The Inevitable Search

So, they found him, Mr. Bobby Fischer. What can I say, I really liked the flick about him, and I also respect the fact that he was a grand master champ at 15. However, he was also raised almost solely on chess, the ideas, the strategy, and the gridiron will it takes to make it to the top.

He's like the test tube baby that never was. It reminds me of that scene in Species (stay with me here), where they didn't talk or touch the little girl who grew up to be a monster. They were so cold that they transferred that lack of compassion directly to her. Bobby Fischer was brought into a world of moves and timers and tournaments, and he adapted as such. He got the gridiron will, he got the unblinking ferocity, and he got the gold. But did that make him a better person?

I don't know. I do know he's an anti-semite who praised the 9/11 attacks. Ignorant, foolish people are born every day.

Others are simply taught that way. What a shame.

Gold Ring

Ah yes, here we are finally with the Doom 3 announcement. Not that I didn't see that coming.

Anyway, I personally can't wait to play id's new creation. I won't go so far as to call it a masterpiece (which PC Gamer is already calling it), but I will admit I'm very excited and do have some very high expectations.

Of course, this simply sets the game up to fail in one area or another, but honestly, this fucking Doom. This is the original, made over in the shinest, most advanced clothes (ie, code) ever. It will push my PC to the limit, and for that I'm glad. I hope its as scary, interesting, and enthralling as they say.

In other news, Over at Scott Miller's blog he has an interesting blurb about Hollywood and their attempts at games. He points to an interview he did with the Hollywood Reporter about it. While it's all-too-brief, it does get the point across: there are so few good movie tie-in games that it's almost like the second coming when a good one arrives.

I would also like to say his Batman idea is the best I've ever heard. Who here has played the NES Batman game? Anyone else break a controller over that annoying fucking game? Hmm. Just me I guess.

Wouldn't it be cool to use his gadgets, use his intellegence in addition to his money, to solve crimes and defeat the baddies? Really, just a solid 20 hour story would be the best thing ever. Stalking the night as Batman, shmoozing with the rich during the day, spending time in the Batcave going over clues. Heading out in the Batmobile, arriving in the warehouse district that you heard the villian was hiding out in. Etc.

Now that could possibly be the greatest game ever. But would it appeal to anyone below, say, 14? Probably not. And toys, cereal, clothing, pajamas, backpacks and trapper keepers are what keep 'franchises' in business. That's why Spiderman 2 can have a cool game (for the platforms, anyway), but not quite as far as it could go. Basically you're swinging, jumping, and fighting. And that's fine. But for those looking for something more, and the fact that most gamers are well over 20, I think an investment in a more mature look at a hero, a legend, a fucking icon in video games shouldn't be out of the question. As a matter of fact I think it would finally show Hollywood that a little time, money, and patience really pays off.

But what guy is going to put his ass on the line for that, when they can spend half as much and sell copies of the latest rip-off? I mean, does anyone actually think for a second that Van Helsing the game has an ounce of substance?

Teaching those who know only sales and marketing what a good game consists of is like teaching a monkey algebra. You can try it, but in the end you simply nod, smile, and try to dodge the flying shit.

Lamentation

In my short parental life, I've dealt with fluids, liquids, and odors of all kinds. I've dealt with sickness, health, good, bad, sweet and mean, the whole shebang.

But I've never seen diarrhea last for a week...until last week. For seven whole days Annie was filling one diaper after another, and we had no idea what it was. Each time we were ready to call the doctor, it would seem to get better, only to relent four or five hours later. So we suffered, and the diaper rash was awful, and Annie would break my heart telling me how it hurts and how she'd cry when we change her diaper.

I'm not exactly feeling 100% myself, but I'd rather be the sick one, you know?

Anyway, Annie is feeling much better and the world is stablizing. I've got some new content over at starchamber.net, along with another piece lined up and ready to go.

I've got plenty of stuff to do at work, yet I'm strangely complacent. I need some motivation. And stuff.

On the other side of the coin, I feel very fortunate to have the job I do, and try my best to get said motivation going to knock off problems we're having one-by-one. I've got a few ideas that might get me excited, so I'll see if I can develop those.

Until then, I'll just do my job and at night do the cool Star Chamber stuff.

Best Picture

This image is probably the most exciting thing that's happened in mainstream PC gaming all year.

Very, very exciting stuff coming soon...

Feel the Burn

So I finally got to see Fahrenheit 9/11. What can I say? It was a powerful film. An effecting film. Michael Moore didn't let me down. The facts about the bush dealings, the scandals, the Saudis, the money...all true, all very interesting. Is there some spin in there? Sure, I mean, it's his movie, he can present the facts any way he chooses. But some things can simply never be reputed, and the truth always speaks for itself.

I do think that it might've needed a little editing (the Christmas Eve in Iraq section, in particular), but when it worked, it was extremely interesting, effecting, heartbreaking. It doesn't have that wonderful gel of Bowling for Columbine, but it does have the aura of something greater than the sum of its parts, and the audience was certainly in tune with that.

I'm very glad I got to see it, and hope to encourage those who have not to take the plunge. Particularly if you live in America, of course. You'd be surprised by what you thought you knew, and how it looks under a microscope.

Excellent work Mr. Moore. You are truly a talented guy.