"Everything I've done, I've done for you. I move the stars for no one." - Jareth the Goblin King, Labyrinth

The 11th of January

The 12th of January

Choose your fate.

The goblins of the deep have grown strong. They have worked hard in the earth to carve out a small kingdom. The years of frail ingenuity on the surface have given way to a more bloodthirsty war like creature. More akin to their Orc cousins these new goblins have focused on forging and fighting with steal weapons. Some goblins have grown so strong that they can wield a human sword with deadly accuracy and skill.

OR

A mad king has descended into the goblin village. They now have a leader unlike any before. The madness that drives the goblins is the same that drives this mad king. The mad king however retains his mastery of tactical combat and warfare. The goblin horde becomes a crazed army, attacking villages and settlements with a strategic purpose. No longer mindless thoughtless raids, these goblins are quickly conquering the countryside. Their undying loyalty to their new mad king borders on religious zeal.

I was sad to hear that David Bowie past away yesterday. His passing sat with me while drawing. I wanted to draw a portrait of him as the Goblin King from Labyrinth as I have seen so many talented people do on Deviantart but self doubt stepped in and stopped that from happening. I did manage one or two neat goblins thumbnails though.

Spiderman movies.

Ryan's Spiderman movie Rant:

Dear Sam Raimi & Marc Webb, congrats on your Spiderman movies. You have managed to re-imagine a beloved character for a new generation. Too bad you suck at it. Seriously two of spiderman's most character defining traits you completely ruin or change.

1. Spiderman uses humor as a defense mechanism. When the web head gets in situations that are over his head or nearly hopeless or depressing his mouth just starts running. How can you not capture that in a movie? Having the new spiderman making fun of a common car thief for 10 mins is not true to the character or funny.

2. Spiderman is a tragic hero. I don't know how you directors can go through high school english without learning what that means. Now let me give credit to Sam Raimi for that last 4 minutes of the first spiderman movie actually did managed to capture this, too bad that was the only 4 mins of 3 movies that actually made me feel like I was watching a Spiderman movie. And Marc Webb have you even read a comic book? Spiderman gets dumped on constantly. He always gets kicked in the balls at the end of the story. Stan Lee has stated this in many interviews.

I realize that a "fan rant" isn't anything new or should have any bearing on how you make a movie, but when someone who has loved Spiderman for as long as I have and is as forgiving as I am can't be convinced to go see your movie in a theater, well.... just saying.

Last great comic book movie is the The Phantom. Hands down.

But I am not asking for a great comic book movie, that is a pipe dream. I just want one that stays true to the character.

As much as the Iron Man movies had their issues, they stayed true to the Iron Man character, an arrogant genius a-hole.
The new and old Captain America movies showed Cap as a good old fashion American hero who stands for the "ideal" American values.
The Batman movies show most parts of the character, but seem to leave out the world's greatest detective bit.
Daredevil isn't a love crazed killer vigilante romance star, he is a lawyer who wears a mask and sees the world differently(or more clearly).
Thor was a little muddy on the character traits, but overall painted a picture of a Norse God whose ego gets in the way of being a hero.

I think overall the recent Marvel movies are more successful with comic book fans because of this one issue. They stay true to the core character traits.

I have seen a great deal of comic book movies, most of them I wish I hadn't, but I still continue to hunt them down and watch them, but messing with Spidy like this draws the line.

Do you know why there are 24 Bond movies? Its not because all 24 have been fantastic pieces of cinema, but rather because all stayed true to the character. And despite how bad the movies may have been you are never disappointed with the character only the movie he was in.

Rock Band 3 and Capitalism (in a Managed economy that disguises itself as a Free Market)

Ryan's Rant: Rock Band 3 and Capitalism* (in a Managed economy*** that disguises itself as a Free Market**)
Here is some background.

Rock Band releases downloadable tracks every Tuesday at a price of about $2.00. About a year ago they released a set of Queen tracks.

Queen being one of the greatest bands of all time, warranted some of my hard earned cash.

Rock Band 3 has recently hit the stage and has added a whole new level of play. (Keyboard, duel microphones, and come March an actual real guitar.)

End of the background. Here is where the Rant steps in.

Here is where Capitalism (in a Managed economy that disguises itself as a Free Market) shines. With the new levels of play the previous rock band downloadable tracks need to be upgraded ... for a price.

Release these upgrades as free downloads to those who have already purchased the songs? Of course not.

Release them as discounted upgrades to those who have already purchased the songs? Are you crazy.

Release them as full priced songs, with no regard to those who have already purchased the songs. Now you get it.

AND will these upgraded songs be ready for the new guitar that comes out in March? No. Another upgrade will be required.

Three total purchases of the same songs.****

I am not forced to buy any of this. My livelihood does not depend on it. So charging for it three times should only effect me if I want to purchase them. (Check out Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for some insight on how marketing can change your perception of what you need versus what you want. (so maybe I do need these songs))

The similarities between this issue and what the US is currently facing with Health Care, Tax Breaks, Irish debt, etc, makes me want to ask the question. Do I want the government to regulate the price of Rock Band 3 downloadable tracks?

Do I want to lift the veil of the free market and live fully in a managed economy that pours into every aspect of my life which includes VIDEO GAMES?

Perception of the economy is just as powerful as the actual production and consumption of its goods and services.

Do you do business in a free market or a managed economy? How far does the macro effect your micro?

Would you pay three times for the same music tracks?



*Capitalism - an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

**Free market - an economic system that allows supply and demand to regulate prices, wages, etc, rather than government policy.

***Managed economy - economy directed by government: an economy in which the government owns large parts of industry and sets prices for goods and services

****For this Rant I am ignoring the price of the game, and the cost of the additional plastic instruments required to play.

Spawning Weapons

Ryans Rant: I am sick of playing multiplayer fps levels that have weapons spawning at certain locations around the map.

Let's say you are going into war and the Man-at-Arms asks you, "Do you want this Assault rocket launcher before you head out?" Your response, "no I am good. There are some on the ground outside and I would rather risk dying while running for it.."

Game programmers reasoning - That way it makes it fair for all players involved. Nobody starts with an advantage. What??!!!!

First off screw the advantage this is a war and the object is to destroy the other team, so if I feel safer carrying a sniper rifle instead of a stupid gun with a chainsaw into a massive battle against an alien force that is hell bent on destroying me then give me the rifle. Maybe I will last long enough to save the planet.

Secondly, most of the gamers who play these games nonstop, know exactly where the spawn points are. At the beginning of the match they sprint to get the weapon right off the bat.

So what does it matter if everybody starts out with their gun of choice? The good players are going to have the rocket launcher by the time the new players or casual players have a chance to get their bearings. (or gawk at the amazing graphical vista that is the battlefield)

So to recap the rant. Starting out with your gun of choice is more realistic, more fair, and doesn't piss me off.