Worth Reading: 01/18/13

In an ideal world, I’d spend more time on Thursdays to prepare Worth Reading, since we’re starting this Unprofessional Fridays feature for premium members. The idea of Worth Reading going up earlier got in my head when Double Fine’s Brad Muir stopped by the office a few months back, and pointed out how he would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities by the time it went live, and then managed to forget it by the time Saturday rolled around.

Just a brief update on something mentioned a few weeks back: I’ve found a way to speed up my transcription process with an outside service, which means more written features should be appearing on the site. It’s pretty easy for me to connect with a designer on Skype for 30 minutes, it’s finding four or five hours to write up our conversation that gets in the way of everything. Knowing that, if there are some feature ideas you’d like me to tackle, feel free to suggest away.

Getting these transcriptions back reminded me of an aspect of my job that’s really bothersome, too. A feature I’m running next week will be based on an email interview with a prominent developer, a game from last year I really loved. I didn’t want to conduct the interview over email, but the publisher insisted, despite my repeated requests for the opposite. It’s a foreign studio, so there are language resource reasons why the publisher was so insistent. The reason I almost never agree to email interviews has less to do with being worried a publisher will secretly edit anything out and more to do with my experience of knowing people say less interesting things inside a written format.

I still think I can salvage an interesting feature from the interview, email or not, but I was tempted to trash the thing outright. It wouldn’t be the first time, and I doubt it’ll end up being the last, either.

Hey, You Should Play This

• Insult Swordfighting (Browser, Free) by Karza Games/LucasArts -- www.int33h.com/test/mi/

LucasArts’ inability to figure itself out the last few years has been an absolute tragedy. When the company started focusing on retooling its classics with updated visuals, it seemed like it LucasArts was on the right path. (Guess we’ll never get that updated TIE Fighter game, huh?) The update for The Secret of Monkey Island was terrific, and marked the first time I’d played it. It holds up super well! A programmer at Karza Games used the source code for the game and put the insult swordfighting sections from the game online, which means you can play them in your browser.

And You Should Read This, Too

• "Why do I like violent games so much?" by Maddy Myers for Metroidpolitan

It’s healthy to examine why you like the things you like, and the underlying reasons behind that attraction. If you play video games on a regular basis, it’s impossible to avoid violence. There’s no shame in asking, then, what drives us to enjoy such violence. With games, it’s a little different. There are mechanics represented by violence that can be enjoyable for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with the violence depicted on the screen. You can extract joy from being skillful at the task in front of you, and that just so happens to involve blowing up people a bunch.

• "For Amusement Only" by Laura June for The Verge

Wait, pinball machines were banned from New York until 1976? Color me surprised at that revelation, just one of many that came while reading through this wonderful account of the arcade scene’s emergence and eventual decline in the modern era. Laura June has culled together an an exhaustive account of the arcade at its height, and concludes with a look at today’s heroes working to preserve machines that are moving into the rear-view mirror.

If You Click It, It Will Play

man, i don't know about TED sometimes

Special When Lit is a great documentary about the rise and fall of pinball in pop culture. It's on Netflix, so anyone interested should go watch it.

He would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities.

Interesting specs on the new consoles; I'm wondering how long the next 'generation' will last...

Wait, where are the quotes for these articles? How will I pretend that I've read them? You can't leave me hanging like this, bro!

The eSports/journalism thing was pretty nuts. It kind of boggled my mind that someone as big of a personality as iNcontrol, Idra, or even their team director doesn't understand how journalism works. Kind of depressing to see that thing turn into a shitfury storm in its final throes.

I am absolutely loving that piece on the Doom 3 code. My programming knowledge is pretty meager, but I always enjoy reading/hearing a developer talk about their craft.

Will read/watch the rest eventually. Quality WR this week, Patrick!

Thanks again for another awesome WR, Patrick!

someone I follow on twitter once said "if introverts are such introverts why do they go on about it so much" and that sums up how I feel about self-proclaimed "introverts"

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2013/01/18/women-and-video-gamings-dirty-little-secrets/

In case people haven't seen this, I felt I should post it as a complement (yes, complement, not compliment) to one of the articles Patrick listed.

