Gamer Girlfriend Reviews

My First Con!

2013-05-25T17:13:00.001-05:00

Alex and I went to our first con last weekend! Daddy came too, but it wasn't his first convention. We went to Dallas ComicCon in Irving. It was a great little weekend trip (our anniversary celebration!).

This was our first out of town trip with the baby.
It was a little daunting, but overall it went really well.
He seemed to enjoy himself as well.

Our buddy, James, was by far the best Joker in the place.
Alex couldn't quite figure him out for most of the day.

Alex found someone's camera tripod and made it his toy.

The Dalek was super awesome!
There a was a kid there who was in a wheelchair.
That's pretty awesome cosplay if you ask me.

We got our picture taken with the TARDIS.
If you notice, Alex is not blinking.
We've raised him right.

I had a ton of fun and got a great Poison Ivy print to add to my collection. Going to a con with a baby was a little rough. He didn't like it when people applauded so we didn't get to listen to all of Kevin Conroy's Q&A. It was also crazy hot Saturday morning and Alex was getting really close to overheating. The staff were real jerks about it and kept pressuring us to go back outside. We ended up leaving to get lunch and just coming back in the afternoon. Overall, it was a great trip and I loved seeing all the cosplayers, good and bad. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I look forward to the next con we get to attend!

Do you ever...

2012-10-05T16:55:00.003-05:00

Do you ever think you have too many comic books?

Yeah, me neither...

Afternoon Quickie: Borderlands 2

2012-09-26T19:29:00.002-05:00

The gamer got Borderlands 2 for his birthday (you know, because I'm an awesome wifey =D). He's been playing pretty much as often as he can. He seems to be enjoying himself. Here's my impression of the game: It's neat and fans of the original will love it. As far as the wifey watchability test: it kinda sorta passes.

It's not the prettiest game, but it's not meant to be. It has some funny elements to it (Claptrap's beatboxing is probably my favorite part) and has a pretty good story to it. All the favorite characters from Borderlands reappear and the guys seemed to really pay attention to their fans and include jokes and whatnot that were well loved. Side note: there's a character in the game based on a big fan of Borderlands who passed away (that just's cool of the developers to include). There are also some neat Three Dog (Fallout) jokes.

Now, it is basically a run around and shoot stuff game. This means lots of lots shooting sounds, and you all know how much I loooooove endless shooting noise! The fights and quests can also take a bit of time which means you might watch a lot of game play without getting much in the way of dialogue and watchable story.

Overall, it's a really neat game and the gamer seems to love it. It's fun to watch for the little jokes here and there and the bits of humor sprinkled throughout, but I don't know that I could sit and watch it for too long.

Anook

2012-08-23T13:58:00.001-05:00

Alright, well I was messages about this new site: anook.com which is a social networking site dedicated to gamers. Just signed up today and still getting my feet wet. Head on over and check it out. I've made a profile and "nook" for the blog and am still playing around with it. Have you tried this new site? Any tips for the new profile/nook?

You can find the nook here: http://www.anook.com/blog/gamer-girlfriend-reviews

For All Those Who Love To Kiss Nerds

2012-04-15T12:17:00.000-05:00

Here's a little bit of awesome for all of those who are addicted to kissing nerds. MUAH!

Happy Pi Day!

2012-03-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T15:18:00.001-06:00

The little robots on my computer want me to wish you a happy VD! (hee hee) And remind you: I don't hate you, they just make me work too hard!

Video Game Awards

2011-12-10T19:36:00.001-06:00

Follow @casacampbell or @rystalquinn for live tweets on the Video Game Awards from the blogger and the gamer!

If Games Were Real...

2011-11-16T20:53:00.000-06:00

If games were real, I would get the Gamer a Yoshi for Christmas. I know he wants a dog, but you can't ride on a dog's back. Besides, no dog can flutter jump. Also, no matter how much you train a guard dog, he will never swallow your enemies and poop them out as eggs.

