“I would like to take on this idea of 'casual games', and people not being real - quote unquote - gamers. I think this kind of talk is bullshit. I don't know where this magical checklist is that measures whether you can call yourself a gamer or not, but I think this attitude is elitist and prevents gaming from being more acceptable and mainstream. And, the more accepted gaming is, the less likely your girlfriend or boyfriend will complain about your raiding 4 hours a night. They may even join you.”

—Felicia Day

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What casual gamers want their kingdoms to turn out like:

What Dwarf Fortress players want their kingdoms to turn out like:

I made this game, Forest Defender, a proof-of-feasibility little project, which I would like to share with you and collect your constructive comments, first impressions, etc. It is the first playable (and enjoyable) game I have released to the public, so I am, naturally, very eager to get some comments.

It comes in the form of a Java applet, I used an animation framework called PulpCore and I must say that it’s been extremely enjoyable to work with it. I do recommend to people interested in Java game development.

Since the product is free, fun, entirely commercial-free and I am willing to share the code to it (on request), I thought it would be OK to post this as a topic here.

Not Doctor Who-related, but something I think you'd all be very interested in anyway:

So, most of you who follow this blog probably don’t know this, but I’m a bit of a casual gamer. “Casual gamer” as in, someone who doesn’t necessarily own a game console (unless we count my ancient first generation XBox with its 6 or 7 games), but still enjoys playing all the same in any form that he/she can.

I specifically enjoy philosophical, artsy, clever kinds of indie flash games, and my favorite developers are Daniel Benmergui, Thomas Brush, and Gregory Weir.

The other day though, I finally bought a game that had intrigued me since it first was released a few years ago, Braid by Jonathon Blow.

Braid tells the seemingly simple story of a young man named Tim who has made a terrible mistake, which cost him the companionship of his beloved unnamed Princess. You control Tim as he makes his way through visually stunning landscapes, each with a charming and serene “painterly” feel to them, and over bizarre obstacles in order to be reunited with his love…but things may not be entirely what they seem, in more ways than one.

But why do I specifically think that Doctor Who fans would enjoy this game?

Well, besides the fact that we’re all probably insanely clever and deep-thinking people with a definite eye for beauty, the main focus of Braid is the manipulation of time, the true thesis of the game being:

“What if you could learn from mistakes…but undo the consequences?”

Throughout the game, you learn to control time in many ways, warping it to your advantage…but is it warping your perspective on life as well?

The trailer for the game can be found here.

The ending is…well, it’s something. I don’t want to say anything more than that, because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but it’s definitely something, and an unforgettable something at that.

This game is the ultimate example of a video game as a work of art and as a legitimate narrative. It’s gorgeous, it’s thought-provoking, it’s smart, it’s creepy, it’s fantastic.

(Oh, and the music is stunning as well)

Check it out if you’re interested, but honestly, I don’t know why you wouldn’t be.

real life though

if I hear another damn “hardcore gamer” complain about the new xbox

or how every game is awful and companies only focus on casual gamers

and how they are superior because they are “above” call of duty and sports games

and all of these awful things I am tired of hearing

i just

will continue to stew in anger.

#on gaming

Since I can’t really play video games in Germany, I’ve been playing a lot of casual games.

Right now, I’m playing Mourir en Mer. It’s so depressing.

I should be doing my homework, but eh. First it was that I was too lazy, but now it’s just that I’m too sad…. and preoccupied. needtofinishthisgame.

But I keep having to start over because the dad keeps beating me to death. GRR.

I love how I can’t speak proper English any more. It’s great. I can’t speak any language right at the moment. Oh wells.

Casual Gaming

So I remember there was this episode of Star Trek: TNG, where the entire crew became totally enthrall with this 3D game. It turns out the game was created by some alien race in hopes to make the crew more passive, and easier to defeat (at least that’s how I remember it, I could be wrong). In the end, the always dependable Wesley Crusher came through in a pinch and saved the crew.

What’s my point? Simple. I firmly believe that this particular episode of TNG has come true, and the aliens weapon of choice is Candy Crush, BECAUSE THIS GAME IS TAKING OVER MY DAMN LIFE.

Save me Wil Wheaton.

Can we please stop with the elitist gamer class wars, please?

We all have a shared interest, why shit on people who don’t like the same subset of games you like? Why complain about people who would rather play games on their phone than on a $200+ piece of dedicated gaming equipment?

Someone who only plays Angry Birds on their iPhone is no less a gamer than someone who’s finished Silent Hill 2 and unlocked every ending, or who has already clocked hundreds of hours on Skyrim.

Gamers have wanted mainstream acceptance of their hobby since forever. Now we’ve got it, and you lot are shitting on it. Figure out what you want, guys.