it’s
not them doing it, it’s <i>Cole. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/981/981272/infamous-20090508022711848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a family of four in that car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The 3rd person perspective lets the character be as big of a jerk as they want without feeling any guilt. After all, it’s only a game. They aren't supposed to <i>be</i> the main character, only control him. So if they want to set the town on fire, they can do it with wild abandon. All the consequences fall on Cole, not them.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/seeing-is-believing-how-camera.html">Part 2 of perspective is here.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-down-from-heaven-how-simulation.html">Part 3 of perspective is here.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-rhetoric-of-video-games.html">Main Video Game Rhetoric Directory</a></b><br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more articles on video game rhetoric!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reset-Changing-Look-Video-Games/dp/1576754332/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355429686&sr=8-1&keywords=reset+changing+the+way+we+look"> 1. DeMaria, Rusel. Reset: Changing the Way We Look at Video Games. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2007.Print.</a></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-45830116084855236882012-12-12T21:16:00.000-08:002013-01-28T16:30:50.482-08:00How To Get Your Friends Addicted to Anime<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Anime is awesome. You know what
makes anime more awesome? Watching it with friends. What’s that, you say? Your
friends <a href="http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php/183399-Why-are-so-many-anime-fans-so-freakin-weird/page2?p=3775497" target="_blank">think anime is weird</a> and refuse to give it a shot? Well, have I got
some good news for you: I’ve created a dandy little guide that will help you
help your friends become every bit as anime-obsessed as you are. Read on, and
soon you will be able to spread the joy of anime faster and easier than
spreading a venereal disease. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="256" src="http://www.concretebadger.net/images/blog/full-metal-panic-fumoffu/2-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why would your friends think THIS is weird? It's just a rifle-wielding teddy bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>
1. Find
stuff that interests <i>them</i>. </b><br />
<div>
Admit
it, your desire to get your friend addicted to anime is mostly
self-interest. You want someone you can laugh with, someone to share your
hobby with to make it even more fun. That’s understandable. However, you
are far more likely to succeed if you think about what your friend likes first.
If they love Disney movies and romantic comedies, starting them out with a
psychological meltdown like <i>Evangelion
</i>or <i>Serial Experiments Lain </i>probably
isn’t going to go over so well. Try something like <i><a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/120/Fruits_Basket" target="_blank">Fruits Basket</a> </i>instead. And if they’re a sci-fi nut, steer away
from <i>Sailor Moon. </i>Introduce them
to <i>Ghost in the Shell </i>instead.
There’s an anime out there for everyone. However, the uninitiated think
Pokemon or Naruto are the norm. If you show something that captures their
interest, they’ll be more willing to sit through an episode. After the
strangeness of “japanimation” wears off, then they might be more willing
to branch out into new territory. Until then, though, your best bet is to
show them that anime <i>can </i>be cool
be introducing them to genres they already like, just in a different
medium.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://i.animecrazy.net/635728-alucard1024x2bn4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend likes <i>Twilight. </i>I bet she'd LOVE this show.<br />
Look, it's got a vampire and a werewolf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>2. Control
your inner nerd.</b> </div>
<div>
What’s more annoying than a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Annoying%20fangirls" target="_blank">squealing fangirl</a>? Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. You know how most people mock Twihards and people who
wear Jacob Black shirts? It’s because people don’t like you rubbing your
weird obsessions in their face. If they’re a fan too, that’s another
story. Then they might just squeal along with you. If they aren’t a fan,
though, more than likely they will find your constant blabber about the
“godlike sexiness of L” annoying, and it will turn them off to all anime.
You can show you like something without looking like an obsessive maniac.
As a general rule when talking about shows or characters you love, imagine
someone saying the same thing about a subject you are disinterested in. If
you don’t like <i>My Little Pony, </i>and
someone says, “Man, I love those ponies. That show makes me laugh,”
chances are this won’t bother you unless you are really immature. But if
someone goes, “Omigosh, I freaking watch <i>My Little Pony </i>seven hours a day! I’m saving all my chewed
bubblegum, and I’m gonna make a huge sculpture out of Pinkie Pie with it.
You have to see it when it’s done. Anyone who doesn’t like <st1:stockticker><i>MLP</i></st1:stockticker><i> </i>is gay!” …that’s weird. What are
the chances you will want to go home and watch <st1:stockticker><i>MLP</i></st1:stockticker><i> </i>after this? Not very likely.<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/manga/1/0/4/U/-/-/AX08_Zaraki_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="203" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pop quiz: This guy sits next to you on the bus. What do you do? <br />
Answer for a non-anime fan: Be very uncomfortable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. Help
explain things they might be confused about</b>. </div>
<div>
Spolier: anime comes from <st1:country-region>Japan</st1:country-region>.
This means that anime uses different narrative techniques to express
itself. When people first watch anime, they might be<a href="http://www.essortment.com/understanding-cultural-references-japanese-anime-manga-64237.html" target="_blank"> totally confused over something as simple as honorifics</a>. If they are, briefly explain what you
know. Tell them that when characters go “super-deformed” it is usually for
comic relief and not what is literally happening. Let them know that
magical-girl transformations usually don’t happen in real-time. This may
seem like common sense to you, but it isn’t. You learned it intuitively
over a period of time. Your friend can’t help being a stranger to the
culture and norms of anime. Don’t make them feel like an idiot, because
they aren’t (and making them feel bad will only associate a negative
emotional state with watching anime, lowering their future enjoyment). Try
not to overwhelm then, and don’t talk so often that they can’t hear what
is going on onscreen. But if they are confused, try to explain it to them.
