Putting my new mug from Mom to good use already:
Game Bits
An Oklahoma court has overturned the law in that state criminalizing certain video game sales to minors. A victory for parents and for gamers. I hope that other states, including New York, my home, will follow suit. To criminilize the sale of games undermines parental rights, and separates games unfairly from other media such as movies, music, or even books, that are either available to all freely or have self-regulated industry policies.
I'm also trying to pick my next game. Though I haven't finished Final Fantasy VII yet, I'm thinking perhaps Grim Fandango will be next.
An interesting debate about the new “Game Fuel” ad
I meant to write about this earlier, but someone opened up an interesting debate over at the girl_gamers community over at LiveJournal. She asked a few questions about the ad currently running for Pepsi's Halo 3 marketing tie-in soda, Mountain Dew Game Fuel. I have tried the soda. It tastes like liquid gummy bears. I will also
be getting to Halo 3 at some point. Obviously, I'm within the customer
base for both products.
Personally, I think the ad would have been great if there were a female at the end, but I think it works just fine with a male there. Hey, at least it's sort of ethnically and racially diverse. Admittedly, many people would have found the ad gimmicky if the end showed a female beating all those other male players. I don't think that's deserved, but it would have been how many people would have perceived it.
I do think that the agency really made a mistake in not including any portrayals of any female gamers, however. I'm aware that the console market is overwhelmingly male, but we're far from nonexistent, and it would have been a nice nod. Instead, we're treated to stereotypes like a guy playing while his apparent girlfriend reads on the bed in the background and a guy playing while what looks like his mom is in the background putting something on the kitchen table.
In other words, we're in the background, uninterested, and definitely not active players, as portrayed in this ad. It's sad that putting a female in that role in the end would have been seen as gimmicky and as a potential joke, but I doubt the bottom line would have been hurt had a female been included amongst the frustrated gamers in the ad. In other words, if we'd been shown as involved and not as merely background set pieces.
Post-vacation Tidbits
Got back from my vacation a couple of days ago. And I think I'm getting sick again, for the second time in about a month. I'm not sure yet, but my throat has been feeling scratchy since I was still in Florida. Just my luck. Settled back into real life, but I've been pretty tired. As the cliché goes, I need a vacation.
Have been reading a few books lately, one is a series of essays and interviews on various aspects of women's images. Women from filmmakers to actresses are included, and the book (entitled Damage Control) gives a look at several aspects of image issues, even some that are fairly universal. My boyfriend hates the texture of his hair. One chapter in the book, in which actress Minnie Driver talks about how she grew to appreciate her dark, thick, curly hair, reminded me of him.
The other book I'm reading is I, Jedi, by Michael Stackpole. It is what it sounds like, part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. A very good book so far, I'm about halfway through. I should hurry up, as I have book one of the Thrawn trilogy awaiting pickup at the library this week. I'm reading these books in reverse of what I should have, given that the events of Thrawn are discussed and mentioned various times in I, Jedi, but that won't ruin the experience for me.
I have the His Dark Materials trilogy coming my way as well soon. I'd better get cracking on the Star Wars books.
On my trip, I made a lightsaber toy for my boyfriend. I've joked multiple times that I'm keeping it. It has been fun to play with, swinging it around in places, but I'll be bringing it to him soon, provided I'm not super sick in a few days' time.
Oh, and before I forget, my piece was published in this week's issue of The Escapist. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. It evolved from a few different directions over time, but it's nice to finally have it out there.
Diversity in Dolls
I'm sick. Have been for days. So just a brief update based on a press release I just read.
When the rollout is completed next week, Kmart stores will sell nearly
four dozen types of ethnic dolls — a nearly fourfold increase from
what's currently available. The dolls are flanked by an advertising
campaign in the store's circulars and designed to appeal to black,
Hispanic and Asian parents.
Personally, I wonder if by "Hispanic" doll, they mean one that tries to copy Dora the Explorer and be a stereotypical brown/dark brown/dark brown representation of us, or if there will be variety in what is represented. We're a very diverse group, and it would be nice to see that reflected in the types of dolls sold. Little Latina dolls with green eyes or light skin, blue eyes, or really dark skin, blonde hair, as well as dark brown or black eyes and hair would be a progressive step in truly representing us. I have dark brown eyes and hair, but there are still lots of Latinos with different color combinations, and those who don't fit the brown/brown/brown mold often feel on the fringe or are looked at askance. I recall going to join a Latino organization in college, and being told I "didn't have to be Latina to join". We're a mixed population, and unique in that we can pretty much have any color combination.
Hopefully, Kmart and other manufacturers don't forget that in their vision.
Four Cover Songs to Check Out
I was reading up on Morcheeba earlier, and was feeling inspired to write about music. I heard the first song here on my list earlier and the idea for this blog popped into my head. So here goes:
Skye Edwards – Feel Good Inc
http://myspace.com/myskyesite
Skye Edwards is the former lead singer of the British band Morcheeba. I don't remember where I discovered Morcheeba. It may have been through one of their songs being played in a movie. Skye left in 2003 to pursue a solo career. One of the songs she's recorded is this soulful, breathy version of the Gorillaz hit. Her take on the song is fresh and she definitely makes it her own.
