My signing at Kokomo-Con is now confirmed, as I have paid my dealer's fee and reserved my table. Again, unless another event pops up in the very near future, this will be my first public appearance on behalf of Virtuous Worlds.
Well, sort of. Some of you may have seen this little video I posted on YouTube soon after my first shipment of books arrived.
John Stanifer Book Victory Dance
The view count has topped 100 now, thanks in large part to my coworkers at Ivy Tech Community College. My supervisor started passing it around the office, and today at one of our regional full-time staff meetings, they surprised me by showing this video in front of an audience of...oh, about 200 people or so. Even Chancellor Daily, who used to be the mayor of Kokomo, made a joke about it when he got up to speak afterwards (I'm still employed, so I'm guessing he wasn't offended). So now it seems I'm famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) to most of my fellow Ivy Tech employees in this region of the state (representing Kokomo, Logansport, Wabash, and Peru). It felt like the time I danced across the stage at my high school graduation!
This leads me to a preliminary announcement about my SECOND signing. The event will be sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College and will take place sometime before the end of this semester. The date has yet to be announced. However, I'm told the publicity for this signing will be boosted by the marketing folks at Ivy Tech, so I'm honored and very excited to see how it all turns out!!!
Kokomo-Con takes place on Saturday, Oct. 8. The fee to get in is $5, a very small investment in return for so much fun.
Kokomo-Con Website
Kokomo-Con Facebook Page
Check it out, and stay tuned for new developments and further information!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Level 17: Gen Con 2011 and First Signing
Greetings VW Readers,
It's been a while since I've posted. As you might have guessed, things have been pretty busy around here. I wanted to give you a small taste of my trip to Gen Con 2011 and a heads-up about my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds.
First, Gen Con. If you have never been to this convention, YOU NEED TO GO. If you have a single nerdy bone in your body, this is the place to be. According to a press release, this year's attendance broke 36,000. Wow! That's a lot of gamers in one place!
As I point out in my book, events like Gen Con go a long way to remind us we're not alone. Gaming, as much as it has been stereotyped over the years as a solo activity, is very much a team sport. Whether your thing is tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, card games like Dominion, sci-fi and fantasy literature like J.R.R. Tolkien and Tracy Hickman, or video games like The Legend of Zelda, you will find your people at Gen Con.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
Sure, this was addressed to church people, but it applies just as much to gamers. We need each other. If you're feeling down, don't give up on finding your crew. They're out there, and they may be closer than you think.
It's been a while since I've posted. As you might have guessed, things have been pretty busy around here. I wanted to give you a small taste of my trip to Gen Con 2011 and a heads-up about my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds.
First, Gen Con. If you have never been to this convention, YOU NEED TO GO. If you have a single nerdy bone in your body, this is the place to be. According to a press release, this year's attendance broke 36,000. Wow! That's a lot of gamers in one place!
As I point out in my book, events like Gen Con go a long way to remind us we're not alone. Gaming, as much as it has been stereotyped over the years as a solo activity, is very much a team sport. Whether your thing is tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, card games like Dominion, sci-fi and fantasy literature like J.R.R. Tolkien and Tracy Hickman, or video games like The Legend of Zelda, you will find your people at Gen Con.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
Sure, this was addressed to church people, but it applies just as much to gamers. We need each other. If you're feeling down, don't give up on finding your crew. They're out there, and they may be closer than you think.
Soon, I'll try and post this to Google so I can replace my 2010 album on the bottom of the page. But this should give you an idea of just how epic the Con was this year.
First Signing for VW
Unless something else pops up in the meantime, my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds will occur at Kokomo-Con, a pop culture convention located at the Event Center in Kokomo, IN. This is a one-day convention (sort of a smaller version of Gen Con) that takes place on October 8, 2011.
Check out their website for more information or to buy a badge. Admission is $5 for the whole day. Last year was a blast, and I hope to see some of you there!
Take care!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Level 16: VW Officially Goes On Sale!!!
Big news tonight.
Amazon is now taking orders for Virtuous Worlds!
I'm tempted to leave it that, but I should mention that Barnes & Noble will also have the book on sale later this week if you prefer that route.
Also, my first UPS shipment of the book will arrive Thursday afternoon. That means, for those of you who live in the neighborhood, you'll be able to purchase a copy from me directly by the end of this week. Once again, I encourage you to contact me if you live in the area and would like to purchase a copy (or more than one, if you know someone else who might be interested in the book). I will do my best to accomodate you. Although I can't sell the book to you through the Internet, I am happy to meet you in person if there is a time and place agreeable to us both.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors!
Speaking of Amazon, I would be forever grateful to anyone who is willing to take the time to write a customer review of the book. The more, the better, because the book will get more exposure if it gets a lot of reviews. It will show higher up in the search results, especially if the reviews are positive =).
Happy reading. I look forward to hearing what you think!
Amazon is now taking orders for Virtuous Worlds!
I'm tempted to leave it that, but I should mention that Barnes & Noble will also have the book on sale later this week if you prefer that route.
Also, my first UPS shipment of the book will arrive Thursday afternoon. That means, for those of you who live in the neighborhood, you'll be able to purchase a copy from me directly by the end of this week. Once again, I encourage you to contact me if you live in the area and would like to purchase a copy (or more than one, if you know someone else who might be interested in the book). I will do my best to accomodate you. Although I can't sell the book to you through the Internet, I am happy to meet you in person if there is a time and place agreeable to us both.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors!
Speaking of Amazon, I would be forever grateful to anyone who is willing to take the time to write a customer review of the book. The more, the better, because the book will get more exposure if it gets a lot of reviews. It will show higher up in the search results, especially if the reviews are positive =).
Happy reading. I look forward to hearing what you think!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Level 15: VW at the Printers!
こんにちは!
That's "hello" in Japanese for all you fans of Japanese video games out there. Virtuous Worlds has finally been sent to the printers. My publisher and I are both happy with the manuscript and overall book design. Okay, "thrilled" is probably more accurate.
Here's where things go from here. Now that it's at the printers, I'll be receiving a "proof" copy in the mail sometime in the next week or two. This is a physical copy of the book that serves as a sample that I get to approve before they really start rolling the presses.
Again, those of you who live nearby or who are interested in arranging to meet to buy a copy, I will have a certain number of copies on hand that I can sell to you in person. Otherwise, you will be able to buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you would like a signed copy but cannot meet me in person, get in touch with me, and we'll try to work something out.
Thanks, everyone!
John
P.S. Steve, the book won't actually appear on Amazon or B&N for a few more days, so don't panic (^v^).
That's "hello" in Japanese for all you fans of Japanese video games out there. Virtuous Worlds has finally been sent to the printers. My publisher and I are both happy with the manuscript and overall book design. Okay, "thrilled" is probably more accurate.
Here's where things go from here. Now that it's at the printers, I'll be receiving a "proof" copy in the mail sometime in the next week or two. This is a physical copy of the book that serves as a sample that I get to approve before they really start rolling the presses.
