Archive for October, 2007
Friday, October 26th, 2007
No Place Like Home
Dorothy wasn’t yanking our collective chains when she said “There’s no place like home.” The Sunshine State is less than sun-shiny since I arrived on Wednesday, as it is coldish in the rest of the country and Florida isn’t pleased with that, being hot as per usual, and when the two meet they make the mucho wetness. The ride from Austin to here was an epic journey of nigh nightmarish proportions, involving a jackknifing U-Haul trailer and one inconsiderate semi-tractor truck driver after the other.
But I’ve arrived safe and sound, and family is in good sorts, except for the minor expected drama that all families produce from time to time. My job prospects are really quite wonderful at the moment, and all the folks I’m talking to are top-notch people who really seem to get what community management can do for them. In fact, I’d venture to say that my prospects have been so good that I’ve actually been able to pick and choose which potential vacancies to pursue instead of the usual “toss the CV out there and go with what bites” common to the industry.
I’m eager to start gaming again, maybe see what’s happening in Ultima Online, or finish acing imperial piloting in SWG (must remember to eventually look into account related things, re-upping, etc.). Ooo, and Empire Earth III should be out soonish and certainly looks like it bojacked enough of the “Conquer the World” style from Rise of Nations to be 10x more playable than the misery that was EE2.
Saturday, October 20th, 2007
We Do What We Must
Because we can. Sweet boneless jeebus, Portal is the funnest game I’ve played since forever! GLaDOS is surely one of the greatest antagonists ever dreamed up. And the ending is something I’d chalk up there with MegaMan 2 on my top 10 list of game endings. Masterfully done. Portal is a triumph of gaming.
Incidentally, Dumbledore is gay. That “woosh” sound you just heard? That’s the millions upon millions of young adult readers who just experienced a paradigm shift in favor of higher tolerance. Mega kudos to J.K. Rowling.
Friday, October 19th, 2007
Quiet Examples
It is rare that I feel that Sanya (blessed be her name) is wrong on an issue, but the particular sentiment expressed in her recent post regarding minorities and special interest groups has me rethinking the entire concept of activism. From what I understand of history, the bulk majority of equal rights for special interest groups like women, gays, and black people have been brought about as a result of a large societal push spearheaded by activism. Speaking out and getting involved are the motivators of these civic changes, and obviating the differences and the built-in unfairness is the only way to raise awareness of such issues. I don’t see anything wrong with someone saying, “hey, I’m a woman or other minority and I’m being treated unfairly, so let’s talk about this.”
Those “pink panels”, while undoubtedly a novelty and patronizing are still about awareness and in some limited capacity empowerment. There’s a reason the majority of developers in the industry are white males and that diversity in this field is a running joke. Changing common perceptions is all about speaking out, and speaking out often. Quiet examples and non-participation are fine and dandy if you are comfortable with the perpetual marginalization of your given difference, and are certainly admirable by any measure. But in order to see actual change happen, you have to have unity, awareness, and activism. You can’t just look at your difference and say, oh well, I’m being treated differently for it, so I’m just going to ignore it. You should not only obviate it, but celebrate it. The alternative is passive acceptance of a system constructed to keep you at the bottom.
Sure, you may not think that you represent your given differences, but to those around you, it is simple human nature that you absolutely do. The upper brain may not judge and label out of some civic conscience, but the unconscious mind catalogues your actions under very precise labels in a system that makes gmail look light in the shoes on the cross-referencing. I am in no way as eloquent as Sanya, but my point is that Dr. King and Susan Anthony weren’t quiet examples, and that occasionally being active and vocal in special interests doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
The general objective isn’t to push forward an agenda or self-flaggelate, but rather to unify in the face of an incestuous network of good ol’ boys, who-knows-who and business-as-usual discrimination. The precious veneer of progressive high-techers tends to strip away real quick-like after a given head count in any game company staff photo.
There are marches for a reason, damnit.
