Hey, guys! Show some support for our gaming exploits and watch us at the University of Georgia camp of the Global Game Jam 2010! We've got 48 hours to make a game and we're actually going for 3 or 4 games! That's right, we're ambitious.

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We're Making a Video Game This Weekend!

I'm going to compose music for film an interactive media. I also want to get more experience with recording and producing. This is my passion and it took me awhile to figure this out, but after life smacked me in the face these past couple months, I finally woke up and realized where I should be headed in life. Remembering one of Conan O'Brien's quotes from his final show:

"If you work really hard and you're kind, I'm telling you, amazing things will happen."

Thanks, Conan. Words to live by.

See here I am - I just started an internship at a recording studio in Nashville and now I'm in Athens for the 2nd annual Global Game Jam composing music and audio for a weekend project to make a working video game.

Life is pretty awesome. (Minus paying bills and the cold ass weather.)

For those that don't know, the Global Game Jam is an international weekend long event where small development teams across the world are tasked to create a fully functional video game in a weekend. There are some guidelines that are thrown in that each team must follow and teams work day in night to complete their games. Think Iron Chef for video games.

We'll post some blogs this weekend and also a live streaming video feed of us working. Kind of like Big Brother, except no Head of Household competitions and crazy orgies. Too bad for you viewers!

A Lesson In Contracts and Whining

"Microsoft: Gamers Gave Us The Right To Disable Unauthorized Xbox 360 Devices"

Read more here.

So for this rant I have a fun little article from g4tv.com. It would probably be best to read this before going any further (I know, I know...reading).

Okay, so basically Microsoft is having to deal with a lawsuit from third party accessory manufacturer Datel because they have supposedly monopolized the Xbox 360 accessory market. In their defense, Microsoft released a statement saying that the gamers themselves allow Microsoft to limit use of non-Microsoft products because they enter an agreement when they purchase an Xbox 360. They can get away with that because technically you are leasing the system's services from Microsoft, therefore you must adhere to a terms of use (TOU) agreement.

Now before everyone starts complaining about how much the WiFi add-on costs, let's look at this argument logically. You, as a gamer, agreed to certain terms with Microsoft. Done. You can't say you didn't know about them, that's like telling a police officer "I'm sorry, I didn't know there was a law stating you couldn't drink and drive." No matter your excuse, you're going to jail and no matter how much you complain about not knowing the terms of use, they're there and you agreed to them. That completely destroys Datel's ignorance argument (personally, I can't believe a professional business would even attempt to make that a viable justification).

Now for the accusation that Microsoft has cornered the market. Yes, you can find accessories that are cheaper than the official Microsoft ones, but you're taking a risk because if you use a non-Microsoft accessory on your system, your warranty is null and void. That's right, if you have a third party cooling fan attached to your 360 Elite and it breaks, there's nothing you can do. As sad as that sounds, those are the rules and you should've known that before you bought it. I'm pretty sure that's a good enough reason to pay a little extra (I'm all about warranties). Also, Microsoft made an excellent point, if they were to drive their prices too high, then the price to switch to a Wii or PlayStation 3 would become the better buy. Meaning, they'll shoot themselves in the foot if they try to charge outrageous amounts for their products because people will just buy a PS3 and be done with it. So, because of competitive systems, it's pretty much impossible for there to be a monopoly in the gaming world.

So there you have it folks, this whole thing is nothing more than a third party company whining about the ignorance of gamers. And while they do make an excellent point about gamers unknowingly agreeing to the Microsoft TOU, there's nothing they can do about it.

Bring on the comments!

Thanks for reading and game on!

Peach State of Mind Video (Empire State of Mind Parady)

This goes out to everyone in the Dirty South! Man, this video makes me really miss Georgia. Great jabs at the North Avenue Trade School as well;)

X-Play Presents The Best Games of the Decade

So I stumbled upon this lovely trio of videos where X-Play (the greatest video game show ever made) names their picks for the best games of the past decade. Enjoy these videos then scroll down for a few thoughts of my own.

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2010 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Wii Games - E3 2010 - Fallout 3

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2010 - World of Warcraft

Okay, I hope you enjoyed that because I sure did. But, of course, I have a differing opinion is certain areas.

First, the fact Halo 2 made the list. Don't get me wrong, I see their argument about how it revolutionized online gameplay. Got it. But still, Halo 2 is quite possibly the worst Halo game in the entire franchise (with maybe the exception of Halo Wars...yuck). If I was going to put a Halo game on the list (which you'd have to or all the 13-year-olds out there would whine) I would probably put Halo 3. It's online multiplayer was so good, when Halo: ODST came out they just put another disc in the case with the Halo 3 multiplayer instead of making a new one. I know Firefight can be done online, don't get picky with me.

