It's thinking. It wants you to open your wallet. It wants you to shell out 200 bucks for it. Resistance is futile. - September 16th, 1999 - Drew Cosner
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not neccessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. School work sucks a fat one. Don't say I didn't warn you.
It had to happen sooner or later. There's simply no avoiding it. Once you've taken on the responsibility, avoidance is not an option. What the hell am I talking about, you ask? Calculus. Yes, that's right. Although journalism has gradually become a more integral part of my life, I'm still a Computer Science major, and that means math. Lots and lots of math. At any rate, I was absolutely swamped with calc homework last night; making up for the days I missed while on vacation. I'm just glad to have that over with. At any rate, I had to do a quick hand-off to Andrew.
Stepping in to save the day in his usual fashion, Andrew was able to give you your daily dosage of letter-reading goodness, even on such short notice. But you may have noticed that he's a bit anti-topic. So now today is another one of those merry topic-less days. Pull up a chair, make sure your bib is securely fastened, and brace yourself.
| Triple your pleasure; triple your fun |
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Hey Drew,
Do you know when the actual Triple Triad cards are coming out? I'm
addicted to it in FFVIII and want to play it against other people.
Also, do you know how these will be sold? I'd imagine the rarer ones
like GFs would cost more, or will they be sold in a pack like baseball
cards?
-The Walrus (who dreads hurricane Floyd because it will cut off my
FFVIII time)
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The Triple Triad cards come in a pack. You can already pick them up at Electronics Boutique. However, It's not really clear if they're just imported from Japan, or if Bandai (who holds the exclusive US rights) has already released them stateside and just left them as they were. At any rate, just drop on by EB and pick yourself up a pack. I hope that helps.
| Poetry in motion |
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Yo Drew,
I give you my finest work...a new poem.
I Would Not, Could Not Buy a Dreamcast
by The Steve
I would not, could not buy a Dreamcast,
my days with Sega long since past
I used to own a Genesis,
although the Saturn I did miss
I bought a Nintendo and a Playstation,
I never cared of Saturn's cremation
I now want to buy a Playstation 2,
and also a Dolphin, Drew
I want a system with a DVD,
not ye olde brand of CD,
I'd only take a Dreamcast were it free
I would not, could buy a Dreamcast,
FF9 and 10 will be here fast
Sega will of(f) course not get them,
unless they take over Square, threaten to destroy their computers then rape
all of the moogles and Cait Sith toys that they can find
Damn, it all rhymed up until the end....
Later,
-he Steve
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I have to give you recognition for bothering to make a poem of your statement rather than just pounding out "dremacastt SUCCKSDUDE!" on your keyboard and hitting that "send" button. And it even rhymes for the most part, how about that? At any rate, I thought I should probably print a letter from somebody who doesn't want a Dreamcast in light of all the favorable letters I've received and posted over the course of the past few days.
For those of you who care about nothing other than RPGs, the Dreamcast isn't the system for you -- just yet. We'll just have to wait it out for a little while to see which system will end up being the RPG powerhouse of the bunch.
| Don't let this happen to your next-generation console. |
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Dear Drew:
First off, its great to have you and your gratuitous awards back; I really missed them.
As to whether the DC will do well long term, its a complex situation. I tend to think it has a very good chance, because Sega's strategy with the DC is different from that of both Sony and Nintendo.
Here, Sega has introduced the first console that has the potential for online gaming, and thats a very important thing. Sure, the PS2 will have Internet connectivity as well, but no modem or other network peripheral will be included with it.
That is highly important, because most developers aren't going to want to develop for the minority of people who own not just a system, but a special add-on for it as well. If every system has a modem though, its a much easier decision for the developer.
Also, (and this is just my personal opinion) I feel that the graphical difference between the PS2 and the DC will probably not be enough to change the mind of the average consumer. They'll see a $370 system that plays DVDs (which, being the average consumer, they don't own), and then they'll see a $170 (you know the price will go down) system that also lets them check their email.
Assuming there are lots of good games for both systems, I think its pretty obvious which way said consumer would go, don't you? (Note: I will not even consider the dolphin, because I dont think it stands a chance...)
