MySpace Blogs...
Current mood: excited
Category: Blogging

...kinda suck.  If you wanna check out my real blog, go here: jephso.spheresofchaos.co.uk!  It’s exciting.

Currently listening : Images and Words By Dream Theater Release date: 07 July, 1992

9:14 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Nintendo and E3

I have now had a couple of days to calm down from that which I viewed on Tuesday - Nintendo's Press Conference before the start of E3, the biggest video game event of the year.

E3 is a yearly event which takes place in California, USA.  Video games companies attend to showcase their products and it is often the time where new games and consoles are revealed.  I had been talking about E3 with some friends, and they seemed to be quite excited about the event, although I couldnt help thinking there was just too much hype over not very much.  I mean how excited can you get about video games?

I tuned into Nintendo's presentation live through the Gamespot website and was very impressed with the free service.  I sat around waiting for the presentation to begin as Shigeru Miyamoto came on stage.  Suddenly I realised how cool this would be.  He had a Wii controller in his hand and the Hyrule theme from Zelda was playing in the background with an image of an orchestra on the big screen.  But the timing seemed slightly jumpy, and then I realised it was because Miyamoto was conducting the orchestra with the controller by motioning with his arms!  It was a very fitting way to open the presentation and really demonstrated Nintendos charming and fun attitude towards video games.  In fact I was so enchanted by the experience that I mistook the theme for a piece from Super Mario.

Reggie Fils-Aime came on stage next.  I've never heard him speak, only read about him, but this guy presented Nintendos ideas with such confidence.  The presentation was well structured, addressing many gamers questions, and as Reggie spoke my original thoughts that many of the Wii's features may have been gimmicks disappeared.  Everything began to come together - the console, the controller, the name, Nintendo's attitude to gaming.  I finally started to fully realise what this console was going to do.  Wii will be inclusive and will break down barriers that prevent the whole population from playing games.  The new controller, just like the DS touch screen, will provide the older generations and those who aren't experienced video gamers with a much more tangible way of playing.  The new name Wii, which seemed quite obscure to everyone at first, now finally makes sense.

There were different promotional videos and clips during the presentation.  A video was released a few months ago, showing different gamers enjoying using the Wii controller, but with no screen.  This time we got to see what would happen on screen.  Games such as first person shooters which don't normally seem that exciting now interest me, as there is the possibility of pointing and shooting with the Wii controller. 

One game that impressed me was a tennis game - I had never thought the controller could be utilised in such an immersive way.  The controller is used like a virtual tennis racquet to play against opponents who are doing the same.  Nintendo also demonstrated the capabilities of the controller by inviting a fan onstage to play in a tennis doubles match along with Reggie Fils-Aime, Shigeryu Miyamoto and Satoru Iwata.  The performance showed how confident Nintendo are in their new device, as a guy who'd never held the controller before started hitting the ball around just like he was a tennis pro.

This new method playing could be just like discovering video games for the first time all over again.  We could really experience a new wave of console playing.  Graphics are reaching a plateau and so new ways to play are vital to advance video games.  Nintendo are doing that with the Wii, introducing more immersive ways of playing.  And it's a good job, as Microsoft and Sony only seem to want to beef up their consoles, copying Nintendos ideas along the way.  Without Nintendo the video game industry would die.  I believe the last few years of video games have been relatively boring, and the Wii could create the kind of excitement we felt when the NES was around.  I hope so.

While Nintendo's policy of inclusiveness will make business sense you also get the feeling that the company really do want to create products that can be fun and enjoyed by everyone.  I think this is the reason why Nintendo have many more hardcore fans than Microsoft and Sony, because they put the emphasis on fun and pushing boundaries. 

Another thing which I agree with them on and admire them for is the fact that they do not concentrate on graphical power.  While games can be more enjoyable with great graphics, I value gameplay, and enjoy Nintendo's rounded, often colourful approach to visuals.

