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Agreeing with Just Coffee on volume. I'd add that the snare drum sounds a bit stilted and the backup brass (?) starting at 0:16 could stand to use a better sample (or you could opt for a chiptune to tie into the source material - might be a nice contrast). Just my two cents. Solid arrangement, though!

The opening reminds me of what Ice Climbers would sound like if Vince Guaraldi scored it. I'm liking the mix. A few comments: - 0:40ish woodwinds sound older, or like Mole Mountain from Super Mario RPG, which is incongruous with more vibrant brass that comes in soon after -1:03 background brass are a bit... muted? They, too, are a bit out of place with other instruments. -1:45 bring that trumpet forward! - 2:53 any way to include a stand-up bass to keep energy up and segue into the the woodwinds? This is a great concept piece, and a style that's generally lacking here, at least in my experience. Really, I think it's just a matter of samples and balancing. The commenters above know a lot more about music theory and style, but I think it would fit in nicely with any Glenn Miller Orchestra set list. Good work!

All right. Let's get down to business. Here's the last poll question and the votes: VG Opinion Poll #17 In video games, are gender roles more stereotypical or modern*? a. Stereotypical- 10 votes (100%) - A clear victory. b. Modern - 0 votes *meaning respected equally Suffice it to say, those that voted agreed with the underlying premise of the poll. Granted, this is not a very scientific study. For example, I don't think a single woman voted! Obviously, the data is skewed but, if the guys who replied were being honest, it's a good indication that there is hope that the industry may move away from gender stereotypes and objectifying women. As promised (thank you KF for your comments and inspiration), here are some actual studies on the subject: 1. Dill, Karen E., and Thill, Kathryn P. (2007) Video Game Characters and the Socialization of Gender Roles: Young People’s Perceptions Mirror Sexist Media Depictions. Sex Roles, 57(11-12), pp. 851-864. Abstract: Video game characters are icons in youth popular culture, but research on their role in gender socialization is rare. A content analysis of images of video game characters from top-selling American gaming magazines showed male characters (83%) are more likely than female characters (62%) to be portrayed as aggressive. Female characters are more likely than male characters to be portrayed as sexualized (60% versus 1%), scantily clad (39% versus 8%) and as showing a mix of sex and aggression (39 versus 1%). A survey of teens confirmed that stereotypes of male characters as aggressive and female characters as sexually objectified physical specimens are held even by non-gamers. Studies are discussed in terms of the role media plays in socializing sexism. 2. Ogletree, Shirley Matile, and Drake, Ryan. (2007) College Students' Video Game Participation and Perceptions: Gender Differences and Implications. Sex Roles, 56(7-8 ), pp. 537-542. Abstract: As growing numbers of youth in the United States play video games, potential effects of game playing are being considered. We focused on gender-related aspects of gaming in a study of 206 college students. Men were significantly more likely than women to play video games two or more hours a week and to indicate that video game playing interfered with sleeping and with class preparation. A greater proportion of women than men complained about the amount of time their significant other played video games. Participants rated female video game characters as significantly more helpless and sexually provocative than male characters and as less likely to be strong and aggressive. Gender differences in participation and character portrayals potentially impact the lives of youth in a variety of ways. 3. Hartmann, T., and Klimmt, C. (2006) Gender and computer games: Exploring females' dislikes. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(4), article 2. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol11/issue4/hartmann.html Abstract: On average, girls and women are less involved with video games than are boys and men, and when they do play, they often prefer different games. This article reports two studies that investigated the dislikes of German females with regard to video games. Study 1 applied conjoint analysis to female respondents' (N=317) ratings of fictional video games and demonstrated that lack of meaningful social interaction, followed by violent content and sexual gender role stereotyping of game characters, were the most important reasons why females disliked the games. Study 2, an online survey (N=795), revealed that female respondents were less attracted to competitive elements in video games, suggesting an explanation for gender-specific game preferences. These findings are discussed with respect to communication theory on interactive entertainment and their implications for applied video game design. 4. Dietz, Tracy L. (1998 ) An Examination of Violence and Gender Role Portrayals in Video Games: Implications for Gender Socialization and Aggressive Behavior. Sex Roles, 38(5-6), pp. 425-442. Abstract: Using content analysis, this research examines the portrayal of women and the use of violent themes in a sample of 33 popular Nintendo and Sega Genesis video games. It is proposed that video games, like other media forms, impact the identity of children. This analysis reveals that traditional gender roles and violence are central to many games in the sample. There were no female characters in 41% of the games with characters. In 28% of these, women were portrayed as sex objects. Nearly 80% of the games included aggression or violence as part of the strategy or object. While 27% of the games contained sociallyacceptable aggression, nearly half included violence directed specifically at others and 21% depicted violence directed at women. Most of the characters in the games were Anglo. Also interesting: - Casual Games and Gender - Gender-Bending Games - Videogames Gender Balance Thanks for voting!

