I am not a gamer. Just look around my blog. I have mentioned Plants vs.Zombies, where I shared photos and our fake-movie video, and Final Fantasy because I came as Rinoa Heartilly (I tried) in our office Christmas cosplay. Apart from those, I don’t think I ever mentioned any online/video game except in my fiction. I’ve played some, of course, but basically, I’m very much less than an amateur gamer. The longest I’ve played so far is Soda Crush…Yeah, I know.
Brian Thomas, contributing author for Enlightened-Digital.com, reached out to me and introduced RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2. I had no idea about it, but finding out more made me interested. I actually asked a gamer-friend last night if she knows of Red Dead Redemption. She does know and did play RDR 1. I asked how it was playing the game and she said she liked it, wondering if the second’s going to be any good. Well, reading about Version 2, I think that she probably won’t be disappointed.
How about YOU decide? Brian writes…
“This Friday, Rockstar will launch its newest open world game: Red Dead Redemption 2. The game comes after eight years of development and much anticipation.
Red Dead Redemption 2 utilizes the hardware capabilities of the current generation to create a more visually stunning and technically impressive experience. The game’s incorporation of more advanced artificial intelligence powers the characters, animals, and dynamic physics system as they combine to generate organic events in an open world that aims to immerse players.As such, the title could ignite further discussion on the role of AI in video games and how games border on simulations.
Red Dead Redemption 2 follows the outlaw life of a character set twelve years in time before the original as he travels around a massive open world created by Rockstar. The game’s map is the biggest yet to be built by the company. Players will encounter interactable characters as they explore the various parts of the wild, villages, and even a city.
NPCs (non-playable characters) behave differently based on who they are as well as what the user’s character looks like, how he behaves, and his level of hygiene. The ability to engage with these characters through the game’s interaction system creates contextual back and forths that can result in many different ways, generating organic outcomes. The experiences generated by these NPCs are believed to be a step up from existing open world games and a force pushing the industry forward.
The relationship between video games, artificial intelligence, and simulations might still be young, but Red Dead Redemption 2 could represent a step towards progress as well as another spark (along with Westworld) to ignite interest in such subjects.”
Check out this infographic from Brian that emphasizes RDR 2’s major and newly improved game details! Click on the image to find out much more. Following it is the introduction to RDR 2’s gameplay. (WARNING: May contain content inappropriate for children.)
Once you’ve actually tried this game out, let us know your feedback. Comment below, if you want to 🙂
Walking Dead‘s dead. Well, at least, it’s a zombie for now, until the next season. My family had good bonding moments over blood, guts, and gore for several months, and we’re now sad, taking a forced WD hiatus. I was personally in withdrawal…Was.
Well, this was meant to be a #TVTuesday post, but as you can see, Life intervened again (she’s so good at it, don’t you think?). I thought, why not for #WhatsupWednesday then? But again, you know. So I’ve decided, what the heck? Just write the darn thing when Life allows it! So here it is.
I am sharing with you what have been keeping me up almost every night, with quick reviews on the side. Anyway, for your perusal…
RATING GUIDE:
Excellent – No doubt that I super love this and would love to continue watching!
Good – Very interesting that I wouldn’t want to miss an episode
Promising – Interesting that it can keep me glued to my seat and ask for more, but there’s still a chance my interest in it may wane
Fair – Entertaining enough to watch to pass the time
Undecided – Not consistently interesting that my feelings for it seesaws from almost-LIKE to meh.
Bad – NOT recommended WHATSOEVER, for valid reasons
Game of Thrones (GoT)
I started with Game of Thrones after what seemed like forever. Many seasons after it started, I have decided to push through with viewing it, even if I heard there would be lots of sex and nudity in it.
Fans and bashers had been talking about it that I did not want to be left out anymore. Therefore, I got my copy of season 1. Oh yeah, people were right about the sex and nudity, most of which, unnecessary. I had to make sure I watched it super-late at night when the kids were already asleep.