They are in unfamiliar territory, and you are their guide.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/19500000/Ouran-High-School-Host-Club-OHSHC-fanpop-anime-19589438-1680-1050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For example, your friend might have questions like: <br />
What exactly is a host club? And where can I FIND one?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<b>4. Don’t
strap them to a chair.</b> </div>
<div>
Here’s a little anecdote a hope you will find
enlightening: when I was in middle school, I had a friend who was
absolutely insane over Inuyasha. I did not like Inuyasha, but she was
certain she could “convert” me. On a sleepover to her house, she forced me
to have a non-stop marathon of the show. Before, I had only known enough
about the show to think it was bland. After sitting through fifteen
episodes, though, I changed my mind. Now I <b>hate </b>it. Forcing me to do something didn’t change my mind. It
just made me bitter, and forever sparked a fiery rage against the
fur-eared faux-female. The same can happen to your friends if you coerce
them into watching anime. Refer to step 1. Find a show you think they will
like, and explain that it appeals to their interests. If they don’t want
to watch it, then drop the subject for a little bit. Only bring it back up
occasionally, extending the invitation but not being pushy.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9H12xTl_98" target="_blank"> No one likes a pusher.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://image.123tagged.com/images/i/inuyasha_wallpaper-29717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold the subjects of my darkest nightmare.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>5. Give
it time.</b></div>
<div>
So they watched a few episodes of whatever with you, and they are
unimpressed. Fine. Don’t fret. Give it a little while. If you did step 1
properly, then chances are they will want to see what happens eventually.
It just might take some time for them to lay aside their pride and admit
they actually like an anime. If they don’t come around, then either they
are really biased against the medium, or you didn’t do step 1 properly.
Try again, choosing another anime that you think they will like. Again,
don’t force it. If you introduce them to something that sparks their
interest, they’ll come around.<br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div>
Well, I hope you enjoyed my guide! If you did, feel free to browse some of my other nerdy blog posts. And for the even more nerd, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1862504532/street-knight-squad" target="_blank">check this sweet puppy out</a></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-40577260042261988812012-02-26T21:26:00.000-08:002013-01-23T18:20:05.012-08:00Street Knight Squad Chapter 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;">This is the first chapter to an ebook I am planning on publishing. If you like my writing, please download <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/108201">my first ebook: Peter Pays Tribute</a>. You can get it free with the following coupon code: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">YP65T</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda could see it a few agonizing steps in front of her. Her new life was waiting for her. Of course, she had to crane her head to see around the fat fan-boy blocking her view, but it was worth it to catch a glimpse of that all powerful, all new hunk of metal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“So, like, what if the police catch us?” Tiffany asked, standing behind her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
They would be standing side-by-side, but unfortunately the crowd moderators were total Nazis. You had to stand single-file in the line. You could not leave the line. There would be no pushing, shoving or jostling while waiting in the line. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“Look, we’re not the only teenagers out this late. That whole city-curfew thing is mostly a joke,” Zelda responded, refolding her bony arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
The line moved up one. One more step towards victory. One more step towards <i>Street Knight IV.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“All right, Tif, do you remember what I told you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“Umm…” Tiffany cocked her head to the side, like a collie hearing her master’s voice in the distance. She wore more mascara than a collie, and her hair was a more vibrant shade of red, but the resemblance was still striking. “The part about how to register. You’ll probably have to explain the classes again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda let out a deep groan. Actually, it was more of a mild snarl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“Fine. But <i>please </i>try to get through the registration as fast as possible. We only have until one.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Only until one. Weeks of begging and bargaining, and one was the latest her parents would let her stay out. And then she still had to go to school the next day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“We have all tomorrow afternoon, don’t we?” Tiffany asked, checking her cell phone. Even at the stroke of <st1:time hour="0" minute="0">midnight</st1:time>, she was still getting texts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“This is a launch party. You’re supposed to stay up all night, and the day after, and maybe the night after that if you’re really hardcore.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda was hardcore. As soon as <i>Street Knight IV </i>was announced, she’d started saving her money. Four hundred dollars (and a twelve dollar monthly subscription) was a lot to ask from a fifteen year old girl with no job. But she’d found ways. Recycling cans, mowing lawns, doing extra chores. All for this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
From up front came the blissful call.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
“Next.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Yes! Zelda was next! She was next! This was her turn, her chance to experience the game to end all games.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Breathe. You can’t waste time passing out.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
She stepped up to the counter in the dingy little game store and surrendered her hard-earned money. After signing a few papers, rushing through the instructions and registering in the database, the clerk handed her the prize. It was like a medieval gauntlet and an alien remote control had formed a sweet love child together. The Harbor company logo glinted in the store lights. It was hard and cold to the touch, but still much lighter than she expected. Like its own awesomeness buoyed it up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda forced herself to exit the store calmly. Since this building was Marked, the Bounder would work in here. But booting up inside a building went against everything <i>Street Knight </i>was about. One does not play <i>Street Knight </i>indoors. Such is blasphemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
