Sunday, 5 August 2012

Writing in my own voice: July 2012

I went from 2 articles in June to 33 in July. My first month with MWEB GameZone was a thrill. A heartfelt thanks to the team, you guys are awesome. Every day brings with it the challenge of writing in your own voice and delivering articles that are worth reading in an industry flooded with better journalists than yourself. Challenge was accepted ;)

For this blog post I will focus mainly on my opinion pieces.

"All the world's a digital stage"

This article explores ubiquitous computing in depth. 

The Web is essentially a digital mirror of individuals, created by the interactions of each person on it. A sensor based digital world has replaced a senses dependent world. Just how much information related to you is available on the Web?  We interact on a real time, highly information based world with software that interprets all the data we feed it almost on a daily basis. You might think, but how accurate can these interpretations be? Let’s take a look at just how deep this rabbit-hole goes.

The language of music in games

I attempt to articulate the beauty that music adds to the gaming experience.

There are few things in life that can compare to the passion we feel towards music. It is the chameleon of the soul; because as a chameleon reflects the colour it touches, so music reflects the ever changing landscape of our emotions. Music conveys a clearer message than words, because it surpasses the barriers of prejudice and reason. It elicits deep response because it knows the path to our hearts. Its melody can serve as a teacher by clearing our minds and directing our thoughts along the message of its lyrics. It is the higher language because it surpasses race, intellect and outward beauty. It makes us all equals on the planes of feeling. 

About the male gaze and other holy cows

I take a look at the controversial subjects of the male gaze, and the inclusion of religious and sexual content in video games.

We are just scratching the surface of what games as a medium are capable to deliver to an over saturated, preached up, fed up, over educated and intellectualized humanity. I don’t know where we should draw the lines, we are discovering that together. What I do know is that I am listening, and what I hear, is that games have become a catalyst for mass critical thinking. What are you hearing?

Indie Games – A digital self portrait

I take a look at how the medium of video games didn’t grow with its audience, and Indie games as the new genre of inspiration.

AAA titles are audience driven, whereas Indie titles are essentially a digital self portrait of the developer, or at least a window into the mind and soul of the developer. In Indie Game: The Movie, Jonathan Blow says this about creating the Indie hit Braid, one of the highest-rated games of all time. “Making it was about me taking my deepest flaws and vulnerabilities and putting that into a game.” Just think about that a minute. How would playing a game that is at its core a deeply personal and intimate story of another individual, impact the player?

News, interviews and reviews
I did a fascinating series on role-playing games: An entirely personal matter, role-playing games and escapism, explore the magic that is role-playing games, and role-playing games, where to from here? I also did an interview with "The legend that is Ashkan Namousi."

Noteworthy news included: Apps that eavesdrop, Digital is changing the landscape, and Living the game.

Many thanks to everyone that played a part in making July a spectacular month of video games journalism for me.

Sunday, 1 July 2012

June 2012

I took a break in June in order to focus on my studies, which is going exceptionally well atm. Much to my surprise and delight, MWEB GameZone approached me to start writing for them. MWEB is an exciting company to work for and the gMz team are a fantastic bunch of guys. I will also still be working for Bravado Gaming.

I only published two articles in June, both were extremely unique and significant in its own way ;)

About Gamers, Sex and Questing ;)

 I decided to take a break from doing interviews and rather do an opinion piece. I was wrecking my brain to get something original to write about. When I finally hit a good topic, filled with excitement, I headed over to my boss. He gave my idea barely a second thought, and instead blurted this out, and I’m giving you the exact quote…

“[04:35:37 PM] Andreas Hadjipaschali: is sex better when u both complete a quest, cos ur both happy?” 

When my initial shock subsided I replied

[04:37:27 PM] Han Cilliers: ok so the impact of gaming on relationships?

Much to my relief, he quickly replied that yes, he would like an article about the impact of gaming on relationships. So, let’s jump right into the hearts, minds and beds of gamers and their loved ones ;)  Read the rest of this article here.

A time of reflection on e-Sports South Africa

Since I’ve started writing for Bravado Gaming, I have tried to understand the journey our small, competitive community has embarked upon.  With my “Bird’s eye view on e-Sports SA” I’ve covered the accumulated results of countless people’s efforts by showing our readers where e-Sports in SA currently stands and what we have on offer for our competitive community.

