Destiny (and the child of negativity)

As a 20 something year old and a post graduate…it’s natural for me to feel hopeless about my future. I complain and whine like a veteran who has seen real shit, when all I’m complaining about is not having a job and how it’s so hard to be a post graduate in the modern day. A good amount of my peers feel the same way. So what do we do? We cover up that misery by dousing ourselves with liquid courage, or indulge ourselves with television programs of self-deprecating 20 something year-old’s  who act like the world is so tough and hard but in reality, they just had it so easy for them all their lives, and they’re just really uninteresting no talented typical run of the mill privileged characters that beg attention and sympathy.

Absolutely despise this show…if you couldn’t tell.

Of course that tiny little soap box rant is for another day (yes Lena Dunham is incredibly successful, shut up) but WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT IS…

The whole idea of knowing what your destiny is, and what isn’t.

When it comes to make it or break it moments, people wonder if they’re really meant to make it. For example, and as the main catalyst of this post…

I received an email from the hiring supervisor for this major film distributor (still not saying the company name cause I’m not going to jinx all probable opportunities with them) saying that I didn’t get the job I applied for. That another candidate was chosen over me. Naturally, I was bummed, seriously bummed by it. In fact, I went out of my way to contact a friend about getting together to misery drink together, so that I wouldn’t be misery drinking alone. Don’t think that’s gonna go through though because, ehhh…I’m not accomplishing anything by doing that.

Plus it’s too expensive to drink. And no I’m not gonna go cheap.

So after I received that email, my self-doubt side started to wonder if I’m really meant to pursue this field. If I’m really meant to pursue this crazy cut throat industry that takes everything out of you, all for the sake of entertainment. But I was quickly reassured by my contact from the studio, saying especially “Don’t play it safe.”

She told me not to “play it safe” because nothing’s worth having unless you really fight for it. A belief I really hold onto and cherish. It keeps me strong and going when the going gets tough.

But then people question and wonder…what if not getting the job is a sign? Some sort of sign, either from God or whatever higher being you believe in or don’t believe in, telling you that you’re not meant to have that job? To go for that goal? To achieve that dream?

It’s easy to think that, too easy. It’s too easy to accept defeat, to give up, to be negative. Because against that argument, I could also say …

What if this is a test? What if God is testing me, to see if I can really make it? If I can really pull through, really do it. What if this is God’s way, or destiny or fate or whatever, what if this is just a sign of reassurance? Reassurance that yeah, I’m a strong guy. Yeah it’s gonna get tough, some days tougher than the others, but in the end I got what it takes to make it. Reassurance that I have just as much power as the next guy to really go for my dreams, my goals, my aspirations, and that this bleeding is only a slight reminder that I could refer to when I finally make it. A reminder to keep me humble and modest as I refer back to my exhausting journey. A journey that, yeah could have killed me thrice times over, but was well worth it to get to where I’m at.

So what draws the line as a sign for the good, or for the bad?

No one knows really. And if anyone tries to convince you that they know, then they sure as hell, of all people, don’t know a damn thing.  Because I like to believe that, with all the evil and the bad that inherits this world…why contribute to it with negativity? Why not be optimistic and positive, being the stronger and bigger man in face of all the negativity that surrounds us? Because shit, when you read up on all the success stories of all the movers and shapers of history, they sure as hell weren’t the negative beings that did absolutely nothing to change the world. No, they were all the stronger fighters who kept on going, even when everyone else told them not to.

And besides, if this guy gave up, how would he have been able to tell his inspiring story?

So in the words of Galaxy Quest…never give up. Never surrender.

In the face of 99 problems…never forget to smile and be happy =)

All images used are linked to their respective and original posts. 

My Mistress…Xenogears

As I mentioned in the last blog, I’ve been distracted thanks to Xenogears. If you happen to be a Playstation 3 owner then please look for this game on the PSN and please play it. It’s an RPG and even if you are not into RPG’s, it’s the story that will grip you right away. That statement is from a guy who really doesn’t play RPG’s too. If there’s any video game story that depict a true amazing journey, both physically and emotionally, it would be Xenogears. So instead of me talking about it more, you should just go out and play it. Now.