Again, those of you who live nearby or who are interested in arranging to meet to buy a copy, I will have a certain number of copies on hand that I can sell to you in person. Otherwise, you will be able to buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you would like a signed copy but cannot meet me in person, get in touch with me, and we'll try to work something out.
Thanks, everyone!
John
P.S. Steve, the book won't actually appear on Amazon or B&N for a few more days, so don't panic (^v^).
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Level 14: Advance Praise for "Virtuous Worlds!"
If you've been waiting for a second opinion before you decide whether to buy Virtuous Worlds, or if you're just plain curious what other folks think, let me introduce you to a very special group of people. These are five of the most intelligent human beings on the planet. Okay, I may be a little biased here, but seriously, I'm honored to introduce the five individuals who agreed to read and endorse the manuscript of Virtuous Worlds some months ago before it was even close to hitting the market.
Here's what they had to say upon finishing the book:
____________________________________________________________
~Michelle “Akuriko” Morse, award-winning cosplayer, featured in Nintendo Power and showcased on Cosplay.com, http://akuriko.deviantart.com/
If they ever do a Zelda movie, Michelle has the look of the character down pat. She knows. What. She's. Doing.
____________________________________________________________
“While video games are often seen as immoral influences, Stanifer takes a more nuanced look. Analyzing a variety of games, Stanifer discusses how they support Christian beliefs. This will be a fun read for any Christian gamer and a reassuring one for many parents.”
“I was surprised and impressed at the number of spiritual lessons John drew from a variety of games. Members of any faith can find tremendous worth in reading this book. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the misconception that video games are just for entertainment purposes.”
“In Virtuous Worlds, Stanifer will teach you to play video games better by understanding the spiritual truths of this world. He will also do the reverse: he will teach you to play your life better by understanding the truths of the video gaming world.”
“So often Christians are fighting against culture, but John has utilized one of those rarely used gifts: the ability to see God’s Grace working in the world and through the lives of others even when they least expect it.”
Here's what they had to say upon finishing the book:
____________________________________________________________
“Virtuous Worlds is just what anyone would need to bridge the gap between video games and Christianity. Even someone like me who isn’t really a part of any religion can find this book uplifting and supportive.”
If they ever do a Zelda movie, Michelle has the look of the character down pat. She knows. What. She's. Doing.
____________________________________________________________
“While video games are often seen as immoral influences, Stanifer takes a more nuanced look. Analyzing a variety of games, Stanifer discusses how they support Christian beliefs. This will be a fun read for any Christian gamer and a reassuring one for many parents.”
~Scott Jones, Ph.D., Associate Professor of New Media Communication, Indiana University Kokomo
Had it not been for this man, I would never have discovered Gen Con in the first place.
____________________________________________________________
“I was surprised and impressed at the number of spiritual lessons John drew from a variety of games. Members of any faith can find tremendous worth in reading this book. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the misconception that video games are just for entertainment purposes.”
~Laura “Flute Link” Intravia, vocalist and flutist for Video Games Live, recipient of the Charles F. Hockett Scholarship for Composition, http://www.lauraintravia.com/
Video Games Live is an internationally successful concert tour that combines the music of video games with the talents of a live orchestra. Ever wanted to hear the Shanghai Symphony play the theme song from Super Mario Bros? VGL has you covered. I've been. More than once. It. Was. Awesome.
____________________________________________________________
“In Virtuous Worlds, Stanifer will teach you to play video games better by understanding the spiritual truths of this world. He will also do the reverse: he will teach you to play your life better by understanding the truths of the video gaming world.”
~Caleb Grimes, author of Star Wars Jesus, http://www.starwarsjesus.com/
The Force is with Caleb. Wise, he is. Generous, he is. You don't know the power of Jesus and Star Wars combined. It's deadly.
____________________________________________________________
“So often Christians are fighting against culture, but John has utilized one of those rarely used gifts: the ability to see God’s Grace working in the world and through the lives of others even when they least expect it.”
~Rev. Derek White, Christian Gamers Guild, http://www.geekpreacher.com/
Derek is a United Methodist Minister, a board member of the Christian Gamers Guild, and a frequent Gen Con attendee.
____________________________________________________________
All of these quotes will be appearing on the back cover of Virtuous Worlds, but like I said, I wanted you to see them here first.
Just a few more weeks. Hold tight!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Level 13: When & Where to Buy VW, How to Get a Signed Copy
Since we're coming down to the wire here and Virtuous Worlds is expected to be released within the next month, I thought it was about time to remind everyone when and where they can buy the book and how to get their copy signed.
Virtuous Worlds will be released in May. I don't have an exact release date, and even if I did, it could actually come out before then, as has happened in the past with some of my publisher's other books. I feel pretty safe saying that the book is a month away, give or take a few days.
When the book does become available, it will be sold online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You might check with your local bookstore to see if they are able to order it, but the easiest way to get it will be through one of these two sites.
If you live in Indiana, I plan on doing a few signings in the Kokomo area and possibly in the Indianapolis area if that can be arranged. I'll post details as soon as they're worked out.
For anyone who wants their copy of the book signed, I'm more than happy to sign it! There are three main ways I see of doing this:
1. Come to a signing.
2. Arrange to meet me in person. As I don't know exactly when or where the signings will take place yet, you may decide you want your copy signed beforehand (or you may not be able to make it to a signing for whatever reason). Feel free to get in touch with me by email (j s t a n i f e AT a l u m n i DOT e d u) or on Facebook, and we'll try to work something out.
3. Send me your copy by mail. If all else fails and we can't meet in person, you're welcome to send me a copy of the book to sign and return by post. IMPORTANT: PLEASE INCLUDE RETURN POSTAGE IF YOU ARE GOING WITH THIS OPTION. Contact me by email (see above) or Facebook, and I'll gladly send you my postal address if you need it.
That's all for now. If I get wind that my publisher is ready to take orders for the book, or if anything else exciting comes up, I'll post it here. Keep watching, and thanks for reading!
EDIT: Technically, this falls under #2 above, but if you are someone I run into on a regular basis or you live in the Kokomo area (that includes you, Billy Wong), feel free to harangue me for a copy of the book, as I plan on carrying a small pile of them with me everywhere I go in case I meet someone who is interested.
Virtuous Worlds will be released in May. I don't have an exact release date, and even if I did, it could actually come out before then, as has happened in the past with some of my publisher's other books. I feel pretty safe saying that the book is a month away, give or take a few days.
When the book does become available, it will be sold online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You might check with your local bookstore to see if they are able to order it, but the easiest way to get it will be through one of these two sites.
If you live in Indiana, I plan on doing a few signings in the Kokomo area and possibly in the Indianapolis area if that can be arranged. I'll post details as soon as they're worked out.
