Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Old School Gaming vs New School Gamers
Watch the video above or else this won't make any sense. Here we go. I know that no matter what, you're going to hate the generation that comes after you. I am in that weird position where technically, I'm the start of Generation Y aka the computer generation, but I identify so much more with Generation X simply because I liked the music, the movies, and most importantly, I didn't grow up with a computer. I have full understanding of what the world is like without Internet, personal computers, or cable television. Growing up, we played outside and used our imaginations. Ideas just didn't come out of nowhere, they were conceptualized, molded, and perfected. Today, ideas are googled, downloaded, and plagiarized.
The two problems with this video was that this kid was born in the wrong generation and he's trying to be someone else while holding on to his own identity. It's very obvious that he's trying to be the "Angry Video Game Nerd" from YouTube. He's had much success with his video reviews and with success comes emulators from across the land. I mean he even calls himself "The Angry Video Game Nerd XD." Maybe it's because I'm an old fart, but I don't know what the fuck "XD" means. "X" used to mean "X-treme." So what's the "D" for? Anyway, he's not really angry. Maybe frustrated, but more than anything, he's feigning anger. He wants to be the Angry Video Game Nerd. That's only the minor part of the problem.
Old School Gaming tested more than hand-eye coordination. It tested patience. Any person who grew up with Atari, NES, or even SNES will tell you. Sometimes you have to sit back and let the fireball pass you before you can move on. I love video games, including more recent games, but they're incredibly easy. All you have to do is run through a level, head-first, and there you have it. With older systems, especially NES, you have to be patient. If you run head first towards the end, you will die and have to start from the beginning. And the reward wasn't an achievement or unlocking a new way to play the game. The reward for beating the game was a picture saying "congratulations" and the feeling of accomplishment. My favorite part of this video, which really proves my patience point, is take a minute or two to watch him play the game. He dashes through this game... and dies... and dies... and dies again. The game isn't hard. Just shoot the guys shooting you and jump over obstacles. And the reason there isn't a health bar is because a health bar makes the game easier. Games are supposed to be challenging. If games weren't challenging, it would be called "temp work."
Sure, even though I feel the older generation deals with challenging situations a little more patiently, we still get frustrated. I was playing Ducktails the other night for NES, one of my favorite games. And while I could make it through a chunk of the game with no problem, I couldn't beat the final boss. I died and died and died and died. That's why NES and SNES controllers can take a licking and keep on ticking. They were meant to be tossed in anger. I dare you to chuck a 360 controller across the room. You'll be out of a controller, a window, due to the fact wireless controllers go far, and by go far, I mean out/through your window, and $50.
The problem isn't his opinion, which is pretty off, it's the fact the game wasn't meant for him. It was meant for people who want a challenge with a dash of fun. That's what gaming used to be about. Yeah, the graphics aren't revolutionary, the game play is strenuous, and the music (which I still think is awesome) isn't... no fuck that, the music is awesome. NES/Contra was simple with a lot of heart. It also made youo learn cheat codes... the Konami Code to be exact. But nowadays, if you can't take the heat, film a video review.... or write a blog.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Workpacolypse and Mondays
Sadly, I'm going a bit off track because of the situation I am in today ay work. Normally, I'd be making fun of what people post online in the comment section of a given article; however, I've been moved from my office today.
Mondays never really bugged me at work. Quick quips from coworkers like "you must have a case of the Mondays" were never something I took to heart nor paid attention to. For me, Monday is another day. It's the "Tuesday" in my workweek, since I work Sunday through Thursday. However, today is the first day in the four years of being in the professional work force that I have felt the sting of the Mondays.
I work in an office in the English department of a college. I tutor. I spend a good 8 hour day in the same room, on the same computer, help different students. It's a tedious routine, but it's a routine I enjoy. I come into work at 9am everyday, and after a fulfilling day at work, I leave the office at 6:30 at night. Same old same old. Except today is different.
