Double Agent
Fiscal fiascos - October 1, 2000 - Andrew Kaufmann

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not necessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. Here are some thoughts I wrote down for you to comtemplate. Don't say we didn't warn you.

A surprising amount of support for the PS2 came in today, in light of Mr. Ed's words, which came from the horse itself. Haha! Get it! Mr. Ed! Horse! Haha!

When someone figures out how fiscal years work, let me know

Usually you can trust Agent Ed M's words. However, I believe he misunderstood a fact, which became the main point of his latest letter. He mentioned that only 3 million PS2s would be shipping to the US by the end of 2001. "Geez," thought I, "that is fairly few... but I don't remember reading it as that bad." So I hopped over to IGNPS2, and at least according to their story, it's by the end of the _fiscal_ year, or March 31, 2001. Meaning, barring further shortages, they'll have 3 million + 9 months more worth by the end of 2001.

Still not thinking there will be a good enough reason to own a PS2 by March 31,
Joshua Slone

Ah ha! You bring up a good point. Two, actually. I'd like to pick one up pretty soon after the release, if possible, but that's mainly for Madden. I'm a big Madden fan. I'm hoping that on the PS2, he won't comment after almost every single pass play that that was quite an example of "precision passing." If he comments any more about precision passing I'm going to punch him. Also, I hope the PS2 Madden lets you take a virtual tour of his bus. I hear he has the coolest tour bus on the planet.

For more on the PS2's availability, we go to a familiar name...

Drew Cosner speaks again!

Hi AK,

This whole deal with Sony suddenly coming to the startling realization that they can only have 500k units prepared for the Western launch reminds me of Nintendo and their early strategy with the N64. Nintendo said there would only be enough systems for those who preordered, and once people were tripping all over each other to get their hands on the system, suddenly more mysteriously became available.

At least that's how I see it. But, then, everything reminds me of Nintendo. Which doesn't make me too popular in conversations with the ladies, let me tell you.

-Drew

Aaaaah. Good to hear from good ole' Drew! I tend to agree with what you have to say, even if it's just a gut feeling. We have no facts on our side, buddy, but let's not allow that to stop us from spreading opinions, right?

And speaking of it, when I'm with the ladies, I tend to keep talking about my hair. I mean, come on. What girl wants to hear a GUY talk about his hair? I don't know what this has to do with anything. Let's move on.

That wacky Agent X and his multiple choice letters

AK

Grandia II, PSO, Shenmue.

You know the drill.

-Agent X "i'd go with grandia 2"

I disagreed with you yesterday pretty heartily, but today I think I agree. Yes, I do agree. Even though Phantasy Star Online is an intriguing choice as well. I've never had a chance to do the massive online RPG thing, and PSO sounds like a winner among those titles. Not only that, maybe I'll be one of those guys that builds up a super-duper online character, then sells it on Ebay for some absurd amount of money. How much would that rock? But, I think in the end, I'd go with the traditional choice.

The GIA's big claim to fame

Hi Ak,

Maybe you can help me...

Do you remember, I think it's 2 years ago, the GIA did an April fool joke with a big coverage of FF9, with caracter sketch and more...

Then, some time later, Square officialy announced FF9 and it's caracters... Now, Quina Quen looks a lot like one of the sketch from the GIA fake coverage, the same thing with Freya, and some other thing...

It's too much to be only a simple "coincidence"... Did the GIA really had the chance to grab concept sketch from Square and I missed something? or did Square copied shamelessly those fake artwork? or is the american gouvernement trying to fool me?

I need an answer, it's bugging me for several days now...

Thanks, -WH-

We did an April Fools' story about Final Fantasy Gaiden, but you're referring to the design sketches the GIA were able to get our grubby hands on. These design sketches were no fakes, and not an April Fools' joke: they did eventually evolve into Final Fantasy IX. Check out the gaming scoop of the century if you haven't already. Be sure to note the date: 5.24.99, or about a year and a half ago. Well before any other Final Fantasy IX info.

Hrmph

Dude, you're so sexually frustrated it's not even funny.

Actually... it is pretty funny.

Never mind.

I'm not laughing.

Closing Comments:

Well, I'm posting this at about 5:40 AM my time, so really it's quite Monday by now. But I'll continue to stubbornly insist it's Sunday. Which means tomorrow, Monday, is Chris time. Send him a letter. Take care, everyone!

-Andrew Kaufmann

Recent Columns  
09.30.00
09.29.00
09.28.00
Double Agent Archives
Chris would make a wonderful Shakespearean character, don't you think?
DA FAQ is here. It really is Chris' thing, and doesn't really apply to days that AK hosts, but is great reading nonetheless. And this link really looks cool, so I don't want to delete it just because I don't use the same rules.