One of the most hyped events in a gamer’s year is coming up soon: yes, I speak of E3, claiming to be with 90% less suck this year. Regardless of whether it lives up to its claims of awesomeness, there’s already a lot of juicy gossip going around. Here are some of the more intriguing stories, ribbed for her pleasure:
- Rich Taylor, VP of communications and research for the ESA, says the public might be allowed in someday… but not this year, suckers.
- Atari says “thx but j/k” to showing up to the expo.
- Microsoft says via Twitter: “June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers. New product launch, that’s all I’m allowed to say. Hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre.” Unveiling a new portable gaming device, perhaps? (PS - Do any Zune lovers exist?) Also: they keep talking about something revolutionary, perhaps a camera motion capture system? Ooh, mysterious.
- Like many 3 year relationships, Sony might be trading in that old PS3 for a younger, slimmer model. Shallow, perhaps, but you gotta keep things interesting.
I’m really interested to see how E3 plays out this year. It’s kind of like our celebrity culture: we shrug when they do well, but it’s only when they fuck up that we pay attention.
I love burlesque, and I love video games, so this article in the LA times about troupe Devil’s Playground doing a show featuring game characters brought a smile to my face.
I really wish there was video; you know it would have been entertaining to watch the girl doing Seamus to try and wiggle out of that suit in a sexy manner.
So, geek is officially cool now, as evidenced by this video from the “Society for Geek Advancement” entitled simply “I am a Geek”:
But, lest we forget, we must all be socially approved geeks. We will all use Twitter (soo subversive and counter-culture) and talk about it a lot, since that will make us edgy and tech savvy. We will wear stylish glasses in an ironic fashion, and also ironically appreciate the nostalgic humor personified by the appearance of MC Hammer (an obvious pillar of geek culture) in this video. Also, we shall throw around a few words about coding in order to really up our cred and make us seem cool and mysterious with our “new language,” but we swear never to do anything as lame as actually play D&D, because that would be… geeky.
Uh huh.
While this… project… thing seems to be benefiting a charity, it comes across as a trying-too-hard social media commercial. (They use the term “social capital” in their About section, for fuck’s sake.) Even Wil Wheaton came out and said he regretted doing it!
“I was under the impression that this video would feature actual geeks who are important to our culture, like Woz, Felicia Day, Leo Laporte, and Jonathan Coulton. Instead, I saw a lot of entrepreneurs who have good marketing instincts, joined by a bunch of celebrities who are attempting to co-opt our culture because it’s what their publicity team is telling them to do.
When you’re speaking to people who read TMZ and People magazine, getting contributions from MC Hammer, Ashton Kutcher and Shaq is a logical choice. But when you’re speaking to geeks, it’s insulting to us to pretend that they are part of and speak for our culture. Those people are not geeks; they’re celebrities who happen to use Twitter.”
He also comes out in huge nerdy support of D&D, which is utterly charming; the whole post is basically an excellently written “this was not what I signed up for” damage control piece.
I really have no problem with social media, nor the people who can do amazing things with it to their advantage. But let’s call it what it is and leave the pretending to the LARPers.
Confession: I was indeed a band nerd in high school. In fact, I was so nerdy I was Drumline Captain for two years, which is why I did a double-take upon seeing this video:
So close to awesome. But… having a guy pretend to be Mega Man by running back and forth for a majority of the show? Really? Let’s leave the interpretive dance to the cheerleaders, kids.
MMOs have become pretty ubiquitous these days; it’s a safe bet that your clueless coworkers will at least know what World of Warcraft is, even if they look at you blankly when you launch into the finer points of theorycraft and epic lootz.
According to an article on MMORPG Examiner, however, there’s still a new market out there: the Middle East.
“The absence of MMO Game publishers in the region have resulted in the state of unawareness about the concept of MMO Gaming.