To sum up everything without getting too detailed, I can not be in the office because of construction, and I'm stuck in a 6x4 cubical with three other people. I'm sitting on my iPad in a cubical normally used for students to study in as a "quiet area." Although it sucks, I'm still not down on myself because it's Monday. I'm more pissed that I can't do any writing for ComicVine or PrattleRattle.com. I'm on the school's Internet, which is insanely slow, and vie spent the past 25 minutes searching my email to get a password for the Sirius App, so I can at least listen to Howard Stern or some music while feeling enclosed all day. So, this little piece I guess is a feel sorry for me piece more than anything, but it's better than nothing, eh?
Mondays never really bugged me at work. Quick quips from coworkers like "you must have a case of the Mondays" were never something I took to heart nor paid attention to. For me, Monday is another day. It's the "Tuesday" in my workweek, since I work Sunday through Thursday. However, today is the first day in the four years of being in the professional work force that I have felt the sting of the Mondays.
I work in an office in the English department of a college. I tutor. I spend a good 8 hour day in the same room, on the same computer, help different students. It's a tedious routine, but it's a routine I enjoy. I come into work at 9am everyday, and after a fulfilling day at work, I leave the office at 6:30 at night. Same old same old. Except today is different.
To sum up everything without getting too detailed, I can not be in the office because of construction, and I'm stuck in a 6x4 cubical with three other people. I'm sitting on my iPad in a cubical normally used for students to study in as a "quiet area." Although it sucks, I'm still not down on myself because it's Monday. I'm more pissed that I can't do any writing for ComicVine or PrattleRattle.com. I'm on the school's Internet, which is insanely slow, and vie spent the past 25 minutes searching my email to get a password for the Sirius App, so I can at least listen to Howard Stern or some music while feeling enclosed all day. So, this little piece I guess is a feel sorry for me piece more than anything, but it's better than nothing, eh?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snowpacolypse and Mad Ass Nerds
It's day two of being trapped in the house, and while I was writing an article for ComicVine, I came across a news article about Ryan Reynolds choosing another film over doing a Deadpool film. That's what the whole article was about, and nothing more. It was short and sweet, but a few people had a little too much to say about what one man chooses to do with his job/craft/talent. Cue screenshots from some random website.
I wasn't in the mood to do five separate pictures, so I lumped them together. Let's discuss.
1. Boy October wants to sell his shit.
You hate a man because he took one job over another? I wonder how you would feel about a someone who murdered your whole family? Would you like him/her or would you simply not care because they're not starring in Green Lantern 2. You're wearing a Red Lantern shirt in your profile pic, but you're so mad, you won't see the GL film out of spite? I'm calling your bluff. You'll be there opening night, or at least opening weekend. I PROMISE YOU THAT. By the way, if you're giving away your Ryan Reynolds stuff, I'll take your copy of the Proposal. I kinda liked it
2. Boy October uses a phone to harass people.
"um." Obviously you know you've made a terrible, TERRIBLE, choice if you start your sentence with "um." Why are you calling his publicist? That's voicemail is just going to get deleted or laughed at. As for Mr. Reynolds holding a press conference because it would be in his best career interest... I'm sure you know a lot about the film industry. That's why you know what's best for it. If fanboys ran Hollywood, it would be dead in a year. It would be filled with un-compelling super-hero stories that never push the bar when it comes to film making. Instead of films like Black Swan, and the remake of True Grit, we'd have Spider-Man 34 and X-Men 78, and each of these films would feature an ensemble cast of 47 people who the audience barely has the chance to meet. I'm a comic book fanboy, and even I know my boundaries. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and saying he works a 9-5 job making $40k a year. Do you see me coming down to your office yelling at you because you used Courier font on a report and not Times New Roman? No? "um."
3. Cross also doesn't understand any aspects of Hollywood
This is the problem with fans. They don't understand that actors act for a living. They don't wake up in the morning and say to themselves "Shit. I don't know how to please CrossTheGrigori today. I've got to do something!" They wake up and say, "Time to go to work." OR "I need to find a job/part that best suits me that will also pay the bills." Actors make movies to make a living. They don't act to please the fans.
