#exploring the first master as a character and then comparing that to cole. all the ways he differs all the ways he's the same

[razzle-zazzle]

and what if i maybe reworked to breathe life into the world? what if i took the crack-treated-seriously of "cole is the first master's reincarnation" and did something more with it??? man idk. i'm just having thoughts and saying words

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

EWAN MITCHELL TALKING ABOUT AEMOND TARGARYEN IN EPISODE 4 FOR NUEVA MUJER MAGAZINE.

(video of the interview comes out this week)

AEMOND, AT THIS POINT, IS THE MOST INTERESTING AND COMPLEX CHARACTER IN THE ENTIRE SHOW. AT THIS POINT IN YOUR HISTORY, WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?

"I love exploring the dark side of Aemond and delving deeper into his vulnerability."

"At the end of season 1, with his dragon, Vhagar, he knows he's made a mistake and lets his emotions get the best of him."

"It's good to see that feeling again and it breaks down and takes away that one-dimensionality: there's something more underlying beneath the surface that, in part, motivates it."

IT IS CLEAR THAT AFTER WHAT HAPPENED, A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN AEMOND AND DAEMON IS GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

"Sure, but at what cost? Everyone saw the damage the three dragons did in the battle."

"After that moment, all of Westeros already knows what it is to fight with dragons and what they can do."

"Now, with Aemond and Daemon, if they sat together in a room, any item in it would be a deadly weapon."

HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AEMOND AND AEGON? IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT AEMOND IS INFINITELY SUPERIOR THAN HIS BROTHER AND HE KNOWS IT.

"Yes, I think he has always seen Aegon as someone who is inferior to him."

"He feels like he doesn't have the drive to be a king and the perseverance to be a leader."

"While Aemond was training with the sword and studying with the masters, his brother was probably in some Flea Bed brothel squandering his inheritance."

"So Aemond, although he was the second son, always felt that he should have been treated as the first and always prepared himself for that."

"He also feels that he would probably make a better king than Aegon."

"He hates his brother, but he loves him at the same time, because he is his brother."

"They share a heritage."

"He wants to love him, but Aegon gives her plenty of reasons not to."

BUT DID AEMOND WANT TO KILL AEGON?

"When we are in the battle scene, and when Vhagar attacks Aegon and Rhaenys, the question arises as to whether he intentionally tried to hurt his brother, or if he was in his way or if he was just collateral damage."

"I think it goes back to the previous answer: I think of them as Michael and Fredo Corleone, at the time when the latter betrayed his brother and plotted against him."

"This is because although they hate their enemies, there is a deeper hatred towards someone who should protect and care for you."

"And Aegon never did that. In fact, he led the bullying. Aemond “forgives”, but never forgets."

NOW THAT YOU'VE ALSO RECORDED 'THE LAST KINGDOM', AND, COMPARED TO YOUR CHARACTER, OSFERTH, AEMOND TARGARYEN IS CRUEL AND RITLESS. WHERE DID YOU GET INSPIRED FROM TO INTERPRET IT?

"It's interesting that you mention Osferth, because in many ways he is the antithesis of Aemond, in the sense that they are children of royalty who were marginalized and have been treated unfairly by their brothers."

"Aemond himself, because he has been sidelined, has a lot to prove."

"He is the second son who will inherit nothing and recognizes that whatever he wants in this life he will have to go out and get it himself, by hook or by crook."

"He has tremendous power in Vhagar."

"And, of course, he recognizes that he can do things that no one else in the kingdom can do."

"And that's why he sees it as a call to greatness, to write his name in the history books."

AEMOND IMPOSES FEAR. IT HAS A DANGEROUS AURA. HOW DO YOU TRANSMIT THAT SENSATION TO THE SPECTATOR, THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE CAN HAPPEN TO SOMEONE LIKE THIS IN A PLACE?

"I think that in the first four episodes, Aemond is still not very much at the center of the conflict."

"You see it with Criston Cole plotting and trying to manipulate the council because they know war is inevitable."

"Now: Shakespeare said the eyes are the windows to the soul, but in Aemond's case, what does it mean to have one and the other a safari? Do you see less of his soul? There is silence."

"A lot of silence on your part and in those moments you say a lot without saying anything."

"I love those moments, because as a viewer, you can project your own interpretation on the character about what is happening through his or her gaze."

BY THE WAY, WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AEMOND AND ALICENT?

"Someone asked me if I thought Aemond had problems with his mother and I don't think so: he just wanted to be loved by her a little more."

