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Sunday, November 29, 2009 Why I Love Assassin's Creed Listening to: Nothing. 
I've been playing the poop out of Assassins Creed II lately and I asked myself, "Why do I keep playing this game?" To be more specific, "Why do I find myself completing all these seemingly meaningless side quests like traveling five minutes to synchronize this viewpoint?" Then it all dawned on my like that time a pigeon pooped on my hat when I was at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk a few weeks ago. I apparently love mundane tasks. Now, these can't just be any mundane tasks, mind you. It must be a mundane task presented in a way that is somewhat compelling (yes, I understand that "compelling" thus contradicts the term "mundane", but humor me). It's not to just progress the story, but something that matures/betters your character inside the game. It could be in the form of revealing codex pages (i.e. Assassins Creed II) or adding furniture sets to your home to increase its value. Wait... adding furniture sets to your home to increase its value? 
I love Animal Crossing and I realize that it's all probably for the same reason. I go around and deliver presents for Tom Nook because I can ultimately achieve one of a few things: get Bells (to pay off that massive debt), get furniture (in hopes of completing my set), get clothes (because dress-up is fun) or just to build the relationship with that character. It's just to better your character in this world and, apparently, I love doing this. Now, it's important to also note that the tasks have to provide a sense of accomplishment in its setting. In the world of Animal Crossing, getting something for free is a massive accomplishment. Even if you don't need the piece of furniture, you can sell it at Tom Nook's store and get some money for it. In the world of Assassins Creed II, it's being an assassin. 
It all really boils down to the same thing: complete this task that isn't that hard and then feel like a total bad ass. Sending me out to gather intel before storming a palace for a fine assassination is just an epic version of delivering a shirt to Daisy. However, upon even closer examination, there's more to this "revelation" of mine. These aren't tasks to progress the story, per se. You're given a choice. You can do it or not. You can go knock down couriers if you want or you could spend all day punching street performers in the face. You could go cutting down all the trees in the town or just spend hours fishing. I believe it's these side missions of utter blandness that really get me going. I mean the main story is nice and all, but that's not really the thing that gets me to dive deeply into the game. I wouldn't say I was ever deeply engaged with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, even though I enjoyed the heck out of it. Anyway, it's this crucial idea that made me understand why I like games like Assassins Creed II, Animal Crossing, Viva Pinata, Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble, Little King's Story or even Harvest Moon! It's the optional content that adds so much to the game, but only if you want to explore it. Perhaps games that make the whole game essentially optional are the ones I waste the most time with. posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 8:28 PM Permalink | | Saturday, November 28, 2009 Black Friday Haul Listening to: Nothing. 
So, another Black Friday has come and gone. I decided to stay home for most of it and avoid the mad rush for electronics, movies and video games that I didn't need. Instead, I went the Amazon.com route as well as making my way to Target at, oh, 5:00pm. Here's a list of what I ended up getting (with appropriate Amazon.com links since I'm not particularly fond of linking to Target's website):
The most interesting thing, though possibly the most reputation damaging, is that I now own four copies of "The Wedding Singer". I have a VHS tape, the first DVD release, the "Totally Awesome" DVD release and now the Blu-Ray version. It is still one of the greatest movies of all time. On Amazon.com I ended grabbing some cheap CDs (Jackson 5 Collection, Glee Vol. 1 Soundtrack), a new watch (it's solar powered!) and some game for the PS3. Happy Black Friday, all! Related Link: Somebody Kill Me, Please posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 8:15 AM Permalink | | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody Listening to: Nothing. Wow, what the awesome? Related Link: The Muppet Show - Season One posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 5:00 AM Permalink | | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Rom Check Fail - Thanksgiving Plans Listening to: Nothing. 
