CWJ Contest #1 There comes a point when one looks around one's self and thinks, "I've got way too much crap lying around. What the hell am I going to do with it all?" Naturally, solutions present themselves, the least attractive of which is "throw it out!"
I've been toying with the idea of having a weekly or bi-weekly contest in order to get rid of the crap that piles up here at "GWX HQ", and for you the reader, that means loads of free stuff, just for reading GamingWorld X and more specifically, Cooking with John.
So here's the deal: I'll try to keep these somewhat regular, perhaps weekly, depending on how much participation I get. However, if it slips my mind one week, please don't write in demanding a new contest. That'll just cause me to write down your name and ensure you never win.
So what's up for grabs? A ton of anime, a game here and there, perhaps some T-Shirts and swag, and whatever else I decide to throw in. Perhaps a half-eaten tuna sandwich courtesy of Aaron Hilden. Who knows?
So what's the catch? Well, naturally you should have to do something for the free goods, right? No, I'm not going to have you jump through hoops of fire for a Zelda T-Shirt. Each week I'll ask a question and whoever sends in the answer that pleases me the most will win the prize. All you have to do is email your answer.
So this week, I'm throwing in a copy of Heat Guy J on DVD from Pioneer Home Video. This title doesn't hit stores until July 29th, so you can be one of the cool kids and get it first. For those of you not in the loop on this particular Anime, here's the synopsis:
Heat Guy J - Super Android
Android J was secretly built by the government as a special agent to combat crime in the oceanic city nation of Judoh. While J initially appears to be human, the illusion quickly disappears in clouds of scorching steam when he fights. Together with his partner, Daisuke Aurora, the most dangerousl criminals will soon find themselves on the run--from the underground legend known as the Heat Guy!
GWX Readers Savvy? Apparently at least one PR rep thinks so. As promised, I dug up a bit of information on the Major League Gaming organization that MK asked about yesterday. Tracey from MLG is "delighted" that our readers are so savvy, so pat yourselved on the back.
Here is the information she sent me:
MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING HAS ARRIVED
CONSOLE BASED VIDEO GAMING LEAGUE SET TO DEBUT "THROWDOWN" EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE THIS SUMMER
NEW YORK - NY Video gamers unite! This summer marks the launch of Major League Gaming (MLG), the preeminent worldwide console gaming league for professional video game players. To kick off the start of the league, MLG will host a series of events called "Throwdowns" which will introduce the concept to celebrities and tastemakers in the worlds of entertainment, business, fashion and sports - serving as a springboard for formal organized competitions this fall in major markets and college campuses across the country. MLG founders Michael Sepso and Sundance DiGiovanni have organized a governing body and infrastructure for players of popular console gaming systems, as well as professional console gaming "teams," a professional console gamer ranking system, and professional console gaming tournaments for money and prizes.
MLG is a "console based" gaming league - meaning that players of popular gaming systems like Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's XBox will finally be able to compete against the world's best in tournaments featuring some of the genre's most popular games (including Madden NFL, NBA Street 2, Def Jam Vendetta and Halo). Set to revolutionize the video gaming industry, MLG tournaments are "live interactive events" that will transform gaming into a spectator sport by featuring the festival atmosphere and cross-promotional opportunities most closely associated with the extreme sports phenomenon. Furthermore, MLG tournaments and events reflect demographics of the video gaming market, which include male and female players within the 12-34 age range with an average household income of over $60,000. Recent video gaming statistics also indicate that in the US alone there are approximately 155 million gamers, which represents over 60% of the population, and that revenue from video games and consoles outpaced Hollywood box office returns.
Co-founder Sundance DiGiovanni believes that MLG will finally bridge the gap between gaming and organized sports. "MLG will put competitive video game play on par with the NFL and NBA. Our management team has the business acumen and financial resources and the market is ready. There will be a time in the not too distant future when parents will encourage their kids to practice their video games, hoping they get drafted into the MLG."