Is that a compliment? I see your point, but the idea is to find ReMixes that best describe who you are, not necessarily those that are your faves (see disclaimer in original post).

I thought this would be a fun exercise. Describe yourself using five ReMixes or less*. You could use anything about yourself: - your heritage - your personality - your occupation (how many of you are plumbers or members of Avalanche?) - your hobbies or interests - your location This could take some thought. Are you up for the challenge? For example: I am Latin (Mamacitas in My Valley) with a Celtic twist (Crossfire), pretty laid-back (Dialama tu Kafe), and an artist (Trippin' on Rainbows) who lives near the ocean (Beneath the Surface). If you like this kind of thread, let me know by reply or PM. I might just make it a (semi)regular thing. *Please note: This is not a "list your five favorite ReMixes" thread. The Admin does not look kindly upon such postings and I have to agree with them. So please don't spoil the fun and get this thread locked. Also, remember that the world can see what you post about yourself. Thanks!

Yeah, sephire always does a great job. I'll admit that his video on sex(uality) in video games got me thinking about posting this poll. Thanks for pointing out that video, though. I hadn't seen it yet. I had trouble coming up with an appropriate term to balance against "stereotype". What I mean by "modern" is "lacking in traditional gender roles or bias". Something like that.

Well, you're right, I didn't talk about male stereotyping, except as heroes in the "save the love interest" plotline. It seems to me, and perhaps I'm wrong, that female stereotyping is more damaging and more rampant in games than in other media. Actually, I think you hit every point squarely on the head. And, yes, for the record, I think those ads are terrible. Sorry I didn't mention that. Zelda in Ocarina, as herself or Shiek, is a prime example of a strong female lead who is not objectified or portrayed in a condescending manner. Excellent point. This is great stuff. I have to agree on all points. If I can find any actual data on the subject, I'll post it with results from this poll. And, Rozo, Salluz, I agree that, as some sort of compensation for stereotypical appearance, some female characters are granted more power or ferocity. Very good points thus far. Thanks for your opinions!

It's good to be back. VG Opinion Poll #17 The media seems to think that most gamers are guys. They could be right. But they are overlooking a large portion of the female population who also consider themselves gamers. I'm not exactly sure why it is under-reported, but I believe it has something to do with games themselves and the bias therein. Many, many games portray gender roles in classical or stereotypical fashion: men act, women wait. Going back to some of the oldest games with plots (I use the term loosely), you find: Mario saving Princess Toadstool from Donkey Kong or Bowser; Link saving Zelda from Ganon; Ryu saving Irene Law; heck, even in Nintendo's Pinball you could save Daisy! Plot summary = hero saves girl. Congrats. Granted, not all females in classic games were helpless damsels in distress. Metroid was a huge break from the stereotypical gender roles in "modern" society. It was probably a shock if the big secret hadn't been spoiled before you played it. However, the game designers couldn't resist putting Samus JUST IN her BAILEY as a "reward" for completing the game quickly. The Zero Suit is simply a continuation of this trend. Even if you have a strong female in a game, the odds are that she is highly attractive. Do developers think we can't empathize with a normal-looking person? I mean, Mario (the plumber!) is no catch. The decision to emphasize female beauty may be based on the presumption that most gamers are male. But what does this do to gender roles? My guess is that it undermines any progress that's made by putting a woman in a lead role. Yes, there are a lot of strong female game characters out there. But how many of them are valued for their personalities, their smarts, and their inner strength, as opposed to their scantily clad, curvy bodies? In my experience, I find that there are very few examples of female game characters who are not stereotyped, either in their roles, or in their looks. When I think of women like this, I think of Quistis, the original Joanna Dark, Raine Sage, Scarlett O'Hara, Zoe Washburne, Margaret Thatcher, and Deunan Knute. Okay, some of those are not from games, but you get my point. Despite my objections, I still think Samus is a good candidate for gender equality, except for her progressively Hollywood look. Zelda has become a strong, independent woman (especially in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess), even though she began by sitting around Ganon's lair or snoozing atop an altar. Maybe some of the women from the Resident Evil games can also be considered as breaking away from traditional roles. I won't go into fighting games, though. Personally, I have found the best female characters in more avant-garde titles. Games like Eternal Darkness, Beyond Good and Evil, and Mirror's Edge put you in the shoes of an intelligent, resourceful, and scrappy woman, not some titillatingly shapely bimbo. Those developers might have sold more games with a sexier lead character but I think they did the right thing. So, if you're still with me, I would like to ask the following question: In video games, are gender roles more stereotypical or modern*? a. Stereotypical b. Modern *meaning respected equally Vote and be heard! Ideas? Comments? PM me. P.S.: I'm not hating on your favorite game/character, just making observations about gender portrayal.

