A Viewpoint

Ever since Dragon Ball Super ended, we were given news and glimpses of the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, first it was only a short teaser showcasing a new visual flair and a mysterious new saiyan. Later on the movie revealed itself as a full blown blast from the past—the return (and canonization) of Broly in the Dragon Ball franchise, with an altered backstory to keep things fresh. The Legendary, maniacal saiyan from the post-Z era is back and he has never looked more powerful. Honestly, it was a welcome treat in the franchise, but also raised a few legitimate questions regarding the direction it’s now headed and how it gels with everything that we’ve seen from Super thus far. But it does seemed that the movie will be the biggest celebration in the franchise so far, with the fusion (no pun intended) of some of the coolest elements from the Toei-directed post-Z era with the cosmic setting of Super, so what’s not to love? Then came the confirmation th

In the previous two articles of the Anatomy of Videogames series, we’ve learned about the inner mechanisms of videogames in detail and how they work together to create the overall tapestry of audio-visual-interactive-experience that we know as Videogames. And in this article, we’ll go even beyond and take a good look at what directs that whole mechanism from within—I’d like to call them Design Philosophies. They form the ‘heart’ or the ‘main theme’ of a videogame and basically answer the question of what a game ‘means’ from a purely human perspective. To understand the role of design philosophies in a videogame, simply consider the reactions and emotions that a game invokes inside the player—what does the gameplay make them feel? Is it empowering and rewarding or does it feel monotonous and tiring? What does traversing the levels feel like? Does it feel like a thoroughly enjoyable journey or a lackluster trudge through some 3d environments? Does the story feel like you’d

In the previous article, we've learned about the main pillars or key mechanisms of videogames in detail. And in this one, we’ll explore all the different layers in them and how they work and interact with one another within a game. So this article would be about how those 4 key mechanisms ‘work’ from the inside.   Videogames are about interactive entertainment—they remove the line between the play and the player, so when you are playing a game, what’s also happening is that the game is also playing itself ‘through you’, and no it’s not as creepy as it sounds like. This is the main reason why different players, according to their preferences and perspectives, can experience the same videogame in different ways. Of course the game itself also provides the scope and the foundations for that kind of multi-faceted experience to take place. So what does that mean that the game is playing itself through You? It means, the necessary tools for the game to be ‘played out’, are n

  Videogames are easily one of the most rapidly evolved mediums in existence—in the span of just a few decades, they have repeatedly raised and broke the bar of their own limits, in every single aspect. Innovative gameplay mechanics, engaging storylines, immersive level designs and above all, the fusion of all of these different elements into something exponentially more—an experience that moves the player from both inside and out—videogames have achieved this more than enough times already. It seems that this medium has literally become the most potent translator of human imagination, and yes, it’s more impressive than it sounds like. So I don’t think videogames have anything more to prove—they already outdid themselves way too many times and created a niche culture that’s as unique as itself. It may sound cliché but videogames are just made of win. But after all these decades of collective experience and gameplays, there are certain traits or charact

If there’s one word that can aptly contain the essence of the whole MCU-flavor of films, it’s this one—straightforward. These films give the audiences exactly what they promise—plenty of blockbuster spectacles, unpredictable plotlines and sometimes, memorable approaches at characterization (Winter Soldier, Iron Man 1 to name a few). But the chief aspect of the MCU is their interconnected-ness, which was genuinely refreshing back in 2012, but after watching Infinity War, it seemed that even that mold is starting to lose it’s luster. The main contribution of the MCU in the broader aspect of the world of filmmaking is the episodic format of storytelling that it has introduced in it’s movies. Every film in the Marvel-verse exists as a stepping stone to something exponentially more, which too, has become rather a hit-or-miss effect on the films. Some movies shine in that framework while others suffer or at least, lose some of their meaning in the long run. Winter Soldier is an ex

One of the biggest obstacles for all act of creation is boundary, whether it’s self imposed by an artist or any other form of technical limitations regarding their craftsmanship. But sometimes, an artist’s own individual sensibilities can turn into their creative boundaries, such as being confined to only a particular style of expression that the artist is recognizable for. Like being limited to one’s own brand of artistry. It’s kind of like a paradox—every artist, in any field, has their own signature ways of expression, which in turn, makes them limited in not-so-subtle ways. To put it simply, what defines them, what makes them unique and endearing, turns into their own creative boundaries in the long run. That’s why it’s so important for artists to try to reinvent themselves or taking their brand of creativity to places where they’ve never been. Otherwise in the long run, their work starts to get stale and predictable. And when the said artist is Joe Satri

Last week's episode of Dragon Ball Super has given us a definitive hint that Goku may have indeed surpassed Beerus, once and for all. Many fans of the series (including myself) were on the fence regarding Mastered Ultra Instinct and how well it stacks up against the level of the Gods. And while many have speculated that Beerus may have the same level of power as well, since we've never seen him going all-out. But episode 129 has given us a subtle but strong indication that this may not be the case after all.     Right when Goku’s hair began to glow silver, Beerus asked Whis for confirmation whether Goku has attained the complete form of Ultra Instinct or not. Now it’s not just a simple banter between the two, it’s actually the most meaningful form of hint that we can get—if Beerus had complete UI himself, he didn’t need to ask Whis to verify whether Goku has reached the form or not. He could tell it all by himself, just as he did after Goku first tapp

Out in a cruel world  ruled by brutal controls and wicked hearts  is there really a way out?  a way back home?  a way back into simplicity and peace?  the answer is always, an emphatic 'Yes'  there is a way out  and it's always within  ever-present, never changing  it's a way to who we are  a way out of all the madness  and back into our deeper selves  just be still and observe  let your turbulent mind calm down first  then feel the silent presence  lying in the background, your holy essence  reach out to it, without fear  cause it's the only 'thing' that can take you out of here  back to your home, where you belong  the space of awareness, your inner sanctum. 

Masked under the Bucket  covered in a mystery, from toe to head  there's an immortal artist  up on that stage  wailing away  sailing through  playing magical soundscapes  and creating oceans of greatness with unchained fury  and machine-like accuracy  Doesn't matter what name he goes by  cause his true identity will always lie  within his countless music  that are timeless and filled with magic  The human form will vanish in time   but the artist will remain alive  in his melancholic notes  and in all of his musical scores  Even after a thousand years  you can still find him  playing with his heart and fire   and creating dreamy electric elixir  cause true art symbolizes it's creator  and makes the artist live forever. 

The suffering we inflict on others  invariably comes back to torture us  cause we have forgotten what is true  it's that you are me and I am You Beyond the flesh, skin and the physical makeups  we are all waves and ripples  flowing in an eternal sea  where we aren't just the separate parts  but the ocean itself  temporarily taking forms of 'us'.