Thanks to a week of vacation (including some rare "bachelor" time while the wife & kids are in Florida), I've actually managed to finish a few games.  I finished off Tales of Symphonia two nights ago, and Doom 3 last night.  I'm in "striking distance" of finishing off Psi-Ops and Thief 3 as well.

It's very satisfying to me to finish a game.  I'm guessing is some sort of completionist aspect to my personality -- I also have a really hard time stopping reading a book halfway through.  But honestly, actually finishing a game happens a lot less often for me now than it did when I was younger and had more time to do nothing but play (and less cash to buy new games). 

I know a lot of people pine for the "good old days" when games were supposed to be higher quality, and all took a lot longer to play.  It sure doesn't bug me at all now if a game offers a good, solid 10-20 hours, especially if it is intensely good during that time frame.  There are so many good games this year (either already out or approaching on the horizon as we get to christmas) that it is is just mind-boggling.  Last year was just as good.  So it's OK with me if they are a little shorter and I get a better experience out of it, even if my FHPD (fun-hours per dollar) isn't quite as high.

Of course, games like Magic Online, Star Chamber, and World of Warcraft make my quest to "finish" games even harder.  Magic Online in particular has drained a ton of time (and money) from my wallet these past few years (and this most recent vacation).   On the one hand, it's clearly a smart business model for them, but I have to admit I wish there was a way to get a little more closure out of my online gaming experience (short of the 1,000 hours or more it can take to actually "finish" an MMO like EQ or DAOC).

Sorry for the lack of updates lately -- life has been a bit on the crazy side the past few months.  Lots of exciting, but busy-making goings on at the studios.  I can't wait until I can talk more about some of what we have cooking...

Also, I realize that I was trying to only post when I had more "article-like" content to write (such as one I have in progress on Ensemble's rather interesting hiring procedure), but that means sometimes I won't post for long periods of time.  I'd like this site to update more frequently than I necessarily have pre-meditated deep insights.  :)   So in the whole process of figuring out this blogging thing, I may try more "day in the life of" stuff or random musings about games I'm playing, and see if it feels right.

Anyways, I recently discovered that I'm going to the Austin GDC.  I'm looking forward to it -- I love Austin, the topics sound quite interesting, and while I generally suck at schmoozing it is always fun to hang with fellow game devs. 

I hear that life for Austin game devs has gotten a bit rough of late with a few high profile shops laying off or getting relocated.  There are a ton of talented people there, and the town itself just has an excellent vibe.  Fortunately these things are usually pretty cyclical and I have no doubt that in another few months various new studios will be starting up or established ones will be back in the growth mode.  It is still remarkably hard to hire top-quality talent, so the jobs market is still strong for those with the mad skillz...

Today is also my birthday.  33 revolutions around the sun since I showed up here on this hunk of rock.  I'm mostly celebrating by playing lots of Magic Online and World of Warcraft.  

I also celebrated by going to see my Mom's latest performance on opening night.  "I Hate Hamlet" at the Pocket Sandwich Theater here in Dallas.  It was a lot of fun -- I highly recommend it anyone in the area.  There is something very real and immediate about a live performance that is just fundamentally different from other forms of entertainment.