Cblogs of 02/14/16 + Video Killed The Textual Star

Sorry to say that this recap wouldn't be another rambling session about Final Fantasy 8, as I've lately been working on a handheld RPG review. So let's talk about something else. Something unrelated to the holiday. Let's talk about videos. 

Earlier this week I actually took my first dive into the world of video content, in the form of doing first impression reviews. These are reviews of the first half an hour of a game, complete with a score. Naturally these aren't final reviews and often come with a full written review the same day or soon after, but at least people get to experience the rough gameplay from a first-impression perspective of a journalist. Oh, and here's a handy link!

Oddly, the parts that I thought would be the hardest turned out to be one of the easier parts: I set up the banner, profile picture and got going quickly. I also got editing done surprisingly fast, as I only would have to snip the beginning and end off before punting it out the door. This was mainly due to the nature of the videos, that favoured a more raw/spontaneous delivery. 

What are some of the hardest parts has actually been born due to said spontaneous/raw delivery form: Dead-time, charisma and the imperfections of unpractised speech. The first part is something I believe I'm quickly learning to avoid, always finding some thing to analyse or talk about. The second part is something that I'm not so sure I can fix with ease, although that may be due to my belief in being a deeply uncharismatic person. 

I hate having to try to be charismatic, as it feels forced and awkward. Although I shove on, hoping to seep under enough people's skins to be a good journalist.

The third part is the oddest part I'm trying to learn. One such example of the natural habit of speech is when I'm talking about a topic and then get distracted, I then drop said topic forever. This would not be ideal for me, as if I'm talking about a topic I'd like to see it to completion. However, if something appears on screen I might need to do a quick verbal hat-tip to it. I get the feeling learning to drop-n-pick-up topics is something that'll take a lot of fumbling to learn, but will be worth it when I get there.

One problem that I've yet to face currently is production out-flow. As I do videos when I do reviews, if I hit a dry spell then that'll mean the channel may go a week or two without content. I'm thinking of maybe sprucing it up with a Dismantle This series, as I analyse a game or two in an off-the-cuff manner, but I think I'll need to work out some kinks to it. Fortunately I still have a few weeks until I hit a dry season, so I have plenty of time to think.

Anyway, I hope you had a good St Valentines Day! I spent mine alone in a slightly drunk stupor watching films and doing a review (although sober when I writing this on a Sunday night!), so I'm sure you got up to something more interesting. Even if said “interesting” thing you got up to involved a waifu or a husbando, each their own I suppose. Let's recap those Valentines Day blog posts!

* - I'm so fortunate that PapaBear has posted his thoughts on streaming as it fits wonderfully with my intro. I'd say if you're struggling with “dead-time”, then anecdotes or talking about a part of the current gameplay helps a ton to fill it. I actually have a video coming of No Pineapple Left Behind where I got to talk about Summerhill School for a bit which helped hugely fit holes. Although PapaBear seems to rarely have 10 minutes of dead-time to a 3 hour stream, which is a pretty good average. I might have to throw my hat into the streaming-game soon, once I find my video-production feet anyway.

A – Perhaps a little brief, DeadRadical thinks on how the Nintendo Seal of Quality is worth its weight in gold from a technical angle these days.

S – Some things you'll do for money, some you'll do for fun,But the things you do for love are going to come back one by one.So make the comments you love, and Dreamweaver will feature it in his Comments of the Week.

A – You'll have to forgive me Mike Wallace, as I didn't manage to read much of it before confusion descended upon me like a thick fog. It seems highly reliant on previous knowledge of Dead Space, but I am sure what you've written is an interesting idea for the next part in the series. However, a big however, the problem is most developers will never touch an idea that belongs to a random person. Mainly because there is the risk of someone swooping in, slapping a lawsuit of idea theft, and making millions off it. Sorry to rain on the parade though. It is still interesting to band around ideas. Who knows? Maybe you'll use it in a future game you may write/design?

This week, I've been mostly listening to: The Walrus Song by FilmCow.

Okay, its less a song and more a short video, but damn I keep watching it.

C - KyWii, sorry, BlazeWii comes back to talk about opinions and the shaming and censorship of said opinions.

C – I admit I don't watch many films. I might have watched 3 or 4 films released in 2015? I mean, Sicario was a pretty fantastic film. If you are a bit more of a movie buff than me though, maybe Nick R P Green's blog about the top 3 films of 2015 will interest you.

R –  Are you the type to still dig into the free-to-play MMORPG Star Wars: Old Republic? James Internet Ego has a review for the latest chapter in the online story, Anarchy in Paradise. It is always a shame when a game knocks on brilliance's door, always afraid to open it (e.g. Firewatch), but at least it sounds fun. If I could handle playing MMORPGs on my own, or if I had a compadre for travellin', it'd be a candidate to play through.

T – Platinum Games is one of those developers that just isn't my cup of tea at all, but understandable that it has the following it does. StriderHoang talks about three of their games.

R – Unravel, judging by the review by Garett Mefford, sounds like a fantastic game filled with whimsy, joy and happiness. I might have to check it out one day.

T – Avoclefo acts excited about Mirror's Edge: Catalyst, something that I may be doing in the next few months when Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma's release date gets announced. Although I admit, after playing it at EGX, I wasn't too pleased with it. It just lacked the focused cinematic feel of the original Mirror's Edge, feeling unsure what it wants to provide. Still pleased some people are gleeful about the next addition to the series.

I believe video game culture is made up of those uncomfortable with their presentation style but still push on despite the nagging self-doubting voice in the back of their brains asking them to just stop. At least that's what I tell myself, in the hopes those voices are wrong. 

? - Ah ha! A Valentines Day post! As Dalek Sex talks about the women of the Dreamcast title Sakura Wars. I wish I could add more, but I am really unfamiliar with the title. Sorry.

No fails yet, although I hope to never have any fails on my video-production progress.

- Riobux

LpotD.

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