Game Designer discusses blacks in the gaming industry

Video game designer Justin Moore believes that African Americans are underrepresented in his industry. He touched on this topic and others in a candid interview.

"What's more remarkable to me," Moore says. "Is how underrepresented [blacks] are in places where employees will potentially have a large impact on the creative control of a game, and that's where I think the importance is."

Moore, 25, studied video game development at Chicago's Flashpoint Academy and has a mechanical engineering degree from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He's a founding member and Vice-President at Metamoorephosis, an independent game development studio in Chicago.

Moore says a lack of African Americans influencing creative decisions at game development companies is visible in the many token characterizations of black video game characters and through the scarcity of black antagonists.

"In understanding that games are a medium like television and radio and literature, if African American's aren't present on the creative side of this medium, the medium is due to be skewed against them," says Moore.

He encouraged aspiring black video game developers to---pun intended---get in the game.

"Don't give up," Moore says. "If what you really want to do is game development, it's not going to be easy. Work hard. Never lose sight of your goals."

Wale Attention Deficit Review

Promising newcomer Wale released his debut album, Attention Deficit today.  Go buy it.  It deserves your ears.  Wale has a breezy flow, potent one-liners, and the versatile delivery to excel on both upbeat tracks and slower soul beats.  He's one of the most believable rappers I've heard. Wale preaches without coming off preachy.  He talks about his frailty without coming off like a puss ( like the Kid Cudi).  And he brags about his flyness without being a Swag Extremist. 

But let's get back to Attention Deficit.

Below are a few of my favorite songs on an album with few misses.

"Mama Told Me" is a soulful track.  It gave me a good feel and it definitely demands a few rewinds.

"Beautiful Bliss" is...exactly that.  J. Cole gives an amazing assist on this track.
Question: With Wale and Cole on the scene, why are some heads so hasty to crown Drake as the new face of hip-hop?

Oh by the way, The beat here reminds me of Lupe's "Theme Music to a Drive By" the original intro for Food and Liquor that didn't make it on the album.  That track deserves a listen by the way.

"Mirrors" is another track that benefits from an awesome feature, with Bun B doing the honors.

"Diary" has Marsha Ambrosius singing as lovely as always.  Along with Chrissette Michelle, Marsha has graced rappers with some of the best vocal assists in recent hip-hop history.

"Shades" serves as an intimate, honest commentary on the whole "Dark Skin vs. Light Skin" issue, examining issues of color from the schoolyard, to the club, to the white house.  The track  features Chrissette Michelle on the vocals, which is a win.

"Contemplate", the last track on Attention Deficit, is a wonderfully produced mellow banger.  The song ends with Wale impressively switching gears to a spoken word delivery. 

Now for a few exceptions to my satisfaction.

Exhibit A:  "Let it Loose (Featuring Pharell)"
I had to turn this one off after listening to the hook for a few seconds.  Pharell does that sometimes.  It seems having him on your track is either a hit or miss. 

Exhibit B: Gucci Mane on "Pretty Girls."
I'm just not a Gucci man. 

Exhibit C:  "90210"
Another "Self destructive, coked up Hollywood material girl with celebrity dreams" song?  He weaves a good story, but I mean...this isn't very original.  Not a bad song, but it doesn't add much to the album.

Despite these criticisms, Attention Deficit definitely demands the hip-hop world's attention.

I give the album an 8/10. 

It will be interesting to see where Wale's career goes from here.  I predict big things, although mainstream success is often a double edged blade that comes with it's sacrifices.  A lot of artists have gone brand new on us through the years.  Let's hope the homie Wale stays familiar.

Oh yeah.  50 Cent came out with an album today.  Fuck with that if you want.