Long time lurker, first time poster ;p
The state of things in the video game realm is really abhorrent these days, as I'm sure you all noticed. I'm glad to see such a wide range of gamers speaking out for what they love in the face of so much ignorance. With the US elections coming, I think this will be a really great springboard to figure out who we want in, or more likely, who we *dont* want in.
I'm an illustration student at Uarts in Philladelphia, I've worked a bit in the indy games department ([url]www.shalkith.com[/url] ;3 I loves painting me some darguns!) but my ultimate goal is to publish my own pencil and paper game...and eventually turn it into an MMO. Baby steps, I know ;p
I really love video games. I think people need to see them not as something juvenile or ugly, but what they really are- a pure manifestation of just about every form of art. From weaving a story to painting a landscape to composing a score to choreographing a sequence to modeling a character..what more could you want from the arts, right? :)
Hope you are all having a crit-tastic day?