jessicapointon

Blogging’s importance comes from the fact it allows constant updates; which can be great in the game development industry.

One of the biggest problems in the industry is an underlying need to get games out for a planned release date, no matter what a state the game is. By having a blog dedicated to the game’s development, you can build up hype as well as update whenever there is any sort of snag, thus showing the readers what state the game is in so they won’t get upset when there’s a delay.

These updates can be as simple as saying there is a glitch or as intricate as saying what progress as been done and an estimate percentage of completion

Ah, video games. Being able to do nearly anything you want. From taking down Gods, to being one yourself. But what are the best moments? Well, you’re about to hear my opinion on that!
As with many Top 10s, one entry per franchise. Spoilers are also abound so proceed with caution. As a plumber often says: “Let’s-a go!”

10. The War’s End (Kid Icarus: Uprising)
    This has you fighting against the Lord of the Underworld; Hades; in a flying mech cannon…thing. It changes form and it the upgraded version of the Sacred Treasures of old. You fly around and deal massive damage. All leading up to the treasure being all but destroyed, leaving you to wait to charge up the final blow., while dodging attacks and stating you will fight for all living things. It ends with you defeating Hades and Pit gives a victory pose set to the original Kid Icarus victory music.
9. Samus Reveals Herself (Metroid)
   One of the biggest moments on the NES. If you are able to clear the game in under 5 hours you are given a scene that reveals the character you’ve been playing as is, in fact, a girl. This was, and is, a big deal in the gaming industry. Games starring girls are few and far between, and often get pushed aside. But not in this series. Some may object to her outfit you get when you speedrun; but she’s never seen using it in combat. The closest gotten is a pallet-swap one-piece via cheat code.
8. Tower of the Wing Cap (Super Mario 64)
   This is a more technical entry. Instead of scope and spectacle making more a moment of awe; it’s all to do with the 3D. For the first 10 or so stars; you has basic 3D movement. Once you get to the Tower of the Wing Cap, however, you get full control of where you go (barring invisible walls, that is). This shows the capabilities of 3D, even if you get to see something similar via swimming; it still is pretty awesome.
7. Portal to the Moon (Portal 2)
   Portal 2 introduces a few new mechanics. One of which are the gels. Repulsion Gel; which makes you bounce on surfaces it covers, Propulsion Gel; which lets you accelerate and Conversion Gel; make of ground up moon rocks and let’s you place portals anywhere it is. This actually has weight, as seen in the final boss fight. After weakening the boss; while most the the arena is destroyed; there is only a small amount of portable space left. Then you see the moon. You then have to fire at the moon. That’s how you defeat the final boss.
6. If you can see it… (Xenoblade Chronicles)
   On the more technical side is the openess of Xenoblade. The areas are massive and you can go practically anywhere you can see; even being able to see places you’ve been. There might have been of sacerfises on some of the graphics to achive this, but for a huge game; I see it as worth it. It gets crazy of where you can go. You’re able to go to cutscene areas, the sky at one point, and even space! And this was on the Wii, so that also shows the power of the Wii.
5. My Friends are My Power (Kingdom Hearts)
   A moment from my favourite area of the game. You arrive in this area only to be met by the main character’s; Sora’s; freind, Riku. The then talks about the weapon you wield; the Keyblade; and takes it from you. Your party members (who happen to be Donald and Goofy) then god to side with Riku; as they were told to follow the Key. This leaves our hero alone oly to have the Beast as your only company. After puzzles and beating things with a wooden sword; you finally catch up to Riku. Donald and Goofy then go back to Sora’s side and Sora talks about how he’s grown on his adventure and that his heart also lies with the freinds he has made. After stating that his friends are his power, the Keyblade returns to Sora. This is an amaxing moment because it shows Sora’s character so well and cements the themes of freindship Kingdom Hearts has become known for.
4. The End of Giygas (Earthbound/Mother 2)
   Some games have breaking the fourth wall humor, Earthbound does this by randomly asking for the player’s name. Rarely do those beyond the fourth wall play any role in the plot. That’s where this moment shines. You have the four heroes and they are fighting the final form of the final boss. However none of the attacks seem to even dent the thing! But there is a way. One party member has the ability to pray; which can cause different effects. Praying during this fight however; calls upon the characters you’ve encountered on this journey. But soon, the prayer would be lost in darkness. Keep praying though; as an individual will begin to pray for the heroes. As this person deals more damage to Giygas, you get more of their name. You soon see that it is your name (barring you don’t put in anything stupid in when they prompt you). The fact that you defeat the final boss makes it amazing
3. Song of the Hero (Legend of Zelda – Skyward Sword)
   Zelda games are known for amazing music. So much so that in many games, music pertains to the plot. In Skyward Sword, you are to play a harp to open the way to new powers. In the case of the Song of the Hero, however, you’ll need to learn the four parts, three from dragons of the regions you’ve visited. After going through a quest arch involving a boss fight, an annoying collect-a-phon, a stealth mission and a rails escort-style mission; you have the first three parts, each with varying degrees of familiarity , and head to the skies to learn the final part from a sky whale. Once you do, it enters a cut-scene where the dragons soar in and sing their parts with the sky whale’s. As all four parts meld together it becomes all to familiar to Zelda fans.
   
