Hearts of Stone
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a gaming milestone in many ways and was by far the best game I played in 2015. For me an RPG is all about character and plot first, followed by gaming mechanics. The Witcher 3 has a rich and varied narrative that doesn’t shy away from difficult issues. The plot is nuanced and doesn’t offer glib binary dialogue options. I actually cared about the characters and was moved by the tragedy of some storylines. It’s the nearest I’ve come to an interactive novel. The open world is enthralling and combat is accommodating of different play styles. Overall I feel that the £27.48 I spent on the base game and season pass has been incredible value.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a gaming milestone in many ways and was by far the best game I played in 2015. For me an RPG is all about character and plot first, followed by gaming mechanics. The Witcher 3 has a rich and varied narrative that doesn’t shy away from difficult issues. The plot is nuanced and doesn’t offer glib binary dialogue options. I actually cared about the characters and was moved by the tragedy of some storylines. It’s the nearest I’ve come to an interactive novel. The open world is enthralling and combat is accommodating of different play styles. Overall I feel that the £27.48 I spent on the base game and season pass has been incredible value.
I returned to The Witcher 3 last week as I had time in my schedule to tackle the first expansion, Hearts of Stone that was released last October. As the benchmark for story telling had been set so high with the initial game, I was somewhat sceptical if CD Projekt Red could maintain the standard with this standalone tale. However my concerns were misplaced and Hearts of Stone has proved to be another intelligent, thought provoking, bittersweet tale. The expansion also strives to add more variety to the questline and I found such events as the wedding celebration to be a particularly different. Interacting with guests, playing party games and dancing make a pleasant change from the usual carnage. The vault break in was also a departure from the norm and I liked the way I got to choose my crew. I purposely antagonised the Dwarf Cassimir Bassi so he blew himself up.
There is naturally new armour and weapons available if you need to upgrade. I still find the Superior Wolven Witcher Gear to be a good set, even at level 39. The only change I’ve made is with my primary weapon. After defeating The Caretaker, I looted his spade which is an unusual weapon that heals you for 10% of all damage inflicted on enemies. I’m still experimenting with Runewords and Glyphwords system. They give large bonuses to weapons and armour but destroy the slots that they’re applied to. It’s something I want to ensure that I get right so a little more research is required before I’ll commit to a specific build. I recently started using bombs in combat, especially when fighting large groups of bandits or pirates. The Superior Grapeshot really does cause a lot of carnage if used pre-emptively.
As Hearts of stone have proven to be such a good expansion, I am now very optimistic regarding the next content update Blood and Wine. It allegedly offers twenty hours plus of narrative set in the all-new in-game region of Toussaint. I’m therefore looking forward to another involving tale and the pleasure of exploring a new part of “The Continent”. As plaudits continue to be heaped upon The Witcher 3, perhaps a few more game developers will take note of all the things that CD Projekt Red seem to be getting right. Commercial success does not have to be at the expense of creativity, quality or priced prohibitively.
David Bowie (1947 - 2016)
Last September I was sitting in the cinema enjoying The Martian when to my delight Starman featured as part of the movie soundtrack. At the time it raised a wry smile and a moment of contemplation as I reflected on how appropriate the song was, the relevance of the lyrics and how David Bowie has been ever present throughout my youth and adult life. As an artist Bowie has continuously explored new avenues, tested himself and remained relevant while his contemporaries are just content to tour and revisit their greatest hits. Therefore I was both shocked and saddened to wake up this morning and learn of his death. It took a while to compute, after all, he only released two new albums last week.
Last September I was sitting in the cinema enjoying The Martian when to my delight Starman featured as part of the movie soundtrack. At the time it raised a wry smile and a moment of contemplation as I reflected on how appropriate the song was, the relevance of the lyrics and how David Bowie has been ever present throughout my youth and adult life. As an artist Bowie has continuously explored new avenues, tested himself and remained relevant while his contemporaries are just content to tour and revisit their greatest hits. Therefore I was both shocked and saddened to wake up this morning and learn of his death. It took a while to compute, after all, he only released two new albums last week.
David Bowie was more than just an outstanding musician and performance artists. He was cultural touchstone who showed us that we can define ourselves if we choose to, in whatever way we see fit and that it’s possible to rise above cultural perceptions of gender and sexuality. After five decades of critical and commercial success he still managed to maintain a private life and enjoyed a reputation of being dignified, professional and gracious. Those who had the opportunity to see him perform have often said that it was unique and unlike anything that they’d previously experienced. His work is far from ephemeral and has an enduring quality to it. As an actor Bowie was subtle and understated. It’s a shame he didn’t explore the medium further.
In an age when exposure is confused with fame and internet traffic appears to trump talent, there are precious few artists left like David Bowie. This is a man whose death has effectively cleared the UK news agenda and even the Prime Minister feels compelled to comment. A man who sold an estimated 140 million records worldwide and who’s body of work is considered to be of the highest calibre. It is still somewhat difficult to come to terms with the passing of such a cultural icon. His larger than life musical personas and his enduring significance made many of us think he was in some way immortal. Sadly this was not the case. Yet he leaves behind an incredible legacy for those that come after and will remain forever a cultural beacon.
Teddy Floppy Ear - Kayaking
I saw a trailer for this game last year and for some reason found it amusing. I did some digging around online and discovered that Teddy Floppy Ear or Miś Uszatek was an established character from Polish children’s literature. There was a TV show using stop motion animation, which ran from the mid-seventies to the late eighties similar to the likes of Paddington or The Clangers. There’s also a statue dedicated to Miś Uszatek Piotrkowska Street in Łódź, so it would seem that he’s held in high regard and considered to be cultural significance in Poland. So when a gaming bundle appeared recently at Indie Gala, including the above game and two others featuring Teddy Floppy Ear, I considered it rude not to buy them.
I saw a trailer for this game last year and for some reason found it amusing. I did some digging around online and discovered that Teddy Floppy Ear or Miś Uszatek was an established character from Polish children’s literature. There was a TV show using stop motion animation, which ran from the mid-seventies to the late eighties similar to the likes of Paddington or The Clangers. There’s also a statue dedicated to Miś Uszatek Piotrkowska Street in Łódź, so it would seem that he’s held in high regard and considered to be cultural significance in Poland. So when a gaming bundle appeared recently at Indie Gala, including the above game and two others featuring Teddy Floppy Ear, I considered it rude not to buy them.
So to begin with, Teddy Floppy Ear – Kayaking is a children’s game aimed at five to eight year olds, according to the developers notes but certainly it has appeal beyond those parameters. This point and click adventure game mixes an enjoyable story with puzzles and healthy dose of learning. There’s a strong moral subtext to the proceedings and good manners are extoled at all times. During this particular adventure, Teddy Floppy Ear takes advantage of the beautiful spring weather and goes on a kayaking trip with his friend Piglet. He soon finds out that there is a problem with Mr. Catfish who acts a little too bossy, and needs to be taught a lesson in kindness. During his trip, our hero solves numerous puzzles testing mathematical skills, eye-hand coordination, logical thinking and perceptiveness.
The game can be completed in a few hours but could be spread out over a week or so, if played in measured sessions. I must admit I did enjoy this concise, amusing adventure and found the central character rather likable. Some of the time based puzzles proved challenging to a gentleman of my mature years but children will more than likely complete them with ease. The simple kayaking sections of the game are restful, as is the ambient sound track by Michał Wasilewski. Overall I think the phrase “charming” is very appropriate for Teddy Floppy Ear – Kayaking. I look forward to playing both the Mountain Adventure and The Race, which seems to be a Teddy Floppy Ear themed kart game.
Room 237 (2012)
I knew very little about Room 237 prior to viewing, other than the fact it was a documentary about Stanley Kubrick's The Shining and that it explored the movies potential meaning. What is actually on offer is a movie about Kubrick fans and their personal interpretations. For those of a more charitable disposition director Rodney Ascher has created an ode to cinematic love. For those with a more sceptical demeanour, this is vehicle for exploring obsession and possibly an invitation to mock. Either way, it is very compelling viewing, despite being a little too long and a little too clever for its own good.
I knew very little about Room 237 prior to viewing, other than the fact it was a documentary about Stanley Kubrick's The Shining and that it explored the movies potential meaning. What is actually on offer is a movie about Kubrick fans and their personal interpretations. For those of a more charitable disposition director Rodney Ascher has created an ode to cinematic love. For those with a more sceptical demeanour, this is vehicle for exploring obsession and possibly an invitation to mock. Either way, it is very compelling viewing, despite being a little too long and a little too clever for its own good.
Room 237 caught me a little off guard, as it started with a selection of voice overs from fans, talking about their initial exposure to The Shining and reflecting upon how they each discovered the works of Stanley Kubrick. Then one individual said that the sixties were a "rather pathetic time...for film" and I sat up and took noticed, because that's not a position that you'll hear advocated very often. From then onwards the documentary continued to catalogue further "unconventional" views, all backed up with the most complex of reasons. The Shining became an allegory of the genocide of the Native Americans or alternatively the Holocaust, also a coded confession that Kubrick had faked the moon landings.
