Social Media Convergence with New Video Game Platforms

It's no surprise that media convergence is happening all around us. From cellphones becoming our own personal computers, to different industries (as mentioned in a previous blog post) merging together. But how do we feel about video game consoles converging with all different types of media to essentially become one master entertainment system? With the release of the Xbox One and the PS4, gamers are seeing a change in consoles where these consoles not only serve as a platform to enjoy the act of gaming, but various forms of entertainment. This change is obviously seen moreso on the Xbox One versus the PS4, as the Xbox One incorporates gaming with quick switches to television, split screening with Skype, future Twitch streaming capabilities, and more. The PS4 has not made such a bold move, as they have standard social networking integration with Facebook as well as access to Netflix (which really is no surprise at this point).

This platform switch from gaming to various forms of entertainment is fascinating because one cannot predict the outcome of future consoles. When will we see complete convergence? Will families buy consoles not for the sole purpose of gaming, but to have more organizational control of various media platforms? Is this already occurring via the Xbox One? It should be interesting to see where this goes with the next generation consoles, not that we need to think about that anytime soon :)!

Happy Anniversary to my True Love.

Today marks the 9th Year Anniversary of a game that has given most of us here so many fond memories. It's been almost a decade of my life that I have played, and it really is like a time capsule for me. I started WoW going into middle school, and here I am in my third year of college still being so totally fond of this game. I've made so many great friends who have given me helpful life advice, bared with my sick sense of humor on Ventrilo during raids, and have just been amazing people that made up a delightful community of gamers that I will never forget.

Being a GM during Wrath was one of my fondest memories. We were a guild of over 300 members with an impressive amount of active members that was recognized on our server. It was such a good experience to lead raids and to gain the satisfaction of downing bosses all as a part of our own independent guild. I will always miss those days. Being a GM of a busy guild will teach one a lot of vital lessons and open one to insight they otherwise wouldn't see. I'm glad I got to have that experience.

Seeing this game dwindle over the recent past has been sad. It's the flame to my candle of adolescence that finally seems to be burning out, nearing the end of the wick. I hope that Blizzard can transform this game into something lively with the next expansion, not just to save the game, but the memories of so many that have had similar experiences to mine, and to give young gamers the same experience. Hate it or love it, World of Warcraft is a game that will be imprinted in your brain when having played it long enough. While society may mock it as being a computer game that triggers addiction, it's so much more. It's a different realm that opens one to a timeless world where all you have to worry about is completing the next quest, downing the next boss, or getting that rare mount you always wanted.

Spend the rest of the day to show appreciation to this beautiful masterpiece. Blizz, although I may have been frustrated with you at times, I love you for giving me a game that will always bring a smile to my face and take me back in time. Thank you. 

New WoW Expansion Announced!

I swear sometimes that Blizzard secretly monitors some of my posts. Looks like we're finally getting new character models after all!!! So at Blizzcon, the NEXT WoW expansion was announced, titled "Warlords of Draenor" which really focuses on the whole relationship between Dwarves and Orcs. While a lot of information and features are still waiting to make their way to the public, we do know that the level cap will be increased to 100 (I never thought I'd see the day!) and players will have the ability to boost one character up to level 90 to be able to access the content without having to wait. Not a bad gig!

For all the players who want their own housing, this hasn't been implemented into the game yet (I'm hoping it will someday, shh it's okay to be optimistic), but you will have the ability to build, and upgrade your own personal garrison. Let's hope this is as cool as it sounds.

Other than that, the only other information we really know is that the expansion takes place in Draenor, which should be an interesting change in pace. Apparently the designer of this X-Pac was the same developer who worked on Diablo II and Burning Crusade, so I do have hope. Let's hope Blizz does something to finally resuscitate this game!


Opinions? Will you be getting the x-pac?

/xo

Hello, TGN!

