Caring for the Elderly: Part 8
I started writing this series of blog posts when I first became a carer back in 2016. The idea has always been to use my personal experiences as a point of reference for others. That is the main reason for this latest update. The things that are currently happening to me and my nearest and dearest may happen to you and yours. Over the last three years a lot has changed in my family’s collective life. Both my parents have gone from living relatively independently and managing their own affairs, to becoming disabled with long term degenerative medical conditions. Both are now housebound and require assistance with basic tasks such as washing and dressing, due to reduce mobility and frailty. My Father has been nil by mouth for three years and requires district nurse visits twice a day to deal with his medicine and catheter. My Sister has altered her working hours so she has more time available in the morning before she goes to work. I have given up work to become a fulltime carer. Between us the days is covered. The latest major change has been applying for power of attorney, which I wrote about in my previous post.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Woolwich
I started writing this series of blog posts when I first became a carer back in 2016. The idea has always been to use my personal experiences as a point of reference for others. That is the main reason for this latest update. The things that are currently happening to me and my nearest and dearest may happen to you and yours. Over the last three years a lot has changed in my family’s collective life. Both my parents have gone from living relatively independently and managing their own affairs, to becoming disabled with long term degenerative medical conditions. Both are now housebound and require assistance with basic tasks such as washing and dressing, due to reduce mobility and frailty. My Father has been nil by mouth for three years and requires district nurse visits twice a day to deal with his medicine and catheter. My Sister has altered her working hours so she has more time available in the morning before she goes to work. I have given up work to become a fulltime carer. Between us the days is covered. The latest major change has been applying for power of attorney, which I wrote about in my previous post.
My Mother will be 89 in October and my Father 90 in July. Medically speaking, neither of them has anything exceptional wrong with them. Both are afflicted with common ailments associated with old age. Heart issues, loss of hearing and eyesight as well as ever decreasing mobility. Both have had at least two strokes. Take anyone of their health problems out of context and they may well sound unremarkable, even trivial. But collectively they are difficult to manage. And physical issues are only half the picture. Old age, illness and a loss of control bring a wealth of mental and emotional pressures. My Mother is exceedingly skittish and finds the continual coming and going of carers, nurses and social services very upsetting. My Father, who has always been a very academic man is no longer able to pursue his passions. He can no longer read, write or use a computer. His mind is sound but his ability to do anything is greatly diminished. My Sister and I manage many things but if there is an area that gets somewhat sidelined it’s social interaction. We’re always doing things and my parents do not see enough new faces.
Caring of this kind is a difficult task because the most you can ever hope for as a carer is to maintain the status quo for as long as you can. Friends and colleagues are very kind and supportive, but comments such as “I hope (insert parent’s name) get’s better” are ultimately pointless because neither of them ever will. Their respective health will continue to decline over time and with each additional infection or bout in hospital. As a result of this things have reached a point now where it is proving extremely difficult to manage both my parents care simultaneously. A back injury has made my Mother even less mobile than normal. For the last five weeks she has been unable to get out of her bed and chair unassisted. Her regular trips to the toilet have meant that someone (mainly me) has to be present in the house at all times. My Father contracted yet another urinary tract infection (the third this year) at the same time and became prone to falling. This and the accompanying bowel incontinence proved very problematic. The infection ended with a hospital admission, two weeks ago.
Wilmington Manor Nursing Home. Dartford
Due to the pressures on the NHS, the hospital was keen to discharge him as soon as possible. However, my Sister and I simply could not deal with his return as although he was clear of the UTI, he was unable to get up and walk and was still suffering from diarrhoea. Having two immoveable adults in the house, who are both probe to falling when assisted was deemed too much of a risk. So to cut a long story short I contacted social services and “negotiated” some emergency respite care. Respite care is designed to relieve the pressure on carers temporarily relocating the person requiring care to a residential home or facility of that kind. However, although it is an invaluable service, it is not a simple as it immediately seems. Usually, a person does not go from hospital directly into respite care. However, my Father was awarded two weeks last July. However, he got sick 12 days into his previous stay and was hospitalised. Hence, we still had a balance of 6 days outstanding. Thus with a little “persuasion” the new stay was arranged. However, respite care only provides access to a home and nursing staff. Neither social services nor the nursing home take total ownership of the matter. Therefore, I had to pack a week’s supply of clothes, ensuring that they were all labelled. I also had to provide a week’s supply of meds, my Father’s liquid feed, the pump and the “giving sets” as well as a few personal items such as glasses and wash kit. This then had to be shipped to the home which in this instance wasn’t as local as I had hoped. I do not drive. Furthermore, it will fall to me to come to the home on his last day and pack all these items up and return them to his home, ensuring nothing has been lost.
So far, my Father has been away from home for two weeks. He is scheduled to return on May 29th. We as a family are hoping that during that time, he has regained a degree of his previous mobility because if not, then we are facing the same problem we had earlier. IE having to manage two immobile ageing adults. I suspect that if not now, by the end of the year we’ll have to consider the fact that we cannot meet his care needs at home any longer. For his own personal safety he will require the 24-hour attention provided by a nursing home. Naturally, this is a not a decision that is made lightly and comes with a wealth of other issues to consider. Although I want my Father’s care needs to be met, I also have to consider those of my Mother and wellbeing of myself and my sister. It is difficult to make such life changing choices without feeling guilty, that we’re letting him down or that we’re being judged by the various groups and organisations we deal with. Each family that faces such dilemmas must do so in their own unique way. Once the emotional and social concerns have been addressed then it’s time to consider the practicalities of such a choice, such as the financial implications. Nursing homes are expensive.
The UK has an ageing population and we are now entering an era where modern healthcare means that life expectancy may reach 100 years plus. However, the politics and social attitudes surrounding many of the associated issues of increasing old age have not significantly altered. Both my parents are old, frail and demonstrably unhappy. They endure because society feels obliged to help them but has no clear plan as to what to do next. It’s sad to think that the one factor that may eventually force a societal debate on this matter is more than likely to be the economics of the situation. When the cost becomes untenable on the public purse, then perhaps broader options, strategies and ideas will be considered. In the meantime, my family will endeavour to carry on within the confines of their own home. Yet health factors may well change this. Then there are other longer-term factors to consider. I am 51 and may well have to return to some state of employment in the near future or potentially suffer financially in my own old age. Again it doesn’t feel right to put money over other factors but I cannot risk putting my trust in the welfare state. The way UK politics are progressing there may not be one in a decade or so and there may also be considerable economic turmoil in a post Brexit world. For now my family will strive to hold the line.
Caring for the Elderly: Part 7
Since spring 2016, I have been running my parent’s domestic affairs. Due increasing ill health, neither can visit a bank, conduct business phone calls or deal with administrative paperwork such as utility bills, insurance policies and hospital appointments. However, there are limits on what I can and cannot do. Cheques and legal documents need signatures. UK data protection legislation often prohibits phone conversations with anyone other than the account holder. Hence despite being able to broadly deal with most things that come up, I sometimes have to involve my parents. This mean conversations on speaker phones which are difficult when both my parents have substantial hearing loss. So after some discussion with both of my parents, I have decided to pursue the power of attorney. At present this is specifically for my Father, as most bills and invoices are in his name.
Since spring 2016, I have been running my parent’s domestic affairs. Due increasing ill health, neither can visit a bank, conduct business phone calls or deal with administrative paperwork such as utility bills, insurance policies and hospital appointments. However, there are limits on what I can and cannot do. Cheques and legal documents need signatures. UK data protection legislation often prohibits phone conversations with anyone other than the account holder. Hence despite being able to broadly deal with most things that come up, I sometimes have to involve my parents. This mean conversations on speaker phones which are difficult when both my parents have substantial hearing loss. So after some discussion with both of my parents, I have decided to pursue the power of attorney. At present this is specifically for my Father, as most bills and invoices are in his name.
The power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to make decisions for, or act on behalf of an individual who is no longer able to or wishes to manage their own affairs. Currently in the UK there are two different types of power of attorney.
Ordinary power of attorney: This covers decisions about financial affairs and is valid for those who have mental capacity. It is suitable for a temporary period such as a hospital stay, extended holiday or for those who may be convalescing at home and want someone to act on their behalf.
Lasting power of attorney (LPA): An LPA covers decisions about financial affairs, health and care. It is intended for those without mental capacity to run their own affairs, or individuals who no longer wish to make decisions for themselves due to ill health and or, lack of mobility. An LPA is appropriate for those looking after people with long term care needs.
In my family’s case, we decided upon an LPA in both my and my sister’s name. There were some straightforward forms to complete which needed to be witnessed by a family friend or someone who has known my Father for a while. There was a fee of £82 to pay the Office of the Public Guardian, which is a government department. The process take about 8 to 10 weeks to be administered and has several checks and balances to ensure there is no coercion or malfeasance. At the end the designated attorneys receive the appropriate paperwork that allows them to notify all concerned parties and start acting on behalf of those they represent.
This was a big step for out family. Caring is more than the sum of its parts and there is a need for diplomacy, especially when it comes to taking over responsibilities that previous belonged to others. My parents like most of their generation are fiercely independent and struggle with accepting a more passive role in their own lives. But we have reached a point now where I need to have as many tools available to me as possible to allow for me to adequately look after both my parents. There are monthly direct debits for unspecified services that need to be investigated. There are defunct insurance policies and warranties that need to be revised or dispensed with. There are bills that need to be paid monthly instead of quarterly or semi-annually. I also need to ensure that the various utility services are best deals and most preferential tariffs available. My parents are not hard up by current UK standards but they have a finite amount of money coming in each month and it needs to be administered prudently. Care costs for my Father increased by 25% this April and due to the ongoing decline in health with both of my parents, expenditure of this kind will inevitably increase.
Caring for the elderly often results in situations you never expected to find yourself in. Again I would advocate a proactive approach to all who find themselves in such a position. The power of attorney if implemented at a suitable juncture, allows you as a carer to address potential issues before they become a problem. It also affords comfort to those you are caring for as they know that everything is being addressed, bills are being paid and their family name remains in good standing with the businesses they deal with. It may sound old fashioned but paying the weekly paper bill really worries my parents. They hate to think that they owe someone money of have caused “inconvenience”. Therefore an LPA or your regional equivalent is something to be aware of and ready to utilise should the situation require it. Like so many things associated with care, it’s best to sort it in advance, rather than struggling to resolve a complex problem later on.
