AusGAF - Twice the price, a year late, filtered and seized by customs
- Thread starter VOOK
- Start date
- Status
Yeah, I get that. I love planes, all kinds, real geek about it, but I ended up joining the Army. I knew I'd never be a military pilot since I wear glasses, so I figured the Army would be more fun. Anyway, just don't rush into anything and I'm sure you'll make a great choice.
I have a friend who joined the military, and he seems to be having the time of his life just with the training (automatic weapons, grenades, mortars, RPGs, etc.) I'm pretty sure he's earning way more than me, too.
And I have a cousin who's joining the navy, and he seems pretty pleased with that.
So I'd say join the Air-force if you really like the stuff.
And I have a cousin who's joining the navy, and he seems pretty pleased with that.
So I'd say join the Air-force if you really like the stuff.
speedpop said:
Hah! You went to the careers expo at the BCC didn't you? I found myself talking to a Navy officer about what it was like being in the Navy. I was really just curious, having recently watched a doco on military life. He sounded geniunely enthusiastic about the lifestyle, but I hope I didn't mislead him into thinking that I was considerring enlisting.
But yeah, if I went military, I would go Navy. The only thing that doesn't appeal is the formal uniform for non-commissioned officers and lower, it's a little stupid.
Fellow AusGAFians:
I started a site a few months ago, and I'd appreciate any feedback. What works and what's crap and boring. Specifically Rlan and Vook who run / write on sites themselves.
It's a review site but with a different method, you could say. A game the reviewer has never played before will be chosen and some drinks organised. The reviewer will then post a comment about the game after each drink he/she has consumed. The amount of comments a game gets before the reviewer gets bored ends up being the final score. So while the score is mostly meaningless, it does give some indication of how well it holds the interest of the player.
www.standarddrinksreview.com
There's not much there yet. 2 what I call 'Quick Shots' reviews (a much more casual review of what would be considered shorter games), and a full review that didn't work too well, so I deleted the text.
I started a site a few months ago, and I'd appreciate any feedback. What works and what's crap and boring. Specifically Rlan and Vook who run / write on sites themselves.
It's a review site but with a different method, you could say. A game the reviewer has never played before will be chosen and some drinks organised. The reviewer will then post a comment about the game after each drink he/she has consumed. The amount of comments a game gets before the reviewer gets bored ends up being the final score. So while the score is mostly meaningless, it does give some indication of how well it holds the interest of the player.
www.standarddrinksreview.com
There's not much there yet. 2 what I call 'Quick Shots' reviews (a much more casual review of what would be considered shorter games), and a full review that didn't work too well, so I deleted the text.
Dr Bad Dude PHD
Banned
I'm not going to attempt to sugarcoat the pill or anything, so I'm going to come right out and say that your site is just generally uninteresting. The first uninteresting point is the review selection, what are these games? I do not know and I do not care, but I decided to read them anyway. I still do not know and still do not care, the one game I had heard of was Fear 2 but clicking takes me to a blurb about how the review failed.
Second uninteresting point is the reviews themselves, are these even reviews? I do not know. The writing is poor and so is the content and I feel as though I know nothing about the game other than how many drinks some guy can manage while he is playing it.
I can see what you are trying to do, setting yourself apart from the hoards of gaming sites with something fresh, but if a baker decides to start putting faeces in his cookies instead of chocolate I highly doubt his claims of doing something fresh are going to send business through the roof. Your site is boring, your reviews are boring, I see no reason why I should visit it ever again in my life, but maybe it is just me.
Second uninteresting point is the reviews themselves, are these even reviews? I do not know. The writing is poor and so is the content and I feel as though I know nothing about the game other than how many drinks some guy can manage while he is playing it.
I can see what you are trying to do, setting yourself apart from the hoards of gaming sites with something fresh, but if a baker decides to start putting faeces in his cookies instead of chocolate I highly doubt his claims of doing something fresh are going to send business through the roof. Your site is boring, your reviews are boring, I see no reason why I should visit it ever again in my life, but maybe it is just me.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Woah dude, acrimonious much?igotnewsuper8 systemWRONG! said:
Mar_ said:
The review system is interesting to say the least, you won't be able to review lots and lots of games this way as you'll end up with alcohol poisoning on a really good title. :lol
I think the idea is solid, but so far it's a bit rough - the reviews while acheiving their purpose don't tell me much about the game or why I should play/not play it. I'd have liked to have seen your FEAR2 one no matter how bad it was as I think these Quick Shot ones aren't the best way to see what you're aiming at with the idea.
