Parish Finale on Expert L4D2

More Left 4 Dead 2 gameplay brought to you by Gummy! In this video, Baku takes the risk to make a run for it... O.o

Retro Gaming

I still remember the old sounds...

The pew pews and 8-bit graphics and controllers that only involved a few main buttons!

I like to consider myself an old school gamer. Throughout the years of my gaming "career" grew from Super Mario Brothers to the most recent of games.  I remember taking a hand full of coins to visit the local arcade. It was filled with many other gamers of the time, desperately trying to beat each other's high scores.

Sadly, gone are the days of arcades with classic games such as Pac Man and Street Fighter! Sure, there may be a few located in the corners of big time movie theaters, but I often see them empty or with very few players. Really, who wants to pay for extra credits when you have to pay for a movie ticket that can often run more than 12-15 dollars. Then there is food on top of that...and if you wanted to see an IMAX version plus 3D then the expenses get crazy! Does anyone have any money left over to spend on arcades? It's rare, that's for sure.

Here are some old school games that I played way back in the day:

• Frogger
• Pac Man
• Street Fighter
• Q*bert
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Galaxian
• Centipede
• Lunar Lander
• Pong
• Missile Strike
• Mortal Kombat

When it comes to the classics, I will always hold them like special gems in my heart. They were fun then and are still fun now...even if it's a emulated version on a website!

Anyway, that's it and that's all, at least for now! Happy Gaming! 

Dungeon Defenders Palantir

Playing some Dungeon Defenders with Baku. He seems to think we are strong enough to take on this map on Nightmare. Ha! Strong enough? I'm quite skeptical but let's see how it plays out!

Mirror's Edge "Video Game of the Day!"

For all those who are seeking a good first person game...

Mirror's Edge delivers a thrilling ride throughout city rooftops with an addicting story line...

To be completely honest, this is one game that is easily disregarded in the stores. You pick it up and look at it, but you ultimately fail to purchase it in the end. Even though this is a relatively short game, it still requires a certain finesse.

The story starts you off on the rooftops of a "Utopian city" where crime is nearly non-existent and you are charged with the mission to locate your sister, who may be in trouble. As you acrobatically jump from rooftop to rooftop, there is little room for error, you are being chased by "the blues" aka police officers that resemble S.W.A.T. in my opinion.

This is a thrilling game as you are plunged into a world where you are a Runner (a kind of courier of "sensitive" information with a special set of skills)named Faith and you must try and navigate from destination to destination. The colors in the game are vibrant and bold and the soundtrack is fantastic. The only the only thing is, if you die too many times, you will lose the music until you reach the next stage. In a way, dying is NOT an option!! 

Here is a quick trailer of the game. Enjoy!

So, that's it and that's all, at least for now! This game is Gummy Approved!!

Dead Center Finale with Gummy

It is no big secret that I play "Left 4 Dead 2"...

In fact, it is no big secret that I am a bit of an addict!!

So, it comes as not surprise that I played a short game with some random people online! Weeee! Some people can be trolls, and some can be idiots, but there are always a few who are good players!

Left 4 Dead 2 will always be Gummy Approved!

Video Game of the Day!!

It begins with the building blocks of childhood...

And imagination takes off recreating Indiana Jones in Lego form!

Following the story lines of the original three movies, Lego Indiana Jones starts you off in the jungles like in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"! This game may seem childish but it really is for EVERYONE! I especially enjoyed the feeling of being in the movies with the ambiance of Indiana's theme song booming in the background.

This isn't an online game, but you do have the capabilities of playing with a friend, as long as they are in the same room as you! Having said that, I highly recommend playing this game with a friend because you will both be reminiscing of your childhoods, and maybe even the new movie "The Lego Movie" where "Everything is Awesome!" 

Here is a trailer of Lego Indiana Jones from YouTube! Oh, the memories of fun!

