Hello people, I've noticed now that even though I don't have an impressive game room, you have to admit I have a cool gaming shelf for someone who only spends alot on games. Now it has gotten onto the fourth stage of evolving so I thought I'll show you the evolution stages of my Shelf of Doom, reason calling that because really I don't have much of a gaming room, just my bedroom with posters on the wall and games all in one general area.
So, the podcast had to be put on hold due to some car problems taking up a lot of my time (and money), but until it finally comes out, I managed to go out of town this weekend and managed to hit up some game stores and thrift stores. Kind of a slow weekend for finds until we were on our way out of town.
Another slow week, not terrible, but just really slow. For some reason, there just wasn't as many garage sales as there usually is, and what ones there were, were mostly all junk. Kind of ironically since I got a Space Invaders Deluxe arcade cab bezel last week, I almost bought a Space Invaders Deluxe cocktail cab. But when I asked how much it was, he said it was his neighbors and he wants "big money" for it. And then proceeded to tell me that it was the very first arcade game ever made, and that it was very rare etc. He never did give me a price on it. It was in sad shape anyway, the top was heavily scratched and the pain was flaking and the sides were warped and chipped and dirty.
Some games are there for you to have fun. Some, to make you think. Others, like in Civilization IV, are both fun, and stretch the old noodle, in addition to being highly addictive. Warning: If you have an addictive personality, and have not already played a Civilization game, play this at your own risk. I feel it has to potential to eat up thousands of hours of my time, as well as yours.
I used to play Starcraft over 10Mbit LAN with my uncle when I was 7, him on his Sony Vaio, and I on an old 66Mhz Pentium MMX. Those were my first dabbles in the foray of the Strategy genre. I liked it, but I liked just spending time with my uncle more than playing the game. I didn't understand all the concepts either, which explains why I always lost. A while back, I found a download for a converted to run on OSX copy of Civilization II. Again, I liked it, but not a whole lot. It was primitive to me, and it didn't capture my attention.
However, recently, I was lent a copy of Civilization IV: Complete, and installed it on the XP side of dual boot. After getting through the tutorial, I was impressed. Very impressed, I might add. Instantly hooked, too. After only playing the tutorial, I was hooked. Now, if that isn't addictive, I don't know what is.
In Civilization IV, you can lead one of 18 different civilizations, and even more with expansion packs such as Beyond the Sword. You begin the game at the dawn of man, in the year 4000BC, to found your civilization. As the game progresses, you can learn new technologies, found new towns, built world wonders, form armies, and conquer the world. To win at a game of Civ, you either have to 1)have an immense amount of culture (Cultural Victory), 2)Take over all other Civilizations (Conquest/Domination Victory), 3)Build a space ship to Alpha Centauri (Space Race Victory), 4)Have the other players vote you into office in the United Nations (Diplomatic Victory), 5)Having the most points by 2050AD (Time Victory).
One of the reasons why I like it so much is because of the attention to details. Many people can recall that in the Sims franchise, the charaters don't actually talk. They speak in a babble, unintelligible dribble. The same goes for Civilization Revolution. However, in Civ IV, if you are the Russians, they speak Russian, Chinese speaks Chinese, and so forth. AND, if you zoom into one of the ethnic cities, you hear sounds of that type of city in real life. That kind of detail really made me feel as though the designers behind the game really wanted to give the gamer the full experience. Not many games make you feel in such a way, and it made me realize that a video game can still, to this day, be made in an artful and beautiful way. I highly encourage anyone who likes Strategry video games or board games, or even those who don't, to try this game.
Since I got this very cheaply and the shrinkwrap is bad enough anyway so why not. Also, I noticed somethings that make me question if this was a reseal or poorly produced version. The case is cracked and has that white smudge at the corner, and some of the tidbits that holds the CD in it's place are bent downwards. Either way it doesn't matter because I got it very cheaply and I can replace the case and CD holder (which I did), and the CD and manual are in pristine, undamaged condition.
After several weeks of slow sales and meager finds, I'm finally back into the swing of finding treasure after treasure. The weekend started out pretty slow, but picked up on Saturday and ended amazingly on Sunday.
Hey Everyone! I've got some new games and I've been busy since the holiday has begun a couple of weeks ago. My Mega CD Collection is still growing and I'm not gonna let it stop, it still hasn't been a whole year since I officially started yet.
