The Game Anthropologist - Episode 5: Hardcore vs. Casual

There is a large undercurrent in gaming culture that bubbles from the surface, especially in recent years. In this episode, you'll see what it's all about, how to understand it, and if it even matters.

The Game Anthropologist - Episode 4: A Gaming Epoch

Today, Brian takes a look beyond the labels gamers present and explores his own origins into why he does what he does. And how it all applies to you too.

Defenders Episode 1: Guardian Chapter 10

Roosevelt High students pour out of the doors to begin their joyous weekend reprieve from classes and books and teachers’ dirty looks.  Dan and Brandon exit the building ready for a weekend of, unfortunately for Dan, preparing for Mr. Steinberg’s test.

“Argh, I can’t believe it.  I had a whole weekend planned and stuffy old Steinberg sticks us with a test.  I swear that guy has it in for me,” Dan complained.

Brandon laughs and says, “It doesn’t take much to get you fired up, huh?  Relax man; I said I would help you out.”

“Yeah, I know, but it still sucks,” said Dan.  Brandon and Dan continue towards the gate, passing a small group of girls along the way.  One of the girls, wearing a purple plaid skirt and black T-shirt with shoulder length blonde hair approaches them.

“Hey Brandon,” Heather called.

Brandon and Dan stop upon hearing the girl’s voice.  “Hey Heather,” Brandon greeted her.  He introduces Heather to Dan.

“I just wanted to thank you for helping me with history,” Heather said, gently brushing a few strands of hair behind her right ear.

“No problem,” Brandon said.

“Well, I was wondering, uh, what you were…if you are doing anything this weekend?”  Heather was nervous.  She begins to twiddle her hair.  Brandon, noticing her shyness, gently tells Heather that he and Dan have a test to study for.  “Oh, well I was wondering, if you had time, if you would like to go out—hang out?!  Go hang out; if you would like to go hang out?”

Brandon thought about it for a second.  He and Dan had a test to study for; more so Dan than himself.  Knowing Dan for so long, he knows that his friend’s mental retention isn’t the best.  Unless the subject has to do with cars and hot women Dan can be less than interested in it.  But Brandon has been helping Heather out with being her science tutor.  He has grown quite fond of her, but he hadn’t counted on it to warrant a date.

Dan sees Brandon taking his time to answer Heather.  For him, if Brandon takes her, he gets to have some fun of his own.  He knows Brandon will keep him studying all weekend, interfering with his plans.  Dan grabs his friend.  “Excuse us for moment,” he says to Heather before walking Brandon a couple feet away from her.  He pulls him in close. “Listen up stupid, this girl’s sweet on you or hadn’t you noticed?  You’re not gonna turn down someone that cute, are ya?”

“I don’t want to, but we got Steinberg’s test—” Brandon said.

“C’mon screw the test.  Listen, we’ll just get the studying done on Sunday.  You can’t spend the whole weekend with our noses in the books.  Look, you have your time with Heather and I’ll have mine with Evilyn on Saturday.  And on Sunday, I’m all yours, alright?  I promise.”

“Wait, you have a date with Evilyn, the Goth chick?” Brandon said curiously.

“Yeah, I know she’s a bit creepy, but in a cute sorta way.  She’s got this vibe about her,” said Dan.

“It’s called the Dark Side of the Force, Luke,” Brandon quipped.

Dan shoots him a look.  “Anyway, we gotta deal?” he says.  With a chuckle, Brandon agrees.  Then they return their attention to Heather who has been patiently waiting.

“Well, it looks like I’m free for tomorrow,” Brandon tells Heather.

“Okay, um…here,” Heather said as she looks through her book and hands Brandon a piece of paper with her phone number on it. 

Brandon takes the paper.  “Alright, so I’ll call you about three, get an early start?” he suggested.  Heather stared at him dreamily and agrees with a nod.  “We’ll do something classic; dinner and a movie?”

“Okay,” said Heather, “It’s a dat—da-day…day out.  It’s a day out.”  She is nervous even though she has finally asked him out.  Heather has always liked Brandon but never really mustered up the courage to ask him out until now.

Brandon chuckles a bit and says, “Heather, just relax, alright?  You don’t have to try so hard, ok?”

“Okay,” Heather said, feeling a bit calmer.

Brandon tells Heather he’ll call tomorrow for their not-quite-a-date and reminds Dan of their study date on Sunday.  Dan, of course, groans his agreement.  With his friend and his soon-to-be-date on their way home, Brandon heads over to the park near his home for another day of training.

The Game Anthropologist - Episode 3: Public Service Announcement

Hey everyone. It's time again for one from the back catalog. This was originally released in October 2010 at the height of the U.S. Supreme Court case for the gaming rating system in California.

EXCELSIOR!

The Game Anthropologist - Episode 2

Greetings again. Time for some new back catalog material!

Again from the heady days of 2010 comes Episode 2 of The Game Anthropologist. This time I detail the mediocre rise of the video games movies, what it has meant for the entirety of gamedom, and what we have to look forward to in the future.

Check it out now... for great justice... and stuff.

The Game Anthropologist - Episode 2: Who Killed The VIdeo Game Movie?