This is a new comic I'm working on called Rom Check Fail. It will be something I do independently from Robot in the City and I'll be trying to update both regularly. I've always wanted to do a comic that was video game related, but never had the confidence to do so. I always figured it would just end up being the same as every other video game comic and be brushed to the wayside for its lack of wit and humor. Then I read a comment from Bill Watterson regarding his comic Calvin and Hobbes and it inspired me. It was about the strips where philosophical talk would happen between Calvin and Hobbes. He decided that he'd stick them in the wagon for these strips since talking heads would be boring. That's when I decided to stick normal conversations in video game type situations. I'm still trying to find the right style and pacing, but I think it's a good start. The site's registered and I should have something there relatively soon. And for those indie gamers out there: yes, I am well aware of the fantastically made game ROM CHECK FAIL by Farbes. I will link to his game on the comic because I think he deserves much props. Related Link: ROM CHECK FAIL (PC Download) Related Link: The Complete Calvin and Hobbes posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 9:28 AM Permalink | | Monday, November 23, 2009 The guy on that stage. Listening to: Nothing. 
Just something I thought about this past weekend. I wonder what it's like to be one of the backgrounds characters, not even an NPC, in those fighting game stages. You're just hanging around, not doing much, and these two people just start brawling in the middle of the streets. Personally, you've never seen a human being shoot fire from their hands before, so all you can do is pump your fist in the air and cheer them on. It's a weird world. Related Link: Street Fighter IV posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 9:29 AM Permalink | | Friday, November 20, 2009 The NPC - Captain Travers from Fossil Fighters Listening to: Nothing. 
I've been playing Fossil Fighters on the Nintendo DS lately and I must say that it is quite an engaging experience in the same way that you find doing the same thing over and over again as an engaging experience. Honestly, there's something strangely alluring about going around, digging up fossils, cleaning them, turning its genetic code into your dinosaurs, battling and doing that all over again. I highly recommend it, especially if you're looking for your next Pokemon-esque gaming fix. Now, to the more pressing matter at hand: Captain Travers. This gentleman is the one who captains the ship to and from the dinosaur island. I figure he likes boats and likes to help out when he can. But then something in the story occurs which makes you realize otherwise. When you have to battle your first opponent in the game to qualify for a Fighter's License, the end of the Prelude chapter, you end up facing Captain Travers. Now, this seems more than just a formality. He trash talks to you, a mere child, and says that he's not going to go easy. From this I can draw the fact that he's in it to win it, essentially hoping to defeat you so he can get his Fighter's License. I mean, really, if you have the license to raise dinosaurs from the grave and pit them against other dinosaurs, why would you be captaining a boat? 
He probably does this every time he brings a rookie to the island who is interested in getting their Fighter's License. Imagine how many copies of the game have been sold. That's how many times he's gone to the island with hopes of finally getting that Fighter's License, only to have his dreams crushed and his broken soul swept under the rug. My coworker Bryon brought up a very intriguing point that it is possible that if you lose to the Captain, you must become the next Captain until you can defeat the next rookie. With that thought in mind, can you imagine how long the Captain's been pining to get a Fighter's License? The guy has to be at least 38 years old and the average participant, or at least of your character, is probably 12. Jesus. This game is a mid-life crisis victim's worse nightmare. Luckily, I just crossed my quarter-life crisis and I'm feelin' fine, playing video games meant for children. Yep, feelin' fine. Related Link: Fossil Fighters on Amazon.com posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 8:00 AM Permalink | | Thursday, November 19, 2009 Further proof that Lady GaGa is a retarded genius. Listening to: Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight Lady GaGa (aka Stefanie Germanotta) has us all wrapped around her finger. Her hits on the radio, for the most part, are catchy as hell. She's got this crazy "what the hell is up with this chick?" thing going, a show business trick that forces an artist's downward spiral to nothingness since it's not something that is sustainable. The gimmick often wears off too quickly. So this video shows that behind the makeup, costumes and electrifying crazy is actual talent. Actual talent as a musician and talent on manipulating the public's perception. She knew that her talent alone wouldn't be enough, or rather she didn't want to rely entirely on the off-chance that it would be enough, so she went with shock value (see: Lady GaGa). I think that's the scariest thing of all. You combine the Lady GaGa with this deep rooted maniacal genius scientist lady and you have a force that's going to suck us all in like 2012--the movie, not the onset apocalypse, because John Cusack's acting is like gravity. Related Link: The Fame Monster [Deluxe Edition] posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 3:08 PM Permalink | | Better than God of War. Listening to: Nothing. The only thing better than God of War is this game, and this game isn't even real. I can say, however, that if it were real that I would say, "Dude, they totally stole those Mortal Kombat graphics. STOLEN. FIRST." Related Link: Original Drunkest Guy Ever video posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 5:28 AM Permalink | | Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Stuff I Like - #1 - Milkshakes Listening to: Nothing. 