"He is an empty child and children need that unconditional love to be balanced beings and develop a vision accordingly."

"And since he never had that, he had to look for solutions in other beings. In Vhagar. At Mrs. Sylvie, from the brothel."

"Children need to be loved unconditionally: if a child is not embraced by the village, they will hug them to feel their warmth and seek validation through other means."

"In Aemond's case, it's war."

"And of course, if he finds out what Cole, his best friend, has been doing with his mother, I don't know how he would take it."

HE'S A PRETTY BROKEN CHARACTER. HOW DID YOU EXPLORE THAT?

"That's one of the most fascinating aspects of playing him."

"Because beyond that image that has been created, he is in a very different physical and psychological place from what we saw last season."

"He has cultivated this facade - almost homage - inspired by Daemon Targaryen."

"Now, there is a movie called 'Fire vs. Fire' starring Robert De Niro where he has a code to protect himself."

"Aemond has something similar."

"That's why it's so easy for him to reject the madame in episode 3, because he knows that in her world there is no place for love, since it is a weakness."

"He has to be seen as this 'Terminator' who scares everyone and is all-powerful."

"So it's interesting to see what's behind all of that, to see this abandoned boy who is still there."

DO YOU THINK THAT AFTER THIS BATTLE HE WILL HAVE SOME KIND OF GUILT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO LUKE AND ARRAX?

"He knows that there is no turning point this time."

"What happened with Luke and Arrax, he knows was a mistake."

"It wasn't his intention."

"He let his emotions get the best of him and lost control of his dragon."

"Here he is in complete control and knows what the dragons can do."

"In episode 5 you will see all the consequences of this."

[aion-rsa]

Mortal Kombat and the Man Who Gave Sub-Zero a Soul

https://ift.tt/3rEA11N

Mortal Kombat’s Joe Taslim (aka Sub-Zero) is one of the hottest martial artists on screen right now. It’s been a decade since his breakout film The Raid took the world by storm, and Taslim has consistently delivered high-octane action with dashing panache ever since. As movie martial arts masters go, few others are on Taslim’s level. While most action stars have some martial arts training in their bag of tricks, Taslim is more invested than most.

Prior to The Raid, Taslim was a professional Judo athlete and a member of Indonesia’s National Judo team from 1997 to 2009. He won gold medals at the Southeast Asia Judo Championships and the Indonesian National Games. No other actor can boast a competitive record like this. What’s more, Taslim is also trained in Wushu and Taekwondo, and he picked up Pencak Silat for The Raid, so his combative range goes far beyond Judo throws and falls.

The Raid was a game-changer for the martial arts genre. It placed Indonesia firmly on the map when it comes to action films, delivering relentlessly unflinching action and intensely complex fight choreography, held together with a threadbare plot. If martial arts movies are compared to porn films, The Raid was hardcore. The film spawned a sequel which picked up the action right where it left off in the original. In addition to Taslim, the franchise also introduced a stable of Indonesian action stars to Hollywood including Iko Uwais (Mile 22 and the upcoming Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) and Yayan Ruhian (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John Wick: Chapter 3).

Taslim moved on to Hollywood too. Two years after The Raid, he landed the role of Jah in Fast & Furious 6, followed by an appearance in Star Trek Beyond. But he never abandoned his country and continued to deliver films made in Indonesia specifically for that market. Most notable was The Night Comes For Us, which reunited Taslim with Uwais. Although an Indonesian production, The Night Comes For Us gained worldwide exposure after it was picked up by Netflix. He also starred as the villain in the South Korean film, The Swordsman, and became more recognizable to Western audiences audiences by playing the conflicted Tong hitman Li Yong in the Bruce Lee inspired series, Warrior.

Now Taslim is at the forefront of another predominantly Asian cast for the new Hollywood feature film, Mortal Kombat. And he is donning yet another villain mask as Sub-Zero.

“Sub-Zero is just an amazingly powerful, iconic character,” says director Simon McQuoid. McQuoid’s film explores the inbuilt rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion coming out of the original video games. The connection between Sub-Zero (real name: Bi-Han) and Scorpion delves deep into Mortal Kombat lore, and within the film, McQuoid says this is symbolized by a bloody kunai (ninja ring dagger) which plays a critical role throughout the film.

“Blood is such a [vital] ingredient in Mortal Kombat,” explains McQuoid, “but we wanted to make it feel more than just blood splurts. We wanted it to have a blood line and lineage meaning to blood as well. We liked the idea that we could tell an emotional version of that blood story.” Just like the fighting game, Mortal Kombat is evenly split between good guys and bad guys, but ultimately Sub-Zero becomes the standout villain in the film.

“Once we got Joe,” beams McQuoid, “then we knew he was going to be a pretty kick-ass character because Joe’s so fantastic.”

Den of Geek had a video chat with Joe Taslim while he was home in Indonesia.

Den of Geek: Was the Mortal Kombat video game popular in Indonesia?

Yeah, I think it was 1995 when the first one released. I was actually not in the capital. I was born on the small island in South Sumatra, in Palembang, that’s my home city. So, I remember when the game came out and people talked about the game because it’s unusual because it was so violent. And it’s still violent now. So it was popular until now. But unfortunately, MK11 got banned because Indonesia is very sensitive of the violence level in that game where it’s just like funny now. The censorship here is like, “Oh, this is too much for Indonesia, so probably not.” So a lot of people played the game by downloading it. They know how to do it.

Did you play?

I played MK11, MKXL, yeah.

What challenged you the most about taking on Sub-Zero?

Well, the fans know Sub-Zero is badass, kick-ass, so much swagger, and a lot of attitude. But as an actor, the challenge for me to be in his shoes is to give him more soul, to give more heart, to make this character live. The fight is a visual. People enjoy the fight. But to bring people to feel inside the fight is something else, it means that you got to give more. You got to give the intention. You got to give a story, without delivering any lines, that people can see. Is he losing? Or does he know he’s going to die? Or is he very confident?

Jet Li did an amazing job in his movies to deliver those attitudes—the story of the fight. So I learned from him and I learned from The Raid, The Night Comes for Us, and I just bring everything to Mortal Kombat. There’s a lot of stories in that final fight. You can see the character is just dynamic—what he’s feeling, the way he fights, he’s just getting slower and slower. He’s just catching his breath.

So that’s the most important thing in fights, in my opinion. Because a lot of people think a fight scene needs to be badass, kick-ass. That’s number two. But number one is you got to be inside the shoes and know what’s going on inside this character first. Then when you visualize the fight, it makes sense.

How was it working with the mask?

Ooh. Well, it took me a while to adapt because it’s a heavy costume. And the mask, kind of like, well I have the mask. [Taslim holds up his Sub-Zero mask]

Ooh.

Well, the awkward thing about the mask, because when you move, the mask doesn’t move because it was a solid mask. So it was quite technical. If I have to move really fast, sometimes my face moves with like a delay. You see the mask kind of follow in slow-mo. We did a lot with this—put a lot of straps here just to make when I move really fast, so the mask could follow. A lot of technical stuff happened in the process, but yeah, it was a fun journey to just discover the best look, the best fit for the mask, the costume for me to be able to fight the best.

How was your experience fighting with all those special effects?

I think this is my first [movie] that involved the supernatural. The superpower stuff in previous movies, it was like a man versus a man or a man versus five men. But in this one, a lot of imagination is involved for sure. I’m glad I’m a gamer myself. I played a lot. I’m used to being a daydreamer. I’m still daydreaming until now. I have this mind that I like to have fun with. So during the shooting [when] it’s involving something they’re going to add in post, they ask me just to imagine, which I love imagining things.

I had so much fun just imagining the sword and creating the icicle—the ice sword—because it wasn’t there. Everything is in post. So I was just like, “Sure, believe that it’s there. It’s there.” You don’t see it, but I know it’s there. When the camera captured that moment, and if I believe in it, then I think everybody’s going to believe in it as well.

Read more

Movies

Mortal Kombat: The Challenges of Making the Movie Reboot

By Gene Ching

Movies

Mortal Kombat: Why the Movie Created New Main Character Cole Young

By Gene Ching

I really loved your role in The Swordsman. And I got to be honest with you, because I’ve been following you, and I was surprised that I didn’t recognize you for quite a long time in this film.

Really?

It wasn’t until I recognized your eyebrows. You’re playing a lot of villains now. Do you like playing villains?

I was a good guy in The Raid and The Night Comes for Us, but yeah. Playing villains is interesting. Because as an actor, you know when you play a villain role, almost there’s no limitation because there’s no rules. [There’s no] you cannot do this, you cannot do that, because you’re the protagonist. “You have to speak this way because you cannot be evil when you speak—you’ve got to be polite.”