The design of the blog though is terrible, I mean yeah it's just a Wordpress site at the moment but there is a ton of nice Wordpress themes out there (and a lot of bad ones).
Get some more content up, maybe something to compliment the reviews like small bits of news (not serious stuff) or just random thoughts. Keep at it though, gotta start somewhere.
Dr Bad Dude PHD
Banned
viciouskillersquirrel said:
Hey it's only my opinion and I am very eager to hear what other users have to say. As a person who visits gaming sites though I feel that I am the target audience for this, and quite frankly I'm not going to bother revisiting in the state it's in.
IMHO, when something needs to be rethought and have work done, a harsh criticism is just what the creator needs to hear in order to get them really thinking about it and the things they could do. On the other hand the generic "Nice idea m8 but it needs a bit more work" line is a complete and utter insult. It is basically lying to the person and keeping them on the same track when in reality if this guy wants anyone to care about his site and his writing he needs to take a completely new approach.
VOOK said:
I was going to include this as my third uninteresting point but it occurred to me that at this stage it doesn't really matter considering how much the other factors need to be rethought. I say for now this guy doesn't need to be thinking bout the design, but the content.
igotnewsuper8 systemWRONG! said:
This is something I'm struggling with. I can't seem to write an interesting paragraph to save my life.
VOOK said:
Thanks man. I think your point about the reviews telling you nothing about the game are true. However it's not really what I was trying to do anyway. I'm pretty much expecting the people who read them to have already played the game themselves, and read the 'review' to see what someone else thought when they first fired up the game.
But again, it doesn't seem to be that interesting to read in the end. So I might try a different approach.
alistairw said:
:lol
A page out of my life story.
Thanks for putting your hand up too. I might take you up on the offer if the site gets more interesting.
Mar_ said:
It's a great idea for gameblog mate.
I don't drink alcohol any more but there are certainly some games that made for an entirely different experience when under the influence (some for the better and some for the far worse).
I agree that the presentation needs a little work, and the 'appraisal' system could be clarified a little better- I know you're not rating games, so much as documenting how the drinking experience complemented each game.
My recommendation would be to make it look a little bit more 'gamey' - not necessarily Mario or Master Chief plastered all over it, but just something that will instantly tell new visitors to the site what it's all about. I think that's supposed to be a RE:Nemesis-related image in the current banner, but I'm not sure...
I have an unopened copy of Pokemon Platinum here, Mar. And I have a bottle of red at home. I'm prepared to do this for you. Maybe you just need to get more content up there and treat the early stuff as practice rather than worrying about how interesting it is initially.
By that I mean: you need my Pokemon review, because I will knock this shit out of the park. Ask anyone. I am a fucking terrific drunk.
By that I mean: you need my Pokemon review, because I will knock this shit out of the park. Ask anyone. I am a fucking terrific drunk.
Bearillusion
Banned
speedpop said:
The first question you need to answer is if you're prepared to die for your country?
If you answer yes then all the best to you.
Wow, the start of pokemon games was always my favourite bit. Never finished a pokemon game, because I always got bored of it after the first gym. I always love the initial stages of any RPG- the first few steps towards leveling up, the slow reveal of the gameworld and setting. Even with RPG's I've beaten, when I return to play again, I always enjoy the first few hours more than the rest of the game (save the final confrontation of course).
I see a lot of people picked up Defense Grid over Steam. Holy fuck that is some addictive shit!
I see a lot of people picked up Defense Grid over Steam. Holy fuck that is some addictive shit!
Oh that bit is fun, but the awkward talk with your Parent, the walk to the Professors house, the delivery of the item to the first town, the walk back, talk some more, and the Pokeballs. That slow bit... BORING.
Once you start visiting new places, battling, catching, thats when the fun starts. But you gotta get past the slow opening.
Once you start visiting new places, battling, catching, thats when the fun starts. But you gotta get past the slow opening.
alistairw said:
Dude, you're on. I can't refuse a request like that. I mean, I thought you were just being nice in your first post. But now I see you're serious, this has got to happen.