Plus a dog's coloring is pretty set. Yes you can dye your dog's fur, but that's just a little silly. A yoshi however can change color just by eating fruit, making him a much better accessory pet then those happy yorkies. And another thing, dogs can't talk. True, yoshis have limited vocal abilities but at least they can say their own name!

Sum it all up and I should not get my husband a dog. I should get him a yoshi. Now if only yoshis were real...

Afternoon Quickie: Sonic Generations

2011-11-13T20:29:00.001-06:00

Played on PS3

There's a new Sonic Game! Woo! Essentially, they remade Sonic into a 3D world. They made some new levels/remakes, but also included some of the favorite older levels. The game is pretty cool to watch. I will be honest though, the 3D levels messed with my head at first. Sonic speed, really colorful three-dimensional levels flying by you... I felt like I was tripping. However, I soon got used to it. The only thing I didn't like was the same thing I don't like about old Sonic games, or really, any old games from that era: Everything has a sound effect! Sonic can't pick his nose without some loud high-pitched noise accompanying it!

But honestly, that's the only downfall. It was fun to watch. The story was simple, but cute and allowed you to see all the side characters. The levels were well made and fun to watch. There weren't really many options for the observer to get involved, but I would say, your girl could just pick up a controller and play a little bit. Sonic's too fast for me, I'm more at the speed of Tails, but it's a blast from past that really works and is worth playing.

Me as Gangster Sonic. Word.

Review: Dominion

2011-11-13T18:55:00.000-06:00

Those long Winter nights are here. Perhaps cash is a little tight, or maybe you're just not buying video games so that Santa has something to get you come December, either way, I'd like to introduce you to some of my favorite board games. That's right board games. No batteries or electricity required, and you actually touch the game. Let's start with Dominion.

Dominion is published by Rio Grande Games and is a card game. During the game you work towards gaining the most "victory points." Each turn contains three phases: draw, action, buy. These allow you to use and buy cards which do one or more of the following:

Gain more money
Gain more actions in a turn
Gain more draws in a turn
Attack other players
Deflect an attack
Gain the ability to buy more than one thing a turn
Alter your deck or discard piles.

The game was a little tricky the first few turns, but once you get the hang of it, the turn goes quite smoothly and potentially quickly. This is a strategy game, but you don't have to be a mastermind strategist to play, enjoy, or win the game. It can be fast-paced, but is easily played at a slower speed for new or younger players.

There are some pre made sets of cards to use in the game (you choose ten action cards for the game out of the set), but you can also make up your own sets. Compare this to player's evolving strategies and the unique combination of strategy possibilities and the game has endless possibilities.

The cards are a bit smaller than normal playing cards (at least I think they're thinner) which makes them easier to handle. The text and pictures are also family-friendly making this a great game for older children. Young children may struggle to understand the order of the turn or to be able to fully understand the strategy of the game.

The game also comes with a tray to hold the cards so that they stay separated by type so you don't have to sort them out again each time you get the game out. I'd also recommend getting card sleeves for the cards to keep them clean.

Overall, I love this game. A dear friend from college introduced us to the game and now I can't get enough.

If Games Were Real...

2011-11-02T10:52:00.001-05:00

If Portal was real, for Christmas I would buy The Gamer a portal gun.

Just think of it. We could travel all over the place really quickly. We could get to the tops of things and jump through ceilings.

We could also spend hours running through infinite loops! It would be so much fun! We'd also be able to get away from turrets and move companion cubes through walls.

If only games were real, then I could buy him a portal gun for Christmas and be the coolest wife ever. I wonder how much it would cost...

Heroclix Storage

2011-11-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

Tired of stepping on those little plastic figures? And then getting yelled at for breaking some tiny piece off? An easy fix is to put those little critters up in a sturdy and safe container. But what should you use? This may be common knowledge among those in the Heroclix gaming community, but if you're new to the game, or your gamer lacks a certain organizational personality trait, here are some ideas.

