Genese Davis's Blog, page 20

The Holder’s Dominion Book Launch – Save the Date!

On March 1st, 2013, you and your guests are invited to:
THE HOLDER’S DOMINION Book Launch Extravaganza!

 

It has been three years this month since I started writing this book. In 2010, the book’s codename was Project Whisper because it was so dear to me that anything more than a whisper and it could vanish. Now a 382 page speculative thriller, The Holder’s Dominion begins a nationwide book tour on March 1st! Save the date because you’re invited to the first official stop in Mission Viejo, California.

“A heartfelt, fast-paced, thrill ride, The Holder’s Dominion  will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.” —Micky Neilson, New York Times bestselling author

 

After her father’s death on a mountain rescue mission, Kaylie Ames watched her family shatter. She fled Tacoma for college in faraway Austin, figuring that even the worst campus drama would be a relief. But when her old friend Elliott turns up on his knees in the grocery store aisle, raving about something called a morphis, Kaylie feels compelled to enter Elliott’s unfamiliar world.

Guided by Elliott and his friends, Kaylie signs on to the massively popular online game Edannair. There she discovers a world of beautiful vistas and magical creatures, where people from all over the globe step into the roles of warriors on fantastical quests. But a real-world evil threatens the players: the mysterious Holder, leader of the elite team known as Sarkmarr, is coercing his followers into traumatic offline dares known as “morphis assignments.” To save her friends, Kaylie must infiltrate Sarkmarr and survive the Holder’s tests.

Will she find the courage there to hold her real-world family together?

 

Genese Davis has a passion for the art community and is a thought-leader in video game culture and its social development. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion, animal rescue. To learn more, connect here: Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Holiday Cheers

Yet again, Blizzard Entertainment’s holiday party was off the hook! A year ago, Blizzard set the bar with a Disneyland World of Color holiday event, and it seemed nearly impossible to beat. However, Blizzard matched the awe and wonder of 2011 with 2012’s naughty and nice theme, and had gourmet food and state of the art entertainment like fire dancers, stilts walkers, and rope dancers. All of the Cirque du Soleil themed performances were fantastic! Such a great night. Thanks Blizzard!

Blizzard family photos: Mike Morhaime, Rob Pardo, Frank Pearce, , , , , , Zack Podratz, , and Justin Talbott, your zest and enthusiasm are brilliant. Thank you!

Sincerely, Genese Davis

[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]

The Gamer In You

The Gamer In You is on a mission to reveal the true meaning of the word gamer by asking: who are the people playing games? The answer is: all of us play games. Between card games, video games, board games, mobile games and edutainment games, all of us can call ourselves gamers. And The Gamer In You has proof! To learn more visit: TheGamerInYou.com

Why discover the gamer in you?

All humans need time to unwind, because when we relax, our minds have the chance to process our daily stress and to rejuvenate. Games give people the means to enhance their lives. Games build confidence—especially video games. In video games, the player is the hero. The storylines in video games empower gamers to believe in themselves by giving direct feedback, i.e., “We couldn’t have won without you,” and, “Thank you so much; you saved us!” How often in the real world do we get that kind of direct feedback or compliments? Not often. We face peer pressure in school. We starve for feedback in the workplace. At home, stress feeds negativity. And TV teaches us that we’re not good enough and we’ll lose. Games teach us that we’re epic and we’ll win. Through games we learn the habits of heroes—our batteries get jumpstarted.

About the Host

Genese Davis

Founder Genese Davis did not venture into the world of gaming until her adult life. She is proof that you do not have to grow up around video games to find the gamer within. Working alongside industry professionals, she gained a deep understanding of video games and their artists, lore, culture, and development, and discovered a passion for in-game community. Davis is a leading advocate for changing the term gamer to represent all people who like any kind of game, and for the word to be a universally positive term for everyone. She founded The Gamer In You to reveal the true meaning of the word: a gamer is a person who enjoys any type of game at any level. Davis believes no one should ever be ribbed for playing video games and that gaming can encourage ingenuity and healthy social connections.

To learn more visit: THEGAMERINYOU.COM

What’s been your experience with games? What kind of gamer are you?

Live the Experience, Dare to Empathize

Empathizing with all levels of entertainment will change the experience.

 

Even though we can become desensitized by the amount of entertainment around us, there is a way that we can experience movies or books the way we did when we were kids. We only need to remember these 5 tips.

Be open:

Before settling in to watch a movie, or before turning that first page of a book, begin your experience with a completely open mind.

