Interview in Charisma+2 Magazine

Posted by Kaitlyn On August 2, 2010

This month's Charisma+2 Magazine includes a rather in-depth interview with... well, me! Charisma+2 is primarily a company that provides talent for videogame-related events and tradeshows. It is, essentially, a modeling agency for booth babes that know a lot about videogames. The concept is fantastic and the execution is great too.

Read the full interview.

New Panasonic LUMIX Cameras

Posted by Kaitlyn on July 21, 2010

One of the most exciting things about working as a journalist is being "in the know" before everyone else. In the case of DigitalCameraInfo, I get hands-on time with new cameras before they're even announced. Last week I went to New York and met with people from Panasonic, who gave me the goods on these new point-and-shoot cameras for their LUMIX lineup. The LX5 is especially juicy, giving consumers a replacement for that retro chic LX3 from 2008.


Read the full article.

Director's Note: Annie, Get Your Gun

Posted by Kaitlyn On May 7, 2010

This was my first time directing where I hadn't actually selected the show myself. Riverside Theatre Works lost their director at the last minute and I was called in to triage. I must admit that this not a show I would have ever selected on my own, but I'm very glad I had the opportunity to direct it. The music of Irving Berlin and the story of Annie Oakley go together surprisingly well.

Read the full note.

Ten RPGs That Matter... to Kaitlyn

Posted by Kaitlyn On April 18, 2010

Some people say that female gamers just aren't unique anymore. "Everyone knows that girls game... what's the big deal?" And yet, I find that the majority of guys are still surprised when I tell them I like videogames. They're even more slack-jawed when they learn how much I play and how knowledgeable I am. Even the mere suggestion that I'm good enough to play on a competitive level is just... unbelievable.

Read my blog on the Frag Dolls site.

Panasonic G2 Digital SLR Review

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010 0 comments
I have been writing this review forever.

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Panasonic finally seems to be narrowing in on the optimal combination of performance, hardware, and price when it comes to their Micro Four Thirds lineup. The Panasonic G2 (MSRP $799.95) has an excellent articulated LCD panel, electronic viewfinder, 720/60p video, and stellar performance. It's not as compact as the GF1, but it's still smaller than most traditional SLRs and has enough weight to make it feel steady in your hands.

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Complete Guide to Shank’s Unlockable Costumes

On Friday, August 27, 2010 0 comments
Sometimes it's amazing what sort of article will generate a lot of traffic. In the world of online journalism, it ultimately comes down to guesswork—no matter how much research you do. In my case, I was surprised to see how popular my guide to Shank's unlockable costumes has become. I guess a lot of people are playing the game... and trying to dress Shank up as a robot.

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Leave it to the Achievement experts to track down all the requirements for Shank's 11 unlockable costumes... one day after the game's release on XBLA. A number of costumes were revealed leading up to the game's release, but thanks to fans over at xbox360achievements (and some Tweets from our friends at Klei Entertainment), we have a complete guide to help you obtain all eleven Shank-tastic outfits.


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Snoopy DLC Swoops Into XBLA

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010 0 comments
I've been a huge Peanuts fans since I was very young, hiding under my covers with a flashlight and reading Speak Softly and Carry a Beagle. If you follow other parts of my blog, you'll know that I also had the great pleasure of directing a production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, where I met the love of my love... who just happened to be the actor playing Snoopy. So, it was with no small excitement that we greeted the arrival of Snoopy Flying Ace on Xbox Live Arcade. What could be better than a game featuring Snoopy and the Red Baron? Additional DLC content with new modes, costumes, and planes. Heck, yes.

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Possibly the best-named DLC of the summer hit the Arcade today… It’s “Suppertime of Destruction”: an expansion pack for XBLA flight combat game Snoopy Flying Ace. And this is a beefy DLC: two new planes, five new multiplayer modes, plus new weapons, achievements, plane skins, and new Peanuts universe costumes for all the characters!

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Shank Hits XBLA Tomorrow (and PSN today)

On Tuesday, August 24, 2010 0 comments
I love a game with thoughtful artwork, even if it's excessively violent. Shank reminds me of Castle Crashers, which was one of our most fun lunchertainment gaming experiences at work ever. It's also made by Klei Entertainment, who was responsible for one of my all-time XBLA addictions... Eets: Chowdown. If you doubt my love for Eets, just take a look at this frightening blog entry from 2007!

