NCAA Football 2013 Game Review

NCAA FOOTBALL 2013

Game Review: Coach T.J. (GametruckRDU) 

Man I don’t know where to start with this game. I must admit there is a lot to argue on both sides.  For the most part, I like the game for its autonomy, graphic detail,  and career modes. You can truly create your own experiences in the game. Whether you want to be the coach and just call the play and watch your players run it to execution, or you plan on fully participating  as a player on each down, this game gives you plenty of options before you call ‘hike’.  To avid fans of NCAA it’s nothing new to call audibles, blitzes, hot routes, and line protection switches, in the game. However, the pre-play offense is much more fluid than it has been in the past, which fares well for beginners or medium level players. Overall the game feels more realistic than years past.

The New Heisman Challenge Mode offers a fun and interesting dynamic to the game. It reminds me a lot of the recent NBA 2k games where you try and re-accomplish the same milestones Michael Jordan and other Hall of Famers produced in their prime In an effort to unlock the player or other classic teams, jerseys and apparel. In this case, players can contend for a championship by placing one of 10 former Heisman Trophy winners on whatever team they choose to play with. Throughout the mode you set out to accomplish or beat the real life stats of the player in an effort to win the Heisman Trophy and also unlock each player in another game mode, Road to Glory.

I think it’s cool how “real” video interviews with each Heisman Trophy winner are unlocked throughout the season. In them, they discuss the achievements of their glory days.

My favorite mode is the Dynasty Mode. With so much realism and creativity behind the recruiting process in the game, I barely have the drive to play against the computer. I typically simulate the gameplay some weeks, while I focus much of my efforts on recruiting, staying up on ESPN stats, and maintaining job security. I’m telling you, this game has the ability to make you feel like you are really a coach or player for your favorite school.

Overall my grade for the game is: A-.

Negatives:

Way Too Much Going On

Although the game has so much to offer, that is also the problem with it.

There is just too much to do in the game and limits the simplicity of just playing it for fun. A beginner will have a hard time picking this one up with no knowledge of previous NCAA concepts.

Lag between play calls

-The game also has an issue with lagging before and after plays. This disrupts the games fluidity. Which for years has been the best part of the game and what set it apart over Madden.

No In-Game Save Option

-No in game save option. Players still can’t save their games in progress. Like you save your work on your personal computer, a player would also like to save the beat down their putting on their rival school in the first half, just in case they want to finish the second half after a nap or after a long days work. It makes no sense to be able to save highlights and replays if you can’t save the game for which they were acquired.

I hope this one was helpful to you. In the meantime, play safe and play smart.

Dacom's Movin Slow at 3AM in Vegas

John, James, Reeko, Sammy and the rest of the Dacom Music family, have began a journey into the best of times. The guys are all on the same page when it comes to the success of their music and movement. They told me they like to have fun and not live their life under fear, instead they choose to be themselves and live life to the fullest. 

Representing Raleigh, NC, Dacom's movement is one that encompasses the average daydreams of your average young adult. True, their is a heavy cannabis influence in their rhymes, but it's the experiences they have individually and together as well as, the delivery and story telling element of each artist's individual flow that helps bring home their concepts, themes and messages. 

Dacom's new mixtape, 3AM in Vegas, is garnishing much attention from their fans. For an independent hip hop group in their market, they are increasingly exceeding expectations. The group is currently working on a new project that features production from multiple producers, including, BookT and Mr. Raleigh,NC. The group is currently filling up their booking schedule for the fall. Stay tuned.

Rise of the Social Media Manager

In today’s society the way we communicate and deliver a message is far more different from the way people used to do it in the past. These days the social aspects that typically took place at the market, the barbershop or nail salon, happen all day long on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. At any given time of the day you can read someone’s opinion on trending events taking place in sports, politics, religion and many other facets of our society.

With this in mind, companies have taken a new approach towards marketing their products to consumers. Whether it is pay per click emails, affiliate marketing or generating likes and followers for their business or fan pages, the truth is the game has changed. Although many businesses are taking advantage of social media, it is also a viable option for many musicians.

However, in order to reap the benefits of your input, it is important that any artist or band view himself or herself as a company, a brand or small business first. If you don’t establish this mindset before publishing your material or generating awareness for your next project or performance then you are already at a disadvantage. Basically, unless you market yourself like you are a ‘somebody’, nobody will follow your call to action.

I experienced a bit of this early on in my career. Before there was Facebook, I generated an interest in my music by passing out burned cd’s of my tracks; I also did open-mics and karaoke nights. In the end I thought I was making progress, until I saw that much of the work I put in to marketing myself in that way only got me a handclap, or a good job from my target market. Basically everyone felt like they knew me and there was nothing special or unique about what I did. They all thought that it was my hobby, when in actuality it is my passion and my meal ticket.

In fact, one of the things I was missing was a social media manager. I could have told more people about my music, sold my music, and performed my songs all at the same time without leaving my house. In this case, I would have more time to actively pursue my craft instead of become bogged down by the excessive tweeting and posting online.

As time goes on more artists are increasing their presence online, which allows them to create a closer connection with their target audience while spending more time on their craft. Although some artists may have accounts, blogs, and websites many are not using them to there full capability. This could result in a lack of motivation and output to pursue one’s dream. The excess work can sometimes be too much when an artist has to also manage their online presence in addition to their in-person network, marketing, and production efforts. 