I typically read these over the course of friday through the weekend anyway so the time it goes up is moot for me personally. Of course, having access earlier is always better but as long as I get it, I don't care too much for when.

I'd love if it were possible for you to interview anyone in relation to the new DmC game about their mindset going into producing the next game in a well known franchise and if they changed direction or stayed the course despite the internet reacting to change as it always does. I played through 3 just a few years back with friends and moderately enjoyed it, picked up and hated 4 and didn't even give DmC a second thought until Brad's review. I'm currently about 75% through the game and have to say, it's even better than Bayonetta. And I thought Bayonetta was really good -_-;;

Another keen list of links that I'll enjoy reading through. I noticed I got a plug and have to say, I'm embarrassed about my blog post as it's just rambling on my part about something stupid I've been focused on for a few days. Thanks for the love and thanks for the links =)

Hey Patrick, did you know a band called Protest the Hero went on Indiegogo to raise funds for its next project because it stopped getting label support and it hit its goal within 24 hours?  The perks look pretty cool too.  You can go to a pizza party at one of the band member's house if you donate $2500

Oh Patrick, it's SO unprofessional to have typos...

@the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: haha really? love those guys (even if I didn't like the last album too much) I think Mindless Self Indulgence did something like that too iirc.

I remember watching that TED talk.

It was a bit peculiar, and somewhat ego-stroking of introverts to have that going on I thought.

But she made a few good points.

I've already watched that TED talk. Really great and something I can relate to. No, it's not super sience and it can be populistic (it almost always is) but sometimes I can relate.

Nice read, Patrick.

@posh said:

someone I follow on twitter once said "if introverts are such introverts why do they go on about it so much" and that sums up how I feel about self-proclaimed "introverts"

Sounds like someone who wouldn't know what an introvert is.

Oh god, that PS4 article. I think I'm starting to get excited about consoles again. E3 is gonna be buck wild.

Also, I understood exactly 0% of that Doom III code article. Interesting stuff even if most of it flies right over my head.

@posh said:

someone I follow on twitter once said "if introverts are such introverts why do they go on about it so much" and that sums up how I feel about self-proclaimed "introverts"

Because he mistake mutes and shy people for introverts.

Lol, TED talks

@the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: haha really? love those guys (even if I didn't like the last album too much) I think Mindless Self Indulgence did something like that too iirc.

LOL at that Reason article on games every libertarian should play. The point of the Bioshock series is to question -isms, especially libertarianism. The first game took on the laissez-faire attitudes espoused by Reason.com and the second game questioned hardcore collectivism, the polar opposite.

I enjoy having social commentary in games simply because it's different, but Reason's article is really a stretch.

Being an 18 year old introvert college freshman, I found that TED talk very insightful. We've been looked down on for far too long...

With the news about Gas Powered Games layoffs, can we all be honest and admit their games are exceedingly average and dull. Dungeon Siege practically played itself.

@patrickklepek oh snap you actually posted that video i sent you?, :D

i appreciate the writing in the violent videogames one, that could have easily set of a mini firestorm in these comments and get you some more flak from people, but you wrote that one really well, and took a good neutral tone while still giving your opinion. (now if you can approach a sexism story like this, you would get your audience to listen more than just say FUCK PATRICK :P)

nice roundup of stuff this week though,

as for feature ideas, first one would be more postmortems with devs , its always interesting to hear what the thought processes are that devs have implement in their story, gameplay, themes of a story, visuals.,

like something along the lines of what you did with the guy that created dust,( also perhaps an asuras wrath postmordem with cyberconnect? :P)

even postmortems on games that failed as well could be good as well.

second one would be work to your strengths and play to the niche that you're known for and get postmortems with the "AAA Indie games", like anti chamber comes out in a couple of weeks, try getting a sit down chat with that guy and talk to him about his game,