4. Cross says he's not over-reacting.... but....
$20 to get into a theater? I did some research on this one, and in America, I couldn't find any ticket over $15, and the $15 ticket was for an IMAX 3D event. I did find a site where someone from England CLAIMED they paid 27 quid for a movie ticket, which is about 50 American dollars, but it couldn't be backed up anywhere else. Cross must be going to a theater in which there are also strippers and booze everywhere. That's the only thing I can think of. Quick not about the third paragraph where Cross mentions politicians going back on their word and never getting re-elected. I bet you, that EVERY re-elected official in the house and senate, and even re-elected Presidents have gone back on his or her word at some point... It's a ridiculous challenge but I'm 90% positive they've all done it, whether the promise was huge or minuscule. Again, Ryan Reynolds didn't betray his fans... He took a job.
4 out of the 20-some odd posts on there (these 4) were ridiculous. The other 16? They were normal. People stated that they were disappointed, but no one was calling people's publicists, burning memorabilia, or saying "death to Ryan Reynolds." Although the reactions are priceless, the best way to look at this is that every group has their own irrational, delusional, pompous morons. As long as you take their opinion as the purest form of entertainment, there's no problem. Just don't condemn a whole group of people, pick out the crazies instead.
~Count Judas
1. Boy October wants to sell his shit.
You hate a man because he took one job over another? I wonder how you would feel about a someone who murdered your whole family? Would you like him/her or would you simply not care because they're not starring in Green Lantern 2. You're wearing a Red Lantern shirt in your profile pic, but you're so mad, you won't see the GL film out of spite? I'm calling your bluff. You'll be there opening night, or at least opening weekend. I PROMISE YOU THAT. By the way, if you're giving away your Ryan Reynolds stuff, I'll take your copy of the Proposal. I kinda liked it
2. Boy October uses a phone to harass people.
"um." Obviously you know you've made a terrible, TERRIBLE, choice if you start your sentence with "um." Why are you calling his publicist? That's voicemail is just going to get deleted or laughed at. As for Mr. Reynolds holding a press conference because it would be in his best career interest... I'm sure you know a lot about the film industry. That's why you know what's best for it. If fanboys ran Hollywood, it would be dead in a year. It would be filled with un-compelling super-hero stories that never push the bar when it comes to film making. Instead of films like Black Swan, and the remake of True Grit, we'd have Spider-Man 34 and X-Men 78, and each of these films would feature an ensemble cast of 47 people who the audience barely has the chance to meet. I'm a comic book fanboy, and even I know my boundaries. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and saying he works a 9-5 job making $40k a year. Do you see me coming down to your office yelling at you because you used Courier font on a report and not Times New Roman? No? "um."
3. Cross also doesn't understand any aspects of Hollywood
This is the problem with fans. They don't understand that actors act for a living. They don't wake up in the morning and say to themselves "Shit. I don't know how to please CrossTheGrigori today. I've got to do something!" They wake up and say, "Time to go to work." OR "I need to find a job/part that best suits me that will also pay the bills." Actors make movies to make a living. They don't act to please the fans.
4. Cross says he's not over-reacting.... but....
$20 to get into a theater? I did some research on this one, and in America, I couldn't find any ticket over $15, and the $15 ticket was for an IMAX 3D event. I did find a site where someone from England CLAIMED they paid 27 quid for a movie ticket, which is about 50 American dollars, but it couldn't be backed up anywhere else. Cross must be going to a theater in which there are also strippers and booze everywhere. That's the only thing I can think of. Quick not about the third paragraph where Cross mentions politicians going back on their word and never getting re-elected. I bet you, that EVERY re-elected official in the house and senate, and even re-elected Presidents have gone back on his or her word at some point... It's a ridiculous challenge but I'm 90% positive they've all done it, whether the promise was huge or minuscule. Again, Ryan Reynolds didn't betray his fans... He took a job.
