• 11Aug 12

  Video Game novels

  Video games came into being, that is , they were available to the masses about 1978. Odyssey owners will tell you otherwise but the Odyssey was soon replaced by the Atari and/or the Intellivision. The industry has progressed greatly from those days of 24% inflation, Jimmy Carter sending US jobs for the 1st time ever, and the dying days of disco. But it is still evolving. That was 34 years ago and I'm aware that most of you were not here 34 years ago. So to speak of those days is to speak of ancient history that one cannot relate to.

  But a quick look around Amazon or very large bookstore will soon show gamers a number of novels devoted to a game they may have played. One of my favorite series of books (there were 3) were the books that tied in to Myst. These weer done back when novelization of video or computer games was done correctly. Not that we do not have good novels released today, but so many of them are just fan feeder for the gamer who loves a particular game.

  

  Here is the 1st book, a prequel, in the Myst series . Now for those of you who may have missed playing this game i strongly advise you to play at some time. It is almost a prerequisite to gaming 101. Notice that Rand and Robin Miller, the creators of Myst assisted i the writing of this novel . The original publication was 1995.

  A recent example of a great prequel novel is Bioshock. Another I highly advise fans of the series , or just video game fans in general , to read.

  

  As one can see it is still available on Amazon.

  But the point is: do video games enhance the overall gaming experience or do they deter from it. I find the prequels to be most interesting because they tell the back-story of the game. They can provide the reader, the gamer, background info that the game does not have time to delve into. (Final Fantasy VII may be the exception). The Bioshock novel for instance, involves the building of Rapture from the seafloor up to how it was inhabited. And a lot more.

  The two other novel formats are not as interesting to me. One is the format where the events take place AFTER the main story quest has ended. One the other is the one where one is to read the book while playing the title. These novesl are few and far between. ICO is the best example I can think of.

  

  Again, thanks goes to Amazon.

  The Diablo novel was good. "The Book of Cain" which is $35 dollars is a bit to steep for my liking. But it looks to be so awesome. I always loved Deckard Cain in the Diablo games. He's old ,like me, and has a great memory and can relte story or tale very well.

  My son who has read the Mass Effect novels tells me they are OK.

  But to writers and editors this genre is a challenge. How does tell the tale, before or after? How to balance the main characters with the background characters. Plus the book hads to be wrote in suck a way so as not to ruin the plot line for gamers who may not have played the title.Or, if the novel occurs after the main storyline, the author must be very careful not to release info that could be used in a sequel.

  So do they add or detract. Only you , the gamer, answer that.Only you know how hardcore a fan you are of a series. Video games have along way to evolve. So do the novels of them. It will be interesting to see what state the gaming industry is in 34 years from now, 2012. Rest assured that there wil stil be a PC somewhere that still plays ZORK!!

  

  • Posted Aug 11, 2012 2:56 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 5Aug 12

  Random Adriana Lima pic of the Week #2

  It's August ladies and gentlemen. This Summer is gong by tooo fast. I don't like it. I would so like to live in hawaii for a year. That would be beautiful.

  And speaking of beautiful here this week's Adriana Lime pic

  

  I hope everyone likes the pic. but back to the island. No,non, no, not hawaii. I mean Dead Island. I started that title this past week. It is my son's game and i had to wait for him to openit and install it. But now that he has we both like it. I beleive it is as good as a lot said it was last year. I just wish I had done some things earlier in the title.

  That and Bioshock 2 are taking up my time now. I have yet to set up an actua money account on my diablo game. But i want to . And i have no day job, I'm actually looking for work. So I don'y have to worry about quitting it.

  I hope all of you are well and that you have some grand plans for the Summer. Because it coming to an end. Shortly. It bites? I know. But make the best of it. Come back to gaming when it gets colder!

  Take Care

  Zin

  Zin

  • Posted Aug 5, 2012 12:55 pm GMT
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• 29Jul 12

  Random Adriana Lima pics of the week #1

  Hello all,

  I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this beautiful Summer weather. Except for my friends below the equator. Take heed, Fall will soon be here which means you will soon have Spring! In the meantime, stay warm!

  This last week and this weekend is rather noteworthy to the residents of Somerset Pa where i live. First off the USS Somerset was christened yesterday. A lot of local people went down to Louisiana to see it. it's unfortunate that such a tragic event had to happen for us to get a ship named after the county.

  This last week and this weekend was also the 10 anniversary of the 9 miners being rescued form the mine that they got themselves trapped in 10 years ago. It's impossible to live around and not know one of those 9, or their relations. The Governor at the time, Mark Schweiker was such a great governor and was here , helping, sleeves rolled up, every day that the rescue efforts went on. For those not familiar with this event i would encourage you to read about it! it is a fascinating story of man's ingenuity!

  Triple points for Red Dead Redemption is also going on today. Get your boots and spurs out and go back to the old west and gather some experience.

  Bil O'Reilly's column this morning was titled "Where were you in '62?". He goes on to speak a little of how times have changed and what was going on. And what he was up to. It got me to thinking where I was in '62. 50 years ago. Man that was a while past. Before JFK was assassinated, but after the Bay of Pigs. I would be getting ready to enter 1st grade in the fall. Stamps were 6 cents. A loaf of bread was 29 cents. The good stuff 34 cents. Gas was under a half dollar/gallon. Coke and pepsi were 10 cents/bottle in machines, and there were no steel or aluminum cans drinks. The aluminum can for drinks was not invented yed. So Coke, Pepsi, Upper 10, Tab--all in bottles. And very few things has expiration dates. Dairy and meat and not even all of dairy.

  But I know where i was in '81, the year this sweetie was born. And for those of you who have made it this far-here is your reward:

  

  Like it.Love it. Love to like it or like to love it .Either way is good. And if your opinion is somewhere else- i don't care.

  Wecome to random Adriana Lima pic #1.

  Have a great week Ladies and gentlemen.

  zin

  • Posted Jul 29, 2012 9:13 am GMT
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