For Rares, Dice, Tokens, Objects, etc. I would recommend using a craft storage bin that comes with tabs to make sections. Similar to the tackle box idea, with one very important exception: these are designed to keep items in place even if you turn the box over. As long as the box stays closed, your piece stays in place and undamaged.
For commons/uncommons I would recommend using plastic storage containers. These come in all sizes and many under-the-bed sizes as well. I prefer plastic over wood or metal boxes because the plastic ones do not have seems along the corners where small parts could potentially get stuck and bent.
A duffle bag is great for transporting multiple boxes to games or trading events.
We also have one plastic storage box that has a tray that lays in it on top of the main storage area. This is great for holding counters and dice along with the pieces you want to play with and/or trade.
We also store the cards in card sleeves in a binder and use dividers (like you used in school) to separate the sets.

I hope that helps. Perhaps it will give you something to think about. If you're new to the game and only have a few pieces, there are some storage boxes like I described for less than a dollar. The craft storage boxes can also be found pretty cheap, often less than $3. You can keep your pieces separated by rarity or set, and put some of your favorite team pieces in a box together. I hope this helps you keep your clix organized, safe, and out from under people's feet.

How To Get Your Girlfriend To Play Magic The Gathering

2011-10-29T14:29:00.001-05:00

So you play Magic. You have a girlfriend (or wife or whatnot). You want to play Magic with your girlfriend. And she just kinda looks at you funny...

As a wife who was brought over to the dark land of the Planeswalkers, let me share a few tips on how to encourage your lady friend to pick up a deck. Here are ten basic tips for getting your girl to play, and enjoy, Magic the Gathering.

Keep it simple. If you go to play with your girl and you're playing one of these crazy complicated decks, it is likely to be overwhelming. Start with a more simple deck like the Zombie Starter Deck featured earlier this month.
Another good starting deck is one that plays to her interests (hers, not yours). Perhaps you like a quick moving goblin deck, but she's more of a Merfolk milling deck type of person. Maybe you like heavy control decks with lots of instants, but she prefers a creature heavy deck. Build, or help her build, a deck with cards that will peak her interests, not just ones that win games quickly. For casual play, you can try the Pussycat Must Survive deck previously posted.
On that note, you might have an awesome deck that wins in less than five turns, but now's not the time to use it. If she doesn't get to play hardly anything in the deck, and looses very quickly, she's not likely to learn much about the game, nor want to play again. Play a competitive deck if you wish, but one that will allow for her to learn the game and get to use what's in her deck.
Also, be very patient. If you've been playing for ten, fifteen, twenty years, MTG comes very easy to you by now. It won't be the same for her. Take your time. Remember that "mana" and "casting" aren't necessarily part of everyone's vocabulary. Her questions may seem stupid to you (I know my questions just about annoyed the crap out of Philip), but if she feels judged or thinks you're being condescending, your chances of success will drop very quickly.
Let her watch you play with others. Have her come with you to a Friday Night Magic or some other tournament. One of the reasons I first wanted to learn to play was because I went with Philip to FNM and was bored just watching. I wanted to learn the game so that I would know what they heck they were talking about.
This may seem silly, but accessorize. Most girls like things to be pretty. Now, her definition of pretty may be different from someone else's, but let your girlfriend make Magic pretty. Here's what you need: card sleeves, deck box, dice, dice bag, and play mat. Make a set in her favorite color or with a character from MTG that she likes such as Ajani. Or, if you've already peaked her interest, take her to the gaming store and let her shop!
If she is going to play in a tournament setting, make sure it's a fairly nice community. Where we used to play, there were several really competitive players who weren't always so nice to newbies. Try to break her in slowly so that she can play with pleasant people who will be patient in explaining the game as it's played.
Be willing to play with her as often as she wants. Once I learned the basics and built my first deck, I wanted to play all the time. I think we played on 4 of 7 nights in between my first and second time at FNM because I wanted to learn more. If you are successful in getting her to want to play, be willing to play with her as much as you can. This is what you wanted, now cultivate it!
Don't let her win, but don't be a sore loser either. We lady folk tend to be very aware of the male ego's ability to be bruised. Some don't care, but your girlfriend/wife is likely to not want to embarrass you or hurt your ego. If you aren't such a good loser, learn now. The first time I ever beat Philip I jumped up and down a little, maybe even squealed. But, he's a good guy, and he could take it. When she wins, be happy for her.
After all is said and done, remember that girls not only can play Magic, but they can kick your ass too. This was written for those with partners who are less oriented towards MTG, but you just might be a lucky lad with a girl who will catch on quick. Don't be alarmed if she starts taking first on Friday nights and you're left in the dust... Just saying.