Did you want an account on there to submit stuff yourself or did you want to send me the review and I put it up? Your call.
This could be the secret to making my site interesting. A real writer!
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
And you're going to need it should you come across a shiny before you even get any pokeballs.alistairw said:
This actually happened to me ;_;
I only have the vaguest understanding of what that means, I'll be honest.
Eh, I'll just send it to you. Probably in the next week. Also, I've never played a game in the main Pokemon series before, so this could be interesting. Haha, I'm not a real writer though.
edit: actually, just checked my business card and it turns out i am a real writer.
Mar_ said:
Eh, I'll just send it to you. Probably in the next week. Also, I've never played a game in the main Pokemon series before, so this could be interesting. Haha, I'm not a real writer though.
edit: actually, just checked my business card and it turns out i am a real writer.
I like the idea a lot! Very bare bones at the moment, but that will improve. As VOOK said, get some style on that page young man! But I'll be interested to see how it goes.Mar_ said:
As for writing? The only way to get better is practise. Look at what sort of things you like in other writers, and see how they can be applied to your own. For writing that is humorous, you don't need to make every sentence funny, just enough to keep the piece light.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
You're either in for a real treat or for a strange lollipop-coloured adventure you won't really understand. It's hard to tell which.alistairw said:
alistairw said:
Awesome man. Sounds great.
And take your time, there's no rush. The site has been there for 3 months now I think and I've only just populated it with 2 reviews in the last few days. And only just told people about it yesterday. So there's no rush to get content up at all.
:lol
viciouskillersquirrel said:
Well, it's not that I'm not familiar with the show and all that. I played both Colosseum games, and Snap. I watched the hell out of the show when it was on. Saw every episode up to the Johta League stuff
Admittedly, it started when I was in year 12, so that's probably slightly shameful. Seriously though, breakfast in front of Pokemon was pretty much the radness.
Mar_ said:
It's more that I'm reviewing it for the mag I write for, so I probably need to push through the first bit fairly quickly. And, seeing as I have to play that first little bit while drinking, I ought get around to it sooner rather than later.
I've also got a bunch of other stuff I've bought lately and haven't started playing, so assuming this isn't the worst piece of shit I've ever written (unlikely, really) I might even have other games to go through.
iam.rass said:
You might not appriecate it as much, but it is pretty deep.
I'd probably go and get Fire Red or Leaf Green on the GBA, as that's a remake of the first GB ones. Or you could just jump into Platinum, there is no over arcing story.
If you got Fire Red now and liked it though, the remakes of GS are coming next year and that would be a logical progression.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Get Fire Red/Leaf Green (GBA remakes of the original) or Platinum (definitive version of Diamond/Pearl). I wouldn't worry too much about Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald so much as they're pretty much considered the low point of the series. Gold/Silver/Crystal (which I haven't played) are considered the pinnacle and they're getting remakes soon(ish).iam.rass said:
Getting into Pokemon as an adult is like getting into Harry Potter*. Sure, its target audience is mainly kids, but there's a lot there for a grown up to enjoy. Especially if you get into the nitty gritty of the battle system, which is deceptively deep.
*
My girlfriend has been getting me into Harry Potter over the past few months. She made me watch all the movies up to this point and read the first book.
Dr Bad Dude PHD
Banned
I have a suggestion for remedying this. At the moment you are starting with one drink and from what I have seen never making it past three. Most people are generally uninteresting until they reach four or five, so I say drink a six pack before you start. Be sure to proof read all your pieces when sober though.Mar_ said:
Mar_ said:
Definitely, dude.
You know, funny thing is, I think these reviews will actually take more effort than regular ones. I mean, I actually have to set aside an evening for this - normally, I'd just play a couple of hours here and there.
I'd add that I think there are parallels between this idea and what my good friend Matt Hestill said in an interview I did with him a while back, but I don't think anyone would really know what I'm talking about.
www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/08/column_quiz_me_qwik_beer_and_l.php
Probably the best thing I've ever written. Just sayin.
Probably the best thing I've ever written. Just sayin.
Aus-Music-Gaf. This is probably more a question for alistair.
Do any of you guys import limited editions when it comes to music? If so who do you use or do you know of any local guys who are good when it comes to it ?
