Visionary

Visionary Is surprisingly addicted to GB's Wiki element

My Feed
  • Dec. 1, 2008
    Visionary just added a new image to Fear Effect
  • Dec. 1, 2008
    Visionary just added a new image to gallery Screenshots
  • Dec. 1, 2008
    Visionary just added a new image to gallery PS1 Screenshots
  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 4:01 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Fear Effect
    Visionary just made 2 changes on the Fear Effect page and now has 493 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:58 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Fear Effect
    Visionary just made 6 changes on the Fear Effect page and now has 487 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:58 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Brown
    Visionary just made 4 changes on the Brown page and now has 485 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:57 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Jennifer
    Visionary just made 2 changes on the Jennifer page and now has 483 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:57 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Jennifer
    Visionary just made 2 changes on the Jennifer page and now has 483 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:57 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Jennifer
    Visionary just made 2 changes on the Jennifer page and now has 481 points.

  • Dec. 1, 2008 - 3:57 p.m.
    Visionary just had a submission approved for Rule of Rose
    Visionary just made 4 changes on the Rule of Rose page and now has 477 points.

Loading...
About Me
I've always enjoyed reading and talking about Video Games and the industry.  It started with my old EGM's and Gamepro's that came packaged wrapped in the mail covered in subscription coupons and quickly transgressed into reading online journalism at its finest.  There's not much else you need to know about this Canadian aside from the fact that we share a common interest, our love of Video Games.  I'm ready to talk about em like I always do, are you?
My Blog
Added by visionary on Oct. 5, 2008 | |

This post relates to: Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising, World in Conflict, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

  
The War Gene from Noel on Vimeo.



 I actually tried posting this earlier, but I'm so much of a GB noob that I simply pasted the code without using the HTML code function.  Anyway it's been a while since I posted here or on GS, mostly due to obligations and some serious writers block that still seems to be lurking.  I've been playing a lot of games lately and such, but I'm not posting for that reason.  I recently finished a brand new vid, and since discovering Vimeo, I can finally display a video without cringing at the video quality.   I'll just say that this vid made me realise how much I am in dire need of an upgrade which should be dealt with soon . 

Working on an Athlon 2800, with 512mb of ram, packaged with a Geforce 5500 is a pain in the ass even though I love it to death (my first built computer).  For any video editors out there, I'll just say that I'm required to render my work every time I want to preview even 15 seconds of video (my pc is incable of showing me previews in real time without studdering) and that's just with Sony Vegas.  @_@  So things take me a hell of a lot longer to do, so I normally get annoyed when people that have clearly better PC's half ass certain things (no one I know around here incase you wanted to know or on GS). Anyway enough with my rant
.  I won't bother explaining what this vid is supposed to be all about because to tell you the truth I normally start these with a vague idea, and then I just roll with it.  But I will mention that the sound effects implemented later on were from completely different games, I had to be pretty inventive with what sounds I wanted to use at what spots, tedius I tell ya.  @_@.   I think the statement "with progress comes the potential for greater destruction" describes this vid pretty well. Enjoy

  




Added by visionary on Aug. 16, 2008 | |

This post relates to: Soul Calibur IV, Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Street Fighter II

I'm going to start off by admitting that I'm not the biggest fan of the selection of fighting games we have going in to 2008 and beyond, I've been disappointed in the genre for quite some time. I think it comes mostly from the fact that the basic mechanics have rarely changed despite the gap between generations.

Unlike a sports game that can often get away with a certain likeness in game play between years because of that imitation of reality, fighting games have mostly relied on character balance along with the introduction of brand new fighting moves, changes that have appeared much more miniscule and cosmetic in comparison. To get the most out of these titles, it often requires having a certain level of discipline and a desire to study combos, finishing moves and the like so they can be pulled off in a timely manner. It's a genre clearly not designed for the faint of heart.

Lets be real about fighting games, it had arcade origins and much of what helped this genre take off has some how been absent with today's console translations. It's that human element.

Remember those days when you were young, had quarters to spend and decided to blow them all at the arcade? The rush you got when you managed to beat some guy you didn't know while others were watching? That imaginary reputation you tried to build as you studied those combos or the most basic of moves to get you by? You can't imitate this online, these were genuine experiences that stayed at the arcades. It's that very origin in my opinion that has crippled this genre progression.

It can be debated that many fighting game developers have arcade mentalities, the blue print of a typical title centers around balancing issues, character individualities and basic fighting mechanics, elements that go above and beyond to pleasing your average competitive fighting game player.

