Skip to main content

Rainbow 6, Sam Walton And Responsibility

    Hey, everyone. I've been playing video games today.  I downloaded the free version of a new game for I-Pad called Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Shadow Vanguard. It's a shooter game in which you command an elite team, like a seal team, as they take on dangerous missions all over the world. The full version has 11 missions and costs a healthy $6.99. I am not sold on the game just yet and will play it for a couple of days before I buy.
      In a very limited amount of playing time I have noticed several things. The makers of the game seem to be trying to instill in you a bit of responsibility. When you tell your team to move up and one of them gets killed, it's game over. It is like they expect you to care about your people and shoulder the responsibilities of command. Shirking responsibility and withdrawing from life is the main reason I play games. This is tongue in cheek so please, no poison e-mails.
    I read the novel by Mr. Clancy called Rainbow 6. The game is a pretty cool adaptation, I think. For instance, you can poke a tiny camera under a door before breaching it, seeing a terrorist. Then you can throw a flash-bang grenade inside to deafen and blind the bad guys prior to entry. The game is a bit more of a thinking man's game than a lot of shooters. Give it a try with the free version; it may save you some dinero, if it turns out to be a stinker. I haven't played it near enough to rate it.
     I ran across an interesting article on the web about Steve Jobs the other day. I wish I could remember where I saw it so I could give credit where credit is due. The thing that sticks in my mind about this article is the fact that Steve was fired by Apple when he was a younger man. Then he comes back as CEO. This is a classic tale of making lemonade out of the lemons you get from life. Mr. Jobs remarked that he felt like it had been a good thing to get fired, if I remember correctly. He seems to be a remarkable man and I have to wonder if Apple will go down hill when Steve Jobs departs. The other day I was in Wal-Mart and was strolling around, thinking to myself that Sam Walton would roll over in his grave if he could see some of the things that his stores are doing these days.
    I remember an old story about someone asking why a garden shop just didn't look the same anymore. He was told that the old guy who cared for the plants had died. It seems as though, in each business, or family, or church, there is usually that one character who defines it or prunes it or loves it. They are the glue or motivation that makes things green and growing and lovely. When they are gone it is rarely ever the same. Most organizations tend to reflect the character of the guy at the top. When that changes, unscrupulous or harsh policies can ruin things for everybody. What a massive responsibility it is to be 'The Man' or 'The Woman'. Like my referral to the game moments ago and sending your team into harm's way. It is a fearful and terrible thing to tell people what to do. People who do it well are worth their weight in gold. Perhaps the movie I reviewed Friday called Horrible Bosses is a good example of responsibility as well.
     From the author's green retreat, I'm CE Wills.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Shadowgun: Killing The Windbreaker

    Hey, everyone. I thought it might be a good time for a bit of an update on the riveting game called Shadowgun. Consider this your spoiler alert and tune out if you want to.     Once you get past the dreaded Driller, things get better but you are certainly not out of the woods. You will want to make sure you keep a full clip in your gun as you stroll through the realm of the evil and crazy Dr. Simon. But hey, you're John Slade, the Shadowgun, and wherever you set your foot is the place to which your authority extends.      I love the way that some of the barriers disintegrate under the impact of bullets. I didn't learn this at my mother's knee but I darn sure know it now. I have learned that there are certain places it is good to plan on using the rocket launcher. Keep your stock of those filled. There are these transporter guys who are aggressive punks. The only way they respect you is if you kill them, so that's the way I roll. As you know by now, their strategy

Shadowgun: Crushing The Driller On Level 4

      Hey, everyone. Let's talk about the game called Shadowgun, the I-Pad game with which I have a love-hate relationship. Most of you who made it past the evil Cyber Lobster are doubtless locked in a death struggle with the Driller at the end of level 4. At this point you have been in the cave for a long time. The Driller breaks through the rock wall and chases you through the tunnel as you try to shoot out the green lights which slows the Driller down. If you are slick enough to shoot out all the lights and emerge from the cave, a rolling door crashes on the Driller and crushes his aggravating carcass. I have tried and failed to beat the Driller at least 250 times. I hate the Driller to the heights and depths my soul can reach. I hate it like a plague. I hate it with intensity of feeling. I hate it like a rich man hates taxes. Excuse me, I got carried away.       We had a big dinner here at the green retreat and my friend Trevor was here today. He is my gaming consultant. I tol

Men In Black 3, Just Empty Black Suits?

    Hey, everyone, out there in the world! Nice of you to stop by. Today I downloaded Men In Black 3 for I-Pad. There were a number of positive reviews on the app store, but there were several reviews that complained about the game failing to open. This was my experience. It opened to the screen shown above and froze there. At least it was free. I have an I-Pad 3, so maybe you will have better luck with yours.     EA games is having a big sale for the holiday weekend. I already have most of the titles which are on sale, however. I did buy several games this weekend, though, and I'd like to tell you about them.    Get Out of My Galaxy is a Mario type of space game in which you control a monster with 4 arms. The dude eats rocks and has a penchant for slapping little cone-headed aliens. There are a certain number of aliens to slap on every planet, then you move on to the next world. There are power-ups to grab as you go along, for health and other things. There is prickly vegetatio