Extra Credits

Greetings, I am Sir Thomas. Not Saint Thomas. Not Lord Thomas. And certainly not Lord British, that is a completely different person entirely. I will repeat my moniker until you manage to repeat it.

I am here today to tell you about certain people. I am talking to you about them because I had literally nothing else to talk about. These are the people I turn to when I want to think of something new, perhaps something innovative, perhaps something I've known for a long time, but never looked at from a particular angle. I was racking my brains to think of something, anything, to present you with. In my hubris I turned to these people for inspiration, something to think about. I decided, the moment the page had loaded, to instead tell our dear readership about them instead.

These people are James Portnow (in Blue), Daniel Floyd (in Green) and Allison Theus (in Pink), or, as I shall hence on call them, "Extra Credits". They are a mostly gaming show that examines the industry, the structure, the jobs, the market, the laws, the best moments that have ever happened and the darkest shadows that have crept across their medium. These people, these talented, intelligent people, have made me feel as if I am the future of a new art form, an unexplored horizon... and then a few episodes later, can make me consider myself a base beast of ignorance and spite, and question my choices in life. They do not shy away from the hard questions, or the ugly and difficult truths.

Make no mistake, they are not all about gritty realism and the issue of gender politics in games. They spread humour in their videos, through art, word play, and just... to me... the atmosphere. There are very few places on the internet I go to learn and laugh. This is one of them. I suggest you watch it. If not for the fact that you're learning from people directly involved with a developing industry, but for the fact they are always on top of the latest and most vital news. A PIPA and SOPA episode? Certainly. Crowdfunding and Kickstarter? Of course. They even recently had a Politician guest starring to discuss how the public can effect Government, because their fans sent in so many letters displaying their feelings of powerlessness when PIPA and SOPA were introduced. They go above and beyond the cause.

To me, although I blush to admit it, these people are something to aspire to.I know it might sound strange, but someone who does a day's honest work, comes home and develops an internet show with their friends, just to better inform and educate the masses... there is something noble in that. An honesty to them, if you will. Perhaps I am aggrandising them too much, I am rather a fanatic of theirs, but I'll give you an example of what they do.

A while ago, Allison, the artist, had an issue with her arm. I'm not certain what it was directly, I am no doctor, but I believe recalling that it was an issue with the tendons. This would make drawing, her profession, incredibly difficult for her, and she would require an operation to fix the issue. This operation, since she is in America, would have to be paid for out of her own pocket. She did not have the money.
The people at Extra Credits turned to their fans. They made it clear, it was a charitable donation, they asked you only give what you can to help Allison. The result was... incredible.
Fans gave money so quickly that they reached the desired amount in a few hours. Then they kept giving. Extra Credits had inspired so many people that the final amount received staggered all previous expectations. And now, they had an issue.
Allison had her operation, a smashing success, with guest artists coming in in droves to take her place and support Extra Credits while she recovered. But by the end they had a lot of money extra. Ask yourself what you would do in that situation. Refund it? Impossible. Give it away? It rather defeats WHY these people gave the charitable donations to you, doesn't it? How about giving it back in a different way?
These people, these wonderful people, came up with a plan. They would take small time developers, indie companies surviving off of scraps, and they would nourish them. They would support games with these funds. And what is more, the fine people at Extra Credits are aware of all the traps and foils of the Game industry. They knew when people were being abused, or tricked, by crafty Publishers. They lined these problems out in front of the audience, and they killed them all, promising that they would be a fair Producer, and all money made by this venture, would fall straight back into the fund to Produce bigger and better games.

I do not believe I have to tell you anything more. These people are honest. If I was to describe them in one word, it would be Honest. Yet, this is my own opinion. My own beliefs of them. You should watch. You should observe, and either deem me mad, or praise their excellence. I ask for none myself. It is their work. I merely pointed it in your direction.

Good day, my friends.

Left 4 Dead: The Movie

Greetings, I am Sir Thomas, and I will continue to say this until you get it right.