Many gamers in the region have no idea that there is a genre of games where you “live” at, play and interact with thousands of others, and improve your “game life” as you play your way through. Many starting players were confused at not being able to find the “Game Over” of the game, or at not being able to aim while shooting a monster.”
Seems a new company named Game Power 7 aims to change that, with a unique challenge: making MMOs more understandable to a completely different culture. GP7 took the free Asian MMO Rappelz and tailored it to their target audience.
One of the more startling changes is the lack of chainmail bikinis, illustrated at the slideshow at the bottom of the article. While the characters mostly retain their “fantasy” look, GP7 decided to make the outfits much less revealing to keep to the higher standards of female modesty in their target countries. (Sorry, guys; no more making a female alt and dancing in your underwear in front of the AH. Tragic, I know.)
Also interesting was the process of removing any religious symbols; again, on the premise of making the game more understandable (and, obviously, less contraversial), according to Fadi Mujahid, GM at GP7: “the original story talks about three races and three gods, which is very odd to our culture. We had to modify that to make it about three nations and three kings.”
I have to admit, I initially rolled my eyes at the whole process of “censoring” a MMO. But reading more into the story, it seems like Game Power 7 genuinely wants to bring a new style of gaming to a new market on their terms. While it may seem overly conservative to Western gamers, I think it makes sense to err on the side of caution and avoid inadvertently killing the emerging market.
Video games are a great uniting force, and the more we have in common with people from different cultures, the more we’ll realize that we’re all just geeks at heart.
Whether or not we like to admit it, I think everyone has looked at a video game character and said, “damn, they’re pretty hot.” It makes perfect sense when you think about it; for the most part characters are designed to appeal, from the prettily androgynous Final Fantasy cast to the rugged good looks of the Gears of War boys.
A new article in The Escapist sheds a rather freaky light on a new object of girl gamers’ affections: Pyramid Head.
Yes, that one. Silent Hill. Those muscular arms, that giant sword (ooh la la), that charming little quirk of ripping the skins off his victims.
From the article, in which girls have created a facebook group dedicated to their metal-masked Romeo:
“Katrina, 21, who shares her Pyramid Head fanfiction with the group, has also written Harry Potter fanfiction and novellas but feels that with Pyramid Head she can be more perverse and explore the darker areas of human sexuality and fear. ‘I find his unrelenting sociopath nature and the fact that he is not governed by any moral or social obligations dangerously sexy,’ she explains.
‘The sheer brute force and brutality he displays is the same thing that drives good girls to like bad guys,” adds Katrina. ‘The hope or fantasy that should you come upon him in reality you could be the one that he does not hurt or rape, that you could ‘tame the savage beast.’ It’s a pleasant fantasy.”
Strangely, this also makes perfect sense. A video game character is an extremely “safe” crush, since there’s no possibility of rejection. People are universally attracted to power, especially from a character that is essentially a blank slate with a somewhat sympathetic side (Wikipedia states that Pyramid Head’s helmet “was reportedly designed to appear painful to wear, suggesting that it serves as some kind of punishment"); all the better to project on, my dear. The idea that a good girl can change a bad boy is a prevalent cliche, as any romantic comedy or women’s magazine will have you believe.
“During times of stress, danger, fear, and pain adrenaline is produced. Adrenaline is made up of two hormones, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. There are also neurotransmitters that send information and sensation through the brain quickly. The chemicals increase metabolism rate and blood pressure. The result can be a feeling of increased energy, euphoria, excitement, and a need to climax in relief in some way by escaping the pain or danger. The production of adrenaline during sexual arousal contributes to its enjoyable nature.”
So, I guess I can understand where the affection comes from; I just don’t think I’ll be dredging the internet for Pyramid Head porn any time soon, even in the spirit of journalism. (I know you’re all terribly disappointed.)
(Ninja Update: Funcom says j/k, doodz: “While Big Stage may be planning to implement the technology in games soon, it is not currently slated for implementation into Age of Conan.")
