Category: Other Game Stuff

State of the Blog: Where have I been?

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on February 27, 2020April 9, 2021

You may have noticed, but I have been on hiatus over the past several months, for which I apologize profusely. I wanted to thank those who continue to stop by and catch up on my posts. I started this blog back in spring of 2019 and I was writing so much, so frequently, that eventually I hit burnout about two months after my PAX West trip last year.

In addition, my hobby interests have turned away from gaming and writing to other things for a time, namely Tarot (the happy fault of Sayonara Wild Hearts), drawing, and online community building. I tend to go through periods of “hobby rotation” where I’m really into one thing or another for a half year or so and then move to something else, eventually circling back to an intense focus on gaming. I do plan on writing more in the future when the burnout wears off.

It would warm my heart to see some of you on Instagram in the mean time. I’ve included a few of my art posts from Instagram between paragraphs below for anyone interested. 🙂

Posted in: animal crossing, cyber sleuth, digimon, gaming, geek, girl gamer, nerd, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Okami, pokemon shield, Sayonara Wild Hearts, video games

Gamer Culture Other Game Stuff Serious Stories

Games of Our Childhoods

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on October 23, 2019November 7, 2019

The Autumn colors outside have had me feeling somewhat nostalgic lately and I wanted to expand a little on my older piece about how video games influenced the different phases of my life. It is less common than you’d expect for a non-sport hobby to stay with a child into their later adult life. What is it about video games that allow them to stick with us on such a deep, sentimental level for so many years?

Posted in: entertainment, final fantasy, gameboy, gamer, gaming, geek, kids, nerd, Nintendo, pokemon, retro games, sonic, videogames

Nintendo Switch Other Game Stuff

Fire Emblem Three Houses Concept Art

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on October 11, 2019

It seems I’m fighting off a bit of writer’s block this week so instead of a text article I’ve got some official Fire Emblem illustrations to share with you from the concept art book that was included with the collector’s edition of the Three Houses. Obviously don’t view the rest of this post if you haven’t finished the game because some of the images have spoilers. In case you missed it, you can find my review of Fire Emblem Three Houses here.

Posted in: art, concept art, entertainment, fire emblem, game design, gamer, gaming, geek, nerd, Nintendo Switch, three houses, videogame

Field Report Gamer Culture Humor Other Game Stuff

Field Report – PAX West 2019!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019

PAX West was a blast! My better half and I flew in on Thursday afternoon and spent each of the following four days at PAX from open to close and beyond. I played so many games and met so many people, some of the days are a bit of a blur, but I’m certainly not complaining. This will be a general experience overview and I have another post coming that will focus purely on all the demos I tried. Spoilers- They were fantastic!

Posted in: gamer, gaming, geek, nerd, pax, pax west, seattle

Other Game Stuff

Quantic Foundry Gamer Motivation Profile

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on August 30, 2019

I saw this fascinating Gamer Motivation Model by Quantic Foundry over on Krikket’s blog and instantly thought the topic would make for a GREAT new gaming blogger tag! You can take a thorough survey about your gaming preferences on Quantic Foundry’s website that will map out the motivations behind your video game preferences and gaming behavior.

I took the survey myself and was interested in the accuracy and articulation of the descriptions for each type of motivation. I’ve created a set of questions for the gaming blogger community and answered them using my results to get things started!

Posted in: blogging, entertainment, gamer, gaming, geek, nerd, quantic foundry, survey, video games

Other Game Stuff

Binge-Worthy YouTubers – Video game design, analysis, and critique

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on August 22, 2019August 22, 2019

In the spirit of content creator appreciation week, I’ve put together a list of my favorite gaming YouTube channels about game design, critique, analysis, development, and industry issues (even some comedy) to help inspire your video game writing! Let me know which you like the most and please share any channels like these that you watch in the comments. I’m always looking for new channels to subscribe to!

