Monthly Archive for April, 2004

Limit Break

Published
by
Joachim
on 18/4/2004
in Gaming
. 0 Comments

Today, I had really worrying news. One of my friends fainted because he played a game for a long time without having sufficient rest. I heard that he claimed he had had enough rest but apparently it wasn’t enough.

It’s situations like this that bring me to ask myself. “When is it too much?”

Games are wonderfully addictive and thats why it’s understandable that he did such a thing. However, everything has a limit, including the ability to stay awake continuously. I guess this is just my way of saying that each of us should look after ourselves well. After all, it’s better to play a game when you’re fully awake. ^^

Aside from that, I think it’s interesting that it’s been proven that surgeons who play video games tend to do better in the operating room then those who don’t. This is attributed to the fact that those who play such games have better hand-eye coordination when it comes to operating.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Friends I Have

Published
by
CrashWire
on 13/4/2004
in Gaming
. 0 Comments

This is more a post about myself than anything else concerning gaming. No, gaming does not revolves around me (or you guys will be kissing my feet by now) but I feel that a significant part of my life has been invested in gaming.

Gaming bonds people. For some of you loners out there who play Solitaire *raises hand*, you might not be included. However, if you’re a quiet, introvert sort of person in real life but happen to be an extrovert in your favourite dungeon crawler, then you might not realize that you have made lots of acquaintances and a few friends who play the same dungeon crawler as you.

But I guess I was pretty much an online personality (you could only see how I look like, not that you’re that interested, during deals) until my first foray into gamer gatherings. And I can tell you (solitaire playing guy) that online does not bond people like offline does! It certainly helps to meet people for dinner, chat with them about the latest gaming news, share your first gaming experience and then head to the arcade for a little battle of nervous control.

After my first offline experience (sounds like sex, doesn’t it?), stuff seemed to progress at a faster rate than before. I became “known” to the people who used to know me as an online personality. We forged somewhat closer bonds. Quite a number of gatherings were organized to bring people together. Barbeques, chalets, karaokes, movies, outings.

The sgGamers forums were set up by three friends who wanted to make more friends. A community where we actually do more web quizzes than discuss about gaming. In the end though, we’re all gamers who enjoy a game of Mario Party 5 together when the occasion comes for yet another gathering.

A recent incident on other forums showed me how friends are willing to jump to my defense when the need arises. Others may accuse me of committing a felony, but my friends were skeptical of whether it was indeed my doing. When I admitted and apologized to the community in question for the trouble I caused, it led to forgiveness. Now, even if these people aren’t really friends, they are definitely acquaintances worth knowing and online contacts worth treasuring.

On the IRC channels I frequent, we talk about things other than gaming. (Do note that these channels are frequented only by gamers.) Computer hardware, music, anime, relationships, school, work, anything under the sun. Once in a while, we gather for impromptu, unorganized dinners or suppers. My Trillian contact list is filled with the contacts of gamers with whom I often chat daily with.

Even this blog was formed by friends, who then invited other friends in to write. Through our ramblings and rantings we allow ourselves to know each other better, for emotions can be read through words should one develop a skill for it. We allow our readers to know us better, for we’re always on the lookout for more people who share the same interests as us.

In any case, I felt that this is a nice day to appreciate the friendships I’ve forged. The Singapore community as a whole still views gaming as a waste of time. What they do not know is that gaming, like soccer, like shopping, allows for friendships to be formed. Such friendships may start out either weak or strong online, but should they translate offline, they often become stronger.

And in any case, this is another shameless plug for any of you online personalities out there. Hide, a member of the sgGamers community, is organizing a gaming session at his house, with potential turnouts that already exceed thirty. If you would like to know us better, be sure to add your name to the attendance list!

Popularity: 2% [?]

A little bit of virtual football

Published
by
Guest
on 11/4/2004
in Gaming
. 0 Comments

Guest Submission by ElyrionX.

Recently, I got so bored with the insane and ungodly difficulty of Ninja Gaiden that I decided to put it down for a minute. So, I popped Winning Eleven 7 International (the U/C version) into my PS2. It’s an excellent game that seriously improves upon its predecessor in many aspects. However, one major flaw becomes apparent right from the start; it’s simply amazing how long the game takes to start up. Getting to the main menu involves sitting through eleven glorious and unskippable screens and pressing the X button a grand total of four times. This is something that is absolutely ridiculous yet entirely avoidable from a designer’s standpoint. I mean, seriously, by the time I get to the main menu, China would have already retaken Taiwan, dinosaurs would once again roam the Earth and Duke Nukem Forever would have already been released AND bashed by the gaming media. I kid you not.

So after what seems like (and probably is) two million years, I finally get to the main menu. I load up my oh-so-elite Juventus team and proceed with my next match. Coincidentally (haha, maybe not), it’s the WEFA Championship Final against a weirdly-named team called Trad Bricks. Hmmm, looking at the players on this team and the jersey that they are wearing, I’m pretty much convinced that space monkeys have taken over my PS2 and changed the name of my beloved Manchester United team (yes, I’m a huge fan and don’t ask why I’m not using them as my ML team) to the impossibly-funny-yet-incredibly-sad moniker that is Trad Bricks. That is pretty much the only possibility. Who else but space monkeys can possibly come up with the name “Trad Bricks”?
Continue reading ‘A little bit of virtual football’

Popularity: 4% [?]

t)][3 1337 g@m3 |(ulTur3!

Published
by
Tachikawa
on 10/4/2004
in Gaming
. 0 Comments

Ahaaaaa. Dudes! It’s been a while! How’s everyone doin’?

