(Self-portrait of myself, taken in December of 2016)
Hello, my name is Collin Gaddie. This semester, I am a senior with a Creative Media Production major, going for graduation within this period. I have taken various skills over the years, which include video editing, journalistic writing, and web design. I have not written for fiction before and d not have a lot of confidence in my writing skills, but I will try my best.
My big passion in all of my 21 years (going on 22 in February) is video games. My first gaming console was a Nintendo 64, on which I spent innumerable amounts of my childhood hours in games like Banjo-Tooie, Super Smash Bros., Lego Racers, and Diddy Kong Racing. I would consume other creative media like movies, animations, and graphic novels that I also have great interest in, but video games were always my big constant.
Because they are such a large influence on me, it's wonderful to see them growing to a point where they can function as more than entertainment devices. At the time of this post, the event Awesome Games Done Quick 2017 has recently ended. This is an event where people display skills "speedrunning" games for charity. Speedrunning is the act of finishing a game as fast as possible be it within limitations like completing a certain percentage of the game or by usage of glitches to skip major sections. I've been making a priority of mine to donate to these events by purchasing T-shirts relevant to the event period online.
In recent events of my life, I've been trying to get to some of the games I have on my backburner that I really want to play. Out of curiosity for the series, I've recently started Mega Man Legends, released originally on the PlayStation, but re-released for digital download on the PSN Store.The controls are a bit awkward to get used to, but the cel-shaded aesthetics and premise of ancient underground secrets sounds intriguing to me.
There was also the recent release last November of Pokémon Sun, establishing the seventh generation of the Pokémon series, of which I've been a big fan of. These games more often than not manage to instill a sense of wonderment and adventure in the world around me through its hundreds of fantastical creatures to battle and train with and its infectiously catchy tunes.
If you have any movies, graphic novels, and even games to recommend to me, it would be nice to hear them so that I can expand my range of experiences. I hope we all get along well this semester.
Aha, gaming: that is exciting to hear, Colin! The back-and-forth between the world of games and traditional story narratives is really fascinating. I hope this class can be a good opportunity for you to explore that back-and-forth. And listen, about graphic novels: there are some graphic novels on Reserve in Bizzell for the Indian Epics class, but of course they are available to any student to check out, and if you are interested in doing an India project for this class by using those graphic novels, that would be very cool. You can find a list of them here: Campfire graphic novels (India imprint). I was really excited when Bizzell gave me a grant to get those, and we also have a complete collection of ACK comic books from India, also on Reserve in Bizzell: great stuff! ACK comics in Bizzell
ReplyDeleteCollin, I think you're going to enjoy fictional writing very much. Since you're such a fan of video games, I hope you find inspiration from your favorite games to be included in your stories. I wouldn't worry too much, I think you'll just have to let loose a little bit to get the creative juices flowing. Fiction is fiction so if something seems ridiculous, it'll probably still work. Can you imagine if J.K. Rowling decided that everything in Harry Potter was too crazy? Speaking of video games, I have a feeling if you were to ever meet my brothers, you guys would all get along very well! But anyways, have faith in yourself! I really do believe you can write great stuff!
ReplyDeleteHey Collin!
ReplyDeleteI thought we might have another class together this semester, but I was surprised when I found out it was this one. You certainly have an inventive imagination, and I look forward to reading your work this semester. After watching your videos last semester, I expect to read some creative and hilarious stories. I played my fair share of video games growing up. I logged a lot of hours on Nintendo 64 playing Mario Kart, Super Mario 64, and Super Smash Brothers. I am curious to know how you feel about the rise of VR in the video gaming world. Good luck this semester!
Hey Collin, I've always wanted to learn more about video editing so it's cool that you've done that.
ReplyDeleteI played video games growing up, but sadly I have no time anymore between work and school, so I have no recommendations. Seems like you have plenty of awesome games that you already play though! Since video games are your passion and I assume you've played a wide variety of games, I think that will help with your writing a lot. Perhaps, will give you many creative ideas as maybe even spin-offs of certain video games. Can't wait to see what you come up with this semester!
