Ashley Suzanne: December 2011

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):