That series showcases what we have built so far; it is the ‘house’ so to speak. But what of the foundation, who were the individuals that pioneered and paved the way for competitive gaming in SA? My interview with Lauren das Neves covered one such individual. This article introduces you to two more people who have played a significant role in shaping competitive gaming in SA. Meet Johann von Backstrõm from Telkom do Gaming and Colin Webster from MSSA. Read the rest of this article here.

That concludes a very chilled June.  From 01 July I will kick it off with gMz.

Monday, 4 June 2012

May 2012

Much to my surprise I won writer of the month for April with Bravado Gaming. The month of May almost completely consists of e-Sports coverage. I have to admit that having to produce articles on just this one aspect of gaming is not shaping my writing in the way I would prefer. I will have to deliberatly push myself to cover the aspects of gaming that I am actually passionate about.

Here's a snapshot of my writing for May.

Education meets gaming

Ben Bertoli is a 6th grade teacher in Indianapolis, Indiana. His passion for gaming and teaching led to the creation of ClassRealm, a teaching method that relies on gamification to motivate learning. Children are shaped by the world around them. With ClassRealm, Bertoli has invented a teaching method that promotes intrinsic motivation (motivation that comes from within) by extrinsic motivation (motivation that is influenced by external factors, in this case, gamification). He pulled this off by drawing from his passion for gaming. He is an example of someone that desired a change and then he made it happen. Read all about this extraordinary young man and his adventures here.

Bird's eye view on e-Sports SA: LAN's

The LAN scene is like a “gamers-brawl”. We hook up to hang out with buddies, do some bonding and share e -love, but most of all we have fun and jam to our hearts content. There is a lot of potential in LAN’s to incorporate other aspects that can link to gaming, for example, OC that bring us Cosplay and other fun events. Organisers with rich imaginations and mind-sets that aren’t afraid to try new ventures head up the LAN’s. Read the rest of this article here.

ROCCAT and Bravado: Innovation & skill unleashed

ROCCAT is to gaming like Quicksilver is to surfing. Having gaming skill merge with optimized, top of the range gear is any gamers dream. The ROCCAT products aren’t good pc peripherals; they are products specifically designed to enable gamers to showcase their skills to the max. Your rig becomes an extension of your skills. Read more about the partnership between ROCCAT and Bravado Gaming here.


Bird's eye view on e-Sports SA: The rest

SA has a few small organisations that provide competitive play for specific games. The people who run these sites are fuelled by passion and a dedication to see their game of choice excel. The effort they put into the service they provide for their respective communities can only be labelled as a ‘labour of love’. We owe them much respect and gratitude. Here are a few words from them on why they’ve chosen to provide a platform for the specific game that they host competitions for.

Lastly we have the organisations, websites and individuals that provide other services to e-Sports in SA. They cover news, provide servers for competitions to run on or just a place where gamers can feel at home. Without their input, advice and passion for gaming, we would find our virtual worlds to be lacking. Here are a few words from them on what service they provide to make your gaming experience run smoothly.

The 3 musketeers of Bravado Gaming

We have a lot of very talented gamers in South Africa and a lot of people who are passionate about developing e-Sports, but just a handful of people who will stick together for however long it takes to see that dream realize.  Andreas ‘Cent’ Hadjipaschali, Dimitri ‘Detrony’ Hadjipaschali and Andrew ‘chaylek’ Cowley is the driving force behind Bravado Gaming – the most prestigious Multi Gaming Organization in South Africa. Join me for a peek into the minds and hearts of these three comrades in arms.

A driving force behind SA gaming

If I would ask our gamers if the name Lauren das Neves rings a bell most would probably say no. If I would, however, ask them if rAge and NAG do then almost everyone would give a definite “Yes!”  She is one of the puppet masters behind the biggest gaming event as well as the most successful gaming magazine in South Africa (SA). Join me for a first time exclusive interview with the woman who has been a driving force behind some of the key elements that have made gaming in South Africa what it is today.

This concludes May. A big thanks to all the people who took time of their busy schedules to do an interview with me. A special mention has to go to Ben B from ClassRealm because of the work he does in education. Please visit his website and spread the word about ClassRealm.