So. I'm officially partnered with TGN and my piano tutorials will be appearing on TGN Central! All of my other guides will appear on my Channel as they normally do, but for all of my piano-loving subscribers, make sure to look out for the playlist I added to my channel, titled "TGN Broadcasts", this way you are up to date with all of your piano tutorials. Songs up and coming are some fan requests such as the typical Zelda "Overworld Theme" from A Link to the Past, the "House Theme" from Ocarina of Time, "Dragon Roost Island" from Wind Waker, and much much more! We will also be branching out to other games as well, which is something that you guys have really been requesting. I've never played Kingdom Hearts, but a lot of y'all have been asking from some tutorials there. We also have to jump back to Skyrim since I have a subscriber who really wants to learn how to play the Age of Aggresion (good choice!). Keep the requests coming, because that keeps the videos coming! Thank you so much to everyone who has made all of this possible within the past few weeks. It's amazing how far some of you have gone just to push me that much forward. I'm eternally grateful.

Digital Convergence in the Video Game World

The Video Game Industry is an ever-growing industry as graphics improve and story-lines become much denser than the standard, "There's a bad guy out there and I have to defeat him." With the growth of the industry, we see a convergence, or a growing "connectedness" of two mediums, in which video games and movies are slowly combining. There have been movies made about video games (but this is nothing new), and movies made into video games, but now we're seeing a different type of convergence. Video games are slowly turning into a personal movie for the player, in which they travel through beautiful plot lines and amazing action filled scenes in which they have the ability to contribute, adding their own personal spin to the story-line. Award-winning script writers are taking part in the industry to offer their work, and to get in on a piece of the action. Video game trailers are now resembling those often seen throughout Hollywood. But one question is, when did this whole transition start? What game caused the move towards total convergence? Did it start with the game that moved away from the traditional, "saving of the princess" story-line?  It's difficult to pinpoint.

Gamers have different reactions to this whole change. Many don't want to be associated with deepened story-lines, and think it's a waste of their time. Other gamers love it since they can feel as if they are really immersed in the game since the story-line is that much better. All-in-all with change you're going to have the lovers and haters. What matters here is the proportion of both. The majority seems to favor the change. It'll surely be interesting to see how this all progresses with next-gen graphics and an ever-changing industry. 

GTA V

During Breaking Bad, I noticed the flood of GTA V commercials, and user comments on forums online saying how excited they are for the release of this game. I haven't been a huge fan of GTA games, but that's probably because the whole time on the game I spend driving the cars around, sometimes actually trying to follow the rules of the road (don't tell me you've never done this). I have to say though, the story line in GTA V from the previews looks super interactive and like a lot of sweat was produced working on this single player mode.

It's a pretty ballsy move to release a game so close to the release of next-gen consoles, but I have to say, the graphics in GTA V are very impressive considering they aren't next gen. Look at the GTA V graphics vs GTA San Andreas!

Crazy difference, huh? 

The game will be based in "Los Santos" which is pretty much Los Angeles, and a map has even been released for the area.  Click to enlarge the photo and dissect it a little more! 

The game will feature three main characters which the player can switch between while playing, and you can find the leaked soundtrack list for the game online!

I wanna play WoW all night, and Zelda everyyyy day!

^ Make sure you SING the title, otherwise it makes me look like my addiction is way too out of hand. Anyways, moving on, a little update of what to expect next! I will be working on an OATH TO ORDER tutorial for you guys! So happy for the massive demand for this song, it's so beautiful and gives me these weird goosebumps on my arms and legs every time. Damn it...I really want to play Majora's Mask again now.

But before this guide is released, I will be making a WoW guide first, which is WAYYYY overdue. So ret pallies, be on the look out for it!!! The next guide to follow will most likely be shadow priest.

By the way, for anyone wondering exactly how the ranking goes for piano tutorial requests, it's really one of those demand type deals. Whatever users want the most is what I will be making, and Zelda songs come first before any other game (sorry, but that'd be like switching boyfriends/girlfriends before you're even ready to move on). Don't feel cheated if a tutorial for your song doesn't come up yet. These things take timeeee. Be patient, young cricket!

Also, later tonight I will hopefully be uploading the music tutorial of Zelda's Lullaby on Songs of Time. For some reason my blog format is messed up and I'm not too sure how to fix it, so I'm really hoping that ya'll can at least still see the link bar to access the page? If not pleaseeee let me know. I don't know if this is an issue with my computer or what.

Love love love! Thank you all for continuing to be awesome!!!!