I’m supposed to be watching season 2 now, but I encountered a technical problem. Meanwhile, my new Netflix subscription is not offering GoT, at least, not currently. How annoying! I will wait till I can see it again (which is soon enough as I know, as of this writing, that it’s true).
GoT’s got my attention even though it sometimes disgusts me with certain storylines. And I hate that like in WD, they suddenly kill off characters that have already grown on you. GRR Martin, I hate you. You could have let Boromir–I mean–Ned Stark live longer. #SaveSeanBeanForOnce.
A few more bad comments:
GoT could be a great story that can be viewed with kids, but the for-adults-only scenes already make it a bad idea.
I am especially watching it for the “fantasy”, but we do not really get to see the “fantasy” side of the story in season 1 except when (a) Jon Snow first fights a White Walker (alright, which show really used the term “walker” for zombies first?!!), (b) when Daenerys does not get her hand burned by the heat as she tests the giant eggs, and (c) at the very end of the season finale when the baby dragons appear for maybe a little under/over a minute.
RATING:PROMISING (Only because I haven’t seen season 2, so don’t you GoT-freaks diss and grill on me. The rating could change to a Good or an Excellent rating yet, with reservations due to the recurring “fleshy” scenes)
Once Upon a Time (OUAT)
Fantasy? Checked. Twists? Checked. Mysteries? Checked…Once Upon a Time has it all.
The good thing is, we get to watch it as a family. I do make sure I explain certain faerie tales so they can understand the episodes better, especially if the plots heavily depend on character background. Sadly, we’ve not finished OUAT’s season 1 due to the technical problem I mentioned. Netflix is currently no-help as far as this show is concerned. I am really rather disappointed because I am very much raring to meet other faerie tale characters.
It’s not a new idea anymore that movies and TV twist faerie tales, so this show lacks originality in that aspect. However, it doesn’t mean it’s all-boring and unoriginal. It is still rather interesting how they change and connect things. And I love that both the Evil Stepmother/Queen/Witch and Rumpelstiltskin have their own sad stories to tell that make them more human, so to speak. In fact, it makes me wish for them not to have sad endings when the series finally ends, or when their characters get written off, if ever.
I can’t wait to continue this for our well-needed family bonding at home!
RATING:PROMISING (I already know I like it, but I need to know if the next seasons will keep me interested)
Dexter
Dexter has combined two things that interest me in a crime show–serial killers and forensics. So big plus for them.
The major thing that makes this show different from any other show is the main protagonist is actually the killer on the loose, hiding in plain sight. Not just a troubled person or a person with a troubled past, but a serial killer, I cannot emphasize that enough.
I had always been curious about the show ever since I learned of it. It is only now, through Netflix, that I got to watch its first three seasons.
I like that Dexter, the character, is a good person battling a much-different inner demon than most crime show heroes who deal with their own inner conflicts. It’s also interesting that somehow, for a serial killer, he shows empathy, sense of morality and feelings akin to love.
I feel that though backed up with research (pop knowledge on the subject), the show does explore various things and lets Dexter get out of the box and be less stereotypical. That’s what I love about it. Meanwhile, looks-wise, great choice for an actor to play the lead. Michael C. Hall has this face that can also really look mean, making him an effective no-mercy killer.
That said, I have a few negatives.
Personally, it takes time for their characters to grow on me. Dexter’s okay, but all the others? Loud-mouthed tough female roles, I’ve loved in the past, but Dexter’s sister Deb is just usually annoying and with quite a questionable half-blind taste for men. The only Asian guy, though stereotypically brainy, is creepy-horny-pervy, he’s hard to like. In real life, I don’t like people like that, so why should I excuse this one? Meanwhile, some characters, I am beginning to warm up to, but will see.
As I love forensics, it disappoints me that they have such a shortage of it in this show while there’s an abundance of steamy scenes. Just saying. Blood spatter is interesting, of course, especially when Dexter tries to explain it to colleagues when he knows very well what went on. But I need more forensics! (I’m seeing a few blood spatter documentaries on YouTube, so you know what other things I’ll be watching)
The only reason I stopped at season 3 was I didn’t want to saturate my interest in it and for me to discover other shows I would like. Will get back to this when I’m ready.