So like the rest of the nerds before her, Zelda took her high-tech hunk to the blissful outdoors. She slipped the Bounder over her skin. Instantly, the glove tightened, matching itself to the shape of her hand. A tingle shot through her body. After it was done calibrating, the interface came up. That gorgeous blue screen, floating in midair and awaiting her caress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Okay, so what do I do now?” Tiffany asked behind her. She had her Bounder on, and she was staring at it like a Neanderthal would stare at a Christmas tree. So familiar, and yet so strange.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“You are such a noob,” Zelda teased, rolling her eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I’ve played video games before,” defended Tiffany, holding her head up high. She was still four inches shorter than Zelda. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Okay, just follow me and do what I do,” Zelda ordered. With her gloved hand, she tapped on the blue interface. To anyone walking by, it would look like she was tapping the air. Only other players could see the interface. The Bounder was the key to a whole new, magical, fantastical world. Right on top of the old one. “You have to choose a username. Don’t pick anything too stupid, okay? Other people will be able to see it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I already did that. I’m not brain dead. I’m just a little confused about the whole classes thing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Noob,” Zelda taunted. Her fingers itched to get registration done with so she could start playing. “Each of the classes has a different fighting style. Warriors are the tanks. They can deal a lot of damage, and they usually have high health, but they also suffer from low magic defense and –”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I thought you said you wanted to get through this quick,” Tiffany interrupted. There was a smirk stuck to the edges of her lips. No one knew better than Tiffany how much Zelda loved to rant about her favorite video game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Just pick the thief. They’re small and pesky, just like you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I am <i>not </i>small,” Tiffany sniffed. However, she took Zelda’s advice. After all, when it came to <i>Street Knight, </i>Zelda was the leading authority.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I’ll be a warrior. We won’t have a mage, but maybe we can pick up someone to join our party.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Maybe I can ask Bruno!” Tiffany squealed, like she’d just had an epiphany. Her hands stopped fluttering across the interface in order to clap together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“No. And don’t stop. We only have forty-five minutes left.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I don’t know why you hate him so much,” Tiffany muttered, returning to her button-pressing. “He’s absolutely adorable. If I didn’t know better, I’d say – oh holy crap, that is awesome!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda was thinking the same thing. Her own registration complete, the Bounder was creating her avatar. Except avatar wasn’t the right word. She’d be directly playing the game, but she’d be doing it in costume. A costume made from the most amazing holographic technology ever. Light blossomed from her Bounder, spreading over her body and coating it in her game identity. She’d played <i>Street Knight III </i>(and <i>I </i>and <i>II</i>), but they were nothing compared to this. From her feet up, her body was morphing into another person entirely. Layer upon layer of sparks congealed around her, making her transform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Well, there was no real transformation involved. It was just light and dust and a bunch of other technical stuff. But it looked <i>so real.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“My life is officially complete,” Zelda breathed. Her pale skin was replaced with a dark tan. Over her own scrawny limbs were the limbs of someone who worked out quite a bit. Then there was her face, now completely changed. Since she had picked all the features, she didn’t have to look in a mirror to know what she looked like. Broad nose, fierce eyes, the face of someone who could pummel you. No more too-small nose and dimples.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Me next!” Tiffany squealed, typing on her interface. In a few moments, her registration was complete, and the transformation took hold of her body, too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Why did you make yourself taller?” Zelda asked, cocking an eyebrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I’ve always wanted to be tall,” Tiffany sniffed, putting her now perfect nose in the air.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“You do realize no one is going to be able to make eye contact with you. It’ll always look like they’re staring above your head.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“A small price to pay.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda would have pressed the point, but they didn’t have time to waste.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Come on. I want to level up at least once before I have to go home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“And how do we do that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“The same way you do it in every game. We go kill something.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
With a mental urging, she pulled up her radar. This wouldn’t help Tiffany, since players couldn’t see each others HUBs. She’d tell her friend how to do it later when they had the time. For now, her eyes absorbed the layout of the city. It was still the city she knew, more or less. The big green block down the street was the marketplace. In real life, it was a Walmart, but they hosted the area’s marketplace in return for a monthly fee. That meant allowing strange people into their store at all hours of the day and night. So pretty much the same thing they did on a day-to-day basis. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Around the large green dot, there was a swarm of tiny blue ones. Other players, all flooding the store to try and stock up on decent items. Waste of time. You couldn’t afford anything good until you’d completed a few quests.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
On the other side of the radar, there were scattered red dots. The enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Looks like we’re in business. Follow me,” Zelda commanded, sprinting off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
With a yelp, her friend ran after. Lucky for Tiffany, she was in good enough shape that she could run and blab at the same time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“So just for the record, this is pretty much the same as any other game, right?” she asked, bouncing gracefully alongside Zelda. At least, the hologram looked graceful. She couldn’t tell what was going on under the surface.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“<i>Street Knight </i>is not like other games,” Zelda sniffed, indignant. “There’s no sitting on your butt here. You actually have to do stuff.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Okay, chill girl, it wasn’t a personal attack,” Tiffany replied. “All I want to know is if they play more or less the same.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Well, a little bit,” Zelda conceded. On her radar, she could see the red blips drawing closer, so she made her explanation brief. “At this point in the game, you won’t have a lot of special skills. Just go up to a monster and stab it with your knife.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Wait, you mean I have to actually touch the thing?” Tiffany whined. Even in the dinky streetlights, Zelda could see the disgust on her face. Or at least, the disgust she showed on her face that was reflected through the hologram. But man, it was hard to tell the difference. The avatar graphics had taken a serious upgrade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“You won’t feel anything. It’s just a hologram.