Im going to come right out and admit it right here and now that I adore pokemon. It is a craze that is heavily berated by the portion of the gaming public that is over the age of 10, however, I don’t get that sentiment at all. A lot of my fascination with it has to do with my other fascination with all things Japanese. Back before I actually started studying the Japanese language, I was hungry for Japanese culture, largely through import video games. It was at this time ( circa 1996 ) that I learned about the pokemon craze sweeping across Japan. For those not in the know, pokemon is essentially a bug collecting RPG game. However, rather than bugs you are collecting little beasties known as pokemon. After you have caught a new pokemon, it is added to your collection and you can raise it, making it stronger and teaching it new skills. In a brilliant move, there were multiple versions of the game released, each containing certain pokemon that the other did not. In order to “catch them all” you had to network your gameboy with friends and trade pokemon through different versions. This is every marketing departments wet dream.

Earlier today I was reading this blog about an English speaking game artist living in Japan and how he stumbled upon a Wii. Lucky bastard. The post is good reading, but it sparked a thought in my head. With a child on the way, I am suddenly going to have to be thoughtful of the kinda of games they play. I certainly dont want them watching me cave in a hookers skull with a baseball bat in grand theft auto, however, I do want to encourage them to play video games because I honestly believe there is value in the coordination and developmental value that the interaction can have on a child. Sure, there are many great xbox 360 and playstation games out there, but it is also obvious that those companies cater to a much more mature crowd. Then it hit me, not only is the Wii family friendly, but I feel that the innovative control scheme that makes it so damned fun looking, would also be that much more helpful for a developing child. Shortly after that it dawned on me that there is a chance that my kids will like pokemon too and that I will finally have someone to share that love with

I know that there is a good chance that either my kids will hate pokemon, pokemon will be a passing fad by the time they are old enough to play, and/or they will just not like video games at all. Thats fine. However, a future dad can hope, cant he?

In the meantime, I will be fully prepared with my new black DS lite and future copies of whatever pokemon games there are to be had.

Remember what I said about xbox 360 live arcade and independent developers? Check this out!

Sure its a dumbed down version of their tools, but its a huge step forward for small time developers who want to get their feet wet with development on a console system. The key to all of this is xbox’s live arcade service which gives indie developers a place to sell/give away their creations. I really hope that Sony follows along with this idea.

I know that one of the first posts I made after the site went back up was a venom filled diatribe aimed at Sony and their PS3 release plan. For every ounce of poison in that post, this post will counter it with an ounce of honey … sort of.

I love the PSP. I know that it was an expensive toy when I got it … much like the PS3 will be when I eat some crow with a side of humble pie, and purchase one. And it’s a good thing that I will be eating so much, because I surely wont be able to afford food after I finally do complete that transaction.

Many people are predicting dire things for the PS3 based on what has transpired over this last year between the PSP and the Nintendo DS. Now, I own both handhelds. In fact, there are two PSPs and two DSs in my house because my addiction sometimes manages to get it’s vicious tendrils into my wife as well. However, we are adults. Adults with higher education, and well paying jobs. If I were a child, I MIGHT have a PSP, but only after one hell of an epic struggle with my parents pocketbook. So, I can see why the DS is selling better. People can afford it. From March of 2005 up until a few months ago, the PSP was $299 and new games for it usually started at $49. The DS was $150 and its games were on average $29, with hot titles going for $34 or so.

Early on, the PSP held its own with the DS sales wise. However, beginning last summer, the DS took off and completely slaughtered the PSP in sales. There were many factors that I believe played into this: 1. Nintendo is the handheld gaming king and has been for over a decade now. People remember the gameboy and trust the nintendo name. 2. The DS was the first to come out with lots of color choices and accessories for their system. This might not affect US sales as much, but it is marketing gold for Japan. 3. The nintendogs phenomena. 4. The DS and its games were MUCH cheaper than the PSP. When your system and games cost HALF what the competitions system and games do, it doesnt take much steam to blow by the competition even with games that are half the quality. I personally think that Sony should take a real hard look at the lesson to be learned here.

