The Last of Us/Video Game Awards

I got to go to the VGAs this year with some of the Naughty Dog clan.  We stayed under the radar until the show started and patiently (sort of) waited for "The Last of Us" to premiere to the world.  What a feeling it was.  People were stoked when the Naughty Dog logo came up.  When the trailer was finished there was a moment of silence, and then, the eruption.  I was teary eyed like the damned girl I am.  I was happy for the boys that their project was out for the masses to see.  And happy for Troy and me too.  We've been working on it for about a year now and keeping it a secret has been absolute torture.  If you haven't seen it, check it out here:  http://www.lastofus.com/

As for the show, boy oh boy do I have thoughts on the show.  It was … Well … I'll put it this way, it could've been better.  But that's what we always say when these shows are over.  Here's the deal, I love Zachary Levi and I love Felicia Day (Although I thought she shouldn't have been shoved in the back the whole time).  They're legit and know their shit when it comes to games.  Everything else?  Meh.  

Me?  I may not be a "hardcore" gamer, but I'm also not a casual gamer, let's go with "softcore?"  Hey-O.  I love video games.  I love the worlds that are created for us as consumers.  And yes, I do consume them to the very core.  I appreciate them whole-heartedly.  To me, it is the ultimate in entertainment because it involves the viewer and invites them to, sometimes, be extraordinary.  

When I see a show like the VGAs, I see why some people don't take video games seriously.  I know games are fun, they're a getaway.  But, by the general public, they're not viewed as an art form or, not to sound dramatic, the masterpieces I think they can be.  Maybe you don't have the same view as me, but that's just how I see it.  I think they're getting better and better and I can't even imagine what they'll be 5-10 years from now.

In my opinion, the show turned into a commercialized "let's see how many hot stars we can add who really don't give a rat's ass about gaming, but maybe play the occasional tennis game on Wii so we can get more ratings" show.  I mean, I know the network has to make money because these awards shows are mucho expensive. I know they have to have these stars to get the ratings.  And they have to get the stars to get the advertising so they can make the money.  Fine.  I'll give you that.  And I appreciate that a network actually put together a show, just for gaming.  But, if you're not making a "video game" awards show that pleases gamers, then what's the point?  Why play it safe?  If it's for the gamers, why not make more choices to blow us away?  Shock us.  Inspire us.  Impress us. 

Here's what I propose (And it's not a lot):  If you want to throw hot people in, go for it.  But let's class it up.  Seriously.  Not all gamers are 12 year old boys.  Who says they can't be as glamorous as some other awards shows?  AND I want to see all the actual awards!  It takes years to produce ONE game.  Don't wrap up most of the awards in a pretty montage bow.  Lame sauce.  I mean, that's a no brainer.  It IS an awards show.  What happened there?  It's insulting.

I wish I could start my own awards.  And give this industry the accolades it deserves.  

Here's what I wore (What? I'm a girl.  These things are sometimes important.  SO deal with it):

I wore the awesome Think Geek Pixel 8-bit bow in my hair.  And the highest shoes ever.  Which I fell on my way out the door.

Shigeru Miyamoto accepting the Hall Of Fame award on behalf of the Legend of Zelda.

The Black Keys

Gamer God Award went to Blizzard Entertainment.  Accepted by the original founders Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce.

Bruce Straley, Me, Neil Druckmann and Troy Baker

Hallows Eve 2011

This year, I decided to be a Droog.  From A Clockwork Orange.  Ultra Violence and milk.  Just my speed.

For the past two years Mila, Tyler, Ryan, Cory D and I, have been a part of an awesome Halloween maze/fright night at Mr. Bill Pullman's house (not to brag).  One of my dearest friends, the amazing artist Eric Keyes, used to live next door to Bill (yeah that's right, first name basis) and has been helping decorate and put these frightful evenings together for years. The theme for this year was "The Death of Art."  Real artsy fartsy kind of stuff.  Weird art installations, a deathly Pollock exhibit and of course a wicked cool zombie yard.  I wish I could have gotten better pictures but it was quite dark.  After the madness was over, we went inside to a delicious buffet of beef stew, apple pie, pumpkin pie and wine from 1917!

My ultra violent costume was intended for a party we were attending after the frightful madness at Mr. Pullman's.  So to make it more scary for the haunted maze, I slapped on a bloody KISS mask and ended up looking pretty frightening.

God I love scaring people.  The louder the scream, the better I feel.  MWAAAAAA-AAAA-A

Mila, grabbing a quick bite at the Beachwood Market.

Mila's sweet mask.

Tyler looking awesome/creepy.

Ryan's scary bird mask.

Minus my KISS mask, we all look like we're in a Stanley Kubrick film.

Prepping.

Getting ready for the first crowd.

Mila & the boys after the scares, and now on to the dance party.  (Ryan, Cory D and Tyler)

Eric with Bill and Tamara

Freakin' Sweaters

Nerdy and all around awesome.  I want to own all of these.  And yes, I would wear them with pride.

Wil Wheaton.  A big yes please.

Francesco Clemente

I often put on "Great Expectations" while I'm cleaning, knitting, dancing, cooking, whatever it may be, because the movie is just so damn beautiful to look at.  Emmanuel Lubezki is one of my favorite cinematographers and he made this film into a moving painting.

The art in the film is done by none other than the wonderful surrealist, expressionist, contemporary and all around freaking awesome artist, Francesco Clemente.  I remember when I first saw the film when I was a kid and I tried to draw my dog in the style of Francesco.  Not so successful was I.

Here are some of my favorite pieces of his:

Carven Resort 2012

Yes to the freakin' please.