This week’s edition of the Spotlight column draws together an especially eclectic clutter of community articles. Jose de Jesus starts things off with a look at maturity in games and its relation to “art.” Nick Giunta steps back into the spotlight with yet another intriguing question, this time asking how we should spend our hard-earned cash. Apparently the length of a game has something to do with it.
But Bruno Dion is here to contest that, because he’s not a fan of long games. Meanwhile, Michael Bradley prepares for the holidays by reminiscing about Christmas as a teen. Finally, this week’s Spotlight ends with a question: Kenneth Wesley asks whether it’s better to camp out for a newly-released console or to simply wait.
Can We Ever Be Adults?
By Jose De Jesus
There are very few art critics who would utter “Salvador Dali” and “Hideo Kojima” in the same sentence — Jose knows why. He says it has to do with the ESRB’s rating system and the unwillingness of retailers to carry “Adults Only” games. Jose offers more answers than questions in this thoughtful piece, something that I wholeheartedly encourage.
Video Games vs. Surfing vs. Bed, Bath, and Beyond
By Nick Giunta
Like any good writer, Nick knows how to confuse his audience with strange titles. But don’t worry, while the title may be baffling, the article itself imparts some clear-cut information. Nick explains how to measure a game’s value and how to best spend your money, all while making Bruce Springsteen references.
50 to 60 Hours Long! Sorry, but I Have a Life Too
By Bruno Dion
While Nick Giunta may applaud a game for passing the 70-hour mark, Bruno feels as though there should be a line. As a university student, Bruno doesn’t have as much time to game as he used to. Between work, studying, and other hobbies, he finds it difficult to squeeze in a 60-hour game like Lost Odyssey. As a university student myself, I can sympathize. My advice: skip class and play Final Fantasy XIII. It may not pay off financially, but you’ll definitely have fun!
That New Console Smell: A Holiday Gaming Memoir
By Michael Bradley
Do you remember the Christmas of 1992? Michael Bradley sure does, and in preparation for this year’s fast-approaching festivities, he shares fond memories of holidays past and asks the rest of us to retell our most cherished Christmas gaming memories.
Console Launches: Camp It Out or Wait It Out?
By Kenneth Wesley
Inspired by the drove of dedicated gamers who camp out at every console launch, Kenneth decided to investigate each console’s success and quality and determine whether customers are better off camping out at the launch or simply waiting a few months. His results are really interesting. While I’ve never camped out for a console, I have stood in line for about eight hours before the launch of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. All I can say is that it was worth every moment of the chilling January weather.