Hello, my name is Brett...

I'm addicted to video games. I'm not afraid to admit it.

Some more than others, though. NCAA Football 10 definitely falls into the 'more' category.

I'd say that by most standards I live a "slacker's life," at least during the summer months when I don't have any young minds to shape. For the most part, I sit around my house and play video games. But in my mind, it's not really slacking off. I usually write about any games I play for the Star-News blog, and if I don't, I can still justify pretty much any video game playing I do because it all increases my in-touch-ness with the industry which I've fully devoted my life to. It's hard to explain to most people, but I don't consider my video gaming to be related to slacking at all.

Usually.

However, since I've been playing NCAA Football 10, I have been slacking the fuck off. It's not like I have many responsibilities right now anyway, but I barely take breaks from this game. It's the sole reason that I haven't blogged for more than a week and am now blogging on a Thursday. I don't even want to pause long enough to write about it for the paper – presumably the reason I got it – and I don't know that I even want to write about it there. (This is probably a more appropriate forum for my "review feelings" about this particular game.) I went to the lake this weekend for a Pig Pass weekend but couldn't stop thinking about getting home to play more NCAA Football 10. Yesterday, one of my college buddies asked me to play Battlefield 1943 with him on Xbox Live. I told him I was too addicted to my game. (He should understand; he's a WoWer.)

The part that I find so addictive is the recruiting. It'd been a long time since I bought a college sports game, so I forgot how much I love that. Depending on what my level of sanity turns out to be, this could point either to a genuine desire to help young students – hence the teaching – or it might point to a repressed and desperate need to get people to like me. Either way, I am totally "into" convincing fake, digitized high school athletes to come play football for my school because it's the best thing for them.

The crazy part is that I haven't even gotten into the new online franchise mode. I knew that this mode was in the works for Madden 10, but was surprised to see it in the earlier release of NCAA Football 10. I told Bryan about it, and he responded with, "Basically it's the mode we've been wanting for NBA Live." (I assume Bryan said that title in italics.) And yes, yes it is. Assuming this online franchise mode works, now is pretty much the time when online gaming meets all of my needs. Welcome to the future my friends.

Other notes:

The Cardinals traded Chris Duncan for Julio Lugo (formally of the Boston Red Sox). I wonder if the Cardinals had Dave Duncan tell his son that he'd been traded. That'd have to be an awkward conversation. I don't mind the Cards trading an outfielder, though I didn't think it would be Duncan. I suppose that was the best option. I can't say I'm all that excited about Lugo because I'd pretty much gotten used to Brendan Ryan at SS. Plus, Khalil Greene looked better during his last stint in the majors. I'm not sold on this trade.

Matthew has continued blogging during my hiatus, which is good because he took a break of his own at the outset of July, and I was afraid that it might have been permanent.

One of my colleagues at the other blog has reviewed the Gears of War 2 expansion "All Fronts Collection," due out next week. Two things: (1) he evidently has better connections than me and (2) next week may be time for some Horde, if I can stop playing football by then.

Comic-Con 2009 starts today. Get you popcorn ready.

QotD:

Will you play online franchise mode with me? If so, which game are you most likely to play it in?

1. NCAA Football 10
   
2. Madden 10
   
3. NBA Live 10
   
4. NCAA Basketball 10
   
5. NHL 10
   
6. FIFA Soccer 10
   
7. Other __________
   

My take: I'm voting for NCAA Football 10 because it's here now, and I'm ready to do this. Four things: (1) I don't know that all of these games will have the mode; (2) they should; (3) I am making this happen, with or without you; and (4) don't say FIFA (Charles).