Exploring Jamaican Game Culture (Interview)
November 1st, 2008
Continuing on from the last set of mini-interviews, I would like to turn our attention now to Jamaica. This time I have recruited Kirk from the Infidel Gamer blog to discuss the state of play over in Jamaica. We talk about a number of topics such as games that appeal directly to Jamaican people, how Jamaican culture is represented through games as well as the local arcade. I hope you enjoy.
Daniel: First off, I should probably start by asking; what do you think sets the Jamaican style of gaming apart from other countries?
Kirk: Firstly thank you for interview opportunity Daniel. From my observation and experience I think that the Jamaican style of gaming is different from other countries because Jamaicans are social gamers who enjoy playing not only at home but in a group with friends.
Daniel: Where do you think this comes from? Do Jamaicans usually do things together in a particularly social manner, together in each other’s company (hence games are a natural extension of that)?
Kirk: I would say most definitely. Now that I think about it Jamaicans really are social people who enjoy going out and interacting with each other. Video games highlight that trait as although many households now have access to the latest games, nothing beats going out and playing with friends.
UK Gaming Survey
October 29th, 2008
As part of my research into culture and games I knew that I’d need some help. There is no way that I can provide a legitimate case for the matter if I don’t provide more perspectives than just my own. Especially when dealing with something like culture. As such I’ve been calling upon the help of others to help substantiate this investigation (I make it sound so serious >_<). So to kick things off I want to take things slowly and explore the subtle nuances dividing the UK from other western countries. I’d like to thank Damon from the Consolation Prize blog and UK game marketer Bruce Everiss for their time in helping me along.
The point of this article is to warm you into the idea of differences among seemingly similar cultures. It’s an introduction of sorts thanks to the insightful responses which should act as a starting point for further analysis. I put a lot of thought into the questions, so I hope you get a lot out of it. ^_^
C-12: Final Resistance (Recommendation)
October 26th, 2008
It’s not often when I go out on a limb and recommend a game to you, my audience. I figure that you readers are smart enough to know what is and is not worthy of your play time. The only instance by where I feel compelled to recommend something - unless asked, of course - is when I feel whatever I am recommending is greatly underapreciated. C-12: Final Resistance is just that.
C-12 is a 3rd person action adventure by SCE Studio Cambridge for the PSone, released in April 2001(PAL) and July 2002(NA).
C-12: Final Resistance is a third person, action adventure in the vein of the much loved Syphon Filter series, set in a post apocalyptic future with english accents. To be fair, C-12 is pretty run-of-the-mill; the mechanics are solid, gameplay is varied (enough), graphics are pleasant and overall the production hits a pretty high standard for a first party effort. There isn’t anything particularly fantastic nor particularly terrible about C-12 which I guess is why the game was kicked aside in the review space. Reviewers didn’t care for the late release, particularly since it came out in Europe over a year earlier and offered little to justify the delay.
Still, C-12 is a fantastic action romp. Much like the Syphon Filter games it gives you plenty of diversity in its play and then manages to balance them all out in equilibrium. The overall presentation is also quite apt and it’s clear that a lot of effort was put into polishing the whole product. Neat touches such as the laser sight of Vaughan’s…eyeball and sparks from broken electrical items round off the package. There’s some video below;
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