Ha Ha Ha!

2011-10-28T00:19:00.000-05:00

A friend posted this photo on Facebook. I'm not sure where it originates from but it's awesome!

Review: Batman Arkham City

2011-10-27T11:13:00.001-05:00

Played on PS3

So, I'm really glad I didn't let anyone spoil the ending for me. I know it got leaked early and tons of people already knew what was going on, but I didn't, and I'm not telling you! Anyways, in this sequel to the previously released, and awesome Batman Arkham Asylum (read my review here) we get a new Batman. This isn't the Adam West Batman you may have grown up with. He's not PC nor PG in anyway. This game really gave us a Batman in line with the current comics: he's dark, he's angry, he's brutal, but he's just. The game also gave little nods towards some of the newer comics in regards to certain costumes or buildings.

Now, that I've shown my comic-nerd-y-ness, on to the game. This game is set in Arkham City. Arkham City is essentially a prison colony. Think of the early penal colonies except replace the debtors with organized crime thugs and super villains. Batman ends up inside Arkham City and has contracted a very quick and deadly disease. He must then work with and through many of our favorite super villains in order to obtain a cure and save himself and Gotham.

There are also plenty of cameos from our femme fatales. Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Talia al Ghul all make an appearance. (And without getting all worked up over the sexism debate out there, these ladies are very in line with the newer comics. Just check out Gotham City Sirens.)

Visuals: This game is really dark visually as well as plot-wise. The world of Arkham City is very detailed, but the darkness of it all makes much of the landscape blend together. However, they did an amazing job with the character design. Each thug is dressed differently depending upon which boss he follows. Each of the super villains are impeccably done. They were able to combine some traditional elements of each villain (such as Joker being tall and lanky) while also incorporating some of the newer comic elements (the Mad Hatter is absolutely amazingly done). The variations of Batman as well as wonderful. Also, I love how they make Catwoman move, especially when she licks her "paws" while waiting.

Audio: They did a good job here of making sure you can hear what's being said. The local surveillance lets you hear what's being said by the thugs who may be many feet away, but this adds to the storyline little bits at a time. The way they did the Riddler's recordings was also really neat. Every now and then, it just breaks up a little bit, and has a really cool sound to it. My one annoyance was that there was this thunder sound every time Batman took out a thug. In the bigger fights, this got a little bothersome, but that's pretty minor.

Involvement: Similar to the last Batman game, the Riddler's riddles can provide a great way to get involved in the game without having to handle a controller. Also, there's quite a bit of strategy involved in this game, which I don't recall being as important in the first. This means that you can get involved by helping to plan how to reach certain points without being seen, or how to use certain game mechanics to your advantage.

Overall: Seriously, I loved this game. I had to force myself to go work while Philip played, because I would have sat on the couch the whole time and just watched it. I loved the characters and how they were portrayed. I love how they made them move within the world in such a way as it seemed like that's how they would really move. The game was fluid and fast paced, yet gave sufficient time for such a story to develop that it really was well-rounded. The cameo appearances and little side-world battles were well done and allowed the game to flush out some well-known, and not-so-well-known villains. Overall, it was great. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough Poison Ivy.

Zombie Haiku

2011-10-27T02:06:00.000-05:00

Our final selection from Ryan Mecum's Zombie Haiku:

I loved my momma.
I eat her with my mouth closed,
how she would want it.

Need more undead poetry? Buy Ryan Mecum's book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Haiku-Good-Poetry-Your-Brains/dp/1600610706

Zombie Haiku

2011-10-25T02:00:00.000-05:00

She's much faster,
but going upstairs leads nowhere,
and I'm much stronger.