Or just watch this trailer to tease yourself a little…

Video Games: A Real Art Medium

I enjoy cinematic moments, especially through other mediums that aren’t film. I even look at certain points of my life and treat them all as cinematic moments, remembering every moment and word so I could rewrite it into either a feature length or part of a film. But it’s in video games that I truly praise cinematic moments and styles. Games that utilize cinematic aspects such as plot points, pacing, dialog, and story telling as a whole are the perfect examples that show how video games can truly be a credible art medium.

To be fair, I’ll be talking about recent games only. There are plenty of older games that I love and would refer to as great examples of cinematic heavy games, but just for the sake of simplicity I’ll just mention recent ones.

ALSO, before any fan boys or fan girls start ranting, I will quickly list some games I haven’t played or wouldn’t consider to be cinematic heavy:

• The Portal series. Haven’t played them, but I’m kinda interested.
• The Mass Effect series. Played it, but really couldn’t get into it.
• Any RPG, especially shit with dragons and other shit like that…just really not into them.
• And almost every other shooter…more than likely I’ve played them, but it’s those games that I’d say holds back the gaming industry from being a well respected art medium.

Now what are the games that I would consider to be “damn good” games that utilize cinematic aspects?

The “Uncharted” series developed by Naughty Dog

I just recently played Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Uncharted: Among Thieves and OH MY GOD. The dialog written for this game has a genuine feel that deceives the player, creating a film-like feel as they play throughout the game. Story lines for the series are weaved so intricately, with so much detail to make sure certain points are accurate. With the game series relying so much on historical events, historical accuracy is a key object that must be accomplished to make a damn good game, and they do it damn well.

I’m a vocal player when it comes to games, becoming more vocal if I’m really into one. At the beginning of U:AT I was constantly screaming out as if I was in the game, dodging death left and right as I make my way out of a suspended train dangling from a cliff that’s about to hit the floor.

The characters portrayed in the series are well thought out and in-depth as opposed to the typical one dimensional characters featured in modern gaming. This is evident through the dialog shared among the characters, giving a significant voice to each and every one of them. Having that much detail to characterization shows the dedication the developers had in the creative writing department. The interaction between the characters is entertaining to watch, both in game play and in cut scenes. Even with actions performed, dialog is present to add more entertainment value.

Start at 6:20 for one of my favorite action/dialog bits
*Video won’t play embedded so you’ll have to watch it on YouTube

Again, you can tell the developers were serious about detail in this game. Dialog for this and that, the beauty of the various locations, an engaging story line with plot points to pull you in more as you get deeper into the game, and well crafted characters that players grow to enjoy. If there’s any game (especially with shooter traits) that has a perfect balance of story telling, game play, and visual design…it’d be the “Uncharted” series. Damn good job Naughty Dog, damn good job.

NEXT…!

Catherine developed by Atlus

Puzzle games are fun, but they tend to be too straight forward. Most puzzle games won’t have a story line, meaning no characterization as well because let’s face it…they’re puzzle games. Catherine strays from that typical puzzle game layout and does a damn good job at it. Catherine is a puzzle oriented game with a dating sim aspect incorporated. Horror and psychological/thriller elements are present in this game, which creates one hell of a game that really has no other contender to compare to.

Japanese games tend to be excellent examples with characterization and story outlines, and Catherine exceeds in those departments. The story line is mostly played out through the dating sim aspects and the cut scenes. Instead of serving solely as loading screens, the cut scenes play out the story which is the key part that players struggle through the puzzles for. Cut scenes are rarely that sought after when it comes to cutting through game play, but for Catherine it’s the driving force for players to get through the puzzle gameplay.

A demo is currently out on both the XBOX Live Market and Playstation Network. So please do yourself a favor and indulge in this amazing game!

NEXT…!

Heavy Rain developed by Quantic Dream

Sure, it’s a little unfair to even mention Heavy Rain in this blog…but it’s still a damn good game that utilizes cinematic aspects. It’s practically a movie, with interactive sequences that allow you to “write” the movie as it plays out. The player determines what happens and how it happens, creating a truly unique game play experience with each playthrough. If a character dies or the player fails at a particular event, the game carries on. These decisions and actions that are made add to the infinite possibilities of future events and endings you may encounter.

