Jeffool.com

Remember JFK: Reloaded?

It was the game by the company Traffic in which you became Lee Harvey Oswald and shot Kennedy. Well, Gamecloud.com had a news story about it the other day (here) and in it Traffic’s Kirk Ewing said “We did not expect that the game would have that kind of reaction,” and I believe him. In this day and age where more virtual World War II soldiers have been killed than there are real ones left alive, who cares if we kill Kennedy a few more times? Apparently many people as the game caught massive flack not only from the mainstream, but from gamers also, who on the news linksite EvilAvatar.com said things like:

“Tasteless.””Who even thought this shit up?”

“Apparently this company is run by a bunch of crack whores and druggies who give nothing they do any forethought.”

“Heck while there[sic] doing that they should create a sidescroller about gassing innocent people and then incinerating their bodies! The faster you can get the chlorine gas cannisters[sic] from storage, the more points! And remeber[sic] folks, PITCHFORKS work great against dead people, when it comes to cleaning up fast.”

And this gem: “The fact that they launched it around the anniversary of the JFK killing and offered 10,000 dollars to “whom ever” could reproduce the event closest to the actual killing is in fact tasteless.” I point that one out because it could almost be taken seriously if not coming from a guy who calls himself ‘SATAN’.

But why would people get so angry about this? Well, okay, maybe the Kennedys have a right to be a bit disconcerted, but that’s it! Traffic had an idea that Oswald did it, and that a lone gunman could have easily done it, and wanted to share that idea in the form of a game. Oliver Stone took the exact opposite idea, that there was a larger governmental conspiracy, made a movie of it, and won a metric shitload of awards. (Yes, a shitload is a metric unit. Go metric system!) Of course, Stone also made assloads of cash. (Assloads are a standard unit of measurement.) Because this guy makes it for a different artistic medium, we crucify him. So what if he wanted to cause a little controversy with it? You think Stone didn’t?

I not only think that they should still offer the game (that they took down, due to legal threats from the Kennedys,) I want an updated version of the idea with a multitude of famous historical events. I want the ability to become anyone there, and try to interact any way I could. I want to be a bystander at JFK’s assassination and trying to run and take the bullet for the President! Could you make it in time, or would the secret service take you out first? Would Oswald still get the shot off? What if someone modded it to give an alternative idea, that of there being a ‘second gunman on the grassy knoll’ and you were able to be him or take him out?

Yes, it all builds up to the eventual goal of a reality simulation (and the unreality simulation,) and the limitless things that can be done within. But far before we get to that point, we as gamers need to acknowledge the simple idea that games can be used to exhibit and share ideas/arguments, even if we don’t like the ideas, the artists behind them, or their execution. Otherwise we’ll end up as “Comic Books II,” a beautiful medium with amazing potential that is almost completely looked at as childish. We’re damn near there already. But hey, maybe other gamers want our artistic pinnacles to be Madden and 50 Cent: Bulletproof.

Y’know, I think this would be a fantastic game for the Nintendo Revolution. It would be great beside my fishing sim, matador sim, and kayaking sim.

Careful, I could be stringing together posts that have no meaning and/or no relation, but I’m kinda bored so I pose this question: What the hell is up with David Jaffe?

On January 18th David Jaffe posts (here):

A NEW ZORK STATE OF MIND
You are floating in a river with no current.All around you are bricks of gold and shiny red lips.

It feels nice to float here; like you never want to leave…but it is very hard to swim in these waters. And if you stay here too much longer you may drown.

The bank of the river, off to your left side, is dark and mysterious. You are terrified to get out of the water…but staying in the river will probably kill you.

What do you do ?

Seems odd, no? Sounds to me like a man at a crossroads asking if he should submit to gold and big-talk despite personal loss, or risk the unknown path in an attempt to save himself. Should he tick with what has become comfortable, or take an opportunity to reinvigorate his life by striking out, away from the comfort? Stick with Sony, or leave’em. Then on the 26th, this possibly unrelated post came (here):

The blog is going on hiatus for a bit. Not sure how long…a few days? A few weeks or months? Maybe for good (in which case it would not be a hiatus, but an ending).I have really, really enjoyed working on this blog and chatting with all of you guys and gals. So much so that I may very well come back in a week and be like: what the hell was I thinking?!?! I can’t give up the blog!

But for now at least, I’m going to give it a shot.

For the last few months, I’ve been toying with the idea…it was something that kept coming up in my mind. But I’ve been reluctant to stop blogging not only because I enjoy it but because this blog has raised my visibility as a game designer; amongst gamers, amongst fellow game developers, and with the press as well. I’ve gotten lots of coverage, gained new players for the games I’ve worked on, and gained lots of great career opportunities. I have to admit I am worried about letting all of that go.

But I’ve always followed my gut. Within my personal life and within my work as well. And it’s never steered me wrong. I started this blog from a gut desire to have a space on the web to share my game development life and it’s been a blast. But right now my gut is telling me it’s time to let the work- and the work only- speak for itself.

…

Thanks for the interest and support. And thanks to Sony for letting me do this crazy thing. You guys have been nothing but supportive even when I’ve said stuff I maybe should not have said! Thanks!

So, he decided to go with his gut and stop blogging, despite at least two blogs before this one. The artist decides to let his art speak for itself, rather than speak for his work. He thanks his readers, his fans, and Sony, then signs off (after recommending potential game designers keep two very important things in mind; Red Lobster and Service Merchandise.)

