The long awaited Spore was finally released on PC recently. Will Wright and Maxis have long described this game as their masterpiece.
Unfortunately, in many respects this game falls short of such high expectations. The product has received mixed reviews from gamers who believe it to be lacking in depth. In addition to this, the deplorable Data Rights Management stance taken by the publisher has caused many to ask why the consumer is being treated like a criminal. In short, Spore has not been received as well as Wright would have hoped.
However, it is my opinion that these game play and publishing problems have taken all attention away from moments of true excellence found in Spore. At the core of the game is the editors. These sections allow a player to customise their own species, buildings, vehicles and even spaceships that can be used in the game. Every shape can be resized, rotated and reworked to the players liking and a highly customisable painting section is available to finish the production. The development team has created a masterstroke with this tool by making it intuitive and easy to use without sacrificing the vast depth of possible creations.
In addition to this, all pieces created by a player are sent to a central server where they are on view for others and automatically get placed into their game. When playing through the campaign, it is common to stumble into all sorts of player generated content. For example, my peace loving, semi-amphibious species was under siege by a a vicious group of walking chainsaws that were created by another player. Luckily, a 200 foot tall incarnation of Trogdor managed to distract them long enough for my apple-munching fish men to get away. This unpredictable variety is simply exhilarating to behold.
Many detractors of Spore have failed to comprehend that this is not an average video game. Instead, Spore is a revolution in creative expression and a truly new artistic medium.
-The English Student
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Horizons: Book Review
Mary Rosenblum's Horizons epitomises some of the best aspects of science fiction, but also some of the worst failings of the genre.
The best writing in this area combines idealistic and original fiction about our future with real life human issues. As a fellow student once remarked, good sci-fi is appealing due to the fact that it does not need a science fiction setting. The only way we can truly appreciate any novel is if it appeals to something that is intrinsic to our existence.
So the question is, does Horizons adhere to this high standard of science fiction? The first half of this novel had me believing that this was a masterpiece unfolding before me and I would certainly have said yes to that question. There is an excellent combination of politics, genetics, psychology, sociology and even philosophy played out through the likeable main characters. The personal relationships that develop are also well paced and believable.
However, it seems that Rosenblum was simply unable to reconcile these vast issues within this novel. The author intends to deal with a plethora of human issues, but in doing so fails to deal with any of them sufficiently. The lack of foreshadowing for some of the final issues contributes to this confusion and destroys the excellent pacing of the earlier chapters. If her focus had not been too diffuse, if she had not relied on pointless "deus ex machina" and if she had expanded the novel to a more appropriate length, Rosenblum could have written a classic.
These are big "if"s however and they do not distract from the fact that this is a disappointing novel.
-The English Student
The best writing in this area combines idealistic and original fiction about our future with real life human issues. As a fellow student once remarked, good sci-fi is appealing due to the fact that it does not need a science fiction setting. The only way we can truly appreciate any novel is if it appeals to something that is intrinsic to our existence.
So the question is, does Horizons adhere to this high standard of science fiction? The first half of this novel had me believing that this was a masterpiece unfolding before me and I would certainly have said yes to that question. There is an excellent combination of politics, genetics, psychology, sociology and even philosophy played out through the likeable main characters. The personal relationships that develop are also well paced and believable.
However, it seems that Rosenblum was simply unable to reconcile these vast issues within this novel. The author intends to deal with a plethora of human issues, but in doing so fails to deal with any of them sufficiently. The lack of foreshadowing for some of the final issues contributes to this confusion and destroys the excellent pacing of the earlier chapters. If her focus had not been too diffuse, if she had not relied on pointless "deus ex machina" and if she had expanded the novel to a more appropriate length, Rosenblum could have written a classic.
These are big "if"s however and they do not distract from the fact that this is a disappointing novel.
-The English Student
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Re-Introduction of University Fees
Recently, the topic of 3rd level fees has arisen once more in public life.