"Kubrick likes to make you think" it was claimed. I do not dispute this but there's thinking and then there's over-thinking. People often misconstrue applicability with allegory and I think what we have here are individuals that have simply seen what they want to see in The Shining, to validate their own pet theories and monomanias. Kubrick was indeed a highly skilled film maker but the likelihood that he could or would contrive to make a movie so heavily coded in subtext as these individual claim is frankly implausible. The cult of Kubrick plays a major part in this situation. I doubt if you'd find this level of dissection over the work of his contemporaries.
However I played along for the duration and did enjoy some of the lesser ideas banded about. I especially liked the concept of the move being played forward and backward, over each other, simultaneously. At the end of Room 237, I found myself pondering the same question that many viewers have raised already. Not whether the theories are true but does the documentary have a point? I believe that it does; that the obsessive and complex personality of director Stanley Kubrick is mirrored not only in his work but also in some of his fans. All three have a common connection based on intricacy. Ultimately one good thing did occur as a result of me watching Room 237; I immediately watched The Shining again.
How Not to Do Business
I've been blogging for nearly nine years and by sheer persistence the audience has grown and traffic is relatively respectable. There are plenty of web based tools available that can determine how well a site is performing and as a result I have recently started receiving a great deal more unsolicited material. This consists of press releases, invitations to review content and even the occasional freebie. I'm fine with all this because it broadly indicates that Contains Moderate Peril is growing and appearing on the radar of a wider variety of organisations. Plus some of the stuff I’m sent is quite useful. At the very least it proves the old adage that if you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it will stick.
I've been blogging for nearly nine years and by sheer persistence the audience has grown and traffic is relatively respectable. There are plenty of web based tools available that can determine how well a site is performing and as a result I have recently started receiving a great deal more unsolicited material. This consists of press releases, invitations to review content and even the occasional freebie. I'm fine with all this because it broadly indicates that Contains Moderate Peril is growing and appearing on the radar of a wider variety of organisations. Plus some of the stuff I’m sent is quite useful. At the very least it proves the old adage that if you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it will stick.
However among these various communications are small percentage from businesses that always seem to have a "great business opportunity" or "proposal that I can't afford to miss". Effectively they're trying to sell me something that I don't need or worse still, they want to buy a link back to their site. It is the latter galls me the most.
Now I am not averse to the notion of my blogging endeavours making money if possible, but funnily enough I do have some principles regarding how this is done. Firstly, I don't carry any advertising on the website because the delivery software totally dictates what material gets shown. I don't like that notion at all. Then there are are some businesses that I don't want to be associated with and featuring them on my site in my opinions cheapens it. Plus the use of adblockers seems to be making this means of generating revenue obsolete anyway. I also apply exactly the same stipulations to anyone trying to buy a link from my site to their. Do I want to be associated with you?
Secondly, although link sharing has its uses, it is fundamentally based on a parasitical concept. Think about it for a moment. After years of giving up my free time to write and build up an audience, some third party thinks they can just waltz in, toss me a few dollars and leech off my blood sweat and tears? I think not. Plus while we’re talking about hard work, something I’ve noticed about many of the business requests I receive is the casual and lacklustre way in which they are made. They often lack any real effort. Business etiquette, common sense and good manners seem to elude them.
Take for example the above email. Who in their right mind thinks this is a good way to conduct business? Let's address some of its points of failure in bullet point format, because it will curb my tendency to rant excessively about the overall stupidity of this communication.
1.) For starters what kind of business do you wish to conduct? If you are making a pitch then it may be beneficial to include the relevant details.
2.) So my site fits your needs? Really? As you haven't at this point given me any inkling of what it is that you want, please remind me again why I should give a fuck about what fits your needs?
3.) As for the best way to contact me, let's ponder that one for a moment? Hey why not drop me an email like the one you just fucking sent?
So it would appear that this joker wants to do some sort of business with me, but is reticent to stipulate the exact nature of which and furthermore wants me to waste my precious time contacting them to proceed further. The stupidity of the proposition beggars belief. They must be stupid, ill-mannered or utterly clueless about how to conduct business; or maybe all three? Perhaps a Venn diagram will help clarify the situation.
Here is some guidance to those wanting to do business with Contains Moderate Peril. If you have any sort of business proposal then a concise email providing an overview of what you are offering is required. I will then on the basis of that communication decide whether I wish to contact you to discuss the matter further. Do not make any type of pitch where I have to do all the leg work. If you want something from me then make some effort yourself. My time is precious and I have better things to do than accommodating your ineptitude.
Also take time out to consider what you are selling. I'm not interested in gambling sites, miracle cures, dating websites, stilts for Dachshunds or an Osmonds tribute act. Make sure it is relevant to Contains Moderate Peril. And if you haven’t even the decency to use my name in your email then don’t bother. I like manners. By following these simple rules there's a chance for a mutually beneficial relationship. Ignore them and you'll be pissing in the wind.
Oculus Rift to Retail at $599
The consumer electronics industry has been labouring on virtual reality for decades, pursuing what they see as the next major technological innovation of our time. I have never doubted that VR has many practical applications that are both beneficial and profitable. Gaming is certainly one of them, offering a new medium in immersive entertainment. However I have never felt especially enthralled the prospect of VR and what it has to offer. I don’t like experiences that isolate my senses and so the idea of placing a device over my head that does just is far from inviting.
The consumer electronics industry has been labouring on virtual reality for decades, pursuing what they see as the next major technological innovation of our time. I have never doubted that VR has many practical applications that are both beneficial and profitable. Gaming is certainly one of them, offering a new medium in immersive entertainment. However I have never felt especially enthralled the prospect of VR and what it has to offer. I don’t like experiences that isolate my senses and so the idea of placing a device over my head that does just is far from inviting.
However the development of the Oculus Rift in recent years has been a fascinating process to watch. The project was originally crowd funded in 2012 and those involved with its development had many laudable aspirations. The idea was to create something that was reasonably priced, customisable and accessible to as broader customer base as possible. Virtual reality and specifically the Oculus Rift were seen as part of the ongoing “democratisation” of technology. Sadly that perception took a major knock in July 2014 when Facebook acquired the Oculus VR for $2 billion and the hip indie ideology was replaced by corporate imperatives.
As of today consumers can finally pre-orders the CV1 version of the headset via the Oculus website. The unit price is $599 (£410) and orders will ship in March. This move was timed to coincide with the CES tech show in Las Vegas, where Oculus is demoing the headset. Although the technology on display has been broadly praised the price has not been well received among consumers, especially gamers. Costing $100 more than a next-gen console the device is not going to be universally adopted immediately. It is interesting to note that Oculus have not elected to sell the device at a discounted price to secure a foothold in this new market, despite the presence of competitors.
There are a few other things to consider with regard to the Oculus Rift and the whole VR idea per se. As of yet there is not a killer app for this medium; no essential game that showcases why we need VR. The headset also requires an extremely robust PC to showcase its abilities. Buying one may also require a similar cash outlay on a computer upgrade. There also doesn’t seem to be an immediately obvious ancillary market the developers can rely upon to raise further revenue, such as a licensing scheme or app store. All these factors could work against the Oculus Rift. If the device does not find its predicted market then it could end up being this year’s 3D TV.
An Unpleasant Truth
A few years ago I was listening to talk radio presenter Nick Ferrari discussing violence in video games. It’s a perennial subject that often fills the phone in schedules. Nick is in his mid-fifties, is not a gamer and struggles to understand its appeal. While talking to a caller, the conversation continuously came round to the fact that killing plays such an integral role in so many games. The caller did their best to highlight the other aspects of gaming, such as the challenge of attaining achievements, the development of new skills and the social dimension. To which Mr Ferrari simply said “so why not play chess?” which also offers all of the above. Now I considered this to be a good question at the time. Then recently I purchased a game that stated as a selling point that it contained absolutely no violence, which brought this subject back to mind.
A few years ago I was listening to talk radio presenter Nick Ferrari discussing violence in video games. It’s a perennial subject that often fills the phone in schedules. Nick is in his mid-fifties, is not a gamer and struggles to understand its appeal. While talking to a caller, the conversation continuously came round to the fact that killing plays such an integral role in so many games. The caller did their best to highlight the other aspects of gaming, such as the challenge of attaining achievements, the development of new skills and the social dimension. To which Mr Ferrari simply said “so why not play chess?” which also offers all of the above. Now I considered this to be a good question at the time. Then recently I purchased a game that stated as a selling point that it contained absolutely no violence, which brought this subject back to mind.
Obviously not all games are centred on killing. However let us proceed on the understanding that a sizeable portion do. Pick any premium title FPS then take a moment to consider its attractions. I’m sure such things as personal achievement, bragging rights and an adrenaline rush, come to mind. I’m sure catharsis and letting off steam also play a part. However, is there not an elephant in the room? And would not that said pachyderm be violence? It is a very emotive point. The moment that term is introduced into the equation, people will naturally start to backpedal. We are modern gamers. We are reconstructed, renaissance men and women. We are no longer knuckle trailing cellar dwellers. We’re well rounded, fully functional, emotionally connected human beings. As such, do we really wish to admit to a facet of our nature that is considered taboo?