When you play a villain, there’s so much freedom. In The Swordsman, I remember I had so much freedom. And the director, he was just like, “What do you think about the role?” I say, “I don’t want to sound like this. I’m going to change my voice.” I’m going to do that because he’s a nomad and he’s from Qing dynasty. He’s Manchurian, and their language is like almost from the throat. I want to deliver that. I want people to see that genetically, when people speak through the throat, they’re going to sound different. 

So all those freedoms that you have as an actor, and the director gave you the freedom to do those stuff, it’s a blessing. Because it’s just so easy for the director to just say “no,” and now you’re in trouble. And you’re just a puppet. “Do this, go there from there. And don’t smile. Don’t do anything.” That’s the nightmare for an actor to work in that condition.

How was it for Mortal Kombat? Were you given a lot of leeway with Sub-Zero?

A lot! Simon [McQuoid], he’s amazing. With almost everything, we’re on the same page. I came up to him almost every morning because we stayed in the same hotel, and he’s actually on the same floor with me. So before, I bothered him a lot. And I know he was busy. I need to ask something. I want to do this. I want to do that. I want to have this layer of him when he’s doing this, he’s doing that. So he was like, “Do that. I love it. It’s brilliant. We’re on the same page.” So it reached the point, I think half of the movie, he just looked at me, I just looked at him. Sometimes we just looked at each other, and we understand we’re on the same page. It was a beautiful relationship with him.

Do you feel that you captured Sub-Zero in a way that you wanted to represent him? Was he a character that you played when you played the game?

Probably different because in a game, people probably like more Kuai Liang, the brother. I think the Mortal Kombat 11, it’s more about Kuai Liang [the original Sub-Zero’s brother], and Bi-Han’s already a new cyborg. But I’m happy with what I saw. I’m happy that this anti-hero character, even though it’s a very thin layer here and there, but I gave it on screen. I gave [a lot to] Bi-Han/Sub-Zero. And probably people don’t know, but there are a lot of layers that I gave to this character. People need to see the pain of him. In the beginning of the fight, when he’s inside the house, for me, I look at this boy and it reminds me of my brother, Kuai Liang. That’s why I smile at him.

And then I just realized that my destiny for this family is to wipe them all. So those small thin layers here and there that I gave in this character, it’s there. They didn’t cut it. Everything is there. I’m so happy that I know when people watch it the second time, they will probably pick up a little bit of that here and there. 

I remember Jax—Mehcad [Brooks]—said “You’re a bad guy. You killed a boy. But somehow I feel you. Somehow, I feel so weird, but I feel empathy for your character.” And then I was like, “Okay, that’s it. That’s the goal. That’s what I wanted to do.” Because Sub-Zero/Bi-Han is a dark character. But tragic things happened to him when he was a kid. He got abducted. It’s by force, to become an assassin, to be part of Lin Kuei assassins, because he didn’t choose that path.

It was destiny [that chose to put him on] that path. And then for him, well, while a lot of people probably look for the light, he is just the kind of person to say, “It’s too late. I’m just going to be who I am.”

Mortal Kombat premieres in theaters and on HBO Max on April 23, 2021

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[veridium]

Cass x Olivia Master Post Update!

Update for November 1st!

These are listed in Chronological order as much as possible. Some ficlets are not dependent on a specific time set, so they are fine to read no matter where you are in their timeline. Olivia is a OC character in Theia’s saga, so she is first introduced there. So, from her first appearance in Theia’s story “ICE IN HER BLOOD” up to present.

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Chapter 14 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Kiss and Tell

Chapter 15 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Drink Your Fill

These chapters give an intro to who Olivia is and how Theia knows her from their days traveling with the rest of the Foxes during the Mage Rebellion.

Chapter 32 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: A Crossroads

Chapter 33 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Blade for Blade

Chapter 34 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: On Thin Ice

Chapter 35 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Allied Powers

Chapter 36 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: A Last Dance

Chapter 37 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Grief Stricken

Chaper 38 of ICE IN HER BLOOD: Stolen Sleep

These Chapters are of when Olivia next reappears in the saga, for the Winter Palace ball. These are also her and Cassandra’s first encounters, time in combat together (LOL), and first conversations. I highly recommend reading them because they ground Olivia’s character development and flesh out her persona, and they are the preliminary moments she and Cassandra share together before I dive into their own subfic/romance arc.

