Like a Solar Flare in the Rising Sun

'Cause I wanted to.

Things. One step forward, 18 steps back, but I'm too fucking tenacious to notice all of the little bastards trying to nip at my ankles. (Kicking them in the face is fun, but I'm told that's sort of bad form. I say don't bite and I won't kick, deal?) Taking steps toward making it better in hopes it won't come around to bite me on the ass and make it worse... but when the choice is moving or standing still, I prefer to move. Still trying to be diplomatic. Trying. (There's a fine line between diplomacy and eating shit. This isn't about pride or charity; it's about being a goddamn sentient life form. I'd say "human being" but, you know, there is some disagreement about what this term means.) Politics are too exhausting to indulge in, though. At least I think people have learned better than to ask me something they don't actually want the answer to.

And in a few weeks Oji-san will be arriving at my door. This is good. Chibiterasu needs playmates. Chocobos and baby wolf/light gods are maybe not too compatible. Who knew.

So, let us link. Playing God: On Death, Motherhood and ‘Creatures’ is a great read. I think it serves to illustrate how games "aren't just games", you know?

Mourning the Non-Existent is a good follow-up. Just why do we so easily mourn characters we know are "just made up"? (And Umberto Eco quotes made me happy, too. I can't help it.) As a Nomura fan, I know a thing or two about this subject.

Speaking of subjects I know about, video games distracting from pain. How Video Games Helped Treat a Burned War Veteran is the short retelling--BUT FOR THE LOVE OF PIE DO NOT READ THE STUPID FUCKING COMMENTS. Yeah, it's one of those. The full GQ article is an interesting read too, but do be warned there's a picture right near the top if you're squeamish about, you know, burn victims. (No, it's not actually bad. But it's kind of obvious.) And there are descriptions of the moments after the incident. If you also happen to be a Stephen King fan, this won't phase you in the least.

Change of pace; in a very happy edition to something I posted previously, Videogamers Embark on Nonkilling Spree. You mean gamers aren't responsible for all the violence in the world?! Le gasp, etc.

This Portal Room project is incredible. And yes I need to make me a combustible lemon.

Why History Needs Software Piracy. Yes, I know, it's sort of massively unpopular opinion. As someone who values the history of classic video games that would have otherwise been left to rot or buried and lost altogether, I feel the need to at least link to this. I can also say that the defunct Home of the Underdogs has been responsible for some game purchases from me, thank you very much.

Speaking of things that would have otherwise been lost without the internet, footage of Lionhead Studios' canceled Kinect project, Milo & Kate. Later called Milo, later called a tech demo, later swept under the rug completely. No one seems to know what this actually was. That's part of the fascination when you watch the footage, actually; you can see how much potential it had as everything from an adventure/quest to... well, yes, a horror game. Lighting is essential, don't you know. Point being, it's also clear why this project was probably canceled. The many changes in direction was probably pushing toward a massive budget already, and... as many of us had joked about or suspected, it looks incredibly easy to "take advantage of". If you don't know what I'm talking about, then hold onto that innocence. *grin* I sincerely hope those assets are in use somewhere, because that's really amazing tech and a shitload of work.

Biochemist publishes a paper solving the mystery of life, but no one understands it. This is sort of dead center between funny and sad, actually. "This is one of those K-Pax situations, where you'll always be left wondering if maybe the guy with the funny glint in his eye might have been right about the aliens."

And finally, Pictures of David Bowie Doing Normal Stuff. It cracked me up so I had to pass it along.