You know what the worst thing about trying to get so much accomplished in such a small amount of time: not enough time to read a good book. But I do have an alternative for the time being…Audible, a delightful service from Amazon that sells audiobooks. Been abusing the hell out this service and got through over thirty audiobooks within the course of two months and planning on listening to more. But that’s not the only thing I’m intrigued about…
Alright…it’s time. It’s time to get 2019 started on the right foot. I need to make sure that it’s everything goes precisely – or semi-precisely – well. I’m even going to create a small team to help me further my endeavors as well as theirs. But, that’s going to be a be a spell as we get everything settled so, for now, that’s not what I want to talk about today.
Name: Knights of Valour
Platform: PS4
Style: Beat ’em Up
Publisher(s): International Games System
Developer(s): Perfect World Games
Release Date: November 18, 2017
Date of Completion: September 30, 2018
This is a classic example of how microtransaction is not only unnecessary but, ultimately and sadly, destroys a potentially good game. Knights of Valour could have been a fantastic game if the developers weren’t so fucking greedy. To avoid going on a raging rant (not really my thing), allow me to be brief about what made this game “the best of the worst”.
This will be a really short blog post. Why?
Well, since I’ve been writing blogs posts (gaming & book reviews) every day for a good spell (two weeks or so), I don’t have a whole lot to say for this week. Furthermore, I’m working on the details of a 2019 project as we speak revolving around a common denominator with me. I don’t want to talk about it, right now, but I will once everything is ironed out on a preliminary level.
Not this week, though. This week is about spending time with my family and mates. Be sure to do the same, okay? “All work and no play will make you a dull person.” haha
Be safe and be blessed!!!
Please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2018.
Game Design: Principles, Practice, and Techniques – The Ultimate Guide for the Aspiring Game Designer by Jim Thompson, Barnaby Berbank-Green & Nic Cusworth
There’s a common misconception about Game Designers: they don’t just make the game and go on about their business. They are usually taking the lead behind the director and producer of the project. Because of this, they are doing the brute of the writing and planning for the game before everybody else have to do their part…can you say programmers? ha ha! Also, people don’t seem to understand what being a game designer actually entails. THAT’S the purpose of this book.
Well, I cried this week…
It wasn’t a big one; it was more of a sobbing fit. Unfortunately, it was enough for people to notice. I don’t like crying because I have it locked in my brain that “men don’t cry; men don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves because it makes them look weak.” But, today…today was the day that I couldn’t keep it all in anymore.
“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.”
– Stan Lee
I’ve been in a bit of emotional slump, lately. One of my idols, Stan Lee, gained his wings and left the world on November 12, 2018. And, as a comic nerd, I joined my brother in sobbing it out (yes, I cried). You may ask me why since I didn’t actually know the man but try to understand that everything the man did shaped the way I think and writer. Actually, if I’m being honest, his method of writing shaped one of my core rule when it comes down to the art form: themes.
Have you ever met a person that thinks the world owed them something? I’m sure we all have but let’s take it a step further. I’m talking about that one person who thinks that everybody is supposed to march to their tempo and believe that they are the center of the world. Oh yeah, we all know somebody like that. See, this week has been the same as last week with one crucial difference: I watched a narcissistic prick get put in his place.
It’s interesting to see how far people are willing to go to make a buck and I’ve seen it put on full display this week at work. What happened, you may ask? Well, before I get into that, let me put something out in the open. Due to my upbringing, it has been made abundantly that I’m terrible at all forms of deception. So, my disdain for dishonesty and unethical practice is a combination of my upbringing and the fact that I can’t pull off such a “feat”.
When I was younger, my mother and grandmother had this saying when raising me: “You’re black. So, what are you going to do with it?” Of course, it’s said to me in two completely different ways but the message was the same, nonetheless. Then, I came out as gay to my mother and just simply asked, “Okay, so you’re black and gay. What are you going to do with it?” It was her way of asking me what I was going to contribute to the community; what I was going to leave behind so further generations can pick up on. The writing was, eventually, my answer and my mom said, “Go for it.” Let me explain why…