The concept for MLG grew out of a friendly wager between league founders Sepso and DiGiovanni while playing XBox's popular "Halo" title. Sepso and DiGiovanni, who both have long and well respected careers in the broadband and media industries as well as a passion for video gaming, immediately saw the potential for a new genre in organized entertainment and began inviting friends to take part in informal wager based tournaments. As the popularity of these informal gatherings increased, they became more than tournaments but social events that galvanized and captivated those in attendance. This success confirmed Sepso and DiGiovanni's belief that the world was ready for the launch of a formal infrastructure in console gaming and MLG was born.
Sepso and DiGiovanni will introduce MLG in New York City through a summer gaming series called "Throwdowns." These informal tournaments, to be held in some of the city's most exclusive nightlife venues, will introduce a host of high profile tastemakers to this revolutionary concept.
Beginning this fall MLG will organize its first official national competition in New York City and then move on to Los Angeles, Chicago and college campuses across the country. These tournaments will culminate at a national championship to take place in Las Vegas.
MLG is operated by AMBI LLC, a closely held holding company. To learn more about MLG and upcoming tournaments, visit their website at www.mlgpro.com.
And there you have it. I'm still not sure what to make of this whole competitive gaming phenomenon, but anything that gets gamers together for a good time can't be bad.
So, MK, I hope that answers your questions. Thanks for writing and stay in touch.
I'm feeling a bit better today, mostly because of the coming weekend. My plan is to have no plan. I'm hoping to get back on Live, though, and plow through some much needed MechAssault. If you're on, let's have a game or two. I'm really horrible, so don't fret. Gamertag: jluedtke.
The Love Covenant I'm somewhat at a loss for words this evening. Truth be told, I'm in a horrible mood that could only be swayed perhaps by winning the lottery or seeing Sonny sodomized by a 1 ton gorilla. I won't go into the reasons for my less than stellar disposition, but here's a hint of advice: Never think an ex-girlfriend won't do her best to rob you blind.
Moving along, tomorrow night is Neil Young. Nothing cheers me up like Neil Young. From the look of his website, he's planning something really cool. Sit back, read through this, and take it easy. Better yet, click here and watch it.
Oh, I was talking to myself there.
"To-Your-Door" writes:
Do you have any information on Major Leaue Gaming? www.mlgpro.com
I found the release on businesswire but want to know more about them.
Thanks,
-MK
Well MK - or To-Your-Door, or whatever you want to be called - first of all, thanks for writing. This is actually the first I've heard of Major League Gaming. Man, it sure seems like a lot of these outfits are springing up. In fact, check out our most recent Editor's Roundtable for our thoughts on this whole phenomenon.
Anyway, I've left a message for their Public Relations Rep and I'll get back to you when I find out more.
The Price to Live Most of you have seen this story in one form or another. I have to admit that I'm becoming intrigued, if only because it's becoming apparent that the Phantom may actually see the light of day. It looks as though the mysterious Infinium Labs is almost ready to actually show their contraption to the public and a beta testing program could also help a minor buzz begin to circulate throughout the gaming community. As always, I support the little guy and can't wait to see what this particular newcomer has to offer.
We'll be talking about the Phantom in depth in our next Editor's Roundtable and I'm interested to see what the other guys on the staff have to say about it. I get the distinct feeling that I'm the only person who gives a rat's ass.
In the ongoing saga of "John's Descent into Adulthood", Christine and I went "window shopping" for houses yesterday. Our strategy was to pick an area of town that we wouldn't mind living in and drive through the neighborhoods checking out the houses for sale. Wouldn't you know it? The house the tripped our triggers the most would wind up costing us just enough per month that we'd have enough money left to live off a steady diet of Ramen noodles. Hey, I did it in college, right?
As cool as the built in oak bar, billiard room, entertainment room, and movie room were, I think we're going to have to continue our search.
I've come to the not-so-surprising realization that houses are damn expensive. With an down payment that equates to roughly an entire year's salary, I'm still going to be paying mortgage out my ass. It makes me consider the fact that perhaps renting my tiny little craphole isn't such a bad thing, even if it is within spitting distance of Hilden.
Actually, the ability to spit on Hilden is a big selling point. I should bring that up to my landlord.