The Wii is going to be the complete package.  It will epitomise Nintendo, offering the Virtual Console library of downloads, backwards compatibility with the Gamecube, amazing new games with new ways to play and online capabilities.  This console will be like no other.  I just hope that other gamers will see this and purchase one.

While thinking about playing games though such as Wii tennis with my parents (for example) I did ponder how sometimes I like the exclusiveness of playing video games that my parents don't understand, and wielding the joypad like some form of mystical control.  I'm sure there will still be games that I can have fun playing on my own and Nintendo haven't disappointed on the controller front by releasing images of the Wii Classic Controller.

During the presentation George Harrison appeared through a door in the giant Nintendo logo to discuss the DS, and Satoru Iwata came on stage to further explain Nintendo's philosophy on gaming.  I really have faith that Nintendo will deliver and I am so much looking forward like nothing else to getting my hands on a shiny Wii. 

How excited can you get about video games?  Very.

Further reading: gamespot.com/e3/e3live.html, revolution.ign.com and e3.nintendo.com

Currently listening : Above By Pillar Release date: 19 June, 2001

8:02 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Dick and Dom in da Bungalow
Current mood: happy

I remember first watching Dick and Dom in da Bungalow after a recommendation from my brother.  Since tuning in I've found it one of the funniest shows on television and admit to not watching enough of it.  Unfortunately, the last ever episode was aired on 11 March this year, leaving a space on the schedule of British Saturday morning television.

The concept of the show was that child contestants (Bungalow Heads) would be invited by TV presenters Dick and Dom to stay over at their bungalow.  During the show (which was split over the two days of the weekend) various silly games were played often involving 'gunge' and making a huge mess.  There would also be various sketches and games throughout the show which involved only Dick and Dom, such as 'Eeny Meeny Macka Racka Rari Dominacka Shickapappa Dickiwoppa Rom Pom Stick' and 'Bogies' - the game which began the trend of yelling bogies louder than your opponent in a public place.

The show encouraged extremely silly behaviour and was often ridiculed by parents, even debated in parliament.  Although screened on the Children's BBC channel, the programme gained a cult status, with teenagers and adults tuning in due to the more grown-up jokes which the show contained.  In an age of political correctness it was good to see how frank  Dick and Dom were with their childish humour, along with their array of the cast members who appeared at various points in the show.

I can see why the show was stopped.  It did run for nearly four years and in some ways I am glad, as additions such as bringing in celebrities in the fifth series somewhat spoiled the ethos of the show.  It's just a shame that such a groundbreaking TV programme will no longer be available to watch.  Dick and Dom were excellent presenters, and without their surreal, random and extremely funny comedy the show would have been nowhere near as enjoyable.

I hope to still the see the pair on TV in the future, but it is unlikely that any new television programme will match the fun to be had whilst watching Dick and Dom in da Bungalow.  It's quite hard to really explain the show, but if you ever have the opportunity to witness it I recommend you tune in.

Further reading: Wikipedia article for Dick and Dom in da Bungalow
and parliamentary debate on Dick and Dom in da Bungalow

8:18 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Red Hot Chili Peppers show
Current mood: happy
Category: Music

I found out on that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing in my town, Sheffield, in July.  Everyone knows who the RHCP are and their live shows always look really fun.  I was surprised that they were actually playing here, and went out and got my ticket straight away.  40 pounds is probably the most I've ever paid for a show, or for a ticket for anything, and when I first saw the price half of me didn't want to pay it in protest.  But I'm sure it'll be worth it, and I may never get this chance again. Don Valley stadium can hold quite a lot of people, and so it'll probably be the biggest show I'll ever go to also.

RHCP are probably one of the only bands I like that most other people my age would have heard of.  They're really famous and it'll feel funny going to such a show.

I've probably hummed to myself more RHCP songs throughout the course of my life than any other band.  I don't really have any of their albums, but they have been one of the only bands I've liked for ages. 

I have friends who are going too, so it's going to be a cool occasion.   I'm looking forward to it.

5:02 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment