JohnnyBGamer

Traveling Back to the Media Past

Edward Kenway, protagonist of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, is an unlikable gent.

Redeeming Qualities: ZERO.

I first encountered him when playing Black Flag on the PlayStation 3. The game somehow failed to capture me back then. Nearly five years later, I’m loving the game on the PlayStation 4. Well, everything but Edward. Here is to hoping that there is a redemption arc of sorts.

In another blast from 2013’s past, Tabitha and I started watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. I remember starting this series, back in the day, and not liking it at all. Tone felt off, writing too earnest, etc. This time around, we are enjoying the popcorn action.

Which brings me to ask:

Is there a media series that you passed on originally but later came back and loved?

On Man Colds, Of All Things

Man colds suck.

The snot. The fever. The inability to breath.

Rest is required.

Lots of rest.

Which means a day off from work.

Especially if your kid is in school.

Ah, silence.

The TV is all yours. The couch comfy and inviting.

Never mind that you feel like death itself has come. Your friends Netflix and video games have arrived for a visit.

You like them.

A lot.

Frantic levels of new Shovel Knight content rule your day, in-between the naps.

Glorious naps.

Man colds are real.

Terrible, nasty, super cold-like experiences.

But a sick day, is a sick day; and rest is rest.

So why not enjoy it?

And relax like the best.

From Across the Net – “Owlboy: A Reflection on Friendship

Over at Gamechurch, M. Joshua Cauller writes about friendship in Owlboy. I really liked this:

“The constant teleporting-in occurs thanks to your magical device, but the shock of being instantly teleported into a violent scenario takes trust. You see that trust grow…”

You can read more here

Can you imagine the trust it would take for you to allow yourself to be instantly transported anywhere? Knowing that each time you were transported, you’d be thrust into a dangerous situation? Talk about loving someone enough to die for them.

From Across the Net – “Only The Good Stuff”

Tim Baker, over at The Nerd Theist, wrote a post titled “Only The Good Stuff”. He got me thinking about the good stuff in my life. Reminded me that it is super easy to focus on the negative.

“What is really making you HAPPY right now?
What are you enjoying?
What is it that you are really looking forward to doing?”

Top Five Things I Learned While Running A Facebook Group

So you’ve decided to form a group on Facebook, fantastic! Facebook Groups are a great way to share a common interest with others. I should know, I successfully ran a videogame-related Facebook Group for 3 years. In that time, I learned to:

1. Promote a positive group culture by embracing a simple tagline that explains the rules – “Be excellent to one another.”

2. Recruit moderators that help shape conversations/discussions. Example: Ask followup questions and “like” responses.

KEY: Moderators are not policeman.

3. Allow conversations to run their course even if the discussion becomes uncomfortable.

4. Never threaten to ban people (see #3 above). Extend grace. If needed, talk to individuals one-on-one for clarification.

And that:

5. Growth is not measured by members added but by the conversations had.

So have fun. Ask big questions. Cultivate a group that you’d want to hang out with in real life.