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If you don't know what the Monthly Musings are, go here and educate yourself.
This month's Musings topic is a little something I like to call "Good Idea, Bad Idea." Basically, you take one or more individual gaming mechanics -- double jumping, context-sensitive cover, dialogue trees, what have you -- and discuss the merits or faults of each mechanic. Ideally, the two mechanics would come from the same genre, so as to provide a solid base for comparison and contrast.
For example, say I'm interested in third-person tactical shooters. I might talk about how I love the alternating first and third person views in Rainbow Six: Vegas (good idea), but how I hate the context-sensitive use of the A button in Gears of War (bad idea), and why.
This is your opportunity to show your critical eye for game design: what do you think works or doesn't work, and why?
For a further explanation of the theme, and directions on how to submit your article for consideration, hit the jump.
While this theme may initially seem very restricting, you've got a lot of wiggle room and can play around with the format.
For instance, instead of comparing and contrasting different mechanics from different games, I could take just one mechanic I've frequently seen -- let's say, Quick Time Events -- and discuss how that mechanic has been used really well in some games, but pretty poorly in others before analyzing why. So long as you're doing some sort of comparison/contrast between game mechanics which are related in some way, you're fine.
You can start writing theme-related community blogs now, and we'll be accepting (and hopefully posting) submissions until the end of the month. Apart from the requirement that you follow the theme, there really aren't too many ground rules for the Monthly Musings: just be sure to title your cblog "Good Idea, Bad Idea: _________" and you're fine.
Be as creative, angry, or analytical as you wanna be; the goal here is to start discussion of any sort. Get some interesting debate going, and you'll be promoted to the front page.
Any questions? Ideas? Hit the comments. Otherwise, make with the musings.
I'll hopefully be writing one of these when I get the time. That said, I'm a little confused by your first example. What does alternating first- and third-person cameras have in common with a context-sensitive button? Your only contrast there is that you think one is good and the other is bad.
There be a easier way to look at the post rather than doing a search for them. I love that you added a new tab for Friends but maybe we should have a Monthly Musings Tab as well. Quick and Easy access for the win!
Plus I would like to read everyone's thoughts on the unified topic.
Necros:
They both belong to the same game genre -- third-person shooters.
Your good and bad mechanics can be related in any way, be they in the same game (dialogue trees vs realtime fighting in Mass Effect), or different games of the same genre, or different games of different genres which both have the exact same mechanic in question.
Kryptinite:
Niero has told me that there will be some sort of new CBlog addition which will put the Monthly Musings in some permanent or easily accessible place.
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Expect a few articles from me.
I have alot to say..
I'll be contributing for sure.
Hah, I immediately thought of Animaniacs when I read this as well.
good idea: monthly musings
bad idea: punching your boss because your contributing on HIS time.
oh this is going to be goooooood.
Is the "Bad Idea" having a 30th of February?
@Dexter
I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately thought of that.
@Zargon
hahahahah good call!
Animaniacs ftw.
Well played, Zargon. Well played.*
*I would have never imagined I would one day type that sentence.
@Dexter
I miss Animaniacs =(
Good Idea Bad Idea from Animaniacs is the best thing EVAR
@ Dexter
Thanks. Now I'm nostalgic and hate my life. God, Animaniacs was sooo good.
@ Blog post
This looks awesome. I may contribute.
@Reverend Anthony:
It's ok... we all say a lot of things on here we never thought we'd have to say!
I'm in!
~Otaku-Man
Great Idea
I'll hopefully be writing one of these when I get the time. That said, I'm a little confused by your first example. What does alternating first- and third-person cameras have in common with a context-sensitive button? Your only contrast there is that you think one is good and the other is bad.
Nice. An animaniacs reference. Plus this sounds like a great idea. I'm all in.
February is definitely a bad idea. Who the fuck can pronounce February?
I have a few ideas for Good Idea, Bad Idea. Some are epic.
Awesome.
Animaniacs!
Dexter you win the internets.
Animaniacs was one of my favorite cartoons of all times, and that seccion was so good.
Aw, Dexter beat me to it. I love Animaniacs — I watched it like crazy back in its mid-90s heyday, and I own all three volumes of the show on DVD.
Assuming I can find the time, I’ll definitely throw at least one article into the fray.
Ah yes, Good Idea, Bad Idea. Fond memories of Animaniacs.
Also, more to the point, this sounds like a great idea. I'll definatley try and contribute.
I wonder if next month's Monthly Musings topic will be "The Wheel of Morality?"
Sounds great, should get some interesting debates and some hilarious flame wars!
Quick Suggestion:
There be a easier way to look at the post rather than doing a search for them. I love that you added a new tab for Friends but maybe we should have a Monthly Musings Tab as well. Quick and Easy access for the win!
Plus I would like to read everyone's thoughts on the unified topic.
Will try to remember.
Mr. Skullhead FTW!
Necros:
They both belong to the same game genre -- third-person shooters.
Your good and bad mechanics can be related in any way, be they in the same game (dialogue trees vs realtime fighting in Mass Effect), or different games of the same genre, or different games of different genres which both have the exact same mechanic in question.
Kryptinite:
Niero has told me that there will be some sort of new CBlog addition which will put the Monthly Musings in some permanent or easily accessible place.
I shall get cracking on this.
Okay, thanks for the clarification. After that, I've got an idea for at least one article.
I just may partake..see you on the front page.
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