During the down-time I've had this week following exams, I found myself replaying one of my most favorite video games: the original Half-Life. Originally released in 1998 by then-unknown Valve software, Half-Life went on to receive immense critical praise, and set a standard for first-person action games that has yet to be surpassed. Certainly, with the advent of more modern games, we've had games that have never looked better, but do they truly -play- better? I personally don't think so.

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For the final project, I immediately felt as though I would go the creative route, as opposed to the analytical road. So! For the project, I've decided to create a short, interactive piece of fiction using the computer program RPG Maker. This program allows the user to develop interactive games similar to the 8 - bit and 16 - bit role-playing games that existed on such systems as the Nintendo and Super Nintendo. Using custom resources, the user can create their own environments, characters, and storylines to share with those who play it. In this manner, I will create my own unique short story for members of the class who critique it to play and evaluate. I will also submit a 2 page paper in order to evaluate it in my own mind, as well as possibly explain story points for a more complete explanation of the tale.

Think back to when you were back in grade school. For English, your teachers ALWAYS gave you the absolute worst reading assignments. But, at least for me, one thing that made kids excited was the ability to go to the library and choose their own books - and quite often, we'd take a look over at the "Goosebumps" brand Choose Your Own Adventures. Many people still have fond memories of those books to this day, and honestly, who can blame them?

Now, my question is, why have most teachers not caught onto this yet? Why not give the kids a chance to analyze and study these books they love so much? I mean, just look at what our class has done, and we're in college! It's not too far fetched to think that maybe taking a more hands-on and entertaining approach to reading assignments may benefit the kids being taught now. I mean, I know I would assign Goosebumps "Night of the Werewolf" over some of the stuff they're reading nowadays.

For this “Choose Your Own Adventure” assignment, the book entitled “Deadwood City” was analyzed. In this story, the reader takes the role of an individual in the “Wild West” of the late 1800s in America. At the opening of the book, the reader is told that they had just arrived on horseback to Deadwood City–a town that does not seem particularly active, nor friendly. After going deeper into to the town, the first “choice” of the adventure is presented: Will the reader take their chances at the hotel, the saloon, or the sheriffs office? Once this choice is made, the story unfolds, often culminating with such events as encounter with Indians, shoot-outs with bandits, and other such exciting occurrences associated with the Old West. Though at times flawed, often due to the reusing of preexisting scenarios, the book is an enjoyable read, and truly embraces is “Choose Your Own Adventure” heritage, though it lacks a path which results in an encounter with extraterrestrials.

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Even though I complained about the downward spiral that current day animation and the channels that put them on seem to be going through, I do have to admit that, at the moment, it's not half bad if you happen to be a comic book fan as well (like myself). Along with old re-runs of shows like the classic Batman animated series and the Justice League, Marvel and DC both have two shows out that are, at least if you ask me, some of their strongest animated programming offers to date: Batman - Brave and the Bold, and The Spectacular Spider-Man. These two shows truly embrace their source material, having both the story lines and the characters adhere closely to the comics, yet also presenting them in a new, unique matter that is exclusive to their respective shows. Gone are the days of the X-Men and Spider-Man 90's cartoons and their stiff animations and plots that catered more toward the adults who read the comics, rather than the kids they were intended for.

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With all the talk of animation we have been doing in class, I began to consider my youth, which seemed to be full of glorious animation. Yes, during the earlier stages of my life, it was as though animation was everywhere. Television shows on Nickelodeon, the beginning of Cartoon Network, as well as many fantastic animated films created by Disney were some of the highlights of my younger years. Lately, though, there seems to be a negative trend. Gone are the hand-drawn cartoon films of Disney, Nickelodeon seems to be attempting to appeal to the teenage (girl) demographic, and Cartoon Network appears to embrace computer-generated animation, japanese cartoons with only about 15 minutes of animation for a 30 minute show (with the rest replaced with flashy backgrounds), and even attempted to have live action shows. Let me repeat that, for those who don't understand - CARTOON NETWORK WAS THINKING OF NOT HAVING CARTOONS. Isn't that ridiculous?

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For those who are uninitiated, "Invincible", by Robert Kirkman, is what I and many others (including the author himself), consider one of the best modern comics being released at the moment. It takes a hero who is as powerful as Superman, but gives him the origin story of Spider-Man, letting the reader grow and understand the character as extensively as they can with such characters as Peter Parker. Though you may be thinking, "What's so special about Superman growing up?", well... if you'd let me finish, you'd understand better.

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One type of narrative that I think of myself as a somewhat expert on is that of the graphic novel, or comic book. Comics have come a long way since the ages in which muscle-bound men in spandex simply flew from one page to the next, doling out punishment on some hapless thug who happened to choose the worst possible time to steal an innocent lady's purse. Though these jumpsuit-clad judges are still alive and kicking (ha ha ha - get it?), the motives for which these men and women take the duty of cleaning up the underworld of their respective cities upon themselves have often been clarified in a more extensive manner. Those heroes who find their respective pasts or events in their stories "worthy" of being expanded upon often have their books graced by talented authors who take time to fill in all the blanks that the reader may think of. The less fortunate, however, find themselves at the mercy of one of the most insidious comic book villains: the retroactive continuity, or "retcon".

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