Post Traumatic Stress
Posted by: kmikeym
I find that I don't like all these realistic Army games. They freak me out.
I was playing Full Spectrum Warrior, which is a squad based tactical combat simulator, very much more of a training tool than a game, and the intro level was a MOUT site. MOUT stands for Military Operations in Urban Terrain, and as a former enlisted man in the US Army Military Police Corps, I have spent a LOT of time in MOUT training areas. The training area in the game was amazingly close to what I experienced in real life. A few blocks of simulated eastern european war torn cement buildings. So I was playing the game, and it made me remember the actual training I did, and the image on the screen was sparking all these memories that have been dormant for a long, long time.
I suppose it's a testament to the game that it is so accurately portraying these places, but it's an eerie feeling. It feels like I am psychic. For example, I knew there was a drainage tunnel under the MOUT site that led from a ditch outside the "village" to a basement of one of the buildings. This was never revealed in the game, but I still knew it was there, because every MOUT training site has that. Also, I found myself getting so paranoid, because over and over in my real life MOUT Training we were told how dangerous and deadly urban terrain was. Every window, door, rooftop, gutter, vehicle, and fence could be hiding someone trying to kill you.
I kept yelling, "Scan those rooftops!" and getting really angry when Josh would move across an open area without cover. "Bounding overwatch man! Christ!"
That night I ended up dreaming about the MOUT site in Fort McClellan where I had spent so much time. I dreamed about my old friends Rudy and Gulli, Sgt. Williams whom I liked, and Sgt. Blanch who I liked to dislike. It wasn't a nightmare really, but in these "uncertain times" it's generally not something I like to remember, so no more of these based-on-the-real Army games for me. I'm going to start playing Mario games, Bubble Bobble, and Tetris.
EASports to "tackle" Fantasy Sports
Posted by: kmikeym
EASports, the giants in the sports video game market, is entering the lucrative fantasy sports market this fall. They will offer fantasy football for $9.95. The move make sense for the video game giant but is still somewhat of a surprise. They will have a lot of competition in the fantasy market (from giants like espn.com, and yahoo.com who offer fantasy football for free), but will likely have strong business from the throngs of fans that are loyal to the great Madden Football series.
POTT Announced
Posted by: kmikeym
The Portland Open Tetris Tournament has been scheduled for July 31st. Get a recap and sign up over at winningtetris.com
New Gaming News Site
Posted by: kmikeym
The "Gaming News Website" to "Gaming News Website Reader" ratio is just about 1:1 now that Jason Calacanis has started Joystiq.com. This guy is a commercial blog publisher, famed for being the arch nemesis of Nick Denton (he of Gawker, Gizmodo, and Wonkette fame).
Forbes Focus
Posted by: kmikeym
Courtesy of Forbes' Monday Matchup.
I'm kind of surprised Sony's percentage is so high...anyone think we'll see a big VG merger anytime soon?
Pirate Shoot
Posted by: kmikeym
David Valentino gives short crisp instructions to the four models in pirate clothing standing in position on location at Drunken Monkey Beach. I am behind David, the director and photographer, with Alexin Bismark and Alana Monde watching the models stand achingly still.
They are incredibly disciplined, only the occasional chatter and prate joke. David asks for a small adjustment, waits for it, and snaps another picture. A bystander appears in the background, and without instruction Alana is on it, asking them to move on. Then more quiet stillness.
David finishes the shot, and asks Alana what she wants next. Another pose is set up as they rearrange, change props, and are told to make more and more minor adjustments to get it just right. The sun starts to set, giving a deep red glow. Alana gives a few more instructions, trying to set it up naturally.
Angel Coral and Aces Spade play the wenches. Chris Byrne is the fancily dressed captain and Cutter Rubio his rugged first mate. The light continues to dim, adding a bright red horizon to the backdrop. Alana gives a few commands and David says, "There!" Another click. Alana asks for no one to move, and offers encouragement.
A few more clicks and it's another pose, and it looks like this could go on for some time. The sun sets and David moves in closer. The dedication and the managing of this progress fascinates me, and I hope to talk to David about the details later.