It’s not unheard of for employees to catch shit for their blogs. Though it’s more likely he’s being sincere and appreciates Sony, that doesn’t fit in with my ranting and raving, and I’m going to pretend that’s not the case. I believe that David Jaffe has made up his mind to leave Sony, and is trying to convince himself to finish his current projects before leaving. Why else would someone put the kibosh on a blog that has elevated his status, helped his games, and created job opportunities? He’s trying to avoid those things so that they don’t become a distraction and he can finish his PSP game, “HL.” Think about that. If you had helped create a famous IP like Twisted Metal, and given your all in a wonderfully reviewed game based on IP you first through up back in high school ideas (which is now owned by Sony, who optioned it for a movie and gave you a role in the production (that for the sake of this I’ll argue was a pleasantry to keep you happy and slightly paid rather than actually involved in the film),) but only achieved a newfound level of respect and popularity after going out of your way to create a free blog on the internet… You may not be perfectly happy with the company that you’ve been working for. In fact, you may be more pissed at them than you are yourself. And you should be.

But then, good to his word, he soom completely posted his mind and posted an update on the same entry:

EDIT: Ya know…fuck it. I changed my mind….the minute I posted this it just felt….I don’t know….wrong. There is SOMETHING about not blogging anymore that feels right….but then the moment I step away from it, it feels wrong….and I miss it very much….I like having a spot on the web…..so I don’t know…..I will keep doing this for awhile….but I will keep this post up so you guys can see how confused I am about the whole thing…. :) Take it easy….going to bed….will post soon! Sorry for the confusion!….David

Fuck he’s a confusing guy. My prediction? He’ll keep blogging, and soon quit Sony. He may even finish the games he’s working on, as he seems to be intent on that.

In the comment-section of his blog I asked for him to email me, as he (understandably) doesn’t advertise his email address on his site. I realize he’s a busy guy and can’t email every schmoe who asks him too, but at least I tried to get an interview of sorts. (Not that I’m a big draw. I’m just saying, I tried.) But hey, I still welcome him to call me “batshit insane.” I call it “bored” and “creative.” :D

Inspired by Shivam Bhatt’s open letter, I’ve decided to share two notes with the vastness of the internet. Mostly because writing letters to people is fun, but also because looking up their email addresses would take five minutes I don’t wanna waste.

To: Valve
Re:In-game advertising.

Fuck you. I can do whatever I want on my server as long as I’m not enabling people who pirate your game. If you want to host all of the servers, then fine, you can choose to not advertise and decide if you want to go after private servers. But if you’re not, then don’t complain about what I do on my servers. I’m paying for them and/or hosting them out of my own pocket. You either provide full functionality of the game, or you keep your hands completely off of what I’m doing to provide that. You want to label them as an advertising server on your game browser? Hey, I think that’s a fantastic idea. I’m sure a single bool or bit on the server telling if it advertised wouldn’t be too hard to implement. Hell, I’m rather sure that most server ops would be honest and set it accurately. You want to not list advertising servers at all? Completely within your right. But if I’m paying for it and doing the work, then you don’t get to make the rules.

And no, I don’t really run any servers. I don’t even really use the webspace I paid for aside from hosting a few files of DJ Z-Trip’s excellent music (which I heartily recommend, and you can get at http://ztrip.jeffool.com/) and a few pictures. But I still hold firm the opinion that whoever is paying-for/running a server gets to decide everything about it. Be careful Valve. You’ve already launched the next great step in publishing with Steam, not to mention you make damn fine games on your own. But remember Image Comics? Founded by a group of guys who didn’t like the ‘Suits’ telling them what to do? Well, it turns out they were just jealous of the Suits, and wanted to become Suits. And most of them failed at it and again make their money off of Batman, working for the same Suits they walked away from. You’re going to have to decide. Are you going to go all the way or are you going to go home. Are you going to become those guys you were trying to get away from, or are you going to make them irrelevant?

Jeffool.

Also,

To: Shoe
Re: Moore’s Law interview

Don’t let Penny Arcade give you a big head. Your interview with Microsoft’s Peter Moore was cool, and much closer to what we as readers should expect. But it wasn’t overly ball-busting. Well, okay, that ‘naming names’ bit was fucking hilarious… Here, lemme quote that:

EGM: Wouldn’t you be pissed if you paid $400 for a new console and many of its games looked only marginally better than their current-gen equivalents?

Peter Moore: You wanna call out some games? Because I’m not gonna call out any games.

EGM: The 2K Sports games. Amped 3. Tony Hawk. Need for Speed. Gun. King Kong.

hahaha! Hoooo boy. That was fun. But next time, go ask Neversoft about why THAW and Gun looked unimpressive on the 360. Peter Moore didn’t make the game, he’s in marketing for fuck’s sake. We all know where most marketing people rank on the list of importance.

Shoester, I firmly believe that you know just as well as I do that there’s an air of change about. And you’ve placed yourself firmly on the cusp of the coming change. Don’t let us down. You owe us. We’re not only readers and subscribers, we’re just like you. Rather, you’re just like us; you’re a gamer, and you want better games. So to use the ‘cliff’ metaphor, when you see the change coming, don’t doubt what to do for a second. You jump right off that mother fucker head first. We’ll catch you.

Jeffool.

PS. When/If you ask questions that they don’t answer, print those questions noting as much. There’s little as embarrassing as people knowing you’re afraid to answer a few honest questions.