Dame Shirley Bassey – Get This Party Started
http://www.dameshirleybassey.com
Dame Shirley Bassey, the Welsh singer most notable for her soulful belting and having recorded two James bond theme songs, decided to cover a pop song by Pink. However odd that sounds, she pulls it off marvelously. Her rendition is fun, airy, and she even gets to show off her lovely, strong voice. She looks gorgeous in the video as well as like she's having a really good time. An unexpected cover, but definitely one to seek out.
El Lele de Los Van Van featuring Radiohead – High and Dry
http://www.rhythmsdelmundo.com
This cover is also partly a reinterpretation, as often happens when translating lyrics into another language. Radiohead is sampled here in this Spanish version of their song "High and Dry" by El Lele of the group Los Van Van. In crafting this version, the orchestrated rhythms capture the melancholy of the original song, while the lyrics and vocal performance make it almost even more heartwrenching and moody. You don't even have to speak Spanish to appreciate the beauty of this cover.
The Corrs – Everybody Hurts
This one is several years old, but it's still one of my favorites. I'm a big fan of The Corrs, and I was able to pick up their MTV Unplugged album when I was studying abroad (it was never released in the US). This is one of the tracks featured in the performance, and one of two covers (the other being Little Wing). I think that Andrea Corr's voice is perfect for this fluid, emotional song, and it's one of my favorite cover songs. Since it never got a US release, I've decided to feature it in the hopes more people hear this version of the REM hit.
A few thoughts before bed
Real life has intervened again. My boyfriend has been pretty sick and my paternal grandparents have been up to visit along with other family I haven't seen in several years. I've been very stressed out lately.
I'm also suffering from writer's block right before a deadline. I know I have it in me to finish writing this article, but for some reason, the ability isn't translating to type on the page. I still have a few days, but I really wanted to have a workable draft by this past Wednesday. It's not procrastination; it's a sense of emptiness, as if I didn't have something substantial when I know that I do. I think it's just the combination of anxiety over this project and general life stress of late.
I did manage to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows between Tuesday and Wednesday. I tried to read it a bit more slowly, but I couldn't help myself. A very satisfying conclusion, with a couple of loose ends, but overall, nicely done. It's simply over, and that feels a bit funny. I had the same experience with another seven-book series: The Dark Tower by Stephen King. I read the first four books in both series very quickly and pretty much all at once, then read each of the final three pretty much immediately after release.
Now, I just need a book recommendation.
To anyone that's left me a comment or a message in the last 6 weeks: I haven't forgotten you. It's been sort of oddly stressful and one of those moments when the things one intends to do far outnumber actual things accomplished within a decent timeframe.
Remember When Developers Just Made Games?
Real life and some other business has kept me away from blogging here for a while. But I'm back now. and look, another post about gaming. Well, it is E3 week, and I promise I don't always rant. I will be talking pleasantly about gaming soon enough.
I read this a short time ago:
Ubisoft Unveils Imagine(TM) Video Game Series for Girls
Thursday July 12, 3:06 pm ET
First Video Games in Series Available in OctoberSANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced its all-new Imagine(TM) series of video games targeted at girls ages 6 to 14 years old. The Imagine line allows girls to explore their favorite interests and hobbies – as indicated in extensive lifestyle research on this audience – in an interactive and entertaining way. Ubisoft's Imagine series is part of the company's strategic expansion into the casual video game market.
Source: Ubisoft
The first games in the Imagine line will launch in October 2007 for the Nintendo DS(TM) system: Imagine(TM) Fashion Designer, Imagine(TM) Animal Doctor, Imagine Babyz® and Imagine(TM) Master Chef. Imagine(TM) Figure Skater will follow in early 2008.
"Ubisoft is excited to finally offer young girls a line of games that give them the chance to explore their hobbies and interests in interactive and creative experiences," said Helene Juguet, senior director of marketing at Ubisoft. "Our consumer research revealed that the young girls' market has been relatively overlooked. We are happy to introduce a variety of titles relevant to what girls in this age group have indicated they are most interested in."
Imagine(TM) Fashion Designer invites players to become hip Manhattan designers handling all aspects of the fashion business, from creating their own line of clothing to directing photo shoots. Online gameplay allows players to share their designs and ideas with friends and fellow aspiring young fashionistas.
Imagine(TM) Animal Doctor puts young players in the role of a veterinarian, not only by treating and curing all types of animals, but also by creating new facilities to expand the veterinary hospital.
Imagine(TM) Babyz® is the first simulation game focused on caring for babies. Players take on the challenges of raising a baby throughout all stages of development and will also be able to take photos and exchange tips and clothing through a unique online component.
Imagine(TM) Master Chef allows players to create recipes from all over the world using the stylus to prepare, stir and cook ingredients. Players can customize their kitchens with utensils and appliances. Fun mini-games include cooking quizzes and kitchen challenges.
