In celebration of our recent re-launch, we are looking for a few quality up and comers to join us in blogging about the Game, Mod'ing, Animation and Visual Effects industry developments and the politics that are rapidly threatening to take over these bastions of creativity. If you think you'd like to join us,
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in and we'll check you out and let you know! Everyone who tries out will be considered and you WILL receive feedback!
An in depth and advanced look at the 'words beneath the words' in real life & the movies.
The difference between 'US' and 'THEM'. Or; identifying useless enemies for the lower classes to hate.
As a scriptwriter, you are eventually going to need to 'jazz up' your crappy scripts to add interest where there just isn't any. This can be easily achieved by the use of distraction,
plus a decent sprinkling of manipulation of a generalized or specific
character obsessed with hatred and blame, possibly focused on Gov't or
corporate entities.
More specifically, document and broadcast language usage differs in reference from individuals to corporations and other large faceless entities, which ultimately minimizes any easily seen evil, probably due to the fact that large corporations are indeed, very, VERY evil. But, it remains that giant bugs & hideously deformed demonic-nazi terrorist- zombie-space monsters are still far, far more exciting, easy to hate, and action filled, not that different from a gas station twinkie. Just with more 'oomph'.
Elaborates on the aspect of writing about boring subjects and making them interesting enough to sleep through.
"Based on a true story" these are movie 'adaptations' (read: fabricated exaggerations) that actually have only the thinnest grain of truth,
which are re-told and rewritten to "enhance excitement & interest",
altering characters, details, or any facts not considered pertinent to
the roller-coaster ride of a 1 & 1/2 hour plot. Rethink
'non-fiction' to 'adapted non-fiction'. Note: This method can also be adapted and adjusted for any movie format, such as fiction.
In this way, all movies are essentially similar, having a
connected heritage that possesses little actual difference from fiction
to non-fiction (since they are ultimately all fiction), but remain somewhat entertaining, at least until a commercial...
(UPI) The Government has reported in a national warning, “All of our
public use loony bins are now full”, as told by a top official, Ima N.
Ocrasi. Ms. Ocrasi went on to say: “Most soft walled bins only hold
about 10-20 people, maximum.
It’s not like the old days when you could forcefully stuff in several
hundred. We now have fire regulations to observe.” The bins, which by
law are expected to allow some minor comforts of life for the
modern loon, are equipped with all sorts of modern luxuries, such as
easily smearing Gov't cheese, televisions and automated medication
dispensers; oddly enough looking not too different from modern work cubes, but with far, far more luxury.
“Now that the Government bins are full we will need to find other
locations, and seek other resources to place individuals who lack the
ability to 'function normally' in our oblivious, nutball society.
Currently, we are considering electoral options, as we have previously
utilized this method with a specific individual on a 8 year trial
basis.” Said Ms. Ocrasi.
A moderate review of Bad Company, and critique of current FPS's.
When I first started playing single player Bad Company, I suppose I was really looking for something a bit more... innovative, which it is not. It offers modern physics and real world destruction, but the plot remains not too different from an old Soldier of Fortune
(+ 5 other games, & stir) rehash with some buddies (COD2, anyone?).
About 1/2 the game is fighting in small towns, with some forays using
vehicles, like a boat. Then come obligatory 'change it up because it's
getting boring' tank level, 'helicopter level', 'no buddies level, etc.
Lets not forget the oh-so-typical boss battle at the end, which in my
opinion IS a direct rip from Soldier of Fortune Double Helix.
This is an example 'break apart' layered image of an album cover, using
various images I have
located on the web. It uses blending, blurring, masking, and layering.
Although I
did not strictly follow the path I am laying out here, it is always
best to
build up an image from bottom to top. This is not exactly a 'tutorial'
per say, but more of an 'analyze the image' and how it was built
situation. Tutorials make you dependant on them in my opinion, and I
prefer to look at other peoples work and break it apart in my mind, so I
hope this can help you get started on that path. At some point, it will
become elementary as to what another artist did to build that 'awesome
image'.
For all of you aspiring games creators out there (we know, you're legion, blah, blah, blah), Microsoft has released the new XNA Game Studio version 2.0 today! Along with various UI improvements, the update brings n00bs the ability to create game content that allows multiplayer gaming over Xbox Live. My advice? Do yourself a favor and check the sucker out at the Creator's Club website as soon as you can! Or, you know...not. Your call, really!
In this modern society in which we live, much is made of violence, fingers are constantly pointing as to "the cause". Many people have long shouted (angrily) concerning world peace, but easily maintain belief that all stories (book, movie, legend, religion) actually require conflict. Add to this the concept that many individuals are also somewhat insulated from bludgeoning their own food, and have managed to forget a very troubled earth history involving thousands of wars, and the discussion takes on a somewhat pointless tone.
Source: Reuters. In a move that should surprise no one who's actually paying attention, leading Democrats and Republicans including Hillary Clinton(d), Sam Brownback(r) and Joe Lieberman(i for presidential race purposes after the d's kicked him out, but in his own words, he'll "always be a democrat") are now putting pressure on the games industry to re-rate the recently released--and heavily edited--Manhunt 2 for Wii and Playstation 2. They cite--as all the game's critics do--the "ultra violent" content and "advancements in game controllers" as reasons why the game should be re-rated to AO from it's current M rating.
One might ask, is there a functional difference between M and AO? I'd have to argue that no, there really isn't, except that neither Sony nor Nintendo will allow AO rated games to be published on their respective systems.
Without a doubt one of the most impressive games Ive played thus far.
I'm an Animator, and I think I spent hours just marveling at the great system they have employed for Altair's movement. He has a natural flow to him that helps make his character seem alive. The cut scenes are handled in such a way that lets the player keep limited control of the character as well as change camera angles.
AS is a game that is built around a solid core mechanic. In my opinion all the best games take a predictable, stable, fun mechanic and build the game up around that foundation.
Libertarian host John Ziegler, who for 4 years has been a highly outspoken voice in the cause of free speech and free thought, has been silenced. Details haven't been divulged beyond John stating that the decision was "Mutual " between himself and radio station KFI AM640. While not directly an advocate expressly for the rights of gamers, Ziegler often commented on the absurdity of the notion that games cause people to go out and kill others.
At the risk of sounding the alarm bell of a conspiracy, my suspicion is that far too many corrupt Democrats and Republicans were putting pressure on the station to get rid of Ziegler, who was unilateral in his willingness to lambast, pan and attack any politician who evidenced his desire to curtail free speech of ANY kind--including gaming.
I didn't always agree with Ziegler, but I never doubted he was a sincere and honest man who desperately cares about the cause of freedom. Talk radio and the unheard public who are sick of the Democrat/Republican owned Status Quo are all weakened by his loss.
For all of you aspiring games creators out there (we know, you're legion, blah, blah, blah), Microsoft has released the new XNA Game Studio version 2.0 today! Along with various UI improvements, the update brings n00bs the ability to create game content that allows multiplayer gaming over Xbox Live. My advice? Do yourself a favor and check the sucker out at the 
Without a doubt one of the most impressive games Ive played thus far.
