I’m in the process of doing something dumb with both my time and money that will be appearing on the internet near you. I’m not saying it will be good. But it will be something.

I’ve always had a fondness for hitting the box of old games that I usually have not too far away from me for a trip into nostalgic whimsy. This has developed into a sort of weird love for things that I never actually have any nostalgia towards. For example, I regularly scour eBay for a decent condition Atari 2600 (despite the fact most of the ‘games’ for it barely legitimate the term) and spend a good portion of my time ‘relaxing on the internet’ watching longplay videos of antiquated computer entertainment titles. They even make me write like I’ve been sucked into the dawn of the internet.

Moving on, one of the oldest consoles I have still in easy access is the famous GameBoy Color. My first and only handheld (as discussed previously) sticks vividly in my memory, from picking it up from Toys ‘R’ Us, along with Pokemon Yellow, taking it on holiday and draining the entire battery pack (that add on lasted a long time), on one car ride, hiding under the covers in bed with a torch playing late into the night, 10 PM was downright rebellious back then and much more. I think the GBC fostered such great memories is that it could follow me everywhere, even when I should have really been paying attention to what was going on [SCHOOL TRIPS!] and the very few games I owned for it were some of the most engaging experiences I could have had, when it was the right time of my life to get completely absorbed in them.

Two of the games were, of course, from the seminal Pokemon series and not being content with picking between one colour or element, I had to wait for Yellow and Crystal respectively. For the uninitiated, each generation of game had two versions, with the idea that you would trade with your friends to get the Pokemon that you didn’t have in your game, and they would release a slightly updated version of the gen. that would have a mix of Pokemon from both games as well as some other minor changes. Plus, in Pokemon Yellow, Pikachu would follow you about, allowing you to play Pokemon psychologist as you judge Pika’s mental wellbeing. Heavy stuff.

So, what was it that made both the GameBoy and Pokemon a perfect fit that remains that way to this day. I think to start with, they are always finding a new audience. Every Pokemon game is always someones first Pokemon game, a theory which explains why some people think Mario Kart: Wii is the best Mario Kart game or Call of Duty 4 is the best first person shooter ever made. The nostalgic attachment we make to things is arguably the strongest bond we have, especially if we have a particular fondness for games, music, movies, books and so on. Nearly everyone owned or played a Pokemon game, even if you were not ‘big’ on games, as for parents, I guess it was a great way to occupy kids time and pretty inexpensive, if you bought the right games that is.

You were always my legendary Pokemon...

Playing Pokemon now is startling. As it doesn’t actually feel as old as it is. Whilst I’m currently getting into Crystal, as it made big leaps over the first generation, the lack of substantial changes to the formula doesn’t actually stand out like the sorest of thumbs is quite an achievement. I’ve not really played as much of the latest titles as I’d probably have liked to, but I’m ready to bet that other than aesthetic changes and the usual “numbers” game of sequels, that being that the longer a series goes on, the more characters, concepts and, of course, Pokemon populate the world, the core game play remains almost identical. It taps into that same bit of the brain that the aforementioned Call of Duty does, constant reward through the systems of leveling, capturing new Pokemon, gaining new moves and the, when I was a kid at least, euphoric feeling, when your Magikarp finally evolved into a Gyrados.

Without letting this getting into a discussion about what makes Pokemon as a franchise still work incredibly well as a video game, despite a great deal of time passing from the card game and anime fads, I’m going to keep playing Crystal, even if it ends in me needing to get laser eye treatment (you don’t realise how much you want a backlight until it is gone). Whilst there may be a degree of duress involved, with my girlfriend, an avid fan, insisting that we battle via link cable over Easter, I’m at least going to stick with it until I realise that I have like other things to do with my time…Oh wait.

Tech Lust getting the better of me

Big news everyone, a new console is out. And by that I mean a handheld and also by that, I mean a new Portable PlayStation. Sony claim their new PlayStation Vita is a #gamechanger, analysts already argue that it is dead on arrival, and yet, for some reason, I really want to try one. For all the hyperbole surrounding it (more than what even faced Nintendo’s 3DS, which was hit with similar skepticism), Sony seem to have crafted a device filled with what one can only describe as ‘tech lust’. But as someone who owns an iPod Touch, and is fully engaged in the iOS gaming market, why does the idea of paying £40 or more for cut down console games really appeal me.

I haven’t owned either a PSP (in its many iterations) or a DS, although I borrowed one for quite a while, mainly because my lifestyle never really dictated the need for a handheld device. Even now, where I have a short commute daily and tend to spend more time away from the home consoles, stroking the sleek rear touch of the glistening chassis covering the super powered…Woah. The Vita is actually not probably the device I’d choose to spend my cash on if I was actually serious about investing in a ‘gadget’ that I used daily to play games. Although to be honest, neither would the 3DS.

