Australian Larrikinism in Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow

June 11th, 2009

Turns out my latest column is out a few days early. It’s titled ‘Australian Larrikinism in Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow‘. This entry is similar to the last in that I discuss the way developers craft performances of their characters to push an implicit message. In this case how Sony Bend use Aussie Dane Bishop in Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow to introduce the player to larrikinism – an important part of Australian culture.

I’ve been thinking about this Australian larrikinism issue for about a week now as it was mentioned in one of my classes. It’s one of those ideas that’s always been at the back of my mind but never articulated that clearly. Being that us Aussies are a bunch of larrikins – simple eh? The effects of this can come out in intercultural contexts where our perception of a good time can result in a dire consequences in another’s culture. Well, that’s what the lecture was saying, I was too busy casting my mind into the pool of regret when thinking over some of my exploits in China. Ouch!

I’ve wanted to explore the Dane Bishop character for a while, and with larrikinism in hand, I could finally write something interesting about the guy. So please take a read, this entry is much shorter than my Portal analysis.

Lastly, I’m looking to write for external publications more than I have in the past. In fact, I hope that I’ll be able to migrate most of my content elsewhere. I find that writing for other publications ensures that I work harder on polishing my work and elevating my writing style; two areas that I wish to improve at. So look forward to more of that in the future. I wrote some thoughts on this here, if you’re interested.

The Cultural Implications of Dialects in Video Games

May 20th, 2009

The next entry in my GameSetWatch column was posted a few days ago, you can find the link here;

Column: ‘Lingua Franca’ – Implications Of Dialect In Dragon Quest IV

This time around I look at the use of dialects in video games and discuss the cultural implications that dialects can have on play, as well as suggesting ways to weave this to an advantage. Initially I wasted many words finding my voice for the article, but eventually what I wanted to say came out. I’m weary of a few of the comments I made in the article, one or two which may in fact be generalizations, still the weight of the article is strong. It’s been interesting to observe the feedback from people who have a different interpretation of English dialects to my Australian flavoured opinion.

I’m really starting to find some weight behind this column, as I’m practically plundering the depths of unexplored terrain. It’s similar to a project I’m currently working on now regarding Chinese-Chinese and Chinese-foreigner communication – both fields represent a lack of proper study.

Lastly, I’ve completed the extended introduction of my next column which is a critique of Portal in regards to Erving Goffman’s work on social interaction and institutions. This is a topic that I’ve had on the tip of my pen for almost a year now, I suspect that this will probably be one of my best pieces of writing, it’s shaping up that way already.

You may hear more opinions on Dragon Quest IV in another guest article shortly.

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Tags: Culture, dialect, dragon quest

Link Out (2/4/09)

April 2nd, 2009

sheeva-chris-re5

Finally within the monthly time frame, your dose of recommended readings for March. Many of the links here reflect subjects that I’ve discussed previously on this blog, and are hence natural extensions of the things I’d have to say, written by more talented writers, of course. Resident Evil 5′s racism issue for instance, is a topic I’m keen to explore but honestly probably won’t look at for at least another year. As too are topics about the specialized language systems in games and some poking at the high production portable mentality. Essentially, if you like what you read here, then you’ll probably thoroughly enjoy these:

Resident Evil 5 – Opinions, Further Readings and an Odd Competition

Plenty of interesting discussion on Resident Evil 5 to share. Just to get them out the way, I found the Eurogamer and Crispy Gamer reviews particularly hard-hitting and well thought out. Tom Chick continued the discussion seen in the Crispy Gamer review with some interesting second opinions and the site concluded all this with Gus Mastrapa’s mini history into the use of black people in the horror genre. It rounds off what I consider to be very thorough coverage of a particularly important issue which needs suitably mature discussion.

N’gai Croal also made some very interesting commentaries on 1UP’s Listen Up podcast (I can’t find the link!), regarding the research behind the game and the justification behind the infamous swamp section. The latter in which the player stumbles upon an African tribe, wearing traditional garbs, and carrying spears and wooden shields. His playing partner Stephen Totilo mentions the difference between the player and observer in this situation. In that the player views the game in a completely different light: they are eliminating threats rather than (the observation that) you play the role of a whitey par-taking in mass murder of another ethnicity.

Lastly, Capcom held a treasuring hunting competition in Trafalgar Square recently to promote Resident Evil 5. The contestants had to hunt down pieces of zombie flesh, take them to a set location and yell the word “Kijuju!” (RE5′s fictional location), each body part is worth X number of points, and the contestant with the highest number of points wins. Kinda weird, don’t you think? Particularly when you consider that the prize is an African holiday – ya know, the country which the game in question grossly mis-portrayed the citizens of. Supposively the competition was a success though.

Join the club (again) – Screen Play

As pointed out by Screen Play, Nintendo of Australia has re-opened its Club Nintendo program that was announced to hit Australia over a year ago. While particularly slim at the moment, the rewards on offer are pretty sweet, including Game & Watch Collection for the Nintendo DS, which can only be acquired through the rewards system either in Japan or Australia. Still, very little in comparison to what’s on offer in the UK though.

Analysis: Secret Languages In Game Playing – GSW

An interesting survey (of 300 people) regarding specialized language used in video games. Unfortunately I don’t think that James Portnow fleshed out his results well enough. Only a handful of sentences based on responses from 300 people seems odd, but overall it’s not a bad piece. I also found this video on Zath to be an interesting example of that specialized language in use.

Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime Talks DSi-Enhanced Games, ‘Zelda: Spirit Tracks’ And More – MTV Multiplayer

The thing I really wish to point out about this article is Stephen’s question regarding high profile games on the DS. He questions how Nintendo are facilitating this option for developers, (brilliantly) recognizing Vicarious Visions in the process too, good man Stephen.

Katamari was comment on consumerism – Eurogamer

I found this post particularly moving, as it shades the whole context of this game in a very different light. My previous interpretation of Katamari was unrelated to consumerism, but reading Keita Takahashi intentions, and then his personal reflection of how the game made him feel (and subsequently the development of the minimalist Noby Noby Boy countered) is really powerful stuff. Changes the way I ever considered looking at these games, much in the same way good critique would.

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Tags: Culture, katamari, Link Out, resident evil

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