(this ones probably a pipe dream) third one would be to do some investigations on the real isoteric offbeat unusual stuff (stuff like how minecraft is being used in schools is one i associate in this category)

(i would say this is lowest in priority) forth one would be to interview some of those youtube personalities, (like athenewins) and pick his brain on stuff like net neutrality and how he raised the money for operation sharecraft and whatnot. (id say its still tied to gaming as hes a gamer sponsored by razer, i actually hear its not that hard to even talk to someone like the ceo of razer )

this guy got to interview him and his channel seems small, http://youtu.be/63TlgL42G6E

my point is that introverts think they're special snowflakes, they're not. throw this introvert extrovert dichotomy in the bin and stop pretending

@claybrez said:

man, i don't know about TED sometimes

The secret to TED's success is that they tell people what they want to hear: school actually DOES suck, social dysfunction is actually GOOD for you, anyone can be creative, unlock your potential, you're differently smart, think outside the box. So if you're ever feeling dull, or dumb, uncreative, introverted, unmotivated, or bored, go to ted.com, listen to a smart person tell you that your weaknesses are actually special and awesome secret strengths, and feel good about yourself.

@TwoArmed said:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2013/01/18/women-and-video-gamings-dirty-little-secrets/

In case people haven't seen this, I felt I should post it as a complement (yes, complement, not compliment) to one of the articles Patrick listed.

I was just about to post this. She takes a fairly alternative view to the 'women in video games' debate which doesn't really fit with how Patrick likes to paint the issue.

@posh said:

my point is that introverts think they're special snowflakes, they're not. throw this introvert extrovert dichotomy in the bin and stop pretending

Introverts are not special snowflakes. If you meet anyone who claims that they're just hungry for attention. Extroverts have their positives and negatives, introverts have theirs. It's all about how you you respond to input, do you like to talk about it, or do you like to think about it?

@Luck702 said:

Being an 18 year old introvert college freshman, I found that TED talk very insightful. We've been looked down on for far too long...

Far too long indeed.

@posh said:

my point is that introverts think they're special snowflakes, they're not. throw this introvert extrovert dichotomy in the bin and stop pretending

So you have met every single introvert in the world? Ohh.. You are basing this on the one person you encountered on twitter who may or may not be an introvert. The only point you are making is that you are incredibly uninformed.

Hey Patrick, if you are watching TED talks, I would be curious to hear what you think about Jane McGonigal's talks. First One.Second One.

Also, great worth reading this week, really hope Lucasarts keeps the monkey island remakes going.

Interesting TED talk! I should start watching more of them because everyone I've seen so far has been really interesting to hear.

How appropriate, you fight like a cow.

I think Darrell Rodriguez was the only Lucasarts President to care about classic games. I don't think any classic projects got greenlit after he left. The previous president before him, Jim Ward, explicitly stated he didn't care about their classic library.

I'm hoping that Disney is going to take a look over the catalog and then just give it all to GOG.com.

I don't know if you read the chat, but you should check out BasketBelle. It's out on the developers website and currently on greenlight. I really hope it makes the cut but it seems to be getting ignored for the most part.

@Christoffer said:

@posh said:

my point is that introverts think they're special snowflakes, they're not. throw this introvert extrovert dichotomy in the bin and stop pretending

Introverts are not special snowflakes. If you meet anyone who claims that they're just hungry for attention. Extroverts have their positives and negatives, introverts have theirs. It's all about how you you respond to input, do you like to talk about it, or do you like to think about it?

That's the gist of it, as for the other guy he needs to quit talking out of obvious ignorance. There isn't a dichotomy, introvert/extrovert is merely one facet of an overall personality.

@coribald said:

I would use that gamecube controller.

would make those exaggerated tv gameplaying movements that much more life-threatening :|

Fuck yea! I was in that stream when the girl got money for her wheelchair, I cried xD. Athene is awesome he's raised a lot of money for charity over a million dollars, I wanted to tell Patrick to do a write up about it but thought it wasn't really his thing.

