Almost all the time I've been at work (albeit only 3 days), I've only really noticed how expensive the gaming experience can get. Ludicrous. Latest consoles are about $500 a pop, but then you've got to add on what we in the business quite simply call "add-ons". I'm talking about extra controllers, games, and recharge docks. Really, if you are given the option to purchase these packages, get them. Even though they might sound like they're available throughout the whole Christmas season, they're generally only available either on the day, or even just at that store. Anyway, that actually turned into something that went in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go with this post, so we'll move on.
Looked at the latest DS console lately? Neither have I, actually. Latest rumors say that the DSi XL (honestly Nintendo, another model? At least keep them the same size so we can sell protection cases that cover more than one model... please?) has an even bigger screen, is even lighter, yadda yadda than it's predessessor. You would be forgiven for thinking that was new and that hadn't been done before, look at the GameBoy, PlayStation, and PSP. What's next? The Wii? Oh, wait... has that been done already? I think I need to check my 'sources' for that.
Actually that's another problem I encounter at work. Naturally, on any day you always get the one or two customers that pop a question about some product "X", from company "Y" that you can't answer on the spot, and there's a reason. This calls for a dramatic, written, yet possibly-slightly-vague flashback.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Ok, that was irrelvant. Reaching back into my subconciousness...ness we find my childhood. Circa mid 1990s, our school was getting ready for a fresh new generation to flood through its doors. Here we give the name Generation Z, or the name I like slightly better, iGen. Rather fitting, isn't it? In the same time period, we have the release of the original PlayStation: Sony's entry into the fifth generation of gaming consoles (if I'm losing you now, try Wiking it). In the next few years following, I arrive at my small and secluded primary school, and what I call the 'trend fad' begins. Sometime over the next few years, our 'lot' are exposed to new technologies (Windows 95, 98, etc), the eastern pop culture (thanks to Pokemon and other anime), and all that, and all that.
Time passes, and nearing teenager-dom, the PlayStation is becoming more prevalent in tween (look it up!) households. Many of my so-called 'friends' were following everything at the time, and I felt like I was kind of like a certain established-in-1991-videogames' main cahracters' sidekick - you know... tagging along, and as soon as I caught up they'd speed off in some different fad's direction. Although I didn't have that analogy in my mind at the time. Sheesh, this flashback's taking ages. It's getting there, I promise!
It was nearing Christmas (or was it my birthday?) on 2000...ish, and practically everyone I knew had a Sony following. Sony had the PlayStation, remember. And so with myself gaining enough reward points from my Dad's year old reward system, I finally got purchased a PlayStation! My grandma gave me my first game: A Bug's Life Activity Centre! Can't you just visualise the amazement? Yeah, sorry, me neither. We (and by we I mean royal "we") got Crash Team Racing immediately followed by a Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 bundle because it took our family two months before we realised we needed a memory card. I really liked this new PlayStation and thought I might actually be able to converse with my 'acquaintances' at the time, with the general goal of being able to fit in being accomplished.
I've completely forgotten why I'm telling this story. Wait. I got it.
Time ticks by and guess what? The PlayStation 2 is released. Heavily ironic sound effect please. Most unfortunately, everyone dashes for the new consoles and the fifth generation becomes history. After school I part with my friend Luke (did I tell you that story?) and we each go to our separate colleges. Rushing into Year 9 at school, my Year 9 form class was, in my opinion, the worst you could get. It was like being a Tails in a room full of Shadows, Rouges and Omegas, with a couple of Amys talking loudly in the corner (You'd get that reference if you were me, or a few other people I know). Of course, the quest for up-to-date technology doesn't stop there. A year or so after being relased, my Grandma saved up enough FlyBuys points to purchase a new PlayStation 2 console; this time I definitely recieve it at Christmas, I buy myself a memory card, FYI. Needless to say, I feel back in the running again, the only saddening thing is I don't know anyone anymore, and due to my nature I certainly wasn't going to try. Don't judge me, it's just what I do.
Some long post we've got isn't it? Keep reading... please.
Ok, so we've reached the point where I am right now. Nice thing that game producers still make games for the PS2, although the numbers are dying down. It's a pity... but back to Year 10.
Could you believe it, though? Just as I think, "Yep, it's smooth sailing on the PS2 and there's nothing to combat it" (mid 2000s), I'm strolling through the game section at the local Warehouse, and I spot a section I haven't completely noticed before; and there, nestled comfortably next to the PS1 and 2 games, across the way from the Game Boy Advances, I find a new section. Almost reading it as if it's another language: "Nintendo... Game...cube?" Bizarre. Then it clicks. Taking memories of early primary school (you'll hear about those in a later post) mixing it with ads remembered a few years back, and adding the current game that's directly in front of me creates two things: The current level of particular fanboy status I have at the moment (or lack thereof) and the sense that the PlayStation was never alone. Heck of a turning point that day. Even remember contemplating whether I could actually play that game in a PS2 at that time. Weird. It's like all the time, between late primary and early secondary school, I've just been part of a big brand loyalty scheme. Nintendo vs. Sony. Thing is, it's still ongoing, with the Wii and PS3. Even Microsoft joined some time ago with the Xbox. Really they just want your money so they can restart the life cycle. Only I wish I could live it all again. Looking back I realise that I was never quite in the right place with the PlayStation crowd at school. Yesterday I realised this in a bit more depth - and now I fear I may not be able to change it.
Mostly because of this reason (and a few others), this is why I chose my particular career direction a couple of years ago. People might think its a bit too specific, but I think with a little, no... a lot of effort, the right skills, and maybe a bit of luck, I might be able to swipe a spot at the place I'm aiming towards: Sonic Team. I wrote that in my leaver's book section too, but not quite as elaborate as I've just told you now.
Coincidentally, I've added a hidden message in this post as well. See if you can find it.
Have a BIG look after you've stopped [reading].
The Final Section
What I've Stumbled Upon: Guess who found a webcomic on the web? To all you Gen Xers out there, it's not actually that easy to find one that you a) can read regularly, b) enjoy, c) find funny or amusing, d) don't find insulting to yourself or anything you believe in. And believe me, I'm sure I've seen the spectrum in the quest to find this comic... actually, literally about an hour before I wrote this post. Best reserved for my type of gaming interests. Sorry, Penny Arcade - I had to forgive you for your content to continue reading so many times I lost count. I should probably try stumbling on something that everyone can look at...
What I'm Watching: MY FIRST UPLOAD!!! The description says it all, but here's the movie trailer I've been promising for a while.
1 comment:
It's funny how a persons 'console loyalty' changes. I was devoted to my PS2; it could do me no wrong, and I thought "Shame on them!" for those who would choose the Xbox over it.....needless to say, I eventually got an Xbox...for 6 months and then upgraded to an Xbox 360 whilst my PS2 sits dusty on the shelf, partial to the fact IT CAN'T PLAY THINGS ANYMORE. And no, I will not go back to Sony and place a shiny PS3 on my desk, to me, the PS3 is an expensive heater.
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