A word to my readers: the week after next I will be going to Game Design Camp at Bentley College for two weeks. So don't be surprised if I cut off some of my story writing for those two weeks.
Also, one of the things I learned in my Becker visit: you have to study. Thanks to Professor Marzullo, I now know that while you only have to be in class fifteen hours a week, the workload is forty hours a week. [Nervous laughter here.] Well, it looks like this is going to get... interesting. So, can I make stories while doing something else for forty hours a week and still do other things and get sleep?
The short answer? Probably... no.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
New Camaboise
So, here is the new Camaboise. If I've already shared it before, I apologize. I was on a college orientation tour yesterday. Specifically, Becker. I had a really good time there, what with Casino Night and a Hypnotist that ended at two in the morning. I woke up at six. Please give me a break.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Moralizing Monday Question
Today, I am going to ask a question based on an upcoming event in my ongoing Camaboise series. Please, God, let it end. Anyway, this actually is an interesting question.
Suppose you are in a position of power, like the president of a country, and you need to pass a law. However, one of the people you need a vote from is extremely corrupt. In fact, when you come to visit him during your campaign, you catch him in the middle of extortion. What do you do?
Suppose you are in a position of power, like the president of a country, and you need to pass a law. However, one of the people you need a vote from is extremely corrupt. In fact, when you come to visit him during your campaign, you catch him in the middle of extortion. What do you do?
Friday, June 22, 2012
State of the Blog #10
And now, the tenth weekly State of the Blog. And I can't really think of anything interesting to put in here that really has to do with the blog. Oh well.
I know! I can talk about usability! Let us say you're a college. And you want to make students use this fancy network thing. Wouldn't it be smart to actually make sure it works and give said students detailed directions how to log on? Of course not. They're here to learn, not to be force-fed information.
I know! I can talk about usability! Let us say you're a college. And you want to make students use this fancy network thing. Wouldn't it be smart to actually make sure it works and give said students detailed directions how to log on? Of course not. They're here to learn, not to be force-fed information.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Writing Camaboise is Hard
It is a slightly sexier installment of Camaboise, but still with the requisite overcomplicatedness, Aaron is meeting Sara Danoui's sister, Ayabella. And, of course, meeting her raises new problems. God, I'm writing myself into a corner.
I know, I know. I shouldn't be complaining. But when you're writing has become so complicated, you need a scorecard to keep track, something is going wrong. I will solve some of these, eventually. But, pretty soon, I'm going to need a break from all this. Well, on the bright side, it's fiction. Fiction that only a small group of people care about, so if I mess up on continuity (which, let's face it, I will) it's not horrible.
I know, I know. I shouldn't be complaining. But when you're writing has become so complicated, you need a scorecard to keep track, something is going wrong. I will solve some of these, eventually. But, pretty soon, I'm going to need a break from all this. Well, on the bright side, it's fiction. Fiction that only a small group of people care about, so if I mess up on continuity (which, let's face it, I will) it's not horrible.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday Question
So, today, I am at my grandparent's house up in Maryland. I will be driving back to Massachusetts (should only take seven entire hours) but today I will be visiting other relatives in the Baltimore area. So, I have a question for all of you: what do you do when you visit relatives? I tend to eat, because all my relatives like to feed anyone within the boundaries of their property.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
New Camaboise and the Dangers of Buying Used Software
So, as indicated in the title, here is some new Camaboise. Please read and comment.
Now, for the dangers of buying used software. One of the reasons I kick myself for purchasing Diablo is that I got the special edition used. Guess how much I paid for it? If you guessed $170 something, you would be sort of right. You see, when I got it, it turns out the scalper I had bought it from had already redeemed the codes. So, I didn't get the DLC, I didn't get the complete pack of Diablo II, and I didn't get Diablo III. Which is one of the reasons I bought the Diablo III Collector's Edition! I'm still angry about it. Especially that I spent $210 in total, which would be what I would have paid for it new. The lesson? If you want the special edition, pre-order it. And if you think buying used software will save you money... think again. Because it won't. It definitely won't.
Now, for the dangers of buying used software. One of the reasons I kick myself for purchasing Diablo is that I got the special edition used. Guess how much I paid for it? If you guessed $170 something, you would be sort of right. You see, when I got it, it turns out the scalper I had bought it from had already redeemed the codes. So, I didn't get the DLC, I didn't get the complete pack of Diablo II, and I didn't get Diablo III. Which is one of the reasons I bought the Diablo III Collector's Edition! I'm still angry about it. Especially that I spent $210 in total, which would be what I would have paid for it new. The lesson? If you want the special edition, pre-order it. And if you think buying used software will save you money... think again. Because it won't. It definitely won't.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Tuesday Question
Well, this is lame. This post should have come out yesterday!