Just for a moment, assume it is real:

Let yourself get lost in the experience. Assume everything you are seeing or hearing is 100% real. Believe, genuinely, that it can and is happening.

Believe it can happen:

Let the technical, rigid, and analytical impulses disappear. Inconsistencies, laws of physics, space-time continuum… everything is okay to break today. Let the fantasy world have its moment to be alive—be real.

Empathize with others:

Put yourself in their shoes. Feel what they feel. Imagine all the gritty details. Empathize with what they are going through during every gripping second. Take the time needed to empathize. Imagine the same thing is happening to you. You are not a spectator taking notes. You are there. You are them. You are the hero, the enemy, the victim. What does that feel like?

Allow yourself to be moved:

Allow yourself to be swept away with the music, the words, the passion, the insanity, the love, and provocation. Allow yourself to feel the experience. No one is looking. And if they are, they are admiring your ability to empathize.

I believe he who can relate and imagine himself in any world, and as any person, will elevate beyond all boundaries. He will be most admired and revered for he will know us and love us as intimately as we know and love ourselves.

The Challenge! On your next lark, lay all your cards on the table. Don’t hold yourself back as a spectator or a judge. Dive in as one of the pieces in the puzzle. How are you affected as each second plays out?

Experience life with that bright, new feeling of discovery, every day.

Photo by Diego Camejo

 

 

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

2012 VGA Winners

2012 Video Game Award winners revealed by host Samuel L. Jackson:

Game of the Year

The Walking Dead: The Game

Studio of the Year

Telltale Games

Best Xbox 360 Game

Halo 4

Best PS3 Game

Journey

Best Wii / Wii U Game

New Super Mario Bros. U

Best PC Game

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Best Handheld / Mobile Game

Sound Shapes

Best Shooter

Borderlands 2

Best Action Adventure Game

Dishonored

Best RPG

Mass Effect 3

Best Multiplayer Game

Borderlands 2

Best Individual Sports Game

SSX

Best Team Sports Game

NBA 2K13

Best Driving Game

Need For Speed Most Wanted

Best Fighting Game

Persona 4 Arena

Best Adapted Video Game

The Walking Dead: The Game

Best Independent Game

Journey

Best Graphics

Halo 4

Best Song in a Game

“Cities” by Beck

Best Original Score

Journey

Best Performance By a Human Male

Dameon Clarke as Handsome Jack (Borderlands 2)

Best Performance By a Human Female

Melissa Hutchison as Clementine (The Walking Dead: The Game)

Best Downloadable Game

The Walking Dead: The Game

Best Social Game

You Don’t Know Jack

Best DLC

Dawnguard – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Most Anticipated Game

Grand Theft Auto V

Character of the Year

Clap Trap (Borderlands 2)

Best Game of the Decade

Half Life 2

Some fans went to sleep happy and some were outraged that pop culture hits like Assassin’s Creed 3 came up dry. What’s your opinion? Are you happy with the results?

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Artist Spotlight: Fabio Barretta Zungrone

Artists uncover gems hidden amidst their soul and offer them to the world.

Today’s featured artist is the incredibly talented, Fabio Barretta Zungrone. He is a world-renowned painter from Italy, and an invaluable matte painter for Blizzard Entertainment. His highly detailed, award-wining artwork is known worldwide. Zungrone imparts his passion and dedication into every aspect of his art, and he constantly strives to discover new methods with innovative tools. He is truly gifted—a great talent of our time. Here are some examples of his work:

City’s Heart

Mists of Pandaria

Zungrone’s artwork is always considered in the top echelon of talent, but beyond that, he is focused, professional, courteous, proactive, and thorough.

Zungrone consistently raises the bar and discovers new methods to achieve higher and higher standards in his artwork. My publisher is pleased to feature him as the cover artist for my debut novel, The Holder’s Dominion in which he’s created new techniques fusing digitization and humanism. His artwork continues to astound and move us. I simply cannot recommend Mr. Zungrone enough.

The Holder’s Dominion

Visit Zungrone’s Official Page

Artwork can cause involuntary emotions such as fear, nostalgia, hope, conviction, and admiration. The artist possesses the potential to impact—to really move the primal core of every human being. And artists offer this power as gifts to the world. Even though their artwork is an extension of themselves, artists accept the risk and selflessly share anyway, without regard for their own protection. How can we ever thank them enough for their bravery?

 

Which artists inspire you? If you could spotlight any artist, who would you choose?