After I wrote Chapter 38 I decided to write their own love story separately from the Saga in order to have more room to dive into their story:

“A Wedding At Skyhold”

The first big event that takes place after the Winter Palace, wherein Cassandra approaches Olivia for company during a wedding at the Skyhold Fortress. Some good, fluffy shit.

“A Spoonful of Midnight”

A small, sweet scene where Olivia brings Cassandra some dinner and they share a conversation. Cassandra sees the side to Olivia’s personality that has been kept in the margins whilst she played the Great Game.

“Break Bread With Me”

This is a flashback snapshot of when Olivia and Cassandra are still figuring out their relationship, but are nonetheless close enough to have a friendly report. Cassandra has returned from the mission to Caer Oswin, still reeling from all she has discovered of the Seekers as an organization. A visit from Olivia with a peace offering provides a most potent and sweet distraction.

“THE SEEKER AND THE BLACK DOVE”

THIS Baby is the heart of their love story, and includes a Post-Exalted Council Epilogue. If you’re looking for the gut of their romance, this is it. It is Six Chapters + the Epilogue, so it’s definitely a longer and more involved read.

“The Second First Kiss”

Cassandra takes the opportunity to rectify a concern of hers: topping their first kiss with something more romantic and unforgettable. 

“Broken Strings” *NSFW

Cassandra comes to see Olivia during a late night of what she thought to be work, but turns into the best kind of trap.

“In The Shadow of the Sunburst Throne” PART ONE + PART TWO

Olivia and Cassandra finally hash it out with regards to the future and the realities of their relationship. Cassandra comes clean about her eavesdropping, testing Olivia’s shallowly invested trust in her intentions.

“Luminous”

A small short story of a time when Olivia comes “home” with a project from her studies. Complete fluff, but it’s good fluff.

“Tumbling Down”

Olivia brings Cassandra along during one of her favorite work tasks: harvesting herbs and plants from a nearby meadow. It’s the early stages of their relationship, and Cassandra finds the more time Olivia has to provoke her stoicism, the more surprises she has in store for her – like, for one, tumbling down a hillside voluntarily.

“Welcome Back Seeker”

A short one-chapter ficlet. Cassandra’s first return to Skyhold since her and Olivia get together, where she forgets she has someone to come back to (romantically-speaking). Olivia is her golden, giddy self.

“Dulled Edges”

Olivia’s memories of her days assassinating Mage hunters comes to her in the middle of a workday. Cole, ever the dependable provider of solace, visits her. He reminds her of all she has gained, even as she wonders what she has lost.

“Just a Trim”

Olivia and Cassandra spend some time together whilst Olivia takes it upon herself to trim her lover’s hair. 

“Insult to Injury”

A short story, Olivia gets injured during a skirmish in the Exalted Plains, prompting Cassandra to let her protectiveness as a lover really shine (lol). 100% bittersweet fluff.

“AN UNFORGIVING NIGHT”

This is a 6-Chapter exploration of how Olivia and Cassandra deal with the politics of their relationship, one being a Chantry Seeker (used to be, anyway) and a Mage survivor of the Rebellion. It’s another long one, but it shows a lot of growth, and you get to really see the core of Olivia’s strength in her identity.

“Dancing in a Burning Room”

A fluff of bedtime reading for Olivia and Cassandra. It’s a good spotlight onto the world of academia that Olivia aspires to be apart of. Also, just good, lovey stuff.

“A Lover’s Vigil”

Another night of sleep at Skyhold wherein Olivia busies her mind and Cassandra attempts to find some semblance of rest. Some Grade A Fluff, Enjoy!

“Deliberations”

A short, one-chapter story. Olivia gets visited and questioned by a Chantry official after the Capitol learns of their love affair, and Cassandra being considered for Divine causes them to fear what influence Olivia would have on her. Olivia dishes out some Grade A, scalding-hot sass.

“Comparing Notes”

Some good friendly banter between the Inquisitor and Seeker, good friends at this point in their tenure together, as they watch their partners converse over Orleisian politics. I’ve always wanted to write this dynamic and it is some wonderful queer fluff. 

“Believe Me, I Choose You”

This is staged time-wise during the Inquisition’s taming of the Exalted Plains, but before the Hissing Wastes. Cassandra and Olivia are on a short diplomatic mission and Olivia’s reputation as a former harlot and agent in the Inquisition wears on her, especially when she is held up to Cassandra’s heroic stature in comparison. Good, angsty fluff.

