I dont usually post my deeper thoughts, but the last few days, weeks have been full of introspection. Oddly enough perhaps, it also pertains to Civilization: Beyond Earth and my thoughts on it thus far. (Wall of text incoming.) Thoughts on Civilization: Beyond Earth: First of all I find it eerily timely on Firaxiss part to have put a voice actress of Indian descent (or at least a convincing accent) in the part of the narrator in the context of the recent Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) from the Indian Space Research Organization. I rather wish I knew who she was, though will check the credits to make sure. For a part that has been filled by Leonard Nimoy back in Civ 4, I must give my admiration for Firaxis to have put her in such a weighty role to describe the future, present, and past, and it adds a certain sense of unity to the unraveling story and perhaps where the future may go. Id hope it turns out to be less of a space race and more of a collective relay race. While I can agree that there is a little less character in Civ: BE in that drones, mechanized infantry, and orbital units have replaced knights, explorers and WW bombers, the designs and landscape are far from boring and there is still the sense of growth, with some added wonder as I survive, adapt, and grow my colony upon an alien landscape. It took some time to figure out the victory conditions, along with the orbital view, and I admit Ive lost a game on the easiest setting as a result. But considering the nature of this game, its the first of many, many future attempts. Meta-thoughts: More than anything however, a flaw which has hindered many games in the past, the tone, the feel of the game struck a chord with me and hopefully other players who see it as more than simply conquering a new planet. From the introductory cinematic, to the lofty victory conditions, it all had the feeling of pioneers, or more accurately, children floundering among the stars who only have what lessons and tools they can take from home to carve a new destiny for their species. Its a thrilling prospect to travel to Mars, or beyond, but then one has to consider the reality that all those friends and family left behind, even ensuing generations, will never be seen again. I consider these thoughts in relation to my own trek to Seattle, now coming up on my second year since Ive left my family to chase my dreams. And in effect, I carry the hopes of my parents, brothers, and other family who chose to similarly come to America to find their place. What does it mean to succeed here? And even if I were to somehow prosper and thrive, would it be a failure if they did not recognize me returning home? Though I have no children of my own, I believe I empathize more than ever in how children grow up needing their parents, only for parents who end up needing their children. I am hopeful however, as progress is slowly, but steadily made, and I nonetheless am able to keep up with whats going on at home. And I believe more strongly than ever in my mission and goals in realizing that a video game, of all things, has made me feel these things. As I create and grow my works, I in turn influence others who may wish to create their own artifacts. The contribution may be minuscule, but it is part of the vast, collective journey we make towards the future and beyond. And now back to more Civilization: Beyond Earth. https://youtube/watch?v=VlMmxHovXtU
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 20:47:45 +0000
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