What makes a good horror game

Me and my BOOM STICK!

Horror games, a good source of adrenaline and excitement for those looking to best demons and creatures not meant for mortal understanding. But that’s not what makes them interesting. Deep down, what makes people, like me, interested in them aren’t the monsters that drive you away, but the mystery that they are trying to keep secret. After all, that’s what gives monsters their power, the thing they keep hidden from you.

The Secret World (TSW) is claimed to have some of the best storytelling in MMOs, and I tend to agree. But why is that? Is it because they have monsters? Is it because they have adult themes or cursing? Is it because they have magic and guns in a contemporary setting? Nay nay, I say, to all these. What makes TSW’s story so good is what they don’t tell you. Hence the word ‘secret’ in their name.

Illuminati Secret Lair

The key to a good horror is activating your morbid curiosity. That’s the hook to reel you in. They set up a scene and that’s it. The rest is up to you to piece together. Many games these days try and throw a wall of text at you, detailing the life story of the NPC. Then they give you markers or even a silly sparkle path to direct you to your destination for them to assault you with another wall of text once you arrive. But that’s not how you tell a good story. You have to let the audience piece it together.

What makes horror better at this is because they have the unknown on their side. They push you back with fear, anguish, or disgust to keep the story a mystery. They use your imagination against you. However, they tug you to get beyond the veil to see what is powering it from behind the scenes. What makes games like TSW, Dark Souls and even Five Nights At Freddy’s so good at telling their story is that they don’t leave fat on the bone. Everything in their world is another piece to the puzzle. They don’t try and throw red herrings at you, but they don’t make it apparent that everything you see has a purpose to solving the mystery or how their piece fits. Other games can learn a thing or two from this.

Screen Share: Dangerous Sunset

Dangerous Sunset

For a time, dragons were attacking the two great cities of Norrath; Qeynos (Qekaerbyad?) and Freeport. They protected themselves, though. As the concerned citizen I was, I watched from a safe distance. The sun was setting as the terrible beasts kept up their siege, and I thought that was the best time to break out the screenshot button. Time for a Dangerous Sunset.

NBI Challenge: The Seven Gaming Sins

Since this initiative started, I’ve gained some great experience and energy to try and make this work as best as I can.

With the Newbie Blogger Initiative ramping down now, we have one final challenge. A series of questions for us to learn about each other in a theme of 7 Deadly Sins. Let’s get started!

Lust – Do you enjoy games more if they have scantily clad and “interestingly proportioned” avatars? Do you like playing as one of these avatars? Why or why not?

I’m a huge proponent for choice. I love a game that gives me a great range of character looks. That includes the young to the old, gorgeous to ugly, sexy to sickly and everything in between. Even though I have a smaller range I stick with, I love seeing what other people come up with.

As for my range? I tend to prefer making my avatars attractive, but I like to cover them with practical armor or clothing. I don’t like running around in a swimsuit or banana hammock.

Gluttony – Do you have a game backlog of unfinished games but still buy new games regardless? Why or why not?

I do. I built up a large library of games back when I thought I would have time to play them. I’ve realized my time is far more limited and stopped collecting even if the deal is like $5 for a bundle of 100 games… well, maybe I’d pick that up. Still though, I keep a wish list now, and when I’m in the mood, I’ll go through that list because I know I’m ready to play it.

Greed – Do you enjoy hand outs in a game? Have you ever opted to NOT do an action / in game activity because the rewards were lacking? Why or why not?

Sure, I’d do an easy quest that gives me a good set of armor. I’m not proud, pfft. At the same time, I like a good challenge. I guess I’m just not worried about having to do the twelve labours of Hercules for everything I earn.

Sloth – Do you ever leech or AFK in a party? Do you discourage others from attempting things that you feel are difficult? Have you ever seen someone that needed help, but decided not to help them? Why or why not?

When it comes to groups, I don’t like wasting other people’s time. I know how important it is to them and myself, so I keep interruptions to a minimal. I look for the same courtesy in others. If you have a good reason, like a child, I’m 100% patient.

I don’t discourage, I encourage. If I see a giant beast walking through a bunny camp, I’ll want to prod it with a stick to see how hard it hits.

When I see someone in trouble, I do my best to take action. But I tend to watch from a distance to make sure they need help. Hate to break up their momentum when they weren’t in trouble to begin with.

Wrath – Ever get angry at other players and yell (or TYPE IN CAPS) at them? Have you ever been so angry to stalk a person around in game and / or in the forums? Why or why not?

My brother and I have thrown some loud words at each other when we get angry, but I don’t remember directing that at anyone else. I’m far too averse to conflict that I feel sick thinking about it. I know, I’m a big baby. Well, baby get what baby wants. Wahh!