Well most of us don’t. So we will spin as much bullshit as possible to avoid being linked to this aspect of gaming. Perhaps it would help if I admitted a few things, that possibly a lot of gamers do to a greater or lesser degree. When playing an FPS, I frequently give vent to the less seemly aspects of my personality. For example, I become extremely angry if things do not go my way, or if I am “one shotted” by some gaming savant. Furthermore I relish not just the defeat of an enemy but the very act of violence itself that is used; the more extreme and outrageous the better. Rational behaviour goes out the window and I become a potty mouthed, ill tempered, boiling cauldron of emotions. I revel in the exhilaration of this state. There is nothing like adrenaline and strong emotions to make you feel alive.
Gaming often inspires a broad spectrum of emotional responses. Be it the touchy-feely warmth of social gameplay, or throwing a complete fit because you got beat at Mario Kart once again. But it is the FPS that affords you the opportunity to act in a manner that you normally would never countenance, that elicits the strongest response. Society runs on a strict set of rules and a requirement that the public adheres to them. Unlike some people, I am happy to accept that everybody has the capacity to behave in the opposite fashion. These negative facets of our personality may well be baggage from our evolutionary past, but they cannot be ignored. I am not in any way endorsing that we should embrace these passions and allow them to govern our lives, but I do feel it is important that we at least acknowledge them.
At times gaming has shown me some of the less pleasant facets of my own nature. However rather than encourage these traits, I believe that gaming allows me to identify them, manage them and even purge them. Now I know a lot of people will reject this notion, as it offends their moral sensibilities to admit that within every human being a monster lurks. Yet has history not shown us that the most heinous crimes that we’ve committed against each other have frequently been carried out by regular people such as you and me? Therefore I believe it beneficial that gaming can provide a conduit for the channelling of aggression in a positive manner, in the same way that sports can.
Classic Game Themes: Star Trek Online
MMORPG genre frequently benefits from a robust and charismatic score. It helps greatly in establishing specific races, classes and regions within the game, giving them a unique identity and characteristics. Music can be used to provide the player with audio cues about the environment and the quests they are undertaking. The use of a leitmotif can be invaluable in establishing a games tone as the story progresses. Therefore many games in this genre have sumptuous scores by established composers. As so many are set within a traditional fantasy setting, many soundtracks seem to follow a particular pattern. Star Trek Online however is one of a handful of science fiction based MMOs and as a result its soundtrack is subtly different.
MMORPG genre frequently benefits from a robust and charismatic score. It helps greatly in establishing specific races, classes and regions within the game, giving them a unique identity and characteristics. Music can be used to provide the player with audio cues about the environment and the quests they are undertaking. The use of a leitmotif can be invaluable in establishing a games tone as the story progresses. Therefore many games in this genre have sumptuous scores by established composers. As so many are set within a traditional fantasy setting, many soundtracks seem to follow a particular pattern. Star Trek Online however is one of a handful of science fiction based MMOs and as a result its soundtrack is subtly different.
Many fans have had their musical association with Star Trek shaped by such composers as Sol Kaplan, Alexander Courage, Dennis McCarthy and Jay Chattaway, who contributed to the scores of the various TV shows. However it is the movie spinoffs and their iconic themes from the likes of James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith that perhaps have made the most lasting impressions. Naturally when Star Trek Online launched in 2010, players were expecting something inherently in the idiom of the established franchise and suitable epic considering the scope of the game. Thankfully composer Kevin Manthei musically literate score managed to address expectations and remains a very engaging and varied game soundtrack.
Kevin has a strong background in composing for games as well as television. He also studied at the University of Southern California under Jerry Goldsmith, which possibly gives him a further insight into the existing sound of Star Trek. Certainly a lot of his work for STO still retains an inherently nautical theme which both Goldsmith and Horner explored with their movie soundtracks. There is also a healthy dose of tribal percussion to cues associated with the Klingons. But it is in space and through the ambient music that plays whilst exploring that really seems to evoke the heart of Star Trek. Through a diverse selection of themes, the player really gets a sense of the enormity of respective quadrants and the thrill of boldly going where no one has gone before.
The Decline of UK Politics
I’ve written this post from the perspective of politics in the UK but I daresay that some of the points are relevant to other Western countries. Please note that this is not a post advocating any particular political stance or ideology. It is a commentary about the system itself and the public’s current relationship with the world of politics per se.
Two party politics has dominated the UK for over two hundred years and the electoral system that has evolved reflects that. The first past the post system has major shortcomings when dealing with emerging parties and diverse voting patterns. In recent years the traditional parties have seen a decline in membership and they no longer enjoy the levels of support with the UK electorate that they did fifty years ago. My parents grew up in a culture of tribal politics, driven by class, wealth and left wing and right wing ideologies. I personally think the notion that a single party can adequately represent all my political, philosophical and ethical needs is risible. Therefore I have no specific party allegiance or cleave to a particular political school of thought. I am a floating voter when it comes to both local and national elections.
I’ve written this post from the perspective of politics in the UK but I daresay that some of the points are relevant to other Western countries. Please note that this is not a post advocating any particular political stance or ideology. It is a commentary about the system itself and the public’s current relationship with the world of politics per se.
Two party politics has dominated the UK for over two hundred years and the electoral system that has evolved reflects that. The first past the post system has major shortcomings when dealing with emerging parties and diverse voting patterns. In recent years the traditional parties have seen a decline in membership and they no longer enjoy the levels of support with the UK electorate that they did fifty years ago. My parents grew up in a culture of tribal politics, driven by class, wealth and left wing and right wing ideologies. I personally think the notion that a single party can adequately represent all my political, philosophical and ethical needs is risible. Therefore I have no specific party allegiance or cleave to a particular political school of thought. I am a floating voter when it comes to both local and national elections.
Although politics is a deeply divisive and problematic subject to discuss, a fully functioning democracy requires a politically literate and engaged population. Sadly that is not the case at present. Political debate, national policies and our entire approach to the subject has deteriorated in my lifetime. Politicians are viewed cynically by the overall population and often for legitimate reasons. Parties no longer seem to be driven by any credible ideologies or dogma. Major issues are seldom addressed and often kicked into the proverbial long grass. Furthermore the media exults political discourse of the lowest common dominator. Meaningful and civilised debate is virtually non-existence. Consequently large swathes of the population are no longer interested in politics. Many of those that profess to be so, are ill informed and have no idea how to discuss their views in a viable manner.
It is ironic that in an age when virtually anyone has access to tools that allow them to express an opinion and engage with others, that the level of debate has so notably declined. We live in a binary world in which opposing views are not countered by facts and data but are merely shouted down. In seems that many who live in our democracy seem to eschew its universal applicability. Tolerance, politely begging to differ and simple common sense are scarce commodities these days. Furthermore the UK has slowly since the sixties assimilated US style politics, which chooses to focus on the cult of personality rather than issues. Electoral pledges and longstanding policies are replaced with soundbites. It’s no longer about advocating what your party can offer but sowing the seeds of fear about the opposition. Last year’s general election result effectively came down to floating voters deciding at the last minute based on who they feared the most with regard to running the economy.
This malady affects politics at every level. From the comments section of any news website, to local government, right the way up to Parliament itself. I recently attended several council meetings regarding a local issue and was shocked by the lack of decorum and the subpar debating skills of the councillors. Straw man arguments and ad hominem attacks were rife and the quality of the meeting was very poor. Few had any concept of public speaking or debating skills. Yet this approach to politics is endemic at present and I fear it will be the driving factor behind the forthcoming Europe referendum. I would like to see detailed arguments from both sides of the debate, backed up with facts and data. Whether the UK remains part of the EU is an extremely complex matter with major ramifications. Surely the public needs to be provided with robust information before an opinion can be formed or decided upon. Sadly the debate will be driven by fear and some perfunctory soundbites. It is deeply worrying that a decision of this magnitude will be decided upon in such an arbitrary manner.
The most depressing thing for me about the state of contemporary UK politics is the feeling that my vote carries no weight and is of little consequence. I believe this is a contributory reason why a third of the UK’s 45,000,000 registered voters do not bother to cast a vote. Let us not forget that there is a further 6,000,000 people who are entitled to vote but have not registered. Thus we have elected government implementing policies with nowhere near a convincing mandate. The current administration is in power after successfully polling about a quarter of the electorate. Again due to the failings of the current voting system other parties gained over 4,000,000 votes yet only secured one seat in Parliament. Unless you live in a marginal seat that can potentially swing between parties, then your vote has no impact upon political change.
I am also not comfortable with the blanket demonization of all politicians, journalists and pundits. Although many are of a poor standard there are still those that seem motivated for the right reasons. During my career I’ve met many on both sides of the political divide that I admire. However they are often hamstrung by the system they work within and the fact that they are often dealing against groups with powerful vested interests. The net result is that those of worth and character frequently go unnoticed on a national level. Plus the unsophisticated rhetoric of the current political arena means that we seldom get beyond “Tory scum”, “bleeding heart liberal” and “Champagne Socialist”. Such hyperbolic language stifles any discussion and further muddies the waters. The opinion of those that use such jargon is seldom informed.
What I would like to see emerge from the current status quo would be a new voting system based upon some form of proportional representation. I would also like to see new parties emerge as well as far more independent candidates, especially at local level. There is a need for policies born out of intelligent debate from all quarters, rather than thought up be biased think tanks. Politicians need to create a new covenant with the electorate and validate it by their deeds. However I am fully aware that this is all highly unlikely. Society seems to be regressing at present, as the divide between rich and poor increases and tolerance, informed opinion and a wider world view are largely in decline. I can if pressed fall back up a personal position of “I’m alright Jack” but many can’t. Also I don’t want to have to adopt such a self-centred and isolationist mentality.