-Ryan Mecum, Zombie Haiku

Clix Pick

2011-10-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

Now, I found myself wondering what clix represents the best hero to have on my side during the impending zombie apocalypse. Then suddenly it hit me! The Bat-Man. Always prepared, brutally...um, brutal. The Bat-Man is the one to take on the zombies and save my plants!

Zombie Gear Stop: Cera's Sweet Shop

2011-10-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

Even in the zombie apocalypse, you need a treat every now and then. Why not munch on some yummy sugar brains? Don't worry, these are zombie-virus free!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78883632/zombie-brain-bites-sugar-cookies-8

These are just one of the many yummy treats available from Cera's Sweet Shop. She makes lovely treats for all occasions before and after the apocalypse! Check her store out here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cerassweetshop?ref=seller_info

Zombie Haiku

2011-10-20T02:00:00.000-05:00

One that gets away,
a man with a cricket bat,
cracks me in the face.

-Ryan Mecum, Zombie Haiku

If you've fallen in love with these poems like I have, you can buy the book from Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Haiku-Good-Poetry-Your-Brains/dp/1600610706

Lessons from a Zombie Movie: Dawn of the Dead

2011-10-19T03:03:00.000-05:00

Here's a brief rundown of some reminders from this classic tale of the undead.

Grab your keys. Or the keys to whatever vehicle you plan to escape in. This helps eliminate the need to learn how to hot-wire a care with an audience of undead.
Get some shoes. They don't ever explain how the girl in bare feet walked over the broken glass, but her feet would be awfully cut up. Shoes keep you free from injury and help you to be always ready to flee.
Secure your shelter. Check that the doors and windows are closed. Also check for any undead hiding in closets, stairwells, or hallways. You don't want any surprises after you've gotten settled in.
Make an SOS or other sign to tell rescue workers where you are. Unless you plan to keep moving, you will eventually want to be rescued. If you want someone to know where you are, make it easy to spot you. Be especially wise to make an SOS large enough to be seen from a distance and/or aircraft. If possible, make your presence known outside. However, this is not worth risking becoming yummy zombie burgers.
Take the guns from the crazies. If you find yourself taking shelter with someone who's mental status is questionable, secure the weapons. You don't need to be fighting the undead and the unmedicated.
While malls are risky due to the number of hiding places and entrances/exits to be secured, they do provide plenty of supplies. This should be taken into account when considering alternative shelters.
Once again, rescue missions are always a bad idea. Become a cold-hearted zombie-survivor as soon as possible and just leave the other people outside.
White boards and dry erase markers are always handy. You never know when you might need one. Start carrying one around even before the zombies come. Trust me, you'll put it to good use.
Find ways to have fun. Play board games like chess, or create fun zombie-centered games like shoot the celeb look-alike.
Don't sneak up on people. It's just not nice. Be polite an announce your presence. People are armed after the zombies come and you don't want to get shot.
If you are unfamiliar with firearms, learn where the safety is and make sure it is off before you enter any dangerous areas. If you aren't sure, point the gun and shoot. If it fires, the safety is off.
Let me just say this again, because people don't seem to get the hint. If your animal companion is freaked out or running for its life, do the same. Seriously people, they survived without weapons for a reason.
Now, as part of being a cold-hearted zombie-survivor, if you promise to shoot someone should they become infected, do so. Just because the world's gone to hell, that doesn't mean you can welch on a promise.
To sum this all up, now's the time to get in touch with your inner pyromaniac. Explosives and fire are great and can come in handy. So channel your angry teenage self and blow it all up!

That's it for today. Be safe!

Zombie Plans: For the Workplace

2011-10-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

You spend 40 or so hours at work each week. Therefore, unless you're asleep, you will probably be at work when the zombies strike. So what do you do?

