My nephew came over tonight while I was in the middle of a heated WarioWare session. He loves the Wii-mote (and my cell phone, apparently).














He also loves the big green circle on the 360 controller. He thinks it's hilarious that the green ring on the console lights up when he pushes it.








In other news, properly formatting a blog with multiple images on this site is a ridiculous exercise in futility.

Hello...

I've been back from Las vegas for a little while, but my spring semester began the morning after I got back to Cleveland, so I haven't had much time to stop by the site. You can check out a few photos from my trip on my Facebook profile. (I think it's set so that people who aren't on my friends list can see them, but I'm not sure. Let me know. I can try re-posting them here.) I had a lot more fun than I expected to have on the trip. Aside from the bitter cold (it was 40 degrees the entire week) and the hundreds of people trying to hand out porn on the sidewalk, there was plenty to see and do. Emily bought me tickets to see Jay Leno, and we went with my parents to see Circ de Soleil's show, "Love," done entirely to Beatles music. Leno was much funnier than he is on the Tonight Show, and Circ de Soleil was better than I expected. Perhaps a bit too much to keep track of at times, but very entertaining. Emily and I also made a pilgrimmage (read: I dragged her) to the geek Mecca, Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. I ran around like a kid in a candy store while Emily trailed behind shaking her head in embarrassment. Serves her right, though, for dragging me into more clothing and purse shops than any man should ever have to endure. Here's my thought on designer purses: If you buy a purse and don't have any money left over to put in that purse after the purchase, don't buy the purse! I suppose I spend just as much on video games though.

Goodbye...

Anyway, if any of you know me through the Community Contributions Union, you've no doubt received my resignation telegram by now. I've said just about everything I wanted to say in that PM, so I won't repeat it here. But I did want to thank everyone again for turning my little idea into one of the best unions on GameSpot. I had a blast as the leader (and more recently as an officer), and I'm hoping that my new lack of responsibility will actually allow me to stop by and contribute more often. Keep in touch, folks.

...probably won't be all that interesting. I'm leaving for a family trip to Las Vegas on Wednesday, and I won't be back until January 15th, the night before classes start for the spring semester. I don't gamble (I'd rather throw money away on things I can keep, like video games), and I don't really care much for clubbing, so it'll probably be a pretty uneventful trip. Emily is coming, so the high point of the vacation will probably be dragging her to the Star Trek exhibit (the only thing I really want to see there). I should have plenty of time to catch up on DS and PSP games, though. And I'll certainly make some headway in Final Fantasy V. Plane rides are great for getting all of the tedious RPG-rific leveling up out of the way.

Anyway, I should be pretty much out of commission for the next week or so. Any suggestions on things to do there (minus the gambling, clubs, or legal brothels)? Have fun while I'm gone. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. And such.

I've never been one to make serious New Year's resolutions, mostly because I don't really have the willpower to keep them. So this year, I decided to write down a few game-related resolutions, in the hopes that 6 months down the line, my pile of shame will have increased to such an extent that I'll be guilted in to finishing at least some of the items on this list:

1. Finish a single Final Fantasy game

Over the course of my gaming career (for lack of a better word), I've started many a Final Fantasy game. I've spent various amounts of time playing I, II, IV, V, VII, and IX. This year, I intend to finish one of them. It's looking like V is gonna be my best bet, since I seem to play the portable systems a lot more these days, and I'm desperate for a reason to play with the Micro.

2. Beef up the GamerScore

It really is amazing how something as trivial and meaningless as a number on your GamerCard can fuel such a rabid addiction. I think that, given my other responsibilities with school, family, Emily, etc,. my score is somewhat respectable. But it can always be higher. And besides, it's not about the raw number. The real glory is in the ratio of points obtained to the total number of possible points given which games you've played.

3. Finish my current To-Do List

There are a number of games that I've either already started or intend to start soon that need to be finished by the end of the year if I am to keep any sort of reputation I've earned as a game player. A few of those titles include Twilight Princess, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Gears of War, Oblivion, and Okami. I won't settle for anything less than 100% completion in Zelda or Castlevania.

4. Write more reviews

The player review system used to be one of my biggest draws to GameSpot. Now, I spend more time moderating them than writing them. Maybe it's because I just haven't finished a game I'm passionate enough about yet (see item #3 above).

