Reviews, reminders and Oblivion

July 08, 2008

I feel like a vacation has finished. I had to pen another review for a publisher-sent game. Here it is

I'm starting to see a huge difference in how I write my own reviews to those I'm contractually obliged to write. Sure, there's always been a certain lack of spark there because, sometimes, I simply don't have anything great to say. I'm not saying I just phone a review in (although it has happened once or twice), I still want to do the best I can, because I'm geeky with stuff like that, but I recognise that my best work comes from the games I chose to cover. I'm not sure I'm overly happy with that so, from here on, I'm going to redouble my efforts on that front.

In other news, look for the rumblings of the TT to start very shortly. Yes, it's late and getting later every year. It probably forever will so long as it's dumped in my lap every year. In the meanwhile, I want you all to start thinking about what role will suit you best this year -- and I want some of you lurkers out there to put your name down to this one. Turn out for BWHY has been great so far, so I expect this to carry over.

Obligitory Oblivion update: Thieves Guild done. Had to sidestep a few bugs, but the last quest was epic, even though some of the 'Old Ways' segments were a bit on the dull side. Decided to wander back to the Mage's Guild and pick up where I left off. Just starting now to get into the thick of the Necro wars.

Most recent blog posts from Gary Hartley...

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Feedback

wolfqueen001 - July 08, 2008 (10:16 AM)
Well, EmP, I can speak from experience when I say that, yes, writing for yourself definitely shows your skill and passion more so than when writing for someone else. I've never had to do it for reviews like you do, but I did do it for research papers, and when it comes down to it, the effects amount to the same thing. The papers where I got to choose my topic are far better than the ones where I didn't, as evidenced by the stuff I wrote last semester. I hated writing papers in that class; I wanted to shoot myself, (which is ironic because it was a history class and I love history).

While it's great that you want to improve yourself, I don't think you should be disappointed with yourself or anything for being a little underpar when writing for a publisher. The way I see it, like you said, the reason work forced upon you comes out worse is because it's something you don't necessarily want to do, and thus there's less passion for it, which then affects the quality. Least that's how it is for me.

If it's any consolation, though, the stuff you write for publishers is still pretty good - a lot better than, say, a lot of what I can do, if that means anything. <_< That's my opinion anyway.

Also, are you hosting or judging (both?) the TTs this year, then? I hope you're captaining, personally, but that's just me. >_>

Anyway, so you got past that one quest thingy in Oblivion where the guy wasn't there, then? Or did you just move on to something else?

EmP - July 08, 2008 (12:02 PM)
I don't know what I'm doing in the TT yet. I'll have to mould myself into whatever gaps are left.

And I got past the last bug. The character wasn't where he was meant to be, so I checked where he was last. Still there, so I moved the quest on.

Genj - July 08, 2008 (12:39 PM)
I definitely want to play this year since I judged last time. Wouldn't mind being a captain either unless someone better wants the spot.

Felix_Arabia - July 08, 2008 (12:45 PM)
I want to be drafted by some bum.

Halon - July 08, 2008 (01:16 PM)
If you need a judge I can do that as long as the playoffs start in early September the latest. Once school starts there's no way that I'll be able to read 24 reviews in a day or two. I want to be involved in this somehow and no longer have what it takes to compete so if not I'll probably be the annoying scouting report guy.

More importantly I also need a new game for the next review contest. Details are in the appropriate thread.

EmP - July 08, 2008 (01:30 PM)
Boo was very vocal about selecting your games. I'm loathe not to let him as he only volunteered input on about 15% of the game selections.

honestgamer - July 08, 2008 (02:24 PM)
I hope that you'll set up a thread for such things on the general forums and transplant details that you've gained in response to your post here on your blog...

Anyway, I'd be happy to participate as a member of the draft pool but I'm reluctant to volunteer for a captain position unless it's especially needed (in which case I'd be willing).

I do not wish to be considered as a potential judge.

bluberry - July 08, 2008 (07:52 PM)
blow me, I get on AIM one day "ok so I picked games for everybody already"

EmP - July 09, 2008 (05:39 AM)
Boo: That's rubbish, and you know it. I hung around for ages waiting for you to get online. I started to go through them, but all you did was pick your favourite guys out to pick games for yourself and link me in to a billion 4chan pics.