I totally want to pick up the new DT album which comes with more stuff than anyone needs, JB has it listed for $94 (Link here). However we gave them a call and they wernt too sure if it would be available in store, could just be an online order deal.
So if anyone knows any good music stores, let me know!
And Mar_, That website is awesome. I would love to contribute some random ass review but since i don't drink and i can't write a sentence at a high school level, I will have to pass. :lol
Do any of you guys import limited editions when it comes to music? If so who do you use or do you know of any local guys who are good when it comes to it ?
I totally want to pick up the new DT album which comes with more stuff than anyone needs, JB has it listed for $94 (Link here). However we gave them a call and they wernt too sure if it would be available in store, could just be an online order deal.
So if anyone knows any good music stores, let me know!
And Mar_, That website is awesome. I would love to contribute some random ass review but since i don't drink and i can't write a sentence at a high school level, I will have to pass. :lol
evlcookie said:
I, well, to be fair, I don't buy a lot of albums these days - mostly I just get review copies of whatever is around. I did buy the new Great Lakes Swimmers album today, but that's because Shock are apparently against the whole idea of sending out review copies of anything these days.
Local stores probably depends where local is for you - if you're in Sydney, I'm probably zero help. Melbourne's a little easier: Polyester, Missing Link, Collector's Corner, Gaslight - pretty much any of those shops should be able to help you. $94 sounds pretty good for what it is, though.
Mar_ said:
Hah, thanks man. I was a little shocked at how many people took it all seriously at the time. I mean, obvious spoilers, but:
it's all me, just amplified through some terrible hunter s thompson wannabe filter
iam.rass said:
I use Fireworks, but that's more because I know how it works back to front than an admission that it's a great program or anything.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
No love for The GIMP?alistairw said:
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
I love the idea of behind the blog, Mar. It's something original in a pretty saturated blog space, so keep it up. 
In a case of severe unoriginality at some point I'll also be starting up one of those whacky internet website things. As long as the guy designing the site doesn't give up, and as long as I remember that I should probably register the domain before it gets eaten.
It's a shame I can't write for ass, though. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
It's a shame I can't write for ass, though. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
viciouskillersquirrel said:
I make everything I do in GIMP. I love the program to death. After a few months of getting used to it after using Photoshop for so long, now I find GIMP is even easier to use than PS.
It has some funny issues in OSX though. The focusing for instance is annoying. Having to double click everything (once to get it in focus, twice to select the tool) has taken a bit of getting used to.
And thanks everyone for the kind words and the harsh criticism of the site. It's most definitely a work in progress and I'm happy to see people have any opinion at all. Good or bad.
*grouphug ausgaf
I have no idea how to use the GIMP. I'm sure it's all very easy once you spend a month or two using it, but I've been using Fireworks for roughly 6 years now and it's just second nature to me. I actually wish I could use the GIMP, because I absolutely adore the idea of being entirely reliant on open source stuff. Open Office is the best thing ever.
alistairw said:
If you don't have any Photoshop experience, then the barrier to entry would be vast. It takes a good year or so of using that before you really know what you're doing (at least if you're teaching yourself). Switching from Photoshop to GIMP is pretty easy. The programs are pretty much identical except GIMP has some things in different places (and a couple of confusing decisions about how to do certain things that make no sense).
I've never used Fireworks. Is it like a scaled down version of Photoshop?
I've been 100% open source / freeware for a few years now. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I stepped back into the world of paying for things with the purchase of a Macbook Air. Even then I'm using open source programs where I can (firefox and GIMP). Still using linux at work though.
I have very limited experience with Photoshop. I use it a little at work, but prior to that I'd only ever used Photoshop 2.0 on my LCII when I was growing up. So, yeah, that's probably why GIMP makes little sense to me.
Fireworks is basically just a web graphics program. I started using it before Adobe bought out Macromedia (I think). It does what I need, though - I can edit images pretty easily, and while I can't do much in the way of effects, I can layer and cut things really easily, which is more important to me.
Fireworks is basically just a web graphics program. I started using it before Adobe bought out Macromedia (I think). It does what I need, though - I can edit images pretty easily, and while I can't do much in the way of effects, I can layer and cut things really easily, which is more important to me.
- Status