“ALL THAT GLITTERS”

Olivia is dispatched on a stealth mission to Val Royeaux in order to secure extorted Inquisition funds. She has Cassandra promise not to follow her, and to let her handle her own responsibilities, but the Seeker’s protectiveness compels her to follow anyway. A horrific ordeal ensues, testing Olivia’s self-worth and Cassandra’s self-discipline in the face of growing, deepening love. 

**The titles in all Caps and Bolded are multi-chapter, main storylines. 

Inboxed OC Prompt + Letter Correspondences Stories That Have No Strict Tie to The Chronology But Are Sweet and Queer:

“Please”

Prompt: A kiss that says “please.”

“Warning Kiss”

Prompt: A kiss as a warning. 

“Bloodshed”

Prompt: A kiss with tears. 

“Not Your Baby”

Prompt: Please write a scene of Olivia being bad-ass. 

Letters From The Wastes

Letters exchanged between them during Cassandra’s initial deployment in the Hissing Wastes with the Inquisitor. 

Then, last but not least, I have written one post-Exalted Council series (Two Parts now) 

“Uh, Marry Me?”

A morning in bed together after a long time apart prompts some build admonitions on Cassandra’s part, bringing to bear the future of her and Olivia’s relationship.

No, Really, Marry Me

Two years after Cassandra and Olivia come to a rough agreement about the futurity of their relationship, the Seeker takes one final chance to win over Olivia. Her orchestrated surprise leaves Olivia awe-struck, but will it be enough to convince her that they can defy the traditional limitations of marriage? 

Love and Light!

-Veri

[tjphelpsen246-blog]

Video Games and Literature

Unless you have been living under a rock like Patrick Star, you have probably heard many debates or read articles about video games. People are criticizing them by saying how they are ruining the youth or are an utter “waste of time” (Meyer 2018). I am here to tell you that I believe those people are mostly wrong and they just need to give video games a chance. I have played many video games in my life and have explored a vast genre of interactive and narrative literature. Therefore, in this essay, I want to talk to you about a bunch of games that employ the bones of narrative literature. First let’s talk about the beginning, then let’s dive deep into how and why video games are able to create such impactful and insightful learning experience.

Over my 21 years of life experience, I’ve been playing video games ever since I can remember. I start by playing tons of flash games on addictinggames.com and I would agree that most of those games are a waste of time. There isn’t a lot of story or much importance to them. However, not all flash games are bad. One site in particular is coolmathgames.com. This website was the only game site we were allowed to play in school because it was deemed educational. All the games forced you to use your brain and think. Therefore, you learned some important math skills. Flash games are pretty much what brought tons of kids into the gaming industry. Thing is these are only simple flash games. There isn’t a lot of story behind them so how about we talk some bigger titles.

Why might video games be evolving to produce higher quality narratives? Because video game developers are known for pushing the boundaries on what is possible. Over the past 2 decades, a lot has evolved with storytelling. Stories are being written with more and more user input in mind. This means the player has more and more control over the outcome of the story. As stated in an article by Randy Joly, “For me, the main appeal of narrative video games is the sense of control you get from playing the game. What you can read about upon pages from a novel or comic, you can instead moderate for yourself. This provides players with a new relationship toward the characters and story that can’t be experienced through written means.” (Joly 2016). This is truly why I love to play video games. There is just something about putting yourself in a fantasized world and having complete control over a character and his actions that makes me love video games.

One game in particular that revolutionized the gaming narratives is called The Walking Dead by Telltale Games. I have played this game and what’s really cool about it is how your actions and decisions can directly impact the outcome of the story. Yes, it is a spinoff of the hit TV show but the story line isn’t similar at all. Throughout the game you come across what I’ll call branch decisions. As stated in Joly’s article, “what is exceptionally noteworthy about [The Walking Dead] is not the multiple-choice aspect but the extent to which these multiple choices can affect the game” (Joly 2016). Each one of these decisions is important and depending on what the player chooses the story can continue in two different directions. Lots of times these decisions have to be made in a quick amount of time, otherwise the game will choose for you. This forces the player to think about the consequences of each action. It also forces the player to develop a deeper connection with the main character as their decisions impact the outcome of the game.

Besides the Walking Dead, another game that pushed this boundary is called Life is Strange by Dontnod Entertainment and Square Enix. I never played this game, but I did watch a walk-through of it on YouTube and the story line is exceptional. In this game you play as a girl named Max Caulfield who is an 18-year-old photography student. In the game, Max learns she has the ability to rewind time, but she also has a vision about a huge storm coming to wipe out her town. Throughout the game she is forced to make tough decisions in order to save her town. Thing is, each decision you make has a different impact on the rest of the game. This is something they call The Butterfly Affect. This video game employed the back bones of narrative literature in an outstanding way. Using the Butterfly Affect the writers were able to create a vast and meaningful narrative for each player to experience for themselves.