In Imagine(TM) Figure Skater, players live the life of a champion who needs to balance her life between training, school and friends. Girls take on the role of a professional figure skater and use the stylus to perform jumps, spins and a variety of skating combinations.
source link: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070712/20070712005947.html?.v=1
I remember back when developers just made games and we all played them. I'm sure some little girls would have a blast with these, but do we actually need such specialized titles and marketing? Why not just market games to everyone? I swear, the games marketed to little girls are some of the cheesiest, cheapest sounding titles out there. I think if these were the types of games that I played when I was a
little girl, I wouldn't be a gamer today. They're mostly sims. Yes, these are backed up by market research, but there's a problem: many gaming focus groups exclude females completely unless the company behind them specifically decides to make a game with females in mind. Who's to say that those other games wouldn't appeal to female players, even little girls? Don't they deserve better?
Ads in Games and Realism: Brief Thoughts
"I would never want to see fake ads… It would be preferential to the
gamer's experience to use real ads that are dynamically changing." – Brash Entertainment's Nicholas Longano
I'd have to disagree. Fake ads are another place where game developers can be creative. Take Rockstar and the GTA series. These are often very amusing, and topical. It's also good to not feel like real-life advertising is consistently bombarding every aspect of my existence, including gaming. The fake ads don't detract from realism, even in the much talked about sports genre. Even if they did, gaming isn't necessarily about what's realistic, is it? When's the last time you crawled down a pipe into another dimension?
On the topic of gaming and realism, here's a good recent piece dealing with Age of Conan.
New York: Attempting to Replace Parents with Legislation
I honestly wonder if any of these legislators have actually ever played video games. Or were they simply spoon fed 30-second clips of acts, taken completely out of context, that you would not have to search hard to find in a book or a film? Fed scare tactics and one-sided surveys that say video games are dangerous or ruining children? I honestly wonder what led them to vote for these two related, yet completely misguided bills.
Last year, I abstained from voting in the New York Senate race because of a video game related issue. Hillary Clinton supported measures to criminalize the selling of M or AO games to minors, after jumping on the "Hot Coffee" controversy bandwagon. She even included this point in her campaign, and on that issue and Iraq, I could not vote for her with a clear conscience, so I abstained, knowing she would win, but that I could not choose her to represent me this time around.
Let's take a look at the facts here for a moment. The MPAA rates movies, and theater chains enforce those ratings as a matter of company policy only. There are no laws that criminalize or force compliance with movie ratings. Music is also rated independently. Some stores choose not to carry music with Parental Advisory labels, but not selling such music to minors is, once again, merely voluntary and subject to store policy. Books are not rated or regulated, and can be purchased by anyone, of any age. Some library systems offer parents the ability to restrict their children from borrowing outside of the children's section, but that doesn't limit what they have access to while in the library itself. Books are full of violence, sex, drugs, and other things that one will also find in games, but no one is going to try and criminalize book sales. Imagine the uproar.
There needs to be a similar uproar. These politicians are fast-tracking bills that will take away a parent's right to raise his or her child as that person sees fit. For example, my mother is disabled, and she couldn't always accompany me to rent or see movies, but if I cleared it with her beforehand, then it was permitted. Blockbuster had then, a provision where a parent could sign off on allowing a child on the same account to rent any materials from the store. My mom did that, but I still advised her about what I was seeing, and she knew she could trust me.
That is parenting for you. But if these politicians have their way, what my mom allowed wouldn't even be possible when it comes to video games. Such a thing would be a criminal offense for the person behind the counter. So much for mobility-impaired parents' right to raise their kids how they wish. So much for any New York parent that wants to take responsibility for their own child.
How ridiculous would it seem if these senators decided to take it upon themselves to try and outlaw minors from purchasing Shakespearean works, for example? They're full of murders, bawdiness, revenge plots, and many rather adult themes.
Books, like video games, are a form of interactive entertainment. As such, many adults with little gaming experience or knowledge, like many of these legislators, are scared by all the hubbub made in the media and by instigators like Jack Thompson, and fear that such interaction is dangerous. I read Lord of the Flies at the age of twelve. I didn't start having murder and coup fantasies about my classmates. I play Grand Theft Auto. I've never killed anyone or stolen any cars. What these politicians need to do is to sit down and learn more about the subject. Yet, how can we expect such a thing when only six out of 100 Senate members read a classified intelligence document prepared as a justification for the current administration's decision to invade Iraq?
Many of these legislators are parents, and it's understandable that
they wish to protect children, but this is an incredibly ridiculous,
uninformed, and shortsighted approach. Legislation does not replace good parenting, and yet encouraging parental responsibility is not on these people's agenda. Sadly enough, it looks like
they've even roped Governor Spitzer into their camp. I hope if these bills are signed into law, that they're quickly slapped with injunctions and declared unconstitutional. It makes me so
ashamed that my state is doing this. That it's my fine state, usually
the ground of many freedom-protecting laws and progressive thinking, is
falling flat on its figurative face with what is no more than
a hypocritical knee-jerk reaction to an element of modern culture that
most of those responsible simply do not understand.