However, things are a-changin’. The PSPs price is down to $199, and even the hot releases these days arent breaking $39. Also, I am incredibly excited about sony expanding their greatest hits line to include PSP titles. The PSP is a technically superior system compared to the DS by far. Sony also has more money than God himself. This is the pricing scheme that Sony should have had at launch. If they want people to buy their system, it has to hit the sweet spot in the wallet and $199 is a LOT more palatable than $299.

All of that being said, I have no regrets about being an early adopter to the PSP. I love the system to death, and on average I think the games on it are much better than the vast majority of DS titles. You may notice that ther is a little PSP microbutton underneath the post title on every post of the site. Such is my love for the PSP that I stayed up late last night I whipping up a little PSP post reader page for my site. So that if you happen to be reading this on your PSP, click that link and it will cause the post to fit nicely on that beautiful LCD screen.

It was recently announced that Sony would be releasing downloadable games for your PSP. They specifically mention PS1 emulated games you can download and play right on your PSP. Check it here. Now, I have no idea how that will work for most games ( how you gonna download all 4 discs of Final Fantasy 8? ), and what I would really love is a way to transfer the PS1 games I already own to play on the PSP, not be forced to pay for them again. However, this is good news….nay…GREAT news for playstation fans. So, I would like to wrap up this post by listing off some past games that I would love to see Sony repeat history with by bringing them to the PSP.

Vagrant Story
Why this game never got a PS1 sequel, I will never know. It ranks right up there with all the classics in my book. You have a mature, compelling story, probably the best translation I have ever seen done, delivered to you with a rich fantasy backdrop. You have real time Tomb Raider-esq ( minus some of the jumping and acrobatics…) exploration with an innovative and engaging semi-turn based combat system. And the artwork! OH man, I LOVE Yoshida-sama’s work. A PSP sequel of this game with similar art production would kill me.

Soul Calibur Anything
This seems like a given to me. However, namco would have to do it right. With the recent release of Tekken for the PSP, it seems within reach too. Tekken, I love you, but sould calibur is the undisputed king of fighting games in my mind. If we ever do see a PSP release I pray that they dont skimp on the unlockables and modes that make the soul calibur games great. Perhaps namco could add in downlodable content to allow for unlimited expansion. Eh, one can only dream.

Phantasy Star Online
This was a dreamcast title, which means that it requires a bit more umpf in the graphical power department, but I think the PSP is up to the task. One of the best things about the PSP is it’s exemplary WiFi support. I have no delusions of a true MMORPG working out for the system, but the diablo-esq online play of phantasy star online would be PERFECT for the PSP. PSO was not all that revolutionary of an online game, other than the fact that it was one of the first to be released for a console system, and not for PC ( in America anyway ). It could make for an unprecedented experience on a hand held system.

Final Fantasy X
I know that this is a PS2 title, and I doubt that neither UMD has the capacity, nor PSP the power to do it justice, but since this is a dream list, Im throwing it up there. Together Heather and I hace collectively logged over 300 hours in this game, and god only know how much in its direct sequel. Still, I would give anything to be able to play it on the go. The story translation was done by the same guy who did Vagrant Story, the master Alexander O Smith.

I will go ahead and admit it. My greatest material desire in the world right now is for an xbox 360 system. Even though my mantra has always been that its the games that determine my necessity to own a particular console, there is no game out for the 360 that has really caught my eye. At least not any game I can purchase down at the local Best Buy.

Its xbox live arcade. The flashy colors and simplicity of geometry wars, the lure of classic street fighter II online via live, the promise of many new classic and independent games available for download soon; all of these things make xbox live arcade something that I NEED access to.

Why is it that I want to shell out $400+ on the system, just so that I can play these tiny, sometimes old games, which feature none of the HD graphics, or real world physics that modern games offer? Its because of the potential I see in live arcade. Potential, not for big name developers to make a few bucks by repackaging their decade old games, but the potential for the small time independent game developer who desperately needs a marketplace to get his games in the hands of people like me.