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Klei Entertainment’s eagerly anticipated 2D brawler has finally arrived—on PlayStation Network, anyway. XBLA fans (and XBLA Fans) will have to wait until Wednesday to get their paws on the crisply animated bloody revenge side-scroller that is Shank.

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Eric Chahi Gives Rare Glimpse Inside Game Development

On Friday, August 20, 2010 0 comments
I love hearing developers talk about their craft. And when that developer is Eric Chahi, he's sure to have something interesting to say. Check out my quick take on what Chahi had to say about the process of creating a unique, visually striking, thinking-outside-the-box game like From Dust.

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Eric Chahi, acclaimed designer of the upcoming XBLA game, From Dust, sat down with Joystiq’s Kyle Orland to give a small glimpse into the process of game development. New screenshots, concept art, and a tech demo from this innovative title debuted at Gamescom earlier this week, but Joystiq’s interview gives gamers an inside peek into the collaborative effort required to produce such a non-mainstream game.

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New Trailer and Concept Art for Chahi’s Project Dust

On Wednesday, August 18, 2010 0 comments
Fans of atmospheric, artistic game experiences like Ico are sure to be drooling over this upcoming game from Ubisoft Montpellier. Eric Chahi's genius nearly single-handedly crafted the critically acclaimed Out of This World... Now he's got From Dust due out next spring. A spiritual successor to Populous? Yes, please. You can read all about the new screenshots, concept art, and tech demo in my article over at XBLA Fans.

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Gamescom 2010 has brought us more juicy details on the latest project from Éric Chahi, the visionary creator of early ’90s cinematic platformer, Out of This World. Formerly referred to as “Project Dust,” the game’s official name has since been confirmed as From Dust. But that’s not all! Now we have an impressive video dev diary to show off some of the technology behind the game, stunning new concept art, the first official screenshots, and an interview with Ubisoft Montpellier producer, Guillaume Brunier.

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XNA Contest Winner Heads to XBLA: A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda

On Monday, August 16, 2010 0 comments

Some very exciting news on the gaming front: I have been accepted as a writer for XBLA Fans. I'll be writing news, reviews, and features all about Xbox Live Arcade titles and the Xbox Live Arcade experience. This is a part of the Xbox 360 that I really love, so I'm excited to be working for a high quality editorial site with XBLA as its focus.

My first article is about the latest XNA Dream-Build-Play contest winner to be called up from the minor leagues. I just love these Cinderella stories of indie studios getting a chance at commercial success.

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The 2010 first-prize winner of Microsoft’s XNA Dream-Build-Play contest is officially on its way to XBLA. A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda is the brainchild of Thailand developer Extend Studio. “You are Ares, the first Zytron immune robot,” according to the beginning of the gameplay description on the official A.R.E.S. website. All you really need to know is that A.R.E.S. is a colorful sci-fi sidescroller: Megaman meets Metroid with an anime flavor.

Read the full article.
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Interview in Charisma+2 Magazine

On Monday, August 02, 2010 0 comments
This month's Charisma+2 Magazine includes a rather in-depth interview with... well, me! Charisma+2 is primarily a company that provides talent for videogame-related events and tradeshows. It is, essentially, a modeling agency for booth babes that know a lot about videogames. The concept is fantastic and the execution is great too.

There are some that take exception to companies that market games with hot women, but I'm more offended by the lack of knowledge displayed by your typical booth babe. The C+2 girls love games and they know games. It makes for a refreshing change.

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What got you into gaming?
I loved games early on as a way to connect with my older brother. I’ll never forget the first time I beat him at Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road for NES. It was glorious. I still thrive on gaming as a way to connect with people—whether they’re sitting next to me or chatting over Xbox Live. From there, I think it was the sheer variety of games that got me hooked. I spent my youth playing Joust on Atari, Cruisin’ USA in the arcade, and Zork on my computer. There were so many kinds of games to play… you could never get bored. We’re very lucky to be living in a time when developers are still creating new experiences. If you ever get tired of playing the same old kind of FPS over and over again, there are hundreds of unique and exciting types of games to play!

Read the full interview.
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About Me
Kaitlyn
Boston, MA

Currently Playing: Fallout: New Vegas, Rock Band, Your Shape, Epic Mickey, Puzzle Quest 2, Viva Pinata, Limbo, Assasin's Creed

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