Remastered Games
I played through Sniper Elite V2 Remastered this week and the graphical overhaul is impressive and the addition of photo mode provides an amusing diversion. It is a superior iteration of the game than the original 2012 release. However, I have read reviews that have found this new version unsatisfactory. There have been complaints that the game lack the scope and sophistication of Sniper Elite III and 4. If you explore such comments further you soon find that those who have made them seem to fundamentally confuse a remaster of a game with a remake. Sniper Elite V2 Remastered has been lovingly dragged up to visual standards of the latter versions of the games by Rebellion Developments, but it’s original 2012 structure, mechanics and limitations are still present. If you require a succinct metaphor it is the difference between redecorating and refurbishing a house.
I played through Sniper Elite V2 Remastered this week and the graphical overhaul is impressive and the addition of photo mode provides an amusing diversion. It is a superior iteration of the game than the original 2012 release. However, I have read reviews that have found this new version unsatisfactory. There have been complaints that the game lack the scope and sophistication of Sniper Elite III and 4. If you explore such comments further you soon find that those who have made them seem to fundamentally confuse a remaster of a game with a remake. Sniper Elite V2 Remastered has been lovingly dragged up to visual standards of the latter versions of the games by Rebellion Developments, but it’s original 2012 structure, mechanics and limitations are still present. If you require a succinct metaphor it is the difference between redecorating and refurbishing a house.
The recently released Resident Evil 2 is a remake of the original 1998 PlayStation game. Unlike the original, which uses “tank controls” and fixed camera angles, the new version features over-the-shoulder third-person shooter gameplay similar to Resident Evil 4. The game has found favour with both critics and players and although it remains true to the themes and idiom of the original, it is more than just a graphical overhaul. The developers, Capcom R&D Division 1, refined the existing mechanics and systems, improved the environment, rather than just recreating it with improved assets and textures, resulting in a new product that is compatible with the prevailing tastes of contemporary gamers. It is not an exact duplicate of the PlayStation version, neither has it wondered entirely “off script”. It therefore clearly fits the criteria of what constitutes a remake, instead of a remaster. Clearly this process has not been applied to Sniper Elite V2 Remastered by Rebellion Developments.
Another debate surrounding remastered games is over their relative value and whether development resources would be better focused on creating entirely new titles. I’d argue that Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is a positive example of a game that been remastered. The fact that I didn’t have to pay the full retail price (which wasn’t excessive to begin with) because I owned the previous version, helped with my positive opinion. Furthermore when it was announced, Rebellion Developments also pointed out that a new instalment in the franchise was currently being worked on, so the remaster was not at the expense of anything else. However, on the other side of the coin, let us remember how Activision handled the remaster of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The game benefited from improved graphics and assets but suffered from a somewhat egregious business model. Activision decided to initially release it as part of a premium bundle when players bought Infinite Warfare. Then there was also the inclusion of microtransactions that were not present in the original. Finally, the DLC multiplayer maps that were free with the 2007 version of the game were gated behind a paywall in this 2016 remaster.
It is naïve to expect ethical business management by default from the video games industry, so gamers are left having to keep their wits about them when it comes to determining whether a remastered game is or is not good value. Rebellion Developments have at least been fair with their remasters so far, with respect of content and pricing. Other publishers have taken a different route. The Skyrim Special Edition may well have an improved aesthetic but still contains bugs that have existed in every other iteration and port of the game. It is therefore up to us as consumers to make clear what “is” a good value remaster and what isn’t. We should also be vocal if we discover that a remaster comes at the expense of something new. Polite, measured and intelligent lobbying can and does work. As does screaming and throwing your toys out of the pram, but the latter comes at the cost of dignity, moral rectitude and credibility. In the meantime, I suspect we shall continue to see remasters of all types, as nostalgia is a proven seller. May be on occasions, a successful remaster acts as a litmus test, proving sufficient interest to justify a new entry in an existing franchise.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint - No More Squad Support For Solo Players
Ghost Recon Wildlands was my introduction to this long-standing Ubisoft franchise. I bought the game a year after launch so got a good deal on a comprehensive package of all the content. Broadly I like the game and really enjoyed the massive open world environment. Although there was a four-player co-op option, I tackled the game using A.I. teammates and didn’t find them as problematic as some player did. Perhaps their tactical deficiencies were more prevalent at higher difficulty levels. As for the characters’ cheesy dialogue, it really wasn’t a problem. Most banter between friends in real life is far from erudite. So it is unrealistic to expect witty ripostes and “puckish” epigrams from a squad of special forces soldiers. Overall, I found playing through the game this way, rather than with other players a far more enjoyable experience. I could take my time, plan my strategy and my AI team mainly did what I expected them to do. For a player of my skill level, this was a win, win situation.
Ghost Recon Wildlands was my introduction to this long-standing Ubisoft franchise. I bought the game a year after launch so got a good deal on a comprehensive package of all the content. Broadly I like the game and really enjoyed the massive open world environment. Although there was a four-player co-op option, I tackled the game using A.I. teammates and didn’t find them as problematic as some player did. Perhaps their tactical deficiencies were more prevalent at higher difficulty levels. As for the characters’ cheesy dialogue, it really wasn’t a problem. Most banter between friends in real life is far from erudite. So it is unrealistic to expect witty ripostes and “puckish” epigrams from a squad of special forces soldiers. Overall, I found playing through the game this way, rather than with other players a far more enjoyable experience. I could take my time, plan my strategy and my AI team mainly did what I expected them to do. For a player of my skill level, this was a win, win situation.
Hence, I was pleased to learn of a direct sequel to the 2017 game and watched the announcement trailer for Ghost Recon Breakpoint with interest. Frankly, these sorts of videos don’t really give you much information about the nuts and bolts of the game, so I then decided to see what a few websites had to say about what was on offer. It didn’t take long for me to read a short paragraph that effectively killed my interest in Ghost Recon Breakpoint dead. It would appear that Ubisoft have elected not to address the shortcomings of the squad A.I. in this iteration of the game. Rather than increase their functionality and give the player greater control over their actions, they’ve simply removed them from solo play. If you want the support of a full squad you will have to play with other players and endure the problems that are inherent with such a system. According to Emil Daubon, the lead writer on the game “the mission statement that we received was we want to create a fantasy that replicates being alone trapped behind enemy lines. Ultimately, if you choose to play a solo, you have the option to immerse yourself deeply in that aspect of the fantasy. The A.I. teammates would have taken away from that”. Yeah and if my Granny had wheels, she’d be a wagon.
I really dislike this ongoing mindset of primarily placing a player’s enjoyment and progress in a game, in the hands of other players. I don’t enjoy being reliant on random strangers, all of whom have different play styles, varying ability and personal notions of what is or isn’t “fun”. Perhaps the biggest problems for me is that such auto-grouping systems have zero impact over issues such as social skills and one’s ability to interact with others in a commensurate fashion. The alternative to this is to play with friends but most of the people I have on my various friends lists tend to play different genres of games. I doubt if I know anyone who will play Ghost Recon Breakpoint. If I do, then there’s the logistics of arranging a suitable play session that suits respective time zones. Another issue that stems from removing the A.I. squad is that solo players are now at a disadvantage when it comes to effectively using vehicles. There are apparently over 30 available to use in the game, but solo players will no longer have teammates that can utilise turrets and provide tactical support. And then there’s the issue of the famous sync shot mechanics. In previous games, you’d potion your squad and simultaneously take down multiple enemies. It would seem that Ubisoft have got around this by allowing the solo player to now use drones, but it lacks the panache of the original method.
So there you have it. Once again, a game studio has made a change to a long-standing game mechanic associated with a franchise and as a result lost a percentage of potential customers. I have no idea if that is a large or relatively small number of players, but I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels this way about the ubiquity of co-operative play. It one of the reasons I decided not to buy the new World War Z game. Again, there is no single player mode with an A.I. Squad. As for the reasons used to justify such decisions such as “immersion” and such like, I simply don’t believe them. Removing A.I. teammates means eliminating a problem. It is one less coding headache to address and it makes it easier for companies such as Ubisoft to assemble their cookie cutter games. That’s not to say that their games are bad, because they are not. But they all seem to share common components, systems and mechanics. Without straying into hyperbole, it is this approach to gaming and the continued stripping away of anything that doesn’t easily integrate into the “live serves” business model, that is driving the triple A video games industry towards an inevitable crash or major recalibration.
The Idiot Box
Thoughts on TV shows and my current viewing habits.
Our Planet is the first major wildlife documentary to be made by Netflix. Presented and narrated by David Attenborough the series is produced by Silverback Films, who also created BBC documentary series Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet. As you would expect with such outstanding credentials, Our Planet is a visually impressive, thought provoking exploration of our world’s respective ecosystems and a damning indictment of how we as a species are causing immense damage. If you watch this show and are still in denial afterwards about climate change, then “you need your bumps felt”. The show doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of nature. Something that some viewers struggle to come to terms, due to the ongoing infantilization of our relationship with pets and wild life. Netflix went so far as to produce a list of scenes to skip for the feint hearted. However, the sight of the Walruses plummeting to their death from a cliff was genuinely shocking. However given the nature of the show and its underlying message, this was totally justified.
Thoughts on TV shows and my current viewing habits.
Our Planet is the first major wildlife documentary to be made by Netflix. Presented and narrated by David Attenborough the series is produced by Silverback Films, who also created BBC documentary series Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet. As you would expect with such outstanding credentials, Our Planet is a visually impressive, thought provoking exploration of our world’s respective ecosystems and a damning indictment of how we as a species are causing immense damage. If you watch this show and are still in denial afterwards about climate change, then “you need your bumps felt”. The show doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of nature. Something that some viewers struggle to come to terms, due to the ongoing infantilization of our relationship with pets and wild life. Netflix went so far as to produce a list of scenes to skip for the feint hearted. However, the sight of the Walruses plummeting to their death from a cliff was genuinely shocking. However given the nature of the show and its underlying message, this was totally justified.
