The Stellaire Steam Giveaway

What is a gamer?

Historically, the term "gamer" usually referred to someone who played role-playing games and wargames. Since video games became popular, the term has changed to include players of video games. While the term nominally includes those who do not necessarily consider themselves to be gamers (i.e., casual gamers), it is commonly used to identify those who spend at least some of their leisure time playing or learning about games.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamer

According to the article on Wikipedia about gamers I think I am a mid-core gamer while Jex is definitely a hardcore gamer. I've always enjoyed playing video games since I was a kid and my interest in games expanded a bit more when I met Jex.

Steam has significantly changed how Jex and I buy and play games on the computer. We used to acquire games via alternative means since it was easier and cheaper (or free). Steam gives you access to tons of games which you won't easily find in physical retail game stores. The games are cheaper, too, than buying physical CD/DVD games. Your games are compiled in a library and updates from game developers/publishers themselves are conveniently available for download whenever they're available. One downside is that you need to have a decent internet connection to download the games you purchase.

My weird collection of games

I think I spend too much on games for someone who doesn't really play a lot. But I do like supporting the developers of good games, especially those who don't get as much credit as mainstream ones. I currently have more than 70 games in my Steam library. A lot of them are from my Humble Bundle purchases, where you get Steam keys. The rest were purchased during sales and impulse buys on Steam itself.

Okay, enough babbling! In light of the recently concluded Steam Summer Sale I was inspired to do a small giveaway, and here we go! I had a number of games in mind but I narrowed them down based on what I think other people might enjoy. They're not new games, though, sorry, since I had to stick to a specific budget.

The first game up for grabs is Magicka. Like a lot of the games I've played Magicka was introduced to me by Jex. It's an action-adventure game based loosely on Norse mythology, which lets you play as a mage with power over different elements. You can play solo, which is challenging, or play with up to 3 other people, which makes the game really easy. I love being able to combine different elements for spells while having a high-powered rifle as a secondary weapon. I found the story entertaining and the script funny and crazy.

Yes, that's me in the pink robe, casting fire-y walls around me for protection

The second game is Orcs Must Die! 2, a third-person view, tower defense game. I've enjoyed playing this with Jex so much. Yes, you can play co-op! I've played tower defense games before, but all of them were top-down views. Unlike a top-down view, a third-person view in a tower defense game is more immersive and challenging. You get to set up awesome traps AND shoot orcs yourself!

Yes, that's me in a jack-o-lantern costume with a staff.
Floor spikes and floor blazers, whee!

Finally, the third game is Assasin's Creed II Deluxe Edition. I can't personally vouch for this game because I've never played it, but based on the high ratings on numerous online reviews and Jex's recommendation I figured it's a pretty good game. If you like action-adventure games where you need to creep around, dive from high places into haystacks, and history, then you'll love this.

Leap of faith!
Image credit goes to http://errornotfound.org/2011/08/31/retro-review-assasin%E2%80%99s-creed-2/

Onto the raffle! Enter the giveaway below. Three winners will be randomly selected and will win one game from the three mentioned above. To be clear: one person will win Magicka, one person will win Orcs Must Die! 2, and one person will get Assassin's Creed II. You must have a valid Steam account to enter (if you don't have one, you can open one for free. It's easy!) Good luck!

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