First things first, the company's profit margins no longer matter. It's time to think survival first.
Do you have plans to meet up with others? Are you going home to be with your wife or meeting your brother at ye ol' hunting lodge? Do you by chance work someplace that will make a good shelter like a military base warehouse without any windows? Also be aware if you work someplace that seems like a good shelter such as a convenience store or hospital. Hospitals always fall to the undead and have a large number of easy victims. You can disregard that oath you sorta said in college and run like hell.
Now it's time to look at your coworkers. Who will be a valuable asset to you in this time? Now's the time to start making these decisions. Which coworkers have zombie plans of their own? They're likely to be good starting points. Which coworkers give you the feeling like they might go postal and end up on an FBI watch list? They might be good to have on your side, or they might go all Criminal Minds on you when the blood starts flying.
Also be aware of which coworkers are likely to be a burden in your time of need. If Sally bawls her eyes out when the copier jams, she won't be much help. The guy who is always looking for his stapler and can't see five inches in front of him is really only useful for one thing: speed bump. If Marge is nine months pregnant, she will slow you down. (You might want to reconsider if Marge is nine months pregnant with your off-spring, but remember, you are a cold-blooded zombie-survivor now. Is this really the best time to get all parental?)
Now, if you don't drive to work, or worse, drive a tiny little sportscar, you might want to consider stealing the janitor's pick-up. You will likely need to do some off-roading. Try to find an all terrain vehicle that looks good and sturdy, preferable one with a higher profile so you can clear the bodies on the highway. The afore mentioned lunatic's car might also be a good choice if you think he might have some shooting supplies handy.
Next, if you are leaving work, what is your escape plan? Here's where the rest of that planning comes in handy. Let's say you're the first to learn of the impending doom drooling it's way towards your cubical. Who do you tell? Telling the whole office will either get you laughed at, or worse, cause a panic potentially blocking your exit. Keep your mouth shut and only tell those who you need to have on your team, if you need them at all. Calmly exit the building and continue to your safe location.
Another thing to consider: Now that your company's profits are not an issue, and you won't be getting that next paycheck anytime soon, loot whatever you can. If Dave has a case of Ramen in the break room, it no longer matters what that label says. Oh, and Cindy's bottle water stash is up for grabs as well. Manners don't matter in the zombie apocalypse, and you probably won't see your coworkers alive again anyways, so who cares if you piss them off?
One last thing: You never know in who's zombie plan you may or may not be included. Be wise. Be nice to your coworkers up until the time of zombie death. This may save your life. No one's going to rescue the jerk from the fourth floor, but that really nice guy who seems to be prepared for anything? He's on my team.

Zombie Haiku

2011-10-18T02:00:00.000-05:00

Bones are hard to break.
The skull is not like an egg,
takes more whacks to crack.

-Ryan Mecum, Zombie Haiku

MTG: Zombie Starter Deck

2011-10-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

This deck is focused on zombies, infect and gaining life while taking it.. It only uses black mana and is designed for those who are new to the game. All the cards are either from New Phyrexia or M12.

20 Swamps
2 Deathmark
2 Consume Spirit
4 Mindcrank
2 Pristine Talisman
2 Taste of Blood
4 Grim Affliction
4 Pith Driller
2 Warpath Ghoul
2 Caress of Phyrexia
4 Gravedigger
4 Reaper of Sheoldred
4 Geth's Verdict
4 Zombie Infestation
4 Dismember
4 Cemetery Reaper

Best of luck to you!

Gamer Girlfriend Reviews

My First Con!

Do you ever...

Afternoon Quickie: Borderlands 2

Anook

For All Those Who Love To Kiss Nerds

Happy Pi Day!

Happy Valentine&apos;s Day!

Video Game Awards

If Games Were Real...

Afternoon Quickie: Sonic Generations

Review: Dominion

If Games Were Real...

Heroclix Storage

How To Get Your Girlfriend To Play Magic The Gathering

Ha Ha Ha!

Review: Batman Arkham City

Zombie Haiku

Zombie Haiku

Clix Pick

Zombie Gear Stop: Cera's Sweet Shop

Zombie Haiku

Lessons from a Zombie Movie: Dawn of the Dead

Zombie Plans: For the Workplace

Zombie Haiku

MTG: Zombie Starter Deck

Happy Valentine's Day!