I recently managed to catch up with Elementary Season 6 as I somehow fell behind in my viewing of this show. Elementary continues to maintain its high standard with regard to odd and off kilter cases. Many of Holmes and Watson’s investigations have parallels with contemporary news stories. The robotic sex doll with it’s always listening AI, was a wry exploration of current technology versus privacy fears. The show also continues to sensitively explore the nature of addiction and has story threads regarding adoption and Alzheimer’s. But the foundation of this show is the relationship between Holmes (Johnny Lee Miller) and Watson (Lucy Lui) and their platonic love for each other. The denouement of the season saw the pair relocating to London, although I suspect that the show will contrive a reason to return to New York. With Season 7 due to on 23rd May, it will be interesting to see if this is the final season. There is already the possibility of Detective Bell (Jon Michael Hill) taking a job with the US Marshalls service. Will Holmes also repair his relationship with Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn). I look forward to watching more of this quirky variation on the police procedural.
Here’s a summary of what else I’ve been watching:
I finally got around to watching the 2004 version of Salem’s Lot. Made by TNT this two-part miniseries broadly mirrors the 1979 adaptation but updates the proceeding to current times and adds several contemporary themes and interpretations of events. I was led to believe that this version of Stephen King’s weighty novel was a disaster, but it certainly wasn’t as bad as that. Rob Lowe is relatively sympathetic as traumatised novelist Ben Mears. There are some good soliloquys about the iniquities of small towns and their hidden depth. Sadly, Rutger Hauer is not given a lot to do as the Master Vampire Kurt Barlow and is subsequently not really a threat. It’s also a somewhat restrained affair, with the production going for jump scares, rather than graphic violence. Overall, I found this a mildly engaging curiosity. However Tobe Hooper’s adaptation remains the one to beat.
As for my planned viewing during the month of March, the docudrama Chernobyl appears to be very interesting. This authentic account of the 1986 disaster addresses not only the technical causes of the reactor fire, but the long-term health and environmental ramifications for the region. It also delves into the political machinations of the Soviet Union as they first struggle to accept the magnitude of the crisis and then falter over managing the political consequences of the situation. Bolstered by a cast of quality character actors I suspect this will be most illuminating and enthralling.
Finally, I want to briefly mention the Japanese game show Takeshi’s Castle. I won’t get bogged down in a lengthy account of the show’s history, as I’m considering writing a much longer post on the matter. To summarise the show was first broadcast in Japan between 1986-90. In the early 2000’s other countries re-edited the content and condensed the hour-long show into a shorter thirty-minute format. Often humorous commentary was added. In the UK the show was shown on the Challenge TV channel and narration was supplied by actor and comedian, Craig Charles. Being regionalised to UK tastes, there was a lot of innuendo and double-entendres. Much of the banter and quips may not survive a PC sniff test these days. I used to watch this show with my son and enjoy it for what is was. I recently managed to “find” copies of all 120 episodes and now watch these late at night when I want some easy viewing to relax and unwind.
A Month in Gaming
So what have I been up to in April gaming wise? Oh, yes there was this. Mounted combat for the Guardian class is awful. There. I said it. As I’m not a LOTRO “altoholic” my only previous experience with mounted combat was with my Lore-master. Most of their skills are ranged which makes the fights less tedious and time consuming. And you get a combat pet which helps the proceeding slightly, but overall, it’s not that much fun. However fighting via your war steed with a Guardian is a ponderous grind. You have to be in close proximity to your foe to hit them and half the time they are running around you, conspicuously out of range. Sure there’s a skill that brings them next to you for a short period of time but as a level 85 Guardian’s DPS output is distinctly average at this point in the levelling curve, it’s a long, arduous slog to kill anything. My solution has been to summon my skirmish soldier who is an Archer and to use them in conjunction with my own bow to shoot down mounted foes while on foot. This still takes time but is quicker than doing it from horse back.
So what have I been up to in April gaming wise? Oh, yes there was this. Mounted combat for the Guardian class is awful. There. I said it. As I’m not a LOTRO “altoholic” my only previous experience with mounted combat was with my Lore-master. Most of their skills are ranged which makes the fights less tedious and time consuming. And you get a combat pet which helps the proceeding slightly, but overall, it’s not that much fun. However fighting via your war steed with a Guardian is a ponderous grind. You have to be in close proximity to your foe to hit them and half the time they are running around you, conspicuously out of range. Sure there’s a skill that brings them next to you for a short period of time but as a level 85 Guardian’s DPS output is distinctly average at this point in the levelling curve, it’s a long, arduous slog to kill anything. My solution has been to summon my skirmish soldier who is an Archer and to use them in conjunction with my own bow to shoot down mounted foes while on foot. This still takes time but is quicker than doing it from horse back.
I’m still not sure how Turbine (now Standing Stone Games), got it into their heads that mounted combat was the holy grail of the game. It is present as a game mechanic in Rohan mainly due to the lore and the prevailing Equine culture. It persists in parts of Gondor, but by the time you reach the Black Gates it’s a dim and distant memory. I think of all the game systems present in LOTRO this has been the most ill-conceived. Mounted combat is plagued with flaws. Steering your War Steed is a chore, even if you choose the lightest class. Speeding up, slowing down and tightly turning are virtually impossible and the poor handling is compounded by the lag and stuttering inherent in Rohan. Skills are proximity based, even the ranged ones and you can never get off a decent series of attacks. And then there’s the Legendary Bridle which just adds another LI to your existing collection to micromanage. Thankfully, for the present I’m just pursuing the Epic Story through the Western Rohan and have managed to proceed through the Eastern March and Wildermore with minimal mounted combat. Oh Hang on. I’ve got Epic Battles coming up? Deep joy.
Meanwhile, back in Star Trek Online, I’ve been keeping busy with lots of content that you can play in relatively short bursts. Ideal gaming for when you want to unwind in the midevening but don’t have the time, energy or commitment to pursue something too complex. I’ve completed yet another featured Task Force Operation event. Operation Riposte is somewhere in between a cake walk and a no brainer and once you know the format of this short five-man mission, it’s something you can do, while you listen to a podcast or watch TV. This TFO and others also earn you credit for the 100% Discount Coupon. Effectively just play the specified content and over time you’ll fill out yet another blue progress bar. Once complete you can claim any Tier 6 ship of your choice from the C-Store. And then there’s the Personal Endeavors which are just a variation of daily quests. All these things can keep you busy but not in an overtly annoying way. “It’s a grind Jim, but not as we know it”. Also there’s a new feature episode coming up soon featuring Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), so STO remains on the current game list as it keeps me busy.
I briefly toyed with the idea of buying World War Z. Watching the various streams and You Tube reviews reminded me of how much I enjoyed Left 4 Dead 2. This game is cooperative third-person shooter in which four players fight against massive hordes of zombies in Moscow, New York, Jerusalem, and Tokyo. It looks slick and when the zombies attack en masse, it certainly seems like fun. However, it doesn’t have a single player campaign which means that the game is purely an online multiplayer experience. That makes your enjoyment of the game dependent on those you PUG with. The last time I played such a game was Friday the 13th: The Game back in December 2017. It was great when you got a good team and everyone was broadly on the same page, but all too often it just seemed like I was attending a group meeting for recovering assholes. I suspect there is a risk of this with World War Z. Shame the game doesn’t allow you to play with the rest of your team made up of bots. Hence, I declined to make this title my first proper purchase from the Epic Store.
I suspect my real-world commitments will continue to monopolise my time throughout May, so I suspect that I shall continue to just play both LOTRO and STO. However, Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is released on the 14th and so I’ll shall try to make time for this classic title. As an owner of the existing PC version, Rebellion offered me an upgrade for just £6.99 which is a very good deal. This remastered version includes not only all the DLC of the original game but some new features such as 4K support and photo mode. The latter may provide some grim amusement with copious screenshots via the X-ray kill cam. Also, irrespective of the new bells and whistles, Sniper Elite is a good franchise offering a slow and measured gaming experience. A pleasant change of pace in today’s frenetic world of gaming.
Peter Mayhew (1944 - 2019)
Peter Mayhew was working as an Orderly in the radiology department of King's College Hospital, London in 1976 when he was “discovered” by George Lucas. Lucas was looking to find someone suitably tall to play the Wookie Chewbacca in Star Wars. Legend has it that Mayhew simply stood up from his seat to great Lucas and immediately clinched the part. The rest they say is history. Peter Mayhew went on to play the role in another five movies, and despite not gaining the immediate fame of regular actors, became a firm favourite among fans at conventions. He was also held in very high regard by his professional acting peers. As for the role of Chewbacca, he made it his own and approached the character seriously and with genuine love. Despite a lack of conventional dialogue, Mayhew imbued Chewbacca with a personality and a distinctive sense of style. No mean achievement for a man who never intended for any of this to happen.
Stuart Freeborn and Peter Mayhew
Peter Mayhew was working as an Orderly in the radiology department of King's College Hospital, London in 1976 when he was “discovered” by George Lucas. Lucas was looking to find someone suitably tall to play the Wookie Chewbacca in Star Wars. Legend has it that Mayhew simply stood up from his seat to great Lucas and immediately clinched the part. The rest they say is history. Peter Mayhew went on to play the role in another five movies, and despite not gaining the immediate fame of regular actors, became a firm favourite among fans at conventions. He was also held in very high regard by his professional acting peers. As for the role of Chewbacca, he made it his own and approached the character seriously and with genuine love. Despite a lack of conventional dialogue, Mayhew imbued Chewbacca with a personality and a distinctive sense of style. No mean achievement for a man who never intended for any of this to happen.
There’s something inherently appealing about the character of Chewbacca; the loyal and imposing companion of Han Solo. There are elements of older classical archetypes in the role which is why the Wookie has proven so appealing to fans. Who hasn’t at some point in their life wished for an imposing, resolute companion, who sticks with you through the good times and the bad? Someone who tolerates your shortcomings and will give you a kick up the backside when you stray, yet still remains ever true. Chewbacca was all those things and judging from the tributes that have appeared in the last 24 hours, so was Peter Mayhew himself. He was always well received on the convention circuit and spoke passionately about his role and relevance of his character. He was also in recent years, very supportive of passing the baton onto the younger generation. Actor Joonas Suotamo has stated that Mayhew acted like a “one-of-a-kind gentleman” and whose “tutelage and kindness” made taking over the iconic role much easier.