I have been watching a lot of Teen Titans. As a person with no cable, I never realized how awesome this show was. The animation just oozed cool, the humor was really good, and I really like how bad-ass they made Raven. Seriously, if you have a library card, go borrow it from your local library.
Now, for today's question: what is your favorite animated TV show? Is it Teen Titans? Looney Tunes? Spongebob? Scooby-Doo? Something I haven't mentioned?
I have been watching a lot of Teen Titans. As a person with no cable, I never realized how awesome this show was. The animation just oozed cool, the humor was really good, and I really like how bad-ass they made Raven. Seriously, if you have a library card, go borrow it from your local library.
Now, for today's question: what is your favorite animated TV show? Is it Teen Titans? Looney Tunes? Spongebob? Scooby-Doo? Something I haven't mentioned?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Mystery Deepens!
New in the world of Camaboise: corruption and factional strife are one of several causes of the massive amount of hunger in Camaboise. Also, there truly is no such thing as a free lunch and Soup Souper just may be using Camaboise as a source of nuclear material. Read all about it in this exciting installment!
Bioshock 2, as some of you probably know, is a very good game. While it uses some Skinner Box techniques, it is less bad then, say, Diablo 3. It is one of the few games where I have ever felt strongly attached to characters or sheer revulsion at certain actions.
It would probably help if I explained the story of the game. This game is set in the underwater city of Rapture, founded by the hardcore Objectivist, Andrew Ryan. Due to events in the previous game (which I haven't played), Ryan is dead. Also, his city has fallen into decay due to genetic splicing that gives the users super powers while also turning them into raving addicts. It's understandable. I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to zap people with lightning?
Back to the story. In the gap between the first game and this new one, a new power has arisen to replace Ryan: Sofia Lamb. Where as last game was an in-depth study of how pure capitalism fails, this game is a look at how Communism fails. Lamb is a megalomaniac, constantly threatening you while saying she cares for you. She goes on rants about Ryan's "monument to the self." And she is willing to sacrifice her daughter, Elena, for "the greater good."
Why do you care? The simple answer would be "because she's Communist!" The answer the game provides is she's taken your Little Sister. You see, in Rapture, the whole system of gene splicing is powered by this substance called ADAM. And there is this sickening, yet strangely heartwarming, system in place for gathering. Little Sisters gather ADAM. Splicers, the ADAM addicts, try to kidnap and harvest the Little Sisters. Little Sisters need protection from this, so Big Daddies were created to viciously murder any Splicer stupid enough to come close. In return for guarding the Little Sisters, they give the Big Daddies all the love a daughter could give their father. However, what makes this system morally repulsive is that these Little Sisters used to be normal little girls. Now they are being forced to wander around, harvesting and ingesting a substance that quickly drives them insane.
You play as a very special Big Daddy (see the image below). A prototype who was bonded to a specific Little Sister. That Little Sister just happens to be Elena Lamb. If you don't find her and save her from her deranged mother, than you die. It's also more than that. The entire story establishes that you were a better parent then Lamb. You still are. You are ready and willing to drill, shoot, and barbecue any person who stands between you and Elena.
On the way to Elena, you will have to gather ADAM to get new abilities. This means you have to adopt Little Sisters and lead them to corpses to gather ADAM. Once the Little Sister begins gathering, you will have to defend her as every Splicer in the area will descend on you. When the Little Sister has gathered from two corpses, you have the option of either leading her back to a vent, where you can set her free from the curse of being a little sister, or at any point you can Harvest her.
This game is very, very good at making you feel despicable for harvesting a Little Sister. It isn't a question of one character wagging their finger (or insanely huge drill) at you and saying "Bad Daddy." I accidentally Harvested a Little Sister once and the look on the poor girl's face... and normally, they trust you. They love you like a father. Harvesting a Little Sister is one of the most awful things you can do in this world. And the only reason you'd do it is for greed and a lack of pragmatism. I haven't finished the game yet, but it's up there with Crysis.
Bioshock 2, as some of you probably know, is a very good game. While it uses some Skinner Box techniques, it is less bad then, say, Diablo 3. It is one of the few games where I have ever felt strongly attached to characters or sheer revulsion at certain actions.
It would probably help if I explained the story of the game. This game is set in the underwater city of Rapture, founded by the hardcore Objectivist, Andrew Ryan. Due to events in the previous game (which I haven't played), Ryan is dead. Also, his city has fallen into decay due to genetic splicing that gives the users super powers while also turning them into raving addicts. It's understandable. I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to zap people with lightning?
Back to the story. In the gap between the first game and this new one, a new power has arisen to replace Ryan: Sofia Lamb. Where as last game was an in-depth study of how pure capitalism fails, this game is a look at how Communism fails. Lamb is a megalomaniac, constantly threatening you while saying she cares for you. She goes on rants about Ryan's "monument to the self." And she is willing to sacrifice her daughter, Elena, for "the greater good."
