TheHands

Sounds like the screams could be used as ambient sounds in darker pieces, but otherwise it's just punk noise. The speaking also feels very pigeonholed into the genre, which isn't a bad thing, but it seems like it sets up natural limitations. I like that I was able to hear the two separate this time, it makes it easier to focus on a single tone. As you practice more you should try harmonizing with yourself once you get the hang of singing (or even sing-speak if that's the way you end up going), it's another good exercise to help with control. And yar, StabArt sounds very sloppy. I think that adds to the punk feel though.

While I see your points, you must keep in mind that video games are not merely games. As soon as the graphic interface is available, it opens up new possibilities. Dancing, for example, wasn't originally intended as art. Various cultures use it for celebration, prayer, aiding harvest, courting, and a number of other things. From this base, it evolved to allow things like ballet, break dancing, the jazz styles, etc. Even acrobatics is considered dancing (I usher at a rental hall, I've seen 28 dance recitals this month. All of them either had acro classes or were first year schools). With art the intent is almost always as important as the way it's done. While this isn't always true (Paradise Lost is supposed to be anti-Satan, but Satan is the most convincing, best written character in the whole era), it can usually show the merit of the work. This isn't to say that a game isn't art because it was made to sell a lot of copies, but most games this way (and other things of this nature besides games) will be purely entertainment, and have very little stand-alone artistic merit. Sometimes it happens by accident (Sims), sometimes it's a little of each (Metal Gear Solid). Also, as per the Sims, what sets it apart from the others is the fact that it's in human context. Sure, you can step outside of yourself and be a helicopter, or an ant, or even God in the upcoming sim... but that's not something we couldn't already do with imagination (or drugs, in some cases). To watch a replica of one's own life goes beyond imagination, and beyond the realms of time and space in a sense. It could only exist in art, even if it is rich in mainstream success but terrible from a gaming aspect. This isn't a definition of art, but one very important facet of it. There are actually quite a few history books that can be considered art, with the current state of literature (Creative Writing BA from CUNY with a focus in nonfiction, they drilled this into me). Aside from all literary memoirs, historic poems, and all Shakespeare (all rooted in history, technically, even though he took some artistic liberties when plagiarizing his contemporaries), you've also got things as blatantly artistic as MAUS and Persepolis. Not all art is intended to be art. Sometimes it happens that way. One of the most paintings of the last hundred years is of a Cambell Soup can. Norman Rockwell did more advertisments than he did conceptual pieces (if memory serves). Sometimes it's a happy accident, the .00001 baby from the pill.

Games are like music, art, film, books, and any other medium. You will always have the Art vs. Entertainment issue, even in games. With a game, you can go the route of most other games, and duplicate something that sold well (by accident or on purpose, whichever seems most fitting at the time), or you can do something unique for the sake of doing something unique. Take something as mundane and terrible as The Sims. In essence, the first game was a postmodern masterpiece - This is your life, from third person prospective. You can be anyone you want, do anything you want, and become everything you aren't in reality. No one ever plays Sims to be something they aren't though, they always play themselves first, and try to become the closest thing to themselves they can. And in this game, in all your choices, you don't act. Katamari Damacy is an ultra-modern surrealist work. The concept on its own is enough to merit this, but the stylistic aspects (all aspects of the game, actually) do things that no one else had done, in a way that couldn't be replicated. Medal of Honor's got a powerful story to point out, as most war-art does. Nothing more, nothing less. The fact that it's put in the realm of a FPS means nothing when you consider the point behind it. In stark contrast, things like every Sim since, Halo, and most others are made only to sell, or because the designer thought it was cool. So yes, video games are sometimes art.

With the inclusion of dual gender classes, you have no need for something like an Amazon (might simply be Archer, or incorporated into Barbarian). Witch Doctor is basically the Druid on steroids with some Necro moves from what they've shown. I'm hoping they bring Assassins back, this time without the need for an expansion to include them. The martial art linking and trapping abilities were unique, and don't seem like they can be easily meshed into something else right now. The martial arts don't seem to have been pulled into the Barb, it seems hopeful.

Well, the cab micing worked well enough. I suggest playing with your vox more, seeing what can happen. It helps to plug your ear with a finger so you can hear what you actually sound like (or something close to it) to help keep in key. For a first attempt it isn't terrible, but I'd still like to see more done with your voice.

The drums do not amuse us. I feel like some of the synths should be turned down a little, and some of the repetition in the first minute and 45 seconds needs to be vented. It feels like a very solid start, and I agree about the keys. They're catchy, and definitely add to the piece.

My pants are now soiled with glee. Blizzard must reimburse me for them.

I was rather pleased with Wall-e, and Presto reminded me that I need to buy the collection of Pixar shorts soon.

I agree about possibly using a guitar towards the end of the climax, but I think the cut works well. I really liked this mix, which is unusual as I don't dig most synth-overlay type stuff, nor do I really care about Halo all that much. I think with a little bit of re-tooling this will go far.

The solo pianos make me smile. However, I agree with possibly mellowing the beat some. It feels like the steady semi-uhn-tiss is detracting from the piano and synth work. I like the arrangement a lot, I'm looking forward to hearing the finished version.

He will be missed more than most family.

Hey, Wario looks pretty boss in his WarioWare outfit. Otherwise, he'd just be an obnoxious colored Mario, which is never as fun. Besides that, what would his level be then? Woods? Lame.

Personally, I like it. I think you should work with it. The only thing that didn't seem like it belonged was some of the cymbal, it overpowered the lead at the end.

Update: I played with my tracks a little more (limited resources have hurt my sounds), and I think it sounds more natural. http://www.soundclick.com/util/downloadSong.cfm?ID=5846460&key=135123AA-8

I'm vaguely disappointed by the Landmaster's stills. Maybe it'll be more impressive in execution.

[bump] C'mon, even if just for composition. Anyone have anything to say at all?

Pezman: No, you're not. There's all sorts of things you can do, with a little creativity. What random shit do you have lying about your place?

I think it's likely that Captain Olimar would be in Brawl... if he weren't the size of a quarter. It makes me sad, I wanted to see him in there. I'd love to see Dedede in there as well, come to think of it. Even if they just wanted to clone Kirby, skin him differently, and give him the Falco makeover, it would be more than doable.

Halloween always has and will be my favourite holiday. This year, I'm pulling 4 costumes for the day of and the parties after the fact: Master and Crazy Hand [black clothes, white gloves, and I'm going to make a Final Destination out of cardboard or something to hang from my chest] Boo! [Paper plates with faces for the win] Shoop Da Whoop [Actually going to make a black hood with the face, and charge my laser all over the place] Bowser [Humanish, since I'm too broke to build a suit] It's going to keep me entertained.

I want a Yoshi-Kebob now. I'll definitely help him catch the little bastard.

...still waiting on Falco, Game & Watch, a random Animal Crossing kiddy, and Sonic... On the whole I'm very happy with the new additions and modes in Brawl. I think I'm going to kill my GCN controller on it.

Hey hey hey, look at that, I seem to be new here as well. Go me?

Well, it's my first time ever re-arranging anything here, and I'd like some feedback. It doesn't feel finished yet to me, but I'm not sure what's missing. http://www.soundclick.com/util/downloadSong.cfm?ID=5824060&key=605F18DF-9 Thanks.