Another game that used the Butterfly Affect is called Until Dawn by Supermassive Games. In this game the Butterfly Affect is described as “A tiny butterfly flapping its wings today may lead to a devastating hurricane weeks from now.” This game took storytelling to a whole new level as the Butterfly Affect was implemented even more closely in the horror genre. As said before, the real appeal of video games is the ability to control the outcome and partake in the gameplay. Your view on horror movies may be different from mine because I think they are hilarious. All the plots and scares are very predictable, thus is think they are really funny to watch. However, playing a horror game is completely different. I can honestly say playing until dawn was the scariest moment of my life. There is something about taking control of the character and putting yourself in the game that really amplifies your central nervous system. Being a part of the game truly creates a stronger emotion of fear compared to just watching it. Playing it creates the sense that you are there in the game, therefore your fear as the player is much more intense.

Now not all games use this branch decision tactic to convey their narrative. Some games are open world and give the player complete control over what and where the character acts. Have you ever heard of The Witcher book series? The books were originally written by polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. These books were then adapted into The Witcher video game series. I was lucky enough to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the writing in that game is incredible. The Witcher series is critically acclaimed and The Witcher 3 won best game of the year at the video games awards in2016. This goes to show that you can have a quality and worthwhile story in an immersive video game.

Now my favorite game of all time is The Last of Us by Naughty Dog. I have so much respect for Naughty Dog as I have never played a game developed by them and disliked it. Even ask IGN.com. IGN does countless video game reviews and at the time the game came out it was one of the first games ever to be given a 10/10. (ign.com/articles/2013/06/05/the-last-of-us-review) As stated in the review by Colin Moriarty, “The Last of Us seamlessly intertwines satisfying, choice base gameplay with a stellar narrative. It never slows down, it never lets up, and frankly it never disappoints” (Moriarty 2013). In the game you play as Joel, and the start of the game is the very beginning of a zombie apocalypse. In the first level you witness the death of your daughter. You might be surprised someone important dies right away in the story, but this sets the tone for the rest of the game. Later on you also encounter a girl named Ellie and through the horror you and Joel become very close. It’s this writing and the death of Joel’s Daughter that really allows you to build a strong connection with Ellie. Because Joel didn’t know Ellie prior to the start of the story, the player is able to build a stronger and more Immersive connection with Ellie and the narrative. I highly recommend you play this game.

Now I could talk about more and more games that increasingly instill the back bones of narrative literature all day, but I am running out of words to use. If you’re still curious about some other games I would look into the God of War series. Especially the newest one. Not all games are mindless wastes of time. God of War teacher you a lot of history about the Greek gods and their tales. It is games like these that are truly insightful to learn from. Being able to play a video game creates a more impactful narrative and experience for the player. Interacting with a story is something a book will never be able to accomplish. Interactive fiction and video games are the new and improved way to experience narratives.

Works Cited

Joly, Randy. “‘Video Games: Developing a New Narrative," by Randy Joly.” World Literature Today, 19 Dec. 2016, www.worldliteraturetoday.org/blog/words-thought/video-games-developing-new-narrative-randy-joly.

Meyer, Cole. “Video Games and Literature.” The Masters Review, 10 Dec. 2018, mastersreview.com/video-games-and-literature/.

Moriarty, Colin. “The Last of Us Review.” IGN, IGN, 5 June 2013, www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/05/the-last-of-us-review.

[marjaystuff]

Elise Cooper Interview of Christopher Rice

Blood Echo is the second in a series about a sometimes-super human who pursues serial killers. These books are not the typical straightforward thrillers, but do have some traces of sci-fi aspects. As a victim herself, Charlotte “Charley” Rowe wants justice and vengeance against those who perpetuate violence by working closely with the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, Cole Graydon.

The book opens with intense action.  Charley is pursuing a serial killer and after capturing her prey she returns to Altamira California to rest and meet up with her friends and lover. But her peaceful R & R is interrupted when it becomes obvious something sinister is happening. The girlfriend of one of the town’s richest developers is accused of criminal activity. A vast and explosive criminal conspiracy is developing in Altamira. As the fate of Charlotte’s hometown hangs in the balance, and everyone she cares about is in danger, she has no choice but to use her powers to go after the bad guys.