So, Pepsi is running a promotion right now where you buy a bottle of Pepsi and get a code to enter into a contest to win Rock Band related prizes or get a downloadable track for free. Now with the PS3 and 360 versions, it generates a code that you can use to download a track that you choose, however with the Wii version it spits out a code redeemable for 200 Nintendo points, regardless of which song you choose. These 200 points don't have to be used on Rock Band tracks, so you can use them to get Virtual Console, WiiWare, or DSiWare games! Let Current.com user PacoDG tell you how to do it:
Granted you're not saving a ton of money since the cost of a Pepsi is about $1.50, but hey, you still get a Pepsi out of the deal. I'm going to try this and go for Gradius Rebirth. What will you go for?
After having our trailer on the market for about 10-11 months we finally have an offer that we are accepting. The paperwork is done and signed so its a done deal. We get the money for it on August 14th.
We are going to be temporarily moving in with my parents for a month or two while we look for a house. Unfortunately about 90% (probably more) of my collection will be boxed up until we find a new home. But the positive side is that I will finally get my own game room!!!
I'm very excited about this and will be sure to blog the set up of the new room. I think I'll do something like before/during/after pics and may also be asking you guys for help when I think I need it.
Thanks for all the positive comments last time I posted something similar to this. This time its on paper so im set though.
Music is the language of all people, and many people, including myself, find that video game music in particular has given the world some of the best, and most memorable songs ever. Remix these, and sometimes you have something better, or worse, but no doubt, unique.
The Mega Man series has been noted by many to have some of the best music ever. After the jump, just pure, Mega Man 2 and 3 Remixed ear candy. That is what this series is all about.
I am the first one to admit that I was wrong about my initial impressions on handheld systems - they are not just jealous little rug rats of their technically superior big brother consoles. They do have their unique appeal and I have found that this attraction was not limited to the specific 'handheld fan-boy' target audience. I have learned that console gamers of all ages typically have a portable system or two in their back pocket and enjoy the gaming experience on the small screen just as much as they do with a title being displayed in Hi-Def on their 56" LCD. The drivers of this cross-over enjoyment tend to focus on three main areas - portability, convenience and unique software releases. I admit that these items were also the primary reasons for me changing my tune regarding these 'mighty-mites' (I finally 'get it'!). But this personal admission/discovery is not the point of this article. Having the best of both worlds is my focus along with my hardware solution.
While hanging out at the Memphis International Airport during a layover, I found myself pondering a very simple question - why had I been so reluctant to test out a handheld system in all my years of gaming? Being a console hardware fanatic, I initially thought the technical limitations of the portable machine would be the primary culprit behind my former 'handheld racism' beliefs. In reality, a much more intimate 'friend' turned out to be the nemesis - my OCD condition, or 'tendencies', as I prefer to phrase it.
I am not the type of player that has 18 games going at one time with a slew of carts/CD cases strewn all over the floor in front of my Toshiba DLP. I am definitely a 'focused' gamer - I like to get very involved with one game and primarily play it in its entirety. This personal fact, coupled with my preference for the superior graphical capabilities that a console system provides, is the crux of my anguish. I spend 95% of my game time with console releases, due to their (usually) heightened content and superior visual/audio output. If I am going to get engaged in a title, I want my time to be invested in the best technology has to offer (for the time/console period). I realize that the fun factor and not the bells and whistles are what make a software title truly successful (no need for that sermon playa's - you would be preaching to the choir). Sure, there are console/TV adaptors that will deliver my handheld output to the big screen, but I want it all - the technologically advanced console experience with the ability to take it on the road (along with my game saves) to continue my adventure. I can't do that with today's Next-Gen systems.
There have been systems that have allowed this in the past, most notably the NEC Turbo Express and the Sega Nomad / MegaJet. These were released after their parents (NEC Turbo Grafx 16 and the Sega Genesis) and were the byproduct of enhanced electronic engineering/development - same software/media format, same system, just squeezed into a smaller box. The problem is that newer technology was arriving on the scene as both of these were released. With all of the strides that the video gaming industry has made in this technical area, why can't they do that today right out of the box when it is released? This is my idea, and the point of this writing. Develop one system that provides the advanced offerings of the console and includes a portable, compatible gaming device to continue your gaming experience on the road or out on your back patio.
Let's take a look at the design/workings of this fictional machine, which I will refer to as the SX2. Now bear with me since I am not a graphic designer at all - the referenced picture I threw together using MS Publisher and is only meant to point out a few features. Also please note that I am not an electrical engineer and do not get into any detail in this arena (though all are plausible). Also, cost is not a factor in this exercise (but will be addressed later). The following picture shows the layout of the front face of the SX2. This would be angled at a slight 10 degree angle to allow gravity to assist with the docking of the Portable Gaming Device (PGD) unit. The face of the PGD would be proudly displayed. The rest of the console in this design is as basic as you can get. The point I want to focus on is the PGD Docking Station.