Speaking of the nefarious Lady H, he's been sitting at home with nothing to do for the last few weeks and has admitted to watching an episode of Dr. Phil. Somebody please, give this man a job before he starts wanting me to "share".
GWX: Employment Agency Times are tough all around. The economy is bad, I know, and people are losing their jobs left and right. GWX is not, however, an employment agency, and we cannot help you get a job in the industry. We've been receiving this email over the last couple of days:
I AM LOOKING FAR A JOB AS A GAME TESTER!!! I AM 24 YEARS OLD!! I WILL WORK FOR FREE!!! E-MAIL ME AT [Email address removed]!!!!
As if the all caps, multi-exclamation point intrusion into my in box wasn't enough, the original version of this email was also in the area of size 1,000 font.
My dear, stupid friend, why would you email me for a job as a game tester? Sure, GWX is always looking for writers and contributors, but game tester?
However, because I have pity on you, let me direct you to Game Jobs. Now leave me alone.
Wario Land comes out in just six short days and even though the game is just a notch above mediocre, I'm genuinely excited. (Let me feel my nipples...) Yep, definitely excited. Wario just kicks ass and that's all there is to it. He's my guy in Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Mario Party, Mario Shuffleboard, and especially Mario Interpretive Dance. For a portly fellow, he sure can bust a move, that Wario. Anyway, having played the game extensively at E3, I was mostly impressed with the old-school style it had. It reminded me of another Treasure gem (pun intended) from the N64 days, Mischief Makers, in which the player takes on the role of some Ultra Intergalactic Cybot G which is a fancy name for "Robotic Maid". My memory's a bit hazy on this one, but I do remember it as a trippy-in-a-good-way experience.
In a related note, in college I sometimes participated in a punk outfit called Loogy, where I would sing and play guitar badly and call myself "Shitballs". We once wrote a song dedicated to Mischief Makers called "Ultra Intergalactic Cybot G" in which we sped up and slowed down the tape creating a warbly mishmashed sound. How's that for one of the all time dork stories?
Let's take the long trip back home, shall we? Back to Wario World. Yeah, I've got nothing left to say about it.
All Five Horizons As I've said before, I doubt you set your clocks by my updates. Nevertheless, I apologize for not updating yesterday. I spent the evening watching Pearl Jam, and hopefully that will suffice for an explanation.
I went to the concert with three of my greatest friends: the three guys from my old band. The four of us were always big Pearl Jam fans, which I'm sure was sometimes evident in our music, so it was only natural that we went to the show together. Watching and listening to Pearl Jam always brings a wide variety of emotions from me, not the least of which is nostalgia. Throughout high school and college, I was nothing short of a disciple, collecting all of their albums on CD and Vinyl, their singles, imports, bootlegs, and B-sides. Hell, to this day I even credit Jack Irons for teaching me more about the drums than my college percussion professor.
Another thing one can't help but feel during a spot-on Pearl Jam show is awe. Not necessarily at the band, but at the sheer passion and loyalty their fans possess. During nearly each and every song, the singing of the audience nearly overpowered the singing of Eddie Vedder. Their catalog spans over a decade, and it's simply amazing how incredibly locked in and connected the entire audience is with the band. The arena was sold out and packed to the rafters, but at times it felt like a group sing-a-long and it's really a feeling that at times makes you shivver.
Their albums may not sell nearly as much as they did in the early 90s, but there is no doubt that Pearl Jam fans remain some of the most fiercely loyal, which also makes Pearl Jam one of the most successful touring bands around.
One thing that's always been an anomoly, however, is the strange frat-boy, Abercrombie & Fitch faction that makes up a small, but noticeable minority of the Pearl Jam fanbase. These are the high-fiving white guys that look as though they just got done shooting a commercial for Maxim hair products. Like clockwork, when Pearl Jam pulls out an older, more obscure track like State of Love and Trust, this group of "Chips and Trevors" stand motionless and confused. But the second the opening riff from Alive sounds, they jump out of their seats high-fiving eachother and hooting and hollering like they're on the set for The Real Cancun.
"I told you they would play this song! Now I get a spot in tonight's circle jerk back at the frat house! Yes!"