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“I know. I have seen people play this game before,” Tiffany said, ever quick to prove herself not a dunce. “I’ve seen plenty of people attack empty air. I just didn’t think you actually had to aim.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Zelda rolled her eyes. The more her friend tried to sound experienced, the more she revealed her own ineptitude. Even though Tiffany swore up and down that she was a gamer, her definition of hardcore was <i>Pokemon. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“There won’t be blood, will there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“No. If you want blood, you have to unlock your account and prove that you’re over eighteen. Then you can have blood.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Ahead, through the flickering light of the lamps, they saw their first monster. There was something so blissful about running through these mundane streets and coming across something so fantastical. Especially with the upgraded graphics. This one was a troll, low-level and ugly. But it was such a <i>realistic </i>ugly that it took Zelda’s breath away. The way its pebbly skin matched the lighting in the area perfectly, its primal movements, the soft thud as it took a step. To anyone without a Bounder, it would look like nothing was there at all. But to Zelda and Tiffany, this thing was as real as a hobo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Oh wow,” Tiffany breathed. She had stopped a block away, amazement gluing her in her place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Pretty cool, huh?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“What happens if that thing hits me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Then you take damage,” Zelda explained. She wanted to punctuate her sentence with a duh, but resisted the urge. She remembered her first time playing this game. How it had all been so believable it was unbelievable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“But it won’t…<i>hurt </i>me, will it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Do you think people would play this game if it was excruciatingly painful?” Zelda shot back, unsheathing her sword. Her hologram of a sword. The only thing this baby could hurt was other players in the game. Still, she felt undeniably cool holding it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Go time,” she breathed, rushing forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Her feet pounding on the asphalt, she cleared the distance between her and the troll. The troll let out a cry of its own and dodged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<i>It heard me coming. Cool! They didn’t react like that in </i>III.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Fortunately, she’d been playing this game long enough to have razor-sharp reflexes. With a completely unnecessary battle-cry, she lunged forward with her sword. The monster screamed, damage calculation flashed in her vision. She parried a swipe of the monster’s claw with her blade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“What do I do?” called Tiffany, standing a safe distance away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Help!” she shouted back, darting under the monster’s flailing arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Back attack, sucker.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
A few more swipes and the beast was down, fading out of existence with a showy flash of light. It was the closest you were going to get to a monster in the suburbs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Way to lend a hand,” Zelda told Tiffany, sheathing her sword.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Sorry! I kind of spaced. I had no idea what to do,” Tiffany wheedled, clutching her hands to her chest in a manner that was supposed to be endearing, but came across as wimpy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Sighing, Zelda checked her watch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
“Well, we still have fifteen minutes. That’s enough time to find a couple of enemies. You can redeem yourself then.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
Taking the lead, Zelda led her friend towards the next red dot on her radar. While the rest of the city slept, they slaughtered forest troll. It was the best night of Zelda’s life.</div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-50915434337641495692012-02-25T13:43:00.000-08:002012-02-25T13:43:05.149-08:00Tim Schafer, please take my money<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Schafer" target="_blank">Tim Schafer</a> is a cool guy. He’s created a handful of absolutely wonderful video games, every one of them reeking of non-conventional fun. Yet for some reason, publishers don’t want to fund his games. <i><a href="http://www.psychonauts.com/" target="_blank">Psychonauts</a> </i>almost didn’t get made because Microsoft pulled their financial support. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Pn1NkD7GFXFdmTAAnJ12e8m-RwdCMr-IZJGTvaQoRHYlAGzl7NO2EPQE3c98yJ41dN5nFAVegj3W3G3jrZWqw-zkKgJU-mf_SU6tA3kwGVRX3YUOXifoxS77eFh7YYVx0fA8Wl8FZWg/s1600/psychonauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Pn1NkD7GFXFdmTAAnJ12e8m-RwdCMr-IZJGTvaQoRHYlAGzl7NO2EPQE3c98yJ41dN5nFAVegj3W3G3jrZWqw-zkKgJU-mf_SU6tA3kwGVRX3YUOXifoxS77eFh7YYVx0fA8Wl8FZWg/s400/psychonauts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This game was amazing. No one will fund a sequel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Why? Because publishers are in the industry to make money. The same goes for film producers, record companies and publishing houses. They aren’t gonna pony-up money if they don’t think a product will sell. As I discussed in <a href="http://analyticalotaku.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-vocaloids-part-5-niche.html" target="_blank">a previous post</a>, this is only logical. They want to make money, so they only invest in projects they think will sell.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What happens when publishers are wrong, though? Tim Schafer is best known for his witty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_game" target="_blank">adventure games</a>. You know, the kind where you point-and-click? Unfortunately, pointing and clicking has fallen out of favor with mainstream gamers. The majority of people would rather waggle with a stick than click with a mouse.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zbhfK40ug8lWYXZA7nZZBqIXy9BtOI28wYXxE-8VVco6Kz4gKC8RZQdXz6hCArFui3qWR41qebMscKaQmpNApmQojnDT5bHoOPSe-t9kPUTz52ggOIoM4gGdjKrhNK4G9MjJG9WNDH9n/s1600/wiimote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zbhfK40ug8lWYXZA7nZZBqIXy9BtOI28wYXxE-8VVco6Kz4gKC8RZQdXz6hCArFui3qWR41qebMscKaQmpNApmQojnDT5bHoOPSe-t9kPUTz52ggOIoM4gGdjKrhNK4G9MjJG9WNDH9n/s1600/wiimote.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironically, most Wii games amount to pointing the remote and clicking a button.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">So where does this leave Tim Schafer and adventure fans? Up the creek without a paddle. Without any publishers willing to invest in a low-return genre, there is no way to get the required funding. At least, that’s what most people thought. Fortunately, Mr. Schafer’s brain does not operate like the average Joe’s. He decided he wasn’t going to let “the man” get him down. He decided he wasn’t going to give up on a genre he loved. He decided he was going to get funding from fans.