Play This Game Right Now!

OK. Stop what you're doing right now.

Shoot. Wait. Don't do that. Damn. Maybe you already stopped reading. I lost you! You're just staring at the computer and not doing anything. I need to get your attention somehow.

Are you back? Great. Pictures of Channing Tatum tend to get people's attention. Finish this blog post and THEN stop what you're doing and download this game: PIVVOT.

I tried it yesterday....and...well. I'm addicted. It's a beautifully simple game and mission: navigate this little node through a course.
Don't die.
Goodluck.

 

It's literally a line, simple shapes, and pulsing beat, a frequent restarts. And, I can't put it down. I admire games that offer a simple premise with beautiful execution.

I found this game when I was waiting for an improv class to begin at the Rocklin theater.

It reminds me of improv. Keep it simple. Don't complicate a scene. Have a goal, stay true to your goal, work towards that goal, and the scene will be interesting and funny. Mission accomplished PIVVOT. You are both interesting and funny...... and infuriating (in a good way).

Some games last 3 seconds, while others last 30 seconds. When you last 30 seconds you'll feel like an unstoppable gaming god. You're body is flooded with endorphin's! Sweet sweet stimulants!
"Look at me world! I just lasted 30 seconds in PIVVOT."
And, then, you'll die. Your little node will shatter into a dozen
"Noooooooooooooo," you'll scream and you hit restart.
You won't even think about hitting restart. It becomes instinctual, like hunting and gathering....and now PIVVOTING.

The game is on sale right now, for 99 cents, even though I'd gladly pay the 1.99 it normally costs (yep, ladies. I drop 1.99 like it's nothing!)

How bad did the first game go? Well, I completed the game, but it took me 137 lives. I know. That's not great.
The second time I did better. I completed the map in 34 lives.
I keep playing tying to best that score.
The game also comes with challenges like Endless, Berserk, and Looper.
Go scrounge in the car for some change, and then put that change down. You can't play game with change anymore (sign). Go get a credit card. I know the game is available in on Google Play.

Have fun! Eat before playing cause you'll be consumed for awhile.

Perfect Mistakes in Improv

I'm a bit of a app junkie....but a frugal junkie! I like getting my fix on the cheap. I'll peruse Apple iOS apps or even cross the tracks for a nice Google app.  Sometimes, however, I come across something worth a purchase. For instance, Lensflare is worth the .99  cents! "Why did you buy that?" you're asking.

"Isn't this a blog about improv?" you're thinking.

"Did I leave the iron on?" you're wondering.

I can't  answer all those questions, but I can answer the first two.....with a story! When I took Film Studies in college, the teachers always stressed, "you want to avoid lens flare. They are mistakes." The professor would continue, and share the lengths and methods with which photographers and cinematographers would go avoid the flare. We got it. Lens flare = BAD (Not just capitol B, but A and D too. Len flares are that awful).

However, over the past few years, opinions have changed. The flare has become a tool. I've spoken with directors from Roseville and Sacramento, who use a flare for transitions and emotional emphasis. In fact, among the thousands of free apps available Lensflare chooses to charge for their app, and they have buyers! Wired Magazine said, "...you don't know what you're missing until you try this app."

High praise for something that used to be a mistake.

How does this tie into improv?

Thanks for getting me back to my point. Sometimes, a 'mistake' onstage is anything but. Treat your 'mistakes' like a valuable opportunities, because that is what they are. Use them, weave them into the show and by doing so you're telling the audience, this 'mistake,' is wonderful. They'll believe you.