Video: S**t David Jaffe Says

[Fast forward to the 4:15 minute mark]

I'm a huge of David Jaffe. Speaking as someone who consistently puts his foot in his mouth on a regular basis, especially in regards to things that I'm very passionate about.

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Happy Holidays From The Brog

Oh that Krampus always causing a ruckus

As I sit here wrapping the final gifts, infested with flu-like symptoms, imbibing both wine and Theraflu. I'm reminded of several things: 1) no matter how hard I try, my allergy to alcohol will continue being my Achilles' Heel to a life of drunkatude. 2) I've never felt luckier to have met and made connections to you great people on the internet. Your tweets and inboxed links haven't gone unnoticed. Sidenote: some of that s**t is straight-up weird and has resulted in a record number of blocks and reports. So, yeah, there's that.

What was I getting at with this? Oh yeah, 3) I'm not a rich guy, or even moderately "balling." I spent a fair amount [okay, all] of my spending money on my mom and little sister this holiday. At the same time, I'm not trying to go in debt or make a material statement as to my status in life. I got lucky with this friend group. They only expect me to be me. It was super-unfortunate I couldn't get everyone at least a joke/gag gift, but this post will have to suffice.

Below you'll find links to art, articles, and videos that I hold very dear. Some are to be taken in jest, others not-so-much. Thanks for the support.

And don't let Krampus poke you.

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Games Are[n't] Worth It?

You didn't know you wanted it, until you saw it on the internet.

I guess I'm ready to write about games again. I got this screen cap in my inbox this past weekend. I'm actually having a hard time expressing any shred of thought about said image, other than a muted chuckle. Okay, that and mild shame for finding it hilarious.

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Commercial Break: Classics Of Games = Amazing

The youtube channel Classics of Games has been keeping me company this morning while I sift through angry e-mails and comments about how, 'I'm gay for not liking inFamous.' Yup, this is how we are spending our Fourth of July morning folks.

Let's put a positive spin on this. Classics of Games is a collection of [perfectly sized] excerpts from video games, that kind of encompass the constant struggle between what makes a game useless and what makes a game stand the test of time. [I dare you to un-see the Jackie Chan fighting game]

After the jump are a select few that made me smile on a day where I'm supposed to be telling mom about, "how gay I must be." Yeah, let's put that one on the refrigerator.

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E3 2011: The "This Could Be Good For Gaming" Edition

Papo & Yo [Minority Studios]

[Update: 6-19-11]: I guess it's been noted on several sites that the creator of the this game is making it as it relates, allegorically, to his life. The creator, Vander Cabellero, was raised by his father who was an alcoholic. The game is centered around a young man raised in Columbia [like Cabellero] who goes to this world of fueled by his imagination, when times get tough in his personal life. The young man befriends a rhino-like beast named Monster. Monster is addicted to frogs. The young man must alter his world via puzzle-solving tactics, but he must feed Monster frogs for his help. The penalty is that Monster turns belligerent when fed too many frogs. That's all I'm willing to know and write about this game. Really can't wait.

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E3 2011: The Unsurprising Corporate Edition

E3 attendee resting his eyes during the Nintendo's press conference. -- Photo by Janine Dong

Full disclosure: My day job is currently requiring I work longer hours and do heavier lifting. I'm currently writing this after imbibing one hell of a riesling and several cupcakes. Don't judge, but recognize that I may not be at my sharpest.

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Let's Break A Video Game Embargo!

I googled "embargoed leaks" and I got an image of a cat in a ba...oh. Now I get it.

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Addendum: Uncomfortable Realism

Not having played any Battlefield 3, I can guarantee you there is no sex being had on the other side of that door.

A couple weeks ago I wrote a short [apparently] piece on violence in video games over at Couchbound.net. It specifically deals with how violence in video games are advertised. By proxy, the article lightly grazes issues of maturity and consumer responsibility.

I put the article up on N4G [among other sites] and some insightful comments where made. This addendum will function as what thoughts and ideas were spawned from said comments and discussions.

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E3 2011: Prepping For Uncomfortable Silence & Unintentional Comedy

It still echoes in my head, "one million trooooops," then almost an audible insert of prairie crickets. Tak Fujii is well known and respected in the Japanese gaming community. As some of you know, E3 Conferences are usually an opportunity for games, from all walks of the culture, to make their big impressions. It's always cringe-worthy when that impression is negative.

In two weeks E3 2011 will commence and you can bet I'll be uploading and posting as much as I can during that weekend. One can only hope that this year's press conferences [pressers] surpass those of last year's. If not for quality, let's hope the oddball antics this year are fully-stocked with comedy. It was clear that Konami chose a different approach. Some would say, a more hilarious approach. I would be one of those people.

Below is a compilation of all things I love about corporate business-speak and PR spin in the gaming industry. Here's hoping 2011 doesn't disappoint.

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Video: Dead Island Trailer

I'm not usually a huge proponent of getting gushy over trailers -- of any kind. I feel it's a bad habit to fall into when a movie, or in this case -- game, is trying to sell you on its superficial qualities. This being said, there are exceptions to every rule. Dependant on how a film, or game, is presenting itself determines what the audience should take from it.

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