Not many professional actors would be keen to take a major role in a film that not only hid their face but subsequently replaced their dialogue with growls and roars. However, that was not a problem for Peter Mayhew. He would happily deliver his lines in his own dulcet tones for others to respond to, irrespective that he knew they’d later be removed. Such behind the scenes footage is both incongruous and humorous to watch. Yet it also shows Peter’s dedication to the role and ethos that if a jobs worth doing, it’s worth doing properly. The picture above is far from canonical and is simply a photoshopped creation intended to raise a wry smile. Yet it also represents the timeless appeal of characters such as Chewbacca and again reinforces the trope of the faithful companion, friend and confidant. As for Peter Mayhew, it is pleasant to know that despite being subsumed into one of the biggest franchises ever, far from letting the experience spoil his life, he managed to achieve the complete opposite. He saw fame and his characters’ cult status as a positive thing and an opportunity to do good.
LOTRO: Vales of Anduin Preview
Update 24: Vales of Anduin is currently available for preview along with an initial build of the new 64-Bit game client for LOTRO, on the Bullroarer test server. The new virtue configuration system is among the many revisions that are included in this forthcoming update. The following change also raised a wry smile. Renaming the "Laketown Outhouse" to the more era appropriate "Laketown Boghouse". As ever there are extensive patch notes available on the official forums and players are once again reminded that this is not the final version of the update and therefore everything can potentially change.
Update 24: Vales of Anduin is currently available for preview along with an initial build of the new 64-Bit game client for LOTRO, on the Bullroarer test server. The new virtue configuration system is among the many revisions that are included in this forthcoming update. The following change also raised a wry smile. Renaming the "Laketown Outhouse" to the more era appropriate "Laketown Boghouse". As ever there are extensive patch notes available on the official forums and players are once again reminded that this is not the final version of the update and therefore everything can potentially change.
To enable the new 64-Bit game client, LOTRO players need to toggle the appropriate setting in the launcher “options”. The 64-Bit game client has a separate .ini file that maintains the graphics, sound settings, UI and input settings independently from the 32-Bit version. Note this does not include keymap preferences. I tested the new client by riding around Minas Tirith, an area of the game notorious for random crashes, hitching and animation stuttering. The results so far seem positive and the game appears to run smoother and with less juddering. However, to fully appraise the system a far more rigorous test is required. I also quickly checked out the new virtue UI and noticed that the cap had been raised to 60. However, this new way of presenting the data seems far more intuitive.
As for the new zone, the Vales of Anduin can be accessed via three existing zones. From the North High Pass in the Misty Mountains, near Goblin Town. Via the Forest Gate in Eryn Lasgalen and from North Eastern Lothlórien, along the shores of the Anduin. The region includes the Beorning Lands (and incorporates Grimbeorn’s house from the Beorning starter zone) the Gladden Fields and Rhosgobel, former residence of Radagast. Other iconic locations are The Carrock, which features an Eagle instead of a stable, which then takes you to Gwaihir’s eyrie on the Western shore. There are further Beorning settlements at Hultvis and Duskenvales. Overall the zone is green and verdant and matches the description of Tolkien’s original text. The Beorning settlements are suitable rustic and mossy, although some of the assets are obviously repurposed elements from Rohan.
As with previous zones that have lore references from The Hobbit, visiting certain locations will trigger an onscreen passage of text from that book. There are also some interesting embellishments in the Gladden Fields. There seems to be traces of abandoned dredging and mining equipment. There are also some Half Orc Dredgers in the vicinity. I wonder if this is a reference to Saruman’s search for The Ring in the area where Isildur died. It should also be noted that Rhosgobel is overgrown and abandoned, again as referenced in the source text. As ever with new zones, there are several routes that are currently blocked, indicating what may be coming in future content. There’s a road to the East that leads to Middle Mirkwood and a Northerly path that potentially goes to the Upper Anduin and possibly Mount Gundabad.
So far, the new zone looks aesthetically pleasing and is relatively light and colourful. There is at present a lot of fog as you travel from the Misty Mountains down into the river valley. As with parts of Western Gondor, much of the zone is contained by high cliffs and other natural obstacles, so despite the initial impression of size, it does feel once again that the player is being funnelled from quest hub to quest hub. However, as long as the Epic Story continues to maintain it’s ongoing high standard, none of these minor criticisms are a deal breaker. The success of the 64-Bit client is perhaps a bigger issue for the LOTRO community. Will it remedy the performance issues that impair the game? Or will it solve one problem but create another. Judging by the current timetable we’ll more than likely no sooner rather than later, as I wouldn’t be surprised if Update 24 is formerly launched by the end of May.
Bits and Pieces
I have multiple blog articles outstanding in my “draft posts” folder. But time has not been on my side of late, so very little of these are going to be completed and see the light of day, any time soon. However, there are always alternative strategies. If you’re in doubt about what to write, or more likely just pushed for time, simply create an eclectic post that allows you to reference multiple subjects and news stories without having to write a thousand words on each and then make it a regular feature. If you also want to raise a wry smile with an older demographic, make the title of this new recurring piece a particularly bad pun about a popular sixties’ song by a well-known “beat combo”. With this now explained, let’s get on with things.
I have multiple blog articles outstanding in my “draft posts” folder. But time has not been on my side of late, so very little of these are going to be completed and see the light of day, any time soon. However, there are always alternative strategies. If you’re in doubt about what to write, or more likely just pushed for time, simply create an eclectic post that allows you to reference multiple subjects and news stories without having to write a thousand words on each and then make it a regular feature. If you also want to raise a wry smile with an older demographic, make the title of this new recurring piece a particularly bad pun about a popular sixties’ song by a well-known “beat combo”. With this now explained, let’s get on with things.
There was an interesting episode of The Jimquisition that was posted on Monday 15th April. It was about PC Gamer journalist James Davenport who wrote a detailed article about how used a mod to complete the game Sekiro and its extremely tough final boss fight. The point of his post was to discuss the subject of difficulty and its wider culture. However, fundamentalist gamers didn't see things his way and were vocal in their criticism. A somewhat theatrical comment was tweeted by Fetusberry 'Ass Bastard' Crunch, which then became a meme. Ironically, this negative comment was subsequently usurped by Jim Sterling and his comic character, Duke Amiel du H'ardcore, to mock its supporters. For those who are not aware of the original tweet, here it is in all its hyperbolic glory. “You cheated not only the game, but yourself. You didn't grow. You didn't improve. You took a shortcut and gained nothing. You experienced a hollow victory. Nothing was risked and nothing was gained. It's sad that you don't know the difference”.
Like Jim Sterling, I find this perennial argument extremely tedious. I wrote a post about two years ago which covers pretty much the same ground. Back then it was the claim that people were playing MMOs “wrong”. The assumption being that there is only one orthodox way to play this genre of games and if you fail to do so, not only are you a fool to yourself, you’re somehow causing harm to others and the gaming industry. Hence self-appointed gatekeepers feel obliged to “hold the line” or something to that effect. This argument, like the latest example above, is founded upon several completely false axioms. With regard to Fetusberry’s assertions, it is not a mandatory for a player to grow, improve, or risk anything. Games are no entirely founded upon notions of self-improvement and are not primarily conduits for personal realisation. In short, some games can provide these and some gamers will seek such things but other don’t and are not mandated to do so. Games are multi-faceted mediums than can provide numerous things and serve multiple purposes to those who play them. Sadly, many still fail to comprehend this and therefore I think this “debate” is going to regularly return like a bout of malaria.
Another gaming debacle that has held my interest has been the ongoing tale of the unofficial resurrection of City of Heroes via a public server. It has been a rollercoaster of a story with copies of the defunct game’s core code publicly disseminated, alleged legal threats from the copyright holders and fans arguing among themselves. For me the matter that stands out the most is not the bellicose, emotionally dysfunctional nature of some aspects of the gaming community as that’s been a known quantity for quite a while. It’s the fact that people are still very excited, passionate and invested in an MMORPG that has been unavailable for seven years. It’s an interesting contrast to the general levels of indifference and ambivalence shown towards games in development and pending release.
In other news, Gimli has proven to be politically incorrect (insert smiley face). Hyperbole aside, the actor John Rhys-Davies recently appeared on the popular political BBC panel show Question Time. This long-standing program is based around a selection of guests, mostly politicians, journalist, and broadcasters (and in recent years the pop stars, comedians and actors) being quizzed on “hot topics” by members of the public. The panel are not aware of the questions in advance and therefore have to rely on their knowledge, ideologies and public speaking skills to address each topic. Sadly, in recent years as the quality of UK politics and public discourse has declined, so has the show. Rather than an orderly, rational and intelligent debate, it has simply become a bear pit for the worst sort of Punch and Judy politics. The audience shows evidence of being contrived and too many representatives from the fringes of politics are given the oxygen of publicity. It can be cogently argued that the show has contributed to the normalisation of extreme concepts and its associated unsavoury discourse, that would have been laughed off any respectable platform a decade ago.
Returning to the matter of Mr Rhys-Davies, he clashed with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas over President Trumps visit to the UK this summer. “He’s elected head of state of a great democracy, the last best hope for mankind of course”, he said. “He represents the American people”. Mrs Lucas pointed out that Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million, which prompted a rather unseemly outburst from Mr Rhys-Davies. The controversy is mainly due to the manner in which he expressed himself and no so much about what views were espoused. The phrases, “patronising, condescending and bombastic” spring to mind. But should we really be surprised that a man of his age group, social demographic and known political views and affiliations chooses to conduct himself in such a fashion? What has subsequently proven interesting is that the manner in which this story has been reported both online and in traditional media. Ones position on the political spectrum naturally plays a role in how you interpret this.