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s called crowd-sourcing, and it could revolutionize the media industry. Using a website called <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a>, Tim Schafer’s company, <a href="http://www.doublefine.com/" target="_blank">Double Fine</a>, set up a project where fans could donate money to fund the production of a new adventure game. If you donate as little as $15, you receive the game once it is finished. That means you can essentially preorder the game, and your money goes directly to funding its production. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What’s more impressive than the idea is how highly successful it’s been. Within eight hours, Double Fine reached their funding goal of $400,000. As of this writing, they have amassed over $2 million. While that’s a widdle-biddle budget for a game like <i>Halo </i>or <i>Final Fantasy, </i>it’s enough for an adventure game. Also, by cutting out the middle-man, Double Fine doesn’t have to share their profits with a production company, so they get a higher return on their product.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HSA6zTBYEijzK6H2ewM58UECdI8Z-roe-ui8owTK7q40pZTF6eWLVK3DaPmXpHvEh3yneMNKDnc83JQRvTOlT9ZIiMg2eNF6RB8akHTXSbYcHXES25Y1KWtktIPfQl8CsfyA5nZhNf1R/s1600/double+fine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HSA6zTBYEijzK6H2ewM58UECdI8Z-roe-ui8owTK7q40pZTF6eWLVK3DaPmXpHvEh3yneMNKDnc83JQRvTOlT9ZIiMg2eNF6RB8akHTXSbYcHXES25Y1KWtktIPfQl8CsfyA5nZhNf1R/s1600/double+fine.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every time you donate to Double Fine, the game becomes 20% cooler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why is this so absolutely amazing? Because it means that money-grubbing corporations no longer control what gets made. People can decide for themselves what they feel is worth investing in. Crazy, oddball ideas that don’t appeal to the masses might still appeal to, say, 100,000 people. And those people can help fund the project. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, big budget games aren’t going anywhere. The average person is too timid to invest in something until they’ve heard a review from critic. However, for people who are sick of mainstream media and willing to try something new, crowd-sourcing is the ultimate boon. It means YOU get to decide what you want, instead of critics and publishing houses deciding for you. So what are you waiting for? Go to Kickstarter, find something interesting, and invest!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adventure?ref=live" target="_blank">If you want to help Double Fine raise money for their new game, click here!</a></b></div>Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-87240506331639601082012-02-22T18:22:00.000-08:002013-02-20T05:27:41.479-08:00Friendship is Heroic<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
There is a plague on the internet, haunting forums and message boards like an old woman haunting a bingo hall. It is called <i><a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic" target="_blank">My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic</a>.</i> The over-night internet sensation has bred a fandom that calls itself “bronies,” and they are by and large grown men who should be too old for cartoon unicorns. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Despite the overwhelming reception of <i>MLP, </i>it isn’t all love and tolerance for the ponies. In February 2011, <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic" target="_blank">4chan temporarily banned anyone who posted MLP related material.</a> This is the same site that is infamous for its “no rules” in posting images. This prompted the brony fan base to start their own image board, ponychan. However, apparently that still didn’t put enough cyber-distance between them and 4chan, as members of 4chan later raided the separate imageboard, temporarily causing the servers to crash.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2ZdTBTE3usPDWz5qAcaDhGZRuWuKKfD-APM9amvOECzNoSK1Y9pFbXhHHxUvzw1krkAT5x9XQzg0W9OQawyjKpAlgiHvBkCWaQWw2IFPp4BkETJljWcNi_JjHh8aMnzgooafvM6L0bml/s1600/post+ponies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2ZdTBTE3usPDWz5qAcaDhGZRuWuKKfD-APM9amvOECzNoSK1Y9pFbXhHHxUvzw1krkAT5x9XQzg0W9OQawyjKpAlgiHvBkCWaQWw2IFPp4BkETJljWcNi_JjHh8aMnzgooafvM6L0bml/s320/post+ponies.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebellion never looked so cuddly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
What caused such a vehement reaction? The main line of protest is that <i>MLP </i>is a show for little girls, and therefore should not be appealing to guys. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzozSSGETJo" target="_blank">If a grown man likes MLP,they are accused of being feminine or a disgrace.</a> However, you can’t judge the worth of a series by its candy-colored wrapping. Just because there are magical talking ponies, and just because a series is aimed at kids, doesn’t mean that a work is immature. In fact, <i>MLP </i>demonstrates protagonists taking on real-life problems in non-hypocritical, meaningful ways. The realistic, relatable heroes of the series are what make the show more than just a “girl cartoon,” and give it such a strong adult following. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Most toddler-friendly cartoons are so saturated with saccharine happiness that too much exposure to them can cause diabetes. Shows like <i>Mickey Mouse Clubhouse </i>and <i>Dora the Explorer </i>are devoid of conflicts that transfer to the real world. Problems are watered-down and often solved through illogical or unrealistic means. For example, all Dora has to do to deter Swiper the Fox from thievery is shout <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wREX2IojuNw" target="_blank">“Swiper, no swiping!”</a> three times. There is no relation to real-life conflict. Any adult (or anyone over the age of two) who tried to solve a conflict this way would be laughed at and then promptly robbed beyond all reason. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
On the other end of the spectrum, some kid shows like <i>Care Bears </i>have protagonists that spout ideologies of endless love and acceptance, but still use violent means to solve their problems. The “Care Bear Stare” is really just a rainbow-hued death ray. The bears literally zap their opponents into submission. Within the mythology of the series, the “Care Bear Stare” is supposed to represent concentrated care and joy. So why do the Care Bears have to use this ultimate weapon? Why can’t they just use love and kindness to solve their problems?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL2fqqf1-kNAqlVpAisRcnE3KhjF5P-npo8rbergNaKl0JRCBIDjxTDF9ek0K37loXLJ9a15UteoTu_aftvoJ9L0DjmYMgCSFB6qhUEYSttQH8HwiSWQs0-LfV5U_cdxLM0_lLR7AcIRS/s1600/CareBearBigWish_CBStare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL2fqqf1-kNAqlVpAisRcnE3KhjF5P-npo8rbergNaKl0JRCBIDjxTDF9ek0K37loXLJ9a15UteoTu_aftvoJ9L0DjmYMgCSFB6qhUEYSttQH8HwiSWQs0-LfV5U_cdxLM0_lLR7AcIRS/s1600/CareBearBigWish_CBStare.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember, kids, brainwashing is an acceptable solution to problems</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