2. Trainer Red Would Like To Battle (Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal)
   You’ve defeated both the Kanto and Johto leagues. You are now ready to face the strongest trainer. After Professor Oak grants you access. There are no trainers anywhere as you go through the mountain, climbing to the summit, using repel after repel. Then you reach it and see a familiar sprite. There is silence when you try to speak to this loner and then you are challenge to a battle with the man behind the legend, the one who took down Team Rocket, the one, the only: Red.
   This moment is special for two reasons. One being it was made possible through the hard work of the late Iwata, who compressed all of Johto so much there was space for both Kanto and a fight with Red. The second being for any kid who had played either Pokemon Red or Blue. By encountering Red and defeating him; it shows how much stronger and how the player themselves grew.
1. Resolve (Okami)
   Another final boss one. This is an amazing moment for a gorgus game where you play as the manifistaion of a sun goddess in the form of a wolf. After defeating four forms of the final boss, Yami; it seems to be over. Our hero; Amaterasu; alone,per only freind leaving before she went to confront the boss to lead his own path, let’s out a long lonely, victory howl. Distracted, she is then attacked by Yami, who destroys the constilations, the source of her power. We then hear her freind, who has embraced his role as an Envoy, spreading the word of the goddess, and his friend. All the character’s you’ve met learn that the wolf that always seemed to be around when disaster struck; was the great goddess herself. The Envoy then asks everyone to pray for Amaterasu. This praise restores her strength and we see her at the strongest as she defeats Yami one final time.
   This is a great example of blending mechanics into the game’s story. Unlike other games, this game doesn’t have you getting more powerful through combat; rather by helping others and restoring nature, you get praise which can be used to upgrade your health and mana. By having praise be what helps in the end shows that the devs knew the importance of using praise as the upgrade mechanic.

Nintendo’s YouTube channel is very interesting. They update semi-regularly with videos related to current, or upcoming games. This includes gameplay videos, trailers and interviews. They also try to work in humor bits that fit into the bizarre sense of humor most Nintendo fans seem to have.

This is somewhat effective, as the only way to really know about the videos is by being subscribed. They also often upload a ton of videos at once, so some videos get buried. This can be an issue if the person isn’t really looking at the uploads because there is so many, so they could not see something that they could be interested in. If Nintendo spaced their uploads a bit, even having an upload hourly, the videos would stand out a bit better.

Hello, I am Jessica Pointon and this is my blog about games. I will discuss mechanics that work or don’t work, upcoming games and how they are marketed as well as just games I find enjoyable and why I do so.

I chose this focus because I like video games and want to go into the industry. I do hope that discussing games on this blog will help me understand what is needed in the industry more.