As I stated at the start, I do not consider this post to be a political statement in support of a particular party or group. I merely see it as a summary of the perceived failing of our current political system. It is of course based upon my own personal perspective. I’m sure that those that enjoy power would see it quite differently. However we are far from a golden age of national politics and are not necessarily a nation driven by common ideals and values anymore. The good of the country seems to have been supplanted by the needs and desires of the individual. None of this is good for the UK. A healthy democracy needs a government that is seen to respond the wishes of its people. There is also a need for a robust opposition and debate. None of this is possible if the majority of the electorate are political disengaged. If this situation is not addressed then the future consequences could be dire.
Things to do in 2016
There is a danger that this post may come across as a little self-serving and possibly even smug. That is not my intention. I am always fascinated by this time of year and the tradition of News Year Resolutions, mainly because so many people fail at them. Because I take a somewhat different approach, which is very much driven by my personal nature, I tend to fair a little better than some at achieving the things I wish to. Perhaps by sharing my approach and philosophy, it may be potentially beneficial to others. Then again it may not. Humans are such a wonderfully bizarre mass of contradictions.
There is a danger that this post may come across as a little self-serving and possibly even smug. That is not my intention. I am always fascinated by this time of year and the tradition of News Year Resolutions, mainly because so many people fail at them. Because I take a somewhat different approach, which is very much driven by my personal nature, I tend to fair a little better than some at achieving the things I wish to. Perhaps by sharing my approach and philosophy, it may be potentially beneficial to others. Then again it may not. Humans are such a wonderfully bizarre mass of contradictions.
At the start of each year I like to set myself some achievable goals to work towards. I do not waste my time on unrealistic and unachievable resolutions because they serve no purpose. I prefer setting specific targets that can be reached through planning, application and diligence. Overall this process usually works and I successfully managed to meet the goals I set myself for 2015. I have continued to blog on a daily basis more or less and am pleased with the way that the new podcast is developing. My business ventures have also progressed positively and I find myself in a better position financially twelve month on. Therefore it is time to consider what projects and undertakings I shall pursue this year.
Overall it simply comes down to more of the same. I want to continue to write for Contains Moderate Peril as often as I may. I also want to continue to podcast and would like to have more guests as well as broaden the range of subject covered. The main difference this year is that I want to reach a wider audience. I want the presentation and technical aspects of both to be more professional and I want to interact with more people. I would also like to see the The Gaming and Entertainment Network expand and include a greater variety of shows. That however is a group decision and not something I am solely responsible for.
On a personal note I am also looking to move this year. I tweeted in jest last night that I’d like to retire. However the more I think about this, the more I realise that I actually mean it. I’ve worked for thirty years and frankly the novelty has worn off. For me and a good many other people, work is driven by a financial imperative. If an alternative way could be found to finance my lifestyle, then I’d cease working immediately. I have a multitude of hobbies and interests and I am not afraid of my own company. Retirement is something I would happily embrace. Achieving it is another matter though. I think that a staged withdrawal from working is more realistic goal. Time will tell.
To achieve any sort of goal, it needs to be thoroughly scrutinised to determine if it is possible. For example it is highly unlikely that I shall perform a set at Glastonbury with Wilko Johnson, as I do not know the gentlemen and have no musical ability whatsoever. However it is not beyond the realms of possibility to have a guest such a John Smedley on the Burton & Scrooge Podcast. It would certainly take some work but it is a far more plausible aspiration. I think if people take time to temper their resolutions with a healthy dose of realism then they will stand a greater chance of being successful.
Once you’ve set your goal then you have to set about achieving it. This will require dedication, motivation, a degree of self-sacrifice. Dedication requires you to be focused and continually work towards your goal. It is not easy and there will be days when you will think about taking a short break or deferring what you need to do. This is where motivation comes into play. With regard to my continued blogging and podcasting aspirations, I frequently find that my motivation is lacking at times. I have plenty of ideas but have to really work hard at just sitting down and writing them down at times; hence the need to embrace self-sacrifice. If you want to get the job done and achieve your goal then you will need on occasion to give up something enjoyable to accommodate the work you need to do.
As I mentioned earlier, people are not homogenous and what suits one will not suit another. Therefore my somewhat glib advice may be obvious to some and akin to walking over hot coals for others. I appreciate this and am not trying to make it all sound incredibly easy. It is not. We all wrestle with my own demons in our own particular way. However there are things we can do to help us on our way. Creating a list or basic strategy can help. Setting daily tasks and then assigning a reward is also good psychology. Avoiding distractions or the company of those who would lead you from the path is prudent. Maintaining a healthy belief in your own abilities can help. Marcus Aurelius can provide many a motivational quote and they are still relevant today.
So I’m going to continue sharing my thoughts online in 2016. They seem to be relatively well received by a few readers and listeners. I also find the process invaluable to myself. Thinking out loud helps me marshal my thoughts. Plus I see creating content per se to be a vicarious form of self-improvement. I think a fundamental part of being human is try to better yourself in some way. As for those who still remain unconvinced or who are wavering with regard to their New Year Resolutions, that feeling you get when you finally reach your goal is unique. It makes it all worthwhile. So good luck to you all and may you be fruitful in your endeavours. I still have my eye on global domination and a volcano lair. I already have a swivel chair.
A Year in Blogging and Podcasting
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for quite a few years now and although I enjoy both mediums, they do come with a degree of work. Also both undertakings require financing and at times can be quite costly. Yet despite these aspects of content creation, I still enjoy both mediums as a participant and as a consumer. There are still plenty of great blogs out there as well as informative and engaging podcasts. If anything 2015 was very much the year of the podcast as Serial proved. I consider reading blogs, listening to podcasts and watching quality You Tube channels to be the equal of commercial television and believe that these mediums will increasingly compete against more traditional platforms in the coming years. Here are some of the shows that I view and listen to:
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for quite a few years now and although I enjoy both mediums, they do come with a degree of work. Also both undertakings require financing and at times can be quite costly. Yet despite these aspects of content creation, I still enjoy both mediums as a participant and as a consumer. There are still plenty of great blogs out there as well as informative and engaging podcasts. If anything 2015 was very much the year of the podcast as Serial proved. I consider reading blogs, listening to podcasts and watching quality You Tube channels to be the equal of commercial television and believe that these mediums will increasingly compete against more traditional platforms in the coming years. Here are some of the shows that I view and listen to:
· The Infinite Monkey Cage (A BBC science podcast with Professor Brian Cox and Comedian Robin
· The Secret History of Hollywood (A movie podcast featuring historical analysis and debate)
· Writing Excuses (A podcast about creative writing and its respective techniques)
· Noah Coldwell-Gervais (You Tube channel featuring in-depth games essays and analysis)
· Every Frame a Painting (You Tube channel featuring movie analysis and technical criticism)
· GnC Films (You Tube channel specialising in comparing different versions of movies and exploring regional variations and cuts)
I moved my blog in August 2015, which was a hard decision. For the previous twelve month Contains Moderate Peril has been generously hosted by Host1Plus at no cost. Despite being very happy with the service provided, the website itself had a wealth of legacy posts from previous incarnations of the blog and was rife with formatting issues, broken links and missing content. Rather than attempt to fix the problem, which meant manually amending and republishing over eight hundred posts, I decided to reboot the site from scratch. I also felt it was time to move away from Word Press and so chose to use Squarespace for my hosting needs. It can be hard to see a lot of your content vanish from the internet overnight but overall this was the prudent thing to do.
Perhaps the biggest change regarding my blogging and podcasting in 2015 was my choice of content. When I started writing back in 2007 I was focused on one game. I soon discovered that this was quite restrictive and over time merged my different blogs into one. It would appear that I have more to say other than discussing gaming and movies and in recent months the topics of debate, especially on Burton & Scrooge podcast have become quite broad. I intend to continue this approach into 2016 as I feel that I’ve exhausted some topics over the last seven years. Whether these wider subjects will chime with existing readers and listeners remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see my end of year summary next December.
A Year in TV
In recent years TV and cinema have effectively exchanged roles. When I was a child, cinema was the home of narrative driven drama, the exploration of complex social issues and at times even art. It attracted the best writer and as a result the best actors; whereas TV was the home of Airwolf. Thirty years on the opposite is now true. Cinema is often choked with bloated, bombastic franchises, largely devoid of any depth or substance. Television produces numerous multi-layered adult dramas that provide both writers and actors with far broader concepts to explore. Of course there are exceptions on both sides but broadly the analogy rings true.
In recent years TV and cinema have effectively exchanged roles. When I was a child, cinema was the home of narrative driven drama, the exploration of complex social issues and at times even art. It attracted the best writer and as a result the best actors; whereas TV was the home of Airwolf. Thirty years on the opposite is now true. Cinema is often choked with bloated, bombastic franchises, largely devoid of any depth or substance. Television produces numerous multi-layered adult dramas that provide both writers and actors with far broader concepts to explore. Of course there are exceptions on both sides but broadly the analogy rings true.