Star Trek Online continues to focus upon the popularity and success of Star Trek: Discovery with the release of the forthcoming update Rise of Discovery on May 14th. Actors Rehka Sharma, and Jason Issacs will be joining the already prestigious voice cast, by reprising their respective roles as Commander Ellen Landry and Captain Gabriel Lorca. Developer’s Cryptic have also announced that Tier 6 ships will become useable at any level and will scale accordingly. This is an interesting development that addresses the perennial MMO paradox of the trivialisation of gear while progressing towards level cap. It will be interesting to see how this system works in reality and whether it will be applicable to all vessels in the game or simply those bought in the in-game store for Zen. Oh and “hello to Jason Isaacs”.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 8
I wasn’t expecting to write another entry in the Thoughts on Blogging series so soon, but something came up that grabbed my attention and got me thinking. A simple question that’s often asked about blogging and one that has many layers to it, as well as numerous answers. A new blogger who recently joined the Blaugust discord server asked for help “getting traffic to their blog”. An enquiry that gave me (and possibly others) pause for thought. Because we all to a degree want to attract traffic to our blogs. But I also think bloggers are too coy about this this subject. We’ll say things like “I write for myself” or “it’s not about the numbers” and although I agree with these points, building an audience is important. Let’s be honest, it can be somewhat disheartening after writing a lengthy post about a subject close to you heart, for it to fall flat and not attract any traffic. As discussed before, often it is the casual blog posts written in a hurry, that can be the most popular and the articles you’re most proud of can go unnoticed. So let us be honest. I think most bloggers want to grow an audience and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that it provides.
I wasn’t expecting to write another entry in the Thoughts on Blogging series so soon, but something came up that grabbed my attention and got me thinking. A simple question that’s often asked about blogging and one that has many layers to it, as well as numerous answers. A new blogger who recently joined the Blaugust discord server asked for help “getting traffic to their blog”. An enquiry that gave me (and possibly others) pause for thought. Because we all to a degree want to attract traffic to our blogs. But I also think bloggers are too coy about this this subject. We’ll say things like “I write for myself” or “it’s not about the numbers” and although I agree with these points, building an audience is important. Let’s be honest, it can be somewhat disheartening after writing a lengthy post about a subject close to you heart, for it to fall flat and not attract any traffic. As discussed before, often it is the casual blog posts written in a hurry, that can be the most popular and the articles you’re most proud of can go unnoticed. So let us be honest. I think most bloggers want to grow an audience and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that it provides.
So let us consider for a moment, the question of attracting traffic to your blog. First of all, what is your motivation. It’s an important question because it determines how and what you write, the kind of audience you pursue and the niche you are going to try and fill. If you are writing for pleasure, because of a sense of fandom and to contribute to a community then you’re mainly looking to connect with a specific group and be of service to them. This makes finding your audience very specific. You produce content that is relevant to the community you are part of and promote it via the platforms that community uses. If you are writing for financial gain or to achieve some sort of “internet fame”, then your content is governed far more by pursuing what is popular, affiliating yourself to the latest trends and getting “noticed”. You therefore may seek to court controversy and become involved in high profile disputes. What you wish to achieve very much determines your path. It is not unlike the differing roles of the tabloid press and broadsheet newspapers.
If therefore, you are pursuing the former of these two options and say for example wish to establish yourself of part of The Elder Scrolls Online community, then the best approach would be to produce content regularly. Ensure that your material is engaging, interesting and relevant. Maintain a schedule and stick to it. Google likes sites that do this and you will fair better in search rankings as a result. Your readers like consistency as well. Promote your work via social media, forums and other platforms. Interact with your audience, answer comments and provide your own views on the work of your peers. Riffing off other bloggers posts is always a good way of raising your profile. Discuss, debate and participate. Know when to argue a point and when not to waste your time. Do your research if your posts require factual accuracy and always link to your sources. Then do all the above continuously for several years (possibly nearer a decade) and you may gain some traction and build an audience.
And now let us consider the alternative. Regularly create content but couch it in hyperbole and click bait style of headlines. Be controversial, outspoken and outrageous. Attack those with opposing views and always make clear what you don’t like and won’t tolerate. After all, it’s a lot easier to be critical than constructive. Utilise all the rhetorical tricks of the trade; ad hominem and strawman arguments, gaslighting and “whataboutery”. Jump on any passing bandwagon regardless of whether you believe in it or not. Similarly have an opinion on anything and everything. Shit post, hangout in all the wrong places (specific subreddits, 4chan and 8chan) and always ensure that if there’s a divisive situation, you’re associated with it. Don’t deal in facts but in feelings. Ignore such concepts as the burden of proof, feel free to contradict yourself, switch sides and generally not be burdened by constricting concepts such as integrity. Make people angry then point them in the direction of the alleged “cause”. If you follow this plan, you’ll get noticed and you may gain an audience. But there’s a price to pay. You’ll have painted yourself into a corner and will forever be associated with your “persona”. Plus a lot of people will think you’re an asshole.
Obviously, I have presented two ways of building an audience and would like to make it clear that there are naturally alternatives and variations on both discussed routes. I must admit I do find it surprising that people still think that there’s a quick and easy way to “success”, be it with blogging or any of the other ways of sharing content. Live streaming, producing You Tube videos, creating podcasts and blogging have all gone through a lot of transitions over the years and I suspect the days of any of them being a quick way to get rich and famous have possibly gone. The only constant I can really think of about “audiences” is that they can be both loyal and fickle. Core readers will stick around because ultimately, they have a sense of rapport with the author. Yet if you write less often then people will naturally go elsewhere. There’s been a notable dip in this site’s traffic in the last fortnight because I haven’t been writing. As to the newbie blogger who posted the original question, I hope you find the path that right for you. I’d be interested to learn what their thoughts are on traffic if they’re still blogging in a year’s time.
Hellboy (2019)
Hellboy begins with a pre-credits prologue, set in the Dark Ages and establishing the basic premise of the movie. Milla Jovovich plays the Blood Queen Vivian Nimue who unleashes a plague upon England (for some particular reason). She is defeated by King Arthur, dismembered and her body parts scattered to the four corners of the isle. It’s a graphic opening that clearly states the movies intent to be different to its predecessor. This reboot of the franchise aims to be gritty with liberal helpings of ironic banter and dry humour to offset the grim world the characters traverse. For those familiar with Mike Mignola’s work, this vision of Hellboy tries to embrace many aspects of established canon. The story broadly follows the comic books Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt, The Storm and the Fury. There’s also an attempt to reflect the aesthetic of Mignola’s style. Yet all of this, along with the patent desire to be a R rated movie and to set itself apart from Guillermo del Toro’s versions, makes for a sprawling film that sadly over reaches itself.
Hellboy begins with a pre-credits prologue, set in the Dark Ages and establishing the basic premise of the movie. Milla Jovovich plays the Blood Queen Vivian Nimue who unleashes a plague upon England (for some particular reason). She is defeated by King Arthur, dismembered and her body parts scattered to the four corners of the isle. It’s a graphic opening that clearly states the movies intent to be different to its predecessor. This reboot of the franchise aims to be gritty with liberal helpings of ironic banter and dry humour to offset the grim world the characters traverse. For those familiar with Mike Mignola’s work, this vision of Hellboy tries to embrace many aspects of established canon. The story broadly follows the comic books Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt, The Storm and the Fury. There’s also an attempt to reflect the aesthetic of Mignola’s style. Yet all of this, along with the patent desire to be a R rated movie and to set itself apart from Guillermo del Toro’s versions, makes for a sprawling film that sadly over reaches itself.
Although Hellboy has clear faults, the casting of David Harbour is not one of them. Contrary to what a lot of people expected; he does handle the role well. He clearly grasps the stoical, everyman quality of the character and the way these personality foibles contradict the arcane fantasy world in which he exists. But where Harbour excels, the rest of the cast tend to tread water. Ian McShane steps into John Hurt’s shoes as Trevor Bruttenholm, Hellboy’s adopted father, but the role is hardly taxing for him and the screenplay offers his little to do beyond the arbitrary and expositionary. Milla Jovovich similarly is a very generic villain as Blood Queen Nimue. Her character wants revenge for her summary execution and the disruption of her plans but beyond this, there is no depth to her motivations. Ed Skrein was originally cast as Ben Daimio, but then stood down as he was cognisant of the controversy surrounding changing of the character's ethnicity. He was replaced by Daniel Dae Kim but after all the fuss, the role is still somewhat bland and is nothing more than functional.
The screenplay by comic book creator, film producer, and screenwriter Andrew Cosby, encompasses multiple elements from the comic books. This does lend itself to some enjoyable set pieces but it also results in a story that rapidly moves between multiple locations and characters, resulting in many plot strands simply vanishing from the story. The desire to do so much means that the core relationships which are the foundation of this franchise and whichwere so robust in del Toro’s films, are underdeveloped. And then there are the film’s visual effects which favour the digital over the physical. As ever with modern productions, numerous studios have been contracted to provide work, including Mr. X, Rhythm & Hues, Rise FX and Worldwide FX. Luminaries such as Steve Begg feature in the credits. However the results are varied and somewhat impersonal. Violence without context or emotional content, is often just a spectacle devoid of any cinematic impact.
I have enjoyed director Neil Marshall’s previous work. Dog Soldiers and The Descent were above average genre outings that showed a greater intelligence than their rivals. His absence from cinema in recent years has been due to him working in television and such shows as Game of Thrones, Black Sails and Westworld. Hence a lot of genre fans were quite excited when they learned that he’d be helming the Hellboy reboot. Yet, it would appear that Marshall was not given final edit over his movie and the film has the air of a production that has been continuously “tweaked” throughout its development. The involvement of five production companies may well be the reason for this. It’s a real shame because during the course of its 120-minute running time, there are hints that Hellboy could have been much better. Fantasy as a genre and super hero franchises often explore issues of “difference” and use their tropes as metaphors to scrutinise discrimination, or the difficulty of straddling two cultures. Such ideas are referenced in Hellboy but sadly sidelined in favour of action scenes. I have no problem with the idea of making Hellboy darker and more palatable for adult audiences but not at the expense of the characters soul. But that is sadly what has happened.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 7
I decided to take a short break from blogging last week. I have a lot on at present and the only time I’ve had available to write has been in the late evening. I prefer to write in the morning as I’m more focused and motivated. Plus I haven’t really had a lot of positive things to say of late about the two primary subjects of this website. Broadly speaking there’s not a lot of going on in the video games industry that enthuses me. Similarly, the current crop of film releases have hardly distinguished themselves. At present when I do get writing ideas, they tend to be obscure niche market subjects or commentary on social issues. For example, I’m thinking of writing a post about my continuing enjoyment of the Japanese TV show Takeshi’s Castle. I’m also forming my thoughts for an article about how society’s relationship with wildlife may be “broken”. Stuff that is interesting to me but may not be ideal material for readers of Contains Moderate Peril.
