Fight! For your Right! To wear whatever armor you want...

I've been playing Dragon Age A TON recently - partly because I love it, and partly because I have an ever-growing list of games that I need to play as soon as this one is finished. I appreciate the fact that BioWare put so much effort into this game, especially since Mass Effect 2 just came out (so soon after Dragon Age was released) and we all know how everybody looooooves that game :-) Not like they'd put out a less-than-awesome title anyway. However, there are certain things about the xbox 360 version that really bug me...

The first issue can be summed up in one word: menus. Menus, menus, menus. And not very user-friendly menus at that. There are consistency problems with the buttons - mainly what the right and left bumper/triggers do for what menu screen. Plus, the radial menu is a killer if you don't know what something is labeled under...not to mention the fact that you have to hold down the left trigger to keep the menu up. Don't game developers understand that holding down a button means exerting continual effort? Sheesh ;-)

My main issue, however, has nothing to do with the game mechanics or with Dragon Age at all. Just like every other fantasy game, Dragon Age follows the "rule" that dissuades magic-using characters from wearing heavy armor. My big question is: why? Why can't my cleric wear plate mail? Why can't my heavy damage dealing mage wear studded leather? I can understand the concept: claiming that it's too easy to let any character wear or use whatever items they'd like, or trying to add new dynamics to the game by making the player think before equipping. I can understand the imagery behind it - the battle-weary mage casting a spell as his robes sway and billow in the wind...trust me, I'm a sucker for that just like everyone else. However, my practical side screams "this is wrong!" I mean, if I were the leader of an adventuring group, I'd do my best to make sure that everyone went out and returned with minimal damage - and that means wearing serious armor.

This "rule" has been around for...a long, long time. It's probably not about to change soon either. Which is fine, except that when I decide to change it for my adventuring party or my game - let me. I'm not about to let my healer, the one person who can make or break my team, run out into battle wearing a snuggie (although that image does crack me up). And the argument of how "cloth armor has better stats for mages" can't hold true either - they're called enchantments :-D

Any who agree or disagree?

Frag Doll Cadette applications are out!

Hello all!

I apologize for the delay - it's been quite an exciting time for me! I've started a new job, welcomed a new puppy into my family, and have spent some very-much-needed time with those who are dear to me. And for even more exciting news - The Frag Dolls are accepting Cadette applications!!! I'm not excited at all :-D

According to the Frag Doll website [here], submissions need to include the following:

1. A resume - complete with work and school experience
2. A 2 page history of your background in gaming, what consoles you play on, and favorite games
3. A 3 minute video interview answering these questions: Favorite thing about playing video games, What would make you a great Cadette, and Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Honestly, this was not the application I had envisioned for this program. I was expecting a much lengthier application in which you were required to submit headshots, essays about gaming and women in the gaming world, and your gaming statistics. The actual application seems much more general - not that I'm complaining, but it's certainly not what I had expected.

In any event, even if I create a ridiculously awesome application, the chances of me actually getting into the Cadettes is slim to none. After taking a near-extensive read of the forums, it looks like there are many, many, many young women who send in submissions...and only 12 are chosen. AT RANDOM, no less. But it can't hurt to keep a positive attitude, right? ::sigh::

If I were lucky enough to be chosen for the Spring 2010 Class of Frag Doll Cadettes, then I'd have a very interesting choice to make. I can only guess at what is involved in being a Cadette, and I'm not even sure if it's a paid "internship." I'm guessing that I would need to relocate for the full 6 month duration of being a Cadette as well. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem - however, I now work full-time at a fantastic company in the area. Essentially, I've already started my career path - so, would I give it all up for a chance to get in to the gaming community?

Side note - I played Starcraft and Unreal Tournament at a LAN party this past Saturday. Although I did alright in Starcraft, I did much better in UT - which made me feel awesome. I take pride in my gaming ability, and to put my skills to the test after such a long time was quite nice :-) After all is said and done, the experience has left me craving more headshots and multikills than I would have thought. I truly enjoy that game, and I can't wait to find some time to play/practice/train more.