For anyone who wants their copy of the book signed, I'm more than happy to sign it! There are three main ways I see of doing this:
1. Come to a signing.
2. Arrange to meet me in person. As I don't know exactly when or where the signings will take place yet, you may decide you want your copy signed beforehand (or you may not be able to make it to a signing for whatever reason). Feel free to get in touch with me by email (j s t a n i f e AT a l u m n i DOT e d u) or on Facebook, and we'll try to work something out.
3. Send me your copy by mail. If all else fails and we can't meet in person, you're welcome to send me a copy of the book to sign and return by post. IMPORTANT: PLEASE INCLUDE RETURN POSTAGE IF YOU ARE GOING WITH THIS OPTION. Contact me by email (see above) or Facebook, and I'll gladly send you my postal address if you need it.
That's all for now. If I get wind that my publisher is ready to take orders for the book, or if anything else exciting comes up, I'll post it here. Keep watching, and thanks for reading!
EDIT: Technically, this falls under #2 above, but if you are someone I run into on a regular basis or you live in the Kokomo area (that includes you, Billy Wong), feel free to harangue me for a copy of the book, as I plan on carrying a small pile of them with me everywhere I go in case I meet someone who is interested.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Level 12: The Most Expensive Video Game Ever?
Most video games involve collecting a lot of "stuff." Among other things, Mario collects his golden coins and his Power Stars. Link collects his rupees and his Gold Skulltulas. Cloud collects his Materia. And so on.
Sometimes, collecting all the "stuff" in a game is optional. You don't have to collect all 120 stars in Super Mario 64 to rescue Princess Peach. You don't have to collect all the Gold Skulltulas in Ocarina of Time to save Hyrule. You don't have to obtain the elusive "Knights of the Round" Materia in Final Fantasy VII to stop Sephiroth from destroying the Planet.
Still, for most gamers, collecting the stuff is a major part of the overall experience of a game. That's part of what keeps us coming back and clocking in all those hours in all those virtuous virtual worlds.
Some stuff is harder to find than other stuff. Some stuff is more valuable than other stuff. Some players are so dedicated that they'll spend dozens of hours mastering the game just so they can snag whatever that object is that they're seeking.
This obsession with collecting can spill over into the world outside the game. Sometimes, the game itself is worth its weight in Gil (Gil being the popular currency in Final Fantasy for those of you who are scratching your heads).
Some rare games have been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Consider the sealed copy of Stadium Events, an extremely hard-to-find game for the NES, that went for a reputed $41,300 on eBay. The story goes that the person who sold it bought it for $29.99 when it first came out. Then they realized that they couldn't play it, because it required them to purchase an extra peripheral called the Power Pad. Lucky for them, instead of returning the game to the store, they decided to let it collect dust for twenty years or so before they remembered it was there and found out it was worth a pretty penny.
Get more details here
Personally, as interesting as the seller's story is, I'd like to know more about the buyer. What sort of person would actually pay that much for an unopened copy of Stadium Events? Were they a rich geek who just needed it to complete their perfect collection? Did they have sentimental memories of playing the game as a child? Were they a salesperson who thought they could get even more money out of the game?
Who can say? One thing we know for sure: to pay that much money for a hard-to-find treasure takes some serious dedication.
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven "is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it" (Matt 13:45-46, NLT). This fits the eBay story above nicely, although I'm assuming (hoping) the person who bought Stadium Events didn't have to sell everything they owned to buy it.
As ridiculous as it may seem to spend so much money on a video game, it's only ridiculous for those who don't have spiritual hungers.
Heckler: "Doesn't everybody have spiritual hungers?"
Exactly. Even Christ's parable of "The Pearl of Great Price" may seem ridiculous if taken literally. What idiot would spend everything he had to buy a single pearl?
It's not really about the pearl, though, is it? It's what the pearl represents. Spiritual hunger. Truth. Personal contact with God. Some things are worth seeking after. Some things are worth selling everything you have to obtain.
No, I don't recommend that you "go thou and do likewise," spending tens of thousands of dollars on a pristine copy of your favorite video game (although I confess I did spend about $40 once to obtain a boxed Collector's Edition of Ocarina of Time...go ahead and laugh, if you must). What I do suggest is that when it comes to the things that really are worthwhile, we spend ourselves to the max to obtain them. You know, things like "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-39, NLT). Kingdom of Heaven stuff.
Taken symbolically, the Stadium Events purchase isn't so ridiculous after all, is it? If you still think so, just ask yourself this:
What would you spend everything you have to gain?
Sometimes, collecting all the "stuff" in a game is optional. You don't have to collect all 120 stars in Super Mario 64 to rescue Princess Peach. You don't have to collect all the Gold Skulltulas in Ocarina of Time to save Hyrule. You don't have to obtain the elusive "Knights of the Round" Materia in Final Fantasy VII to stop Sephiroth from destroying the Planet.
Still, for most gamers, collecting the stuff is a major part of the overall experience of a game. That's part of what keeps us coming back and clocking in all those hours in all those virtuous virtual worlds.
Some stuff is harder to find than other stuff. Some stuff is more valuable than other stuff. Some players are so dedicated that they'll spend dozens of hours mastering the game just so they can snag whatever that object is that they're seeking.
This obsession with collecting can spill over into the world outside the game. Sometimes, the game itself is worth its weight in Gil (Gil being the popular currency in Final Fantasy for those of you who are scratching your heads).
Some rare games have been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Consider the sealed copy of Stadium Events, an extremely hard-to-find game for the NES, that went for a reputed $41,300 on eBay. The story goes that the person who sold it bought it for $29.99 when it first came out. Then they realized that they couldn't play it, because it required them to purchase an extra peripheral called the Power Pad. Lucky for them, instead of returning the game to the store, they decided to let it collect dust for twenty years or so before they remembered it was there and found out it was worth a pretty penny.
Get more details here
Personally, as interesting as the seller's story is, I'd like to know more about the buyer. What sort of person would actually pay that much for an unopened copy of Stadium Events? Were they a rich geek who just needed it to complete their perfect collection? Did they have sentimental memories of playing the game as a child? Were they a salesperson who thought they could get even more money out of the game?
Who can say? One thing we know for sure: to pay that much money for a hard-to-find treasure takes some serious dedication.
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven "is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it" (Matt 13:45-46, NLT). This fits the eBay story above nicely, although I'm assuming (hoping) the person who bought Stadium Events didn't have to sell everything they owned to buy it.
As ridiculous as it may seem to spend so much money on a video game, it's only ridiculous for those who don't have spiritual hungers.
Heckler: "Doesn't everybody have spiritual hungers?"
Exactly. Even Christ's parable of "The Pearl of Great Price" may seem ridiculous if taken literally. What idiot would spend everything he had to buy a single pearl?
It's not really about the pearl, though, is it? It's what the pearl represents. Spiritual hunger. Truth. Personal contact with God. Some things are worth seeking after. Some things are worth selling everything you have to obtain.