RATING:GOOD
iZombie
So the zombies have not only invaded the movie screens but TV screens as well. Count the shows. In this one, though, there are no hordes (yet) and the zombies can still function enough in the world of the living. Also, this particular zombie in the story helps to solve crimes–who would’ve thought? Well, okay, the show’s producers and execs did. Good for them!
The lead character in iZombie named Liv Moore (how…appropriate) eats brains and temporarily inherits the memories of the dead she takes them from. If you’ve seen the Romeo-and-Juliet zombie tale Warm Bodies, the idea’s not that original then.
To be fair, the show is actually based on the comic book Vertigo where the zombie also experiences the same. BUT, the main difference between the movie and iZombie/Vertigo is the protagonist also inherits the personality of the brain source. This is where the crime-fighting comes in, when she helps solve the mysteries through the memories and acquired abilities. Oh, and there are the many ways to cook a brain. They could certainly come up with a recipes-for-brains book.
I like this, yes. Still, I can’t help but feel like I still need more, too, some kind of…oomph. Oftentimes, the mystery doesn’t stay long when Liv’s “visions” practically reveal what happened. Quite a spoiler for anyone who loves a good mystery like me. Once in a while, there are surprises, but I need them to up the ante, you know? I don’t know. Something is definitely missing from season 1 and the few episodes I have so far viewed from season 2.
RATING:PROMISING (It really needs to step up the game!)
YouTube channels
It’s no secret I have become quite addicted to watching YouTube channels. I usually watch reaction videos, vloggers, mukbangs (food reviews) sometimes, comedy sketches/parodies and socially relevant presentations. There’s another time to talk about these.
Now you know what keep me awake so far. I am currently on iZombie-mode and will temporarily stop after season 2 or 3 to make way for other shows. So far, below are what’s on my watchlist. Several zombie shows there, I swear zombies have replaced vampires as the monsters of choice. I was also looking for Fear the Walking Dead, no luck.
These are what I have so far, based on what Netflix suggested to me. But I am adding stuff to the list, which should basically tell you I am into detective, forensics, and supernatural shows.
My current Netflix list…Don’t know why Dexter was not listed when I took screenshots, but anyway, I re-added it already
How about you? What are your present guilty viewing pleasures? Comment below and let’s compare notes!
My friends, it’s almost August. Go Fund This Couple!!! They still need half of the expected amount so they can thoroughly enjoy their Philippine stay. Please feel free to check out theirGoFundMe page! Even a dollar can help…Thanks 🙂
One of the best things about being a content writer, for me at least, is I get to learn new things and acquire more knowledge. I love doing research. I love finding out facts. I love getting and giving trivia.
So one of my tasks at work that I’m enjoying right now is I get to write stuff again (being a content writer isn’t all about actually writing stuff, just so you know). I am kind of OC, therefore, you can bet I usually try as much as I can to find out every useful information. Sometimes, it sucks that I can’t include some information as they are not vital to the specific topics. But I value what I learn so I take notes.
Anyway, here is one of my newer articles that I really liked writing. I got to talk about technology and new stuff in general. It’s not at all that techie that any non-techie reader won’t have a hard time understanding it.
So, for today’s #FeatureFriday I am featuring NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
Funny how one thing often leads to another. I started with going through my Blogspot then happened on an old post that I haven’t made live yet (again). It was about Madeline Mann who was, like me, born really tiny, and is now in her late 20s. She was considered the world’s tiniest baby at the time she was born.
Well, it turns out there are more Madeline Manns out there. I kept trying to find updated news on the one I needed. Then my search led me to YouTube to a differentMadeline Mann who’s in her early 20s, so not the one I was looking for. This girl is a musician and was instrumental in introducing me to “The BRF”. (And I still didn’t find The Madeline!)
So anyway, WARNING: A FEW BAD WORDS AHEAD.
On to our #FeatureFriday…
The BRF: B**chy Resting Face!!!