"What shall we give genj?"
"Look at this pic! It's a dog with two heads!"

My back hurts from carrying your tubby arse through this one.

Poor Ben thinks he has a say in taking part in the TT. I can and will hack your account -- best start writing now!

bluberry - July 11, 2008 (11:03 PM)
haha, I hope people you sent games to don't feel bad about not being one of my favopurite guys.

EmP - July 12, 2008 (03:50 AM)
I'd make a list, but, frankly, it'd be too long to fit into the blog without breaking it.

Feedback
	wolfqueen001 - July 08, 2008 (10:16 AM) Well, EmP, I can speak from experience when I say that, yes, writing for yourself definitely shows your skill and passion more so than when writing for someone else. I've never had to do it for reviews like you do, but I did do it for research papers, and when it comes down to it, the effects amount to the same thing. The papers where I got to choose my topic are far better than the ones where I didn't, as evidenced by the stuff I wrote last semester. I hated writing papers in that class; I wanted to shoot myself, (which is ironic because it was a history class and I love history). While it's great that you want to improve yourself, I don't think you should be disappointed with yourself or anything for being a little underpar when writing for a publisher. The way I see it, like you said, the reason work forced upon you comes out worse is because it's something you don't necessarily want to do, and thus there's less passion for it, which then affects the quality. Least that's how it is for me. If it's any consolation, though, the stuff you write for publishers is still pretty good - a lot better than, say, a lot of what I can do, if that means anything. <_< That's my opinion anyway. Also, are you hosting or judging (both?) the TTs this year, then? I hope you're captaining, personally, but that's just me. >_> Anyway, so you got past that one quest thingy in Oblivion where the guy wasn't there, then? Or did you just move on to something else?
	EmP - July 08, 2008 (12:02 PM) I don't know what I'm doing in the TT yet. I'll have to mould myself into whatever gaps are left. And I got past the last bug. The character wasn't where he was meant to be, so I checked where he was last. Still there, so I moved the quest on.
	Genj - July 08, 2008 (12:39 PM) I definitely want to play this year since I judged last time. Wouldn't mind being a captain either unless someone better wants the spot.
	Felix_Arabia - July 08, 2008 (12:45 PM) I want to be drafted by some bum.
	Halon - July 08, 2008 (01:16 PM) If you need a judge I can do that as long as the playoffs start in early September the latest. Once school starts there's no way that I'll be able to read 24 reviews in a day or two. I want to be involved in this somehow and no longer have what it takes to compete so if not I'll probably be the annoying scouting report guy. More importantly I also need a new game for the next review contest. Details are in the appropriate thread.
	EmP - July 08, 2008 (01:30 PM) Boo was very vocal about selecting your games. I'm loathe not to let him as he only volunteered input on about 15% of the game selections.
	honestgamer - July 08, 2008 (02:24 PM) I hope that you'll set up a thread for such things on the general forums and transplant details that you've gained in response to your post here on your blog... Anyway, I'd be happy to participate as a member of the draft pool but I'm reluctant to volunteer for a captain position unless it's especially needed (in which case I'd be willing). I do not wish to be considered as a potential judge.
	bluberry - July 08, 2008 (07:52 PM) blow me, I get on AIM one day "ok so I picked games for everybody already"
	EmP - July 09, 2008 (05:39 AM) Boo: That's rubbish, and you know it. I hung around for ages waiting for you to get online. I started to go through them, but all you did was pick your favourite guys out to pick games for yourself and link me in to a billion 4chan pics. "What shall we give genj?" "Look at this pic! It's a dog with two heads!" My back hurts from carrying your tubby arse through this one. Poor Ben thinks he has a say in taking part in the TT. I can and will hack your account -- best start writing now!
	bluberry - July 11, 2008 (11:03 PM) haha, I hope people you sent games to don't feel bad about not being one of my favopurite guys.
	EmP - July 12, 2008 (03:50 AM) I'd make a list, but, frankly, it'd be too long to fit into the blog without breaking it.

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