No, I don't recommend that you "go thou and do likewise," spending tens of thousands of dollars on a pristine copy of your favorite video game (although I confess I did spend about $40 once to obtain a boxed Collector's Edition of Ocarina of Time...go ahead and laugh, if you must). What I do suggest is that when it comes to the things that really are worthwhile, we spend ourselves to the max to obtain them. You know, things like "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-39, NLT). Kingdom of Heaven stuff.
Taken symbolically, the Stadium Events purchase isn't so ridiculous after all, is it? If you still think so, just ask yourself this:
What would you spend everything you have to gain?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Level 11: Winged Lion Announces "Virtuous Worlds"
A small update. My publisher, Bob Trexler of Winged Lion Press, has added a page to his website devoted to Virtuous Worlds.
Winged Lion Press
You'll notice it says "Coming May 2011." Due to two other books from WLP coming out around Easter, the March/April release of Virtuous Worlds has been pushed to May so that Bob can devote the time to each book that it deserves.
Those of you who have been patiently waiting for the release of the book, it is still less than three months away. Thank you for your support!
Winged Lion Press
You'll notice it says "Coming May 2011." Due to two other books from WLP coming out around Easter, the March/April release of Virtuous Worlds has been pushed to May so that Bob can devote the time to each book that it deserves.
Those of you who have been patiently waiting for the release of the book, it is still less than three months away. Thank you for your support!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Level 10: Front Cover Revealed!
Friends, neighbors, fellow countrymen of Hyrule, I can finally reveal the front cover of Virtuous Worlds after the last few weeks of working with my publisher and a professional designer behind-the-scenes.
Virtuous Worlds Front Cover
It was tricky finding something gamers would recognize without tripping any copyright alarms. The Super Mario World font was created by "The Liquid Plumber" and downloaded through http://www.fontspace.com/. The other font, "Super Plumber Brothers," was inspired by the title screen font of Super Mario Bros. and was created by Jackster Productions.
You spied the Triforce, right? Good.
Stay tuned for the back cover, and let me know what you think!
Virtuous Worlds Front Cover
It was tricky finding something gamers would recognize without tripping any copyright alarms. The Super Mario World font was created by "The Liquid Plumber" and downloaded through http://www.fontspace.com/. The other font, "Super Plumber Brothers," was inspired by the title screen font of Super Mario Bros. and was created by Jackster Productions.
You spied the Triforce, right? Good.
Stay tuned for the back cover, and let me know what you think!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Level 9: Hitting the Reset Button
In an earlier blog post, I talked about warp zones, those wonderful little inventions that allow you to skip past huge portions of whatever video game you happen to be playing.
This time, we're going to talk about the reset button.
You probably don't have to be a gamer to figure this one out. The reset button is the button on your gaming machine that starts the whole game over. Forget that low score you were about to end up with in Galaga, because guess what? You can pretend it never happened. Start over fresh. From the first level.
When you're playing well, you aren't likely to thank your prankster friend who "accidently" pushes the reset button just to see your reaction. On the other hand, when you're playing poorly, a chance to start over is a breath of fresh air.
Even characters in video games sometimes get their own "reset button" within the context of the plot. Let's return once more to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for just one example. At the end of the story, Princess Zelda and the hero Link are sharing a moment of repose after their final battle with the evil Ganon. Somehow, Princess Zelda gets it into her head that it's all her fault Ganon came to power in the first place.
Ridiculous, if you ask me. If I were Link, I'd have done everything I could to convince her otherwise. But Link is a man of few words, and so Zelda insists on making it up to him for dragging him into the fight against Ganon. How does she plan to do this? By using the power of a sacred instrument, the Ocarina of Time, to return Link to the past. With Ganon no longer able to affect their lives, past or present, this will give Link the chance to live the life he should have had--or so Zelda's thinking goes.
It's a rare opportunity for Link and a sad parting for Zelda (sort of...I won't spoil it altogether for those of you who haven't played the game). How many of us get a chance to do it all over again, avoiding the trials we faced the first time around?
It's a thought provoking ending to a thought provoking game. But that never happens in real life, right?
The answer is: it depends on the player. That means you!
Those who have come to their Christian faith from a particularly rough background will heartily agree that coming to believe in Christ is like hitting a big reset button. While there may still be consequences for our actions here on earth, for all intents and purposes, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Ps 103:12). They've been erased from the game. Our mistakes no longer exist on God's memory card.
That's about as good a reset button as I can imagine. You get to keep the good and get rid of the bad, much like Link does in Ocarina of Time. With Ganon gone, he's free to live the life he was meant to live, this time without the evil force that was holding him back.
Heckler: "Hey. That gives me an idea."
DON'T YOU DARE PUSH THAT BUTTON, HECKLER!
**********POWER ON. WELCOME TO VIRTUOUS WORLDS BLOG**********
In an earlier blog post, I talked about warp zones...
Just kidding. Happy New Year, everyone. Time to hit those reset buttons!
P.S. My publisher and I are getting close to settling on a final cover design for Virtuous Worlds. I'll try to post pictures here as soon as it happens. The release date of the book should be in late March or early April.
This time, we're going to talk about the reset button.
You probably don't have to be a gamer to figure this one out. The reset button is the button on your gaming machine that starts the whole game over. Forget that low score you were about to end up with in Galaga, because guess what? You can pretend it never happened. Start over fresh. From the first level.
When you're playing well, you aren't likely to thank your prankster friend who "accidently" pushes the reset button just to see your reaction. On the other hand, when you're playing poorly, a chance to start over is a breath of fresh air.
Even characters in video games sometimes get their own "reset button" within the context of the plot. Let's return once more to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for just one example. At the end of the story, Princess Zelda and the hero Link are sharing a moment of repose after their final battle with the evil Ganon. Somehow, Princess Zelda gets it into her head that it's all her fault Ganon came to power in the first place.
Ridiculous, if you ask me. If I were Link, I'd have done everything I could to convince her otherwise. But Link is a man of few words, and so Zelda insists on making it up to him for dragging him into the fight against Ganon. How does she plan to do this? By using the power of a sacred instrument, the Ocarina of Time, to return Link to the past. With Ganon no longer able to affect their lives, past or present, this will give Link the chance to live the life he should have had--or so Zelda's thinking goes.
It's a rare opportunity for Link and a sad parting for Zelda (sort of...I won't spoil it altogether for those of you who haven't played the game). How many of us get a chance to do it all over again, avoiding the trials we faced the first time around?
It's a thought provoking ending to a thought provoking game. But that never happens in real life, right?
The answer is: it depends on the player. That means you!
Those who have come to their Christian faith from a particularly rough background will heartily agree that coming to believe in Christ is like hitting a big reset button. While there may still be consequences for our actions here on earth, for all intents and purposes, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Ps 103:12). They've been erased from the game. Our mistakes no longer exist on God's memory card.