You have to love late night talk shows; where else are you going to get Elmo, Ice T and (one of my favorite geek girlcrushes) Morgan Webb together in one place?
Not to mention you get to learn fun facts:
- Elmo apparently has a father (WTF?! Who?), and the only game appropriate for a young muppet is Pac Man.
- Ice T’s XBox Live friends list is blowin’ up, yo. And he brags that his girlfriend (possibly not mind safe) plays video games with him. Ah, love.
- Morgan Webb was a Sega girl like me, back in the day. Represent!
- Jimmy Fallon fails at Punch Out
- You will get owned if you run through the ‘hood in a superhero costume.
Y’all already know I’ve got quite the fangirly crush on MC Frontalot, and you may or may not know that alas, if GURPS were real life I’d have the disadvantage Addiction to cigarettes. (No worries, I put the points in Alcohol Tolerance.)
“1. Name your character. Mine’s Breathorr Inflatagon, a level 2 Lung Elf. You don’t have to roll up stats. If you’re a real stickler for form, go get your lungs x-rayed. The x-ray film is your character sheet.
2. Keep a d20 in your pack of cigarettes. If it doesn’t fit, keep die, lighter, and pack together in some kind of totable container. May I suggest a pouch?
3. Whenever you feel like smoking, that means the GM (you) is trying to poison your character (also you). Time for a saving throw! I decided the DC (Difficulty Class) for my save vs Poison is 15. Roll the d20. 15 and up: I am saved from that cigarette I wanted! Hooray? 14 and under: oh darn, I get to enjoy another satisfying and flavorful cancer treat.”
Naturally, your newfound WIS increases the difficulty each day so that after 15 days you need to roll a natural 1 to fail hard enough to light up.
I might have to give this a shot. I admit, I was a big enough nerd that I would help myself get through the endless paper-writing in college by pretending I was leveling up my Writer-fu; everything’s a game when you’re a geek.
If all else fails, I would think the looks I’d get from my coworkers when I pulled out my pretty pink D20 on smoke breaks might be enough of an impetus to quit.
The moral of this story is don’t quit fighting until you see the K.O.:
The real moral of this story is anyone who thinks gamers are a timid lot is sorely mistaken; the dramatic pantomimed reenactment of the big moment was my favorite.
Apparently it’s pro gaming week in my brain; funny how that works, isn’t it?
I’m pretty sure that all gamers have at some point fantasized about being handed big bags of cash (and having their image on gaming peripherals and heart-stoppingly caffeinated energy drinks) just for kicking ass at their favorite game. Unfortunately for the pro gamers of the world, the economy is taking a toll on cyberathletics as more companies decide sponsorships are a waste of money.
Witness one man’s tale of woe, covered in an article in the New York Times:
“...Video games may be as popular as ever — people in more than 65 percent of American households play, according to the Entertainment Software Association — but the professional sport of gaming has nearly collapsed.
Major companies have pulled sponsorships and several tournaments have folded. And in November, News Corporation and DirecTV unexpectedly shut down the Championship Gaming Series.
Rodriguez and more than 100 salaried players had their short-lived dreams dashed. He returned to the job he left in 2007, at Sam’s Club.”
The article goes on to say that the only viable circuit left is Major League Gaming, and they’re damn excited about it:
““We have driven everybody else out of the business,” Matthew Bromberg, the league’s president and chief executive, said in a recent interview at his office in Manhattan. “The history of league sports begins with one league.’”
Mhm. You and the economy, Mr. B, but don’t let me rain on your parade.
I do have to give MLG reluctant credit for keeping the pro circuit alive at all, but I worry that one company in control of the whole thing will make it a lot harder for new gamers to rise in the ranks. Still, I’m not too concerned; thanks to things like XBox Live, gamers gathered in living rooms everywhere, and tournaments at cons and other events, I think cyberathletics will make it through.