5. At least start working on my pile of shame

I'll get this out of the way right now. I have never once played Halo or Halo 2. I'm just not an FPS fan. Prey and Gears of War were the first FPS games I've played since Doom or Goldeneye, and I've only ever played multiplayer on those titles. Other games I'm ashamed to have at least started but never finished include any GTA title, Indigo Prophecy, and Psychonauts.

6. Get Emily more involved in my gaming habits

For the entire 6 years of our relationship, Emily has been an enabler. Most of my collection over the years has come from her tireless efforts to hunt down any classic gaming store wherever she goes. For my 21st birthday, she threw me a surprise party at Dave & Busters, one of the only arcade-ish establishments left. I'd never been there before, and I had the time of my life. She loves playing games like Mario Party, Wii Sports, and Animal Crossing. I just need to find a way to fit more games into her schedule of craziness as a second-year med-school student. I think I'm just a little bit evil.

7. Break away from Animal Crossing's all-consuming, icy grip

Speaking of Animal Crossing, I have a problem. I need to join a 12-step program. Since buying the game, I've been on a never-ending, futile quest to aquire every item in the game. My catalog already consists of virtually every item you can buy, and I'm just missing the specialty items that you can only get from the random visitors. Unlike the GameCube version, though, where the visitors maintained some sort of predictable pattern, Wild World seems completely random. It isn't fun for me anymore, but I still turn it on for a few minutes every night before I go to sleep. It's wrong, it's sick, and I just can't do it anymore. Alas, I fear the only cure will be replacing it with an addiction to the Wii version. Damn you, Nintendo. Damn. You. To. Hell.

It's been a rough week, and with finals coming up on Wednesday, it isn't about to get any easier. There've been a number of things on my mind, most of which I won't bore you with. There are a few things I'd like to vent about, though: my disappointment with Nintendo, internet culture, and anonymous posters.

I recently posted a rant about my Wii launch system not being able to access the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and the Wii Shop Channel. As I sort of suspected, the malfunctions weren't the result of a faulty system or Nintendo's lack of experience online, but rather a communication failure. Nintendo's web site contains a list of routers that are incompatible with the WFC or are known to cause certain issues. Granted, my Netgear WGR614 was nearly 5 years old, but I've never had a problem with it for my 360, DS, or PSP, and it wasn't on Nintendo's incompatibility list. Turns out though, it should be. The Wi-Fi specialist I spoke with earlier returned my phone call and basically said that the WGR614 ver.1 just won't work (although versions 4, 5, and 6 do). Simple as that. So I was forced to upgrade and waste what was otherwise a perfectly good router. This experience, coupled with Nintendo's complete lack of foresight on demand for extra Wii-motes and component cables, is very disappointing to someone who, having grown up on Mario, Zelda, and Samus, admittedly holds Nintendo to a somewhat biased higher standard.

What upsets me moreso, however, is anonymity on the internet. Since becoming a moderator for GameSpot, I've seen more than my fair share of bigotry, racism, and downright stupidity. And I understand that this is (for the most part) a direct result of the anonymity that forums like these afford their users. I don't consider myself naive, but I'd like to imagine that the majority of the people who post offensive material on this site would not say the same things in real life. I understand that, every once in a while, people get upset and need to vent their frustrations. Most do so harmlessly. When they don't, that's where the moderation staff comes in. What I cannot for the life of me understand is why people think it's OK to use the words gay or retarded as insults. It infuriates me to no end. But what gets to me even more is that the majority of people who use the words in a derogatory manner don't even realize that they're being downright offensive. Are parents really so uninvolved as to allow their children to use that kind of language? Or is the education system in this country not doing a decent enough job teaching that gay and retarded are not to be used as insults?

Obviously, there's only so much influence that parents and teachers can have, and there's no feasible way to monitor kids 24 hours a day (especially on internet forums). And maybe I'm just oversensitive about it. I find myself getting more offended than some of my gay friends would get. It's just beyond me how people can say certain things and not realize how bigotted they sound.

That's it. I'm done with console launches. I will never again buy a console at or near the launch window. (Fast forward 5 years when I'm first in line for the Nintendo NewStupidName and someone please kick my ass for surrendering my dignity.)

My Xbox 360 lit up with the red ring of death not 3 days after I purchased it. My PSP screen was full of dead pixels. The hinge on my DS Lite is cracked. I told myself that the Wii would be the last launch system I ever buy. I trusted Nintendo, because they have a great history of producing consoles that actually work like they're supposed to.