Extra Credits Gaming

Extra Credits is most well known for its history series, but they have great videos about gaming too! Most Extra Credits gaming videos are around 10 minutes and focus on game design, development, or the game industry, complemented with adorable hand drawn graphics.

Posted in: content creator, entertainment, gamer, gaming, geek, nerd, video games

Other Game Stuff State of the Blog

Upcoming PAX West Exhibit Dev Chats – Collecting reader questions!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on August 20, 2019August 20, 2019

Dear Readers,

I expect to be meeting with a number of developers at PAX West to discuss their upcoming or recently released games, and I want to include interview questions from you! I’ll happily incorporate as many questions as I can in any time I have with the devs for these awesome indie games.

Below, in no specific order, I’ve listed each of the respective studios and the games they are showing that I’ll be trying to speak with a representative about. You can look forward to eventual reviews for almost all of them!

Haven – The Game Bakers

Haven is one of the games I’m probably most excited about at PAX West. I’ve had my eye on it from the moment it was announced by the team that made Furi.

“Like Furi, Haven is about fighting for freedom.

Haven is about two characters, Yu and Kay, a couple in love. They escaped to a deserted planet to stay together. You play both of them, you live with them, you explore fragmented planet Source with them, gliding over the tall grass.

It’s a completely different pace. It’s a game that aims at making you feel relaxed, making you laugh, making you fall in love with Yu and Kay. It feels good for all types of players, skilled and less skilled. It’s a solo game that’s welcoming for another player to tag along, so you can explore and progress together. “

– The Game Bakers

Posted in: backbone, blogging, entertainment, falcon age, gamer, gaming, geek, haven, indies, nerd, Nintendo Switch, pax west, PC, spiritfarer, videogames

Field Report Other Game Stuff

Field Report – Super Smash Con 2019!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on August 12, 2019August 12, 2019

Super Smash Con is widely considered to be of one the definitive Super Smash Bros. events in the global competitive scene. With over 2,700 tournament entrants for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate singles tournament alone and hundreds more spread across the 9 other major SSB tournament categories, Super Smash Con is one of the largest Smash Bros. events and tournament series in the world. If you have ever thought about making the trip to attend Super Smash Con in Chantilly, VA, I would highly recommend adding it to your 2020 convention schedule!

Note: Above billboard art in front of the Dulles Expo Center is by @TheFunkyEngineThatCould.

Posted in: convention, event, fighting game, gamer, gaming, geek, nerd, Nintendo Switch, super smash brothers, super smash con

Other Game Stuff

Backlog Crusader is going to PAX West!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 19, 2019August 12, 2019

It’s happening! We’re legit now, people!! I just wanted to thank my readers and fellow gaming bloggers for all of your support, especially my first Patrons on my Patreon, Normal Happenings and the Well Red Mage! I would never have been approved for a pass without all of you and I’m so grateful.

Anyone going to be at PAX or live in the Seattle area? Leave me a comment or email me if you’d like to meet up. 🙂

Posted in: blogging, community, entertainment, gaming, geek, girl gamer, nerd, Nintendo Switch, pax, video games

Other Game Stuff

Steam Key Giveaway Winners!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 1, 2019

Good evening gamers! I just ran the 15 entrants through a Random.org list randomizer and below is the list of winners with the games each will be receiving. I’ll be sending out these codes via email tonight and tomorrow as time allows. Thanks for participating and for all of your support! ❤

Relsre – Epistory: Typing Chronicles
CJW – The Bridge
Santo – Dreadout
Robot – Getting Over It
Kassitar – The Road to Balhalla
Frostilyte – QUBE: Director’s Cut
This is Art Not Real Life – Her Story
Florian – Rising Storm 2 –
JB – Scanner Sombre
Fluxx – Insurgency
Nitro – Thirty Flights of Loving
QuietChisto – The First Tree
Odin – Kathy Rain
Tregs – Wargame: Red Dragon
Cvillian – Superbrothers: Swords and Sorcery

Posted in: community, gamer, gaming, giveaway, pc gaming