I decided to take a short break from blogging last week. I have a lot on at present and the only time I’ve had available to write has been in the late evening. I prefer to write in the morning as I’m more focused and motivated. Plus I haven’t really had a lot of positive things to say of late about the two primary subjects of this website. Broadly speaking there’s not a lot of going on in the video games industry that enthuses me. Similarly, the current crop of film releases have hardly distinguished themselves. At present when I do get writing ideas, they tend to be obscure niche market subjects or commentary on social issues. For example, I’m thinking of writing a post about my continuing enjoyment of the Japanese TV show Takeshi’s Castle. I’m also forming my thoughts for an article about how society’s relationship with wildlife may be “broken”. Stuff that is interesting to me but may not be ideal material for readers of Contains Moderate Peril.
I recently wrote about how the blogging community intermittently loses long time contributors when they decide to “retire”. I have been reflecting upon this of late and wondering whether I should be doing the same. This has mainly been due to a lack of motivation on my behalf. However, as I know exactly what the causes of this problem are (they’re mainly logistical issues), I eventually settled for a short break instead. I know that as soon as I “pack in” writing, I’ll get the bug again shortly afterwards. There is only so much a person can do to organise their life, especially when there are random external factors that can throw a proverbial spanner in the works at any time of day. So I have two choices. Accept the fluidity of things and write as and when I can. Or try to stick to my current schedule, fall behind, get frustrated and eventually throw in the towel. The logical things is to adapt and embrace the former option. So that is what I shall do at for the present. The daily writing schedule has got to give.
If all goes to plan, I’m hoping to resume writing again this week. I have several film reviews outstanding that I can finish off and post. I find these a lot more straightforward and relatively easy to collate, compared to more complex “think pieces” about gaming and its associated industry. Film reviews have also proven to be a good source of traffic for Contains Moderate Peril over the years, as unlike gaming related articles, they’re not time specific. I’m also going to pursue the more niche market articles I mentioned earlier, because the alternative is simply not to write anything. I’m sure I’ll produce more material about gaming when a subject, or angle presents itself that I find interesting. However, beyond this immediate plan, it’s best not to speculate. My caring commitments are currently in a state of flux due to illness and associated medical problems. So there’s still plenty of scope for arrangements and schedules to change.
Maintaining a Standard
I do not advocate that mindset that some gamers pursue, where they don’t see game publishers as a company selling them a product, but instead see their vendor/consumer relationship in a more personal light. I think it is both wise and healthy to see things as they are; namely that buying a game is a transactional relationship governed by consumer law. That is not to say that we should by default, think ill of all video games publishers, but it is pertinent to reflect upon what we know about the business practises of such companies as Riot Games, Blizzard- Activision and more recently BioWare. To be concise, some video games companies are shitty to both their customers and their staff. Others are not. Let the buyer beware and all that.
I do not advocate that mindset that some gamers pursue, where they don’t see game publishers as a company selling them a product, but instead see their vendor/consumer relationship in a more personal light. I think it is both wise and healthy to see things as they are; namely that buying a game is a transactional relationship governed by consumer law. That is not to say that we should by default, think ill of all video games publishers, but it is pertinent to reflect upon what we know about the business practises of such companies as Riot Games, Blizzard- Activision and more recently BioWare. To be concise, some video games companies are shitty to both their customers and their staff. Others are not. Let the buyer beware and all that.
Is this ramble going anywhere, I hear you ask? Yes, it is. I want to reference the British video games developers and publishers Rebellion Developments Limited. They are practical and realistic regarding their franchises and the scope of their projects. The games they produce are polished, well made and cater to their customers needs. And as far as I’m aware, the company doesn’t treat their staff like a Dickensian Mill owner. Furthermore, Rebellion doesn’t take liberties with the monetisation of their games. Their base game and season pass policy is not excessively priced. Furthermore, in the case of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered which is due to be released on 14th May, the price reflects that this is an overhaul of an existing game. It cost £29.99 but if you pre-order, there’s a 10% reduction to £26.99, applicable regardless of platform. If you happen to own the original game, then £6.99 will secure you an upgrade to the remastered version.
Rebellion have some great franchises in their back catalogue. As well as the Sniper Elite series, which improves and becomes more streamlined with each iteration, the company also holds the rights to publish 2000 AD. It has released in the past both a Rogue Trooper game which has since been remastered, along with a Judge Dredd title. Hopefully this too will be retooled or perhaps a new project will manifest itself. Strange Brigade is also one of its newer titles which was well received upon release last year. The company seems to consider very carefully what it does and doesn’t over extend itself or take unnecessary risks. It appears to know its market well and understand its customers needs. From the live streams I seen along with the interviews I’ve read, the developers along with founders Jason (CEO) and Chris (CTO) Kingsley strike me as being grounded and unburdened with the hubris shown by other larger companies.
At a time when it is common place to read about the iniquities of games publishers, it is easy to become very cynical of the entire industry and paint a negative picture with broad strokes. However, there are some good companies out there which seem to conduct themselves with decorum, as well as producing good games. I wrote recently about a lack of excitement that seems to blight some quarters of the gaming community at present. However, when pre-ordering Sniper Elite V2 Remastered, I was reminded that it can be found and not always where you expect it. So I guess the moral of this rambling narrative is that some companies still do maintain a standard and that gaming per se hasn’t quite totally gone to the dogs. I just hope that in the next few days there isn’t an expose that revels that Rebellion are a bunch of bastards.
When LOTRO Gets It Right
As I previously mentioned, Dunland is far from the most enthralling region in LOTRO. Aesthetically speaking the zone is quite varied but that is not where the problem lies. The trials and tribulations of the various Dunlending tribes does not make for the most engaging narrative. So in the last few days I’ve been doggedly playing through the Epic Story and a selection of regional quests, so I can simply move my High Elf Guardian forward. However, I subsequently arrived at Nan Curunír and remembered that that I was playing through the third expansion for LOTRO; The Rise of Isengard. And things began to change for the better. Because the game content at this point includes some innovative story lines within an iconic setting and is a clear example of when this MMO gets things right.
As I previously mentioned, Dunland is far from the most enthralling region in LOTRO. Aesthetically speaking the zone is quite varied but that is not where the problem lies. The trials and tribulations of the various Dunlending tribes does not make for the most engaging narrative. So in the last few days I’ve been doggedly playing through the Epic Story and a selection of regional quests, so I can simply move my High Elf Guardian forward. However, I subsequently arrived at Nan Curunír and remembered that that I was playing through the third expansion for LOTRO; The Rise of Isengard. And things began to change for the better. Because the game content at this point includes some innovative story lines within an iconic setting and is a clear example of when this MMO gets things right.
There are limitations as to what a player can do in an MMO, via their avatar. Ultimately it comes down to either combat, interaction through “clicking”, or dialogue trees. Therefore it is incumbent upon a game developer to strive to present these options with a degree of creativity and novelty. Turbine (now Standing Stone Games) managed to achieve this once the Epic Story entered Isengard. Betrayed by the Falcon Clan the player finds themselves a captive of Saruman and is sent to work within the pits below the “ring of stone”. Initially saddled with an overseer who dogs your footsteps, the player is forced to labour in the forges, clean up in the kitchens and then feed the prisoners. There is then further toil on the surface, where “good behaviour” earns you a trustee’s independence.
This is a major shift in the players perspective, and although many of the quests are arbitrary “fetch and carry” related tasks, they work well within the ongoing narrative. There is also an interesting session play, where you see former events from the perspective of Acca, The Steward of Isengard. This shows Gandalf detainment by Saruman and his relationship with Gríma Wormtongue. Overall, the entire storyline set within Isengard is a highlight of this otherwise average expansion. I have always been interested in Saruman’s fall from grace and have sought out additional references to it in the various books published after Tolkien’s death. What were his reasons for turning from his “mission”? Exactly how far did he go in implementing the ring lore he had learned? These are all intriguing questions. Therefore, having this embellishment within LOTRO is a real bonus from my perspective.
LOTRO is a twelve-year-old MMO that was designed and created around the technology and prevailing trends of the time. It has been revamped and retooled several times over the years and now exists as a curious online Chimera. Driven by a much loved and lore rich IP, the game is often arbitrary in its mechanics but every now and then, there are flashes of inspiration that do much to redress the balance. Being a prisoner of Isengard is one such example and I must admit that revisiting this part of the game has done much to improve its standing with me. When LOTRO gets it right it can be more than just another MMORPG. The question remains can Standing Stone Games continue to innovate in this fashion. Will there be future interactive visits to iconic locations and session play that allow us to access classic instances in the history of Middle-earth. I do hope so.
Personal Health
It’s hard to write about ones own personal health issues and how one addresses them without coming across as smug, sanctimonious or oblivious to the fact that it’s all relative. I wrote back in early March about how I was going to try and get my “house in order” by losing weight and also undertaking the NHS Health Check. A six weeks on and progress is being made. However, I would just like to re-iterate that what has proven to work for me, may not do so for others. We all have our own unique relationship with our own health and therefore there is a need to find ways that work for us as individuals. Therefore my dietary regime which seems some what easy to me, may prove to be far too draconian for others. Similarly my exercise targets are also suited to my temperament and limitations. But I hope that by sharing my progress I can at least provide some encouragement to others.
I don’t know why but images like this just annoy me…
It’s hard to write about ones own personal health issues and how one addresses them without coming across as smug, sanctimonious or oblivious to the fact that it’s all relative. I wrote back in early March about how I was going to try and get my “house in order” by losing weight and also undertaking the NHS Health Check. A six weeks on and progress is being made. However, I would just like to re-iterate that what has proven to work for me, may not do so for others. We all have our own unique relationship with our own health and therefore there is a need to find ways that work for us as individuals. Therefore my dietary regime which seems some what easy to me, may prove to be far too draconian for others. Similarly my exercise targets are also suited to my temperament and limitations. But I hope that by sharing my progress I can at least provide some encouragement to others.