Once again the past twelve months has provided far more quality television than I could possibly keep up with. Therefore I have confined myself to watching a handful of shows that I can apply myself to. Fortunately some content producers are now favouring shorter seasons, so I have managed to binge view some additional series after their initial run along with someone off dramas and miniseries. Here is a selection of some of the material that I have found entertaining and engaging in 2015.
The Blacklist
In spring I had a gap in my viewing schedule and decided to try season one of The Blacklist. I must admit the pilot episode with its strong opening gambit really grabbed my attention. Needless to say I voraciously consumed the first two seasons. So why is this show so good? Well frankly that question needs a blog post in itself but here are a few bullet points:
The Blacklist maintains a good balance between traditional procedural stories and the ongoing mystery of Raymond "Red" Reddington.
The case and the criminals that feature are consistently inventive and provide a great vehicle for guest star appearances.
The long term back story unfolds at a measured pace and doesn’t overwhelm the episodic format.
James Spader is utterly compelling and just excels at these sorts of roles.
Thunderbirds Are Go
Rebooting a show such as Thunderbirds is a tall order. For it to work you need to be inventive and find a way for the format to appeal to both old and new audiences. It’s a balancing act between keeping the heart of the old show and establishing a new identity. However ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures have manged to do this and do it well. The production is a superb blend of CGI and miniatures, providing the show with as strong visual aesthetic. Yet despite providing a very contemporary technological environment Thunderbirds Are Go still has numerous homages to the original series.
Ultimately Thunderbirds Are Go strength lies in its scripts and characterisations. Despite running half the length of the original shows the Tracey brothers have established their identities over the first season and are extremely likeable. The stories often have a subtle moral subtext that extols the virtues of team work and collaboration. Furthermore the score by Ben and Nick Foster is suitably heroic. Keeping David Graham as the voice of Parker was also an incredibly good call. I’m very pleased that this show has found an audience and that the kids like it. Roll on season two!
The Hunt
The BBC has always been at the cutting edge of documentary film making. They continue to employ the best wildlife photographers in this field and showcase their work to great effect. Obviously the dulcet tones of Sir David Attenborough are an invaluable asset to these productions. His narrations are informative, enthralling and humane. This latter attribute is especially important as The Hunt focuses on the continual struggle between predator and prey in the natural world. It can be quite grim at times but such is the nature of subject. Over the course of its seven episodes viewers are shown Crocodiles ambushing the migrating Wildebeests, Cheetahs stalking Gazelle and Polar Bears climbing a steep cliff face to feed on the eggs and chicks of nesting birds.
The Hunt is a prime example of intelligent and engaging wildlife documentary film making. Too many natural history programs these days seem to be nothing more than “isn’t nature amazing” or “aren’t we clever, we built a Penguincam”. Considering the scope of The Hunt, the show manages to find the right tone. We are shown the predators stalking their prey but the kills are not excessively dwelt upon. That is not to say that the film makers shy away from the very nature of the subject. Instead they show a measured approach, ensuring that the show remains accessible to a broad audience. The behind the scenes footage shown at the end of each episode are also very insightful and informative.
Ash vs Evil Dead
I was sceptical about Ash vs Evil Dead when I first heard about the show. Not because of its pedigree which is outstanding; my concerns where with the thirty minute format, which traditionally is the province of sitcoms. However after having watched most of season one I can say that my fears were unfounded. Ash vs Evil Dead uses this relatively short running time to its benefit. Each week the story is advanced, there is a wealth of amusing banter between the cast and a blood soaked set piece. The creative freedom that cable networks afford is invaluable to this production. This show is profane, violent and has lashings of gallows humour. Sam Raimi’s original tone is still maintained and runs through each episode. Oh and Bruce Campbell is a joy to watch.
The Man in the High Castle
I first found out about this show via a billboard outside a supermarket I regularly use. At first I thought it was an advertisement for a movie, and then I noticed that it was an Amazon Prime production. A little research piqued my curiosity so I took advantage of a free trial for the video on demand service and binged viewed the entire first season. I must admit that although I enjoyed this curious story set in an alternative reality where Germany won World War II, I was somewhat wrong footed by its philosophical and metaphysical subtext and plotlines. However that in many ways is part of the shows charm as it doesn’t just pursue a traditional linear “alternative history” storyline.
As ever with dramas, the most interesting characters are the villains and those who seem to be at the mercy of fate. Both Rufus Sewell as SS Obergruppenführer Smith and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi, give robust performances and at times are more interesting than the main protagonists. The production design is also a continuous source of interest with common place items, iconic buildings and everyday technology given a veneer of Nazi aesthetic or Japanese ambience. It should be noted that as this is not a network show so the content is pitched at a more mature audience. The cliffhanger ending of episode ten was very intriguing. I have high expectations for season two.
A Year in Gaming Part 2
I started 2015 playing RPGs. Despite becoming bored with Dragon Age: Inquisition and its ponderous storyline, I still found this particular genre engaging. January and February are often slows months in my line of work, so it’s a good time of year to immerse oneself in games of this type. I played through both Arcania : Gothic 4 and Rise of the Argonauts and found them both to be enjoyable. Neither of these titles was revolutionary, being mainly “business as usual” RPGs. However both were bought as part of gaming bundles and the discounted price does have an impact upon my gaming expectations. For what they were, I enjoyed them.
I started 2015 playing RPGs. Despite becoming bored with Dragon Age: Inquisition and its ponderous storyline, I still found this particular genre engaging. January and February are often slows months in my line of work, so it’s a good time of year to immerse oneself in games of this type. I played through both Arcania : Gothic 4 and Rise of the Argonauts and found them both to be enjoyable. Neither of these titles was revolutionary, being mainly “business as usual” RPGs. However both were bought as part of gaming bundles and the discounted price does have an impact upon my gaming expectations. For what they were, I enjoyed them.
During the course of the year I strayed from my using game choices on two occasions and both proved to be good decisions. Hand of Fate is an action role-playing video game with roguelike and deck-building elements. I usually never touch deck based games but the fact that each hand of cards plays out in third person action combat intrigued me. Furthermore the creators Defiant Development have continually patched and added free DLC to the game over the course of the year. The other title that was a departure from my usual purchasing habits was The 39 Steps, which is a digital adaptation of John Buchan’s classic story. The interactive narrative that allows you to engage with the world around you and discover the story is imaginative and creative. I hope that Scottish developer The Story Mechanics do more famous novels in this idiom.
As I stated in my previous post about my gaming experiences of 2015, that I’ve changed my stance on the MMO genre. I have continued to play through content updates for LOTRO and am overall pleased that such material is still being produced. However the latest update set in Minas Tirith is of varying quality and for ever good and engaging quest line, there is also an arbitrary or frankly disappointing one. I have never been a fan of the Epic Battles but the two new ones set upon the walls of Minas Tirith are extremely underwhelming. As ever the NPCs do most of the fighting and I found my involvement relegated to cutting grappling hooks from the walls. Navigating around the wall and city circle below is confusing and frustrating. Update 17 is also somewhat unstable and I have had more crashes to desktop over the last month than I’ve had in the game for the last few years.
Star Trek Online proved to be far more engaging in 2015 than in previous years. The Delta Recruitment event was a great way to encourage players back to the game and to reward levelling. I enjoyed my experience so much I bought a discount lifetime subscription. Like LOTRO, STO benefits from a great IP and they really do utilise it well. Cast members from the show continue to voice characters that they’ve played and the standard of writing is consistently high. STO is also the only game in which I’ll grind through seasonal festivals as Cryptic are one of the few developers that giveaway decent loot, rather generic cosmetic items. I have earned two Tier 6 ships over the course of the year, both of which are worth £20 each.
I tried Marvel Heroes this summer after hearing positive feedback about the game from several friends. I must admit the game does provide a great way to scratch that pew pew itch and the barrier to entry is low. You can roll an alt and be playing within minutes of downloading the client. It’s also one of those titles where there’s always something going on or something to work towards. However because I don’t have any major ties to the source IP, I decided not to make this one of my primary gaming titles. I was hoping that the Heart of Thorns expansion for Guild Wars 2 would fill that role. Sadly the new landmass and class were not to my liking and ArenaNet are simply taking the game in a direction I’m not happy with. So Guild Wars 2 was finally uninstalled from my PC where it’s been since the games launch in August 2012.
It is customary to list ones favourite games at this time of the year or pick a specific title that is worthy of praise. For me that has to be The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. The fact that I played over three hundred hours between October and November indicates how compelling I found it. The open world is magnificent, rich with detail and a dynamic weather system. The game mechanics are sufficiently varied to be engaging without being too complex. You can play tactically relying upon your spells or focus on potions and support items if you please. Naturally if you prefer a more hands on approach you can go full out DPS. But the games crowning glory is its narrative and the sense that your decisions really do have an impact upon the world. I cannot remember the last time I played such a gripping story and cared this much about the central characters. The story telling in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is adult and complex. This is not a binary world with clear cut consequences.
2015 has seen a reduction in my overall gaming per se. My free time has fresh demands upon it and coupled with my changing relationship to both fandom and the wider gaming community, I don’t feel disposed towards playing as much. The close of the year has seen me dabble with the cell phone controlled RPG, Eon Altar and that has been a positive experience so far. I also bought GTA V at a discounted price so have explored that open world in recent weeks. At present I do not have any major titles in mind to purchase in 2016. I suspect that the next twelve months will more than likely follow the same path as the last, with regard to game releases and my attitude towards them. I suspect if gaming wants to vie for my attention in 2016, it will have to pull something quite special out of the bag.
