Individualistic Collectivism

Expanding upon new horizons is important


Downright profitable, in some cases #nooksnotabadguy

Which is something the creator of Katamari Damacy, Keita Takahashi most definitely agrees with me on. I recently covered my admiration for the series by enjoying the re-release of the sequel to the quirky Japanese title on Game Pass, We Love Katamari REROLL, and then immediately after, news about a patent for that series happening after a decade long hiatus of a new title occurred, alongside some news from his new (non-Katamari) game coming out, to A T, got some press, which is launching the 28th of May (Series X, PS5, PC). Barely missed some “article synergy” with my timing being slightly ahead of relevant information, so I’m just going to pretend I willed into existence both happenings because of how awesome I am.


Pardon me while I hannel the immortal energies of Bender…

On a different factual (but more seriously) related point, another awsome gaming outlet translated an interview done by Game*Spark with the Katamari creator (Takahashi) about the new title, and some of his insights and frames of reference in his approach to another non-traditional title. Takahashi mentioned gaining perspective by wanting to work with a larger group of people in developing new video games, part of the reason he left Namco:

 “I left the company because I didn’t want to be limited to only working with the people there. I wondered why I was only making games with Japanese people. I thought if I could develop games with more people from other countries, I would be able to get ideas from different perspectives. I’m currently developing games with a range of people from all over the world.” 

Which makes total sense coming from him, as he was always seen as having quite an obtuse approach when creating new concepts, artistically or otherwise, hence the gorgeous glory that is Katamari. I’m not even sure if the interview I’m thinking of is available online to hyperlink to, but I remember back in the day, him telling another outlet he wasn’t really a big fan of actually playing video games, so he wanted to make the “non-video game” video game, which is paradoxically perfect in my eyes. One usually finds the most explosive results within a medium when creators come packing with a totally outside viewpoint and represent aberrations within their new vocation, and the artistry thereafter is magnified thusly.


Same vibes, somehow

I have a lot more I wished to extrapolate upon that I would have loved to share with you, but per my modus operandi as of late, I am simply bereft of moments with which to enlighten. I’ll leave you with the trailer “To a T”, Takahashi’s new game, which is looking just as fascinatingly obtuse but infinitely compelling as the rest of his work.

~Pashford
PS: (Individualistic Collectivism=being distinguished among the distinguishing)

Kicking Your Own Ass

My want to engage with gaming remains visceral; the atmosphere of a thousand beating hearts aflame with the essence of passion resonating through my very being. Metaphysically speaking anyways, in reality…


The spirit is willing but the flesh is spongey and bruised

Finding time to not just play, but write about video games ends up being a herculean task, even aside from just working full time. I’m not completely estranged from the idea of why so many gamers usually pick gaming and only gaming in which to binge their crazy little faces off with: there simply isn’t the time to fit much else on the agenda, especially when you have the colossal worlds or competitive scenes to contend with. Further more, when one does have any interests or passions outside the virtual realm, making room on the schedule for pressing matters become downright masochistic, with pain being an odd bed fellow you just end up on good terms with.

The average crowd you see at LAN parties

I have so many plates spinning in the air right now in the form of games to play my head feels as if it is rotating right alongside with them at the speed of light. I don’t know how completionists do it anymore, assuming the pedigree of person who still regularly 100%s titles is not yet an extinct entity eerily eviscerated entirely by their own energies. The pursuit just doesn’t seem tenable with the metric shiton of gaming to trudge through in this day and age, so for any out here still getting through content at a decent click without choking on the breadth of variety you have to choke down in order to maintain your ridiculous pursuits, hats off to you, the furious fires of your commitment rage unrelentingly indeed.


Fear the man with a massive hat collection

I once again didn’t have a gross excess of time to spare this very day, and none of what passed as a topical gaming headline in the news really inspired me to dictate on the ins and outs of it, neither did I desire to start another random game just yet, so I thought I would just do a quick riff on some of what I’m currently enjoying. Having recently beaten Elden Tree, I finally downloaded the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, as I had been hearing so much about it in the past couple of months. I opted not to do a new game plus of the base content of Elden Ring just yet, as I figured it would be more appropriate to see what is suppose to be ball-breakingly difficult content the expansion has to offer with just the one time through under my belt because uhh…reasons?


Cause being under leveled to deal with whatever the fuck this is
screams solid idea

Was in no way surprised that the extra game content was not made immediately obvious to me upon installing it, which, classic Elden Ring move, amirite? The games devil may care attitude in making apparent the new quest at hand is very much in the spirit of the vanilla content; being intentionally obtuse about direction while giving you the unique opportunity to get your ass completely stomped repeatedly, while the game seemingly smirks at you when the words YOU DIED come up on screen as a friendly way of thanking you for the continued support of absurdity.


Don’t worry, that’s just his way of saying hello

I’m sure that I will stumble upon the content sooner than later, as I am remembering a couple of threads hanging loosely involving some side quests I never saw to completion, so I’m not wildly concerned about being left out in the cold in seeing what Erdtree has to offer. In spite of my recent acknowledgement involving the obvious issues cropping up with refusing to look up information related to elements of the game (I.E. walkthroughs, FAQs, etc) and giving myself a break in the matter, I still have no desire to just tap out immediately if I get stuck on a puzzle or can’t find something hidden in a video game for three seconds and just look up the solution. Part of what makes the medium a cut above other entertainment is the feeling of satisfaction that does come with the power of discovery or besting a boss using your wiles alone.


Even if it feels like having to punch through a diamond wall

Though, the contemplation to cut myself some slack, not beat myself when I can’t figure something out, and in not being so dogmatic about not asking for help when I need it is a healthy step in the right direction, and that goes well beyond the virtual borders of the gaming realm. Too often I find people are perhaps taking for granted the real value of the every day or failing to appreciate the small moments that help to make the human experience such a rich one, and a lot of it stems from falling into bad habits or being derailed or deluded by whatever unhealthy psuedo-social propaganda happens to be ruling the day at the moment. Just like the very criticisms lobbed at the ills that help make capitalistic transform the every day into the twisted, warped hellscape we all endure daily, we would be wise to take caution and avoid the pitfalls that regularly trap us; infinite growth isn’t sustainable, we shouldn’t have to sacrifice our bodies and spirits to feel accomplished, and it’s okay to take a second and just breathe. There’s no point in living if you’re just dead on your feet all the time.

Do yourself a favor: take a moment, slow down, and appreciate yourself.

~Pashford