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| SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 |
| 09.16.08 Azzarello and Bermejo @ Wizard World Texas 09.15.08 Unlimited Star Wars in your future 09.11.08 Audio Surf : Hands on |
| VOTING COMING DECEMBER 2008 |
In the days before high speed data connections, search engines, and the free and unfettered
exchange of ideas on the Internet, the process of discovery within games was a much more
painful, yet rewarding, ordeal. Foes were defeated by trial and error, paths were discovered
by intense explorations, and beating a game felt like a true adventure.
But now? Well, with each new game there’s a guide that can be purchased almost before the
launch that will hold your hand and wipe your nose for you. Games are out a mere 24 hours
before online walkthroughs are available to be viewed by any who wish to do so. Why figure
out how to beat that boss on level four when a young man from Boise has already done it and
posted it to the Internet?
One of my fondest gaming memories is of a old title. You “yungins” wouldn’t even know about
Ultima IV. Cruthcboy and I figured that game out from scratch, making our way through the
world, feverishly writing our discoveries in spirals so we could compare notes the next day in
school. While we were technically sharing information, it was nothing like the scale on which
it is being shared in today’s gaming world. We shared in one another’s triumphs and learned
from one another’s mistakes and when we beat that game, it was one of the geekiest
moments of my life. A geekgasm if you will.
To this day, I revel in the discovery and exploration of games. It’s part of the reason I came up
with the Busy Gamer concept. But as the guides, walkthroughs, and cheats become more
prevalent, the game companies focus more on the “twitch” levels to keep us entertained
rather than the discovery portion. People post spoilers in forums, brag about beating games
like Mass Effect in 10 hours, or simply don’t purchase games that require more than a few
moments thought.
Not getting the gist of what I’m saying? Type “Too many secrets” or “Setec Astronomy” in your
favorite search engine and see how long it takes you to figure out where I get that particular
anagram from… Ah, how glorious the information age. Now give me back my Ultima IV
geekgasm. [comment on this]
exchange of ideas on the Internet, the process of discovery within games was a much more
painful, yet rewarding, ordeal. Foes were defeated by trial and error, paths were discovered
by intense explorations, and beating a game felt like a true adventure.
But now? Well, with each new game there’s a guide that can be purchased almost before the
launch that will hold your hand and wipe your nose for you. Games are out a mere 24 hours
before online walkthroughs are available to be viewed by any who wish to do so. Why figure
out how to beat that boss on level four when a young man from Boise has already done it and
posted it to the Internet?
One of my fondest gaming memories is of a old title. You “yungins” wouldn’t even know about
Ultima IV. Cruthcboy and I figured that game out from scratch, making our way through the
world, feverishly writing our discoveries in spirals so we could compare notes the next day in
school. While we were technically sharing information, it was nothing like the scale on which
it is being shared in today’s gaming world. We shared in one another’s triumphs and learned
from one another’s mistakes and when we beat that game, it was one of the geekiest
moments of my life. A geekgasm if you will.
To this day, I revel in the discovery and exploration of games. It’s part of the reason I came up
with the Busy Gamer concept. But as the guides, walkthroughs, and cheats become more
prevalent, the game companies focus more on the “twitch” levels to keep us entertained
rather than the discovery portion. People post spoilers in forums, brag about beating games
like Mass Effect in 10 hours, or simply don’t purchase games that require more than a few
moments thought.
Not getting the gist of what I’m saying? Type “Too many secrets” or “Setec Astronomy” in your
favorite search engine and see how long it takes you to figure out where I get that particular
anagram from… Ah, how glorious the information age. Now give me back my Ultima IV
geekgasm. [comment on this]
The slow death of
“Setec Astronomy”
“Setec Astronomy”
By Gritskrieg
Kudos to you if you know the origins of “Setec
Astronomy”.
For those of you not in the know, it’s an
anagram for “Too many secrets” and bears
explanation as to why I chose to include it in
the title of the post…
Kudos to you if you know the origins of “Setec
Astronomy”.
For those of you not in the know, it’s an
anagram for “Too many secrets” and bears
explanation as to why I chose to include it in
the title of the post…