Because the Heavy Rain is practically a movie, of course the characters and story line is on key. David Cage, head of Quantic Dream, is vocal about using video games as a story telling medium, giving more artistic and creative credibility to the gaming industry. With detail to story telling, the game just oozes out cinematic moments like nobody’s business. Plus the quick time sequences really are cinematic moments, adding more pressure on the player to go through the sequence correctly.

You’ll find yourself screaming out “SHIT SHIT SHIT,” when you go through the many quick time sequences. This game has been known to produce a lot of stress, which I find exciting and entertaining.

If you’re a Playstation 3 owner and you haven’t played this game yet, what the hell is wrong with you? This is one of the very few games that puts the PS3 over the Xbox 360 in regards to exclusives. Go out and play it, stat! Either other PS3 owners or video game retailers will have a copy of this damn good game.

NEXT…!

Army of Two developed by Electronic Arts

I’ll play shooters, but rarely will I praise them for being credible in regards to works of art. But it’s the plot for Army of Two (the first one) that gives it credibility in my book. AoT plays out like your typical shooter with the same mechanics like the next shooter, but the story line separates it from it’s peers with genuine characterization, entertaining dialog, and an engaging plot. In short, AoT follows two mercenaries who work for a private military and are thrown into an investigation of a conspiracy bigger than the two of them.

The camaraderie between the two characters, Elliot and Tyson, creates a good basis for the dialog between the two. Witty dialog is exchanged, adding more to the cinematic feel for the entire game. The action sequences the characters go through are over the top and reminiscent of top notch sequences you seen in Hollywood blockbusters.

A shoot out while inside a plane heading for a collision course with the ocean? Yup.

And that’s all that I have so far. I’m sure I’ll run into more games that’ll change my opinion, but as for now that’s it. Here’s to bettering the gaming industry, making it more credible as an art medium.

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Ryan’s Banana Split Party

You know what I hate the most? Children suffering through unfortunate situations. I have such a soft spot in my heart for kids that it brings me to tears whenever I hear about a child having to go through tough and unfortunate situations or having their life cut short. A recent story in particular has brought me to tears with happy yet sad sentiment, the story about Ryan’s Banana Split Party.

21 month old Ryan Roberts

To summarize what is going on, Ryan Roberts is a child with down syndrome and a heart defect who is already kicking the bucket at just 21 months old. The parents have started a bucket list to help the child live his remaining days to the fullest. On that bucket list were simple things that many of us take for granted like riding a bike for the first time. Getting a speeding ticket was even on that list, which was written out by the hospital staff. And of course sharing a drink with your child on their 21st birthday, with the father and son Ryan sharing root beer as an appropriate substitute.

Mother Diane Roberts was interviewed by HLN and she said, “People kept asking, ‘What can I do for you?’ We didn’t want anything. We didn’t want the people to bring stuffed animals and balloons. His room is filled with balloons.” She then suggested, “…just go create a memory with your kids. Just go put a banana split down in front of your kids for dinner and watch their faces light up. No chicken, rice and broccoli tonight, just ice cream. They’re going to remember that forever.”

HLN’s Evening Express’ banana split

From this initial idea, family friends of the Roberts started a Facebook event page for everyone to enjoy a banana split in commemoration of Ryan Roberts. Users have joined the event and has started posting pictures to the page. As Amanda Sloane mentioned in the HLN article, “It’s hard to scroll through and not get a little teary-eyed at the overwhelming support from all of these people who have been touched by Ryan’s story.”

I’m still tearing up as I write this story, just amazed and overwhelmed by all the good that is out there. With such a disgusting and cruel world, it turns you a complete 180 to see an amount of genuine support from all the good that is still out there. So in commemoration of Ryan Roberts, I will enjoy a banana split.

So please go out and enjoy yourself a banana split. Share the moment with a loved one, document it and please post to the Facebook event page. If there’s anything to take from this story, it’s to take time to share a moment with a loved one. Whether it be a big or small, take time to create a genuine moment with someone. Because you never know when it’ll be too late.

Ryan Roberts, you enjoy your life and live it to the fullest.

To Ryan Roberts