The First Hour

After reading all the predictions in the emails, I was thinking that putting together a post with a solid flow would be nearly impossible. Well, you've proven me wrong. Very nice writeup. I'm now even more excited for E3! Well done. And LOTS of great stuff guys!

I meant to ask, whats your fave YA series? I'm looking for some light reading in that vein (to take a break from the G.R.R. Martin I've been reading) and would love a recommendation. Don't worry, whatever you mention, I'll make sure to avoid any movie adaptations. :)

I mean, aren't the demographics of those series 12 year olds, or thereabouts? Not that older readers can't enjoy them, I personally have enjoyed such works (I'm struggling to remember the serious, bat its a rich irish boy who secretly chases/captures fairies). But do you think it's possible that the movies were enjoyable for the target demo? I don't know, I've not brought a 12 year to see Inkheart, but it seems like some of these movies really are made for kids while the books have a slightly broader appeal. I've been to movies with younger viewers who loved a movie I thought was terrible.

I think in general, it's much easier for a book to transcend demographics (as in the case of lots of YA series) than it is for a movie, or for a video game. Discuss.

I figured out the badge. You need to move the ACE, up, down, right, up, left, down, down, right, up, and left as quickly as you can. Do not let go of the ACE. Popped right up for me.

I'll have to look for that movie. I'm a total nerd for "post apocalyptic/last humans on earth" movies. No matter how bad they are, I can find something to like about them.

Sounds like the Shenmue movie!

When I say, "Edward Norton", I'm talking about American History X Edward Norton, the badass pumped up version of him with a goatee.

Ok, and I suppose I was a little harsh on I am Legend, but man that ending surprised me and I was totally wishing for an actual resolution. Also, how many pages can one read about a lonely pathetic loser sloshing whiskey around in a glass and having a nervous breakdown. I think they made decisions on the movie that had to be made. But yeah it was a disappointment too (but I still thought it had the right idea).

Lastly, for fun, go out and rent Omega Man. Its a movie from the 70s that was based on the I am legend novel and it's HILARIOUS.

If you loved the book, you owe it to yourself to witness this fantastic 70s adaptation. And when i say "fantastic", well, you'll have to see it to understand. Its available Netflix instant stream if you have that.

About I am Legend being one of the best books you've ever read? I think you're reading too many video game novelizations because that thing was a turd. It's one of the worst short stories I've ever read. When I bought the book, I didn't realize it contained more than one short story/novella. It looked like your standard, 6 inch soft cover with 250 or so pages. I was reading I am Legend and about halfway through the book, (140 pages or so) it just ended. Abrupt. Nothing. Horrible. I literally through it across the room I was so pissed. yeah, yeah, i got the legend part, but c',mon, really? Thats the ending?

Ok, with regard to the Mass Effect movie, you make some good points. Although, I think Shepherd IS a man. I think they made the game as open as possible to give people options, but I think it's clear he was designed as a man. Also, I think most people probably played with the stock Shepherd so if they made a movie and have seen innumerable screen shots of his face, they could just get a guy who looked like that and most people would be ok with it. That being said, you're absolutely right, I don't think they can include in a movie all the things that made ME great.

HOWEVER! I really like the universe and I think somebody should make a movie that takes place in it. Yes, I think Hollywood needs to make more good movies, and more good movies based on original material, but think about it, someone, or more likely a group of someones, created this amazing vision, this amazing thing that is the ME universe. Why not use it to make a movie? At least try. Who cares if it sucks, if theres even a small chance it's great. I mean, look at Pirates of the Caribbean. That movie (the first one) was fantastic and it was based on an AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE! Surely, with the content in Mass Effect, it has the potential to be good. And, EVENTUALLY, somebody WILL make a good video game movie, maybe ME would be that movie.

Plus, the casting is pretty much already done. They should use Seth Green and David Keith and Sarah from Chuck and all the rest of them. The only real issue would be Shepherd and for him, I would say maybe Christian Bale or Edward Norton.

"Guys in Hollywood? Make a good movie from some original material ..."

Even when Hollywood wasn't completely out of ideas, this was asking a lot.

Side note: The Mass Effect 2 soundtrack was playing in iTunes when this post came up in my reader. Creepy!

The less talking in my platformers, the better. Galaxy 2 has a couple chatty characters, but most of the talking takes place in the beginning. Not as much overall as the first game, too, which is good.

Actually, it's worse now if you ask me. The DRM'd version of the game only let's you install it 5 times. Even if you uninstall you don't regain an install, so you're basically screwed if you reformat a lot or have a lot of computers at home you'd like to play the game on.

There is good news though! Good Old Games has it DRM free for $10, which is definitely the way to go now.

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/another_world_15th_anniversary_edition

Also, funny you should mention the code wheel because I've been thinking about writing about early attempts at DRM (such as code wheels or picking out a particular word in the instruction booklet).