Call me old fashioned, but I pine somewhat for the old days of game development. The history of ultima, and how Richard Garriot single handedly created a gaming genre by hacking away on his Apple ][ in his closet was THE reason I became a student of computer science in the first place. If not for him, I would likely have become a musician of some sort. So, pardon me if I have a soft spot for individuals who just want to create something and have a way to get their art/product/whatever noticed over the cacophony of big corp. advertising.

The fact that xbox development is similar to windows development ( or so I have heard ), is a bonus. If xbox live arcade plays its cards right we could see a resurgance of individual creativity in the world of gaming. That excites me a lot, and that is why I must have an xbox 360.

Ice-age heat wave, can’t complain.
If the world’s at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another plan.
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand.

There were a lot of unexpected surprises, good and bad, at this years E3. I saw footage of a lot of games that I would have loved to get my hands on. I saw what looked like nintendo beginning to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. However, I never expected I would see Sony turn its back on the vast majority of its market share by announcing a $600 price tag for it’s new playstation 3 console.

Now, I know its a little late to be talking about this, but I feel that now the mania has subsided and all the glitter and glamour of the E3 show has passed, I can make an honest assessment about what transpired there. And what transpired there was Sony losing its damned mind.

Ill admit it. When I first saw images of the next generation of hit playstation franchises like Metal Gear Solid, and Final Fantasy, I was in fanboy heaven. While I was shocked at the price of the system, I still defended it to my friends like any loyal fanboy would. Well, stick a fork in me because I am done. There is no defending the PS3’s price point. That is too damned much to pay for a video game console. Sure people attempt to defend it by listing off numerous features of the system that are why it costs so much: It plays blu-ray movies, it has a 60 GB hard drive, it supports that uber resolution TV set that 12 people in the country own, etc… Well, thats all fine and dandy, but what about the games? I saw nothing coming from the PS3 at E3 that was not obviously a tech demo at best ( and pre-rendered bull shit at worst…) that is NOT indicative of actual game play.

Speaking of PS3 games, since the end of E306, this little tidbit of joy has surfaced. Great. Not only will the console require a mortgage to purchase one, but the games are likely to cost $80 a pop. Ok, I give. You got me. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE video games. Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE my playstation 1 and 2 video games in particular. However, I am not going to get roped into shelling out that kind of money for a PS3 and its games. I am pissed enough as it is that xbox 360 games cost $59. Thats TOO MUCH for the average consumer to be expected to pay. These are strong words coming from me, but I dont think I will pay the $700 price of admission even for Metal Gear Solid 4, or…*gulp*… even for Final Fantasy 13.

The reason that Sony dethroned Nintendo as market share leader was two fold, and simple: #1. Nintendo scoffed at the CDROM format when they shouldnt have, and #2. Sony fought the N64 tooth and nail in a bitter price war that drove both consoles under $200 and subsequently into the acceptable price range of your average wal-mart shopper.

What about the wal-mart shoppers now? Are they to be expected to be willing to shell out $600 for a PS3 because it will also play blu-ray HD movies? While HDTVs are becoming more and more prevalent, I am willing to bet that the majority of consumers out there still dont own one. Hell, I dont own one and I am a gaming fool. Therefore, most people wont benefit at all from blu-ray, or HD-DVD, and certainly not from all the hype surrounding PS3’s support for HD resolutions.

So there you have it. My assessment of the whole PS3 debacle. Sony, me and you had some great times, but, you are going into areas where I cannot follow. I love playing games with you, but I have a need for other things in my live as well…like food, shelter, and the electricity to power your $600 beast. Hopefully we will meet again one day, but until then I bid you farewell. Maybe I will actually get some exercise now.

Sitting around the house
Watching the sun trace the shadow on the floor
Searching for signs of life
But there’s nobody home