Why do you care? The simple answer would be "because she's Communist!" The answer the game provides is she's taken your Little Sister. You see, in Rapture, the whole system of gene splicing is powered by this substance called ADAM. And there is this sickening, yet strangely heartwarming, system in place for gathering. Little Sisters gather ADAM. Splicers, the ADAM addicts, try to kidnap and harvest the Little Sisters. Little Sisters need protection from this, so Big Daddies were created to viciously murder any Splicer stupid enough to come close. In return for guarding the Little Sisters, they give the Big Daddies all the love a daughter could give their father. However, what makes this system morally repulsive is that these Little Sisters used to be normal little girls. Now they are being forced to wander around, harvesting and ingesting a substance that quickly drives them insane.
You play as a very special Big Daddy (see the image below). A prototype who was bonded to a specific Little Sister. That Little Sister just happens to be Elena Lamb. If you don't find her and save her from her deranged mother, than you die. It's also more than that. The entire story establishes that you were a better parent then Lamb. You still are. You are ready and willing to drill, shoot, and barbecue any person who stands between you and Elena.
On the way to Elena, you will have to gather ADAM to get new abilities. This means you have to adopt Little Sisters and lead them to corpses to gather ADAM. Once the Little Sister begins gathering, you will have to defend her as every Splicer in the area will descend on you. When the Little Sister has gathered from two corpses, you have the option of either leading her back to a vent, where you can set her free from the curse of being a little sister, or at any point you can Harvest her.
This game is very, very good at making you feel despicable for harvesting a Little Sister. It isn't a question of one character wagging their finger (or insanely huge drill) at you and saying "Bad Daddy." I accidentally Harvested a Little Sister once and the look on the poor girl's face... and normally, they trust you. They love you like a father. Harvesting a Little Sister is one of the most awful things you can do in this world. And the only reason you'd do it is for greed and a lack of pragmatism. I haven't finished the game yet, but it's up there with Crysis.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday Question: How Did You Graduate?
Hey, everybody! Time for a new Monday Question!
As a recent graduate of Maynard High School (the one in Massachusetts, not the one the other one) I was really impressed about how cool it is to graduate from High School: the mix of accomplishment, nostalgia, relief, triumph and expectation of what's to come is quite amazing. I particularly liked our principal's speech about how she felt like she was also a member of the class of 2012, how she had also come to Maynard in the summer of 2008, just like my class. And now, with all of us graduates, she was moving on. I also liked how she realized that she realized no person could make two amazing speeches (she had also made a very heartwarming speech about Senior Project at Senior Awards night,) so she had the students do most of the talking, either through a pre-written form read aloud by Mr. Keriganis (sorry if I misspelled your name) or one of several speeches given by students.
Now, for all of you who have graduated, what do you remember about graduating from high school? Was it a speech? Saying good-bye to your friends? Getting drunk at a party (don't worry if you post about that, only the entire internet will know)? Look back, and write it below in the comments.
As a recent graduate of Maynard High School (the one in Massachusetts, not the one the other one) I was really impressed about how cool it is to graduate from High School: the mix of accomplishment, nostalgia, relief, triumph and expectation of what's to come is quite amazing. I particularly liked our principal's speech about how she felt like she was also a member of the class of 2012, how she had also come to Maynard in the summer of 2008, just like my class. And now, with all of us graduates, she was moving on. I also liked how she realized that she realized no person could make two amazing speeches (she had also made a very heartwarming speech about Senior Project at Senior Awards night,) so she had the students do most of the talking, either through a pre-written form read aloud by Mr. Keriganis (sorry if I misspelled your name) or one of several speeches given by students.
Now, for all of you who have graduated, what do you remember about graduating from high school? Was it a speech? Saying good-bye to your friends? Getting drunk at a party (don't worry if you post about that, only the entire internet will know)? Look back, and write it below in the comments.
Friday, June 1, 2012
State of the Blog #8
Hello and welcome, delicious readers, to the next State of The Blog! Yes, I know it has been a while, and for that, I apologize. To make up for it, I shall leave you with a tidbit of information: I will be juggling my Camaboise series with a secret project. What is it? It's a secret. I will be doing some research, and as little bitty hints, I shall let you know if my researches turn up anything interesting, awesome, weird, or just plain disturbing.
In other news, I got an awesome new laptop! An Alienware M17x, to be precise. Either it's the ambient temperature here in Maynard, or this laptop, despite having extra fans, is increasing the temperature of the area beneath it's hellish exhaust ports. I can't wait to test this monster out!
In other news, I got an awesome new laptop! An Alienware M17x, to be precise. Either it's the ambient temperature here in Maynard, or this laptop, despite having extra fans, is increasing the temperature of the area beneath it's hellish exhaust ports. I can't wait to test this monster out!
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