I Made A Pony!

That is all.

Source: http://alli893.deviantart.com/#/d47efz4

Thinking Out Loud: Oh, The Horror!

So I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted. In retrospect it probably wasn’t a good idea to start a blog and move out of my parent’s house at the same time. But anywho, horror games! I love them! Survival horror is one of my favorite genres for many reasons including puzzle solving, managing scarce resources, and generally messed up storylines. But here’s an interesting fact that I was thinking about the other day: I hate horror movies. 

The PAX East Experience

Wow, what a show! PAX East was simply put the BEST con I've ever been to! There was so much to do and so many people! It was an ocean of geek lore and awesome in the palm of my hands. This is definitely a show that I will be going to every year!

Holy Crap! PAX East is Tomorrow!

So I've been preparing for what will be my first PAX ever. I have been to other anime/comic/games conventions but never one as big as PAX. I heard about its arrival to the east cost a little too late last year so I made a point to buy my badge as soon as they went on sale this year! Missing the first PAX East might not be that bad; considering they have moved the convention into a bigger building.

I can't describe how excited I am to go to PAX East! I've only heard good things about both PAX conventions and now I finally get to experience it for myself! I'll be writing my thoughts about it here when I get back; as soon as I catch up on sleep of course! I'm really looking forward to seeing Scott Kurtz and Kris Straub's panels, as I am a huge fan of their webcomics! I'm also planning on going to all of Rym and Scott's panels from GeekNights. I first saw them at ConnectiCon and they taught me the ways of Indie RPGs. I also hope to see Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the 3Ds, RAGE, and some pretty sweet concerts! This weekend is going to ROCK!

Did I make you jealous?

Epic Dungeon

Yesterday, I posted an article on NonsenseGamer.com (a website I volunteer for) praising the Xbox Live Indie game called Epic Dungeon by Eyehook Games. This game took me by surprise with its addicting gameplay and creative design. In my article, I mention how Epic Dungeon has all the classic RPG elements but simplifies battle to just moving towards your enemy. This game makes grinding fun, which to me is an enormous feat. There are four different classes to choose from, each with their own special ability. There are weapons, armor, skills, potions, scrolls, and secret rooms full of gold. And if that's not enough, each level of the dungeon has a randomly generated layout so it never feels repetitive! But, there is one thing that really makes this game stand out: permanent death.

Thinking Out Loud: Games That Adapt

I've been very busy recently organizing a D&D campaign with a few friends of mine. I've been appointed DM and have been working on developing a world for my players to explore. If any of you have been a DM before you know that things don't always go according to plan. You may have a set path for your adventurers but they always seem to get distracted one way or another. As a DM, you have to be able to adapt quickly and try to steer your players in the right direction. If you simply put up a road block they might get frustrated so your steering has to be subtle. And no matter how fleshed out your world is, no matter how detailed your NPCs are, the players WILL catch you off guard. They may ask a question you didn't think of before, or find an alternate route around a certain problem. As a DM you are forced to "wing it" in order to keep the game flowing nicely.

You are probably wondering, "What does this have to do with video games?" As I've been preparing my campaign, it has forced me to do a lot of thinking.  Video games have tried to create D&D experiences for quite some time and while some are excellent games there is something missing from all of them: an adaptable DM.

My Most Lasting Moments of 2010

I know you've probably seen hundreds of lists by now noting the best/worst/memorable games of 2010, but as my first official article, I seemed like an appropriate way to describe the kinds of games I play and why I play them. Also, instead of the traditional "Best Games" I will list moments within games that made me feel something profound in some way. The kind of moments that make you think, "This is why I play games."

And So It Begins...

Hello Internet! I decided to let myself get swept up in the current of this sea of blogs. My purpose for this blog is to express my views and opinions when it comes to video games and their culture. I am by no means an expert, but I do aspire to be a game designer someday. I am excited to be able to express myself and get feedback from the internet for my thoughts. I've been a gamer since my brother got the original NES for Christmas with Super Mario Bros. (I mainly blame my love for video games on him.) And what better way to express my love for this medium than to share my thoughts with you!

The idea of even starting a blog came from reading other video game blogs and listening to podcasts. They have inspired me in many ways, made me look at things from different angles, and helped me appreciate how gaming culture has evolved. I hope you enjoy my articles and please feel free to leave any comments or questions. Today, I introduce Live to Play.