Anyways, that's it! That's all! At least for now. Lego Indiana Jones is Gummy Approved! :D

"Free to Play" - A documentary by Valve

Okay, so I watched this documentary by Valve via Steam...

It was a bit dramatic...

But it goes to show that the life of a professional gamer doesn't take slack! It takes hard work and discipline just like any other profession. The players portrayed in the film each had a difficult path to follow. They were on opposing teams but each story was interesting to learn.

I am no expert on the competitive gaming world and I don't think it is right to judge on something that I have not experienced yet, but, the players in the movie had a lot to fight for. I mean, the prize pool was $1 Million and that's enough to change a life!

From watching the film I have learned that being a professional gamer comes with sacrifice. It takes time and energy, discipline and perseverance. You have to know what you want and you have to be prepared to make the sacrifices and maybe even the fall. 

So, apart from the film I became more interested in the competition. I just looked up The International Dota 2 Championships and took a peek at this years prize pool. If I'm not mistaken, first prize is $1.4 million but it also appears to still increase! For more information on the competition you can go to the site as follows: http://www.dota2.com/international/home/overview/

Anyways, that's it, that's all! At least for now!

Muties Attack

[♪] Portal - If I Were A Core

Okay! So, I was searching YouTube for something that would blow my mind away...

However...I did get a little sidetracked (as usual, the cat videos kind of sucked me in!)...

But, I did find this video about a turret reflecting on Wheatley's mistakes on taking GlaDos for granted. "If I Were A Core", in my opinion, was well done and I was happy to see that not all of the screenshots or video were taken straight from the game (Portal 2). It reflects on the feelings of a turret using a variation of the song "If I were a Boy" by Beyonce.

Great video! And looking forward to watching others like it! 

In other words, this is Gummy Approved! :P

Thoughts v 1.2

The winter is supposedly coming to an end...

I mean, it's already a declared spring but...

Why is there still snow on the ground?  Sure, today it's finally starting to melt but we just passed another winter storm.  The sun is bright and it feels like the light emanating off of the glassy snow is slowly burning my indoor accustomed eyes out.  No! Not my gamer eyes!!

Dear Sun,

Please don't scorch my eyes out! I am an avid gamer and though I do appreciate all of the good that you do, such as keep the Earth warm and provide us with nourishment, I would like to keep my eyes just a little bit longer!

Sincerely yours truly,

Gummy Bear [insert smiley face and hearts here]

I guess it's not the sun's fault.  I mean it's just doing its job!

Dear Sun,

I apologize for my original outburst. It was uncalled for. You are truly awesome, so please don't go away!! Melt the snow, give us plenty of daffodils and keep rocking on! 

You da best!

Sincerely yours truly,

Gummy Bear [insert awesome smiley face here]

Well, looking on the positive side of things, the snow on the ground is just at the right consistency to make an awesome snow fort! Ah, the good old days when I was young and less decrepit. For all of you young people out there, enjoy those days while they last! They don't last forever! [Sincerely yours truly, Gummy Bear] :P

Gummified Chipmunk Rage

Video Game of the Day!!!

Today is the day to kill some mutants...

To defeat the Authority...

And to just drive around the wastelands of Rage! I absolutely love this game. I enjoy how it looks and it runs smoothly on my computer. I like the story and the new DLC "The Scorchers", however, the boss was killer! They gave you a really pretty rocket launcher which helped, but, with me being pretty noob about it, wasted the rockets by hitting the wrong targets...mmhmm...

Part of the DLC "The Scorchers".  Scope shot of the suns rays peeking through a narrow passage of ruins.

I have had this game since it was released on October 4, 2011 by Bethesda and id Software and I have yet to finish it! When it was first released, I played it religiously after work and got to point in the game where my computer decided that I have had enough. After losing my saved games I decided to just take a break from it. Now it is the time to start a fresh and to finish the game!

Looking back, I remember that there were some issues with the game but now playing through again, the issues are mostly resolved.  They better be after having years to fix them! Still, there are some buggy bits like enemies falling through the floor, or in multiplayer, holes that should be covered or blocked are still open.