Following the launch of the Vita, and all the talk of how the device appears to succeed in making a technically more powerful and feature filled PSP, the PSP essentially did this in 2004/5 when compared with what Nintendo offered. I remember, being the annoying kid I was back then, arguing in favor of the PSP over Nintendo’s fat ugly DS. I mean two screens, one of which was a touch sensitive (which seemed really dumb at the time) and a lack of ‘cool’ looking titles. No matter what you say, to a young teenager, full 3D Grand Theft Auto, that you take around with you blew Wario Ware, your stupid Dogz rip off and a Metroid game (that never quite worked right) out of the water and that didn’t really work seem like a waste of time.

I refuse to be wrong for not liking this console at the start.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that, apart from being driven by rampant fanboyism, the games that looked like they were going to revolutionise handheld gaming were slow loading, blurry and altogether better experiences on the big consoles that sat under the TV. The DS, with its unique control method, limited graphics, whilst that meant that developers tried to squeeze too much onto the platform, eventually meant a focus on gameplay and character drove that system forward. The PSP on the other hand. Well, the companies that took risks on the home consoles or simply didn’t care (I’m looking at you Kojima) made some unique and interesting stuff on the PSP, which thankfully we now have the chance to play some of with the HD re-releases of the two God of War PSP titles and MGS: Peace Walker, but there was a lot of chaff.

This may come across as slightly hypocritical of me, as I’ve never owned a PSP. I contemplated picking up a ‘Go’ when there were some crazy deals on games, but I think, and this is my point about the Vita, that it was always curiousity that drove me into wanting to play one. At least the original PSP, whilst it had a great screen for the time, was a fairly standard affair, and it’s components had more drawbacks than positives; lack of a second analog stick, the UMD drive and so forth. The Vita on the other hand, seems to at least to have nothing hardware wise that is a significant drawback in the way you play games. Yes, the rear touch pad may make it difficult for you to play games where you don’t want to actually use it, and the memory cards are hideously over-priced per GB, but as someone who likes technology and gaming technology in particular, it looks solid.

Despite this positivity, the research which I have done on the system makes me think that Sony needs to get someone who understands user interface and intuitive design. The web browser acts as if it is loading a page on a phone of GPRS from around ten years ago. A general lack of cohesion and direction in how the device works makes it seem a more colourful step backwards from XMB, which with a fresh lick of paint, could have worked wonderfully. There are always going to be a mass of firmware updates I suppose.

I'd like to think we've moved on as a civilization from when these cluttered magazine back covers

I started off writing this thinking I was going to try to map out why exactly I was obsessed with the Vita when I was once again behind the idea that the device is not really suited for the times, as people don’t want or need to carry another device around with them. We’ve moved beyond the realm of Java games on obscure mobile handsets and once again, the 3DS is getting through its childish phase of N64 re-makes and re-hashes and is gaining momentum (although I still recommend people wait until the next iterative version that comes with the second ‘circle pad’  is released) and the lower price makes it highly tempting.

But maybe, just as I backed the wrong horse when it came to the last handheld race (the N-GAGE was OK GUYS!), maybe the Vita does have a place. The 3DS will create a home in the Nintendo-centric audience (ironically I probably fall into this category), whilst Sony’s strong 3rd party support and their ‘Entertainment Network’ actually pushes forward a digital download revolution, that will find its way more steadfastly in the minds of consumer for the release of the next generation of home consoles, as they expand their ‘Playstation Suite’ initiative across their platforms.

Did I ever say how much I loved random speculation.

Hello everyone!

Gasp shock horror I’m writing again, mainly because it feels like ages (which it has) and basically why the heck not, there is bound to be a morsel of something interesting hidden deep within. Plus, I promised myself that I would blog a lot more during the new (Yes I am well aware of date, takes me a while get going), as it’s quite therapeutic, even if I do tend to talk about crap!

So let’s get this show on the road!

What’s happening!

I’m alright. That’s generally how I reply in the ‘how are you’ part of a conversation, but I’ll add a bit more. I’m currently studying Politics and International relations at Lancaster University. It’s an interesting and varied course, but as with all Uni courses, it’s up and down depending on the particular subject, although I’ll admit the issue with it at the moment is that politics is very much “bad news” at the moment.

I’m also involved in student TV with LA1:TV (please go there and watch things!), but I’ll probably devote more than just one single blog post to that in the future, as we’re currently building up towards a few big things, including the Roses 2012 competition between Lancaster and York, but, MORE ON THAT LATER!

I’m also doing all kinds of silly things when I’m not at Uni, with my “Game-Engine” partner in crime, Mr Matt Brading (whom I am contractually obliged to refer to in full at least once). We podcast over at “The Matt and Josh Experience” and do the occasional video, one of which, you can view below! We’ve also got a few things in the planning stages, which could be pretty great for both us in terms of media silliness.