I decided that it would be fun to illustrate (or perhaps some other "skill-based verb") things that I particularly like. Outside of the fact that things I like make me happy, which I'm sure is hard to believe, it further motivates me to do something creative and productive with my time. Anyway, milkshakes. Those things are delicious. My favorite has always been strawberry, ever since I was a kid. My brother was a chocolate kind of guy. I feel like there's nothing better than a milkshake on a warm summer day or coupled with your disgustingly large hamburger and order of fries. Sometimes it goes just fine with a breakfast meal consisting of pancakes, eggs and a side of meat. I really can't think of a bad time to have milkshakes... No, even lactose intolerance is worth it for a milkshake. Related Link: Oster 6627 100-Watt Milkshake Drink Mixer (make your own, damn it) posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 6:23 AM Permalink | | Tuesday, November 17, 2009 UPS made me wait in a line for an hour. Listening to: Nothing. 
Yes. This is an image I illustrated a while ago back in December 2008. I feel that, after what occurred today, it was a perfect time to bring it back into use. So, for those who are in the know, Left 4 Dead 2 came out today on the XBOX360 and PC. I had preordered mine with amazon.com. They (as in UPS) were supposed to deliver it to me today. Apparently they did... or tried to, anyway. The tracking system says that a delivery attempt was made at 9:25am this morning at the office. I was here, as well as many others, before 9:25am. There was no delivery man. There was no buzz from the callbox to let anyone up. It was silent like the tomb of Caesar's ghost, which I'm assuming is quite silent. Ultimately, a second delivery attempt will be made on Wednesday and I am without my games (Assassins Creed II was also in the package). So, because I have made commitments to play with friends tonight, I had to trek down to the local Gamestop to procure a copy for myself. Unbeknownst to me, there was a line. It was a line that extended to the back of the store. The cashiers were bombarded with phone calls and unruly customers. It was a sight to see and a pain to be in. It took an hour to get through and pick up a copy of Left 4 Dead 2, which should have already been in my hands this morning. That's all she wrote because I cooked the hard-boiled eggs too long. [insert curse words] Related Link: FedEx (just because) posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 1:14 PM Permalink | | I saw this guy on the train today. Listening to: Nothing. 
When I was on the way home today, after many a delay, I saw this man standing by one of the public transportation exits. There's nothing much more to say outside of the fact that he clearly made an impression on me. The man had tattoos of tears on his face. I've seen television. I know what that means. It's not something someone does "for fun" because someone dared them to do it in college. It's not like a butterfly tattoo on the small of a girl's back or some internet meme "cleverly hidden" on your calf. His face, folks. From what my imagination tells me, and I regard as a creditable source, those tears were tattooed with the black blood of the devil himself. I also realize that I've made a reference to "[something] of the devil himself" twice this month. It must be all that talk about video games lately because, as Fox news tells us so often, video games are evil. Boy, I sure do love me some video games. What are you still doing here? Go play some video games. Related Link: Left 4 Dead 2 on Amazon.com posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 12:30 PM Permalink | | Monday, November 16, 2009 "Going the Distance 2: Escape from OMFGITSTOOLATE" Coming Soon! Listening to: Nothing. 
