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PA Q&A about SUPER SECRETS AND LUMINOUS EVENTS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
A a fellow human being blessed with the first name 'Ben', how would you rate the awesome of our first name on a scale of 1 to 11? Higher is, of course, better.
Ben, you gotta be on Steam right? Right?! (Don't want you to post your Steam ID or anything, I'm just genuinely curious as to what sort of style of gaming you're into. Console/handhelds/PCs).
Yeah, I do a ton of gaming on my PC, and I have all the major consoles. I try to stay up on everything.
For the most part, the forums have been fairly well divorced from the content portion of the site; the Hub subforum is a relatively new feature and operates in a different dynamic than the rest of the jungle. You mentioned (or perhaps I incorrectly inferred) an intention to be involved in the forums - has there been much discussion in the depth of your involvement, and does this signal any shift in overall policy?
I don't think it's going to be a shift in policy, I just want to dip into the forums now and again to see what people are playing, what they're curious about, and what they want to learn about. I'm really hoping you guys are able to give me some guidance in terms of what you'd like to see explored in the industry.
Just to say congrats on the new position. Was a massive fan of your writing at Ars.
My question is do you have any favourite journalists/documentary makers/etc in any field that have influenced you, or that you enjoy their work of?
Over here in Britain we have the excellent Louis Theroux (who I'm not sure Americans will necessarily have heard of), but was wondering if there are any people of this ilk you admire?
did you do the thing where you would use your hands on the power pad?
Not only that, but I jumped to the side so I was OFF the pad before jumping back on to get massive air in the long jump. I hacked the Gibson SO MANY WAYS.
Just to say congrats on the new position. Was a massive fan of your writing at Ars.
My question is do you have any favourite journalists/documentary makers/etc in any field that have influenced you, or that you enjoy their work of?
Over here in Britain we have the excellent Louis Theroux (who I'm not sure Americans will necessarily have heard of), but was wondering if there are any people of this ilk you admire?
Well, I actually love Louis, although his stuff is hard to track down in the states. I've seen almost all his stuff, and his work with the Westboro Baptist Church is some of the best journalism of the past few years. I'm also a big fan of This American Life and Radiolab. I like the people that tell human stories.
In your work, have you ever met, spoken to, exchanged email with Ragnar Tørnquist? If so, could you please contact him again and tell him to get working on Dreamfall Chapters/Longest Journey 3 already?
I plan to ask every games journalist I ever get to ask questions this until it happens.
Ben, you gotta be on Steam right? Right?! (Don't want you to post your Steam ID or anything, I'm just genuinely curious as to what sort of style of gaming you're into. Console/handhelds/PCs).
Yeah, I do a ton of gaming on my PC, and I have all the major consoles. I try to stay up on everything.
excuse me while I squeeeeeeeee with excitement. I'm reading this as you focusing on PC. I don't care if thats highly inaccurate, let me have this one thing! Also gonna stalk you for the steam id now
Did the "No Crappy Games" advertising policy on PA influence your decision?
I think the fact the site can support such a policy speaks highly of it. There's not a lot of threats the publishers can carry through against people at Penny Arcade.
Opinion/context: Sometimes "good" games dont sell bc bad timing or advertising?
How do you feel about choice in protagonist?
O/c: Sometimes a game won't sell because the protagonist is unappetizing for enough of the market.
How do you feel about games taking the easy way out?
Context: Bald space marine soldier game released for Christmas.
How pissed do you get at lost potential?
Do you know of new ways that the core market can empower itself (besides mods or purchases) to effect the games aimed at it?
Did DX:HR Disapoint you at all?
I think it's sad when good games don't sell, no matter the reason. I wish we saw fewer white male protagonists with facial hair and a shaved head. That dude is in every game. Lost potential is sad? I get pissed? I'm not sure what you're looking for there. I loved Human Revolution, although I do think the bosses could have been handled better.
What is your favorite Ben: Uncle, Kenobi, Franklin, or "& Jerry"?