That's about as good a reset button as I can imagine. You get to keep the good and get rid of the bad, much like Link does in Ocarina of Time. With Ganon gone, he's free to live the life he was meant to live, this time without the evil force that was holding him back.
Heckler: "Hey. That gives me an idea."
DON'T YOU DARE PUSH THAT BUTTON, HECKLER!
**********POWER ON. WELCOME TO VIRTUOUS WORLDS BLOG**********
In an earlier blog post, I talked about warp zones...
Just kidding. Happy New Year, everyone. Time to hit those reset buttons!
P.S. My publisher and I are getting close to settling on a final cover design for Virtuous Worlds. I'll try to post pictures here as soon as it happens. The release date of the book should be in late March or early April.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Level 8: Link's Own Worst Enemy - Himself?
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for my first blog post devoted specifically to the Zelda series.
*Cue maniacal laughter*
Those of you like me who are diehard Zelda fans will be glad to know there's a lot more Zelda coverage coming in the printed version of Virtuous Worlds once it's released to the public.
Heckler: "What does it take to be a diehard Zelda fan?"
Well, first you have to practically consider yourself a citizen of Hyrule (that's the name of the kingdom featured in most Zelda games). You also have to be plagued by shrill voices in your head shouting "hey, listen" at odd times throughout the day.
Heckler: "Huh?"
If you didn't get the joke, well, that probably means you've never played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, because if you had, you would probably be smiling right now.
So. Ocarina of Time is the Zelda game we're going to zero in on here. As with pretty much every Zelda game, Ocarina of Time features a series of dungeons that our hero Link must conquer in order to save the Princess Zelda and restore peace to Hyrule. This involves not just fighting enemies; it also requires players to think their way through a series of puzzles.
One of these "dungeons" in Ocarina of Time is called the Water Temple. The Water Temple comes late in the game, and it is considered by some players to be the most difficult (or at least the most frustrating) dungeon in the entire Zelda series! I don't know that I'd go that far, but it certainly is one of the odd ducks when it comes to dungeon layout and the nature of some of the puzzles.
I think my favorite moment in the Water Temple is one that comes when you've made it about halfway through the dungeon. You open a door, and suddenly you're in the middle of a room of bright white lights and an inch or so of water covering the floor. Go forward, and you'll run into (of all things) a tiny tropical island complete with sand and a palm tree.
Go a little bit farther, and you'll encounter a locked door. There's no way to open this door, so you're forced to turn around and go back the other way.
Not so fast.
Before you can even pass the tropical island again, you'll be faced by...yourself. Sort of. The figure standing in front of you is shaped like Link and even carries a sword and shield that look like his, but his/its clothing is stained entirely black. A pair of red eyes stares out at you from a face shrouded in darkness.
This is Dark Link.
Dark Link is not like your typical enemy in a Zelda game. If you take a swing at him, he'll swing too...at the exact same moment you do and with the exact same movement. Basically, he does whatever you do. If you didn't know better, you might say he knows what you're going to do before you do it.
Like the Water Temple itself, Dark Link is one of the more challenging obstacles you'll face in Ocarina of Time. In other words, one of Link's own worst enemies is...himself. Dark Link is little more than a twisted parody of the "real" Link.
Or is he?
What does water do? It reflects reality. Yeah, sometimes the reflection is a little distorted, but not quite that distorted. Personally, if I were Link, I'd be doing some serious self-examining after an encounter with Dark Link. I'd probably be asking myself, "Is this really what I am?"
Actually, that's a question we probably all need to ask ourselves. It's tough to admit, but we've all got a Dark Link inside us. He may come out in the form of a curse word shouted at someone who cuts us off on the freeway. He may come out when we walk by the dirty magazines at the supermarket. Better yet, he may come out when we're singing hymns at church and we spy someone we don't like sitting in the pew in front of us.
Most religious traditions agree that there is some sort of "Dark Link" inside us. Where the disagreement comes in is usually in how we're supposed to deal with that Dark Link.
"Sin" is Christianity's name for Dark Link, and there's only one way to deal with this jerk, according to tradition. And that is to call on a force more powerful than ourselves. That force is...
Heckler: "Jesus?"
Fifty rupees to our friend the Heckler! If you keep trying to attack your own twisted self portrait, it's just going to swing back at you. It knows you better than you know yourself. Good luck trying to come up with a trick it doesn't know.
You've gotta get outside help, hero!
*Cue maniacal laughter*
Those of you like me who are diehard Zelda fans will be glad to know there's a lot more Zelda coverage coming in the printed version of Virtuous Worlds once it's released to the public.
Heckler: "What does it take to be a diehard Zelda fan?"
Well, first you have to practically consider yourself a citizen of Hyrule (that's the name of the kingdom featured in most Zelda games). You also have to be plagued by shrill voices in your head shouting "hey, listen" at odd times throughout the day.
Heckler: "Huh?"
If you didn't get the joke, well, that probably means you've never played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, because if you had, you would probably be smiling right now.
So. Ocarina of Time is the Zelda game we're going to zero in on here. As with pretty much every Zelda game, Ocarina of Time features a series of dungeons that our hero Link must conquer in order to save the Princess Zelda and restore peace to Hyrule. This involves not just fighting enemies; it also requires players to think their way through a series of puzzles.
One of these "dungeons" in Ocarina of Time is called the Water Temple. The Water Temple comes late in the game, and it is considered by some players to be the most difficult (or at least the most frustrating) dungeon in the entire Zelda series! I don't know that I'd go that far, but it certainly is one of the odd ducks when it comes to dungeon layout and the nature of some of the puzzles.
I think my favorite moment in the Water Temple is one that comes when you've made it about halfway through the dungeon. You open a door, and suddenly you're in the middle of a room of bright white lights and an inch or so of water covering the floor. Go forward, and you'll run into (of all things) a tiny tropical island complete with sand and a palm tree.
Go a little bit farther, and you'll encounter a locked door. There's no way to open this door, so you're forced to turn around and go back the other way.
Not so fast.
Before you can even pass the tropical island again, you'll be faced by...yourself. Sort of. The figure standing in front of you is shaped like Link and even carries a sword and shield that look like his, but his/its clothing is stained entirely black. A pair of red eyes stares out at you from a face shrouded in darkness.
This is Dark Link.
Dark Link is not like your typical enemy in a Zelda game. If you take a swing at him, he'll swing too...at the exact same moment you do and with the exact same movement. Basically, he does whatever you do. If you didn't know better, you might say he knows what you're going to do before you do it.
Like the Water Temple itself, Dark Link is one of the more challenging obstacles you'll face in Ocarina of Time. In other words, one of Link's own worst enemies is...himself. Dark Link is little more than a twisted parody of the "real" Link.
Or is he?
What does water do? It reflects reality. Yeah, sometimes the reflection is a little distorted, but not quite that distorted. Personally, if I were Link, I'd be doing some serious self-examining after an encounter with Dark Link. I'd probably be asking myself, "Is this really what I am?"