Early conclusion (because it’s a Saturday night and I’m really tired)

I planned on wittering on for a while about different things, from some games I’ve playing (or a lot of the games I’ve been playing), but I think I’d rather save that and my views on a few other things until I’m staring at some dude playing some crazy tune on a load of wineglasses (including Lady Gaga…).

The flat mates have felt that a night of Take me Out, where a bunch of desperate women prey upon the feelings of a bunch of even more desperate lads in a quest to find the TV equivalent of  ”love”, followed swiftly by a Simon Cowell “love in” of a documentary about TV talent shows, ending spectacularly in ITV’s The Johnathan Ross Show, which to me seems almost the same as the BBC version, just with a cheaper set and less stereotypes playing a piano.

More soon!

Josh

 Do I really need these Sony Macrobinoculars? Nope. Do I want them? OF COURSE. They look pretty awesome if a bit impractical. I’m not completely sure why someone who is serious about this kind of thing would bother spending the reported $2000/$1400 on them. There are far more standard and probably more useful ways to spend that much money.

Plus, you won’t like the resident stalker peeking out your windows with them stuck to your eyes.

Sony Selling Video-Recording Macrobinoculars This November – Tested.

Could anyone please send me some sort of Sega Saturn rescue party, explaining why I’m spending tonight digging through footage of games, including this ‘classic’ found on the Sega Saturn.

In this particular title, you play a Clockwork Knight (as you may have guessed) with a brilliant name, Pepperouchau, who journeys through a house in with some level design that LevelLord would be proud of. This was game concept back in the ’90s.

The things I remember about this game is that the levels, at least at the time seemed pretty interactive and crazy, particular with it’s use of background and foreground objects to create a sense of depth, something that many of the polygonal games were struggling in this era. A certain one I remember is in “Kevin’s Room”, with the trains coming in and out of the background. It really demonstrates that the Saturn, despite it’s many flaws, was a brilliant “2D”. Although all this 3D/2D has become all confusing with all this red/blue stuff.

And make sure you watch to around the 5-6 minute mark to see something that was honestly terrifying back in the day. Wait for my petition to bring Clockwork Knight 1 and 2 back from the depths of history, to be delivered to your homes soon!

Clockwork Knight – Playthrough 1/5 (Sega Saturn) – YouTube.

(Note: I’ve got a little button in my browser that I can press and write things now. Expect more “Why Am I Watching’s” and maybe some other stuff)

I went to Manchester and all I came back with is a Tomato Face

It’s been a while before posting anything here. Why? I’m not entirely sure. It has been one of those things where it has taken a while for me to really sit down and map out any thoughts on this page, what with Uni and all taking up a lot of time and me basically been very busy with a bit of an empty mind, it’s not been too great an environment to blog in.

However, I’ve felt a bit more creative and alive lately. Which is awesome. Few other things ain’t great, but I ain’t going to chat about them on here. Instead, I’m just going to write out what I’ve got going on at the moment, and hopefully this may encourage me to write a bit more about stuff. So here goes nothing:

• Doing a lot of student TV things, helping out with the re-brand and doing a lot of technical stuff. I’m going to probably be writing about this soon
• Karate training and my running is going fine, not really much to chat about here.
• Currently venturing on learning a lot of software, mainly to do something radically different from my degree, so howabout; Adobe suite of creative programs, FL Studio (music production) and a bunch of other things.
• I’m still considering, despite only buying a new laptop last year, purchasing a Mac. It’s unrealistic, because they are pretty expensive, but considering the technical set up we’re using at LA1:TV for next year, learning the depths of Mac networking would be useful
• Also, websites! Still designing them. Still doing that job poorly as well!
• Oh and my degree, still beavering away at getting through my final exams so being completely free for the summer
• Playing a bunch of games, getting ‘good-ish’ at fighting games, including Street Fighter 4 and Mortal Kombat (the latest one). Tried Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but didn’t really gel with me. Bunch of other games I need to play, just that old financial thing.
• Still missing doing all the Game Engine stuff. Funnily enough I did enjoy covering media in our particular way and whilst I do get chance now to do video, I really enjoyed podcasts.

Wow, managed to actually write quite a bit then off the cuff. Therefore I’ll probably start blogging thick and fast now, after being out of the loop, it sort of acted as the writing break I needed, after staring a WordPress writing pane for months and months, it gets a bit tired. If you want to follow what I’m doing a bit more often, I’m using Twitter and it is far more interesting with more followers to follow back and interact with!

Right then, suppose I better go and try and do some revision/build a website/create a logo/play some games or do something…Will probably just update twitter..

I’ve suddenly found I’ve got some time on my hands, and thus, am going to waste it writing something on here. Probably by the weekend, as I’ve got my last essay deadline between then and now. In the mean time, enjoy the .gif above for a while…

Powered by Twitter Tools

Powered by Twitter Tools

Powered by Twitter Tools