The answer is that most kid shows are caught between trying to show realistic conflict and keeping themselves kid friendly. Supposedly, many shows aimed at toddlers want to instill good values in their audience. They want to show them how to be peaceful and friendly and a good member of society, etc. However, real life isn’t kind to those ideals. Being nice to other people doesn’t mean they’ll be nice back, and telling someone they are hurting your feelings isn’t going to guarantee a pouring out of forgiveness and kindness. So the writers have to settle for making protagonists who are unrealistically idealistic or unbearably hypocritical. The characters can be like Dora, and solve problems in over-simplified, or they can be like the Care Bears, and preach love while practicing hate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Except <i>MLP </i>is different. The protagonists may be a bunch of talking ponies, but they respond and react like real people. They aren’t some distorted, unreachable ideal. Instead, they are heroes that an audience can both relate to and emulate. They encounter real-life problems, and they solve them in real-life ways. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/T8xaoq9vYBk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Go ahead, watch an episode. You know you want to.</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
The characters have distinct personalities, which makes them more interesting and complex enough for an adult audience to enjoy. In the episode “Dragonshy,” timid little Fluttershy has to help her friends calm down a dangerous dragon. Fluttershy was always presented as the sweet, gentle, timid pony of the group. She is good with animals, but has trouble asserting herself. However, when the dragon threatens her friends, Fluttershy becomes a force to be reckoned with. She faces the dragon and commands him to behave. She isn’t just a wilting flower. She has multiple facets to her personality, just like a real person. In many children’s cartoon, even the first series of <i>My Little Pony, </i>the characters were often only distinguishable from one another by one-dimensional traits, like being grumpy or funny. However, Fluttershy is more than just the shy one. She is gentle, but she is also compassionate enough to become protective when her friends are in danger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Another character who shows unexpected depth is Pinkie Pie in the episode “Party of One.” Pinkie Pie comes across as an extremely eccentric cloud cuckoo lander. She routinely breaks the laws of physics, has non-sequitur moments about oatmeal, and throws parties on a regular basis. However, when the other ponies start avoiding her, she quickly becomes paranoid about people not liking her. Instead of laughing it off (a very standard Pinkie reaction), she broods in her house. She is no longer the bouncy, joy-filled pony of sun shines and smiles, but is instead self-conscious and hurt. She acts completely different than normal. This makes her that much more of a realistic character, because people often act differently under different circumstances. When Pinkie experiences exclusion, she is quick to loose her sense of joy and bounciness. Her hurt helps the audience relate to her, no matter what their age is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Another example of complex characters comes in the episode “Look Before you Sleep.” Applejack, the resident tomboy, and Rarity, the fashion diva, are forced into spending the night at Twilight’s house. At first, their archetypical details mesh about as well as one would expect. Applejack is laid back, and in Rarity’s eyes very sloppy. On the other hand, Applejack sees Rarity’s eye for detail as obnoxious perfectionism. The two are able to come to terms and learn to enjoy each other. However, it isn’t because Applejack learns to be more girly or Rarity learns to be more of a tomboy. Instead, Rarity admires Applejack’s resolve and work ethic despite her tendency to be a slob. In turn, Applejack appreciates Rarity’s sensitivity towards the feelings of others and her attention to detail. Unlike most children’s shows, the characters are given traits beyond being “girly” or “tomboyish.” They have distinct traits that they can admire in each other that are independent of their placement on the sliding scale femininity. Because there is more to them than how deep their wardrobe is, people besides little girls can relate to them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2R677MV--WI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The best thing about adult fans is they can do awesome stuff like remixes</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Once again Rarity shows that she is more multi-faceted than a diamond in the episode “A Dog and Pony Show.” When Rarity is taken captive by a group of jewel-grubbing dogs, the other ponies fear that she won’t be able to protect herself. When they do finally come to her rescue, though, they see that Rarity was never in need of assistance. She was able to fend for herself against the dogs with some clever verbal parrying. Even though she is girly, Rarity didn’t panic in the face of conflict. She was able to hold her own, proving that there is more to her than an insatiable need for clothes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
The characters also have faults and make mistakes, which makes them more realistic. Like in the episode “Boast Busters,” when Trixie the enormous brag comes to town and starts showing the other ponies up. Twilight is afraid to stand up for her friends because she doesn’t want to be seen as a show-off, either. The conflict doesn’t merely arrive from some character doing bad and the other characters trying to show them the right way. Instead, it comes from the moral dilemma when a character is presented with a conflict where they aren’t sure what the right choice would be. Twilight expresses genuine fear over loosing friends. She is not some moral titan who automatically knows what is right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RK6uw5uOfEhhxDWr1O2gZSNG9-OjrG0kSYDbojqfcg7QRJD9xQHnbKdGEIQa3sqr6DkWxRvKg0LyvXJSvUJ_LDVQ3cfE8STv73IZIFjPImGjVKTwK4lueVibNdm8H9ybuC4lOgP3qDif/s1600/welcome+to+the+herd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RK6uw5uOfEhhxDWr1O2gZSNG9-OjrG0kSYDbojqfcg7QRJD9xQHnbKdGEIQa3sqr6DkWxRvKg0LyvXJSvUJ_LDVQ3cfE8STv73IZIFjPImGjVKTwK4lueVibNdm8H9ybuC4lOgP3qDif/s320/welcome+to+the+herd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast may be cute and cuddly, but don't mistake them for shallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<o:p><br />
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Then, in the episode “Suited for Success,” Rarity, the resident fashion designer, decides to make dresses for all her friends. Unfortunately, her friends’ fashion taste is lacking, and they don’t like the clothes Rarity poured so much effort into. It’s rude; it’s ungrateful; it’s mean. However, Rarity swallows her pride and changes the dresses according to her friend’s suggestions. They turn out hideous looking, but Rarity wants to make her friends happy. Unfortunately, when people see the ugly designs, Rarity’s reputation as a fashion designer is ruined. Her friends realize their mistake, and decide to put on a fashion show with Rarity’s original designs so people can see how talented she really is. This isn’t a glorified depiction of friendship. Sometimes, friends make stupid mistakes and hurt each other. The cast of <i>MLP </i>isn’t perfect. They are occasionally ungrateful or insensitive. However, they learn from their mistakes. Rarity was willing to give her friends the dresses they wanted, even if they hurt her feelings. She does express hurt, but she is willing to put it aside for the sake of her friends. In turn, when her friends realize that they selfishly hurt their friend, they are willing to make amends. