Blaine Allen Brown

I wanted to make some generic control icons for games. This would solve the problem of displaying "Press X" on screen. Because if you look at the 3 major controllers, X is in a different place on each. It's the Up Face Button on Nintendo consoles, the Down Face Button on Sony, and the Left Face Button on Microsoft. Jump So for example, here instead of showing a graphic for A (which is in two different places on the Xbox and Nintendo Controllers) a graphic like the example on the left could be displayed. Obviously you would draw it better to fit in with the theme of the game. Open Door Again, if you draw the icon as well as everything else in the game, you wouldn't need the rounded rectangle, I'm just making a quick demonstration. Movement I think Jon Blow had the right idea with this indicator. I would like a way to indicate whether it's left or right. You could probably just put an L or R on the icon, but I was trying to make it non-lette...

When I'm alone, the blaineallenbrown.com podcasts require quiet a bit of preparation and inspiration. I am still going to be doing those, but at my leisure. In the mean time, Nick and I have been posting Game Performance videos on Halloween Bags Early . A while ago I registered halloweenbagsearly.com for a laugh as a reference to my favorite podcast The Jeff and Casey Show. I had been using it for my various projects but never for anything official. When Nick and I decided to make a Game Performance YouTube channel, we knew that was the best name. We have several videos up already. Check 'em out. Pixel Fireplace Jelly no Puzzle Another World Zelda: Link to the Past

I had the opportunity to make a lot of cool things this semester. I'm going to feature them all in this post.

I wrote this essay for class. It could use some more depth (~700 words as per instructions for the assignment) but I liked it so I'm posting it here.

The Mini Pro EX wired controller for Xbox 360 by Power A is the best modern controller I've found. Below are the major points to note. Mini Pro EX by Power A

I wrote this essay for class. It could use some more depth (~600 words as per instructions for the assignment) but I liked it so I'm posting it here.

Nick and I started a new twitter dedicated to short reviews of games, that still encompass the entire idea and feeling of the work. 140 char reviews by Blaine and Nick on a system of 0-2. 0 points means don't play it. 1 point means play it. 2 points is for exceptional games. Follow @buttwhistle

Master Quest Title Screen ( source ) Please read MasterQuesting I and MasterQuesting II before proceeding. We progressed into the rest of the game wide eyed and excited. But we were let down. The rest of the game was just like Ocarina of Time. Not harder, just different. At some point we looked at the FAQ for Master Quest and found out that in that level where we experienced such hardships, if we hit the switch at the right time, it would lower the water level enough so that we could get under the spike unscathed. This was a huge disappointment. Nevertheless, from now on "MasterQuesting" will be known as the act of using the game's mechanics in the strictest sense to progress through a level. This can include anything where something inherent to the game (without the addition of hacking software) can be exploited to proceed. It usually will result in the player working much harder than necessary because they cannot find any other way. MasterQuesting (verb) Th...

Master Quest Title Screen ( source ) Please read  MasterQuesting I  before reading this. The scene is set. A switch triggered torch on one side. An unlit torch on the other. Spiky pole and water in the center. Knowing that Master Quest was supposed to be more challenging, we assumed the hardest possible conclusion. Diagram of the Situation We got the Tektite's attention and got him to come over to where we were. We waited for the platform to be moving towards us and we hit the switch. We lit the stick and jumped onto the platform. If we timed it right the Tektite would hit us and knock us through the spiky pole (in our short time of invincibility after taking damage) and we could jump to the other side and light the torch. This  had  to be the answer. There was no other way to accomplish it! We tried this several times and found it to be extremely hard to pull off. Eventually, we succeeded. This was the best possible thing. It was challenging in a...

Master Quest Title Screen ( source ) My friend and I tried to play Legend of Zelda: Master Quest a little while ago. Master Quest is exactly like Ocarina of Time, except all the dungeons are different. They are "more challenging." We were unaware of what this meant, but we hoped it was good because the original Ocarina of Time (or any Zelda game for that matter) is not very difficult. Blue Tektite With the promise of challenge we completed the original fetch quest for sword and shield and headed over to the Great Deku Tree. Taking turns we ascended the initial level of the Deku tree and entered a room with a pool of water separating the two sides of the room. On our side, an unlit torch and a switch. On the other side a torch and the locked door to the next room. In the center, just above water level, a spiky pole and a platform that moved back and forth. There was also a blue Tektite in the water. We hit the switch to test what it did. It turned on the flame nea...

Extrapolation of what gaming will become Dear Nintendo: What is the matter with you? For years people have made fun of the Wii because it lacks many things the other consoles have. For one the controller doesn't have two analog sticks. That's because you can't fit a second stick onto the motion controllers you created. You were so focused on getting that "Family" market that you ignored your hardcore audience. The people who have been with you from the beginning. You tried to get housewives to buy your system and then the third parties provided the world with dancing games. And then the market was flooded. You see your success as your number of sales without realizing that the housewife market is not sustainable. They don't understand that they need to buy games every once in a while to support the industry. They bought a wii and a dance game and haven't played it since the first day. You traded your hardcore audience for a gimmick that will dry up...

I almost never go out to see movies. They're just too expensive and I cannot support that industry. I usually wait until they come out on DVD to watch. I made an exception, however, for Scott Pilgrim since it looked like the movie I've been writing in my head for years and also because I'm in love with Michael Cera Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I saw this movie three times and apparently it tanked in the box office. So much for voting with my wallet. I've been disillusioned for a while about voting in political elections, but I thought the one true thing that transcended politics was money. Mine just wasn't enough. Scott Pilgrim was a fantastic movie and I highly suggest that everyone see it on the big screen; it's the only thing that does the stunning graphics justice. The problem is I think that no one who doesn't already understand the lifestyle will see this movie. This is not a movie that works hard to branch out to new audiences. Scott Pilgr...