Thursday, February 16, 2012

Tanks, You're Welcome


A couple weeks ago I posted about my GameJam game Danh (The Snake God). And I got a lot of really good feedback which was cool considering I made that game in a short weekend. So I figured, why not show the game I made in class with a talented team over the course of 4 weeks? The following game we made under the theme Destruction in my TC 455 class Video Game Design and Development II.


I hope you enjoy it! Also if you can make the little download instead, the graphics receive a nice boost.

Also, if you are interested in video games as a career you should check out the video game specialization.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Rugby: The Gentleman's Sport


            Ah Rugby, they say soccer is a gentleman's sport played by hooligans, and rugby is a hooligan sport played by true gentleman. I love rugby, and have since I first dropped by my high school team's practice five years ago. I love that saying too, because truly you cannot know the chaos of a rugby battle until you've been on the pitch scrapping and fighting for 80 minutes. Yet in my experience the game has an unparalleled brotherhood. No other sport could be so brutal on the field, and yet both teams be so social and friendly immediately after the game

            Rugby is a true team sport, requiring the coordination, dedication, and unity of fifteen players towards one goal of moving the ball across the touch line. If there is a weak link on the squad, the entire team is exposed. Rugby is about standing shoulder to shoulder, holding the line when you defending ball, and supporting your brothers when attacking with the ball.

            Rugby is also a great way to get involved on campus, meet new people, and expand your social circle. I recommend anyone looking to stay in shape, looking to play a new sport, or just to stay in shape, that they try out the MSU Rugby Football Club. The Rugby club welcomes all experience levels and the best part of the sport is that there is a role for everyone from the big bruising forwards to the shifty backs.

            If you'd like more information on practices and whether the Rugby Club is right for you feel free to leave a comment or email the club at: msurfc@msu.edu.


Also, spending some time on youtube can really show you why the sport is so amazing:



Saturday, February 11, 2012

IM Basketball: The Team of Destiny


Its not March yet but the madness is underway. I'm talking about basketball season in full swing. Now, Michigan State is doing great, as they have all season, and in fact, as I write this MSU has just wrapped up a signature win in Columbus. I am truly excited to watch and write about this team moving forward but at the moment I want to make a shout out to my IM Basketball team.

Our first game was our easiest opponent, which was lucky because we played sloppy. We were missing a few players and it was the first time a lot of us had played together.

The second game ended up being our hardest game. It was a battle back and forth and we really struggled for points in the first half. We fought back in the second half and we were down two with about thirty seconds to go, but we didn't have the ball. We intentionally fouled and the sequence that followed couldn't have been scripted any better. First the other team missed the first free throw. The ball awkwardly bounced to the corner where there was a scramble for the ball that we won.

So with 25 seconds left we passed the ball around on the perimeter and tried to penetrate. The ball ended up being deflected out of bounds. The refs didn't see it so they called a jump ball which meant our possession with five seconds left. We called a timeout, and there down 2 with no overtime, we were going for the win. We isolated our best player at the top of the key, who immediately drew a double team, he took a step back fade away  from 5 feet behind the 3 point line contested by two defenders that touched nothing but the bottom of the net. 48-47. Game Over!

We went on to easily win our next two games due to our new team chemistry and a confidence built by that trial by fire game. Its a really cool story and a Hollywood finish to that game which is why I love the sport of basketball. I cannot wait for the playoffs, and this is a message to other teams: give up now, you're facing the team of destiny!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Caf Showdown II: Case vs. Brody


Its the showdown everybody's been waiting for! The current title holder for best caf on campus, Brody Square, taking on the newest caf, South Pointe in Case, weighing in with a $13 million renovation. If you missed my first caf showdown Brody took down Sny/Phy in a slug it out battle.

Living in south complex I've spent the past several weeks eating at Case often so I've given it a fair shake, and I'm ready to give it my honest assessment. With that, here we go!

South Pointe (Case) vs Brody Square

Brody
Case











Great Lakes Plate vs Pangea
Both Cafs come out swinging. Great Lakes offers a good variety of rotating menu options. The rotating options are a welcome sight compared to the never changing menu offered at Brody. Yet Pangea's made-to-order stir-fry may be the best food station on campus. Its too close to call. 
Wash

Ciao vs Ciao
Both cafs offer great pizza options. However, these stations also offer deli sandwiches. At first glance this would appear to be a wash, however, Brody's sandwich options blow away Case's options with more meats, breads, wraps, and well more everything. 
Advantage Brody

Bliss vs. Dolce
For the sweettooths both cafs offer great options of desserts. Case's dessert menu is headlined by delicious crepes that you can't get anywhere else on campus. However, Brody's tollhouse cookies, MSU dairy ice cream, and milkshakes are simply unbeatable.
Advantage Brody

S2 vs. S2
Both Brody and Case offer great salad, soup, and sushi options 
Wash

Brimstone Grille vs. Brimstone Grille
So apparently the MSU is looking for brand recognition in their dining stations. Unfortunately there is an unmistakable difference between Brody's grille and Case's grille. Brody's options are made to order, and include onion rings, fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, bacon burgers, and more. Case on the other hand has nothing made to order, instead you can choose between a burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries. 
Advantage Brody

Nothing vs Cayenne's
Brody has awesome made to order southwestern food from burritos to quesadillas to nachos. Case has nothing. 
Advantage Brody

Nothing vs. Boiling Point
Brody has really great made-to-order past options. Case has nothing. 
Advantage Brody

Layout
I really enjoy the layout of Case. The seating is in one location, the food and drinks are in another. In Brody the bizarre placement of spread out seating and dining options makes for a confusing and annoying layout. 
Advantage Case

Atmosphere
I definitely prefer the color scheme of Case. That's where the compliments end for Case. Case has two TV's that are both positioned very poorly with limited visibility from the seating. Brody on the other hand has seating sections that are completely isolated from TV, and others with 8 TV's in front of them. Moreover the seating in Case feels crammed by comparison to the spread out tables in Brody.
Advantage Brody

Overall
Unfortunately, it became apparent quickly that this was not a fair fight and Case could've used more time in the gym. Brody has more options, better quality, better seating, and overall a better dining experience. Obviously both cafs have great options, however this contest has a clear winner. In a landslide Brody defends its crown as the best cafeteria on campus.

WINNER BRODY SQUARE