Now the game that just utterly confused me - Okami. To be honest, I had never even heard of this game much less played it. I don't know, maybe I'm just a bad gamer. I'm sure it's a great game and now that it's made this list, I might actually try to find a copy. Thanks, X-Play.

At last, the thing you all saw coming. Here's my pick of a game that should have made the list and didn't - Final Fantasy X (that's 10, not "X"). This game just barely made the requirement with a December 2001 release in North America. It has been declared one of the greatest games ever made for the PlayStation 2 and has won numerous awards. On top of that, it's a good, solid RPG. Square did an excellent job with the innovations in the turn-based battle system, beautiful cut scenes, and one of the most addicting mini-games of all time (there's no telling how many hours I spent recruiting and reworking my Blitzball team). Even with all it's awesomeness, I think I have an idea as to why it didn't make the cut - sequels. Hardcore Final Fantasy fans felt almost betrayed with the release of Final Fantasy X-2. Let's face it, that game was AWFUL. There was nothing good about this game, except for maybe the end (not the end of the story, I mean when you turn it off). With such a horrible game tied to X like a block of cement, it's no surprise it sank too low to reach X-Play's illustrious list. But really, it shouldn't catch such a bad rap, it's amazing.

Well those are my thoughts. After watching the videos and reading my opinions, I'm sure you have opinions of your own. Let's hear 'em! Post a comment giving your game that should have made the list or maybe the game that shouldn't be featured.

Thanks for reading and, as always, game on!

LOST Fans Annoying? Naahh..

Final Season Of 'Lost' Promises To Make Fans More Annoying Than Ever

Hilarious new video from The Onion about LOST fans and the anticipation for the last season, starting on Tuesday, February 2nd!!! Great cameo from LOST executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.

I. Cannot. Wait.

The "It" Factor: What Makes Great Games Great

Okay, so after a couple hours of frustration with my video camera/video editing software I have decided to postpone any video posts until I get everything sorted out but I couldn't leave everyone without a post.

So I want to talk about something that is the source of many a nerdy argument and will never be definitively answered but we, as gamers, must discuss - the essence of a great game. Many games have become "legends" and "instant classics" or have "stood the test of time" and they've all done so for various reasons but I think there is a linking factor that every game must have...

Now before I reveal my answer to the golden question, let's look at a couple of answers I've heard and disagree with. First, storyline. Some people say a game must have a gripping storyline in order to hang with the big boys. A great example of an awesome storyline is Final Fantasy VII. Everyone has played this game (and if you haven't, stop reading this and go play it) and everyone knows the story of Cloud, Sephiroth, the Lifestream and the almost indestructible Meteor. This game, arguably one of the greatest ever made, has been carried through time on the back of it's unique storyline, but it doesn't make a precedent over what makes a great game. Also, many other elements aided in it's rise in the gaming community. With that said, I progress further in my argument.

The second solution is innovation. Every game designer wants to bring something new to the table every time he or she creates a game and sometimes it is done so with impeccable taste and creativity. Sometimes so much so that it revolutionizes video games as we know it, like PaRappa the Rapper. Although it never became as popular as the games that followed, PaRappa paved the way for an entire genre of video games. This now classified "Rhythm Game" was the precursor to games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. But even with great innovation, PaRappa the Rapper failed to capture our hearts for an extended amount of time (but I have to admit, I played a demo of this when it first came out and I was obsessed, too bad I never actually bought the game).

Now it's the moment of truth. The "It" factor that every great game must possess is...

GAMEPLAY!

That's right, gameplay. It all comes down to this simple question: Is it fun to play? Why did PaRappa the Rapper fail? It had poor gameplay. Sitting there pressing X, Triangle, Square, X, Up, X, Down, Circle can get pretty boring after a while. It needed to be a little more interactive, that's why games like DDR and Guitar Hero have done so well, they took the idea of PaRappa the Rapper and made it fun to play. Why, even though I still dont understand this, did Final Fantasy VII not capture the entire gaming community? It had so-so gameplay. Don't get me wrong, I've already pronounced FFVII's dominance in the gaming world but I think if it had strayed from the classic RPG gameplay it could have grabbed the attention of a wider gaming audience. Many games have survived in the gaming world on gameplay alone. Take the "old school" arcade games. Can you tell me the story behind Galaga? I bet not, but it's fun to play. That simplicity even works in today's industry. There is a game that you can download on Xbox Live from the Indie section called "The Impossible Game." The entire game is a red square (you) moving across the screen and it jumps over triangles and uses other squares to jump over said triangles and other obstacles to reach the end. Simple enough, right? Well, let's just say there's a reason it's called the impossible game. I have yet to beat this game, like most people, but it continues to get more and more downloads because it is a game that's captivating and challenging and it achieves this through gameplay alone. Another great example is Borderlands. This first-person shooter/RPG was released in October 2009 and has become one of the most talked about games of the year. It's defining element of excellence is the fact that it relies on sheer gaming ability, reminiscent of retro fighting games. I watched my little brother beat Skagzilla even though he was WAY under the recommended level simply because of his ability as a gamer. It's an appeal like that that most games fail to possess. That, and all my other examples, is why I believe gameplay is the single most important factor in making a great game. Next time you look at a game, strip it from it's storyline and fancy graphics and ask yourself this all important question: Is it fun to play?

