Posted by ASandoval on December 30, 2009 under Games | 
So I was wandering around a local retailer when I happened upon this random Wii game I never heard of. Taking a small look, I noticed something interesting at the bottom… Curious, I gave it a light squeeze… Yep, it was one of those new fangled cases I had mentioned for Assassin’s Creed II! Let’s take a look.
So here’s the game itself, wrapped in the shrink wrap, still with price tag and in the store. I apologize for the quality of the pictures first hand; my cellphone is the only picture capturing device I have at the moment.
Oh, what do we have here down at the bottom? A crack extending the near width of the case!
Here’s the crack extending from the middle of the case.
A light squeeze again, turned front side up so you get a look at the depth.
You may have noticed that I blocked out the name of the retailer from these shots, but I don’t blame them. This is merely the consequence of penny-pinching in the guise of environmental activism. (Not that this is commentary on environmental activism at all, that’s a good thing! But some things are better left alone.)
Posted by ASandoval on December 15, 2009 under Games |
So 15 weeks have passed and we have reached the end of our experiment using the site as a class project. I hope the old readers enjoyed having some semblance of structure and I hope the new readers enjoyed my writing at all.
Needless to say, The Relay will continue past this, but don’t expect the kind of treatment it got throughout this semester, and possibly the little it got before it as well. Something I discovered via this class is keeping up a blog with a journalistic style is rough, especially on top of school, game development and another job on top of all that.
Many of you should know that I’m a developer by trade; my passing interest in entertainment journalism being a fall back should that not work out in the end. Having a website is in today’s day and age, a requirement for those who want to be taken seriously in a career. The logic was that if I could use it as a resume tool for another career path, then I might as well. Unfortunately, life is far too hectic for me to give my writing the full attention that it deserves. In short, this will probably become a more personal journal, and more focus on my thoughts as a designer than as a journalist or even a critic.
That doesn’t mean I’m giving up entirely on the whole journalism thing. I love games, both playing and and discussing them, and I will continue to do so. Instead, I’ll look at other platforms that allow me to leisurely construct them so that they can get the care and attention they deserve. Rest assured, if an avenue like that bears fruit, you, readers of this humble site, will be the first to know about it.
Keep in mind, it was fun while it lasted, if not a bit hectic. Keep an eye on this spot regardless; I’m sure I’ll have something to say so long as you all keep listening.
Posted by ASandoval on under Games |
When GameStop bought out its competitor, Electronics Boutique, back in October of 2005, many figured GameStop’s reign over the competition had been complete. In many ways, they were right: former EB locations suddenly became GameStops, leading to what some would call an over saturation of stores. Many malls, including South Jersey’s own Deptford Mall now contain two GameStops as a result of the merger. Even in my own home area of Blackwood, along Blackwood-Clementon Rd., live two GameStops in two separate plazas not even a minute drive away from each other. But along with these local highlights of capital dominance, the street is home to a local underdog as well; a store that carries a modern product using the virtues of American small business.
Next Level Games is a video game store, much like its big box retail competitor. Their business model is not too different either; Although there is a modest selection of new games, the vast majority of the selection is used games being sold at a lower price than one would by used. The stark difference however, is that many of the games are for older systems. This is the crux of Next Level’s business.
“There’s a pretty good crowd of enthusiastic game supporters around the area,” says Nick Milicia, owner of Next Level. “Having a store like this locally keeps them interested. It gives them a community, and its easier than buying online.” Indeed, items in stock include more than just games you would find at an average garage sale. Many rare and highly sought after titles that only come online once in a blue moon are sold behind cases in the store. These are titles that not only give the store a unique charm from a corporation like GameStop, but make it a local hotspot for enthusiasts of the hobby.
A dedicated fan base does not make for sales, however. “As a business, we do ok,” Nick says, “The best you can do is keep up with the competition, compete with the prices . . . and try not to sell at a loss.” And what can you do? Prior to GameStop, there were only ha hand full of chains and even less passion businesses like Next Level. Finding any place that exclusively sold games was seen almost as a paradise amongst gamers. Now that a big business not only exists but is readily available, it becomes even harder for a small business such as this one to find a market if they innately know where to go.
Does that make this a story of the local mom and pop under dog fighting against the mega conglomerate? Maybe, maybe not. Instead of focusing on having an alternative, maybe it would be more pertinent to see it as something else entirely. Says Nick “Many of the regulars don’t come here for what they can get at other places. They buy older games, round out their collections, find unique items that aren’t easily obtainable…” In this way, Next Level can be seen as something of an extension; a place for a particular niche.
And without the advent of the internet, such a place would be considered buried treasure amongst the locals. With the use of social networking sites such as Youtube, Twitter and Myspace, Nick is trying to spread the word not just about his store, but the inventory as well. Youtube contains a video tour of the inside contents, whilst the Twitter regularly updates telling people about new items that have been recently traded in, or current promotions being offered.
So maybe an independently owned game store will never see the numbers of a place like GameStop, but that’s also not the point. Next Level for gamers is like that bar on the other side of town that only you and your closest friends know about; the best kept secret in your little town where you can meet with people you relate to and share a common interest. And hey, find a game or two you haven’t played in a long time, too.
SOURCE -
Next Level Video Games
Posted by ASandoval on under Games |
My girlfriend has written an excellent piece at her (usually art related) blog. It’s commentary on two other articles about the lack of female representation in video games, particularly war games, and its connection to an article about the general lack of understanding toward female veterans.
As a designer myself, I don’t try to look at gender as a demographic to pander to. If a story calls for a character of a particular sex, then that’s what I’ll use to the best of my ability without being stock or stereotypical on my reasons why. It’s a simple approach, but one that I feel would help greatly toward fixing the problem while still equally representing both groups.
Either way, it’s a great read and you should check it out at the link below.
Source: The Invisible Women of War (Scattered Showers)
Posted by ASandoval on December 14, 2009 under Games |
So with the new year approaching, I realize I have a ton of games I still haven’t played, let alone finished. Thankfully the people on Talking Time, forum of gamespite.net have come up with a great system to help clear out that backlog! The premise is simple: Simply beat some games before you buy new ones. Here’s what you do:
- First, you’re going to need an account on backloggery.com. Here, you can inventorize your games along with whether or not you have beaten them. For the curious, mine is at www.backloggery.com/asandoval. I’m not completely done inventorizing; hopefully I will be done by the end of the year.
- As you beat games, change their status on Backloggery so you keep track, and give yourself points. You then use these points to buy new games throughout the year. The point values are up to you, so you can go at your own pace.
I’m hoping this year will help me discover some great games I’ve been sitting on as well as save a bit of cash. Just consider it food for thought.
