Grave Gamer News & Views — the red herb

Hi, folks, I wanted to touch base with my followers today and point out a few new things we’re doing at The Red Herb.

First and foremost, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for following the blog.  It started small – and by all accounts, should’ve stayed small – but your support has kept me plugging away.  Again, thank you for following.

Now, down to business.  If you coast to the page, you’ll notice two things: easier-on-the-eye layout and a simple URL (theredherb.com – yup, this puppy’s mine).  There’s also a Links section that gathers original content for those looking for a quicker fix, and now the search bar also functions (to a degree).  Check out the new Twitter feed for mini-doses of gaming cynicism, peruse our Affiliates section to see blogs and places friendly with the Herb, and feel free to utilize the RSS feed.

There’s more content, features, and even contests on the way, so keep your eyes peeled (I’m sorry the only turn of phrase I had was about peeling eyes).  Also, if you’re in the Orlando area, expect to see me with PNT Oviedo at this year’s CEO, where I will attempt to tackle Tekken’s own Katsuhiro Harada with all of my upper-body strength.

This has been a good talk.  I like you, friend.  Oh, and thanks for sticking with the Herb.

-Kevin

All great sagas come to a close.  No matter how long we want to stay in the universes we’ve grown to love, a finale is imminent; needed even.  The ambitious sci-fi RPG Mass Effect was destined to end from the start, planned by Bioware as a three chapter odyssey where the most important game mechanic was choice.  The galaxy rippled and changed depending on your actions, with every decision shaping the course of the narrative.  Change can be ushered in by something as insignificant as a conversation.  Or as big as taking a life.

Every choice and mistake were yours to own not just for one game, but for all.  Bioware promised the path you blazed with Commander Shepard would uniquely affect every title in the series, right up until the finale.  Mass Effect 3 does in fact drop the curtains on gaming’s best sci-fi series, but you’ll be disappointed to learn that three games worth of building alliances, crushing enemies, and choosing how to best save the galaxy have no effect on the game’s ending, very much robbing Bioware’s opus of a sense of finality.  Keep in mind that Mass Effect 3 is still the spiraling, nuanced sci-fi adventure you want; just not the epic conclusion fans deserve.

The Red Herb’s Mass Effect 3 T-Shirt Giveaway Winners!

If you’re a Mass Effect diehard (or, I guess, a Shep-hard or something), there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re finishing the fight as we speak.  In other words, you’re not reading this.  But whenever you contest entrants take a break from saving the virtual galaxy and resurface in the physical world – which will probably be weeks – know that two of you have earned the right to wear Shepard’s mug on your body.

Gamergirlgemo and pristinely-ungifted, you’re gosh darned champions!  The shirts are yours to claim.  Thanks for participating in The Red Herb’s Mass Effect 3 Galactic Peril T-Shirt Calibration Giveaway!

There’s sure to be more contests on the way and different cool shit for you fellow gaming connoisseurs to snatch up.  Until next time, friends, stay posted to the Herb.

REMINDER THE LAST: Final Chance to Enter The Reb Herb’s Mass Effect 3 T-Shirt Giveaway!

The window of opportunity to clothe your body in a limited edition Mass Effect 3 Tee is closing.  Entrants are still being taken up until 11:59 P.M.  After you pick up your copy of Mass Effect 3 at midnight, check your inbox – the universe just may have made you a winner.  You winner, you.  Help me rack in that paragon and take these goddamn heirlooms off my hands.  Two winners will be selected, two shirts shall be given.  Cast your entry here, Commander.

If this giveaway is successful, it stands to reason more will come, so be sure to follow The Red Herb for more sporadic contests and everything that has to do with gaming!

REMINDER: The Red Herb’s Galactic Peril Limited Edition Mass Effect 3 T-Shirt Giveaway Contest!

As a treat to my handful of followers and anyone so kind enough as to check out The Herb, I’m giving away two Mass Effect 3 Tees like the one pictured above (sans the terribly photoshopped assault rifle).

The contest only lasts up to 11:59 P.M. on March 5th, so follow this link to find out how to enter.  A lack of entrants will force my hand to burn these shirts.  Shipping the ashes will cost me significantly less but, as a result, causes the shirts to be infinitely less wearable.  So enter now to keep Shepard’s face intact!