This guy died and then proceeded to dance around in the ground! It was like watching "The Exorcist"

Multiplayer: "The Black Hole"

Despite the faults of the game, I am still eager to finish it. Though, we'll see how long it takes me because of recent events I discovered a way to make loads of money and have infinite ammo...it's time consuming but worth it! Don't worry! It's not a hack or bug, it's just a mini game that satisfies my need to gamble! Lol

Video Games - "Still a Boys Only Club"

Girls in an all boys world...

Obstacles in words...

I feel like I have been playing video games since the dawn of Atari and over the years as online gaming became popular, females who have had an itch to play a game were often scrutinized, belittled, stereotyped, or just plain sexually harassed. I can speak from experience that this is still an ongoing battle.

"Girls don't play video games!", "Shut up you prepubescent kid!", "Get off the game and get back in the kitchen!", or an even more common comment, "Suck my cock, bitch!"

I am not a feminist, I am not ugly, and I am definitely not trying to get attention. I am only playing the game for my personal enjoyment, a stress release from the daily grind, to beat my own personal scores, or to finally nab that achievement. Isn't that what gaming is all about?

Sure, I do come across some females that are looking for attention, or a boyfriend, but for the most part we already have a significant other or just enjoy being single. Our lives don't revolve around sex, simply put, and it's even more of a turn off when a guy in the game treats you like a piece of meat. However, not all of the blame can be put on guys. Girls can easily take part in harassment with "territorial disputes". These girls need to be the queen bee of the colony and quite frankly, these girls are shaming our gender. They encourage sexual harassment as they seek attention, and once they've won the love from the lobby they get defensive when another girl joins. On many occasions, once I opened my mouth to speak, a girl would suddenly turn feral on me. Nothing but a hissing and cursing jealousy would spout out for all to hear. She would continue to yell at me until I either left or established myself at the top of the female hierarchy. Sometimes the only way to get her to stop hissing at me would be to make her rage quit. Oh well, another girl lost to the queen bee syndrome.

Girls may never be accepted 100% but maybe, we will be allowed to play a game without facing the verbal abuse from anyone, male or female. After all, a game is just a game. It's not a dating site it's just a means to entertain. 

Thoughts v 1.1

Melancholy and sorrowful...

Depressed and gloomy...

What brings us here and how can we recover? Sometimes there is no choice but to trudge through the darkness and the clawing thoughts of hurt. You face them, you hate them. You either accept them or forgive them. 

I have not lived a perfect life.  I am still fighting to find my soul, suppressed from many years of childhood torment. I sometimes feel the judging eyes of people, eating at me and tearing me apart. But every now and then, the light shines through the darkening clouds and it's just enough to give you hope to keep fighting. There is a light, whether it be from the burning embers of our hearts or a flickering candle in someone's window or the warmth of the sun beating down on your face. There is a light.

Sometimes this light can be easily missed in the darkness. It can be hiding behind something, a memory or thought, and facing whatever obstacle is the only way to find it. There were times when the light was so well hidden that the only way to deal with the sorrow was to either write it out, or to sing. Singing might not be my best attribute but it gave me such a relief as the sorrow poured out of me. The light filled me and hope was renewed. "I am beautiful, I am smart, I don't have to listen to what anyone says about me, I am my own savior."

As long as I keep chanting my soul can finally come back, little by little, piece by piece. The torment I suffered will no longer hold me in its clutches, I will be free. Hope, is not something that can be easily attained, and sometimes you have to work for it. Like anything in life, if you want it bad enough, you have to keep pushing forward. I usually like to think of every successful person that has inspired me. How they overcame the obstacles in their lives and eventually the light they sought after, they were finally able to touch it. Someday, that will be me. Bathing in the warmth of the light.

Anything worth fighting for takes work, even hope and happiness.

Thoughts v 1.0

Trying to get motivated...