What I didn't plan on, and it's my own stupid fault for developing fanboy goggles over the past 20 years, was Nintendo's lack of experience online. I could deal with the lack of foresight on their part for not supplying us with enough component cables or Wii-motes. As long as I could play Zelda, a few of the Virtual Console titles would hold me over until more substantial releases like Smash Bros., WarioWare, Mario Galaxy, etc.

So I turned my system on last week and tried connecting to the Shop Channel. Random error code. OK. I probably just mis-configured something with my network encryption. My 360, PSP, and DS all work fine wirelessly, so the Wii should have no problem. Just to be safe, I remove the encryption from my network. Different random error code. I try "borrowing" my neighbor's wireless network, just to see if the problem was on my end. Different random error code. I call Nintendo, and they give me a few things to try. I change the channel on my router, enter the Wii's IP address manually, enable MAC filtering on my router, disable the firewall, jump through a hoop, fetch a stick. Two one-hour phone calls with tech support and one one-hour session with a Nintendo Wi-Fi specialist later, and I still can't get online with the Wii. Not only that, but they have absolutely no explanation for why it isn't working. None of my other systems have trouble with the network, and my Wii should be online using these settings. But it isn't. And no one knows why.

So, obviously, if three Nintendo representatives can't figure out what's wrong, maybe they should send out a replacement system? Nope. My call-back is left open so they can take another week or so to try and figure things out on their end, if they do figure it out. These are the Wi-Fi specialist's words, not mine.

In the end, launch systems just aren't worth it. And, apparently, neither is customer service.

Note: If the content of the following article offends anyone on this site, I sincerely apologize. My intent is not to berate smokers, nor is this an attempt to spark a debate on any of the controversial topics mentioned below. You obviously have a right to disagree if you choose, but please be courteous in any replies that you make.

---

I am not so naive as to think that my individual vote actually affected the outcome of yesterday's mid-term election. I realize that my opinion is of little consequence in the grand scheme of politics. Whoever won and whatever initiatives were passed would have succeeded with or without my support. But since I became eligible to vote a few years ago, I've had it hammered into my head that I shouldn't become apathetic and that I should participate in every election, if only to be able to say that I contributed in some way. So I vote, and I encourage everyone else in my generation to do the same, if only to fend off the inevitable apathy for one more year.

I voted, along with a majority of Ohioans, to ban smoking in virtually all public areas by January of the coming year. My father is an oncologist, so I've grown up with the understanding that smoking is bad for you. And I've been in the medical field long enough myself to see my share of patients (and family members) die of lung cancer caused by either first- or second-hand smoke. It's a bit of a hyperbole, certainly, but I've always viewed a conscious decision to continue smoking (barring unsuccessful attempts to quit) as a concession to slow suicide.

I still find it deplorable that the majority of our country believes gay marriage is immoral, yet we maintain one of the highest divorce rates in the world. I still find it deplorable that a man who accuses a patient of exaggerating the symptoms of a debilitating disease for political gain is able to draw headlines while this country sits and debates over whether a few cells in a petrie dish constitute human life or a cure for the aforementioned disease. And I still find it deplorable that states like Louisiana waste time and tax dollars arguing over the potential effects of video games while its citizens still live in government-issued trailers. But at least it's somewhat reassuring to see that people are finally coming around to the idea that smoking might not be the most healthy decision. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.

I listen to a lot of podcasts. A large part of my day is spent driving 45 minutes to and from campus, so I spend a lot of time in my car. Xbox Live's Major Nelson Radio is one of the shows I listen to regularly, although I'm quickly losing interest. Listening to the episodes and reading Major Nelson's blog, you get the impression that Microsoft is attempting to put a friendly face on the giant corporate brand that is the Xbox. Unfortunately, you also get the impression that both outlets serve as nothing more than extended infomercials for Microsoft products. But, as long as you understand that before listening or reading, the actual information given (hidden under all of the market-speak) is somewhat useful.

The video game industry is also notoriously bad at sticking to release dates. Nevermind all of the delays inherent to any major title (Twlight Princess, Oblivion, etc.). Publishers can't even get ship and release dates right. Usually, the day a game ships is not the day that it will be available for purchase at retail. There are some stores that are able to make that transition in under 24 hours, but the vast majority of retailers do not receive their games until the day after they ship. So who is actually responsible for the availability (or lack thereof) of video games on launch day?