“Television is the first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want.” - Clive Barnes
While I have a natural “scream and run” reflex regarding reality television, I steadied myself for the sake of journalism and took a look at a show that’s been getting a lot of publicity with the geek set lately: WCG Ultimate Gamer.
It has all the trappings of the standard “reality tv” setup: people with wacky fashion sense who, thanks to the miracle of selective editing, would probably fit neatly into any bad teen movie (The Jock, The Punk, The Guy with the Stupid Colored Contacts). The staple tropes of phony alliances, jealousy, backstabbing, and carefully crafted sexual tension were out in force. The premise of the series is people playing “real life” versions of video games and then the games themselves; the first episode featured Rock Band 2, so in addition to playing the game they had to get up on a real stage and sing a song in front of The Donnas.
I do have to give credit to producers for picking “normal” people to be on the show; they all compete at some level or work in the games industry, and for the most part present themselves as friendly and social. Granted, there’s a little goofiness, but that’s definitely part of the charm of being a geek.
The thing that struck me most was the final elimination round, which consisted of two of the competitors playing The Offspring’s “Come Out and Play” in Rock Band 2. Specifically, the full studio audience, who were cheering like they were paid for it, as if they were watching something other than two people standing mostly still, clicking away at plastic guitars.
For a point of reference, I’m the type of girl who will tolerate watching someone else play a game as long as I get to go next. Granted, Ultimate Gamer at least adds some human interest with getting to know the gamers in question, but do people enjoy watching other people game?
I would argue that the entertainment in video games is in actually playing the game. Seems obvious, but in the age where gamers have dedicated fans (and rightly so; there’s some amazing talent out there) and ESPN is covering the Major League Gaming Championship on prime time TV, it seems that gaming has also become a spectator sport. Some gaming genres naturally lend themselves better to this than others; I’d be much more inclined to watch a buddy run around in a shooter than watch them slog through a text-heavy RPG. Sadly, I think watching someone play Rock Band falls into the “boring as fuck” category; wonder if the audience was actually excited, or if they just clapped when the APPLAUSE sign lit up?
In any case, WCG Ultimate Gamer is a relatively interesting show. To my shame, I find myself wanting to check out the next episodes; not only to see if watching the contestants play other game types is any more entertaining, but also to see some amazing pro gamers at work.
So, last installment I covered the myriad of ways players can tie the virtual knot in different MMOs. And the question remains: why would you want to?
Perhaps the most obvious reason is that you, you know, like the person. Whether you’re married in real life or fell in love during a brutal five hour raid session, informing the world (of Warcaft) of your unholy Tauren/Forsaken union has a certain appeal. Much like a real life wedding ring, it lets other people know that yes, you are spoken for, and you’re proud of your relationship. I suppose in theory it could cut down on the number of in-game propositions from other players, although if art imitates life, there’s a chance that quite the opposite (possibly NSFW) could occur.
In addition to the emotional benefit, marraige has its more tangible perks: tax breaks, obligatory extra presents every year for anniversaries, and the fact that you can make off with half their stuff if it goes sour. (I kid, I kid.) Like I mentioned in part one, many Asia-based MMOs offer things like double xp; the couple that kills 10,000 boars together stays together… at least until the level cap. While I find the concept rather entertaining, I have to wonder if people are lining up like so many gold-digging college girls looking for someone to marry strictly for the benefits. (Future moneymaking idea: creepy mail-order bride style site for MMO players!)
Finally, some roleplayers find that tying the knot is a natural progression of their storyline and their character’s relationships. I harassed the indomitable Saxon until he typed up his story of being married in Star Wars Galaxies:
“Norlin Jones was a chubby musician who made a little fame in the sands of Tatooine. He played every stage on that dust ball, from Mos Espa to Jabba’s Palace. Though the Empire could never prove it, he was also suspected of being one of the most active smugglers on five planets. Norlin had no love for the Empire, but that didn’t mean that he wanted anything to do with the Rebels, unless they payed cash up front.