Can be tough unless you think it through... maybe...

It is serene and silent watching the snow falling gracefully from the gray clouds above Longueuil. There is not much of a wind, and people have refrained from leaving the warmth of there homes as much as possible. Today, I imagine, is a perfect day for sledding and sipping hot chocolate with mini marshmallows or snuggling up with a fuzzy blanket, a couple of cats, and a good book. But a penny (wait, the penny is phased out...a nickel?) is not earned by sitting around, we must strive to put food on the table, a roof over our heads. Fun fun!

A Gaming Wishlist

The gaming world is always changing...  

The graphics aren't the only thing that is getting better but the hardware is as well.  To have the best experience it helps to have the best equipment, however, that doesn't usually mean you will not enjoy a game as it is.

I don't have the best equipment.  My computer is getting older, I still own a regular PS3, and I don't have the funds to improve them yet.  Still, I dream about all of the games I wish to play.

Let's start with the "old"...

• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist
• Developers: Ubisoft Toronto
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Released August 20, 2013

I have never been disappointed with Splinter Cell.  When the series of Splinter Cell's first came out I wasn't even aware of them until Chaos Theory, back when I started to take video games more seriously. I remember playing co-op with my brother and failing miserably at deactivating bombs...we were blown up...a lot! 

As I played through the story, I really liked the stealthiness of the game.  How one wrong move could mess everything up, and one sound could lead you to take on the enemies head on were things I enjoyed exploiting in the game, but only on occasion.  With the new Splinter Cell, Blacklist, I am really looking forward to experimenting with the online multiplayer, Spies vs Mercs. This is truly a feat for my brother and I, of which we have both improved our gaming techniques dramatically! Let's see who wins! 

• Remember Me
• Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
• Publisher: Capcom 
• Released June 3, 2013

I became intrigued with this game because of the story. It takes place in the future (2028, Neo-Paris) when a woman named Nilin whose memory is wiped escapes from imprisonment, and as she encounters a man called Edge he tells her that she is an Errorist. She has the ability to steal and change(remix) memories. The game involves making a series of choices that can change someone's personality/behavior entirely to make them believe something that happened when it never actually did. By changing something in a memory, it can ultimately change the way a person thinks or acts.  

For example, in the trailer, Nilin has to enter someone's memory and make the person kill someone by removing or changing a glass bottle. This makes the person grab a gun instead of the bottle and they end up killing someone they loved. In reality, they become depressed and guilt ridden and they kill themselves in the end.

I think, the main reason why I like the premise of this game is because it is thought provoking and the choices you have to make can be the difference between life and death.

• Payday 2
• Developers: Overkill Software & Starbreeze 
• Publisher: 505 Games
• Released August 13, 2013

Having played the first Payday and absolutely loving it, I am quite excited to play this one. It's basically a 4 person co-op fps game where you complete heists (which is in the layout of a stage/campaign map).  The game involves a lot of team work which can be fun when you are playing with the right people...otherwise, if you have someone who is Rambo, then you can count on being 'jailed' half of the time.

I can think of a few good players to play this game with over a few drinks and slurred speech! 

Well, there are definitely more games on my list, but I'll leave it at that for now.  Hopefully, someday, I will have the opportunity to play them. In the meantime I'll have to keep my eye out for Steam sales! So... yeah! That's it, that's all, and let's get gummy with it! 

Don't Panic!

Okay! So here is my "first" gaming video ever, unless you include my Sims videos...then it's my third gaming video!  Basically, my friend Baku decides he wants an achievement which you have to finish this particular map on Nightmare in Dungeon Defenders.  I'm already skeptical if we could do it but I agreed to go along with it!  We were doomed from the start, but at least we had fun!

Gummy: On Falling in Love - Part 2

Lost in a digital world...

The gentle hum of the swirling fans in Gummy's laptop roared to life after hours of midnight gaming...