This brings me back to Major Nelson. Recently, Epic Games has been driving the hype train for Emergence Day, when Gears of War will be available at retail stores nationwide. Even though the game was released November 7, shipments won't be fulfilled until sometime next week. Today, I checked with every major retailer in my area: GameStop, EB, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Target. Not one of them had the game in, nor could they give me a definite arrival date. Sure, it's frustrating that the game isn't available. But is it their fault if their shipments don't come in? Major Nelson would have you believe so. From his recent article, horrible grammar intact:

"Today IS when the game start showing up in store, with a lot of stuff going on around the country so check your local game retailer to see what they have planned...if they have nothing planned, find a new retailer"

Maybe I'm wrong. But I expect more from the person who has come to represent Microsoft's Live service. Sure, the statement was meant as a joke. But I'd probably find it a lot funnier if I had my copy of Gears of War when I was supposed to. Or if Microsoft started taking some sliver of responsibility for their recent microtransaction price gouging. Or if I didn't have to sit through 55 minutes of commercial podcasting for 5 minutes of legitimate information. Or if...

Apparently, today is my third anniversary on GameSpot. I didn't really notice that it's been that long until a few days ago. And, honestly, I can't even remember making this profile. I remember using the site for a while in college before even realizing the entire community aspect was available. Before GameSpot, though, I'd never used internet forums before. So I think the majority of my first year was spent quietly observing and learning the ropes.

For the most part, I've thouroghly enjoyed my experiences here. I don't want to say that I've accomplished a lot, since that seems a bit weird to say about a website, but I do think I've contributed my part. When I started Community Contributions, I had no idea it would take off the way it did. ReviewSpotting was a bit of a shot in the dark, but I'm glad that it seems to have become a regular feature in GGD. It's easy for enjoyable, well-written player reviews to get lost in the sea of spam on GameSpot and I'd like to think our efforts at highlighting worthwhile reviews are appreciated.

Since becoming a moderator a short while ago, I've found it to be an extremely rewarding experience. There are definitely days when some forum posts or player reviews make me question whether removing one grain of sand on a beach full of offensive remarks is actually worth it. But, as obnoxiously cheesy as it sounds, I really do enjoy helping out. I've met a number of great people on this site, and it gives me the opportunity to (intelligently) discuss a hobby that I'm passionate about without feeling like I belong curled up in my parents' basement, only seeing the light of day to venture out for a Star Trek convention. (Though I haven't lived with my parents for quite some time, I'd still love to go to one of those Trekkie conventions. Tickets? Anyone?)

Perhaps I've spent a little too much time here over the years. My grades in college certainly weren't as good as they could have been. But then again, none of my college experiences were really as good as they could have been. (If only it were true that the reason I never saw the sun was because of video games and not camping out in the library, cramming as much biology into my head as possible, only to forget it as soon as the exam was turned in.)

I digress. I suppose there really is no appropriate way to commemorate an anniversary with a website. But I thought a self-indulgent, overly introspective blog entry might do the trick. Thanks for reading, folks. Here's to another three.

It's no surprise that the recent controversy over the price of Lumines Live! and its multiple expansion packs is merely the latest entry in what is proving to be a long line of nickel and dime schemes taking place over Microsoft's online marketplace. From Oblivion's maligned horse armor pack to Madden's stadiums or jerseys to in-game cheats in Tiger Woods, Microsoft (or its third party supporters) continue to offer "premium game content" through microtransactions that, only one year ago, had been available as part of the full retail titles. It's been a year since the Xbox 360 launched, yet gamers are still caught in Microsoft's Live Marketplace public beta test. So who is at fault for this abuse of the microtransaction system?

While the press can't seem to sort out who it is exactly that sets the pricing for Marketplace content (be it Microsoft or the third party developers themselves), many are quick to point the finger at those of us who purchase and play the games. "If you don't like the prices, don't pay for the content. You'll be sending a message to Microsoft that you won't tolerate being nickel-and-dimed for items that should be included on the retail disk. If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."

Right. That'll work. In the magical land of fairies and unicorns, where stupidity takes a backseat to logic and rational thought. But we don't live in Magical Happyland. We live in America, a capitalist society where the popular opinion matters so much that our own President didn't even receive the majority of our votes in the last election. So don't try to tell me that I'll be sending a message to Microsoft with my "vote" of not buying overpriced content. Because all I'll be left with is (1) the less-than-satisfying feeling of kinda, sorta sticking it to Microsoft and (2) an Xbox 360 that won't play Lumines.