Kenobi in general, but Ben Franklin was a better writer. So I think the important thing to remember is that Bens bring a general level of awesome-sauce to whatever they're doing.
Glad to hear this news, because I've always enjoyed your writing at Ars.
My questions are: Do you think your perspective will or should change now you are writing at PA, which is philosophically aligned strongly to gamers and 'gamerview'? As a game reviewer, or game industry journalist, how can you insure your work is relatable in the way PA is to so many of us?
I was phenomenally pleased to see Mr. Holkins write thusly in his last news post:
We used to rail about IGN in our innocence, back when we couldn’t imagine anything worse. News is pretty much busted at the moment; you may be shocked to hear it, but deadlines every twenty minutes put you on the wrong side of quality versus quantity.
As a Journalism/PoliSci double major finishing his last semester, I've been force-fed the contrary tripe quite a bit. Professors and guest speakers alike prostrate themselves at the pagan idols of social media, dancing 'round it chanting "tweet, tweet, tweet," in a rain-dance designed to elicit Content from the hovering Cloud. Thus it's tremendously satisfying to see that some people still understand that it's the content itself, not the act of content dissemination, that defines a journalist.
With that distinction in mind - is there still room in "gaming journalism" for new voices like that, or is the field crowded enough already? I've long since tossed my hat into the political ring, but the field is obviously more crowded and the signal-to-noise ratio is incredible. And I doubt there's a large audience desiring edification vis a vis predominant popular myths relating to military history.
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.
--E.L. Doctorow
The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.
--Mark Twain
0
RentI'm always rightFuckin' deal with itRegistered Userregular
edited January 2012
What's the in your opinion best video game story of all time, gameplay nonwithstanding
I'm excited to see you added to the team Mr. Kuchera. It will be nice to see editorial content from another perspective on the site, and I can't think of a better place for it.
I can not thank you enough for your work at Ars ( which i will keep reading as it is an awesome site ) and your Nerf Reviews and footage causes my Wife no end of Problems.
But the biggest fact is like all the staff at PA, you tell it like it is! Because of this, your reviews and articles over the years guides all my buying decisions when i have doubts or interests i wait for your reviews.
Questions time:
1. Since you are now at PA, what Special Child's Play event will you be suggesting? ( Please something us Aussies can enter for once, I love giving to these things...)
2. Will you be doing up and coming articles, like stuff we can help on Kickstarter or Indie titles? ( I have so much stuff from indies from Your and PA suggestions..)
3. Can you do a Kid Centric reviews/mini reviews? My boys are the same sorta age as yours and alot of the staff at PA, so anything will help...
Posts
It's over 9,000.
Yeah, I do a ton of gaming on my PC, and I have all the major consoles. I try to stay up on everything.
I don't think it's going to be a shift in policy, I just want to dip into the forums now and again to see what people are playing, what they're curious about, and what they want to learn about. I'm really hoping you guys are able to give me some guidance in terms of what you'd like to see explored in the industry.
Just to say congrats on the new position. Was a massive fan of your writing at Ars.
My question is do you have any favourite journalists/documentary makers/etc in any field that have influenced you, or that you enjoy their work of?
Over here in Britain we have the excellent Louis Theroux (who I'm not sure Americans will necessarily have heard of), but was wondering if there are any people of this ilk you admire?
NES, Mario/Duck Hunt/Power Pad tri-pack.
Not only that, but I jumped to the side so I was OFF the pad before jumping back on to get massive air in the long jump. I hacked the Gibson SO MANY WAYS.
Well, I actually love Louis, although his stuff is hard to track down in the states. I've seen almost all his stuff, and his work with the Westboro Baptist Church is some of the best journalism of the past few years. I'm also a big fan of This American Life and Radiolab. I like the people that tell human stories.
In your work, have you ever met, spoken to, exchanged email with Ragnar Tørnquist? If so, could you please contact him again and tell him to get working on Dreamfall Chapters/Longest Journey 3 already?
