Hello everyone! I must admit, the news was right. During last nights change in daylight savings time I ended up forgetting to reset some of my clocks, due to this oversight I stayed at work an extra hour and will most likely be going to bed later than usual for the next few days.  

I can’t complain, although my usage of electricity is sporadic and nocturnal so I don’t think I’m saving much electricity. I have been conscientious of my power consumption ever since I moved into an apartment so daylight savings time doesn’t help much. I wish to save money by avoiding the use of electronics. I keep playing my xbox though, which consumes a healthy amount of electricity. I hope to remedy that problem and build a bicycle that generates power and hook the converter up to the xbox so I get a workout playing my xbox, almost like a Wii. Apparently sarcasm knows no bounds.

I promised a personal blog, so I figure I might as well deliver on that promise. Now I know I don’t have that many faithful readers. There is someone who might be reading these very soon. So in a way this is going to be partially addressed to her.

I had talked to my ex girlfriend tonight. I can say with a great deal of hesitation that every time I talk to her I get nervous. Our relationship has some serious history. I ponder greatly on the things she tells me about her life. I told her I was afraid of her, that I am afraid to come see her for fear of the past. I wonder why I am so particular and cautious about everything I do. It’s almost a part of my inherent characteristic psyche to prepare for any potential outcome with regards to any large step I take in life.

About halfway into the conversation I had asked her to profile me. In doing so I hoped to garnish how she perceived me as a person for illustrative purposes. It was interesting to hear that she would have described me the way I would have described myself. The reason I was so intrigued by this notion was simply because our prior conversations usually centered on less “safe for work” commentary. So in a way it was refreshing to see that she wasn’t the crazy party girl she might have been misconstrued as by yours truly. She is very intelligent and quick. When I make a joke she picks it up effortlessly. Which, I find endearing beyond recognition.

I loved her very dearly a long time ago it seems. When we broke up I became cold and bitter. I found a certain truth though, that you’re not truly happy unless you’re happy with yourself. It’s rather hard to focus your energy on others if you are not content with your life. I figure that a lot of young adult parents go through this sort of thing when they have a child. I also became rather methodical, rational and precise during this time. Maybe it’s because I am a guy but I only get the urge to cry when there is great relief in achievement and triumph. I haven’t actually cried in 7 years.

I am planning on going to see her, to see where our friendship is headed. Maybe well stay friends maybe things will be different this time around. I can’t tell anyone for certain, but I can sure plan for any eventuality right? It must be my cautious nature to plan. I am doing it in my head right now…

3/8/2007 - Relevant Photos to this post under Photos section for this date.  

During the Game Developers Conference Microsoft held a panel discussion on “The Evolution of RPG Development”. In which some of the gaming industries most prolific names were gathered to respond to questions about the direction they thought the Role Playing Game industry was headed as well as elaborate on the direction they were seeking to improve on the genre.

The speakers consisted of Ray Muzyka (Bioware), Hironobu Sakaguchi (Mistwalker / Final Fantasy fame), and Peter Molyneux (Lionhead Studio / Microsoft Game Studios).

The panel seemed to have been well constructed as the three main identities on the Xbox platform originated from around the globe. This approach allowed for different perspectives and expectations for the future regarding their own individual design ideals.

I enjoyed reading the responses given by all the panelists, as I noticed there seemed to be a linear agreement between the 3 game designers. I would imagine that it would be hard to disagree with the other speakers since the genre is such a broad scope of elements. This made the statements about direction airy and less specific then would be humanly possible to describe in simple rudimentary terms. Which begs the question, was this panel constructed to simply fuel the gaming industry by supplying gamers a sort of dramatic intrigue for the future productions in development by these men, or was it really a codex of knowledge of biblical proportions? I’ll let you decide. 

I have decided though due to the fortuitous circumstances bestowed upon me by the powers of the blog, to answer the questions asked of the panelists from a fans perspective. In doing so I hope to define a singularity which is not particularly heeded when designing a game, this singularity is merely the expectation we hope designers aspire to when building games of this sort. I know as well as anyone reading this, it would be hard to accomplish all of this and I sure feel empathetic to these men in trying their best to do so.  

Before you read what I have to say please visit the link for the real Panelist responses.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/03/06/liveblogging-microsofts-the-evolution-of-rpg-development-pane/

:: Places on designer shoes, with designer clothes, designer hat, shades….::

Ok I think I fit the part, I now imbue all the characteristics of a “designer”.

