I’m currently working on a piece about narrative structure in computer games, focusing in particular on the Half Life 2 series and its latest installment Episode 2. While doing the research, I came across this amusing easter egg (so to speak) that seems to have been included by Valve to shackle those trying to break past its linear structure (which is particularly ironic since I was researching just how Valve manages to develop a linear game narrative while providing the illusion of player choice). The easter egg is quite amusing so I’ll post it now as a prelude to my more detailed post to come in the next couple of days.
One of my interests is in emerging art forms. Various kinds of new media have the potential to be the greatest vehicles of artistic expression we have yet seen. I consider gaming to be one such platform - and have explored the art of gaming narrative previously on this blog (and will do so again shortly). Another emerging art form is the demo - which garners considerably less attention because of it lacks a mass appeal. While the demo scene has been around for a considerable amount of time (it grew up around c64 gaming scene where those providing cracks and trainers would preface the game with a short loading screen which would attribute to themselves the credit for the crack), it is yet to fully mature as an art form. Nevertheless, I believe its potential can be seen in recent work by some of the top demo crews on the scene today. This post is a review of three examples of such work. While many will refuse the label of ‘art’ for such work, I will nevertheless consider them as such and provide my review on such a basis.
For those of us who wonder how it is that religion continues to dominate the imaginations of the vast majority of the people on this earth - there is really only one answer. Better marketing. Those of us who really believe in science as a better explanation of our place in this universe are generally too busy doing science to spend time trying to get across the concept to those who let themselves be deluded by religious ideas. We hope the example provided is itself enough to gain conversions. But it’s just not working out that way. Meanwhile, religion retains and extends its mass appeal. But what is it about its marketing process that is so superior? And what does this process demonstrate about those who are so entranced by it? The following video is an excellent example:
Ron Paul - for the few on the internet that don’t already know - is a 2nd tier candidate currently contesting the Republican nomination for the American presidency. He’s gained a considerable grass roots following that praise him with astonishing fervour. His message is simple - yet it cuts deep against the American oligarchic elites that currently control the country. For this reason alone would I like to see him president (as an Australian I get no say of course, but I feel justified in commenting given that the choice of American president affects the whole world). But if I did have the option of voting for him I wouldn’t - why? Well, consider the one thing he has most in common with the current president George W. Bush. It’s a vision thing - a word that is uttered ad nauseum: freedom. And I’m sorry, but this is a snake oil I just can’t stomach any more - no matter how medicinal its properties this time around.