Games have brought us so much in terms of technology, and developers and gamers themselves alike have both begun to really explore storytelling in games, whilst no longer taking it for granted. But how far away are we really from reaching the level of intimacy that TV and books (I'm not even gonna bother with the movie argument) accomplished centuries ago.

There are many games where certain characters are so memorable for being extremely funny or doing amazing feats, there are few instances when games have actually brought us a character we can remember for being, well, human. One of the well-traveled peaks in this area would be your almost constant companion in Half-Life 2, Alyx Vance. It has been stated many times that Alyx's sly smiles and infrequent, deadpan humour has made her one of, if not the, most respected female leads of gaming to come along. The only thing to offset her character though, is the faceless, voiceless role of Gordon. The silent protaganist may be one manner of unfolding a story and focusing the events on others, but it does absolutely nothing to advance the case of intimacy in games if Gordon is incapable of expressing his joy, his sorrow, and the strength he must get from just sitting next to Alyx. Even topping that, is the scene "Lost Love" from Fahrenheit (or, Indigo Prophecy, if you must) in which Tiffany comes by Lucas's apartment to pick up some boxes she left behind after they split. Despite the fact that nowadays, the technology would seem almost pathetic in the magnitude of what it tries to do, it manages to accomplish, what I think, is one of the most beautiful and personable scenes throughout the history of games. And with the precognition of what is to befall the couple in later events of the game, it makes it all the more touching. When Theory Of A Deadman's "Santa Monica" cues in at just the right moment, I can't help but grin and tear up.

But even Fahrenheit, in all its magnificence, cannot compare to the most touching, beautiful, and tragic love stories of all time (and yes, I have the nerve to say this undisputedly), that of Buffy and Angel (I still tear up just at the thought of it), or even the more subtle, yet still equally troubled relationship of Sandy and Ari in Killswitch (by Joel Sheperd). So, I ask you, would it be worth the industry's time for game developers to take less time working on new game mechanics, and more time surpassing the bar of intimacy and relationships set by TV, books, and movies?

Becuase I have faith that video games are capable of doing so...

I just got emailed that the Nightwish concert I was attending on May 5 got cancelled!!!

Arrgh, I just can't get a ****ing break!!!

Nightwish's latest album, Dark Passion Play, finally arrived today, and it's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. They've yet to disappoint. You can bet I'll be making some AMV's of their songs.

And just now I booked tickets for their 5/5 concert here in NJ!

Oh noes!! RE5 IS racist.

NOT!

Besides that, what do you think of my new blog picture?

"The Florida Supreme Court will no longer accept anything directly from controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson. If Thompson wants to file with the Court, he's going to need to hire another lawyer to do it on his behalf."

So says GamePolitics. Well, now us gamers can rest assured he won't be bugging us again anytime soon. I doubt he even has the money to afford a lawyer to represent him, with all the cases he's lost...

Edit: Jack really doesn't know when to shut the **** up. He's filed two more motions to the court since the sanction was imposed, effectively meaning, he will now be facing charges of contempt.

I look forward to seeing how his Bar Trial turns out, and I would not be surprised to see him lose that as well.

Guess so...