I started March weighing 180.6 lbs (82 kg) which is not excessively obese but is still the wrong side of the line for my personal liking. I am just under six foot and this excess weight has been mainly around the waist. So I decided to remove all random snacking and excessive alcohol from my daily diet. I have structured meals at specific times of the day. Breakfast mainly consists of either eggs, toast and Marmite or some tediously healthy form of cereal. I then have a substantial meal in the late afternoon which is based around fish or chicken along with vegetables. Rice or beans are used as an alternative to potatoes and chips. If I feel hungry in the mid-evening, I now have fruit (mainly apples or pears) as a snack. I drink mainly coffee (with sweeteners) or diet drinks continuously throughout the day. Alcohol is now limited to Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
Kebabs are now verboten . Bummer…
What this regime achieves is a reduction in calorie intake. And let’s face it, the kind of food that’s now eliminated from my daily diet was certainly high in calories. There is also scope within my current eating habits for the occasional treat once a week, such as a takeaway meal or a visit to a restaurant but no more than that. I have also found that years of recreational eating has impaired my personal perception of when I’m hungry. All too often I get the urge to eat “out of habit”, rather than because I’m genuinely in need of sustenance. However, recognising this state of mind is an invaluable step towards addressing the problem. I find that if I keep myself busy (and my life certainly does that) I can effectively ignore this faux sense of hunger. Drinking a beverage can also temporarily assuage thoughts of “being hungry”. And of course the most practical thing one can do to avoid the temptation of snacking is to just not have any in the home.
Controlling food intake is just half of the solution when it comes to weight loss. The other part of the equation is exercise. My exercise of choice is walking. I do a great deal of chores and tend to shop locally, thus providing a reason for daily visits to the shops and carry shopping home. I track my step count with my phone and have a daily step count of 10,000, which I achieve more often than not. On a side note, I bought two new pairs of trainers at the beginning of December, I decided to by alternative brands from that which I usually buy. Sadly the true cost of buying cheap has become clear, as I have worn one pair complete through in just four and a half months, but I digress. I recently had a “NHS Health Check” and was very pleased to find that everything is in order. My kidney and liver function are fine. There’s no signs of heart disease, cancer or insipient dementia. I just need to get my cholesterol level down from 5.3 mmol/l to about 4.0 mmol/l.
Science and stuff…
So overall, the first month of my new health regime has been a success. As of Monday I now weigh 174.2 lbs (79 kg); a loss of 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) in 5 weeks which isn’t bad going. So I just need to keep going. Ideally, I would like to get my weight down to about 168 lbs (76.2 kg) and keep it there. However, weight loss is one issue. Keeping static at a target weight is another matter altogether. I shall continue to write about this subject from time to time, again in the hope of sharing information and encouraging others. Good luck to all who are currently seeking to lose weight or generally improve their overall health. It is a hard task to initiate and then stick with and there is no “one size fits all” solution. Everyone has to find the way that is right for them. As ever, feel free to comment and share your own perspective on what is a difficult subject.
The Idiot Box
Thoughts on TV shows and my current viewing habits.
Broadly speaking I think season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery has been an improvement on season1, and I didn’t think that was a dog’s dinner. There were some very good ideas in the first series but it did stray a little too far canonically speaking in both some major and minor aspects of the production. The second season seems to be reining some of these issues in and I love the continuity the writers have shown with Captain Christopher Pike’s back story. There are times when the need to expedite the narrative comes at the expense of character development. For example it would have it would have been nice to have had an extra episode of two to get to know Airiam (Hannah Cheesman) a little better. It would have heightened the emotional impact of her death a little more. But this propensity to rush is hardly unique to Star Trek: Discovery. I am curious to see where the story is going as I like many other viewers suspect this may be an origin story for a major Federation nemesis. We shall have to see. I’m always cautious about plot devices that explain away an “enigma”. There is the risk that you rob it of its narrative potency.
Thoughts on TV shows and my current viewing habits.
Broadly speaking I think season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery has been an improvement on season1, and I didn’t think that was a dog’s dinner. There were some very good ideas in the first series but it did stray a little too far canonically speaking in both some major and minor aspects of the production. The second season seems to be reining some of these issues in and I love the continuity the writers have shown with Captain Christopher Pike’s back story. There are times when the need to expedite the narrative comes at the expense of character development. For example it would have it would have been nice to have had an extra episode of two to get to know Airiam (Hannah Cheesman) a little better. It would have heightened the emotional impact of her death a little more. But this propensity to rush is hardly unique to Star Trek: Discovery. I am curious to see where the story is going as I like many other viewers suspect this may be an origin story for a major Federation nemesis. We shall have to see. I’m always cautious about plot devices that explain away an “enigma”. There is the risk that you rob it of its narrative potency.
I recently had the opportunity to see the first two episodes in the latest revival of The Twilight Zone. The first instalment, The Comedian, was an interesting and well-intentioned exploration of the disposable nature of modern comedy and celebrity culture. Humour is a powerful tool and writer Alex Rubens (Rick and Morty, Key & Peele) focuses on the perennial choice of whether a successful exponent should punch up or down. However, this episode was 55 minutes long and couldn’t adequately fill that running time. With some judicious editing it could have achieved a lot more powerful. However the second story, Nightmare at 30,000 Feet, totally hit the mark, containing all the beats you’d expect from the show. This clever, contemporary re-working of the classic 1963-episode Nightmare at 20,000 Feet starring Bill Shatner, was tense, well written and had a double sting in the tail. There were also some very subtle visual homages to the original show. Overall, I think this is going to be a very modern interpretation of The Twilight Zone and show runner Jordan Peele is certainly not going to shy away from hot topics. For those already decrying this, I suggest they revisit the original five seasons of the show. Rod Serling was no stranger to taking on the big social issues of his time.
Here’s a summary of what else I’ve been watching:
It would be remiss of me not to mention After Life, which I said I was going to watch in the previous instalment of The Idiot Box. This was an extremely well observed, moving exploration of bereavement and grief from Ricky Gervais. As ever the humour was stark and pushed a few boundaries but the laughs were genuine as was the sentiment. The supporting cast was outstanding as they always are in his productions. Hopefully the success of this show will contribute to a wider, more candid public discourse about death.
The ever dependable NCIS reaches the final three episodes of season 16. As ever there have been some weekly instalments that have been just “filler” but there’s also been some quite strong stories. Will we get a resolution to the potential “will they, won’t they” romance between agents Torres and Bishop? Is Ziva David really alive or is it some sort of ruse? Will Doctor Mallard please just retire! (Nope he’s now the NCIS Historian). Unlike other shows, NCIS weathers cast changes well. It certainly has a high mortality rate among its lead characters. I wonder if anyone is going to die this season?
Finally, series 57 of the popular BBC satirical comedy panel show, Have I Got News for You, has just started in the UK. Although still an amusing diversion, HIGNFY has lost its impact and has in many ways simply become part of the “establishment” landscape. The show that started off being merciless to its political guests now seems to indirectly facilitate them. Even TV viewing has now become a partisan activity, so the shows message is very much a case of “preaching to the choir”.
The “Holy Grail” That is a Single Games Launcher
First off, the title of this post is meant with a liberal does of irony. Secondly, here is a left field anecdote that does have a bearing on the forthcoming discussion. I can remember going to the local Co-op Supermarket with my Mother circa 1975. A small selection of groceries were purchased. My Mother then went to pack the shopping when she realised that she didn’t have her regular shopping bag with her. If memory serves it was a typical seventies monstrosity made out of lurid coloured nylon. However she did have a plastic bag from a rival supermarket. I vividly remember the outrage this breach in social etiquette caused. Simply put, the Co-op did not like its products being put in the bag of a competitor. Needless to say, words were exchanged, there were red faces and indignation all round and we left after threatening to write a strongly worded letter to The Times.
First off, the title of this post is meant with a liberal does of irony. Secondly, here is a left field anecdote that does have a bearing on the forthcoming discussion. I can remember going to the local Co-op Supermarket with my Mother circa 1975. A small selection of groceries were purchased. My Mother then went to pack the shopping when she realised that she didn’t have her regular shopping bag with her. If memory serves it was a typical seventies monstrosity made out of lurid coloured nylon. However she did have a plastic bag from a rival supermarket. I vividly remember the outrage this breach in social etiquette caused. Simply put, the Co-op did not like its products being put in the bag of a competitor. Needless to say, words were exchanged, there were red faces and indignation all round and we left after threatening to write a strongly worded letter to The Times.
Moving on to the present, it would appear that the Epic Games Store is continuing to batten down the hatches of “exclusivity”. Not only are they offering games developers lucrative deals to tie new titles to their platform for a limited amount of time, they’re apparently blocking their games from being accessed by rival launchers. Steam currently has a facility where you can search your PC for games bought and installed elsewhere and launch them with their client. But it would appear that titles bought and installed via the Epic Games Store, are not shown. There may well be a workaround and if there isn’t, I’m sure some cunning gaming zealots are busy working on one to circumnavigate this “outrage”. However, in the meantime, it would appear that Epic Games are pursuing a protectionist policy, not unlike my light-hearted anecdote. I’m not exactly sure how I should react to this. Seems to me to just be business as usual.
I have written before about having to come to terms with multiple online game stores and their bespoke launchers. There are some legitimate concerns regarding their proliferation, but I do not consider the minor inconvenience of having to juggle multiple games launchers to be the highest on the list. I appreciate that some gamers have hundreds of titles that they’ve bought overtime and that curating them may well be a chore, but excuse me if I don’t compare it with one of the twelve Labours of Hercules. We have to face similar inconvenience with such services as Netflix and Amazon Prime. As far as I’m aware society is coping and the issue hasn’t become a major campaign point in any western country’s electoral proceedings. The video game market is fragmented and is likely to get more so in the years to come. Therefore contriving some myth about a single game launcher being the new “Holy Grail” is spurious, specious and some other word beginning with “S”.