The Docking Station serves two purposes - to recharge the batteries of the PGD and to interface directly with the main hardware. The PGD would have a pretty big hard drive (say 10 gigs or so) along with built-in Wi-Fi and the standard multimedia capabilities (MP3, etc.). The size would be a little big larger than the Sony PSP. There would be no media input slot for this unit, with the exception of a memory card slot. Everything would be downloaded to the PGD through the Docking Station from the SX2 main system, including software. Here is where it gets tricky.
The standard media format for the SX2 would be the Blu-ray disc (storage capacity of 50 GBs). A software title would in essence have two versions: High-Def (for main system playing) and Low-Res (for use on the PGD). The two systems would have the same core programming architecture/OS so much of the game coding could be utilized in both versions contained on the disc. The big difference in the two editions would obviously be graphical resolution and audio performance. I have a little background in programming as a hobbyist but I am the first to admit almost complete ignorance in this technical area. That being said, some of the following might not be at all possible.
Game development would obviously be focused on the High-Def version for the main system. Once this has been done, the Developer's Conversion Tool (DCT - I made this title up) for the SX2 could then be used to lower the resolution of all, or select, existing graphic files, thus creating them for use in play on the PGD. I guess the best example I can give for this idea is 'crunching' a picture file - it retains the same file association and technical uses but loses some of the originals sharpness, depth, etc. The DCT would be developed and provided by the manufacturer to incent game developers and lower their cost.
Another integral part of the DCT would be the management of disc space allocation - what must be ported to the handheld device to ensure the same gaming experience delivered by its 'big brother'. The file size for downloaded games to the PGD would be a maximum of 2 GBs. This would allow 5 full titles to be stored on its internal hard drive. The DCT would manage this process for the game developers and guide them in making decisions on what might need to be left on the editing room floor for the Low-Res / PGD version (like some FMVs or other non-critical item).
As to the actual gaming experience, saved game data would be consistent and shared between the main system and the handheld via the Docking Station. This would be a two way interface, with a check for which saved game data file is most recent. Since both versions use a compatible data format in this area, your game would pick up at the same point on either platform - you would have all of your warrior's stats, gear, etc. and be placed at the same location in the actual game world.
The controllers would have to be somewhat similar - this programming item is critical and the button mapping requires a great deal of code at times. I do see this as one of the drawbacks and have no answer for this.
I guess we would have to discuss costs for this beast. I have no idea what the R&D would be for a project like this, but I would have to think that for an existing manufacturer that most of it would be invested in my fictional DCT application. Just looking at the hardware and using absolutely no scientific formulas, I would estimate it retailing for $500 or thereabouts. This automatically would put it out of the price range of many consumers.
Yes, there are many flaws to this brainstorm of mine including, but not limited to, technical obstacles, programming nightmares and lest not forget a company's desire to be profitable. I do think this could be successful on many levels though. Handheld and console systems have for all intensive purposes lived in separate realms. Why does it have to be that way? I am sure the think-tanks at Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have considered this in the past and have decided not to 'muck' the waters by developing a product like this. I am the first to admit that this system would dilute their respective target audience for the hardware they currently manufacture.
The same thing occurred in the early 1990s when there was the craze for developing all-in-one multimedia devices. Systems like the Philips CD-i, Panasonic 3DO, Memorex VIS and the Bandai Pippin (amongst others) all met rather tragic deaths due to trying to be 'everything to everyone'. It is interesting that what failed in the 1990s is a basic standard in what we enjoy today in the Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii. Timing is everything which is evident. Perhaps this idea will catch on down the road in some facet and become "The Way of The Future".
I know this writing completely exposes myself to being picked apart and beat on like a farm animal. I don't profess to be an expert in any area that was touched upon - it is only my intent to share an idea and hear your thoughts on this matter, which are always welcomed as you know.
To those of you not in the club, I will give a quick rundown of how I came to be in the situation I am in. I joined club Nintendo recently, and they have a system that rewards you for purchasing their DS and Wii games and registering them online using the inserts found in certain DS and Wii games. For each game you register, you get "coins" to use to purchase Club Nintendo exclusive items. (I recently used my accumulated coins to purchase a set of Nintendo's Hanafunda cards).
After reaching the 600 coin mark in a single year, they deem you a Gold Member, and after 800, a platinum member. After a year has passed, they offer a free reward to Gold and platinum members. As a platinum member, they offered me my choice of two items, a choice I have been contemplating for almost a week now...I can't choose, and I am asking for the help of my fellow collector's to help me choose and figure out which one would be worth more down the line.
