YouTube MUSIC: Cruising the Dubstep

When it comes to chilling out on the computer, most people enjoy to listen to music. I like to call this action as 'cruising', similar to that when people take casual drives in their car. Recently I stumbled into two YouTube channels that I found, which provides the appropriate pace when on the comp. Those channels are EpicNetworkMusic and Going Quantum. Many view the genre of dubstep, electro etc as harsh and diabolic. Although this may be true when it comes to something like hardstyle, the music that the two channels provide are fluid and a more pleasant mix. Whether it be gaming, drawing or just surfing the web, I recommend giving EpicNetworkMusic and Going Quantam a listen.

PRODUCT DESIGN: Lighting

I recently discovered a wonderful architecture and design website, by the name of InDesignLive. As I was breifly flickering through the design products, I was drawn to two lighting installations instantly. The first was a cloth light titled IN-EI (shadow, shadiness in japanese) by Issey Miyake, which illustrate the same skillful artistry as origami, and the second was Estiluz Balloon Lamps by Spanish duo Crous & Calogero.   

 

What drew me to these lights was that one portrays and manipulates shadow with an organic flowing material, whereas the other portrays illumination in a simplistic and solid balloon form. What both products succeeds in is the emotional influence it brings to a space. The IN-EI lights portrays elegance and complexity, as the viewer can observe, analyse and question how such a complex form was made. Whereas, on the opposite spectrum the Estiluz Balloon Lamps immit bright light that turns a dark, serious space into a cheerful and child-like atmosphere. The simplistic balloon shape becomes a feature that reminds the occupants of the innocence and cheerfulness that children portray.

 

Both products illustrate the influence lighting or the manipulation of shadow can affect the atmosphere and pyschological mind set of its occupants. Additionally, it is usually the subtle-ness in a room that difines its character and spirit.  

GAMING NEWS: XNA is Dead + BASTION Review

Casually surfing the Game Informers website, I come upon an interesting report, titled: "XNA is Dead". Being quite noobish and technological inept, I was curious by what is XNA? It seems that the Microsoft XNA development platform is being discontinued, as reported by Game Informer's Joe Juba. Unaware of the consequences that discontinuation would cause, the report explains that this toolset enabled brilliant indie games such as Fex and Baastion to be made. Right then did this short report post caught my full intention. 

 

Far from being a hardcore gamer, knowing that the technology and toolset that made Bastion is discontinued made me slightly anxious. Bastion was an amazing game, which I can confidently say is a memorable and a highly recommended game.

 

THE GOOD

 

Narration  + Art style:

The moment you hear the first few words of the narrator as you move, the deep and husky voice resonates through your body. Combining the wonderful watercolour/cartoonish art style and power of the narrators words, will make the duration and ending to your journey meaningful.

 

Gameplay:

Simplistic, arcadic yet complex. The combat mechanics are filled with potential combos as you are given several different weapons and perks. The variety of weapons, will certainly enable you to itch your beserk-like nature or your sniping urge.

 

Length:

Being a relatively short game, would usually be a negative, however I found that the game's length is quite appropriate. It is short enough to remain replayable with harder difficulties and additional mini-games, while not being terribly long, that the emotional effects that you endure disappears.

 

THE BAD

 

It has been sometime since I've completed Bastion, which makes finding negative aspects difficult as I seem to clearly remember the good parts. However, I can make assumptions that may be seen as negatives.

 

Replability:

Due to the short campaign, some may find that even with the ability to level up all wepaons and skills, there isnt enough incentive to replay as the major factor of this game, which is the emotional journey is no longer present.

 

Nevertheless, I found Bastion to be a pretty balanced and harmonious game, which triple A titles do not seem to provide. A powerful narrator, wonderful gameplay and layout design made this small indie game a highly recommended game to play.

YouTube REVIEW: The Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour

Wanting a quick comedy sketch to watch when your bored?
The Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour can fix that itch.

The videos by Jeff Lewis (Vork from the popular web show, The Guild) makes absolutely hilarious 5 minute comedic sketches. Episode 1, titled "Tag" made me suffocate and cry with laughter, as the episode illustrates the dying tradition of outdoor games to a very console dominate generation.

Additionally, the relatability and amazing comedic acting made episode 1, memorable and more importantly repeatable. After watching this episode more than 5 times, I still found it amusing and entertaining. This could be due to Jeff Lewis' crude vocabulary, expresions and mannerism that makes each replay enjoyable.

The only negative remark that I can make is that there isnt enough! 'Nough said.