Thanks for reading and I hope this sparks a discussion for you and your fellow nerds.

Game on.

Forget Movies, Get Your Music In Video Games

Guy 1: "How do you like to discover new bands?"

Guy 2: "Hmm... Pandora, Last.fm, Shazam."

Awesome Guy*: "Video games."

Guy 1 & 2: "Huh?"

As we all know, the music industry has and is still evolving every single day. New models come and go, like MySpace's popularity. The question always remains - how do you get your music out there?

You need to give listeners a reason to want to listen to your music and to keep listening to it, otherwise why would they want to listen? A great way to do this is to pair your music with a personal experience or emotion. One of the awesome and beautiful things about music is how it can evoke so much emotion just by one touch of a chord. Many of us associate some of our most happiest times with music. Just think about how music plays such a big role in our every day lives - weddings, parties, childhood memories. We listen to music so we can relive those feelings again and again.

I want to be a little more specific and center on music in interactive media, aka video games. Ranging from metal in Guitar Hero to beautiful orchestras in the Final Fantasy series, music in video games can open up your audience tenfold. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love movie scores and soundtracks, but interactive media is special because it's just that - interactive. It puts you in control of your own movie and your own story. It let's you experience the triumph and defeat and puts you through impossible situations. The music that pulls your emotional strings will be ingrained in your thoughts and memories forever to remind you of your accomplishments.

Take for example the video game Mass Effect, created by the famed game developers Bioware, that came out in 2007. It was an epic sci-fi space-opera that spanned the whole galaxy. By the end, you defeat an apocalyptic threat and save the galaxy from an impending doom. It goes without saying, you'll be on a euphoric high while watching the credits. INSERT AWESOME MUSIC HERE. Bioware decided to go with a small local band in Edmonton, Alberta called Faunts for the ending credits track titled "M4, Part 2." The pairing was a match made in heaven. The track perfectly fit the 80's themed sci-fi genre with soaringly epic synths and won Faunts millions of new fans. Along with the new followers, Faunts also performed in the critically acclaimed Video Games Live concert tour and since released 2 more albums. This is just one success story.

Before that, Guitar Hero and Rock Band literally created a video game genre in itself with it's guitar, drum set, and mic controllers. What better way to let fans experience your music than to let them play it themselves. Personally, I will forever remember playing "Sweet Child of Mine" with my roommate and battling to get the high score for hours. Although I don't think classic rock ever "went away," I do believe that Guitar Hero is a major reason for the resurgence of this genre within this generation.

Basically, video gamers spend 30, 50, to 100 hours playing a video game, becoming very passionate with the music. This is especially true if the music is intertwined with a video game perfectly. By matching this experience with your music, you provide a gateway of memories and emotions for listeners to experience and relive, again and again. What new music have you discovered through film or video games?

And because I really love this song and also becoming a big fan of Faunts, I gotta let you listen to "M4 Part 2." If anything, watch the epic crab battle within.

*I am Awesome Guy;)

Bayonetta

http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213466/bayonetta-empowering-or-exploitative/

In this article, author Leigh Alexander attempts to claim that Bayonetta's focus upon sexuality is empowering for women, and a step in the correct direction for female gamers.

Bayonetta is as far away from female empowerment as she is from a Nobel Peace Prize. She is sex on a stick- an image of a woman, hypersexualized and stylized, that is intentionally designed to be ogled by men, and then discarded once she is no longer needed. She represents only the sexual aspects of femininity; there is no depth to her thoughts or emotions, and by not including a deeper level to her personality the developers have relegated her to barely-concealed porn star status. She, like so many of her predecessors, is the videogame equivalent of the one night stand- no emotional investment, no uncomfortable reality, just a good time, a few romps around the game console, and then you're done. You never have to call. You never have to consider the greater character of who she might be as an individual. You never have to think of her, and if you do, those thoughts are as disposable as the wad of tissue that goes in the trash.