Actually, that's a question we probably all need to ask ourselves. It's tough to admit, but we've all got a Dark Link inside us. He may come out in the form of a curse word shouted at someone who cuts us off on the freeway. He may come out when we walk by the dirty magazines at the supermarket. Better yet, he may come out when we're singing hymns at church and we spy someone we don't like sitting in the pew in front of us.
Most religious traditions agree that there is some sort of "Dark Link" inside us. Where the disagreement comes in is usually in how we're supposed to deal with that Dark Link.
"Sin" is Christianity's name for Dark Link, and there's only one way to deal with this jerk, according to tradition. And that is to call on a force more powerful than ourselves. That force is...
Heckler: "Jesus?"
Fifty rupees to our friend the Heckler! If you keep trying to attack your own twisted self portrait, it's just going to swing back at you. It knows you better than you know yourself. Good luck trying to come up with a trick it doesn't know.
You've gotta get outside help, hero!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Level 7: Nothing New Under the Sun
Nothing New
Pay attention to the gaming industry for any length of time, and you’ll begin to notice a pattern. When a game is successful, it inevitably spawns a sequel.
Heckler: “Duh. Money talks!”
Good sequels pay their respects to what the first game did as well as adding their own new twists on the old formula. Still, no matter how much of the “new” there is, nothing can change the fact that the old is what’s really driving the bandwagon.
Yeah, Twilight Princess had nice graphics and interesting new characters and the Wii Remote and all that good stuff, but it’s still the same puzzle-solving, dungeon-crawling, world-exploring, Ganon-slaying formula we’ve been familiar with since the original Legend of Zelda came out in 1987 (I’m speaking for those of us who are old enough to have grown up with this series).
Just look at some of the games that are coming out over the holidays, and you’ll see that this pattern of unoriginality is alive and well. Tomorrow, Donkey Kong Country Returns will be unleashed on US shores. This $50 Wii epic is little more than a massive homage to the three Donkey Kong Country games that came out on the Super Nintendo in the mid 90’s. Yes, the controls are fresh, and the graphics are all spiffy, but at heart it’s still the same 2D side-scrolling, banana-grabbing platformer we know and love (I’m still speaking to the senior citizens in the audience…you know, those of us over twenty).
Here’s another good example. On Nov. 2, Activision released Goldeneye 007, a first-person shooter based on the James Bond film of the same name. The thing is…there’s already been a game based on that film. It came out in 1997 on the Nintendo 64. Most gamers consider it a huge classic. The new Goldeneye is a remake of the N64 game; among the changes that have been made are the replacement of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond with Daniel Craig, and the game’s levels have been tweaked and redesigned and generally improved. But it’s still a remake, one that clearly relies on its predecessor’s reputation even as it attempts to create a fresh experience.
Oh, and then there’s Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition, coming out on Dec. 12 (also for Wii). This is literally a copy of Super Mario All-Stars, an anthology of the first four Mario games (Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3) that we first saw as a Super Nintendo cartridge more than a decade ago. There are no tweaks here. No new levels. No new characters. Aside from a soundtrack disc and a booklet and a couple of other frills, this is the exact same Super Mario All-Stars.
You know what I say to all these sequels and remakes and thinly-disguised cash-ins on the popularity of well established franchises? I say bring it on!
Cranky gamers may complain about the lack of originality in games these days, but companies are churning out unoriginality for a reason. People like these games. No, they LOVE THESE GAMES!
Almost three thousand years ago, Solomon began what would become the book of Ecclesiastes with these words: “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new” (1:9, NLT). Even what appears to be new, deep down, is just a well-disguised copy or spin-off of something old.
Some people find this disturbing. I find it comforting. It means that good will remain good, and evil—as much it tries to come up with new evil—will fail and someday be destroyed forever.
The ultimate endorsement of unoriginality is found in Hebrews: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8, italics mine). Does this mean God is boring and stagnant? No, it means He’s reliable. Since He’s good, it means good will never go away.
Unoriginality done right isn’t a bad thing. It’s a glorious thing. Besides the comfort factor, it means a whole new generation of gamers (or believers) will be introduced to something that’s good with a long record of being good.
So yes, I plan on buying (or at least playing) all of the remakes and copies and sequels I can get my hands on.
Who’s with me?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Level 6: Cosplay!
Cosplay is a subject near and dear to my heart.
Heckler: "What the heckler is cosplay?"
As I briefly explain in the final chapter of Virtuous Worlds, cosplay is what you're doing when you dress up as a character from a movie, a television show, a book, a video game, or some other medium of pop culture. That's a simplified definition, mind you, but there you have it.
When I compare myself with some of the folks who have exhibited their work on http://www.cosplay.com/, my own attempts at cosplay seem half-hearted--but believe me, I've had fun doing it!
You may have already browsed the photos I took with my Link cosplay at this year's Gen Con (see the link at the bottom of the page). Here's another link (pun intended) to my album from last year's Gen Con, when I dressed as Mario:
Heckler: "Stop making me spew my soda all over the monitor."
Heckler: "What the heckler is cosplay?"
As I briefly explain in the final chapter of Virtuous Worlds, cosplay is what you're doing when you dress up as a character from a movie, a television show, a book, a video game, or some other medium of pop culture. That's a simplified definition, mind you, but there you have it.
When I compare myself with some of the folks who have exhibited their work on http://www.cosplay.com/, my own attempts at cosplay seem half-hearted--but believe me, I've had fun doing it!
You may have already browsed the photos I took with my Link cosplay at this year's Gen Con (see the link at the bottom of the page). Here's another link (pun intended) to my album from last year's Gen Con, when I dressed as Mario:
Believe me, if you're a geek and you've never tried it, cosplay is a blast. Just try walking into your local Taco Bell dressed as Mario or Link and count how many stares you get (I speak from personal experience). Better yet, attend one of your local gaming or anime or generic pop culture conventions as that same character and see what it's like to hang out with thousands of other people doing the same thing.
Those of you who have a hard time relating to this experience and who may already be on the phone with the local sanatorium hoping you can get me committed before I infect the rest of the human race should hold that thought for a minute. We all have hobbies and passions and interests that can make us look silly to others. It isn't a sin, and sometimes these things enrich our lives in ways we're not even aware of!
All this talk of costumes and characters has a point. When gamers play the part of their favorite characters, whether on the television or computer screen or--better yet--in a costume, they are inhabiting and taking on and representing everything that goes with that character, whether they realize it or not.
Case in point. When my cousin and I dressed as Mario and Luigi at last year's Gen Con (this was the first time I had ever cosplayed), I knew people would recognize the characters, but I had no idea of the reception we were in for. One smiling little girl ran up to my cousin and hugged him; her mother said that Luigi was her daughter's favorite character. I had people shouting things at me in the hallway like "It-sa me, Mario" or "Our princess is in another castle!"