"The idea of Worth Reading going up earlier got in my head when Double Fine’s Brad Muir stopped by the office a few months back, and pointed out how he would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities by the time it went live, and then managed to forget it by the time Saturday rolled around."

Can some one translate this into English for me?

@m16mojo2 said:

"The idea of Worth Reading going up earlier got in my head when Double Fine’s Brad Muir stopped by the office a few months back, and pointed out how he would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities by the time it went live, and then managed to forget it by the time Saturday rolled around."

Can some one translate this into English for me?

Patrick started a sentence walked away then started writing it again and the result what what you see here. I've done it before, everyone has. He'll fix it when he sees this.

@thabigred said:

@m16mojo2 said:

"The idea of Worth Reading going up earlier got in my head when Double Fine’s Brad Muir stopped by the office a few months back, and pointed out how he would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities by the time it went live, and then managed to forget it by the time Saturday rolled around."

Can some one translate this into English for me?

Patrick started a sentence walked away then started writing it again and the result what what you see here. I've done it before, everyone has. He'll fix it when he sees this.

Okay, just making sure I wasn't going crazy. I'm still not sure what he's trying to get across though. I sort of do... I don't know? Thanks!

I listened to the TED talk.

I wish life was so simple as introverts/extroverts. I',m not talking about one as opposed to the other, but everything else. But I do agree with her that there is probably no social theory of human interaction, that if it is partial to a particular grouping, is going to be an absolute win. Still I do favor some interaction, so as to realize everyone else is exactly like you in one singular and absolute way. They, the others, they exist....fully and equally as you (I) do.

I think Assad of Syria is an introvert........for a start. Honestly he hits me that way with very little real knowledge on my part. He looks......

BTW, so am I, but like Assad, that is just one factor. Thank God (agnostically but suspicious of such a universe I exist in) that be the case.

There is a Ke$ha text adventure game in that "why do I like violent video games?" article. Just saying. And you'll love the song.

How appropriate, you fight like a cow.

If you guys are really into Kingdom Rush, you could always just play the original flash versionfor free. They may have added some stuff to pay for or make it harder after the iOS version came out, but the version I played had very little microtransaction BS and I was able to completely go through it without feeling forced to dump money into it.

@m16mojo2 said:

@thabigred said:

@m16mojo2 said:

"The idea of Worth Reading going up earlier got in my head when Double Fine’s Brad Muir stopped by the office a few months back, and pointed out how he would often by in the midst of his Friday evening activities by the time it went live, and then managed to forget it by the time Saturday rolled around."

Can some one translate this into English for me?

Patrick started a sentence walked away then started writing it again and the result what what you see here. I've done it before, everyone has. He'll fix it when he sees this.

Okay, just making sure I wasn't going crazy. I'm still not sure what he's trying to get across though. I sort of do... I don't know? Thanks!

Well, that sentence makes sense in context. Patrick's just explaining why he's thinking about posting Worth Reading earlier in the day each Friday. The confusing part is that he doesn't indicate whether he decided to.

She's one of the family fuck it...man that's awesome!

@MattClassic said:

Oh god, that PS4 article. I think I'm starting to get excited about consoles again. E3 is gonna be buck wild.

Also, I understood exactly 0% of that Doom III code article. Interesting stuff even if most of it flies right over my head.

I can't say I get a hard-on for hardware.

I'm more excited to see what the new functionality consists of, and how MS and Sony are positioning their respective consoles against each other.

@Crysack said:

@TwoArmed said:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2013/01/18/women-and-video-gamings-dirty-little-secrets/

In case people haven't seen this, I felt I should post it as a complement (yes, complement, not compliment) to one of the articles Patrick listed.

I was just about to post this. She takes a fairly alternative view to the 'women in video games' debate which doesn't really fit with how Patrick likes to paint the issue.

What's this? A woman speaking for herself? Patrick won't like this.

@patrickklepek Could an updated TIE Fighter even be any good in this age when no one has a flight stick? I'll play TIE Fighter with another input device when they put it in my cold, dead hands.