PAX South gaming convention

What a wonderful day! My boyfriend spoiled me like crazy for my birthday this year. I'm getting back into gaming these days, so being surrounded by nerds and games galore was a thrill! Plus the cosplayers... Oh my.... I can honestly say that it was an amazing experience that I want to mark the calendar for every year. And take the kids to it. Virtual gaming is something I'm looking forward to. The chance to stand inside the game after putting on the goggle-looking glasses. To feel myself in the game. Whew! And seeing so many amazing products for gamers. Let me tell something to you.... I can't wait to have my own gaming central in my own home!!! Backlit keyboards aren't the only awesome thing I will have. That's for sure. 
The areas were split up nicely between the types of gaming. Table top (board games), PC (bring your own included!), and consoles. Gaming has taken off these past few years. So many options and styles. So many uses. Stress relief, teaching, or just all out WAR on those who defy your skills. 
There was some pretty cool swag too. Like the Boomb game from Mayfair Games. 

This truck from Alienware was totally awesome! Gaming consoles slide out the rear. Whoo!!! 

This couple of cosplayers were probably my favorites. She's from Portal 2 with her portal hoop. He's the Medic from Team Fortress 2 (who I totally play when I played that game). LOVE it! 

This group was practically begging to have their picture taken. Or maybe just the guy on the end with the Starbucks cups. But I was cracking up with him and loved his enthusiasm. That's what real cosplaying is all about. The fun you bring when you pretend to be your character. 

I can't wait for the next convention. Which should be San Japan! 

Pixels Movie Review

I was fortunate enough to watch the premiere for the movie Pixels.

When I first heard about it, I wasn't thrilled. Adam Sandler isn't as funny to me as he is to everyone else. I usually choose not to watch his movies in general. But this one was about gaming. So how could I not? Besides, it was a free movie. 

So, Adam Sandler plays a classic gaming nerd. As a teenager in 1982, he became a champion at the original video games in the newly opened arcade. His high scoring success was based on his unique ability to recognize, memorize and beat the patterns embedded in the codes of the game. Pac-Man, Duck Hunt, Q*bert, Galaga, Space Invaders and the formidable Donkey Kong were his time consuming passions. Every chance he got, he was playing at the arcade, beating everyone else's high scores. When the world championship came around, he met other gamers and put his abilities to the test until he best everyone except the Fire Blaster.

Fire Blaster was a dwarf with fast fingers and a big ego that slipped insults to anyone and everyone without caring who he hurt. Donkey Kong was the champion-crowning game. Sadly, Fire Blaster (Eddie) won. Sandlers character (Brenner) is heartbroken. His passion is lost. 

Fast forward to modern day. Brenner is a professional nerd who installs others' entertainment devices. His best friend is the unpopular president of the United States. His other gaming days buddy is an awkward conspiracy theorist that only shows up after a random attack on a U.S. Military base in Guam occurs. 

In 1982, a video was taken of the gaming championship. It was added to other video clips and put in a NASA capsule that was shot into space in the hopes of contacting extraterrestrial beings. Apparently they (extraterrestrial beings) did get the message. And interpreted it as a threat against them. Challenge accepted! They mimic the games characters as the attack. So here comes Galaga and Pac-Man to destroy us.

The Pac-Man fight scene was my favorite part. The ghosts were modified mini coopers that had me wishing I was short enough to own one. 

They sent a message that in order to save the planet, there will be games. Whoever wins the games, is champion. The Nerds are suddenly given power to train the best of the military in gaming techniques. Then it's out to the field. Sadly, the military couldn't keep the game training as well as they could military tactics. So the nerds are sent in with blasters to take care of it. Eddie the Fire Blaster was even taken from prison to join the fight.

But he has a secret. And his secret puts the planet at risk. Can they work together and save human kind from the impending invasion? 

Overall I enjoyed the movie. There was humor and nerd talk to keep me happily entertained. I'm not thrilled with the ending and how Q*bert turned out. But no movie is truly perfect. This is for mature audiences. Plenty of language and references that kids aren't going to get. I hope you can enjoy it as I did though.