However, it is up to the social media manager to stay on top of the latest trends and the correct way to use and monetize social media. In the end, to help combat this issue, I plan to establish my company, as a key social media management outlet in my target location. Is anyone out there feeling Highly Educated? 

What Does BookT Mean?

After being introduced to my music for the first time many people want to know where my stage name came from. Some theories about the name are that it came from the WWE wrestler, BookerT, Booker T. Washington or Booker T. and the MG’s. In fact, the name 'BookT' stems from the influence of society, family, books and media on me, Thomas Earl Jones Jr. The word, “Book” is a metaphor for hidden knowledge and intelligence. It reflects my view that knowledge before self prepares you for your own purpose and destiny. It also acts as an educational disclaimer that knowledge is within the T; which stands for everything Thomas encompasses that begins with that letter, for instance, Thomas truth, Thomas’ tone, or Thomas’ talent.

I came up with the name in high school, however, since 6^th grade I have been writing poetry, spitting rhymes, entertaining and enlightening people I come in contact with. When I was in school, I was well known on the open mic and talent show scene. Like many rising artists I also passed out the mixtapes and sample cd’s to create a buzz for myself early on. Nowadays I use smarter more precise means of promoting my projects. Social media is a huge part of how I continue to advance the appeal of the ‘BookT’ brand name.

As much as anyone else considering a career in music or entertainment, I want to be successful. On the other hand I realize this generation of young black men continue to face many obstacles. Not to mention many of them still are raised in single parent homes. I want to lead this generation into a positive social enlightenment through my artistry. Basically, I want to use my music and my entertainment as a platform to perform a larger greater work for the social enlightenment of society. I try to listen and provoke thought into people by showing them other routes to take to get their mind out the box. As a teenager I often felt alone, misguided, bitter, hopeless, and aggressive. Instead of channeling that energy negatively, like many others in my community, I chose to remain positive and express myself creatively. In the end, the more you know yourself, the faster you find your way.

Listening to Others Will Get You Somewhere

Creating a detailed business plan is not as easy as some people perceive it to be. Just when you think you have things all figured out there is always something new to add, remove or further modify before unfolding the plan. Which is why research is very key to understanding many different facets of any succesful business plan.

In fact, my research on industry professionals allowed me to not only critique my logistics and business model but also my motives, vision and my integrity behind constructing my company. As Mark Cuban maintains, some of the key aspects to look for in a business plans is if there is an actual need for the product or service. Which led me to find out if there is a need for my service and what location shall I provide that need. As a result I changed the target location of my plan from Los Angeles to Raleigh, NC. Although my plan works in both locations, the need is greater in the smaller market of Raleigh. The following list illustrates main three reasons we decided on changing the location.

1) Most business owners in the location don’t know how social media works or how to use it in its most effective ways.

2) We knew the area better and it was the location base for many of our consultants

3) There was not a large presence of companies like ours in the market

Though it is great to make changes and make sure your bases are covered before going into business, one of the most important sections of a plan is the financial document. Investors want to see have you calculated your expenses, income, and overall risks versus your rewards. They ultimately want to know have you calculated their ROI. One of the key changes I made to my own documents came from when I read an article on Daymond John. He mentioned putting up some of your own money in your initial investment to show investors you believe in your product and in yourself. As a result, I did just that to incorporate more investors into my company. It also helps me pay off my debts faster and reciprocate more down the road. In the end, there is always more we can learn from one another to help nurture ideas and create lasting impressions in our industries.

BookT- ITB (web show) "BookT Returns to Raleigh"

Season 2 of the web series and documentary of BookT. Inside the Book returns with Book still on the road performing tracks from his upcoming album as well as his mixtape Datbullshit (http://www.datpiff.com/BookT-featuring-Thirdnastee-Datbullshit-2-mixtape.286131­.html). We also take a look at the man behind some of the production and the first verse of Book's hit "Feelin Fresh".

Hope you guys enjoy the video. Like it share it.
Big Thanks to everyone involved in bringing this one together,
Third, Mr.RaleighNC, Volume 11 Tavern, Lady C and Collins.
Ja Know!

For more music, blogs and video on BookT visit: www.bookttv.com

Business Insight from the Experts

In constructing my business plan for my company, Highly Educated Management & Production (HEMP), I came across a multitude of information, analysis and viewpoints from many knowledgeable experts from various fields of business. In particularly Michael Porter and Daymond John have expressed the importance of a successful business plan many times throughout their career.

Porter is currently the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor, at Harvard University (Burhoe, 2011). I credit Porter with giving me insight into what owners and investors are looking for in a business plan as well as understanding the role of competition. According to Porter competitive forces drive the rivalry of existing companies. It is important that competition is there to maintain the integrity, level the playing field and create constructive analysis for business improvements and satisfaction.

Daymond John is the CEO and President of a clothing company called FUBU.  Using $100,000 in start up capital, he launched his company in 1994, and by 1998, FUBU had made $350 million in revenues (Burhow, 2011). In my opinion this was a great example of putting your money where your mouth is. In this case, I learned from John that it is important to put some of your own money up for startup capital.  According to John, if you are in debt and have nothing to contribute to your business venture, it looks bad to potential investors (2012). 

In the end it is important to adopt concepts to my business plan that are practical and wise. Since both experts have been through the phase of constructing business plans multiple times over I aim to use some of the advice given to cultivate my own success for the future.

Sources

Burhow, S. 2011, March 31. Expert Views on Business Plans.

         Retrieved from http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/