 

 

 

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Podcast Features THE HOLDER’S DOMINION

Damien Boath, host for the Australian radio podcast Newbie Writers, invited me to be a guest on his show! Live from Australia, Episode 60 emerged: The Dominion of Writing and Gaming

It was a pleasure meeting Damien. He is both clever and delightful. It was an honor to be his guest and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. We unveiled some pretty savory secrets about The Holder’s Dominion, writing tips for authors, caffeinated books, caffeinated writing, how to keep your book from getting shelved, gaming and more!

Listen to the show!
Read Damien’s synopsis of the show!

Have you ever wondered why your spouse plays video games? What about your children, or friends, grandchildren, or co-workers? If you know someone who plays games, you’ve probably wondered what in the world is the draw to gaming? Damien and I dive into the crucial reasons behind why friends, family, co-workers, and classmates play games. We discuss how The Holder’s Dominion (a speculative thriller novel) shows behind-the-scenes insights to why people of all ages play games, and what is behind the draw in gaming. Ultimately, this book will give you the means to connect and relate to the gamers in your life.

Official Page for THE HOLDER’S DOMINION

——————————————————————————————————————————————

The Holder’s Dominion: Cover Reveal

Book covers offer the spark that ignite the beginning of a relationship.

When we read, we are transported to an intimate portrait—to the spaces between lovers, to childhood innocence, to the primal instincts of fear and rage. In a book, we don’t feel as though we are spectators. We are there with each character, standing next to heroes, and fleeing with fugitives. Books allow us to experience secrets that would otherwise remain hidden, and from them we ourselves evolve.

And how extraordinary that these relationships begin with that first glance—that single solitary moment when that magnificent book cover catches our eye.

I am deeply honored to share the breathtaking book cover for my debut novel, The Holder’s Dominion

 

Visit The Holder’s Dominion Official Page

The cover art is a distinctive painting by none other than the incredibly talented artist, Fabio Barretta Zungrone. He hand painted the entire cover art digitally. Unlike other cover artist painters who conduct photo shoots first, Zungrone had no actors to paint from. He did it all pulling from his own talent. Zungrone is an award-winning painter from Italy.

I feel privileged to know Fabio not only because of his powerfully moving artwork, but also because of the way he inspires everyone around him. He is genuine, warm, charismatic, and most empathetic. To visit his website, click here.

Cover art is a book’s passport, and this cover art gives my every word a face to meet the world.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

A Journey to Pixar

On the BART from San Francisco to Emeryville, the two sit in silence. The boy’s too giddy to speak. The girl’s too excited to barely breathe. Besides, somehow it feels as if saying the wrong thing might jinx everything. The silence does little to comfort the pair as their minds perpetuate unanswered questions: Will our names be on the list? Will they open the gate? What if our guide gets overbooked and can’t meet us after all?

As the BART pulls up to MacArthur Station, their doubt multiplies. They steel themselves and cling to the belief that it will all work out. It has to. This isn’t just any tour.

The pair head to the bus station where a ruffled old man sits behind glass. “Might we ask…Where is the bus stop for Emeryville?” Without looking up at the boy, the old man points and utters, “Over there. Emery Go-Round.” The pair look at each other. They have no idea what Emery Go-Round is but they’ll take half a chance and head to where the man motioned.

City dwellers fleck the sidewalk and stare at the pair with deadpan eyes. A bus pulls up… but it isn’t the Emery Go-Round. This driver confirms they’re in the right place though. “Just keep waiting,” he says. “That bus will show up, eventually.”

Time creeps by. Unkind stares from passersby make seconds feel like minutes. Finally, the right bus turns the curb.

Stuffy and hot the air feels even though it’s November. The seats are sticky and the handrails have turned a color unfit for metal. But nothing can bother the two—not on this journey.

The bus jerks intermittently making its loyal stops; handfuls of forgetful faces slink on and off the bus. Finally, the pair hears it: “Fortieth street. Exit through the back doors.” Their stop.

They walk the last few blocks and then they see it…black iron…a gated campus…there it is! The entrance! This is it! What a sight: Pixar Animation Studios.

The guard at the gate smiles—a wondrous sight. “Enjoy your visit,” he says. “Go right in.” It’s as if those words set fireworks off, and let loose doves that fly out beyond the gate.  ”Are you two ok?” The guard asks. “Yes, yes.” The pair answers quickly.