Here is a screenshot of my newest Flash game Going the Distance 2: Escape from OMFGITSTOOLATE. It is the sequel to the first Going the Distance game. I created it for the Mochi November contest where the theme is "60 Seconds or Less". I figured it would be a great idea to actually take part in something that I started, otherwise I would just seem like some douche with a "holier than thou" attitude, telling developers what to do because "I know better". Gosh, golly! If anything, I'm appreciative of the fact that they let me in their club and we can share ideas together. These guys really are geniuses. Anyway, I should have the game released very soon (hopefully with a sponsor so I can buy more Christmas presents for more folks). Also, I have my Mr. Peterson point-and-click adventure game coming out soon. Just have some artwork to do. I imagine it'll be a holiday surprise. Related Link: Mochimedia November 2009 Contest posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 1:14 PM Permalink | | Wednesday, November 11, 2009 X-Men - Japanese Intro Listening to: Nothing. When I was growing up, I watched X-Men whenever it came on. Eventually, it turned into this weird schedule of episodes that played out of order. Even further down the line, I ended up only catching it occasionally where the episode that showed every single time was Professor X and Magneto walking around in the Savage Land. Anyway, from what I remember from the original series, the intro was quite cool. I used to think to myself, "how come the rest of the show doesn't look this good?" As I aged and became more "norant" (the opposite of ignorant), I learned the obvious: it would have cost too much. Then, today, I caught the introduction made specifically for the Japanese audiences. Which one do you like better? Related Link: X-Men - Volume 1 posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 11:49 AM Permalink | | Friday, November 6, 2009 Robot in the City T-Shirt Listening to: Nothing. 
So I made this shirt for the show a few weeks ago. I only had enough time (and reason) to order one. I have decided that it is seemingly a cool enough t-shirt to link out so other can purchase it. I can also provide a little review of the shirt itself, so as to provide as ample information as possible to the reading public. The shirt itself is an American Apparel shirt. It would be considered a thin shirt, but not underwear shirt thing. It is, however, thinner than a Haynes Classic type shirt. It is fitted, so it will hug your form. It is also, for reasons unknown, very long. If I pull the shirt all the way down, it crawls close to the middle of the zipper on my jeans. The printing itself is quite nice. It's not screenprinted, but rather this digital printing that feels like a fancy decal. I've put it through the wash and it still looks fine. No cracks and no fading. It has a slight sheen to it, but a run through the wash makes it look like any other clever worded shirt you have in your closet. The pricing essentially, as it is print on demand, nets me a healthy $2.00. That also means if I want to buy it for myself, I pay the $22 or so, not counting shipping, so I can't really help with a "friends deal". If you like Robot in the City or just the design, it'd be really keen if you picked up a shirt. If not, we're still friends. Related Link: Robot in the City T-Shirt on Cafepress.com posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 2:49 PM Permalink | | Sunday, November 1, 2009 Army Men - Street Fighter Listening to: Josie watching Monk. 
This weekend I finally worked on an art project idea that I've had in my head for a little while. I basically wanted to take cheap toys from my youth and repaint them to match characters that are a bit more iconic. I stopped by Michaels and picked up a pack of army men. My first idea to execute was to paint the army men like Street Fighter characters. 
This was the first one I did. I used Citadel paints that they sell over at Games Workshop. As you can see, the shorts, armbands and legbands are yellow. His helmet has three red stripes. The rest of his costume is brown. I painted the few accessories on his chest gray, to make it look like the three skeleton skulls he has. 
The second one I did was Ken. Basically you have a red gi, black belt and yellow hair (thus the helmet). You can see on his right arm that there is flash left from the casting. I wanted to keep it since it adds to the authenticity of cheap toys. I wish I had a better explanation of what I did, but it's pretty straightforward. I'm actually a little bit tired and will hopefully get around to doing some more soon. posted by Mr. Alexander Shen @ 7:08 PM Permalink | | |
       
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