It's great to get to know you, Collin! You sound a lot like my brother. He loves all things video games also. Growing up, I loved all of the different Lego games, Spyro, and Star Wars Battlefront. It's very cool that you're so interested in them. You could definitely find a career having to do with video games. You seem to be a good writer, so I look forward to reading your stories.
ReplyDeleteVideo games are awesome! My sister and I have almost every Lego game for PS3, and I've beaten all but the newest two we got for Christmas. I'm working on 100% completing them, but I haven't made it yet. I follow several Let's Play style channels on YouTube though, and one of the guys in my favorite pairs does speed runs sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Collin! Gotta say I love games too, though I haven't been playing too many lately due to time constraints. Definitely played my fair share of melee & double dash back in the day though. It's cool to know you watch AGDQ too, I have a friend who does speedruns of Mario 64 and played against other speedrunners there. After a long hiatus from playing Pokemon I picked up Moon when it came out, and it didn't disappoint. Really good game.
ReplyDeleteHey Collin. I love playing video games, but since I suck at them, I usually end up watching others play more than playing them my self. On a somewhat random note, are you a PlayStation or Xbox person? If play station- are you looking forward to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? As for recommendations- D-gray Man for graphic Novels, Arrival and Snowpercier for Movies, and Last Guardian for Games. I wish you luck in life, you seem like a great person and I hope you will go far.
ReplyDeleteHey Collin! It's nice to meet you! I'm glad you decided to give fiction writing a try by taking this class! I love writing, and I hope you're able to discover a love for it as well! I also enjoy video games! I grew up with Super Smash Bros., Mario, and Pokemon so I can relate to the joy that you get from them!
ReplyDeleteIt so fun to read about your passion for gaming. I can really tell that you have a love for all things video games, which is never a bad thing! Having a passion is so great because you can always find like-minded people to share your interests with. It is so cool that you can use your passion for video games to raise money for charity!
ReplyDeleteHi Collin,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being a second semester senior! Graduation is right around the corner! I am in Gaylord too, and I am pretty sure I have seen you around, working in the computer lab! You seem to have a wide range of skills, which is really impressive! I wish I had more video experience, because I feel like that is such a growing medium.
Hi Collin,
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful meeting you! Congratulations for being a second semester senior! I bet you can't wait for your graduation! I think that your passion for video games is incredible! I love video games as well, but I am honestly not good at them at all! It's quite sad actually!
Hey Collin! I don't know if you know Josh Walquist but he's a film major, and I think they have some overlap with Creative Media? Don't quote me on that though, haha. Anyway, I do play some video games as well, and I don't know what types you would like, but my friends really like Overwatch, Dark Souls, and Skyrim! Not really similar to Pokemon Sun, but they are very fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Collin! Congrats on making it to senior year - only two short months. I see that you're really passionate about video games and your major is CMP, have you considered working in that field? Like creating video games? I don't know how it works when creating games, but I think you'd like it. Also, I think you'll be a lot better at writing fiction than you think. You're already into these games with their own fictional world, now you have the chance to create your own. I hope you've enjoyed this class! Good luck with the rest of the semester.
ReplyDeleteCollin it is nice to meet you! Congrats on being a senior in Creative Media Production and going for graduation soon. My first console was actually Nintendo 64 as well. My all-time favorite game has got to be Super Smash Bros. I used to play that for hours upon hours with all of my friends. I have actually never played Pokémon but I definitely need to get into it. Good luck this semester.
ReplyDeleteMy first console was also an N64! I played Super Smash Bros and Banjo Tooie a lot--the latter was probably my favorite childhood game. Playing video games has given me a great love for games as storytelling media. Especially recently, fiction and stories have been a huge part of the industry, sometimes more than the gameplay itself, strangely enough. So, even though you said you haven't done much fiction writing, I bet your affinity for gaming would give you a good sense for storytelling.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you!
Hey Collin! You definitely know your stuff when it comes to games so you are surely not kidding about your love for them! I think it's awesome that you could have so much passion for something like that! Do you ever consider board games aside from video games? If so, I wonder if you've checked out Loot XP in Norman on Main St. It's a pretty neat place! I'm not much of a gamer, but I like to go with my brothers, my boyfriend and their friends. I actually enjoy the time spent there with them! It was really great to meet you and congratulations on graduating this semester so young! Good luck from hereon!