This is actress-director Emily Towers showing you the BRF
Apparently, the original video about this created by writer-actress Taylor Orci went viral in 2013 (I was busy being depressed that time so I never knew) and self-confessed BRF-d Musician Madeline thought of writing a song about it. She mistakenly calls it the ‘Resting B**ch Face’, but she can easily correct that. People actually debate on the right term, but if you really think hard about the context, BRF sounds more appropriate. You’re resting but you don’t look like it ’cause you look b**chy at the moment. RBF means more like you’re just giving your b**chy face a rest, ergo, you must look more approachable rather than the opposite.
I had never really thought about BRF, but on occasion, I did, I just didn’t have name for it. I think I have it at times when I am really engrossed with something or in deep thought. So yes, I ‘ve had my occasional “Are you okay?”, “What is wrong?”and “Why are you upset?” Q&A moments.
What is “BRF”?
To explain…
If that’s not enough explanation, let these videos explain…CHEERS!!! (Yes, I am happy. Just concentrating on what I’m typing…Give me a break!)
This is the video that went viral. :
LOL!!!! After watching that, I have decided to be kinder to people who just might be unfortunate enough to have BRFs.
The origin of the BRF video:
Here’s an interesting post about it:
Finally, the song…
How about you, do you suffer from BRF? Aaaaawww…hugs…!!!
It’s #FeatureFriday, folks! I was going to do this two weeks ago, buuut an idea popped into my head. Well, somebody sort ofgave me an idea. I decided giving a voice recording post a go. UNFORTUNATELY, my resources fell short of making that a reality for now.
Now! Just to explain, for #FeatureFriday that’s supposed to come out every two weeks, I will be featuring people, places and things. Primarily, I aim to introduce blogs and/or bloggers I like and sites I enjoy. This is my way of thanking them for adding joy into my life. 🙂
So first up, we’ve got…
Lani V. Cox is an American expat with Thai and Chinese roots. Her whole story as to how she became American, she has already shared in her blog. It’s an interesting story, I promise. Read the About page. Whenever you visit a blog, always read the About page to get to know the blogger more and…well, because I said so! No buts!
I’ve been blog friends with Lani V. Cox since 2014, I think (I did some checking). Sometimes, we kind of lose touch with each other, not that we’re personal friends as we just met here in the blogosphere. She becomes busy, I become busy, or both of us become busy. That’s why we are unable to blog at times or to actually follow blogs we have committed to follow. Such is the life of a blogger.
Lani has been to different places, often for work. So she’s had a taste of various cultures and these, she unselfishly shares to her readers. Her blog’s about teaching (her profession), writing and traveling.
Sometimes, she waxes nostalgic, but usually, she shares how life is where she’s currently at, the people she meets at times, the places she goes to, her job, her living conditions, anecdotes here and there. As I love to learn about other cultures, she certainly gives me lessons by bits and pieces. It also makes me snicker or smile whenever she mentions stuff in Southeast Asia that I, as a Southeast Asian, can relate to, good or bad–it’s my cue for a good, little online tete-a-tete. What I love most about her is her free spirit and sense of humor, plus the fact that she gave me my first-ever blog award, he he!
I think she‘s one of those people that others almost-immediately warms up to. She’s smart, too, which keeps me going back to her blog. I like her voice very much–listen to her audio-recording of posts (do you now have an inkling of who made me think of audio-recording mine?).
Her writing can be quite engaging and–oh, speaking of writing!–she’s written a book!!! (nice segue, eh? *wink*). It’s called the missing teacher, but don’t ask me why the title’s in small caps as I haven’t asked her yet. In her own words,
the missing teacher explores the personality of education, looks into one of the most controversial education systems, and is a story about the education of self.
Ooh, makes you want to get a hold of it, yah? Do get a hold of it!
So, guys, get with it and visit Lani at her blog Life, the Universe and Lani. I wouldn’t give her this award if she’s not worth it. Oops, yeah, I forgot to mention that. Featured bloggers automatically get the Blogger Recognition Award (click on the image below to know more).
Hey, Lani! This is yours! Feel free to do what you want with this wonderful award 🙂
The End Justifies the Journey 