Q. “What is the difference between older and newer RPG’s, and how they have evolved?”

Troy Williams: To be honest there hasn’t been much change. With the invention of new hardware we have new ways to express the worlds we play in. Initially you could say that the majority of the RPG games that were made in the past had an element that is now lacking in the current iteration. When you play an older game there was a great deal of story element, to be honest the graphics were nothing grandiose to look at, so we were more compelled with game play and underlying story events no matter how linear they were and we continued playing and enjoyed placing ourselves outside our personal lives and in the persona of the hero. Now when there is a shift in focus to graphical demonstration I think some developers have lost sight on the complete synergistic package. An RPG is a compromise in all facets that make games great, this makes it incredibly difficult from a designer standpoint to tackle, however we try as much as possible. Simply put, some games that attempt to contain Role Playing ideals are more or less lacking what one would traditionally expect out of an immersive experience, tall tales, or emotional stories. I wouldn’t suspect that we would read books for illustrative purposes now that we are in our adulthood, that shouldn’t be to far from the truth with games, illustrations may speak a thousand words but it’s easy to get lost in the translation of these environments if not implemented correctly.

Q. “Is turned-based here to stay, or is real-time the way of the future?

Troy Williams: I believe that there is room for both styles of play. There is no clear distinction as to what would be a better platform for presentation. This has to be carefully considered when developing a game. The beauty of these styles is relative to the person playing the game. In the future I suspect that there will be a mold between the two, possibly something we can expect from Mass Effect.  

Q. Linear versus open ended?

Troy Williams: It wouldn’t be fair or in good conscience to alienate the individual premises as separate forms of game play. No matter how many times we attempt to segregate the two they end up comprising the gamut of elements inherent with good character and environment interaction. To provide a corollary between linear game play and the basic translation of unfolding events in a game would be to compare it with a book. Being part of the human race I can assure you that without motive, or goals, or reason for existence we could in essence be considered completely non linear in a fundamental sense. However to give yourself reason by setting goals or achieving ambitions we in turn set pseudo linear achievements for ourselves. Without a sense of reason or path of progression the game would become rather stagnant and boring. “What?  We aren’t saving the world; we just walk around having tea? Where is the grandeur of political intrigue I expected?”

I digress, tomorrow Ill have another personal blog about societies oblivious use of medication as a momentary crutch for social problems.

Thanks again

Troy w.

3/7/2007 – Relevant Photos to this post under Blog Photos section for this date.

It seems as though during the Game Developers Conference that Peter Molyneux has divulged one of the main attractions to the upcoming Fable 2 game currently in development.

As fans of the original Fable spent a great deal of time contemplating the potential secrets the game will assuredly bestow upon their faithful demographic. It comes as quite a surprise that this announcement which is not particularly canonic with elements of control structure typically improved upon after the first generation game is completed, has been let out of the bag so early in development.

From my particular perspective it seems as though conferences involving any shape or form of design or developer groups are orchestrated to be concentric around design implementation or elements which may improve greatly or adversely affect the flow of design in a synergistic immersive universe.

I am one who is particularly ecstatic about this announcement. There was mention that the dog would in some way take precedence over the standard Heads Up Display. This is of course all hypothetical but would seem to be plausible. If the dog were to react to the environment in a way that would simplify interaction it may improve upon the ambiance of the characters surroundings.

As we move further along into the development cycle of electronics and digital media you may also notice corollaries between this idea as with others. Several months prior to this announcement there was discussion about how to inevitably simplify the gaming experience down to a single button or no HUD on screen whatsoever. It seems as though the developers are definitely taking this seriously and for good reason. With these changes it could mean that either a “backpack” menu or other storage device would be the momentary release from real time game play to allow the player to enact any necessary changes before proceeding forward.

My only question would be whether or not you can have different types of dogs and will that give them distinct personalities or responses to the environment? I sure hope that dog comes equipped with a doggy backpack as well, so I can keep all my potions and apples, less we forget the beer.

-         Troy W.

Reference from xbox360fanboy

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/03/07/fable-2-is-getting-a-cute-puppy-dog/

Let me introduce myself, name is Troy. As you may have been able to tell by the header or the profile data this is my personal log of thought. It will also be comprised of Video Game Reviews as well as other news related material. Doing this will hopefully prepare me in the future for my goals in the industry, what industry to be exact is as of now still undecided. I have specific companies that I am researching and looking forward to. However, like anything else it will be a case consisting of dice or “the luck of the draw”. I don’t put to much faith in fate, its hard though, when fate can in turn be defined generically, so for my predicament it suits me fine. I will have to wash my mouth out with soap when I get done here though after using that word.

To be clear this first blog is not merely an attempt at beginner’s levity. I implore you to disregard the length and seeming breadth of the document and absorb the information almost in an osmotic fashion. There is much to take in here. I figure however if you’re going to start off its wise not to put down just any piece of information.  This contemplation had come along after much consideration, hopefully those afflicted may also realize that this was written when I was sick and feeling rather gloomy. But I believe it holds some truths. Please consider this a work merely reminiscent of philosophical debate rather than a cry for help. Don’t worry I have since recovered, without further ado; I ask you direct your attention at my personal blog for the day.