A Year in Gaming Part 1
This time last year I wrote a two part post called A Year in MMOs. Twelve months later I find myself writing a similar round-up of my gaming activities. However this time round the title has now become A Year in Gaming. One of the most significant changes for me over the course of 2015 has been my step away with the MMO genre. Where in the past I would seek out new titles and stay abreast of those in development, I now find myself no longer drawn to the genre by default. Traditional titles such as LOTRO have been sidelined. This is because both MMOs and I have changed over recent years. Although I still play this genre (mainly STO), I do so sparingly and it is no longer the apple of my eye or the mainstay of my gaming time.
This time last year I wrote a two part post called A Year in MMOs. Twelve months later I find myself writing a similar round-up of my gaming activities. However this time round the title has now become A Year in Gaming. One of the most significant changes for me over the course of 2015 has been my step away with the MMO genre. Where in the past I would seek out new titles and stay abreast of those in development, I now find myself no longer drawn to the genre by default. Traditional titles such as LOTRO have been sidelined. This is because both MMOs and I have changed over recent years. Although I still play this genre (mainly STO), I do so sparingly and it is no longer the apple of my eye or the mainstay of my gaming time.
Game design and mechanics naturally evolve over time and are often driven by basic market forces. There is therefore a wealth of differences between games such as Ultima Online and Guild wars 2. Although I have adapted to the more casual game play that is now prevalent in the genre recently, I do find that MMOs are becoming increasingly homogeneous. Beyond their own setting and lore, new titles seldom have anything different to offer with regard to game design. They lack of a killer mechanic; something that makes them a radically different experience from their competitors. Then there is the requirement to invest time in such games, which is something I can no longer do. The days of me playing a particular game every day for five hours or more have past.
So this year I’ve found myself playing more single player games; titles that can be played and completed within a reasonable time span. In fact I found this to be a satisfying aspect in my overall gaming experience. I like the idea of playing through a compelling story at a measured pace and then reaching a definitive conclusion. This may take just a dozen hours, as was the case with Hand of Fate and Rise of the Argonauts or over three hundred with titles such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It is an experience more akin to reading a book, indicating that a strong narrative is an essential aspect of my gaming enjoyment. It would seem that as I get older I want less of a challenge and more of an emphasis on entertainment. Excessively complex games, with a steep learning curve and chronic skills bloat are not as attractive to me as they use to be.
Another facet of gaming that has changed for me this year has been my perception of the wider community, including both fan and professional websites. I have stopped reading several news outlets and blogs simply because they do not provide any valuable information about games any more. 2015 has been the year of the live stream of the "let's play" video on You Tube and these are now an integral part of my decision making process as to whether to buy a game or not. However I’m increasingly finding that my age often put me at odds with many of the You Tube personalities. I appreciate that many are running commercial endeavours but their need to “entertain” and be “characters” for me gets in the way of the reviews and critiques. Take for example Jim Sterling’s #FuckKonami “campaign”. I broadly agree with the sentiments he’s trying to express but the very terms it’s couched in just strike me a puerile and therefore mitigate much of the point.
When you are a fan of something, you often feel that it is something special, unique and meaningful. There is a chance that the object of your affection is all those things but more often than not that is simply wishful thinking. Games are commercial leisure products, made with the express purpose of making money for the publishers. The wider industries associated with marketing and reviewing them are similarly self-serving. Perhaps part of a gamer’s personal journey over time is finding a sense of perspective on these matters. I believe this year I have found such a point of equilibrium. Gaming is an entertaining leisure activity and that on occasions can be art. But for most of the time it is an ephemeral pastime and a shamelessly commercial endeavour (I’m looking at you Star wars Battlefront) and therefore should be treated as such.
A positive lesson I have learnt over the course of this year’s gaming is that I now have a very clear handle on what I want from the title that I play. Apart from one mistake which was the Guild Wars 2 expansion Heart of Thorns, I have enjoyed all of the purchases that I have made this year. This essential comes down to fully researching each title and what it specifically has to offer as well as at what price point I purchase a product at. Once again it is interesting how the financial cost of a game impacts upon ones expectations. I no longer feel like a child in a toy shop, running from display to display, overwhelmed by the choice available. 2015 has been the year of coming to terms with what games are and what I want from them. It's only taken me a quarter of a century!
A Year in Social Media
The internet is awash with competing forms of social media, all offering a platform for you to interact with your peers. Although I feel that there are a lot of positive aspects to all these mediums, there is also a downside. Need I really catalogue all the iniquities of Twitter or Facebook? Let it suffice to say that the internet giveth and it also taketh away. Social media is like any other tool and therefore has to be used appropriately. If used correctly then it can be informative, entertaining and a great way to broaden your horizons. The alternative is a portal into a world of anger, stupidity and shit. 2015 was the year that I feel I finally got my personal relationship with social media right.
The internet is awash with competing forms of social media, all offering a platform for you to interact with your peers. Although I feel that there are a lot of positive aspects to all these mediums, there is also a downside. Need I really catalogue all the iniquities of Twitter or Facebook? Let it suffice to say that the internet giveth and it also taketh away. Social media is like any other tool and therefore has to be used appropriately. If used correctly then it can be informative, entertaining and a great way to broaden your horizons. The alternative is a portal into a world of anger, stupidity and shit. 2015 was the year that I feel I finally got my personal relationship with social media right.
I have never really seen any practical benefits to me or my writing in using Facebook or Google +. Until recently all posts that were made on Contains Moderate Peril were automatically posted to both platforms. However this failed to bring readers to the primary website and resulted in a separate audience growing on both alternate outlets. Effectively this increased the work load as there were now three platforms to be marketed to and engaged with. This struck me a counterproductive, so this autumn I ceased to use both these mediums and focused upon generating traffic solely for Contains Moderate Peril. Abandoning these two social media platforms proved quite easy. Facebook has become increasingly obtrusive in recent years and I didn’t care for the way it continued to harvest my phone for information for its own benefit.
For the present twitter continues to be my primary social media of choice. The rule of thumb with this particular platform seems to be you get back what you put in. Your personal twitter experience comes down to who you follow and how you engage with them. Some high profile twitter users do interact with their followers. Others simply use it as an impersonal means of marketing and promoting. Other unofficial “rules” to consider is it’s not mandatory to follow someone back just because they follow you. It’s also worth remembering that if you don’t like what someone is saying then stop following them. Despite what some folk would have you believe, twitter is not a microcosm of popular sentiment and is not a definitive litmus test on any weighty issue. Twitter amplifies extremes and it’s worth remembering that “empty vessels make the most noise”.
I genuinely enjoy the banter I share on twitter and like interacting with a broad and diverse group of people from around the world. However an incident this year raised the question as to whether I was spending too much time in an online echo chamber. Should I include news feeds and political commentary in my twitter timeline? Was it incongruous to flit from the ephemeral to weightier issues? Should I segregate such content or integrate it further into my twitter feeds? I eventually decided to move some of the more challenging material to a different twitter account. As I use TweetDeck I can display separate timelines in multiple columns; when required content can be temporarily muted.
Finally late in the year I discovered Slack. The Gaming and Entertainment Network set up a group and I was invited to join. Although I was aware of this team collaboration tool and had heard many positive things about it, it wasn’t until I used it did I fully realise how flexible a platform it is. It’s ideal for sharing all manner of material within a group and project planning. Or if you prefer it’s also a great way to talk shit with your friends. I can see this particular platform featuring heavily in all future undertakings both by Contains Moderate Peril and the Burton & Scrooge podcast. If you haven’t used it I would urge you to check it out.
Social media like any other communication product seems to have a distinct pattern to its lifecycle. There are earlier adopters that enjoy the benefits of using a product that is not yet mainstream. However sooner or later the world and the wife will discover the new platform and it will inevitably start to become more commercial and burdened by the lowest common denominator. Sponsored tweets are a prime example of this this process. I shall continue to use twitter in 2016 although I do think that may be it has peaked within this framework. Therefore I shall be keeping my eye out for the next emerging social media platform and may well break my own habit of not becoming an early adopter.
A Year in Technology
As technology has such an impact upon so much of our lives I thought I’d take some time to reflect upon how I have personally used it over the last twelve months. Having worked in the IT industry for twenty years my relationship with technology has constantly evolved over time. As I’ve stated before both on the blog and podcast I no longer feel compelled to be an early adopter or at thecutting edge of technological change. The hardware and apps that I use from day to day are tools and I now treat them as such, rather than as fashion accessories. Practicality and functionality are the things I look for the most in the products that I use and if there are no immediate benefits to be gained then it doesn’t get purchased and installed. It would seem the reality and personal maturity has finally trumped the “wow” factor.
As technology has such an impact upon so much of our lives I thought I’d take some time to reflect upon how I have personally used it over the last twelve months. Having worked in the IT industry for twenty years my relationship with technology has constantly evolved over time. As I’ve stated before both on the blog and podcast I no longer feel compelled to be an early adopter or at thecutting edge of technological change. The hardware and apps that I use from day to day are tools and I now treat them as such, rather than as fashion accessories. Practicality and functionality are the things I look for the most in the products that I use and if there are no immediate benefits to be gained then it doesn’t get purchased and installed. It would seem the reality and personal maturity has finally trumped the “wow” factor.