Well, I'll sign off for now - it's late and I've got work in the morning. But expect to see more posts from me here - I feel motivated and invigorated! Sweet gaming dreams to you all!

Training Day 8

It's been roughly a week since I've started my training for the Fragdolls, and I can say confidently that it is going well. I just purchased a headset for the PS3 today, mainly as motivation for me to get online and play with real people. I'm super nervous about doing that since I have my honors theory (which I may describe in a later post - or if you know me in person I may have explained it to you) but I also know that I'm nowhere near as good a player as those who play online. Still, it's really the only way to get better...I can only destroy bots for so long. ;-D

I played a little R6V2, UT3, and Halo 3 today. I'm definitely getting better at R6V2 - or at least I'm consciously using my AI team mates (very tactical of me). To be honest, I'm quite impressed with the game. The storyline is weak, but it's fun to hide behind cover and take my time completing levels. I continue to surprise myself in UT3, too. It makes me happy to know that I've retained some of the instinctive skills I learned as a kid. I know that UT3 is often looked upon as a "cheap" game, where one can get "lucky" with one-shot kills, or at least just shooting in the general area of your opponent...but it's certainly not meant to be a realistic game. Fun, fast, and gory - which is fine with me, since sometimes R6V2 is a little too realistic for me.

Oh, Halo...what a love/hate relationship I have with thee. You would think that if you're decent at one FPS, you'd be decent at all the others... NOT the case. It seems that I'm stuck in Halo - no matter how much I shoot at my opponent, he doesn't die! And unlike in most FPSs that I play, I actually aim at the head. It is a much slower game too...I mean, the deaths/respawns are fast and the game is smoother (in comparison with UT3), but you can only run so fast with all that armor on. Well...I'm sure Halo will grow on my as I play more.

Overall, it was a good training day. :-D

Training Day 5

My "training" for the Fragdolls officially began on Monday, October 19, when I purchased used copies of Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) and Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (R6V2) for the PS3. I hear that R6V2 is currently in popular demand, which will make it much easier to find players online (or at least find an assortment of skill levels). I had to get Unreal Tournament, if only because I was such a fan of it growing up. That, and Quake 2...but that's for a later post.

Initially I gravatated toward UT3 first, since I'm more familiar with that style of first person shooter. It felt good to get back into the "jump around and shoot people as fast as you can" scenarios. You can imagine the shock I had when I switched over to play R6V2. My player style (at this point in time) is what I like to call "run-n-gun." As my best friend can attest, I'm always the player to run into a fight guns blazing, die, respawn, rinse and repeat (I blame all the Doom/Duke Nukem/Quake playing in elementary/middle school). R6V2 is very difficult for me, as I imagine any tactical shooter would be. I have to hide behind cover? I have team mates? I have to help them when they get shot? Yet my initial response to this game has worn off, and now I find myself playing R6V2 far more than UT3.

Slowly but surely, I'm getting more comfortable with R6V2. I'm playing through the story mode (currently at the convention center - Act 4 Scene 1 I believe), and the little girl in me gets excited every time I "unlock" something. I wonder if girls like this aspect more than boys in video games? In any event, I feel that this game is a short play...perhaps the true catch is the multiplayer function. After I complete the story mode, I may work up the courage to try an online game....maybe.

Games: Unreal Tournament 3, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2
System: PlayStation 3
Tag: Kimmington

Test Introduction

Hello world,

Welcome to my blog! Here I will keep you updated on all things gamer-girl related. I will be using this not only as a tool to communicate my thoughts, ideas, and experiences, but also as a way to keep myself motivated in the gaming world. There are so many things I'd like to do...

My overall goal is to somehow get into the video game industry - either through research on women and video games, becoming a spokesperson for a development company, or writing game reviews. Currently, my most recent goal is to become a fragdoll. If you don't know who the Fragdolls are, check out this link here. For the next few weeks, my posts will include the games I'm playing (complete with gamertags), how I'm doing, what tips and tricks I've learned, and how I'll be applying to become a Fragdoll.

Please feel free to leave comments, and I will do my best to make this a fun and enlightening experience for both you (the reader) and me.