It makes for an amusing side-show, that's for sure.
I'd like any of you Idlewild fans out there to write in and explain what the deal is with their singer because I can't figure the guy out. They were the opener last night and while the band is kicking ass behind him, he's acting like it's amateur hour at the local bowling alley. Of course, I really didn't care for his performance on their most recent CD either, so perhaps it's just a matter of personal taste. Either way, if any of you are rabid Idlewild fans, which is unlikely, please write in if you'd like to enlighten me on the finer points of whine-rock.
So overall, the concert was a raging success and should serve as a great preface to Friday's Neil Young concert, even though it's being held at the wretched Target Center.
So you say you want to talk games, eh? Unfortunately, between having company last weekend and the concert last night, my gaming time has been slim to none. I did, however, get to bust out Mike Tyson's Punch Out for an hour or two on Sunday, bringing back all sorts of great memories. I'm sure many of you are too young to remember the game, but as most of the gaming population knows, Punch Out is one of the all time greatest boxing games ever; despite the fact that its namesake is a convicted rapist and known nut job. That's also probably the main reason we'll never see a spiffy GBA remake.
It got me to thinking about how games like those aren't very common anymore. I mean, anybody who's played it for any amount of time could recognize Bald Bull, Glass Joe, and certainly King Hippo without any trouble at all. Not only that, but they could also tell you each of their special moves and how to counter them. I won't turn this into a "those were the days" rant, but with today's 80-hour marathon games, one sometimes yearns for the simplistic but incredibly addictive games of the past.
So tonight I get to go with Christine to register for wedding gifts. I find the whole concept of registering both really kick ass (because I'll get a ton of shit) and a bit lame. There are so many rituals and traditions that go with the wedding thing that confuse me and telling people what I want them to buy me is one of them. That surely won't stop me from putting that $250 blender on the list, though!
By the way, we're registering at Kohl's, so...well...you know...
Oh Very Young Weekends like these are what makes life worth living. The temperature was in the upper 80s all weekend long, and while I'm really not one for the scorchers, the good times more than made up for it.
As I mentioned on Friday, my friend Steph from college came into town to visit for the weekend. I give Steph credit for my affinity for barley, wheat, and hops. Before going to Germany, I really couldn't tolerate beer. The taste and smell of it was more than enough to send me to the toilet. Our first night in Munich, we hit the world famous Hofbrauhaus, where not ordering beer is akin to going to Mitchell, South Dakota and not visiting the Corn Palace. Or something like that. You get the point. Anyway, I'm sitting there dry as a camel, and Steph begins laying into me like a drill sergeant.
"Come on you f**king pussy! Grow some balls and drink your beer! Do I need to put a nipple on it for you?"
Well needless to say, I'm not one to back down from a challenge. By the end of the night, beer was my new best friend and the rest - as they say - is history.
Friday night consisted of a lot of the same. Catching up on old times, drinking eachother under the table, and so on. Saturday we decided to check out a Twins game.
My Grandpa was the world's biggest Cubs fan back in the day. Each and every day you could find him parked on the recliner, cigar in hand, watching Andre Dawson or some other Cubs great doing his thing. Nothing made Grandpa happier than if the game overlapped 4:00 martini time, when he would break out the martini suitcase, mix himself up a drink, sit back and watch the Cubs lose, and eventually pass out. Those were golden days for Grandpa.
My Grandma once told me that baseball is about three minutes of action spread out over three hours. I find that more often than not, I side with Grandma. Sure, in this case it didn't help that by the sixth inning the Twins were down 8-0, but even so, baseball in its dullest moments can cause narcolepsy nearly as consistently as golf.
Summertime is the greatest time of the year for so many reasons. The greatest of which is the backyard theater. Each and every summer for the past five summers, my backyard is transformed into a tiny movie theater, complete with torched lighting, a water fountain, and a fully stocked bar. We kicked off the Summer of '03 last night with Old School. I had missed it in theaters due to the fact that Christine didn't deem it worthy of a theater viewing. Damn women.
The more I see Vince Vaughn, the more I am convinced that he is my absolute hero.