They’ve made it! After all the wondering, hoping, doubting, it’s really going to happen. The two step through the gateway and instantly seem to taste inspiration. On the concrete, colors and logos from recent Pixar films paint the pavement. In the distance, Luxo the lamp maps the entrance next to his famous yellow ball. They make their way slowly, taking it all in. The girl claps her hands and points. “Look! There’s the set from Brave!” The boy smiles. Standing stones give an ominous, graceful power over the green campus grass.

After absorbing the outdoor sites, the pair enter the Steve Jobs building and are greeted by none other than giant sized replicas of James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski from the movie Monsters, Inc. Along every wall are paintings, sketches, and full size action figures from Pixar movies. John Lasseter walks across the room right in front of the pair talking with his producer, Katherine Sarafian. Excitement overwhelms them. They’ve made it. After all the wondering, all the waiting, it was happening.

The receptionist checks them in and asks, “You guys sure are excited to visit. What is it about this place that’s so exciting?” They have the same response: “Because Pixar represents a level of quality that we highly respect. They’re commitment, vision, and passion inspires and pushes us to discover ingenuity in our own art. Pixar creates stories that resonate—stories that propel us to discover new parts of ourselves. And stories that make us laugh and cry while maintaining novelty and the unexpected. Pixar strives to set higher and higher standards for perfection. Pixar serves as a model for other companies to emulate. They represent innovation and artistry, and purposefully invent environments that encourage creativity. To visit this campus and meet the people who believe in that kind of dedication and commit to those values is truly special.”

The receptionist smiles. “Well, enjoy the tour.”

“Hey guys!” Our guide says. “Welcome to Pixar. Hmm, now what to show you first…”

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little short story about my visit to Pixar Animation Studios. If you haven’t guessed it already, the girl from the pair in the story was me! I’d like to thank everybody at Pixar for the opportunity to visit your campus. Thank you for the very warm welcome. Meeting all of you and getting to visit was truly a highlight!

 

 

Click to view slideshow.

The Ultimate Team Sport

What is a Team Sport?

“A team sport includes any sport which involves players working together towards a shared objective.

A team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals, on the same team, work together to accomplish an ultimate goal which is usually to win. Team members set goals, make decisions, communicate, manage conflict, and solve problems in a supportive, trusting atmosphere in order to accomplish their objectives.”

This definition from the Wikipedia pinpoints exactly what team sports entail. These attributes are fundamental for sports such as hockey, football, American football, basketball, baseball, and—my personal favorite team sport—Massive Multiplayer Online Games.

Yes! That’s right! MMOGs are video games that are also team sports!

For example, raiding in World of Warcraft is extremely competitive. Not only do raiding teams set goals, make decisions, and solve problems, but they achieve many challenges by trusting and working together.

Tens of millions of people play MMOGs. Think about how much competition that is for one sports team of let’s say twenty-five players. Twenty-five players against thousands of other teams of twenty-five all competing against each other to rank. Talk about the ultimate team sport!

NFL: 32 teams x 53-man roster = 1,696 players
NBA: 30 teams x 12-man (minimum) roster = 360 players
NHL: 30 teams X 23-man (minimum) roster = 690 players
MLB: 30 teams x 25-man (minimum) roster = 750 players
World Cup: 204 teams x 23-man roster = 4,692 players
Indian Premier Cricket League: 9 teams x 33-man roster = 297 players
National Rugby League: 16 teams x 25-man (minimum) roster = 400 players
World of Warcraft Raids: 61,000 teams x 25-man roster = 1,525,000 players

As you can see, no other sports have to compete against that many opponents. That is why when we rank in an MMOG it is a huge accomplishment, and deserves more than just a little praise.

I dedicate this blog to all raiding teams and to our sport, MMOGs.

A special congratulations to my raiding mates on all our rankings, and cheers to hopefully more in the future! Here’s a slide show with screen shots that show some of our stats!

Click to view slideshow.

It is my belief that no one should ever be ribbed for playing video games. Video games offer great ingenuity, and a supportive, trusting atmosphere where teams can accomplish goals. I hope this post helps shift gaming into a new perspective. Gamers are passionate individuals who are interested in team based activities, social interaction, healthy competition, creativity, art, and new technology. All these things are found in games. And everyone is very passionate about at least one of these. Gamers are successful, free-thinking, brilliant people who have diverse interests in many things and who can never be categorized or stereotyped.

 

Have you ever seen one of these tenacious competitors compete? What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

————————————————————————————————————————————————–