My choice is between an official and exclusive true-to-life replica Mario hat. The hat is the classic red hat with the trademark Mario "M" and is one size fits all for adults. Made of cotton and polyester, this hat would fit perfectly into any gamers collection as an extremely rare and awesome piece. The other item is a club Nintendo platinum member exclusive Wiiware title, "Doc Louis' Punch Out!!!". The game plays just like the recently released "Punch Out!!!" for the Wii and is simply a one-on-one bout against your in-game coach and mentor, Doc Louis, which for anyone who has played the new game, or either of the originals, would be a real treat to experience.
I am just so torn on which to accept as my reward, I am looking forward to your input!
(Additionally, to any who are wondering, the Gold reward is a much simpler one. It is an exclusive 2010 Club Nintendo calendar, which actually appears to have some pretty cool and unique pictures from more than a few Nintendo titles for each month.)
This week was full of garage sales. On Friday we went to around 6 neighborhood/street sales in addition to a ton of regular garage sales. It took until 2:00 before we ran out of sales to go to in the area. Saturday was very much the same thing, but it started to rain about 1:00 and we didn't bring umbrellas with us, so we called it quits a little early. Despite the fantastic amount of sales, I didn't find much. It was better than the last couple weeks, but it still wasn't a great weekend.
Some things defy explanation. This video is one of those things. Did you ever think you'd see a pixelated Mario urinating behind a pipe? No? Well, it gets stranger, much stranger. I could explain all the wonderful / weird things that occur in the video, but perhaps it's just better for you to take a gander yourself. You'll find it in its relatively NSFW glory, after the jump.
We are a community of collectors, gamers and the likes, and some of us enjoy to let the world know what is on our mind. For those members, we have the community blogs, a place where they can publish their thoughts and feelings regarding life, universe, and everything. Some of those members might even choose to write about gaming and collecting! Whatever they write about, you can find it on their blog. You can either see the latest community blog entries in the feed you see to the left, or you can browse for your favorite blog using the menu above. Interested in having your own blog hosted on RF Generation? It's rather simple, first be a registered member, and then click the "My Blog" link that you see in the navigation above. Following those two steps will certainly get you on your way to blogging.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy our entries, rantings, and completely unrelated series of thoughts. We write for you to read, so we certainly hope that you enjoy our material.
Some games are there for you to have fun. Some, to make you think. Others, like in Civilization IV, are both fun, and stretch the old noodle, in addition to being highly addictive. Warning: If you have an addictive personality, and have not already played a Civilization game, play this at your own risk. I feel it has to potential to eat up thousands of hours of my time, as well as yours.
I am not the type of player that has 18 games going at one time with a slew of carts/CD cases strewn all over the floor in front of my Toshiba DLP. I am definitely a 'focused' gamer - I like to get very involved with one game and primarily play it in its entirety. This personal fact, coupled with my preference for the superior graphical capabilities that a console system provides, is the crux of my anguish. I spend 95% of my game time with console releases, due to their (usually) heightened content and superior visual/audio output. If I am going to get engaged in a title, I want my time to be invested in the best technology has to offer (for the time/console period). I realize that the fun factor and not the bells and whistles are what make a software title truly successful (no need for that sermon playa's - you would be preaching to the choir). Sure, there are console/TV adaptors that will deliver my handheld output to the big screen, but I want it all - the technologically advanced console experience with the ability to take it on the road (along with my game saves) to continue my adventure. I can't do that with today's Next-Gen systems.
Game development would obviously be focused on the High-Def version for the main system. Once this has been done, the Developer's Conversion Tool (DCT - I made this title up) for the SX2 could then be used to lower the resolution of all, or select, existing graphic files, thus creating them for use in play on the PGD. I guess the best example I can give for this idea is 'crunching' a picture file - it retains the same file association and technical uses but loses some of the originals sharpness, depth, etc. The DCT would be developed and provided by the manufacturer to incent game developers and lower their cost. 
Yes, there are many flaws to this brainstorm of mine including, but not limited to, technical obstacles, programming nightmares and lest not forget a company's desire to be profitable. I do think this could be successful on many levels though. Handheld and console systems have for all intensive purposes lived in separate realms. Why does it have to be that way? I am sure the think-tanks at Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have considered this in the past and have decided not to 'muck' the waters by developing a product like this. I am the first to admit that this system would dilute their respective target audience for the hardware they currently manufacture. ![[IMAGE]](http://dotstuff.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/197_civ4_detail1.jpg){kind=link}