It appears that it has fallen on me to guide the average internet plebeian in the ways they should distribute their money yet again. While I am certain many of you have viewed my previous web log submission with a certain amount of glee that you can actually eat this week instead of feeding your crippling addiction to games, I'm afraid I have found a better use for the money saved by partaking in the Humble Indie Bundle. 

Yes, instead of feeding yourself, or any kind of dependant children, or purchasing any kind of medication, I strongly suggest you throw all of your saved money into this:

That's correct my friends, a movie based on Valve's hit videogame: Left 4 Dead.

This is, first of all, a fan movie. Now don't fret over this, or consider it somehow a lesser product because of this. Sometimes the finest creations come out of force of will, lack of resources and true consideration going into the work. A hand crafted table will be finer than any furniture created simply by process and assembly.

Now, I hear you exclaim, 'How on earth shall I distribute wealth to these people? And for what purpose?'

It is simple. The project is non-profit, and mostly self-funded; to assure quality however, the project has turned their hearts to the internet, asking for a little monetary donation in order to refine their work. And, of course, they are offering a little... shall we say... recompense for those generous enough to come to their aid. The more generous you are, the more you get in return.

From all signs available a majority of work has been completed, and they just need a little push forward to emerge as fully fledged movie makers, and I say do it. The milk of human kindness is shared too little among the average man, together, you can do great things. Together, you can stand up again those who suppress you. Though I do hope you all remember who was the man who guided you towards this consideration when the uprising begins. Me. It was me.

The donation site for the Left4Dead movie can be found here, the production team's Youtube channel can be found here, and the Facebook page for the movie can be found here.

Now, let it never be said that I do not present you with interesting new developments.

Good day, my friends.

An Adventure in Economical Gaming

Greetings, my name is Thomas, I am a newly acquired contributor to this Web Log. My friends know me by the name Tom, you may call me Sir Thomas. Now, I am here to discuss how to best utilise your finances in our current economic crisis.

If, occasionally, you find yourself in a dilemma where you are currently having a rather dry spot with your finances, you are repeatedly being denied a fresh loan until you pay off your currents ones, and you suffer from that intemperate itch that demands you divulge in some top quality video games, you may think all is hopeless.

Now, I advise you not to fret friend, as there are certain groups of people in the world who acknowledge the outrageous prices of even mediocre games on the current gaming platforms.
They have made it their task to bring happiness to the masses, flying in the face of convention to bring you high quality products for a minimal price. Their goal, to allow anyone with a computer, whether Mac or PC, to obtain games for a fraction of the normal amount.

These people are, of course, internet pirates.

As a gentleman however I must refrain from conversing with the shadier side of the law, even when suffering from the worst gaming drought I had ever experienced. It is perhaps fortunate then that I stumbled across a website that has similar ideals and methods of the internet pirates, without all that unfortunate business of it all being illegal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, The Humble Indie Bundle.

The Humble Bundle is a marvellous idea. Currently in the fifth instalment, the Humble Bundle is a charitable organisation that sells a collection of games for a greatly reduced cost. These deals only last for a certain amount of time however, the current one only for another two days, so do hurry up and buy it. The website allows you to pay a personalised amount, whether that be thousands of pounds or a single penny, and in return you gain up to eight games.

Of course, as incentive, you get less games for giving less money. If you pay below the average amount you are only capable of unlocking four out of the current eight games, which is still a simply incredible deal if you consider that you could be purchasing four games for less than the cheapest of bargain bin wines

For beating the average price, which even at the time of writing this article, with 537,404 copies of the Bundle sold, is still only $8.40, you can obtain all eight games, their soundtracks, and a comfortable warm sensation inside that you are donating the charity through these actions.

Now, I believe the best thing to do at this very moment would be to examine what games they have to offer.

Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP

I am uncertain if I've ever seen a game that can contrast graphics with atmosphere as Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP can. Not to say the graphics are in any way bad, they are basic, which can be used to great effect, but the pixelated style gives nothing away of the true power of the game. Every detail was included to make this game old fashioned, yet completely immersive. Storytelling is the focus of the game, with wonderful detail put into the auditory atmosphere, and a unique choice in graphics.

LIMBO

I find it ill-advised for people who suffer from paranoia or arachnophobia to play this game, mostly because everything is trying to kill you in a variety of different rather disgusting ways. If I was asked to describe the game LIMBO in one dramatic word, I would have to say 'dark', with perhaps more emphasis on the 'DARK' part. Though short, the puzzle platformer has a certain appeal that raises it above the rest. A must try, though it is perfectly understandable if you have to occasionally stop and lay down after a fit of hysterics.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

As we were already discussing fits of hysteria, I believe this is the best game to present next on this list. Amnesia is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most terrifying games of recent history. Shambling monstrosities, murders, mystery, and the disquieting fact that the settings occasionally look like my summer house, this game is probably already on any survival horror fan's list. I strongly advise you get it, even if you are not a fan of survival horror. Playing even a few moments of it is... an experience.

Psychonauts

Have you ever had the desire to explore the mental state of the completely deranged? Napoleon complexes? Delusional Paranoia? Anger issues? How about a giant mutated fish? Or even a bubbly party girl? Well you can visit all these and more in Double Fine's adventure game epic. With sprawling landscapes filled with amusing and quite literally insane characters, a ludicrous but driving story, and a summer camp for the psychic, this game is getting on in years, but is considered a classic for a reason.

Now we are exploring into the games that you need to pay that little bit extra for. But I'm certain even the greatest misers in the world could produce enough to beat the Humble Bundle's average.

Bastion

What makes art art? That is a philosophical question that has been pondered on for centuries, and has been asked more in the recent displays of the so called 'art'. The common opinion at the moment is that a piece of work is considered art by lots of people, and thus the opinion makes it art. Well, if that is true, I suggest you purchase the bundle at just above average and obtain this wonderful piece of art. The narration, a master piece, the graphics, a sight to behold. Perhaps, when you cut right down to it, it is still an adventure game, but it is so refined, so different, that you will play it just for the sake of playing.

Lone Survivor

Horror. A theme to this Bundle seems to be horror. This game is a spiritual successor to the original Silent Hill franchise. By that I mean that you are trapped in an apartment complex that seems to slip into another realm, possibly hell itself, where all manner of god-less creatures are trying to tear you to shreds for their own enjoyment. A fine example of survival horror done effectively in a very basic way, it captures what it is really like to survive any kind of terrible monster or zombie invasion. This might be very useful information to obtain, should the rumours about Florida prove true. I suggest picking it up, if not just for the horror then the life saving value.

Braid

Braid was one of the first Indie games to come out that really showed the power of small developers. With nothing but interesting ideas, some intuitive mechanics and some wonderful art style, Braid helped kick the Indie circuit into the spotlight. While there are complaints that the story and the gameplay are kept in two completely different areas, and the story is at best complex and at worse completely incomprehensible, there is a reason this game caused such a raucous over simply existing. A fine example of a game, if not the best.

Super Meat Boy

Boy made of meat loves girl who is a physical representation of a bandage, only to have the girl stolen away by an evil foetus who wears a monocle and a top-hat. It's an age old story, told again and again, and again, and again, depending on what level you play on. One of the hardest platformers around, and one of the longest as well, Super Meat Boy is a simple premise of getting the little red cube over to the little pink cube, but is handled in such a ridiculously over the top way that you can forgive any shortcomings of the game. While certainly infuriating at times, the game leaves you always wanting more. One more level, one more bandage, one more A+ rating. If you love to complete your games 100%, I suggest you try to resist that urge with this game, because the difficulty can and will destroy you.

That is all for today. It was a rather long submission in the end, but I hope everyone enjoyed it. I shall be covering the Humble Indie Bundle when it is released again in a sixth instalment, informing you of the games available and my opinions of them.

Good day, my friends.