**********

I recently had a bout with my nasal mucous. I dont have Cystic Fibrosis though, actually I have Ectodermal Dysplasia, which has similar symptoms of the nasal passageways, after reading a great deal I began to question the existence of the Homosapien in our most frail form.

So to begin if you need any education in regards to ED just visit www.nfed.org or you can visit the WebMD site and type in the previously mentioned terminology.

But my question was spurned out of negative contemplation for my own predicament, the level of severity which cannot compare to what those with Cystic Fibrosis have to endure. But I have various other issues myself. I was thinking about our establishment and health as a race (Homosapien). It seems to me that our necessity for procreation wrought obviously out of innate emotion since the beginning of our birth has somehow allowed us to self perpetuate beyond natures confines our expectancy of life. I began to realize logically if there were no medications or health care establishments that those of us afflicted with genetic mutations would more than likely have died at a very young age. Leaving those suited for nature's trials alive, survival of the fittest if you will...

I commented this to my mother who somehow felt guilty in repose of genetic makeup. Thus commenting how she should have been tested and how my existence was meaningless, of course this was in the heat of the moment and her response was sarcastic at its height. But to be honest to ensure and prevail our existence as a healthy race of beings, would it not be safe to say that those who are not fit to live should not live? Those of you with large hearts would arguably respond quickly with a hasty NO, they should live. But sit back for a moment, if I was allowed the severity of death in my current predicament the only thing that would scare me would be the painful death, not the end result of such actions. Actually I would invite such a relief from the tribulations I inherently endure. To constantly care for oneself in the manner we are subjected becomes a nuisance, sometimes it is rather nice to be alive we begin to take things for granted (all be it short) this air of relief defines to me the type of life someone with the basic necessitation of self preservation the body is expected to provide on a constant basis would have.

Would we along with major corporations be then guilty of self preservation, thus spurring perpetuation of genetic disorders throughout our genetic line? We then are subject to no choice in regards to life or death. However we are bound by laws and rules structured around the basest individual those who have nothing wrong with them genetically speaking but are merely depressed. However being of the same genome we are also to abide by these laws.

However it has become common practice to save every living thing until it is at an inch of its life and maintain it until machines or medicine cannot provide comfort or quality of life or even sustain life. So we spend a great deal of money in regards to these exploits, I have to give it to nature though we have been challenged to explore these issues and somehow Band-Aid the problem. Rather than allowing genetic manipulation at the site before birth by fixing the source we are forced to allow birth a chance and thus inevitably our offspring would most likely be exposed to such defects as well. We are faced with several choices then,

1. I would like to have a child; I would like to know what my genetic makeup would supply me with my specific partner as I am most intrigued by some innate necessitation. Where does this stem from? Id, is that you?

2. I would love to genetically engineer my child to be free from defects, but I have to face the religious clergy in regards to playing god. As it is somehow the emotion of the religious groups to assume the worst out of the nature of man. I can be most assured in assuming that the stereotype associated with genetic engineering is in regards to making your child up like a special ordered laptop. I want blonde hair blue eyes... oops I mean Brown hair, that wasn't intended to be a eugening comment. Those afflicted with genetic disorders would love to just have a kid, or so I would think.

3. What is the purpose of life? We haven't really ever been able to answer this question; it’s too relevant to the individual. But I find no serious purpose in perpetuation on my own defect. Thus my need for procreation seems pointless. It is the objective of most species to be fruitful, no? If I do not retain this ability in a reasonable sense then I have no real need. I can educate myself and become whatever I wish. However everyone has this basic aptitude to do so, so when does materialism and education tower high above quality of life and love? I use love here generally because it's easier to understand this term than me using words like genetic attraction, selective mating, and procreation. If relevant to the individual education/experiences and materialism are not important, then what is left? Love you say? Hmm depends on the person but you are then questioned as to whether your love is based of the human instinct of attraction and procreation. If the main reason to sustain ones life is to copulate and be fruitful and the inevitability of offspring caring your gene is high, then what is the purpose of life what are you left with?

I believe being part of the "system" not in a derogatory sense, with laws based of the basest human ability for self sustainment, we are a race or species of our own, subjected to the lofty obligations of society. I believe if we continue to perpetuate our existence we would then continue to possibly deteriorate the human species as a whole. The only thing that maintains our existence is the loss of such a loved one or family member and the emotions that surround it, but just like that deer your ran over or the thousands of humans that die each year you don't know, your logical sense takes the best of you and you begin to rationalize the existence of those who departed, they are less important and become expendable over a period of time.

Thanks for listening
Troy W.