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Sweet little Fluttershy also has her faults. In the episode “A Bird in the Hoof,” she abducts Princess Celestia’s pet bird because she feared the bird was not being well taken care of. When Twilight finds out, she panics, and persuades Fluttershy to bring the bird back without letting the princess know what they did. Both characters are guilty of dishonesty, because they do not want to admit their mistake to the Princess, so they sneak around and try to bring the bird back covertly. Fluttershy also thinks that she knows what is best for the bird even though it is out of her jurisdiction. She is prideful and that pride eventually leads to them getting caught. However, after realizing that her actions were selfish and hurtful, she expresses regret and a desire to make amends. Unlike some children’s shows <i>MLP </i>isn’t afraid to show the characters doing misdeeds if the characters are going to grow as a result.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzMUXsArFfJ1JWbInce04ITIAHbiwhSEjm6TEr6-KsTJ1Ws8yh8sU6IKl4E19Got2vu7q47nNPVOlrk5lYI52f3w53RQjig21EDkx26ATWSiCugjxIWZAeA-_K0TApP0FwdWuUW23FUg1/s1600/brony+ride+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzMUXsArFfJ1JWbInce04ITIAHbiwhSEjm6TEr6-KsTJ1Ws8yh8sU6IKl4E19Got2vu7q47nNPVOlrk5lYI52f3w53RQjig21EDkx26ATWSiCugjxIWZAeA-_K0TApP0FwdWuUW23FUg1/s320/brony+ride+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being a brony. It feels like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Another example of the characters not being perfect is in “Bridle Gossip,” when a zebra named Zecora comes to town. The other ponies have never seen anything like her, so they react with fear. Initially, Twilight acts as the moral light. However, after a few misunderstandings, she too misjudges Zecora and gives in to gossip. When she finds out she was wrong, and Zecora really is nice, she feels guilty. All the ponies do, because they were all in the wrong. Because the characters were mean, they were able to learn from their mistakes. If a character is perfect, they can never progress. However, Twilight was fearful enough to make the mistake of labeling and excluding someone. This makes the lesson more powerful, because it gives the show the chance to show the characters correcting their mistakes. After all, if a character never makes mistakes, then there is nothing to learn from.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
The third sign of maturity in <i>MLP </i>is the stakes. The conflicts are real, and the characters are at risk of losing. For example, in the episode “The Ticket Master,” Twilight Sparkle is given two tickets to a very high profile party. Unfortunately, she has five friends, and she has to choose which one to take. As each pony-friend tries to bribe and curry favor, Twilight realizes that there is no way to avoid hurting somepony’s feelings. Instead of candy-coating the dilemma in eternal friendship, the show provides a real problem. Twilight is genuinely concerned about loosing a friend, and no magic way out appears. In the end, Twilight decides she wants to give up her tickets, because if she can’t enjoy it with all her friends, then she isn’t going to enjoy it at all. Of course, in the end Princess Celestia gives her enough tickets for all her friends, but Twilight was willing to make a sacrifice for her friends. <i>MLP </i>doesn’t hide the fact that sometimes there is no perfect solution to a problem. Instead of a solution appearing out of thin air, Twilight has to face her problem head on. Her solution is realistic, meaning that the audience can relate to her problem. The viewers don’t feel cheated by the resolution. Instead, they feel like they learned a valuable lesson about friendship that they could use in their own lives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRrWM41BIxQzmV3B_3YaW3MNQLhEHKWO1dR60CmEbHOGqKX6CNivopL7SLdFsqizH74NCXjSklDXZN2aOLhwdEve7vR6oT3Z1n2POuJkIE6dNjCJW9GyZEVrn9RrHyK0eK3f5iesr56Pm/s1600/11077+-+celestia+luna.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRrWM41BIxQzmV3B_3YaW3MNQLhEHKWO1dR60CmEbHOGqKX6CNivopL7SLdFsqizH74NCXjSklDXZN2aOLhwdEve7vR6oT3Z1n2POuJkIE6dNjCJW9GyZEVrn9RrHyK0eK3f5iesr56Pm/s400/11077+-+celestia+luna.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are dozens of fan communities dedicated to creating and sharing fanart like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<o:p><br />
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Then, in the episode “Winter Wrap Up,” the ponies must clean up winter in order to make way for spring. While the concept is clearly fantastical, in pony world Winter Wrap Up is serious business. If the ponies don’t learn how to work together, then they risk being trapped in winter. The show establishes that the actions of the ponies will have an effect on the environment, for either the positive or the negative. What they are doing matters within the context of their world, so the audience is invested in the outcome. A good ending is not assured, because the ponies are doing something where failure will mean extended cold and an inability to grow food. Because there is a real risk of negative consequences, it highlights the struggle against it and makes the lessons learned more meaningful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
Animation, and cartoons especially, are often accused of being inherently childish. While it is true that most cartoons are marketed at children, that does not mean that they have to be childish. It is the result of lazy writers, not the medium, when a show presents flat characters and minimizes content. However, as studios like Disney and Pixar have shown, kid’s entertainment does not have to be equated with dumb entertainment. It is a matter of the writing staff to choose whether or not they are going to weave a story that is complex or one that is laughably simplistic. In the case of <i>MLP, </i>the producer Lauren Faust decided that she wanted to create a series where the life lessons actually were applicable. Since humanity is the same whether you are age four or forty, a show that realistically relates themes of friendship and dealing with other people can still be a valuable experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8vZJoWi_oXXyOrVbeMayftBuLBWNsZskN55bkYbHziy4mF00DrxF8ikXVBkQa-OXoezAubtxvL_RmyzfwXKfBltYGJ9rOnpYyZa5TOTETdujvjMXeqbHVgYm8zcVvVJJ3gZIrlned8SN/s1600/superpony+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8vZJoWi_oXXyOrVbeMayftBuLBWNsZskN55bkYbHziy4mF00DrxF8ikXVBkQa-OXoezAubtxvL_RmyzfwXKfBltYGJ9rOnpYyZa5TOTETdujvjMXeqbHVgYm8zcVvVJJ3gZIrlned8SN/s320/superpony+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponies can be every bit as heroic as any other American hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
People might still argue that men should not be watching something girly like <i>MLP, </i>but should instead seek hero symbols in more masculine series. This argument is inherently sexist and flawed. First, it assumes that a show that tries to relate to females will somehow be of lesser quality or will not be applicable to men. This is false. Unless the authors reduce femininity to stereotypes like materialism and fashion, the characters should still think and feel. And according to the observations of leading authorities, females are still human. Therefore, their thoughts and feelings should relate to the human experience as a whole. This means that if a series does its job well, by portraying realistic characters and conflict, then people can still find heroes to look up to regardless of gender.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