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
And now for something completely different…
I’m entertaining my first offer since departing SOE. That was certainly quick! Quicker than I had hoped for, in fact. It is refreshing to feel wanted and acknowledged. I’m immensely gratified by the well-wishes and luck bestowed upon me by the SWG community after leaving, and that karmic ju-ju totally has me coasting on a wave of good vibes. Goodness, I fly to Cali for a few days and I’m already talking like them.
In non-career related news, I’m almost finished reading “Wicked”, which is a major recommend to anyone like me who has ever rooted for the villain in a movie. It’s a well-written book about the Land of Oz and the adventures of the Wicked Witch of the West from her perspective. I eventually plan on seeing the musical play, but for now the book will do.
Been watching a lot of Little Britain, which is absolutely hilarious. I was kind’ve surprised to find South Park ripping them off with the “biddy” bit in their recent episode. Britain, Britain, Britain! Officially opened by the Queen in 1972! Too funny.
Friday, October 12th, 2007
Latest Developments
For me, being Community Manager for Star Wars Galaxies was an incredible learning experience. I would say of all the communities I have had the pleasure to interact with, SWG has been simultaneously the most challenging and the most rewarding. The nuances of expression, the exhilaration of watching players come together, and the passion in which players advocated their own experiences is truly unique in the industry.
The passion, goodness. I don’t think there are any other MMO’s out there right now with the vehemence and passion that SWG players display. I’m going to dearly miss the board fights, the pleas for balance and flame wars, the well intentioned expose’ or three on purple Mandalorian armor and Mon Calamari mammaries. I’m going to miss the Senate, heartache and pain in the butt it is, and I really still do think there is a strong place in community for player representation and feedback-style government.
But, time to move on. I’m going to be spending some time with my family for a bit, and taking a bit of a sabbatical for awhile. In all likelihood though, I’ll be jumping right back into the Community Management field in short order. Ahh, but who can say where? I’m sure it’ll be exciting as hell.
I do hope the SWG players continue to be the embodiment of passion they have been, and I’m confident that Valara, Virrago and EM and everyone at SOE will all continue to do right by the community. I cherish my time spent at Sony, and one couldn’t have asked for a better team that is currently at the helm of the game.
Friday, October 12th, 2007
EA Buys BioWare
As mentioned over at Scott’s, EA buys BioWare. Reduces its Essence rating by .5 and adds +2 to STR.
Forgive the Shadowrun pun, had to! This looks really very interesting, actually. BioWare must have made quite an impression on EA for them to have shelled out so much for it and Pandemic. It’s going to be intriguing watching to see what comes of the purchase, and all the changing of the guard that usually goes on during acquisitions like this. All three are very solid companies and have been putting out some really awesome games recently. As a gamer, I really hope the buyout serves to improve the line-up at the local EB.
Thursday, October 4th, 2007
Pinette & I
It has been a rough couple of weeks, you know, and I think I’ve learned a lot about myself. I remain my biggest critic, borderline histrionic personality disorder, truly. But I’m really not as smart or savvy as I’ve groomed myself to believing. Ambition is the child of ego, and I wonder if I may have bitten off more than I can chew, or rather… know how to.
I don’t really know what the immediate future holds in store for me. Honestly, I’m more than a little scared; uncertainty never set well with me. Remorse, regret, and a healthy helping of self-anger that I quite possibly (and very probably) squandered one of the most fantastic opportunities of my lifetime. Pretty sure I’ve pooched myself beyond all redemption, which is kind’ve a new thing for me. I wish it weren’t so.
So, I’m watching the fabulous Mr. John Pinette on DVD. If you haven’t seen him, he’s the most hilarious comic short of Eddie Izzard, and you might recognize his “I say nay nay!” catch-phrase. He cheers me tremendously, and is a great distraction for nearly all ails. His comedy has that great storytelling style to it, where you can watch it over and over again and always pick up something new. I really recommend it.