Envy – Ever felt jealous of players who seem to be able to complete content you can’t? Do you ever suspect they are hacking or otherwise cheating? Why or why not?

Sure, I get jealous all the time. I’m jealous of raiders and pvpers that get to see content I stay away from, and they are rewarded cool stuff for it.

I’m man enough to admit that I’m also petty. I’ve suspected people of being cheaters or just plain cheap sometimes when I’ve lost. Doesn’t change the outcome that they bested me. I try not to let it get to me for long, because yeah, pssh, it’s just a game. That’s right, “Elementos”! You won at pixels, enjoy that victory you 12 year old cheat! Who’s mom did you sleep with now!

Pride – Are you one of those people that demands grouping with other “elite” players? Do you kick players out of your team who you feel are under-performing? Why or why not?

Nah, because I know I won’t be able to perform to the level of playing they want from me. I’m far more comfortable with my under-performing brethren. They have more fun.

Thanks NBI of 2015

As I close out my final challenge, I want to thank my fellow class of 2015. I may not have been able to read everything you all put out, but I did my damndest to try. I commented and liked what I could for you and enjoyed what you have done for me.

This isn’t the end though, just the end of the beginning. We all created or dusted off our blogs and now it’s time for graduating into the bigger world.

May our blogs be like toilet paper, long and useful. Good morning, good day and good night everybody.

Screen Share: City of Kings

City of Kings

Windhelm, the City of Kings. You can experience some of the coldest harshest nights here, but sometimes the view is worth it.

#NBI2015Safari High Fantasy

My Podcast Experience

Recently, I’ve been invited to join Izlain, @mevsmyselfandi, for his Podcast, Couch Podtatoes. He sent out a twitter post earlier asking for two #NBI2015 newcomers to come on to the show as guests. Since one of my reasons I started my blog was to help get over my awkward fears, I decided to throw myself into the deep end and took him up on his offer. I’m glad I did because Izlain was really cool about it, and gave me some tips.

The show was suppose to also star Eri, @ausj3w3l, and another newcomer. Unfortunately noone else joined in and Eri couldn’t make it because of her new schedule, so it was just Izlain and myself. *Gulp*

Suffice to say, I was nervous about this. The closer it came to doing it, and getting on voice, the more I was overthinking my situation. My hesitation had nothing to do with Izlain personally, it had to do with my fear of talking with others. Public speaking is a terrifying prospect, one that many of us share, according to science. It doesn’t help that I’m a huge introvert, I tend to keep to myself, and don’t normally talk when caught in big groups.

I had thought the show would be ultra short with just him and myself. I was sort of relying on two other people to be there to take the attention away from me. Izlain called and I looked at the answer button for a few seconds before finally picking up.

Izlain started a bit of a pre-show chat to get me comfortable. As he started the show and ran through his spiel, it came time to put the spotlight on me. I started with short answers at first, but as the show went on, I sort of just forgot about being on air, and more like I was just talking to him, like two people having a conversation.

By the end, the show was recorded, and I felt good. I’m glad I accepted and made another step closer to being more comfortable with voice chat.

Thank you, Izlain.

Also, a shoutout to Ravanel Griffon for the great suggestion of doing this post.

http://ravalation.blogspot.com/

NBI Challenge: What made me a gamer

Credit: Evan-Amos

Mario, Sonic, Mortal Kombat, Vector Man, the list goes on. These characters and games have been in my life since near the beginning, but they weren’t the ones that pushed me over the edge. Allowing for instinct to take over, what keeps coming to mind is GoldenEye on the N64.

If memory serves me still, that was the first game I’ve played with someone outside my own family. It’s what made it a real hobby for me, something that’s worth sharing. After school and on weekends, my brother and I would bike ride over to our friend’s house and we’d play. We even went out and bought another controller since he only had two.

I could go in a more philosophical view as well. Games transfer experiences I would never have gotten on my own. Relay knowledge I would never have learned. Show perspectives I would never have seen. These alone made me a gamer.

Games are a powerful tool, and whatever the reason any of us choose to game, is a good reason. This hobby of ours has created so many bonds, careers and life changing moments. Over the years, more have taken up their gamepads, keyboards and mobile devices and found themselves to be gamers too.

Screen Share: Adventure Awaits

Adventure Awaits

Joining the Newbie Blogger Initiative has been tremendously rewarding. I’m in a constant state of learning and I am enjoying myself.

Today, I want to share a screenshot of Skyrim (heavily modded, of course). My character and his adventuring companion look out to the horizon.

Adventure Awaits!

Edit: Adding this screenshot to the #NBI2015Safari as Landscape.