So, umm, yeah. I’ve pretty much been in non-gaming(small)ville (somebody saaaaave me? lol.) these days. Too busy with them darn school work. Well, enough about me. I’ve been noticing a pretty disturbing trend lately. Not disturbing as in disturbing. Disturbing as in disturbingly interesting. Whatever may it be?

Culture. Gaming Culture. In Singapore.

If many of you out there have not been living under that rock for the past few weeks (and I’ll give you guys the benefit of the doubt, hehe), most of you should have noticed an interesting trend; Video gaming is going more mainstream in Singapore. Let me list my observations:

-Local videogame developers have been given extra attention in the media these past few weeks;

-Video game reviews have been given the centrestage;

-Microsoft Singapore’s Domination Plan over Singapore. Apparently also part of Bill Gate’s ‘Lose the Money; Gain the Fanbase’ World Domination Plan;

-A Gaming Lab (?!) is going to be setup in the Nanyang Technological University;

-The Economic Development Board (EDB) has begun to;

a) Attract foreign game developing companies to Singapore;
b) Linking up with Japanese game developers to train up local talents in the art of game making (Sega, Koei);
c) Along with the Media Development Authority and the Infocom Development Authority; all 3 organizations have been setting up the basic infrastructure (i.e. regulations, etc), co-funding with foreign/local investors and basically giving local developers the support needed for their games to get out into the world market.

-The Singapore chapter of the International Game Developers Association have been given quite a lot of attention in the media in these recent months.

Please note that this isn’t an exhaustive list. And thank god it isn’t. The digital entertainment industry is worth billions, only second to the movie industry in North America, and Singapore wants a large slice of that pie. Lets hope Singapore gets that large slice. Along with seconds.

Tachi signin’ out.

P.S. Hey Kheldar, your sister’s pretty cute man. Intro? LOL!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Politically Incorrect

Published
by
NPC #16
on 8/4/2004
in Gaming
. 1 Comment

Shey’s post reminded me of this sim pack a friend of mine told me about a few months back:

Yes friends, that is a ‘Dansing Hitler’. According to my friend, he has a pistol which he uses to take pot shots at Jews working in his backyard and a sign that reads ‘Arbeit Mach Frei’ or something like that.

He is now working on a gas chamber.

Needless to say, it made me want to try out The Sims.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Simple Is Best

Published
by
CrashWire
on 6/4/2004
in Gaming
. 2 Comments

Everyone talks about playing the latest video game. What’s it now, Battlefield: Vietnam? Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow?

The latest game I’ve played would probably be Final Fantasy XI (on the PC). Hehe, I’m just so outdated. Even then, the game is far too diverse for me to actually say I’ve played it through and through. I may have much more free time to dedicate to that game nowadays, but it’s spent on levelling and more levelling. I’m not at that stage where you can “have fun” yet.

Let me introduce you to the simplest videogames in life which would probably bring back memories. These games are pretty much timeless, so much so that one doesn’t ever feel tired of playing them. Yes! One of them is the game that come complimentary with every copy of Microsoft Windows since 3.1. One probably learnt how to play it when one first get his computer (or access to one) and once in a while, when he’s tired of all other games, he’ll load it up to play once more.

How many of you have actually tried completing a game in three card draw mode? Or Vegas mode? I think most people stick to the easiest there is to win, which would be single card draw Standard mode. That’s fine, but add some spice to your gaming experience. It may not be easier to score (and more frustrating even), but it forces you to use your brain once more.

And then there’s the game which people probably played as their first step into “real” handheld gaming. Stack and disappear, stack and disappear. It’s probably available in the form of a 100-in-1 handheld right now for a price of $9.90. It was first packaged with Nintendo’s Gameboy as well. When was the last time you’ve played that game? Can you still hum the Russian (or was it Arabian?) music that comes with it?

Let’s go a bit further into the present. These games are most often seen on the MRT, played by those donning Pocket PCs or Palms. Line up 3 gems to remove them. Or click, click, click until the squares are gone. Hey, I wonder if those businessmen know that they are gaming. And hardcore gaming too, if they can’t get their eyes off the game while answering a phone call or even miss their stop when they forget that the games have a pause function built in. Hmm, I’ve seen those games played in computer labs too where the only thing accessible was Flash.

What point am I making? Give those games a chance. Load them up in the presence of friends, compete with them for the highest score and discuss strategies on how to make them even higher. Don’t stick to 3D graphics, 6.1 surround sound, WSAD and a mouse.

And now for some shameless plugging. Do check out the forums, yeah?

Popularity: 3% [?]

Abusing The Sims

Published
by
Sheylara
on 5/4/2004
in Gaming
. 4 Comments

Hahahahahahaha! Look what I did!!

Can you recognise the face?

That’s Colin Farrell and he is inside The Sims!!

I know I’m very suaku — this is the first time I’m playing with The Sims Creator (the tool you use to customise faces and costumes of your Sims) — but who cares?

I can play with Colin Farrell!

Make him walk around, make him sleep, make him dance, make him prepare breakfast, make him have to go to the bathroom urgently!!

I can make Colin a new neighbour! I can make another Sim using my face and call her… wait for it… SERENA SIM (definitely no pun intended)!

WOW!

Colin can fall in love with Serena and ask her to move in to his house and get married with her and have kids!

And then I’ll install The Sims Superstar and The Sims Vacation and we can be superstars and go on a vacation together!

Is that gonna be fun or not?!?

In fact, I’ve already made a Serena Sim:

Hahahahahahaha!!! Is that funny or what?!?

I am just dying of laughter here.

Hahahahahahaha!

Oh boy.

*wipes away tears*

Okay. I’m a very sad person.

And The Sims is an evil, EVIL game.

Popularity: 2% [?]