Task 3

Okay so I hope I'm not skipping too much of the middle ages by kicking things off with Nintendo's NES. I'd like to pay homage to their Game & Watch system too so I'll mention how it helped to create the very cool Flat Zone stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and of course, Mr. Game & Watch as a playable character. Anyway, back to the NES. Released in 1985 and named the Famicom in Japan (Family Computer), the NES pretty much set the standard for all games consoles to follow, dragging the game industry from the pit of the video game crash of '83 as well as introducing one of the greatest games ever created as a launch title (Super Mario Bros).

On a side note... anybody think that this old Famicom logo bears resemblance to the modern day Wii logo? Maybe it's just me, but I dunno... certainly seems like they're going all out on attracting non-gamers and promoting family gaming once again even with the logo.

Anyway, back to history. Nintendo gets competition with Sega's Master System strolling onto the scene but proves to be far more successful due to a killer line up of games for the NES such as Metal Gear, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and of course, The Legend of Zelda. I feel ashamed that I'd have been only a few months old while all these great genre defining games were being released and played by people with funny hair cuts.

The console war now truly begins as Sega becomes more serious competition to Nintendo. This is good news for us gamers because it means both Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros with the release of the Sega Genesis, or Megadrive (1989), and the SNES (1991). Nintendo also properly initiated handheld gaming with the introduction of the Game Boy in '89 so all in all, it's good gaming on the go or at home. (Apologies for the cheesy alliteration...)

Moving on, the Playstation and Nintendo 64... well... I've realised I'm sort of avoiding PC gaming but that's mainly because I find the console wars that bit more interesting, but a quick word about Wolfenstein 3D and Doom defining the FPS genre can't hurt. Initially distributed through shareware, these games allowed basic 3D environments to be displayed, allowing for action packed and enjoyable style of game play that was previously unavailable.

The introduction of Sony's 32-bit Playstation console provided a new and interesting selection of games as well as popularising the CD format to be used for games, and 3D gaming truly began. The Nintendo 64, a 64-bit console released two years after in1996, launched with a title that defined the 3D platformer genre: Super Mario 64, along with the release of various other successful and highly regarded games such as Goldeneye: 007 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but ultimately Nintendo's choice to use cartridges as opposed to CDs proved to be a negative decision, with Squaresoft turning to the Playstation to continue its Final Fantasy series due to the FMV capabilities of the CD format.

Personally, I feel that experiencing these genre defining moments in game history have been the most exciting events in my gaming experience. Playing games such as Doom and Super Mario 64 were unlike anything that had come before and I found them instantly immersive due to that. Nowadays I tend to think too critically about the games I'm playing and get dragged back into reality by the occasional sloppy animation or glitch, but back then it was a different story. This makes me wonder whether the Wii can bring back that sense of awe that I felt back in the day due to its new control methods, but at the same time would the stunning visuals of the PS3 work just as well at nailing that immersion factor...? Perhaps some beautiful hybrid console is in order.

PSWii60PC anyone? o.O;

Task 2

It seems that OXO, a virtual noughts and crosses game created by A.S. Douglas, could have been the first fun computer game but since it was created to demonstrate his thesis on human-computer interaction it doesn't seem like he was so serious about fun game play issues. This seemed to be the case for a while, as with the limited technology available I imagine it'd be difficult for people to truly start focusing on using these computers purely for enjoyment which is why technology is such an issue when considering the advancement of computer games.

So, (sneakily dismissing other influential but less cool games...) then came Pong, the first commercial videogame introduced the public. It is a great example of how a simple but enjoyable game mechanic can cause a game to be successful, memorable, and in this case, ground-breaking. Due to the success of Pong, console gaming began with the Atari VCS 6200, advancing with other machines such as the Commodore 64... my first ever gaming console... *wipes away tear*

I'd like to focus on Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto now, as in my eyes he was the man who really wanted to make an experience of games. He's said to have been influenced by childhood exploration and adventure which certainly comes across in his Legend of Zelda series and was realised in glorious 3D with Super Mario 64.

I think the first game I ever played was some variation of Frogger on the Commodore 64. I'd cry out in frustration as over and over again the innocent creature would become green squishy road kill due to my miscalculations. I think more important than that was the first game I was truly absorbed in, one that was a real adventure. That game was the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which I played on a donated and severely damaged SNES that only read cartridges whilst tilted at an odd angle. Still, what a game.

Most recently, I’ve been playing various PS2 games due to it being the console I brought to uni with me. Mainly Shadow of the Colossus and Guitar Hero with a helping of Metal Slug 4, all of which are great fun. Fun is one of the important reasons why I play games, but the sheer effort and skill that goes into to making a brilliant game is a wonderful thing to behold and experience. The fact that the best games offer such a unique escape from reality is something I find very inspiring and I think that’s one of the most important reasons I’m on this course.

Thanks for reading!

Task 1

For this task I have decided to focus on Raph Koster's blog, which can be found here:

http://www.raphkoster.com/

Raphael Koster is an American author and lead game designer for teams building online virtual worlds and has had a lot of experience in the games industry, beginning his foray into the world of game design in 1992. He was lead designer for the game Ultima Online, a successful MMORPG.

It's interesting to be able to read from the perspective of an experienced individual in the games industry and I enjoyed reading his opinions. Because he is generally well known, each blog post generates many interesting and considered comments (I came across no "LOLz0rz ur rite dat games is teh secks" abominations) and it is particularly enjoyable to read the flood of varied opinions that follow each post. I feel this makes for an interesting and diverse blog with a fair amount of user input.

Blogging definitely strikes me as a more personal means of expression. I think that's what makes a blog so interesting to read as opposed to more formal and objective writings, the honesty and personality that is expressed through the blogger's blogs. I'm looking forward to being able to express my opinions more freely in this way as opposed to the formal essay structure.

I'm glad for the opportunity to use this blog and I intend to keep it up to date and interesting. I'm slightly apprehensive about writing for an invisible audience, but at the same time kind of glad that I'll be able to express myself to other people apart from one examiner. I'm really looking forward to getting a few interesting posts in and have enjoyed starting my blog.

Gyaaah! It Begins!

Hi and welcome to my blog, I'm gonna try and keep it nice and updated and eventually fill with stuff to make an interesting read. I've had a fantastic time so far since I've started the course and I'm looking forward to making a majestic and epic wheelie bin; I think it's time for a wonderfully random short video about garbage to celebrate!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vdK-aLGxV0Y

GARBAGE DAY! ...Ahem. I really can't wait to get into the course, I think it's going to be a challenging, unique and enjoyable experience that I'm definitely going to remember. I've recently being "researching" various games such as Beyond Good & Evil which I had been trying to pick up since forever (finally found it for £6 at CEX! Victory!), Shadow of the Colossus, which I'm replaying for the third time or something, and Project Zero 3 because I can't get enough of creepy Japanese mansions. Oo, and Guitar Hero! Lots of fun, I've yet to accidentally swing the guitar peripheral into an onlooker's face in the heat of a solo (can't say the same for a friend of mine) so all's well.

My taste in games encompasses pretty much anything, though I'm not so keen on football/football management type games... I'll write a more in-depth section on my favourite all time games so I guess this concludes my first post in my blog, hope it wasn't too boring!