"Back when I was your age..."

...I used to walk backward, barefoot, and uphill both ways to school. Uh... Right.

It's that whole older generation telling the new generation just how much easier they have it. Sure, I'll admit that when it comes to gaming, this current generation has it pretty good. But when I read this I shed a tear. It's not that I'm against being environmentally friendly. Far from it. I'm just against the concept of breaking up the traditional packaging format for PC games. It's the whole iTunes revolution all over again, but I'll get to that in a bit.

The days of driving to the store to pick up that boxed game product are rapidly coming to an end. Ubisoft's move is another sign of the things to come in the future. And while I can appreciate the total convenience of electronic distribrution (Yeah! I'm pointing at you Steam!), part of me is going to miss getting my grubby mitts on the boxed deliverables.

For me, half of the experience with new games is thumbing through a thick manual full of stats, spells, class information, lore, etc, etc. In recent years many publishers have cut way back on this content, but it was still something I liked about picking up the boxed product. Nothing beat the smell of freshly printed color manuals... Ahhh printing chemicals! And honestly, an RPG manual with a phat section of spells... Heaven!

Let's get back to the iTunes thread... When is the last time you actually bought an album and LOOKED at the art and liner notes that the artist put together. This used to be a big deal for me. With the convenience of digitally distributed music, I rarely buy entire albums from the store. In fact, I can't remember the last time that I did. But I definitely have less connection to the artists these days. I know the songs that I hear but that's about it. This really 'depersonalizes' the relationship consumers have with their products.

So while I think we've gained a bit in terms of the convenience, we're losing touch of that tangible relationship we used to build with our music and our games. I expect in the not too distant future some writer somewhere will lament the loss of that quirky little thing called the US Postal service.. After all, who needs paper based mail delivery when you have email??

Back when I was your age, I had to DRIVE to the store, buy the game, and then read through the manual 4 times before playing. Boy times are changin; fast.

Jose

Props to my guildie!

My guildmate Garen has a really nice EQ2 themed blog over here

He's also just posted a very cool looking EQ2/Guild themed web comic. Kudos Garen!

Jose

Life Imitating Art, Imitating Life

Had to chuckle over this one... The HR department at the company I work for just announced a revamped promotion plan. The previous promotion plan had only six levels for employees to progress through. This was described as too flat. So... The logical thing to do was to increase the level cap and now there are seventeen levels for us to grind through on our way to unlocking the CIO achievement =). Yay! Have to wonder when they are going to offer bonus XP week next.

In all seriousness, most of my colleagues seemed to like the fact that they had a clearer career path progression; even if those promotions were tied to smaller pay/title increases. In the end I think it really speaks to the need for people to feel like they have a goal to work towards, whether in game or in their careers.

Somewhat connected to the topic of games and work... I came across this post at the Are We New At This Blog.

The Guild Leaders Handbook

An excerpt from the Amazon listing:

• Plan successful raids, player vs. player battles, roleplaying sessions, and contests
• Deal with problem players and keep a lid on guild-fracturing drama
• Solve loot issues and choose the best loot system for your guild
• Boost your guild’s morale, reputation, and server presence
• Promote and motivate an effective officer corps
• Organize fun and safe real-world guild meetings and events

Run this through the corporate speak blender for a quality mash-up:

• Plan successful hostile takeovers, employee vs. employee conflict resolution, dealing with weirdos in the workplace, and how to run an NCAA pool from you cubicle
• Deal with problem employees and keep a lid on team breaking drama
• Solve pay issues and choose the best compensation system for your corporation
• Boost your teams morale, e-peen, and breaking into the S&P 500
• Promote and motivate an effective leadership
• Out of office socializing best avoided for most workplaces. See any episode of 'The Office'

I think it fits. With a quick find-and-replace, and some very minor editing, this book could be the next 'One Minute Manager' for the up and coming generation of gamers about to launch into careers.

So yeah... I do see a lot of Life Imitating Art, Imitating Life here. Lots of the same topics, some silly, some serious. All connected by the people who drive them.

Jose