Lots of missed updates because of crazy crazy business.

This is a little something I made for our wedding cake. It was a small intimate wedding. Couldn’t have been nicer. I’m now a Mr. James Paul Anderson-Coovert! How sweet is that?!

For those of you that haven’t seen the BOB movie, check it out. Hilarious and really creepy. I really want to make a movie with those guys someday. Something crazy with drawings and action and lazers and comedies.

BUT WHO CARES ABOUT THE HULK WHEN THERE IS THISSSS!!! I AM EXCITED!

I’ve decided to open this blog up to some movie thoughts too, since we see a ton of movies and the video game playing has been a little slow as of late.

So! Kung Fu Panda! I thought it was totally awesome. The story didn’t blow me away, but I can’t think of a Kung Fu movie that ever has. The characters were great, animation was bad ass, and the fighting rocked some shit! Go check it out if you have the chance. Squadoosh!

So it’s been awhile. There was a bit push to get my thesis finished and everything wrapped up in Vermont. I’ve now graduated with a MASTER’S DEGREE IN CARTOONING! Also moved half way across the country. Getting all set up here in Minneapolis has been nice (great to be back with Jacie). Finding a job hasn’t been the most pleasant experience. It’s a lot harder than I thought it’d be, but it’ll get worked out.

Anyway! Jacie and I got Wii fit the other day. We’ve been keeping up with it, trying to at least get the heart going once a day (she’s running right now). It’s not exactly what I thought it would be, but it’s great for what we’re using it for. I’ll update again once we see if any progress has actually been made.

I’ve also gotten back into Warcraft. Finally got to 70 (my first character to reach ‘end game’). It’s been pretty fun, although I’m not sure how much time I will have to play it now that I’m out in Minneapolis.

Expect more frequent updates. Been drawing a good bit and got some ideas for future posts. Alright!

My buddy and I were reminiscing about the good ol’ Diablo 2 days. I played a Paladin with +23 thorns and he was a Barbarian that spammed whirlwind all the time.

I’ve decided that multiplayer games are the shit. Co-op play is something I’m really interested in. I’ve been thinking about that Army of Two game. Anyone interested in playing through that? Is that a game to rent and play through in a weekend or buy and play a lot with your buddies?

I want to find a REALLY awesome co-op game.

I’m going to get Smash Bros when I visit Minneapolis (where the Wii is) in a bit over a week. We’ll hit that mulitplayer hard! LAZORRRRED

My plan was to write a big long deal reflecting on both view points shared in the article, but instead I’m going with a simple thought: Books, movies, comics, videogames… there will always be “popular fiction” and “blockbusters.” And then there are those wonderful few that effect in you such a way that change your life forever. When games or comics can do that, and I believe with all my heart that both can, that’s when they will become ART. And we’ll all be better for it!

-edit: I was very happy to just discover this video interview, where some leading game designers articulate my previous point.

THIS looks pretty interesting.

Usually I try to avoid looking at the hype for Peter Molyneux games because… well, they usually don’t live up to everything he says.

But this article is really nice– he’s actually SHOWING you what he’s promising, so you HAVE to believe him. The video isn’t very exciting to watch, but it’s cool to see. I think this game will really nail what games (as they largely are now) are all about providing the player: Immersion in a wonderful environment (talked about this a little in the Portal post). Fable 2’s story probably won’t blow any one away (saving this for a future post) and I don’t really see the actual gameplay (the combat, which seems to be the bulk of the game) being revolutionary either. But I have to say, the idea of traveling through this world with a buddy couldn’t be more appealing! If they don’t have online co-op theres gonna be trouble!

Can’t wait to see more.

Final note: GDC is going on and there’s lots of exciting news. Expect more posts. For real!

I’ve been trying to play every day for a least a little bit, getting better and better as I go. Last night when I finally got all the way through Run to the Hills the lady who lives bellow me started banging on her ceiling to get me to shut up!!! I love it!

I think besides the obvious appeal of a game like Rock Band (SO MUCH fun playing with your buddies!!) is the fact that you are trying to get better at something. It reminds me of playing Tetris on the original gameboy. Trying your best to beat your old high score. And when you finally do, it almost makes you feel smarter (or in this case, better at ROCKIN’!!!).

I’d really love to play with some of you dudes (you know who you are) online some time. Let me know!

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I put together a new portfolio website, check it out here!

Gonna try and update this blog a bit more. Who knows… I might even expand my thoughts beyond video games.

So if you don’t have this game yet, GET IT! and come play! My Xfire name is jpjpjpjp.

There are three servers I play on constantly.

Team Deathmatch= 66.225.195.232:28966

Domination/HQ= 66.225.195.232:28965

Search and Destroy= 66.225.195.232:28962

I’ve been away making comics hardcore in preparation for SPX ( spxpo.com ). The show is over now and things have calmed down a bit. Had a wonderful week long visit with Jacie.

During that week I had the pleasure of playing through Portal. What an experience! I thought it’d be a kinda cool game with lots of levels that eventually got boring, but man was I wrong. It’s nice and short and has just enough subtle story telling to keep the player completely engaged. I think games are getting to the point where designers can include little details effectively that really help to reinforce the story and atmosphere.

It fees like games, first person shooters especially, are really good at creating a setting and dropping you into it. What I think most games lack, or do poorly, is creating an good story. What a good story really needs are characters. Characters shape and move through a plot by making decisions, and what makes games so awesome (or potentially awesome) is the idea that YOU get to be the one making those decisions. Unfortunately most games are designed so that the plot advances itself, regardless of characters (the player or otherwise) to help keep the game moving.

The only real character in the game, besides yourself, is this computer, really just a voice until the very end. And man, what an awesome character. It hints at the story just a little bit during each map, but it also reveals more of it’s character as you go along. So it’s not like you are just going through each of these levels solving puzzles, but you are being teased along by this wonderful character who keeps trying to get you to make these decisions… and when you finally make the decision to upset it (or her?), that’s when everything goes to shit!

I really loved this game and hope there will be more like it. Now it’s on to Half Life 2 and of course more Team Fortress 2 (best 45 bucks I’ve ever spent!). Gotta get all that stuff finished before CoD4 hits. Whew! So many games!!

Oh, last note. The credits for Portal, best credits EVER!! hah.