ReplyDeleteHey Collin,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you! After reading some of your stories, I can really tell that your major is a perfect fit for you. You seem like a very creative storywriter, and should be confident in your writing! I have never been much into video games or anything like that, but I think it is super cool that you are. I think the first and last game that I ever played was some video game that had to do with the Incredibles. Have you thought about doing graphics or working for a gaming company following college? Good luck with the rest of your semester!!
Hi Collin,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you! We haven't ever formally met, but we have interacted many times in the Gaylord Computer labs. Congratulations on graduating this spring! I will be walking the same stage with you! Although I have only read one of your stories (from week 10) I think you're a very good fiction writer. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't write!
Hello Collin, it's nice to meet you! It's great to hear that you are able to use one of your hobbies to donate to charity. That sounds like a fun way to give back. I am a big fan of T-shirts, so I'm a little jealous of your collection. Congrats on graduation! I also graduate in May and I am beyond ecstatic to be done! From the one story that I have read, I think you did a great job writing. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Collin, it's nice to meet you! Congrats on graduating this spring, that is really exciting and I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors. It seems like you truly know what you're talking about when it comes to gaming. I have to admit I was a little lost when you got into detail on the different games you like, but creative media production must be a great fit for you! I can't wait to read your stories and see your creativity come to life for this class!
ReplyDeleteHi, Collin, it's nice to meet you and learn about your passion for video games! To be honest, I don't know much about them at all besides Mario Kart, but I think it's so cool that you have such a talent and are able to pair it with the very cool major of creative media production. That sounds like a perfect fit! Also, I have read several of your stories and I think you are a great writer, so you should be confident in your writing skills! Congratulations on graduating this semester and best of luck in your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi, Collin! Diddy Kong Racing -- that is a game I have been itching to replay! I love video games, too, and I have luckily been able to keep myself from spending too much time playing them this semester. Creative media production seems like a great fit for someone so passionate about video games. I hope the last few weeks of undergrad goes well!
ReplyDeleteHello! So I am definitely horrible at video games, but I also had a Nintendo 64 growing up and I was obsessed with Mario Kart! Your major sounds interesting and it is great that you have so many other skills that I am sure will complement your profession. I had never heard of speedrunning a game. That sounds so hard, I am impressed anyone can even do that! Have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi, Collin! It is really nice to meet you. I just read your week 12 story so it is really cool to now read that you love video games. I like that you were able to incorporate your love for video games into your story telling this past week. I really liked playing Mario Bros and Finding Nemo growing up. However, I've been told that those don't count by gamers. I never heard of speed running a game but it sounds really difficult. It was great to meet you and I hope you have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Collin, nice to meet you! It's interesting that you're a gamer, I am as well but we both play different genres of games. I play 2K and FIFA a lot because I enjoy playing and watching both sports. I'm actually interested in checking out mega Man Legends on PS. It sounds like a fun game! Good luck with the rest of your semester
ReplyDeleteHi Collin! It's great to meet you! You sound really passionate about video games and I think that's great! I grew up on the n64 as well, but my games of choice were always super smash bros, pokemon battle, and pokemon snap. I loved pokemon growing up, so I can relate to your interest in the pokemon games!
ReplyDeleteHi Collin! It's nice to meet you! Your knowledge on video games is pretty impressive. Both of my brothers LOVE video games, so a lot of the things you talked about made me think about them. I, however, am terrible at video games. My husband tries to make me play them with him, but I am just terrible. The only game we have found that I am decent at is SSX, the snowboarding game, which I actually like a lot. I used to play it on Playstation when I was younger, but we have it on Xbox now. If you haven't played it, you should try it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Collin! It's nice to meet you! Your knowledge on video games is pretty impressive. Both of my brothers LOVE video games, so a lot of the things you talked about made me think about them. I, however, am terrible at video games. My husband tries to make me play them with him, but I am just terrible. The only game we have found that I am decent at is SSX, the snowboarding game, which I actually like a lot. I used to play it on Playstation when I was younger, but we have it on Xbox now. If you haven't played it, you should try it out.
ReplyDelete