Anyone who has not read the first book might want to in order to understand the back story.  Charlotte was kidnapped and raised by serial killers until she was rescued. Known for being “The Burning Girl,” she has no peace and quiet. She has become an experiment, gaining superpower strength after taking the drug Zypraxon.  This enables her to go after the evil doers, ending their violence. Knowing she can literally rip someone to pieces she tries to control it, preferring to capture and have them punished then to kill them.  

The author writes these cast of characters as very complex and unique.  It is a fascinating read where people will not want to put the book down.

Elise Cooper: Do you plan on having this series go on for awhile?

Christopher Rice:  I have planned out the major complex and dramatic events.  If sales fall short, usually a series has to wrap up quickly.  I do love these characters and I hope to explore them in a lot of different books over the years.  I hope the series goes on for a long time because there is a lot of life in Charley, her relationship with Luke, and the small town.  These books will not have a straight cookie-cutter formula, but Charley will always have a fundamental need for justice and vengeance.

EC:  Was the town Altamira California made up?

CR:  Yes.  It is completely fictional. Charley will return home to this town and the cast of characters. I drew upon it from reading small town romantic novels.  Since I hang out with vampire serial killers while writing the TV series I love to come around at the end of the day and read.  There are a lot of very well written romantic books that I enjoy.

EC:  This book seems a bit different than the first one in the series?

CR:  I was trying to get a gender swap for the protagonist.  I did not want her held back by the male characters.  She did a lot on her own because her boyfriend, Luke, has a temper and is quick to emotion.  In the first book, she had a lot of help, and in this one she is more on her own.  I wanted to make sure readers see female empowerment.  She emerges from the first book as a master over her own fate.  This story allows her to be the one to rescue her love interest.  She gets to do what men have done time and again in a way a man would.  

EC:  How would you describe Charley?

CR:  Confidant and determined. I did not want to write her as the female Incredible Hulk. The drug she takes to give her superpowers only lasts for three hours, after that she returns to a sense of normalcy. She questions when should she take the drug, how to use the power it unleashes, and should she take it?

EC:  Is this similar to a comic book?

CR:  I will embrace that comparison.  I would compare it to the Avenger series that has deeply human relationships.  There is also an organization that has no bounds.  

EC:  How would you define your serial killer characters?

CR: I think many of the jail house interviews of them were based on lies.  Ted Bundy tried to blame pornography for his actions.  The term for this kind of argument is “mistaking correlation for cause ability.” As a writer, I like to speculate on what really makes a monster tick.  I read a book about the Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez, who killed a lot of people in a short period of time.  Right after his arrest he told how he waited until 2 AM because people were asleep.  He did not have the attitude ‘I am a victim,’ and did not commit these crimes because he thought of himself as a victim.  I think the reasons for killing are simplistic, like a Great White Shark.

EC:  Then there are the survivors?

CR:  I am more interested in the survivors than the killers.  This includes Charley’s world.  She and the developer of the drug, Dylan aka Noah, now have a sense of rage.  They feel there will never be closure when someone close is taken away by a murderer. These survivors are working their way out of the darkness created by the killer.

EC:  How would describe the CEO Cole?

CR:  In book one he was motivated to have a major scientific breakthrough for his company that allows him to outshine his father’s legacy.  In book two he is working much closer with Charley as she gets to know him as a person.  Readers are wondering if he wants to make amends with Charley and is he a more noble and sympathetic character.  Remember in book one he was seen as controlling and manipulating.  

EC:  How will the relationship with Charley and Dylan evolve?

CR:  Charley’s single biggest challenge-can she forgive Dylan for initially giving her the drug without her consent.  She received the power, but was never explained the enormous risk.  Everyone before her who took the drug literally tore themselves apart.  I think Cole-Dylan will work together much sooner than Charley-Dylan.  Their journey will be a longer arc.

EC:  Are you on Instagram?

CR:  I am on #bookstagram, which is a part of Instagram.  I think a large part of this series’ audience had to do with this community.  I am very thankful to them and have become one of them.  It is great to see how people love books.

EC:  Can you give a heads up about your next book?

CR:  Charley and Luke will have a solid relationship.  The team will come together and will know everyone’s role.  Luke’s role is emerging and readers will find out what it will be in the next book.  There is a pursuit of a serial killer and the plot is all about the hunt.  

THANK YOU!!