It's the most wonderful time of the year

Santa has come early. Like, three months and some change early. Yes, tis truly the best time of the year--the NFL starts tonight. Instead of presents and Christmas carols, it's fantasy football updates and the voice of Al Michaels. Game one, Ravens-Broncos.

I'll be sitting in my recliner on Sundays (and Mondays, and Thursdays) for the next three months until it actually is Christmas.  And then again for another month until the Super Bowl.

If you just can't wait for the full slate of games on Sunday, this piece from SB Nation is not just visually appealing but has everything you could ever want in a football preview (even though it's totally off base with the Eagles prediction...can you say Super Bowl?)

Bart Scott sums up my feelings perfectly in his 2011 post-game interview:

Chris "Raptor" Bosh

The NBA's Chris Bosh used to play for the Toronto Raptors.  Some people say he looks like an actual raptor.  Ever wonder what the NBA would be like if Chris Bosh really were a raptor?  Me too.  Here's Chris Bosh as an 8 foot raptor playing for the Raptors Heat in NBA 2k13.  Enjoy!

Breaking Bad: The Game - one can only hope

Breaking Bad is an AH-MA-ZING-LY good TV show.  My all-time favorite series to be exact.  I still can't believe how Hal from Malcolm in the Middle has transformed into Scarface. Crazy stuff.  But yeah...such good acting, such good actors, such good writing.  It's the only show I've ever seen where I find myself actually rooting for the bad guy.  And Heisenberg is seriously a (cue Muhammad Ali voice) baaaad maaan.

The opener for the final season kicked off last night, and while we'll all find out soon enough why exactly "All bad things must come to end," it got me to thinking.  Why isn't there a Breaking Bad video game?  I know TV shows and movies don't typically translate into video games very well, but I guess I'm not alone in this line of thinking.

A few people have actually made this a reality, kind of.  These games don't actually exist, but if they did...

16-bit Breaking Bad RPG

Old school gaming not your thing?  Maybe you'd prefer this-

Lego Breaking Bad

 

"Remember my name."  Oh, we will, Walt.  If only you would star in a video game.

#HeisenbergForever

Let the credits roll

Blood, sweat, and tears. Sometimes it’s quite a sacrifice to finish a story-driven video game. Responsibilities are forgotten, bed times are pushed back an hour or two or five, and in extreme cases, food is an afterthought. But as soon as the final boss is cut down or the end cut scene is wrapped up and those tiny words begin to scroll up the screen, the power button looks extremely appealing.

I know, I know - you just beat the game, why spend another ten minutes just looking at a bunch of names of people you don’t know?

Well, not only do the folks who’ve worked on the game for years appreciate you staying to see them acknowledged (take a look at the QA credits in Skyrim - hint, hint), but every now and then you may find a little gem during these credits.

Bioshock Infinite is a wonderful game, and a lock to be up for Game of the Year later this winter. It’s also got something special during the end credits.  Fans are given a behind the scenes look at one of the game’s iconic songs.  Check it below.
 

 

War is upon us...again

So I'll go right ahead and say it - I've been a Microsoft guy since the Xbox 360 launched in 2005. The reason why, you may ask. Is it because of its online presence, the processor, [insert technical jargon here], the sleek design? Nah, none of the above. I got hooked by a marketing ploy. 

With the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft provided 3,000 tickets worldwide for fans to attend the official event in California. All I had to do was submit a short essay on why I wanted to attend. And instead of holding it at some swanky nightclub or a pricey hotel, it was held in the middle of the Mojave Desert inside an enormous airplane hanger.  Don't believe me?  My dad didn't either. It took some convincing for him to join me in my trek for the latest and greatest tech.

My dad and I at the 360 launch event in 2005 (oh, and see humongous hanger in background)

I was one of the 3,000 chosen to make the trip to the west coast and my loyalty to Xbox hasn't wavered since. But the time is again upon us where the console war between Playstation and Xbox is renewed. Sony has already had its press conference to introduce the PS4, and not to be outdone, Microsoft is holding its own get together at its offices in Redmond, Washington, in a few weeks.

While the specs of each system, the exclusive titles, et cetera, et cetera are impressive and should factor into the decision on which to purchase, for me, it may come down to who does a better marketing job. Just give me a ticket to your launch party, and I'm yours.

Update...and a few deals

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I've been so busy with work that the blog hasn't even crossed my mind. Maybe it's because I'm getting my video game fix at work now? By the way, have I told you that I love my job? Whatever it is, I'm going to try and make a conscious effort to keep up with posting. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I wanted to share a couple of great video game deals I've seen recently.

• Fallout: New Vegas Collector's Edition (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) $29.99 from GameStop

Amazing game at a crazy low price. I can't really remember seeing a deal like this at GameStop. Ever. Definitely suggest you all pick up this one. I got mine a few weeks back.

• Portal 2 (PS3) $34.99 (PC) 29.99 from Amazon
• Portal 2 (360) $39.99 from Best Buy

Another great deal on an innovative puzzler/shooter. If you haven't played Portal, wait, who am I kidding, everyone has played Portal, right? I haven't grabbed this sequel yet, but it's on my list.

• Mortal Kombat (Xbox 360, PS3) $39.99 from Amazon

Yes, they're still making Mortal Kombat games. Anyone filled with nostalgia?

Not sure how long these bargains are running, so jump on them soon!

Hooray!

It's happened! After years of searching, hoping and praying, my life-long dream of working in the video game industry has come to fruition. As of last Thursday, I am officially now an employee of Bethesda Softworks. I'll be working in Quality Assurance and couldn't be more excited. Tomorrow is my first day, and I can't wait to start.

I seriously couldn't have imagined this in my wildest dreams. I kind of equate it to becoming a professional athlete, you know, on that sort of level. I am so blessed and appreciate all of the support from friends and family members.

Check out this video. It gives a brief tour of where I'll be working. Pretty cool, huh?