While laying low in Wayfar, he caught the attentions of a fiery, lovely, young dancer who he would soon learn was knee-deep in the Rebellion. Despite all of his survival instincts to cut ties, he fell for her. He bought her a ring and they exchanged vows at small ceremony in the Wayfar Cantina. They settled down on Corellia and built an outpost to shelter fellow Rebels from the Imperials. Together they made themselves a thorn in the Empire’s side, traveling the galaxy as an entertainment duo and sabotaging, attacking and harassing the Imperials at every turn.”
“Playing my smuggler/musician was an inherently social thing. For the first half of the character’s plying life I never got into the PvP aspect of the game. Upon meeting the character (Carmen) who Norlin would marry, we both had the entertainer front with a hidden, anti-establishment bent. We ended up being online a lot at the same time, so Norlin ran a few Rebel missions with her. The wedding evolved pretty naturally as a part of Norlin’s character arc. The fact that it drew him into the Rebellion was icing on the cake.”
Ironically, I know a lot of real life couples who choose not to get married in-game. Perhaps they feel it’s a little redundant, maybe they’re only dating in real life and it would feel weird, maybe they want to feel freer to pursue RP storylines with other people, or maybe they just don’t care. On the flip side, I knew a girl in my brief stint in Second Life (HarlotHint: Just don’t.) who would “partner” with different people in quick succession just because she thought the concept of SL marriage was stupid; I think she was an interesting foil to those who would, in all seriousness, have a new “true love” every two weeks.
So, whether you want to continue your marriage into virtual worlds, just want the excuse to have a big party, want some free xp, or find your character has fallen hard for someone, there’s something for everyone in MMO marriage. Just try to remember not to kill your virtual spouse if things go south, allright?
I attended a wedding a few years ago that was quite exceptional. The bride was radiant in her white gown, the groom looked dashing in his tuxedo, and the minister was a purple-skinned alien with lekku coming out of her head. The elaborately decorated reception included free drinks, a band, and a wedding crasher being repeatedly killed on the dance floor.
Ah, marriage in MMOs. It may seem a little wacky at first, but it stands to reason that you grow attached to people after spending hours together in a team-based environment. While some players seem content to nauseate the rest of the raid with baby talk and endless /kiss emotes, there are those special few who decide to make their union “official.” Amusingly enough, MMO developers seem to encourage in-game weddings in a variety of ways:
The aforementioned Star Wars Galaxies has a wedding guide on their official site, including tips on picking a venue, sending out invitations, and equipping the wedding party. Back in the heyday of the game an entire wedding industry in miniature emerged, with people advertising as wedding planners, decorators and officiants.
The haters at World of Warcraft won’t officially recognize your union, but they put wedding attire in the game, including a fabulous selection of rings ranging from the 5 gold Cubic Zirconia Ring (tooltip: “Trust me, she’ll know.") to “The Rock,” which will set you back 100g. I was never fortunate enough to see a player wedding in WoW, but I have seen more male Taurens running around Shattrath in wedding dresses than I care to count.
Everquest II became the topic of several bemused mainstream media articles after two players had a wedding at Fan Faire, followed by logging in and getting married in-game right after the real ceremony. Meta.
Finally, much like tax breaks in real life, several Asian MMOs have taken to giving married players special in-game abilities, including the ability to summon your old lady with a click of your wedding ring, wedding planning quests and double xp for fighting together. (Props to Dream of Mirror Online for recently extending these privileges to same-sex couples; sad when a video game is more progressive than one’s government, isn’t it?)
So, you have a lot of options to get virtually married. The question is, why would you want to? The answer? Forthcoming in part two: same Harlot time, same Harlot site.
(PS - if any of you have been married in a game and would like to share your reasons/experience, leave a comment or shoot me an email: theharlot at gameharlot dot com.)