I've been meaning to get to this... sorry for the delay. Okay, here is the question from last time: VG Opinion Poll #16 Would you prefer a game from an established franchise to be similar to its predecessors in its plot/style/gameplay or would you rather it break new ground while maintaining the spirit of the series? Here's how it played out: A. Stay the course! - 6 votes (60%) - Top dawg! B. Break the mold! - 4 votes (40%) Well, I didn't expect such a close race or the number of mixed opinions. I can see how this was a difficult question to answer, given the number of examples for and against changing the style or mechanics of a franchise. Anyway, it seems that gamers like things the way they are (or the way they were for us old-timers). Thanks for voting! New poll (about time!) in a bit.

Just (finally) finished it. Love the music, particularly the opening and ending themes with vocals and the Jegon River theme. Definitely a lot of Celtic inspiration throughout.

More a fan of Celtic rock: (my favorite band, RIP)The Horslips (anyone know where I can find a CD?) and I've heard good things about I did pick up a CD of Celtic Flutes at Target a couple years ago. Recommended.

Indeed! Good to know people remember these songs. Dire Straits - Money for Nothing Aha - Take on Me (the best video I could find) Van Halen - Jump Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name (all I can think of is HIMYM) ... I didn't realize how ridiculous some of these videos were.

The much-lauded Wii game Little King's Story now has songs available for your listening or downloading pleasure. Just use this link and (once through the videos) click on Multimedia to find them. Enjoy!

Random thought: if you haven't had a medium-rare triple prime burger, you haven't lived! Tonight, I live. VG Opinion Poll #16 I promised you a more intellectual poll, so here goes. As discerning gamers, you are all well aware of the many franchises which exist in the gaming universe. Some are legendary, like Zelda and Final Fantasy, and others, like Dead Space and Boom Blox, have just begun their legacies. When you pick up a game from an established franchise, you probably know what to expect. Indeed, that may be the reason you chose the game in the first place. It may also be the reason you avoid certain games. Now, I'm not really asking you to separate those franchises that you like and those that you dislike but I would ask you to consider the concept of a franchise itself. Think about the way that games in a series are similar, but different. Here's the question: Would you prefer a game from an established franchise to be similar to its predecessors in its plot/style/gameplay or would you rather it break new ground while maintaining the spirit of the series? A. Stay the course! B. Break the mold! More cerebral than usual, no? Results soon!

For informational purposes only... The question from last time: VG Opinion Poll #15! Games are everywhere and have been for a long time. They come standard on just about any electronic device (even calculators). Are we that bored? No, that's not the question, but it may speak to our need for ubiquitous entertainment. My question, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner, is this: What do you use most often for gaming? The votes: a. console - 5 votes (38%) --numero uno!-- b. computer - 4 votes (31%) c. handheld - 4 votes (31%) Well, it was a close race, but not even a twofer vote could swamp the consoles. Very good points made for all three. I especially like the notion (thanks Sixto) that console games are made for consoles and, therefore, run best on consoles, without requiring additional hardware. Still, you're missing out on some good titles if you don't diversify. And who can argue against the portability of games? Thanks for voting. New poll in about two minutes.

Very good point. I'd like to run Oblivion full out but it would kill my comp. Sim abuse! Beta-testing didn't catch that, did they? I love that kind of hilarious mischief. Nice.