Gummy looked over at her alarm clock sitting on top of her television wall unit. It read, 3 o'clock in the morning.  Not wanting to leave her team of zombie slayers mid game she continued to push forward.

The Ruggedly Handsome Nick (IMO)

Work is going to be hell tomorrow.

Overall, she didn't mind.  Work was just a way to earn a dollar. Gaming, that was a whole other lifestyle.  It was like being a superhero, putting on a mask and saving the world. Besides, playing with the handsome Nick wasn't so bad either. What made it better? His French accent. 

At first, it was just a friendship but soon a courtship began. It was just one of those things that just happened.

Finally they finished the campaign barely surviving the finale. Sometimes it was easy and other times the zombies and special infected were so well timed in attacks that the whole team would be incapacitated. Not to mention, the entire team were starting to groan like zombies themselves, the evidence of lack of sleep taking effect.

It was time to shuffle over to the bed and she did so grudgingly but not before seeing her Nick buddy jump into another game.

"You're playing another game?? Don't you have to work early tomorrow too?" She messaged him.

"Yeah, but I'm just testing this one," he responded.

She laughed and shook her head and soon she was lost in the dream world running away from zombies and alligators. Why is everything so much more terrifying in a dream?

Over the next few months and a few days after Valentine's day both Gummy and her Nick played the familiar campaigns in Left 4 Dead.  

They goofed around swatting zombies with med kits and jumped from beginning to end until the finale.  When they reached the finale, it was a bridge torn with random vehicles tossed all over, and lots of hiding places where zombies could jump out at you.  It was tough, they dared to play on advanced, and well...there is no happy ending for these love birds as Gummy is charged off the bridge and Nick is the lone survivor to make it to the waiting helicopter.

"NO!" he screamed, "Gummy..."

Everyone laughed over an open mic as they waited for Nick to board the helicopter and then, just when you thought he was going to make it he stops.

"I can't do it! Not without Gummy!" He ran to the edge of the helipad and jumped into the open water killing him instantly.

Everyone yelled out, in surprise and dismay, as they watched his body hit the water sprawling out as if he hit pavement instead...that's game physics for you, sometimes things just don't make sense. Laughter broke out and even though they could have made it, they weren't going to unless Gummy made it. Thankfully, after another try, everyone lived happily ever after.

The game had ended and the credits rolled and Gummy looked at her messages in the Steam overlay.  Three simple words appeared in a swift stroke of the key that read: "I love you."

Sometimes, when you least expect it, that's when love finds you. In this case, Gummy found it in a digital land filled with zombies and special infected. She wasn't looking for it, but because of a bored Nick, they ended meeting on one server that changed there lives...at least for the time being. 

Gummy: On Falling in Love

Love in the Land of Zombies...

In the land of zombies, four survivors trek across the southern landscape in hopes of finding refuge from the raging infected...

It was her birthday and she never felt more alone when she turned on her computer and waited patiently for Steam to start.  Left 4 Dead became a way to disconnect from the depressing reality and the lack of companionship.  Gummy sat at her computer and thought back on her day.  Not impressive but decent enough.  She loved her family, since they were there for her in difficult times but there was one thing she wanted, to be held by the loving embrace of her soul mate.  It was then she made a silent wish to herself and to any wandering spirits that might overhear her.

"I wish, this birthday, something I don't normally wish for, but I wish to find a pure love." She sighed and bowed her head in silence.  After sitting for a few moments she got up to fill a glass of wine and returned to start a game.  As the familiar logo of Valve appeared she sipped her wine and thought, What a way to spend a birthday.

What other way did she know though? She was never one to go to clubs and party.  She was introverted and some would say she was shy.  However the world viewed her, she did know that she hated it.

