Thursday, June 29, 2017

Retro Prose: My Thoughts on Microtransactions


In light of another E3 passing and the fact that I want something on this blog other than slowly paced Mass Effect fan fiction before the Fourth of July weekend, I decided to bring up a piece I wrote for OmniGamer last year. It was an opinion piece I had about microtransactions and how complacency in their application in modern gaming would lead to major problems.

The sad thing is how ubiquitous the practice has now become, this article feels like a snapshot of a slightly more innocent time when it was possible for enough outrage to cause studios to backpedal.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

No Sidequest Corner This Week

Blame it on the Summer. Something will be here next week. Until then, be careful out there everyone

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

No Animation Deviation This Week

Check out the title.

The reason? Honestly I just need time to watch and digest some more animated shows and movies. Can't have an opinion if I don't watch stuff you know? Tune in next week!

Monday, June 26, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 15



Chapter 15: Getting Pulled Back In
 
Of all the ways Commander Shepard could have returned in my life it just had to be with me behind a desk of a major office in an executive dress, mouth full of spicy veggies and local protein looking like a deer in headlights. I honestly didn't know whether or not to finish my mouthful or let it flop out with indignity.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Retro Prose: My Review of Cibele


This week's retro prose is one of the few pieces I wrote that I legitimately still stay behind to this day. It was not just a review of an artsy narrative focused Steam game, but one by a creative mind that I still keep an eye on to this day for her focus on human interaction and earnest emotional momentum contextualized in game form.

In other words, I love that her games are more about the journey than a high score. My review of Nina Freeman's Cibele.

Also you should check out her other game, Kimmy on Steam if this sounds anything resembling your bag. She's also working on that sci-fi game Tacoma so... hinty hint hint.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Sidequest Corner: E3 2017 in Review


Another year, another E3 has passed. Honestly I've done the news round up and rode the hype train so many times it is all become so embarrassingly rote to me. Stick to the big announcements and build them up, wag your finger at the major disappointments and missteps, then hold on and see what games actually come out this year and then write a feature about what happens. Not to mention get in contact with PR and try to get review copies of games out for topical reviews. Rinse, repeat, cash the check.

But this year's E3 was very unusual in that it was across the board fine. Alright. Completely middle of the ground compared to past years....

Monday, June 19, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 14


Chapter 14: Catching Up

I made my way through the threshold to my penthouse apartment, doing everything I could to deflect and shut down the volus banker speaking to me.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Multiverse Desperado and Animation Deviation on Hold Due to E3


Sorry everybody, but E3 is the busy season. Although I will dedicate this week's Sidequest Corner to my thoughts on the show's major presentations and conferences.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Retro Prose: We Need More Cult Classics



The following installment of Retro Prose was a piece I wrote in July of 2016 during the consecutive releases of Gearbox Software's Battleborn and Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch. Granted quite a bit of information in this piece is hilariously dated, and as much as I do stand behind enjoying Battleborn for what it is, sadly it didn't survive being around as long as Overwatch has.

However, I am giving it the spotlight again to also reinforce what I wrote extensively in last year's Sidequest Corner about how I feel the game's industry can learn to take some more risks and be a bit more flexible and pro-consumer with their standard models.

Also completely unrelated: I officially backed Deadly Premonition The Board Game on Kickstarter. Because I practice what I preach, yo.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Sidequest Corner: Sony, Shut Up.

This week's Sidequest Corner is going to have a slightly different focus. Instead of talking about game design or trends, I am going to focus on a disturbing trend by the game industry. Nothing sinister, but just mundane enough that can lead to some big problems down the line.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction: Chapter 13


Chapter 13: Battle For The Citadel

It took about five minutes for everyone to get their weapons checked and their gear situated; the Council making due with some basic kinetic shield generators and small pistols they had on hand for personal defense. The plan was for them to stay near the remains of the shuttle, using its debris as makeshift cover and deal with any of Saren's forces that go to investigate the flaming wreckage, all while Shepard lead us to stop the damn turian puppet from causing the end of the world.

Plug for Season 2 Finale of That Random Podcast Show


The latest episode of TRPS: Racist Gems vs. Jason. We talk about the Steven Universe Wanted Event, the Far Cry 5 controversy, and our early impressions of Sudden Strike 4 and Friday The 13th: The Game.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Digital Desperado Plays Highlight: Negotiating With Jason

For those of you who missed my Friday night stream of Friday The 13th: The Game, here's a highlight from it with some good friends. It's called Negotiating With Jason.