hollerbackgamer's blog

There are people who think games are a waste of time, like my older sister. There are people who play games just for fun, like my brothers. Then there are people who think games can help beat cancer, like the members of Law 37. Law 37 is an alliance of game designers, coders, and writers who came together to create games meant to help without any profit. They decided to form an alliance in order to compete in the ‘Let’s Change the Game’ competition. Law 37 had to design an alternate reality game in order to aid Cancer Research UK. If they won, they would get money in order to develop and run their game, with the help of ARG designers known world-wide. In class, Dr. Whalen told us to look out for ARG’s in the real world. It wasn’t until recently did I notice how many ARG’s are actually out there. It’s amazing how I’ve never realized how many ARG’s are around me until I learned what an ARG was.

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Ray Muzyka said it best at an interview with GameDaily.com. “It’s not narrative in the game that’s the thing. I think it’s the emotion, that whatever play experience you’re having…it’s the emotion you’re feeling that makes you feel connected to it.” A narrative is just a story. However, in some special cases, a narrative can force emotion upon a gamer or reader. From the sadness gained from the loss of a companion to happiness when a player’s character completes a very important mission, for a narrative to stir up emotion makes it more than just a story or plot. Emotions connect a player to the game, making the experience all the better. Jason Rohrer’s game ‘Passage’ is a five minute game that takes a player through a significant part of a character’s life, only to find out that (BEWARE OF SPOILER) the character(s) in the game dies in the end. Reminding players that we will all die some day is only one of many purposes of the game. A key part of this game is that no matter how many points you rack up (from moving forward (to the right) or finding treasure in the chests), you will always die in the end. At the end of five minutes, your character(s) will die. It is inevitable. If this doesn’t make you somewhat sad, then you must be one extremely happy person you accepts death with open arms.

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[PHEW. It's been a LONG TIME since I've done this. Hopefully, it won't be the complete disaster that my brother tells me it is going to be. I'm applying to work on Colossal Cave Adventure/ADVENT]

ADVENT, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting and eye opening games I have ever played in my life. There isn't music added to it. There isn't a visual player running around doing the actions. There isn't a deep voice telling you which way to go or which items to pick up. The player's mind is free to view in his or her head the characters and places in any way he or she wants to view the characters and settings. That's the beauty of ADVENT. It's simple and doesn't need much to be a successful game in which a player's imagination has no ends. In addition to being the first text adventure game, it was one of the more enjoyable games I played for VGC. I want to be part of the Colossal Cave Adventure/ADVENT group because the game is simple, easy to play and highly enjoyable to anyone who plays it. Face it. It's exciting! A world with magical creatures and secret words is epic. I would be a great part of the Colossal Cave Adventure/ADVENT group because I would be able contribute parts about its simplicity, explain how it was culturally and socially impacting and since I am a great listener, it's pretty easy for me to work in a group environment!

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New to the Nintendo Wii comes a game, full of excitement and wonder, we have all become extremely familiar with over many years. The world is about to experience a classic game all over again, but this time, it's pumped to a whole new level of gaming aesthetics and game play and design. With great improvements from new capabilities in the wii controller's controls and moves a character can perform to an unforeseen heavy emphasis on co-op, it is coming out on November 15, 2009. Coming out, new on the Nintendo Wii, is the new Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Although fresh in the video gaming market, this game still allow gamers to play games similar to the original Super Mario Bros. A few differences include the ability of having up to four players join in on the fun by competing to gain the most coins and solve puzzles while exploring the game map. However, will this game be as culturally impacting as its successor? There are many factors we must consider when dealing this sequel and the original to determine which game is 'better' overall.

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My older brother, Chris, and I recently had a discussion about an online game. You may have heard of it once or twice during a conversation about the epicness of World of Warcraft or the non-stop action in Guild Wars. Played in real itme, this 2-D, role-playing game allows players from all around the world to interact through fighting monsters together, trading rare items of clothing or weaponry, or simply catching a ride on a flying ship to a magical land. Exploring the Maple World is a joyful and pleasant time of many gamers’ lives. Thank you Wizet, for creating MapleStory.

For those of you who do not have any clue as to what MapleStory is, prepare to be AWED.

Now now. Remember, don't judge a book by it's cover man. 

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