First off, the only major change I made to my PC this year has been an upgrade in operating system. Like 110 million other people I opted to install Windows 10 and have been broadly pleased with the results. It corrected a lot of the issues associated with Windows 8 and even produced a performance increase from my year old computer. Beyond this all other tinkering with my computer has been very low key. In July I bought a new steel series mouse which has proven to be good choice. Then in October I changed web browsers, moving from Chrome back to Firefox. If anything 2016 was more of note for the amount of software I uninstalled from my PC. The rule of thumb has been if it’s not being actively used then it goes. As a result many games and productivity tools have been removed.
Another major technological shift for me this year has been the way I use my smartphone. As with my PC I have been very particular about what apps I’ve installed but I’ve also broadened my usage. I do an increasing amount of personal banking via my phone as both the domestic banks I use have well written and secure apps, offering a broad range of services. Whilst travelling in May, I used my phone to successfully navigate from London to Liverpool, book accommodation and find a suitable restaurant. Both my smartphone and tablet are my main communications hubs, with access to all my email and social media accounts. It would appear that there is now a distinct delineation of services between my PC and phone; the former being a tool for content creation and the latter my own personal switchboard.
With regard to blogging and podcasting 2015 has been the year I finally stopped using WordPress. Although a very flexible platform, maintaining a self-hosted site becomes increasing involved the more it grows and expands. My move to Squarespace has proven to be hassle free and a sound choice. It is also a far more financially viable option; an important factor as both blogging and podcasting are ongoing financial black holes. Zencastr has proven to be a most effective means of recording the Burton & Scrooge podcast and has helped streamline the production process. It records from Skype, using the individual sound card of all those participating in the call. It then stores them as separate but synchronised tracks via Dropbox. The only improvement left for me to carry out in 2016 is the purchase a new microphone.
2015 was also the year my DVR became redundant. My set top box still has programmes recorded from the previous Christmas which have still not been watched. I simply don’t view live TV content anymore as on demand players have eliminated the need for me to record content. Binge viewing popular shows has proven far more satisfactory than the traditional approach of one episode per week. Even my consumption of news and current affairs has moved from TV to online. Radio has also become a medium that I increasingly use, mainly through a phone or a tablet. Furthermore when radio cannot provide the entertainment I’m looking for then podcasts will often suffice. Podcast and Radio Addict is my app of choice for both these mediums.
It would appear that technological downsizing and using new mediums for traditional content have been the major themes in my use of technology over the last year. I think the defetishising of gadgets and hardware has been for me a positive step. The pace of change once again has proven to be both surprising and exhilarating. I have also noted that a healthy dose of scepticism has been beneficial. My first forays into the use of contactless payments were problematic as I expected they would be. 4G coverage is also a term I continue to be wary of. However overall I have felt that my use of technology has been positive over the last twelve months and I look forward to seeing what changes 2016 will bring.
A Christmas Carol (1984)
Clive Donner's 1984 version of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol” is bold and different mainly because of the casting of George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is told with precision and an eye to detail. In some respects it’s the most authentic adaptation, with credible performances from the ensemble cast. Alastair Sim's portrayal in the 1951 film has always been perceived as a benchmark and provided a template as to how the role should be interpreted. Scott replaces the traditional anger, bitterness and rage with a cold and utterly dispassionate demeanour. There is a strong sense of honesty in his Scrooge as the audience follows him on his emotional journey. The tears, the regret and the realisation that there is still hope are all present, yet explored in a very non-theatrical manner.
Clive Donner's 1984 version of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol” is bold and different mainly because of the casting of George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is told with precision and an eye to detail. In some respects it’s the most authentic adaptation, with credible performances from the ensemble cast. Alastair Sim's portrayal in the 1951 film has always been perceived as a benchmark and provided a template as to how the role should be interpreted. Scott replaces the traditional anger, bitterness and rage with a cold and utterly dispassionate demeanour. There is a strong sense of honesty in his Scrooge as the audience follows him on his emotional journey. The tears, the regret and the realisation that there is still hope are all present, yet explored in a very non-theatrical manner.
There is always a danger with so called "all-star" casts that the actor’s respective fame can swamp the story. This is not the case here and all acquit themselves well. Frank Finlay is the Ghost of Jacob Marley and adopts a somewhat sinister tone. Edward Woodward is affable as the Spirit of Christmas Present; complete with stilts to increase his eight. David Warner is spot on with his Bob Cratchit, maintaining a sincere performance. You feel for this man but never pity him. The production also hits the mark with Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim. His acting is credible and devoid of excessive sentimentality. Overall it is this measured approach that makes the production so unusual. The story's moral rectitude is present but the message is delivered in a subtle fashion.
The exterior locations shot in Shrewsbury are exquisite and bolster the authentic atmosphere of the production. Scrooge's grave can still be visited at St Chad's Church graveyard, where the churchyard sequence was shot. The production team left the gravestone in place once filming was completed. Originally commissioned to be shown on TV by CBS, A Christmas Carol was released theatrically in the UK. Scott's performance was subsequently nominated for an Emmy. It garnered positive critical reviews and has over the years, has built a deserved reputation for being a very robust and intelligent adaptation. It certainly has not been bettered by more recent adaptations.
LOTRO – Major Initiatives for 2016
Turbine has published their 2016 road map (or major initiatives as they now call them) for LOTRO and as ever, it is being hotly debated on both the official forums and on sites such as Massively Overpowered. Next year LOTRO will see a level cap increase to 105, the inclusion of a new instance clusters, a twelve player raid and the start of a collection system. The two yearly updates will take players to the Battle of Pelennor Fields and then on to the Black Gates of Mordor. Turbine are also promising to regularly fix bugs and improve what they call “quality of life”. Overall I think this is just “business as normal” as far as LOTRO goes and once again I think we have to be realistic about the sort of new content you get in an MMO of this age. If Turbine can deliver all the above then frankly I’ll just roll with it.
Turbine has published their 2016 road map (or major initiatives as they now call them) for LOTRO and as ever, it is being hotly debated on both the official forums and on sites such as Massively Overpowered. Next year LOTRO will see a level cap increase to 105, the inclusion of a new instance clusters, a twelve player raid and the start of a collection system. The two yearly updates will take players to the Battle of Pelennor Fields and then on to the Black Gates of Mordor. Turbine are also promising to regularly fix bugs and improve what they call “quality of life”. Overall I think this is just “business as normal” as far as LOTRO goes and once again I think we have to be realistic about the sort of new content you get in an MMO of this age. If Turbine can deliver all the above then frankly I’ll just roll with it.
First and foremost what strikes me the most about this road map is how near we are to the “end” both in terms of the story of The Lord of the Rings and the license that keeps the game afloat. If we find ourselves at the Morannon in late October 2016, then the following year will really be about rapping up the storyline and giving players a satisfactory conclusion. Personally I don’t think there is scope for any further license extensions or stays of execution and that once the expiry date of the current legal agreement is met, then the game will fold. Therefore I want to see the epic story in LOTRO concluded in a satisfactory way. The road map for next year seems to be addressing this. The game dawdled too long between 2010 and 2012.
Popular opinion on the nominal level cap increase seems split. It raises such issues as a new gear grind or more specifically a new set of essences to obtain. Once again many of those debating the pros and cons of this forthcoming change fail to see that they are not really representative of the majority of LOTRO players. My primary character is a level 100 Lore-master and I have elected not to pursue essences for slotted gear. I only play the PVE content and have found that not having the highest stats on my gear has not been an impediment. As for my LI it is imbued and I see no reason to throw any further resources at it. It can simply level as I do. Again my gameplay is not suffering as result of this decision. If you don’t want to grind then don’t do so.
Something else to ponder is that Turbine have responded to player concerns in the past and deferred such things as level cap increases. It may not be likely that they’ll do it again but I think it demonstrates that there is scope for augmentation to the 2016 road map. Plus there is the major hurdle of completing the new server migration and the technical revisions being made to the in-game chat system. If these prove to be problematic and swallow precious time and resources then it could prove ill for LOTRO. Only time will tell. In the meantime for the average LOTRO player it’s been an adequate year and it looks like the next twelve months will be so to. Considering that the MMO genre is no longer the paragon of virtue and cash cow that it use to be, I think we should consider Turbines 2016 plan to be the best option available.
Alternative Christmas Movies
As the season of goodwill reaches its zenith, there's nothing I like better than to sit in my comfy fireside chair with a bucket of Brandy, a mountain of nuts, whilst fitted with a catheter so I can watch some quality seasonally themed films. Let's face it Christmas TV is usually a load of old bollocks, consisting mainly of repeats of TV specials featuring dead, unfunny comedians and classic films butchered to fit the midday schedules and shown in the WRONG aspect ratio. So rather than enduring such poor entertainment, I thought I'd share the love and sentiments of the time of year, by recommending some alternative material for your edification.