A Month in Gaming
My gaming time was somewhat erratic throughout March. Therefore when I did log in to an MMO I tended to pursue daily repeatable activities and linear quests. Content that could be easily managed and did not require a great degree of planning or concentration. My High Elf Guardian in The Lord of the Rings Online is currently level 72 and the PVE content I’m playing through is about five or so levels below that, so unless I make an obvious mistake, the risk of “defeat” is not high. I’ve also used these short periods of gaming to do further inventory management in Star Trek Online. My current policy for surplus items is to either pass it on to an alt if possible, sell it via in game auctions or just vendor it. It’s remarkable the number of items you accrue in MMOs that you out grow or simply never get around to using. Outside of MMOs, I simply did some game installation housekeeping. It seems there’s always a patch that need to be downloaded and installed.
My gaming time was somewhat erratic throughout March. Therefore when I did log in to an MMO I tended to pursue daily repeatable activities and linear quests. Content that could be easily managed and did not require a great degree of planning or concentration. My High Elf Guardian in The Lord of the Rings Online is currently level 72 and the PVE content I’m playing through is about five or so levels below that, so unless I make an obvious mistake, the risk of “defeat” is not high. I’ve also used these short periods of gaming to do further inventory management in Star Trek Online. My current policy for surplus items is to either pass it on to an alt if possible, sell it via in game auctions or just vendor it. It’s remarkable the number of items you accrue in MMOs that you out grow or simply never get around to using. Outside of MMOs, I simply did some game installation housekeeping. It seems there’s always a patch that need to be downloaded and installed.
March in Review:
I’ve been experimenting with live streaming and have run several technical tests recently. So far, I have only played STO as I cannot get LOTRO to “co-operate”. To make these tests less tedious for viewers, I stockpiled some Infinity Lock boxes and keys. I managed to acquire a Tier 6 ship which I subsequently sold on the exchange for 595,000,000 energy credits. I used these funds to buy the very rare Photonic Science Officer which use to be a reward from Cryptic for their player subscription referral scheme. This is the only bridge officer candidate that comes with Photonic Officer III ability, which reduces the recharge time of other bridge officer powers. I also acquired a Holographic James Kurland bridge officer. I wasn’t aware that these were even a “thing”. I was most pleased and amused.
In LOTRO I have been questing in Dunland with my High Elf Guardian and due to my current level earning little XP. This is the second time I’ve played through this zone and I’m still not especially enamoured with the story. The plight of the Dunlending is hardly riveting and they continue to be an annoying and unsympathetic group. I am currently in Galtrev, the primary town in the region, but it is a phased due to major plot development. If I want to leave the current phase I have to clear several secondary quests that will move the story along. It far from difficult, but it’s hardly enthralling either. Hence my progress though the game has reduced. I may consider relocating back to The Great River zone, for a greater challenge and a more engaging narrative.
I decided to revisit Assassins Creed: Odyssey which I’ve had installed on my PC since last November. There was a 5.9 GB patch outstanding which took a while to download and install. Once this was done, the proverbial “moment” was gone, so I played something else. I must get around to spending time in this game at some point. I subsequently found that all the various game launchers such as Uplay, Origin, and Steam needed similar patching.
I finally resolved all my addon issues with The Elder Scrolls Online. I now have my UI organised and have access to the data that I need. Shame I didn’t actually play any ESO after all that.
April Goals:
The annual First Contact Day Event has started in STO, offering the usual cosmetic awards and one practical item of gear. This year it’s a Replica Thompson Submachine Gun, as used by Captain Picard in Star Trek: First Contact. There’s the usual fun group activity where players assemble a replica of Zefram Cochrane’s ship the Phoenix. However, due to a flaw in the game design, players can go AFK if they so choose and wait out the event, collecting their anniversary vouchers when it finishes. I’m personally happy to do the arbitrary activity. So the simple goals I’ve set myself in STO this April are to obtain the Replica Thompson Submachine Gun and then finishing another featured TFO event, Peril Over Pahvo, that I started in March.
I guess the only practical plan I can implement for LOTRO is to keep going. I’m going to try and clear the Dunland related Epic Story and then brace myself for Rohan. Because Rohan means mounted combat and having a tank on a horse doesn’t sound like a recipe for fun. Maybe I can find someone in my kinship to buddy up with and see if this somewhat “taxing” stage of the game can be blitzed through.
I also intend to do my first “official” Contains Moderate Peril Twitch TV stream this month. It will be a somewhat minimalist affair. I’m not into the various bell and whistles that some streamers like. I simply want to play some games and have a discussion with a few guests. The technical side of things seems to be sorted so it’s just a question of actually getting the proverbial show on the road.
Ride Off Into the Sunset
“At some point, KTR and other MMO blogs mostly drifted from being MMO blogs. Some have remained pure, I am sure, but we became online gaming blogs, gaming blogs, online culture blogs, general blogs. And we gradually trailed off”. Zubon. Kill Ten Rats. And so another MMO blogger who has been part of the community “furniture” for years, decides that they’ve said everything they can upon the subject and that it’s time to move on. It’s a familiar story, one that I totally understand and can identify with. Passion waxes and wanes, scenes change, as do people. There comes a point where you don’t feel there’s anything left else to discuss or whether anyone is actually listening, except in Zubon’s case they definitely were. It’s always a shame to see a community stalwart go, but nothing remains the same forever.
“At some point, KTR and other MMO blogs mostly drifted from being MMO blogs. Some have remained pure, I am sure, but we became online gaming blogs, gaming blogs, online culture blogs, general blogs. And we gradually trailed off”. Zubon. Kill Ten Rats. And so another MMO blogger who has been part of the community “furniture” for years, decides that they’ve said everything they can upon the subject and that it’s time to move on. It’s a familiar story, one that I totally understand and can identify with. Passion waxes and wanes, scenes change, as do people. There comes a point where you don’t feel there’s anything left else to discuss or whether anyone is actually listening, except in Zubon’s case they definitely were. It’s always a shame to see a community stalwart go, but nothing remains the same forever.
As I said to Scormey recently, “there's a list of fellow bloggers, You Tubers and members of the MMO commentariat, that I regularly check to see that they're still in business”. All of whom have been contributing to the gaming community for many a year. I consider all of them to be of great value, even though many of them are focused upon games I may not play. A sense of shared fandom helps bind this lose cabal of content creators together and feeds into a wider community. Broadly it is a measured, thoughtful and friendly enclave, something that is not so common in gaming these days. Therefore it is reassuring to see it endure and know that it is still out there doing its thing. Naturally when a long-term member “retires” is does make me wonder as to the longevity of this community.
Yet events such as The Newbie Blogger Initiative and Blaugust Reborn still attract new content creators and despite the inevitable churn, fresh blood and new perspectives continue to join the community. This influx keeps the torch burning for MMOs and other genres of games. Although I can’t see a return to the halcyon days of MMO blogging of a decade plus ago, it is pleasant and dare I even say comforting to see sixty odd active blogs in my RSS Feed. Every day I still find lengthy, interesting, passion fuelled posts to read. There are also plenty of solid You Tube channels to enjoy as well as some entertaining and consistent streamers to follow. All of which are created and maintained through the good will of fans. This remains something for which I and others are very grateful.
A Lack of Excitement
“Do you still get excited about upcoming MMORPGs?” asked Massively Overpowered today. My first reaction was to say something flippant, so I left the following comment. “As I’ve got older, I’ve swapped excitement for schadenfreude. The ROI is far better”. However, upon mature reflection I think there’s more to this enquiry than meets the eye and that it requires a more thorough response. Because the more I think about it there seems to be a total lack of excitement from my perspective about any new MMORPG currently in development and more importantly, for those that I currently play. Both of which (The Lord of the Rings Online and Star Trek Online) have released a road map for the year ahead. Is a lack of any excitement indicative of an issue with me or with the genre of games that I have made a major part of my leisure time?
“Do you still get excited about upcoming MMORPGs?” asked Massively Overpowered today. My first reaction was to say something flippant, so I left the following comment. “As I’ve got older, I’ve swapped excitement for schadenfreude. The ROI is far better”. However, upon mature reflection I think there’s more to this enquiry than meets the eye and that it requires a more thorough response. Because the more I think about it there seems to be a total lack of excitement from my perspective about any new MMORPG currently in development and more importantly, for those that I currently play. Both of which (The Lord of the Rings Online and Star Trek Online) have released a road map for the year ahead. Is a lack of any excitement indicative of an issue with me or with the genre of games that I have made a major part of my leisure time?
Having been a regular MMO player since 2008, I think the most fundamental thing that has robbed the genre of excitement for me is hype culture and bogus marketing. MMORPGs have consistently failed to live up to their potential, have too often plagiarised the successful formula of World of Warcraft and has consistently failed to evolve, take risks or countenance anything truly innovative. So many titles have been released and hailed as a major paradigm shift within the genre, only to make the same mistakes as their predecessors. Furthermore, publishers have frequently mismanaged their players needs, failed to address problems groups and have generally eschewed any real responsibility for the communities they’ve contributed to creating. And then there is the egregious monetisation and the woeful mismanagement of loot boxes and similar mechanics.
Beyond the failings of the actual MMO games themselves, there are other factors that leech the joy out of the genre. The video games industry seldom covers itself in glory. Yes, there are good studios but we are regularly presented with details of the those who treat their employees poorly, have senior staff who hold questionable views and affiliations, as well as the general indifference to ethics, accountability and even legislation. Then there is the section of the player base and fan community that came to the wider public’s attention during the 2014 #Gamergate debacle. This loose cabal of professional malcontents, the socially dysfunctional and the extreme right continues to plague the gaming scene. It is yet another factor that keeps me and many other gamers from fully embracing and identifying with gaming culture.
And then there’s my age as well as my own journey of self-discovery and personal awareness to consider. Over time, idealism is often replaced with realism. I find that nowadays, my sense of excitement, anticipation and generally looking forward to something is far more restrained. I tend to focus upon things that I know are not likely to disappoint. Which is more likely to let me down? A cold beer or a multi-million-dollar video game that has been designed primarily as a “live service”? Excitement is all too often the unwitting bed fellow of naïveté. So returning to the original question, no I don’t tend to get excited about MMOs anymore, but that’s not down to some simple binary reason. It’s a change brought about by the evolution of the video games industry and my own life experience. Excitement still exists for me in a measured, targeted way but It is no longer a default reaction or something freely given. And that saddens me a little.