Shock Therapy
After letting myself get too discouraged to write for too long, it’s time to really start again. This blog is officially over a year old and represents something I had big dreams of posting on every day with mind-blowing content and opinions. The reality, as it usually is, is less than stellar.
I’ve no time to play video games recently and that’s made trying to write about them impossible. Not because I’ve lost interest – no; I look longingly at my consoles and Steam account every time I get a chance, but the most time I have to devote is a passing glance. That has been changing recently and I hope to make it a bigger part of my life again.
So, this blog has been dying a slow death and was never really thriving to begin with. Maybe that’s the way it’s gonna be… but I don’t want to go down without a fight.
Thus – a call to arms. Anyone who may (or may not) be interested, please tell me what you would like to have a discussion about – what has interested you, what games you’re excited for, etc. I’m curious what other gamers, writers and readers are thinking about…
I’m asking for a jump start and I need your help.
Highbrow High Score 
Games I’m excited about:
TESV
Skyward Sword
CE Remake + Halo 4 [with cautious optimism]
ME3 did that get pushed to 2012?
Things that may make interesting discussions:
Game rating systems
Consolization of the industry/console techs: Are the Wii, Move, and Kinect really the future of games or will controllers stick around?
The struggle of video game companies to market to women
Is it positive/negative to gear games for online capabilities?
When the next Advanced Wars is going to come out and why they should release a not 3DS version.
The hints at HL3 in Dota? Also L4D3: Why Valve Gives Me Hope for the Zombie Apocalypse
I also always like reading long-winded and in depth reviews of individual games
How’s that DLC for New Vegas? Worth my money? The DLC for Fallout3 had bugs til next Tuesday.
I want my DSi and Kindle to have a baby and do internet, books, and video games. Where’s that handheld piece of awesome? And can it have “Don’t Panic” engraved on it?
D
September 25, 2011 at 12:14 am
I’m pretty bummed about Skyward Sword since I sold my Wii (it was just gathering dust), but I know I’ll be able to play at friends’ houses. And it’s interesting that you the way companies market video games to women a struggle… Lots of gender dynamics and societal pressures make it all but impossible to only try to sell women Cooking Mama.
And that last question… Have you met my iPhone? Something in works for that, most definitely!
highbrowhighscore
September 25, 2011 at 8:31 pm
I bought my Wii for Twilight Princess and am holding on to it for SS.
Yeah I can see Cooking Mama being a tough sell to women, but how many copies are they selling to the major gaming demographic [12-25 males] My guess is zero. Who’s buying these games? If I were a girl I wouldn’t play them. You’re a girl, you don’t? Is it that game that sells because grandmas want to buy a “nice” game for their granddaughter?
D
September 26, 2011 at 12:36 am
Oh iPhone as a handheld?
I like having real buttons. Never got into phone games. Except that mine has Street Fighter II on it. Which would be AMAZING if only the buttons were setup in an easy to use way.
D
September 26, 2011 at 12:39 am
Personally, I’ve really got into the Mass Effect series and looking forward to the 3rd one in March of next year. Also looking forward to The King of Fighters XIII in October simply for the action and entertainment (storylines in fighting games almost sound like an oxymoron). As for discussions, it would be interesting (to me, at least) to talk about the lines between good and evil and how they can be blurred during story progression. That’s just my thoughts.
JM
September 25, 2011 at 3:59 am
I can’t believe I haven’t played Mass Effect yet! But I’ve only read positive things about it.
The game that comes to mind the most regarding shifts in morality are the Fallout and Fable series’. It shapes the way your story plays out, but do you think there are games that try to keep the gamer in the dark about whether their choices or certain characters are good or evil?
highbrowhighscore
September 25, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Well, it’s mostly because I’ve had to make morality choices in Mass Effect (called Paragon, or being diplomatic and peaceful, and Renegade, or being ruthless and violent) that blur the line. Without giving anything away, there was a quick-time choice I made where I took out a group of mercenaries. The choice was considered Renegade, but I earned Paragon points for completing a Renegade action. That was what brought that topic to mind. Some games have clear-cut choices between good and evil, but there are some where there are gray areas.
JM
September 30, 2011 at 3:45 am
Another good game for dialog choice defining characters is Alpha Protocol. Just picked it up for $2.00 on Steam last week. It’s got some weak points, but good and evil have a lot of gray area. Added bonus is only having a few seconds to make choices during conversation so you hardly have time to think about what you should do. Just pick the style of response you want.
You don’t have set allies and enemies, only the ones you make for yourself through conversation and actions.
Not one to pay full price for, but if it’s still $2, it’s worth checking out.
D
October 1, 2011 at 1:09 am
Dear Rachel,
Write about King’s Quest, the only game that truly has my heart.
Love,
Emily
Yes, it’s me. This was the only contribution I have to make on the topic. Though I did play a lot of Banjo Kazooie and MarioKart with my brother, and a little Oregon Trail. Maybe you should talk about gaming and nostalgia, even for things non-existent. Or to move that idea forward a little, don’t people play games to add something to their lives they don’t get from somewhere else? Like adventure, or legitimate expressions of aggression, or crossing the prairie in a Conestoga wagon? Just a thought. That game where you beat the hookers would be a good example.
Emily Winsauer
September 25, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Emily,
Please address everything you write to me in letter format henceforth! Also, I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never heard of King’s Quest.
I think there is a certain amount of “wish fulfillment” in video games, but would you say that’s any different than sci-fi or adventure literature? Also… are you blogging about your own personal adventure?
highbrowhighscore
September 25, 2011 at 8:36 pm
You never heard of King’s Quest? Heir Today Gone Tomorrow was one of my favorite games as a kid. Story over graphics; a dying type of game.
D
September 26, 2011 at 12:25 am
Oh, I would absolutely say that sci-fi and adventure lit does the same thing. And a lot of other literature, too, some in subtler ways than others, and the same is true of games, I’m sure. Like the Catherine game you were talking about with the sheep. Slightly less literal than, say, Goldeneye, another game of my youth.
And about the other thing, what I’m doing right now is not very interesting, just reading for marathon amounts of time and walking back and forth to class, with little forays out into the world when I have some extra time. I have been working on something, but right now it doesn’t have anything from Scotland up yet, but it should in the next couple of days (www.dontmesswithmymise.blogspot.com). There’s a link from Vegan Home Chef, too. I need to get my rear in gear with that…
And really, play King’s Quest. It’s kind of great.
Emily Winsauer
September 29, 2011 at 7:07 pm