The game started and she found herself immersed on the rooftops reaching for her first weapon of defense.  It was hard to decide on the best weapon...she was still new to the game only having put minimal hours into it.  Some other players joined her and one in particular was amusing as he became the ruggedly handsome Nick.  Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

They rushed down the stairway into the hallway of a hotel.  There were a few doors open and a spew of zombies came tumbling out towards them.  Nick jumped up and down randomly with a med kit in hand and started batting at the zombies with it.  Suddenly, Gummy gasped as one special infected launched itself at her.  She failed to get out of the way in time and was then being pounded into the wall.  Nick came running to her rescue with a baseball bat and swung hard giggling. Giggling? Who is this guy?

The survivors continued on there journey throughout the Left 4 Dead 2 world.  The light was a contrast to the original Left 4 Dead, but it was always still surprising when the special infected would grab you from the middle of nowhere.  Nick was constantly picking up incapacitated survivors and he refused to leave anyone behind even if it meant sacrificing his own life.  He was good humored about it too.

After the night finished, it was early the next morning.  Gummy contemplated on adding this Nick character to her friends list.  She thought about how good of a player he was.  It was refreshing not be yelled at by people who took the game too seriously.  Suddenly, inside her mind she said, screw it! And clicked the add friend button and went to bed.

When she awoke, her curiosity led her back to her computer and to her surprise, he accepted!

To be continued...

The Story of a Gummy Bear

The Origins... 

A long time ago...okay, not really a long time ago...perhaps it was only awhile ago...pfft, whatever, it was in the past and that's all I know.  Let's try this again.

Sometime in the past, that of which I do not fully remember when, but I became lovingly known as Gummy Bear.  A name which rose in terror as I fought my way through waves of zombies with nothing more than a frying pan, med kit, adrenaline, and a trusty military sniper rifle (with laser sights attached, of course).  Okay, so the name didn't bring terror but at least it was a name that I could grow into.  It didn't matter how often I bounced from name to name, I would always bounce my way back to Gummy.

Before becoming Gummy, my tyranny only raged upon unwitting Sims.  Not that I minded too much, but I still had yet to discover the world of gaming.  After I upgraded my dinosaur of a computer to a gaming laptop (to better improve my Simmming) I discovered the game Left 4 Dead, first on the Xbox and then on PC.  My name at the time was a name that was created by chance of a typo.  Not as interesting as to how I was adopted by Gummy Bear.  After months of playing Left 4 Dead with a mediocre name and being single it was on my birthday that I made a wish that surprisingly came true.  Next thing I knew it I was introduced to an interesting French accented "Nick" and we survived campaign after campaign in Left 4 Dead until the wee hours of the morning.  A birthday well spent since this "Nick" fellow was super funny.

The night sadly finished and I was forced to resort back to reality but my mind kept flipping back to my new friend.  An interesting fellow whose words of randomness and kindness made me want to keep playing video games.  Still playing under my original name, I began experimenting with other names to find one that best suited me, however, none of them stuck and I kept the name I had.  Another month or so past and I met a few of my friend's friends which created a new world of hilarity and trolls. 

More time past, it might have only been weeks but time moves differently in the gaming world, and after having a wonderfully funny relationship with my accented Nick we finally began to develop a closer relationship.  At this time, I was so in love with Death Note and the character L that I named myself after him.  I remember slaying the zombies and Nick yelling out, with my buddies as witnesses, "I 'ove' you!"

I replied surprised and amused and still questioning if I heard him correctly, "You 'ove' me?" I made the connection because my game tag was 'L'.  I laughed when he simply answered, "Yeah!"  It was from then on that I began to think of my funny friend as something more.  Our zombieland relationship took off and continued to blossom.

Still, I was trying to discover my own gamer tag and eventually it found me.  As I was learning the likes and dislikes of my new beau, Gummy Bear found me.  A name that I would now forever be known as.  I get amusement out of it when I slay zombies, or take down other players in CoD.  To be outplayed by a Gummy Bear-the most friendliest of names.  It was a name that suited me and my personality to perfection.  The truth behind the Gummy name, well, I found out that my sweetheart loves gummies in general, so I couldn't resist the name.

That's it, that's all, at least for the origins of Gummy Bear!