4 out of the 20-some odd posts on there (these 4) were ridiculous. The other 16? They were normal. People stated that they were disappointed, but no one was calling people's publicists, burning memorabilia, or saying "death to Ryan Reynolds." Although the reactions are priceless, the best way to look at this is that every group has their own irrational, delusional, pompous morons. As long as you take their opinion as the purest form of entertainment, there's no problem. Just don't condemn a whole group of people, pick out the crazies instead.
~Count Judas
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snowpacolypse and Teenagers
I'm going to get right into it. I have a cousin who I'm friends with on facebook. She doesn't get to see the fun page, as all 3 of you reading do, she is friends with my "family and co-workers" account. The cleaner, lamer, and just as bitchy account. My favorite thing to do is check out her page because it's filled with teen angst, and her friends can't spell worth shit, nor can they put together a coherent sentence. That being said, someone got on her facebook page that obviously doesn't like her and changed her status update. Below is what follows, including key commentary from myself and my younger sister. 
Snowpacolypse and the News
In order to break myself from the same old same old which I'm accustomed to, I followed Rev's suit and got back into blogging. Another opinionated asshole on a keyboard. I have to censor myself quite a bit whether it be on fachebook or on comic vine, so this is just another venue to let off steam I guess.
I've been glued to the window just as much as I've been glued to my xbox during snowpacolypse 2011. Although people spend their time complaining about the shit, I've just decided to sit back and watch. I've also been watching the news. Why are they still sending out field reporters during shite weather? We all know it sucks out, but do we have to be reminded by ABC news showing us Johnny Intern holding a mic outside in the worst part of the storm? Just now there's another winner standing on an overpass, above the Kennedy making informative comments like, "the wind and snow is so bad the driver's have to pump their brakes." first off, it isn't that bad. Secondly, that's crack reporting. Someone give this team some sort of award for that informative reporting. Why do we give the lame ass press so much fucking attention? I do it because it's half a notch above the pathetic... And mildly hilarious.
I love human interest pieces though. It's the worst of then worst when it comes to the news. Nothing says high quality journalism like covering the church bake sale, so the congregation can get a new willow tree. Or maybe a great story about "Chippy" the dog? When Chippy barks it sounds like he is saying "I love you." I just want the news. I don't need smiling faces and make-up. I want a grizzled 75 year old man giving me the facts. Preferably a veteran. I want to smell the cynicism buried behind his voice. That's right... Smell it. The problem is that news is all flash, but no pop. It's a David Blane magic trick. 5 minutes in you're saying to yourself, "wait, this isn't magic. It's a guy standing on a pedestal for an hour." do what I'm doing instead. Turn it off and watch a western.
Count Judas
I've been glued to the window just as much as I've been glued to my xbox during snowpacolypse 2011. Although people spend their time complaining about the shit, I've just decided to sit back and watch. I've also been watching the news. Why are they still sending out field reporters during shite weather? We all know it sucks out, but do we have to be reminded by ABC news showing us Johnny Intern holding a mic outside in the worst part of the storm? Just now there's another winner standing on an overpass, above the Kennedy making informative comments like, "the wind and snow is so bad the driver's have to pump their brakes." first off, it isn't that bad. Secondly, that's crack reporting. Someone give this team some sort of award for that informative reporting. Why do we give the lame ass press so much fucking attention? I do it because it's half a notch above the pathetic... And mildly hilarious.
I love human interest pieces though. It's the worst of then worst when it comes to the news. Nothing says high quality journalism like covering the church bake sale, so the congregation can get a new willow tree. Or maybe a great story about "Chippy" the dog? When Chippy barks it sounds like he is saying "I love you." I just want the news. I don't need smiling faces and make-up. I want a grizzled 75 year old man giving me the facts. Preferably a veteran. I want to smell the cynicism buried behind his voice. That's right... Smell it. The problem is that news is all flash, but no pop. It's a David Blane magic trick. 5 minutes in you're saying to yourself, "wait, this isn't magic. It's a guy standing on a pedestal for an hour." do what I'm doing instead. Turn it off and watch a western.
Count Judas
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