As the season of goodwill reaches its zenith, there's nothing I like better than to sit in my comfy fireside chair with a bucket of Brandy, a mountain of nuts, whilst fitted with a catheter so I can watch some quality seasonally themed films. Let's face it Christmas TV is usually a load of old bollocks, consisting mainly of repeats of TV specials featuring dead, unfunny comedians and classic films butchered to fit the midday schedules and shown in the WRONG aspect ratio. So rather than enduring such poor entertainment, I thought I'd share the love and sentiments of the time of year, by recommending some alternative material for your edification.
Die Hard (1988)
So let us begin with the all-time best Crimble movie ever. Die Hard. Yes Uncle Bruce gets his vest dirty and shoots Germans. The star of the film is of course Alan Rickman who oozes malevolence and delivers his dialogue with abject relish. "I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way... so he won't be joining us for the rest of his life". A veritable blue print for other action films with is perfect blend of human drama, action and wisecracking. Go watch a high definition copy and relish the bullet hits. Oh and don't forget to kick it old school with Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis.
Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)
Lightning can strike twice, even during the festive season, so next up we have Die Hard 2. Is it as good as the first? Of course not, but it's still a solid action movie which compensates for not having Alan Rickman, by including some really unpleasant violence. There’s a throat cutting, a head in the baggage handling machine and of course everyone favourite, the icicle in the eye. Plus we also get a cameo by the legendary Franco Nero (is that not the worlds coolest name?). Furthermore there's lots of snow. What can be more seasonal than that? This time round the Christmas song that has been neatly dove tailed into the production is "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" by Vaughn Monroe.
The Silent Partner (1978)
Moving on to something a little more obscure but none the less rewarding. The Silent Partner is an excellent example of the hard boiled thriller genre from the seventies. Remember when films were gritty, with slick dialogue and populated with characters who didn't have to be A list leads? The Silent Partner is a heist movie with a difference. Career criminal Christopher Plummer fails to rob bank cashier Elliott Gould, who seeing the chance to pocket some cash himself, then proceeds to pin the blame on said robber. Discovering this duplicity, blackmail, murder and revenge ensue. Is it particularly Christmassy? Not really. However Mr Plummer does conduct the initial heist dressed as Santa, so that will suffice. This is a good film with a hard edge; the villain being a sexual sadist. There's also a rather unpleasant murder that comes as a shock to the average viewer and tropical fish enthusiasts.
Battle of the Bulge (1965)
Let’s take a more historical tack with regard to seasonal movies. It should not be forgotten that one of the last major offensives of WWII was fought was during the holiday period. Thus I would recommend to all discerning viewers of all-star, big budget war films, to reacquaint themselves with Battle of the Bulge. Nothing says Christmas more than big tanks and Robert Shaw as a Nazi. Don't forget to stamp your feet and join in with the Panzerlied. It's not a bad film for summarising the actual details of the battle, although purist tankophiles may bristle at the technical inaccuracies. German King Tiger tanks are depicted by American M47 Pattons, with M24 Chaffees representing the M4 Sherman. Telly Savalas plays a wisecracking, sarcastic anti-hero, as per usual. A good second choice for those who fancy a break from the season ritual that is The Great Escape.
Trading Places (1983)
A change of pace and scene now, with John Landis' classic 1983 comedy Trading Places. Yes back in the days when Eddie Murphy was still funny, this film really showcased his talents and put him on the Hollywood map. This intelligent comedy makes some wry observations not only on the issue of race, but also wealth and social demographics. It even led to some legal changes within the banking community (See the "Eddie Murphy Rule"). Is it directly linked to Christmas? Not entirely, but Dan Ackroyd does dress as Santa and part of the movie is set during the holiday season. I've added the picture above, not because it’s a gratuitous breast shot but to highlight the running gag of "See you next Wednesday", which features in many of John Landis' films.
Gremlins (1984)
It wouldn't be Christmas without a film about a cute adorable creature that multiplies when wet, and if fed after midnight turns into a slavering sociopath with a sense of gallows humour. Gremlins is Joe Dante's near perfect creature feature homage. This film is not only cinematically literate but great fun and also quite scary. The microwave scene still never fails to amuse me! Phoebe Cates monologue about the death of her Father at Christmas is very black indeed.
"The worst thing that ever happened to me was on Christmas. Oh, God. It was so horrible. It was Christmas Eve. I was 9 years old. Me and Mom were decorating the tree, waiting for Dad to come home from work. A couple hours went by. Dad wasn't home. So Mom called the office. No answer. Christmas Day came and went, and still nothing. So the police began a search. Four or five days went by. Neither one of us could eat or sleep. Everything was falling apart. It was snowing outside. The house was freezing, so I went to try to light up the fire. That's when I noticed the smell. The firemen came and broke through the chimney top. And me and Mom were expecting them to pull out a dead cat or a bird. And instead they pulled out my father. He was dressed in a Santa Claus suit. He'd been climbing down the chimney... his arms loaded with presents. He was gonna surprise us. He slipped and broke his neck. He died instantly. And that's how I found out there was no Santa Claus".
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Finally, I would like to briefly mention Lethal Weapon. I watched this again recently on Blu-ray and the first thing that struck me was how well the hardboiled dialogue was written for this genre of movie, courtesy of Shane Black. Buddy crime thriller movies are so totally overblown these days. Take Bad Boys II as an example. I appreciate that this type of film requires the viewer’s suspension of disbelief, but as my Grandad use to say "There's a difference between farting and shitting yourself". Lethal Weapon although action packed, doesn't jump the shark and is a well-crafted film. It boasts likeable characters and solid direction. Gary Busey is also a top villain. The man shoots a Christmas tree!
That completes the Contains Moderate Peril alternative Christmas guide and our recommendations of films we think make good substitutes to the standard drivel that fill the Christmas TV schedules. I’d like to honourably mention most film versions of A Christmas Carol (especially the Muppets Christmas Carol) as well as any adaptation of the Ghost stories of M.R. James. Christmas is a time for supernatural tales. Also don’t forget Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman. It’s a wonderful piece of animation. Next week there’ll be The Contains Moderate Peril guide to New Year and why that cultural tradition is also a load of old bollocks.
Scrooge (1970)
The all-star big screen musical was desperately striving to be different during the sixties and seventies, producing many hits and misses. Tommy, The Lost Horizon and The Wiz are prime examples of the experimentation made within the genre at the time. However, due to the success of Oliver! at the box office in 1968 it was thought that there was potential mileage to be had from Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol". So the musical Scrooge was conceived. Unlike Oliver! it was not based on a existing stage adaptation but on a wholly original screenplay, although a theatrical treatment has since been adapted.
The all-star big screen musical was desperately striving to be different during the sixties and seventies, producing many hits and misses. Tommy, The Lost Horizon and The Wiz are prime examples of the experimentation made within the genre at the time. However, due to the success of Oliver! at the box office in 1968 it was thought that there was potential mileage to be had from Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol". So the musical Scrooge was conceived. Unlike Oliver! it was not based on a existing stage adaptation but on a wholly original screenplay, although a theatrical treatment has since been adapted.
The creative foundation of this 1970 production is twofold. Firstly there is Leslie Bricusse's superb score and literate screenplay. Then there is Albert Finney's remarkable performance as Scrooge. Bricusse adapts Dickens novella superbly, including much of the original dialogue and subtleties of the story. The songs are very catchy and emotive, especially "Father Christmas" and "Thank You Very much". Both the musical numbers and the screenplay set the tone perfectly. Veteran director Ronald Neame manages to capture the warmth and sentimentality of the book. Once again this adaptation does not shy away from the fact that this is a ghost story and the sequence when Scrooge and Marley (Alec Guiness) take to the air and fly among the lost souls is rather creepy.
But it is Albert Finney's acting that dominates the movie during its well paced, two hour running time. Relying on the minimum of make-up and avoiding the use of prosthetics, Finney convinces the audience that he is a man of mature years rather than the 34 year old that he was at the time, by his demeanour, mannerism and gate. This is also possibly the most pitiable on screen portrayal of Scrooge, as the screenplay specifically emphasises the impact of his failed engagement. The production cost $5 million and although mainly set bound, boasts a very handsome production design. It catches the Dickensian spirit of London well, especially the hustle and bustle of the busy London markets.
Scrooge also features a wealth of British characters actors and benefits greatly from their talent. David Collings is an earnest Bob Cratchit and Anton Rodgers succinctly depicts one of Scrooge's debtors. But perhaps the most sublime casting is Kenneth Moore as the Ghost of Christmas Present. His larger than life personality and specific style of acting fits the role perfectly. Surprisingly he also manages to morally chastise Scrooge successfully without resorting to bluster. Moore was a truly underestimated actor and it is roles such as this that show his true range. With regard to Lawrence Naismith, let it suffice to say that the man was born to play Fezziwig.
Scrooge enjoyed only modest financial success upon its initial release. The critics praised Finney's performance but the box office was merely adequate and the public were split on both the songs and tone of the movie. The non-canonical scenes set in hell, seemed to be a stumbling block and were subsequently removed from TV prints of the film in future years. Forty Five years on the movie now has a much wider fan base and has become a seasonal institution for many. Critics have also revised their opinions deeming it a strong adaptation. For me it is one of those rare occasions where the source text and the medium of the musical combine to produce a movie of great emotional resonance. Dickens’ work seldom receives such treatment.