|
[img width=300 align=right]http://www.abenteuerteam.com/images/brasilien/mythosamazonien/images/Amazon-old-man.jpg[/img]As most of you know, I tend to write very detailed and somewhat technical articles on various video game systems, focusing primarily on the obscure releases. When writing one of my last System Overviews, a fellow RFG staff member recommended that I add a bit more color to my reviews; to add a bit more of my personality to them. I considered his thoughts in detail, but ultimately decided against incorporating this suggestion into my reviews. I want my reviews to be extremely objective, technical and informative for both the collector and gamer alike.
That being said, I do believe that the suggestion made by said staff member was correct, though I disagree with the forum that it should be delivered upon. The creation of this new series, "Thoughts from a 40 Year Old Gamer" will be my attempt to meet this new objective of allowing more insight into the thoughts and rants behind the reviews. Yes - this might be a short lived series, not due to the amount of years I have left to live (have to beat down those hecklers quick), but based upon community interest in this venture. Your candid feedback and input is welcomed from the onset of this endeavor. This first part will focus on the question I am asked the most - Do you own these systems and play them allot?
Yes - I do own all of the systems that I review. My collection is around 130 systems, with 85 or so of those being unique (systems with both proprietary hardware and software code for game development). I cannot say that I play them a great deal - work and home life rather cut into the free time to be able to play all of them. My game library is not near some of the monster collections here at RFG (I have around 1,000 games), but I do have games for every platform. I honestly don't play many of the obscure systems that much apart from when they were acquired, though I always do fire them up and play the games when reviewing a system.
No, I wasn't around when Ralph Baer was developing the first video game, but I do admit that the term 'vinyl' is an instantly recognizable term in regards to a music media type. Along those lines, the first system that my father got for me was the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A - a computer hybrid that accepted preprogrammed game cartridges but was more of a home personal computer. I'll tell you what - talk about disappointment! While my buddies were blasting through waves of enemies or avoiding mud pits on their Atari 2600 or Colecovision, I got to climb a mountain and avoid some crazy bears on my TI-99/4A. I can't really complain though - I did learn the BASIC and Q-BASIC programming language at a very early age (you could program your own games on the TI-994/A).
Well, I think that is about it for now. As you know, us old folks tend to retire a bit early in the evening and pop on the History Channel or PBS on our set top boxes (televisions). My next rant in this series - Erosion of the Gaming Skills: Reality Bites! (ouch!). Till next week, father time signing out.
PS. No, that is not me in the picture. I am old, but not quite what is pictured (yet).
Recent Entries Update on the State of RFGeneration! (8/31/2024)
Press Playcast Episode 92 - Bioshock Infinite (3/10/2023)
Shoot the Core-cast Episode 053 - Fire Shark (1/6/2023)
Shmup Club January 2023 - Metal Black (1/4/2023)
Press Playcast Episode 91 - Doki Doki Literature Club (1/2/2023)
|
I like your "extremely objective, technical and informative" reviews of systems. It makes them much more credible (and valuable) than other reviews that basically say "I hate/love this system so everyone else should too."
I think your new series will still be a good read though. Maybe not as informative but more entertaining. I am glad that you are keeping two separate series; that should make people who want a more entertaining review happy as well as those of us that enjoy the technical reviews.
| |
Terry - That photo is an attention getter. I bet you look more like your avatar, which likely is actually you. 
| |
40 year old gamers? I know I won't still be playing games when I'm that old. Oh crap, I've only got a month left to play all my games!!
Seriously, I love the system overviews. I read the last one on the VIS bristling all the while over a couple of recent misses on scoring that particular system.
I look forward to the new series as well. I can relate... well soon I'll be able to relate.
| |
Awesome series Terry, looking forward to reading it!
And no offense to the guy in that pic, but if that was in the staff bios it'd scare everyone away.
| |
Thanks for the comments all - much appreciated.
NES_Rules - Thanks for the vote of support on the style of my System Overview articles. I do want them to be unbiased to a large extent and provide interesting historical and technical data for the reader. The price point estimated that conclude each review are based upon my exposure\purchase history and that of other fellow collectors.
Trader\Tan - Yes, the picture is a scary one. I hunted around a bit for an old man playing video games, but anything I found just did not have the 'charisma' that the pic of this old fella screams of. No, the picture of my avatar is not me, but I did choose it since I have been told that i strongly resemble the actor depicted in the picture.
Den - Here is a guy that might be able to set you up. I purchased my VIS from him and the transaction went smooth and without a hitch : http://www.oldsoftware.com/VIS.html. I can not remember his name, but it was something with a European flavor to it. He was very responsive to me emails and I would recommend him.
| |
Terry don't change your System Reviews they are good just the way the are.
I am looking foward to your new series of posts. I am not 40 yet but I feel like I am 60.
|
|
Login or register to comment
|
|
It appears as though you are not a member of our site, or are not logged in.
|
It appears as though you can not comment currently. Becoming able to comment though is easy! All you need to do is register for the site! Not only will you be able to access any other site features including the forum and collection tools. If you are a registered user and just need to login then you can do so here.
Comment! It's easy, thoughtful, and who knows you might just enjoy it!
|
|
