8.5
The Secret to Great Video Games: The People Around The Industry
Although this series of ramblings is based on the features within games that make them great, I thought I would take a step back and focus on some of the people out there on the interwebs who make this industry just so ruddy special. I’m not going to start singing the praises of journalists/bloggers as, well…we’re just a bunch of geeks who like to write about our hobbies (I’m still not quite sure why there are even video game journalist awards…).
The fact is there are some people out there who are just as smart and talented as the amazing guys and gals creating the video games that we love so much, so much so that I my mind boggles with fizzy warm fart juice and I start to think that maybe, just maybe we should all stop what we’re doing and give these talented folk the ultra high-fives they deserve.
Dead End Thrills:
Site: deadendthrills.com
Twitter @deadendthrills
Dude gets inside games using all manner of technological magics to create some of the most amazing in-game art/photography you will ever see. His art is so off-kilter and vibrant it brings a unique perspective to already established games like Skyrim and Battlefield 3, while pushing otherwise omissible games such as Flight Sim X and The Last Remnant to the forefront of gaming beauty.
The thing that makes me love this guy’s work so much is that he throws all his stuff up online for free, in amazing computer screen background friendly sizes.
Mini Cabinets:
Site: flickr.com/jgwhitlock
Big J.W’s creations are the next best thing next to having an actual arcade machine in your house, especially if you were mysteriously transformed into a three inch high G.I Joe. Hand-crafted from base wood and available in a multitude of old skool designs (including a rather amazing sit down Star Wars cabinet) starting at $50, Big J.W. doesn’t have a site but you can contact him through his flickr.
A Life Well Wasted:
Site: alifewellwasted.com
Podcast: iTunes
Twitter: @robertashley
Robert Ashley is a freelance writer and musician who has also managed to produce pretty much the best gaming podcast (or internet radio show) you will ever listen too… ever… x1000. Amazingly well crafted, motivating and above all acutely genuine. This musically driven show sheds some insightful light and perspectives on some of the industry’s most interesting and quirky people, ranging from the rather bizarre history of Tetris to a profiling a rather special a self-taught computer chip designer/racecar driver/roller derby player.
Olly Moss:
Site: ollymoss.com
Twitter: @ollymoss
Speaking of amazing podcasts, this chap did ALWW’s unique art work as well as re-imagining a shit tonne of video game and pop culture related designs. Olly’s super stylized low-res designs are guaranteed to make you want to plaster your walls in his work.
Volpin Props:
Site: volpinprops.net
Harrison Krix made a Portal Gun, I really don’t need to say much more do I? Well sadly it’s not good writing if I don’t so… yeah, he also made some truly epic Mass Effect, Soul Calibur, Fallout, Final Fantasy and Bioshock props too. I know its hammy but it’s people like Harrison who really make me proud to be part of such a diverse and talented fan sect… It also makes me hate myself a little bit as the only real contribution I make to the games industry is sitting a my arse typing and looking for shiny things.
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