-Sugoi, who desperately wants to believe his DC isn't a Saturn
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Accurately predicting the outcome of the upcoming console war is about as conceivable as driving a semi through a Japanese side street. Sure, you could try it, and you may even be able to pull it off, but your semi would suffer heavy body damage, and you'd get sued by the families of all the people whom you flattened in the process. Or something.
At any rate, I wouldn't count Nintendo out just yet, since they've hardly revealed anything of their strategy. As for what you've said about the Playstation 2's online connectivity, I agree for the most part. However, for all we know, it could turn out that the average console owner is going to want to screw with all of that "Internet" stuff anyhow, and it won't take off. Should that be the case, Sony will have ended up doing none other than cutting costs on the production of the already pricey PS2.
Should online console gaming end up being the phenomenon that it is with the PC crowd, well, that's an entirely different story. This is going to be an interesting system race indeed.
| That would be a cool idea, of course it's not going to happen |
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Dude, you rule. Period. [True. However, what I rule happens to be a tank of Sea Monkeys. Oh well -- I've got to start somewhere. -Drew]
Now, my question. Tonight, I was talking with my brother about
FFAnthology, and how it sucks that Square chose not to release FF4 in
America with it. He then mentioned that he had heard a rumor somewhere
about Square considering releasing a Collection of FF1-4. When I asked him
for a source on that, he couldn't remember, since he says he reads nearly
every webpage online every few days.
What I want from you, in your eternal wisdom of all that is RPG, is to know
if you've heard anything along the same lines, or if any of the other
readers of this ass kicking column have. Personally, I doubt that this is
true, since it'd be a major risk to re-release 10+ year old 8bit games on
the PSX... But still, it's a good dream, no? :)
Thanks for the help,
-Darien Kivemlam
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Square has made no announcements nor have they hinted at the development of such a collection. It would certainly be cool, and you know it would sell respectably in Japan, but a collection of drastically outdated games just wouldn't go over all that well in America. To be concise, I just don't see it happening. Sorry to break it to you.
| Ouch. |
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Drewypoo,
I'm gonna make you mad by not writing to you.
..Wait a sec.. um.. nevermind..
-TheDevilYouKnow
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You certainly showed me.
| Hmm... |
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Hey Drew you sexy thang you,
Nintendo bashing? Wow, really didn't expect THAT (sarcasm). I'd like to make
a few counter points. The rumors of the Atlantis (now known as the Gameboy
Advanced) started around the time that Sony snatched up Tomb Raider 2 as an
exclusive. The Super Gameboy was released well before that. I believe that
was the point he was trying to make, correct?
The N64 didn't exactly FAIL, by the way. Believe it or not, but there are
some games out there that weren't made by Square and are still of quality
standards. I know most readers will probably threaten to kick my ass for
that, but it's true. Think before Square came along, we had Zelda, Mario, Ice
Hockey games! Now we have Zelda, Mario, and..Ice Hockey games!
Well, at least Mr. Smartass didn't try to accuse Nintendo of being too
"kiddy". That would certify you as being a true system warrior.
Oh, and in case you haven't noticed, I'm pro-nintendo all the way!
-RedVapor
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This letter gives me an idea. See the closing comments.
| You be the judge |
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Drew,
Who would win in a race between you, AK, Big Lick, and Fritz?
-Aaron
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Probably Fritz. I would be too busy working on lameass Calculus homework, AK would stop to flirt with female spectators, and Brian would do something Canadian like run in the wrong direction or trip and fall into the stands.
Note to Canadians: such comments only apply to Brian Glick. Please refrain from sending me hate mail.
Closing Comments
You want a topic? I'll give you a topic. Mini-games: entertaining diversions or spawn of the devil? How's that for a topic, huh? But it doesn't stop there, oh no. I'm a glutton for punishment, so I think I'll let you guys write to me about the mother of all debatable topics. Nintendo: savior and upholder of all that is good in gaming, or just a big ol' bitch trying to get you to spend your hard earned money on a bunch of half-assed childrens' games?
Have fun.
-Drew Cosner, currently keeping his eyes opened with a pair of toothpicks
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