Monday, Monday... VG Opinion Poll #15! Games are everywhere and have been for a long time. They come standard on just about any electronic device (even calculators). Are we that bored? No, that's not the question, but it may speak to our need for ubiquitous entertainment. My question, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner, is this: What do you use most often for gaming? a. console b. computer c. handheld (arcade machines don't count, mostly because they are not common in homes... though they should be!) Vote and be heard! Results soon, followed by a more intellectual poll, I promise.

Makin' movies! Strong opinions last time. Here's the question and your votes: VG Opinion Poll #14 What video game or series would you most want to see turned into a movie? a. Metroid - 8 votes (40%) b. The Legend of Zelda - 6 votes (30%) c. Mega Man - 1 vote... (5%) d. Castlevania - 2 votes (10%) e. Ninja Gaiden - 3 votes (15%) Honestly, I thought there would be more votes for the boy in blue. Poor guy... He gets put through robotic hell and only Dr. Light supports his silver screen dreams. Anyway, I thought the last one got some good discussions going. I wonder if the upcoming CGI film-enhanced Metroid: Other M had anything to do with the final tally. Thanks for voting. New poll as soon as I think of it. So... hopefully soon.

Nice touches on the update, progressive. I like the complex flavor of this version, with tidbits of dissonance an already solid mix. How long 'til you sub it?

I think, as you do, that it's only a matter of time before movies based on video games are the norm. It seems that Hollywood is dying for licensed stories as they can't seem to produce enough original material. That aside, I can see your point about CGI. While I don't think it will replace live action, I think we have been acclimated to its inclusion in movies to the point that you can get away with semi- or mostly-CGI films like Mega Man, for example, should be to minimize deviation from the game(s). And, yes, of course movies can help the fan base of the original work (whatever medium it might be). So a Mega Man/Zelda/Castlevania/etc. movie would get people interested in the source games but, I would argue, only if the movie is done right. Good points, FH.

Hey, man, I liked it. But even Nintendo admitted that it did poorly. And probably just like the comic book and Saturday morning cartoon movies (coming fall 2010, Smurfs: The Movie... Get blue or get out!) good vg flicks will be few and far between. Even those that stay true to the games will suffer as they won't bring in the public dollars that more "mainstream" game movies (read: greedy bastardizations) will. Ali was the first to come to mind due to the long blonde hair and blue eyes (as in the MP games). I did not know of Ms. Loken until you mentioned her. Sure, she could work. Does she have the edge and soft side for it, though? I can see your point. I was thinking about all of these (including Mega Man) as live-action films.

One thing leads to another... VG Opinion Poll #14 While there have been innumerable movies based on comic books (or graphic novels, depending on your take), the list for video games is comparatively short. That might be due in part to the fact that most, like the Mario Brothers movie (which tanked infamously) and the Mortal Kombat movie (which I remember being purposefully silly), were not box office hits (Doom did okay). You may wonder where I'm going with this. Well, try to follow this train of thought: I was driving home, listening to bLiNd's Jade Catacombs which got me thinking about BGC's In Your Prime. That reminded me of finishing Metroid Prime 3 recently and the video at the end. Which made me wonder who would fit the part of Samus in a Metroid movie (Ali Larter came to mind). But it occurred to me that there might not be enough demand for video game movies. Which leads me to this question: What video game or series would you most want to see turned into a movie? a. Metroid b. The Legend of Zelda (IGN should have finished the movie instead of toying with us!) c. Mega Man d. Castlevania e. Ninja Gaiden Please note: I tried to be fair and grab from several systems. These are all character-specific games (meaning the focus is a main [human] character who could be played in a live-action film). Oh, and I left out Metal Gear because it's in the works. Check out this list for more. Vote and be heard! If you have other suggestions, feel free to list them. PM me for anything else.

Despite the choice typo (drat!) there were over twenty votes on the following question: So, quite simply, has OCR taught you anything? a. Yes, indeed. b. Maybe... b. Nope. Here's how it played out: a. Yes, indeed. - 20 votes (87%)!!! b. Maybe... - 2 votes (9%) b. Nope. - 1 vote (4%) As I said, great turnout this time, with a lot of highly-regarded names offering their opinions. I can't say that I'm surprised by the result, considering the drive to improve which is fostered here at OCR. A few voters poitned out that the community is a great way to get answers and learn, which even I, as a lurker turned one-WIP wonder, have found to be true. Thanks for voting! New poll very soon.