Jeremy Parish writing on his 2-dimensions.com blog:

Video games are made by hard-working schlubs, and they’re written about by hard-working schlubs, and both categories of schlub do so in service of the hard-working schlubs who do their schlubbing so they can afford to buy video games. We’re not so different, you and I.

Great perspective piece on 10+ years working in the gaming press. I have Parish, in part, to thank for where I am today. From one hard-working schlub, schlubbing to afford to write about video games on the side (because I can’t help it either), to another hard-working schlub: Thank you.

Leigh Alexander, writing for Time:

As video games unshackle from old constraints, traditional fans double down on keeping the treehouse sacrosanct. The tension between “games as product” and “games as culture” is visible within these online controversies as everyone invested in the industry watches to see which will “win”. Someone should tell the internet conspiracy theorists they can relax — we’ll absolutely, definitely have both.

One of Alexander’s many terrific pieces. Another great bit at Daring Fireball. (via Peter Hollo)

Dialog between Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) and Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt), Chef:

CC: What exactly are you doing here?

RM: I’m eating the food. I’m eating your food.

CC: I thought my food was needy and cloying.

RM: Well, I didn’t think you’d want to serve me, so I sent somebody else to pick it up.

CC: What happened between us, that really knocked me for a loop. I mean, you robbed me of my pride and my career and my dignity. And I know people like you don’t usually care about that kind of thing…

RM: That’s not necessarily true.

CC: But you should know it hurts people like me. ‘Cause we’re really trying.

RM: You started a flame war with me. Are you kidding me? I buy ink by the barrel, buddy. What are you doing picking a fight with me? I wouldn’t challenge you to a cook off.

CC: I thought I was sending you a private message.

RM: I didn’t know that. I thought we were having fun. It was theater. By the way, what the fuck were you cooking? You totally shat the bed, buddy. How could I back that? You were one of my early boys.

CC: I had no control over the menu.

RM: Whatever the case, okay? You seem to be cooking for yourself again. Because this shit is sensational. I mean, really, really good.

CC: Thank you.

I really enjoyed this movie. Very simple and to the point. Good food is great, my opinion on critics (including myself) is iffy at best, and Twitter can be terrible. In a world of limited text, context counts. Inspiring, real stuff. Well done, Favreau.

Kickstarter:

We want to make an in-depth documentary on the personal and cultural impact of video game music. Have you ever paused a game just to hear the music play? There are thousands of artists inspired by those same sounds. Cover bands are performing phenomenal versions of nostalgic music and chiptune artists are challenging themselves with the original game music methods. Tribute albums are causing collaboration and communication between fans and their favorite composers. Remix communities are resulting in new composers to score the next generation of games. Festivals are developing into friends and families all because of video game music. We want to capture this phenomenon from many different angles to showcase the amazing communities, people, and effects this music has fostered.

Speaking of spending money on OSTs, this interesting Kickstarter has entered its final week of funding. Sign me up.

Kyle Hilliard, GameInformer:

Grant Kirkhope, composer for Rare who created the Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack along with many others, has posted the soundtrack in its entirety online for download.

When we say the entire soundtrack, we mean everything. Among the 164 tracks, you will find familiar tunes, but you will also find the small musical cues and fanfares related to things like opening doors and collecting certain objects.

I’ve been streaming the Super Mario 64 OST from YouTube at work a lot lately. (Yes, YouTube.) I understand Nintendo has a sales strategy in place for their OSTs (see Super Smash Bros. 3DS Sleep Mode OST), but come on. Want the Super Smash Bros. OST? Here’s the deal (emphasis mine):

Buy and register both the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U games to receive a special soundtrack from Club Nintendo!

I’m not sure how Kirkhope is able to release this content, but he’s got my money. (And I’ve got a great Nintendo 64 era OST in ALAC.) Download here.

Someone call Koji Kondo and tell him we are ready for his box set.