The conflicts in <i>MLP </i>aren’t sanitized versions of reality. Yes, the world is Technicolor, but it isn’t filtered with rose-colored glasses. It presents real problems that aren’t clear-cut and easily solved. This makes room for the heroes to be realistic. They react like actual people would. This is the secret behind <i>MLP</i>’s wild success. The audience can actually relate to the characters. The ponies have attributes that are admirable, but at the same time they are realistic. There’s no guardian who always has the right answers. The characters can’t solve their problems by spouting the word “friendship” three times fast. <i>MLP </i>gives the audience a colorful cast can show them how ideals like friendship and caring can be applied in real-life. That’s something an audience can appreciate, no matter what gender or age they are. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-right: -9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829010585158074374.post-89640727745658253942012-01-05T21:23:00.000-08:002013-03-10T13:19:10.965-07:00Simlish: Because sometimes babble is better.Voice acting is a novelty. I’m old enough to remember when games didn’t have voices. All you had was a wall of text, and maybe a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyZoe-r9qb0">synthesized laugh</a> to add to the mood. Technology increases by leaps and bounds, and it wasn’t long before there was enough processing power to include actual voices in video games. Voiced dialogue is such a powerful narrative tool that it can make <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRhDmUzWuBI" target="_blank">or break a dramatic scene</a>. Despite how effective voice acting can be, some video games choose to remain silent. Other video games developed a method of having characters spout nonsense syllables to simulate talking, without actually speaking intelligible words. I refer to this as<a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpeakingSimlish" target="_blank"> “simlish."</a><br />
<br />
Clover Studio’s game Okami has a distinctive sumi-e art style, with the characters looking like they stepped out of a Japanese ink painting. One side-effect of this is that the mouths are barely more than ink splotches, making actually lip-syncing impractical. Instead, the character’s mouths wiggle and contract like an ant caught in hot molasses, and they spout a bunch of nonsense syllables that sound vaguely like archaic Japanese. More than giving the game a sense of style, the dialogue choice is purposely used to foreshadow events without completely giving away the plot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCK9PpOrplo/TwYu7mLkhbI/AAAAAAAAAFA/vpBRDhkbOM0/s1600/Amaterasu-the-Gods-okami-amaterasu-9844436-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCK9PpOrplo/TwYu7mLkhbI/AAAAAAAAAFA/vpBRDhkbOM0/s320/Amaterasu-the-Gods-okami-amaterasu-9844436-1024-768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can tell just from looking that Okami isn't your standard video game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Waka is the game’s loose cannon. He shows up everywhere, always one step ahead of the player, but his motives are more shadowy than the lighting in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. At least, you think they are. However, the game cleverly uses your beetle-buddy Issun to turn you against the flute-playing foreigner. Many of Waka’s lines can be read as either condescending or genuinely worried. It all depends on the tone. Since Issun suffers a major inferiority complex towards Waka, he infers the tone for you, assuming that every sentence is laced with threats. For example, look at some of Issun’s dialogue about Waka:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Issun: This guy gives me the creeps. Better keep your eye on him!</blockquote>
Or:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Issun: Why you...! Were you behind that near disaster?</blockquote>
Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, does it? In fact, Issun’s sour attitude biases players against Waka, making them suspect his every move. However, when you view the lines by themselves, it’s easy to see that there is no malice in them:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Waka: I just had a fleeting glimpse of your future. You see, I have the power to see that which is yet to come. Even if it were something you'd rather not know...</blockquote>
This isn’t a threat. It’s Waka warning Amaterasu about difficult things to come, and showing concern about her ability. And then there’s lines that come across as incredibly threatening, like this one:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Issun: Quick and easy...? Wait a sec... Don't tell me you're behind this funky mist? Is this part of a plan to conquer the city and take over the world!?<br />
You're always up to no good, so I wouldn't be surprised...<br />
Waka: The world? Not bad, my little bouncing friend. You're only half wrong...I seek the other world... I desire a path to the heavens.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/idBkWRNAIWM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> In this scene, Issun is quick to judge Waka without a whole lot of substantial evidence against him.</span></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_105439340"></span><span id="goog_105439341"></span><br />
This sounds like some master plot, until you beat the game and find out that Waka isn’t up to anything bad; he just wants to go home. However, without an actual voice actor reading the lines, it’s up to the player to guess inflection. Since so much of communication <a href="http://www.leehopkins.com/nonverbal-communication.html" target="_blank">relies on how people say things</a>, toneless dialogue forces players to make their own interpretation. Clover Studios takes advantage of this, using misdirection and manipulative musical scores to add suspense. So in some cases, speaking Simlish adds more to the experience than actual voice acting can. <br />
<br />
Of course, having the characters babble in the next Call of Duty might be a bit out of place, but there’s no reason more fairy-tale like games can’t take advantage of it. The Legend of Zelda is infamous for choosing not to use voice acting. Presumably, Nintendo wants people to use their imagination to supply the voices. However, spare text accompanied by the occasional visceral grunt doesn’t make an immersive gaming experience. In recent Zelda games, like Skyward Sword, the groans and squawks aren’t enough to carry the story. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yEEG4W5kuynqGHYfw6R1it3eujLoMsNQheMhhZqz1cmzOmxkiw4ZFGufTNSYAE6Wg1GMFA-C6905i81cvBAh8QtNDn7Vizdhn5CV2vo-SefYOpl3FXEW6c4UzZwO8ZzcqnRSwVkCgvCq/s1600/midna+laugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yEEG4W5kuynqGHYfw6R1it3eujLoMsNQheMhhZqz1cmzOmxkiw4ZFGufTNSYAE6Wg1GMFA-C6905i81cvBAh8QtNDn7Vizdhn5CV2vo-SefYOpl3FXEW6c4UzZwO8ZzcqnRSwVkCgvCq/s1600/midna+laugh.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She may occasionally sound like a babbling child, but it's still ten times better than silence. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Midna, the feisty little imp from Twilight Princess, spoke in Simlish. The trend continues with Fi. Both of these characters have voices without speaking discernible words. Now imagine a Zelda game where all characters had voices. If Nintendo used Simlish, then the games could still be immersive without taking away from player interpretation. As Okami shows, even the most harmless sentences can sound sinister (and vice versa) without tone, meaning that it still lets players use their imaginations to fill the gaps. Simlish provides that middle-ground between imagining your own version of a character and long, awkward silences. And, honestly Nintendo, isn’t it about time to let your games have a voice?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Quotes from the game found from: http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/920500-okami/faqs/50772Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222608150854813504noreply@blogger.com1