What about me though, the average Joe that can no longer afford to make regular trips to the arcade. A person who does not have the privilege of having 4 or 5 friends who are willing to spend time on a fighting game during their free time? What is this genre without the one aspect that attracted me to it in the first place? Lastly, why must I feel like I wasted money every time I enter the second week of a fighting game purchase?

With all these issues in mind, an attempt to please or attract more console gamers has arisen in the absence of what helped manufacture this genre's acceptance. A trend is starting to occur and it's revolving around gimmicks, specifically, reality meshes. There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said when it comes to a Darth Vader, or Yoda in a Soul Caliber universe. It makes about as much sense as Superman fighting Sub Zero in the upcoming Mortal Kombat title. Despite the promise of a lot of green for these two companies because of the strength of brands, it still may come at a cost. One game may have lost a certain sense of dignity, while another may loose its face entirely.

Why can't we have more fighting games that introduce more significant changes? For instance levels that act as an entirely different according to the situation, with full interactions as if it were another enemy you had to deal with. Why can't we include multiplayer tournaments within fighting titles that include spectators to give the gamer that arcade atmosphere? yeah I probably know the answer to that one but I can dream.

Why can't the storylines included be more in depth and personalized, making such modes worthwhile instead of feeling tacked on, giving my matches some actual purpose? Also why must the majority of fighting games be limited to a 2D plain? If you've ever played Battle Arena Toshinden you'd know what I was talking about. Visible character damage and progression etc. Are changes such as this really that unreachable? Think of the countless genre's that have drastically improved despite there ancestry origins because of one major yet small element.

To summarize my point, it's a fact that fighting games originated from the arcade, they therefore hold the same design choices that are often suited for groups, not single individuals on a couch today. We are becoming an increasingly anti-social society unfortunately and genre needs to adapt to that.

They need to be designed to further entertain the sort of player that has grown used to the at home experience in the absence of the traditional arcade ambiance. At the same time it needs to be able to capture that addictive rush that was felt, without a physical buddy requirement. If major changes aren't made and if devs don't attempt to break the underlining rules of the typical fighting game, then I'm afraid that we'll have to get used to hearing the words "feels very familiar" in future reviews.

The following was inspired during my second week of play time with Soul Caliber IV.




Added by visionary on Aug. 12, 2008 | |
Yeah, I'm the half drunk black guy to the left.
Just a little quote I picked up in Rome during my adventures at the Pubcrawl, a party that I'll never forget. As most of you could tell I'm back from my trip in Europe and I had one hell of a time. I think that it was about time that I created an account here at Giantbomb.  I may not be as about the website as some of you right now, but I can definitely see the potential.  Just add a video community and I'll be one very happy user.   For those that don't know me from Gamespot, I present to you a short biography, a format some may see as familiar. 





The Person:

Noel

I grew up in Toronto, Canada with a single mother that raised me the best she could.  I was born a single child so in ways I turned to gaming as a way of relieving me of my bordom, but it eventually turned into much more then a simple hobby.  I enjoy writing, video editing on my spare time, talents I naturally combine with my love for gaming as a whole. 

The Gamer:

Visionary


Gaming for me became an escape, something we all need once in a while whether it be through a good movie or a book.  But my main interest came from the fact that it was never a passive experience like your typical film, it was interactive with all the elements of a film or novel.  To this day, I'm constantly seeking out titles that not only inspire me, but challenge my persception as to where the limits of video gaming stand. 

I hope I enjoy my stay here at GB.


My Lists

1. Favorites

A list of 4 items by visionary last updated on Aug. 13, 2008

visionary: Favorites


Top Contributions

Fear Effect
235 Points

D2
39 Points

Controversy
13 Points

Hana Tsu Vachel
13 Points

Rule of Rose
11 Points

My Reviews
You have not written any reviews yet.

498 Points
Ranked #926 of 24,697

Visionary's Latest Images

Visionary Stats
Date Joined: Aug. 12, 2008
City: Toronto
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral
My Friends
Lies
feels somewhat out of place
1 hour, 55 minutes ago
Billabong81
is a level 48 hunter.
3 hours, 18 minutes ago
jimb0
will probably be getting sick any day now.
1 day ago
DBoy
is selling games like a mofo.
4 days, 22 hours ago
Tru3_Blu3
likes stuff.
1 week ago
AndyWilliams24
is trying to get himself into the creative mood.
1 week, 2 days ago
MsCortana
still believes this feed on my page is annoying.
1 week, 6 days ago
brooklyngrenade
now has Gears 2!
3 weeks, 4 days ago
LeonKowalski
is that one guy playing Precipice of Darkness Episode Two
1 month ago
LuckyWanderDude
is working on college essays!
1 month, 1 week ago

View all visionary's relationships...
Visionary's Wall