I plan to ask every games journalist I ever get to ask questions this until it happens.
Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the LCD Soundsystem I'm listening to while repairing my fixie.
Pssh, LCD Soundsystem is so mainstream now.
excuse me while I squeeeeeeeee with excitement. I'm reading this as you focusing on PC. I don't care if thats highly inaccurate, let me have this one thing! Also gonna stalk you for the steam id now
Opinion/context: Sometimes "good" games dont sell bc bad timing or advertising?
How do you feel about choice in protagonist?
O/c: Sometimes a game won't sell because the protagonist is unappetizing for enough of the market.
How do you feel about games taking the easy way out?
Context: Bald space marine soldier game released for Christmas.
How pissed do you get at lost potential?
Do you know of new ways that the core market can empower itself (besides mods or purchases) to effect the games aimed at it?
Did DX:HR Disapoint you at all?
I think the fact the site can support such a policy speaks highly of it. There's not a lot of threats the publishers can carry through against people at Penny Arcade.
I think it's sad when good games don't sell, no matter the reason. I wish we saw fewer white male protagonists with facial hair and a shaved head. That dude is in every game. Lost potential is sad? I get pissed? I'm not sure what you're looking for there. I loved Human Revolution, although I do think the bosses could have been handled better.
I work mostly from my laptop, and have left enough chargers in hotel rooms to warrant a monthly replacement plan
Also I've read Ars gaming for years, awesome to hear you're joining PA.
Kenobi in general, but Ben Franklin was a better writer. So I think the important thing to remember is that Bens bring a general level of awesome-sauce to whatever they're doing.
My questions are: Do you think your perspective will or should change now you are writing at PA, which is philosophically aligned strongly to gamers and 'gamerview'? As a game reviewer, or game industry journalist, how can you insure your work is relatable in the way PA is to so many of us?
XBL, Steam & Tribes: elmartino333
I was phenomenally pleased to see Mr. Holkins write thusly in his last news post:
As a Journalism/PoliSci double major finishing his last semester, I've been force-fed the contrary tripe quite a bit. Professors and guest speakers alike prostrate themselves at the pagan idols of social media, dancing 'round it chanting "tweet, tweet, tweet," in a rain-dance designed to elicit Content from the hovering Cloud. Thus it's tremendously satisfying to see that some people still understand that it's the content itself, not the act of content dissemination, that defines a journalist.
With that distinction in mind - is there still room in "gaming journalism" for new voices like that, or is the field crowded enough already? I've long since tossed my hat into the political ring, but the field is obviously more crowded and the signal-to-noise ratio is incredible. And I doubt there's a large audience desiring edification vis a vis predominant popular myths relating to military history.
--E.L. Doctorow
The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.
--Mark Twain
Been reading you at Ars for years and wanted to congratulate you on your move. I think you'll make a great addition to the PA team!
What inspires you to play video games?
Which is better in a game: a short artistic story with creative twist, or a well made adrenaline boosting multi-player match?
Holy shit! Holy shit hell yeah. Holy shit!
Please answer in essay form.
Steampunk or cyberpunk?
(Or if you prefer: Bioshock or Snatcher?)
I can not thank you enough for your work at Ars ( which i will keep reading as it is an awesome site ) and your Nerf Reviews and footage causes my Wife no end of Problems.
But the biggest fact is like all the staff at PA, you tell it like it is! Because of this, your reviews and articles over the years guides all my buying decisions when i have doubts or interests i wait for your reviews.
Questions time:
1. Since you are now at PA, what Special Child's Play event will you be suggesting? ( Please something us Aussies can enter for once, I love giving to these things...)
2. Will you be doing up and coming articles, like stuff we can help on Kickstarter or Indie titles? ( I have so much stuff from indies from Your and PA suggestions..)
3. Can you do a Kid Centric reviews/mini reviews? My boys are the same sorta age as yours and alot of the staff at PA, so anything will help...
And THANK GOD the Nerf reviews will continue!