Oh, I'd love to tell you in detail about what it was like doing impressions of Mario on a stage in front of a crowd of 800 people at Tracy Hickman's Killer Breakfast. Even at the time, I think I was well aware that they weren't really laughing and applauding for me. They were doing it because they loved the character.
Role-playing Mario that weekend was an experience I'll never forget.
In a similar way, Christians are called to role play as Christ. No, you don't have to put on a beard and a robe and a sash and sandals and walk around quoting the Sermon on the Mount until your neighbors have you arrested, but we as believers are supposed to role play Christ's characteristics. "It is no longer I who live," Paul wrote to the Galatians, "but Christ lives in me" (2:20).
That weekend at Gen Con, it wasn't I who lived, it was Mario who lived in me (go ahead and laugh if you want, but it's true to some extent). And that wasn't such a bad part to play. Try to find a happier or more pure character in video game history, I dare you. I feel like a better person for having done it.
Heckler: "Stop making me spew my soda all over the monitor."
Anyway, that experience meant a lot, but I know that even Mario isn't the most important role I'm called to play in life. Son, brother, friend, and believer in God come to mind immediately. Those aren't easy roles to play, but they're even more worthwhile than the ones we play for three or four days in a crowded convention center. And depending on your taste in dress, chances are it's much easier to "cosplay" a son, a brother, a friend, and a believer than it is to cosplay a video game character.
Gamers, brothers, sisters, believers, PLAY YOUR ROLES WITH ZEST!!!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Level 5: Resident Evil: Degeneration
If I'm ever going to talk about Resident Evil on this blog, what better time to do it than on Halloween?
Enthusiastic Gamer: "Yay, zombies!"
First, let me say that the Resident Evil series is a good example of what I'm talking about when I say that not all of the games I mention on this blog or in my book are necessarily for everyone. Families should rightly be concerned about the content of the games they welcome into their household, and the violence that is present in the RE games is not for the casual or squeamish gamer.
That said, I think it's only fair to point out when games aimed at older audiences manage to nail a solid point of spiritual truth.
Enter Resident Evil: Degeneration.
Befuddled Gamer: "But Degeneration is a movie, not a game!"
True, Degeneration is technically a CG film based on a series of games, not a game in its own right. Still, since it's so closely related to the games, I think it's worth discussing here.
I am no expert on zombie films, but I know enough to say that Degeneration is about as close to family-friendly as you're ever going to get with this genre. Yes, it's a bit violent, and there is cursing here and there, but these elements are relatively light when compared with the competition.
So why am I talking about it on the blog? My reason is simple, and it can be summed up in a single line of dialogue taken from the film.
"If you don't try to save one life, you'll never save any."
There is a sharp line drawn in Degeneration between the self-centered characters who are only interested in their own survival (epitomized by a US senator) and the selfless heroes who will risk it all for the sake of one individual (epitomized by Leon Kennedy, veteran of more than a few zombie attacks).
Leon utters this stirring line of dialogue during a key sequence in the film. I think it's an awesome expression of the value of each and every human life and a strong encouragement to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12).
Looking out for number one is a natural reaction when things get tough, so it takes a special kind of person to hold on to his or her humanity in those situations. It doesn't have to be a zombie attack, of course!
Jesus once said: "What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7).
In other words, every human life is precious to God. If you don't value one, you don't value any.
Summary: every human life is worth saving. Where did I learn that? From a zombie movie based on a video game!
Who would have thought?
Enthusiastic Gamer: "Yay, zombies!"
First, let me say that the Resident Evil series is a good example of what I'm talking about when I say that not all of the games I mention on this blog or in my book are necessarily for everyone. Families should rightly be concerned about the content of the games they welcome into their household, and the violence that is present in the RE games is not for the casual or squeamish gamer.
That said, I think it's only fair to point out when games aimed at older audiences manage to nail a solid point of spiritual truth.
Enter Resident Evil: Degeneration.
Befuddled Gamer: "But Degeneration is a movie, not a game!"
True, Degeneration is technically a CG film based on a series of games, not a game in its own right. Still, since it's so closely related to the games, I think it's worth discussing here.
I am no expert on zombie films, but I know enough to say that Degeneration is about as close to family-friendly as you're ever going to get with this genre. Yes, it's a bit violent, and there is cursing here and there, but these elements are relatively light when compared with the competition.
So why am I talking about it on the blog? My reason is simple, and it can be summed up in a single line of dialogue taken from the film.
"If you don't try to save one life, you'll never save any."
There is a sharp line drawn in Degeneration between the self-centered characters who are only interested in their own survival (epitomized by a US senator) and the selfless heroes who will risk it all for the sake of one individual (epitomized by Leon Kennedy, veteran of more than a few zombie attacks).
Leon utters this stirring line of dialogue during a key sequence in the film. I think it's an awesome expression of the value of each and every human life and a strong encouragement to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12).
Looking out for number one is a natural reaction when things get tough, so it takes a special kind of person to hold on to his or her humanity in those situations. It doesn't have to be a zombie attack, of course!
Jesus once said: "What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7).
In other words, every human life is precious to God. If you don't value one, you don't value any.
Summary: every human life is worth saving. Where did I learn that? From a zombie movie based on a video game!
Who would have thought?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Level 4: KOKOMO-CON!
Greetings to you, fellow geeks, geekettes, and curious observers. Although I had intended to post regularly to this blog on Friday evenings, I broke that streak this weekend in order to bring you a report straight from the frontlines of KOKOMO-CON, a new pop culture convention held in my hometown of Kokomo, IN at the city's Event Center.
Compared to Gen Con's 30,000 or Comic-Con's 130,000, KOKOMO-CON's attendance was relatively modest, but considering that this was the first KOKOMO-CON and not that many people seemed to know about it in the population at large, it was well attended. Once again, I donned my Link costume in order to hang out with my fellow geeks.
Though the emphasis at KOKOMO-CON was clearly comic books, many of the vendors represented the other corners of geekdom as well. Books, art, toys, movies, and video games all had their presence at this show. I couldn't resist playing a few minutes of Super Mario Bros. 3 with Angel from PwnEm.com.
I took several photos at the show, which you are welcome to view with this public Facebook link.
Compared to Gen Con's 30,000 or Comic-Con's 130,000, KOKOMO-CON's attendance was relatively modest, but considering that this was the first KOKOMO-CON and not that many people seemed to know about it in the population at large, it was well attended. Once again, I donned my Link costume in order to hang out with my fellow geeks.
Though the emphasis at KOKOMO-CON was clearly comic books, many of the vendors represented the other corners of geekdom as well. Books, art, toys, movies, and video games all had their presence at this show. I couldn't resist playing a few minutes of Super Mario Bros. 3 with Angel from PwnEm.com.
I took several photos at the show, which you are welcome to view with this public Facebook link.
I'll probably add a more permanent link to the album later.
I chose KOKOMO-CON as the focus of this week's post, because one of the things I hope to get across with my book and this blog is that gaming is more than just a refuge for antisocial dweebs. We gamers (and we nerds in general) know how to party and make friends as well as anyone!