I will admit, I played the demo and had a blast. I'm not saying Bayonetta isn't an enjoyable romp through levels of stylized and beautiful destruction with all of the elegant gameplay we've grown to love from the Devil May Cry series. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining- and don't hand me the videogame equivalent to a Penthouse and tell me it's liberating.

Now, I am potentially falling prey to the Fox News Fallacy- reporting on a game without playing it through. I acknowledge that I understand that my opinions expressed here could be proved completely and utterly false and my complaints be baseless if later in the game Bayonetta redeems herself as a deep, powerful icon of femininity. I doubt that she will, and I'm not willing to pay $60 to find out anytime soon- but I'll rent or borrow, and then see if I'm right.

Onion News Network: Historic 'Blockbuster' Store Tours

Historic ‘Blockbuster’ Store Offers Glimpse Of How Movies Were Rented In The Past

Jeez, I remember regularly hitting up the local blockbuster with the one movie I wanted not being available.

Gotta love The Onion.

Hello, World!

Hey guys! Josh Clark here and I'm the newest addition to Bryan's awesome blog. I've been a hardcore gamer since birth and have become an amateur game designer in recent years, so of course I was excited when he asked me to join. I hope to bring insightful reviews of the latest and greatest video games, peeks into the future of digital entertainment and maybe even a few music and movie posts. You never know.

Oh, and one more thing! I just got a really awesome HD camcorder so hopefully from here on out you'll be seeing my lovely face for all my posts. If that's not enticing enough for you, I'll be sure to add cool effects/music and maybe even gameplay footage (working on that one, I'll keep you posted...haha, blog humor).

Rock on. Stay true.

American Idol Geek Fail

Alright, so yesterday I blogged about how we all need to embrace our inner geek and it can be a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, I found out that sometimes... you should probably keep some of that geekiness inside. On American Idol last night, one audition contestant thought that by playing Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol 2 she would be prepared to audition in real life.

FAIL.

Watch the hilarity below!

(UPDATE: Aw fiddle sticks! The video was taken down! If I can find another one, I'll post it up.)

Embrace Your Inner Geek

I have to confess - I'm a geek. I listen to video game music for fun. I look up movies on IMDB after I watch them. I like learning different instruments. I watch all the special features on DVDs and even watch the commentaries. I'm even the go-to Star Wars Geek in every social circle I'm a part of. (Challenge me at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. I dare you.) There, I said it.

Okay, now your turn.

No, really - admit it! All of us have an inner geek inside of us. I'm willing to predict that last season of LOST was your favorite, you actually liked the last Star Trek movie, you can recite every quote from Anchorman, and you wish all movies came in 3D like Avatar. It's cool. You're definitely not alone. It's been a long time coming, but "Geek Culture" is finally hitting mainstream!

Don't believe me? Just look around. Video games are being converted into movies faster than Nike shoes out of a sweatshop. New media has people leaving behind their stupid phones for smart ones. Sci-fi movies like Avatar and Star Trek are being considered for the Best Picture Oscar (FTW!). Even our girlfriends and wives are playing video games, thanks to the Wii.

Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.

To fully embrace my geekdom, I've changed and remodeled the blog. Not only with this center around the music business, but the entertainment industry as a whole - music, movies, video games, you name it. (With some randomness thrown in as well;) Okay, I know - the color scheme is the same, but you can't get much better (go Dawgs!). I'm getting by with a little help from my friends - Jordan Lynn and Josh Clark, who will also be contributing to the blog. These guys are amazingly smart and hilarious so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

So embrace your inner geek and know it's okay to geek out once and awhile. Even you, Trekkies - now is your time to shine.

Oh, Hello 2010!

Holy shit cakes! Has it really been 6 months since the last time I blogged?? That's shameful. I apologize. Maybe it's too late, but oh well. It's been a crazy six months- fun summer, landed a job, laid off, unemployed, doing retail work, cursing life. Phew! I need a break. During this time, though, I've realized what I need to be doing, but I can get into all that on a later post.

In the meantime, I'll will be reinventing this blog! It looks a little stale. So 2009. Yo - time for a makeover and a new title! Also, a great friend of mine will be joining the fray in the ongoing musing of nerd culture. I'll let him introduce himself in a bit. Expect great insights on everything entertainment media- video games, movies, and music (with a healthy dose of humor!).

Follow me on Twitter @bryanhiga!