With the media consistently creating fear of a looming recession, people (and government officials) are naturally looking at all areas of the country in a bid to cut back public spending. It became apparent quite recently that one particular 3rd level institution is fifteen million euro in debt as thing stand. When this is coupled with the increasing pay rises given to university staff, it is very obvious that some reform is necessary.
A flat rate of payment for college students is not the answer. This would simply populate our universities with high income students and close the doors to others. Instead, the government should look at the income of students when they leave college and charge a certain percentage of this figure as payment to the university they attended. This would provide substantial income for the colleges and prevent anyone going into debt during their student years.
As a student, one could easily assume that I am fully against the re-introduction of these fees. Indeed, were they to come back, I would be unable to pay them and would have to rely on student finance from the government and banks. But even with this in mind, it is not so difficult to see the necessity of at least some form of fees.
If we are to be charged for our education, it should at least be when we can afford it.
-The English Student
With the media consistently creating fear of a looming recession, people (and government officials) are naturally looking at all areas of the country in a bid to cut back public spending. It became apparent quite recently that one particular 3rd level institution is fifteen million euro in debt as thing stand. When this is coupled with the increasing pay rises given to university staff, it is very obvious that some reform is necessary.
A flat rate of payment for college students is not the answer. This would simply populate our universities with high income students and close the doors to others. Instead, the government should look at the income of students when they leave college and charge a certain percentage of this figure as payment to the university they attended. This would provide substantial income for the colleges and prevent anyone going into debt during their student years.
As a student, one could easily assume that I am fully against the re-introduction of these fees. Indeed, were they to come back, I would be unable to pay them and would have to rely on student finance from the government and banks. But even with this in mind, it is not so difficult to see the necessity of at least some form of fees.
If we are to be charged for our education, it should at least be when we can afford it.
-The English Student
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Why PJ Harvey is Amazing
Musician and songwriter Polly Jean Harvey deserves our respect. Here's why:
PJ Harvey is dedicated to her art. Over the past eighteen years, the English rock star has released no less than ten albums. While these works have seen a varied response from the public, Harvey has never backed away from the opportunity to share her creativity with the world. It is very clear that in a time when many musicians are pre-occupied with monetary issues, this particular musician is recording for the sake of her art and supporters.
PJ Harvey is innovative. Not only does this artist record many albums, but she also concentrates on keeping them fresh and interesting. Each collection represents an original approach to music. In addition to this, the vast versatility of Harvey's talent is on show in her many collaborations. Her work with Josh Homme, Mark Lanegan, Nick Cave and Thom Yorke has produced some wonderful songs that augment her already rich back catalogue of music.
PJ Harvey is a constant in my life. As life goes on, it seems to get more complicated and fraught with potential pain. But with any issue that I face there is also the knowledge that Polly Jean will be there to play her music and soothe my soul. Her melodious voice and beautiful music secures me in a place beyond reality and for that I am in her debt.
An artist who can achieve one of the previous feats is impressive. But by achieving them all, PJ Harvey should be celebrated as the amazing muse that she is.
-The English Student
PJ Harvey is dedicated to her art. Over the past eighteen years, the English rock star has released no less than ten albums. While these works have seen a varied response from the public, Harvey has never backed away from the opportunity to share her creativity with the world. It is very clear that in a time when many musicians are pre-occupied with monetary issues, this particular musician is recording for the sake of her art and supporters.
PJ Harvey is innovative. Not only does this artist record many albums, but she also concentrates on keeping them fresh and interesting. Each collection represents an original approach to music. In addition to this, the vast versatility of Harvey's talent is on show in her many collaborations. Her work with Josh Homme, Mark Lanegan, Nick Cave and Thom Yorke has produced some wonderful songs that augment her already rich back catalogue of music.
PJ Harvey is a constant in my life. As life goes on, it seems to get more complicated and fraught with potential pain. But with any issue that I face there is also the knowledge that Polly Jean will be there to play her music and soothe my soul. Her melodious voice and beautiful music secures me in a place beyond reality and for that I am in her debt.
An artist who can achieve one of the previous feats is impressive. But by achieving them all, PJ Harvey should be celebrated as the amazing muse that she is.
-The English Student
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