I chose KOKOMO-CON as the focus of this week's post, because one of the things I hope to get across with my book and this blog is that gaming is more than just a refuge for antisocial dweebs. We gamers (and we nerds in general) know how to party and make friends as well as anyone!
God said in Genesis 3, "It is not good for man to be alone." There's nothing like that feeling you get when you're around people who understand and appreciate you, and it's all the better when they happen to share your interests. I made several new acquaintances at KOKOMO-CON, and all of them helped to make the day worthwhile.
During the course of the afternoon, I participated in a costume contest. There were maybe 15-20 contestants, most of whom had excellent costumes. Although I did my best to wow the judges with my rendition of "Zelda's Lullaby" on the ocarina, the prize went to the amiable Mark LeMieux of Platypus Productions, who was dressed as the Mad Hatter. It was a pleasure to make Mark's acquaintance, and I hope to see him at the next KOKOMO-CON or perhaps at next year's Gen Con!
Here's to the social and spiritual fellowship of the Brotherhood of Nerds!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Level 3: Book Description from Winged Lion Press
Still no word on an official release date for Virtuous Worlds, but I do have an interesting update on the publication front. Professor James Thomas of Pepperdine University, author of Repotting Harry Potter and regular guest speaker at some of the country's largest Harry Potter conventions, has a new book coming out from Winged Lion Press just in time for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in the cinema. The book will be titled Rowling Revisited and is being billed as a sequel to Dr. Thomas's earlier work.
What does this have to do with Virtuous Worlds? As is common with many publishers, books from Winged Lion Press include a catalog of upcoming titles printed somewhere near the back of the volume. Rowling Revisited will be the first book from WLP to feature an ad for Virtuous Worlds!
Here is the full text of the announcement that will be appearing in the back of Dr. Thomas's book:
According to a recent report, there were 34.2 million units sold of video game hardware or "consoles" in 2009. This does not include much larger sales numbers for the actual games. Popular titles like Halo 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess fly off shelves at a mind-blowing rate. John Stanifer, an avid gamer, goes beyond a general overview and shows readers specific parallels between Christian faith and the content of their favorite games. Written with wry humor (including a "heckler" who frequently pokes fun at the author) this book will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. Those unfamiliar with video games may be pleasantly surprised to find many elements in those "virtual worlds" that also qualify them as "virtuous worlds."
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Speaking as someone who has read Dr. Thomas's earlier book, I can say I'm very much looking forward to the new release (and not just because of a certain announcement in the back of the book).
Expecto Patronum!
What does this have to do with Virtuous Worlds? As is common with many publishers, books from Winged Lion Press include a catalog of upcoming titles printed somewhere near the back of the volume. Rowling Revisited will be the first book from WLP to feature an ad for Virtuous Worlds!
Here is the full text of the announcement that will be appearing in the back of Dr. Thomas's book:
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer’s Guide to Spiritual Truth (pub 2011)
John Stanifer
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Speaking as someone who has read Dr. Thomas's earlier book, I can say I'm very much looking forward to the new release (and not just because of a certain announcement in the back of the book).
Expecto Patronum!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Level 2: Warp Zone!
Last month marked the 25th anniversary of that godfather of all video game classics, Super Mario Bros.
*Cue wild applause and the clinking of many glasses of Dr. Pepper*
Sep. 13, 1985. The year life began. At least for Mario. Eight days later, my life began quite literally in a hospital room in Terre Haute, IN. I know, I know, TMI.
Gamers old and new who know SMB well will no doubt remember the many “warp zones” scattered throughout the game.
Non-gamer: “What’s a warp zone?”
Warp zones allowed players to skip big chunks of the game, jumping into the later (i.e. more advanced) levels. Sometimes, that meant getting into things you weren’t prepared for. For sure it meant missing out on some well-crafted video game artistry in the form of all those levels you were skipping over.
Heckler: “Get to the point. What are you trying to say?”
Warp zones are everywhere in life. You know that email that you saw in your junk folder the other day, the one advertising the one-of-a-kind, two-step, three-week program to your best body ever?
That was a warp zone.
How about that paper mill where you can choose from hundreds of A+ essays that will instantly turn your grade around in that tough English class, making it easier for you to elbow your way to the more advanced classes?
That's a warp zone, too.
We’re all tempted to use those warp zones from time to time, but in the end, the more satisfied gamer is the one who beats each level of the game one by one. That’s the person who really deserves the mushroom…er, medal.
Proverbs says “wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time” (13:11). It doesn’t have to be wealth, of course. Taking shortcuts in anything is more often than not a recipe for disaster.
Okay, I admit it. I used to love the warp zone in Super Mario Bros. And don’t get me started on those warp whistles from Super Mario Bros 3. I still get a kick out of whipping those out every once in a while.
But it’s really more fun to play the game through, isn’t it?
What do you think, gamers? Were you (are you) a warp zone addict, or do you think it’s better to play the game level by level?
P.S. For the more observant gamers out there, I realize that Mario was actually born in the arcade game Donkey Kong (although his name was actually Jumpman then). But really, if it wasn’t for SMB, would the world still know who Mario is? As far as I’m concerned, SMB is our friendly neighborhood plumber’s true debut.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Level 1: Start!
Welcome to the official blog for my book, Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer's Guide to Spiritual Truth, which will be published by Winged Lion Press sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Please stay tuned for the exact release date.
The title pretty much says it all. The idea behind the book is to look for connections between real-world spiritual truths and video games. Though it is written primarily from a Christian perspective, I believe the book can be of use to a person of just about any background.
I hope you will join the discussion on this blog. I plan on adding more features and more content as time goes on. For now, please enjoy my album of photos from this year's Gen Con gaming convention in Indianapolis, IN. The green Link in the background photos and in most of the pictures in the album is me, just in case you were wondering.
To get a little discussion started, please feel free to reply to this post with a comment that answers the question(s): "What is your favorite video game and why?" Bonus points for going beyond "it has great graphics" or "I just love it." Why does that one title keep you coming back again and again?
Thanks for stopping by. Please contact me with any questions or comments you might have, and come back soon!
The title pretty much says it all. The idea behind the book is to look for connections between real-world spiritual truths and video games. Though it is written primarily from a Christian perspective, I believe the book can be of use to a person of just about any background.
I hope you will join the discussion on this blog. I plan on adding more features and more content as time goes on. For now, please enjoy my album of photos from this year's Gen Con gaming convention in Indianapolis, IN. The green Link in the background photos and in most of the pictures in the album is me, just in case you were wondering.
To get a little discussion started, please feel free to reply to this post with a comment that answers the question(s): "What is your favorite video game and why?" Bonus points for going beyond "it has great graphics" or "I just love it." Why does that one title keep you coming back again and again?
Thanks for stopping by. Please contact me with any questions or comments you might have, and come back soon!
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