Thursday, December 14, 2006

New Video Blog READY for Viewing


Quick update to point you folks to my 3rd Video Blog. This time it's a surprising look at Xbox 360's "backward compatibility". You'll be surprised at how many titles in my collection didn't make the cut!


Click here to watch it!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

My First 24 Hours with My Xbox 360


After handing out the hard earnt and then parting off from the shop with my newly prized 360 my first impression was "damn this beeyach is heavy!" as it broke the plastic bag it came in! After carting it home I got to the task of unpacking it. Gotta say it's the biggest console packaging I've seen since I bought a Mega CD back in the day. I was impressed with the fact that Microsoft have included most items needed to get play underway. Remote, wireless controller, one big mutha of a power pack and plenty of other gizmos. The fact that they include Energizer battery's instead of some hack Taiwan bootleg power cells didn't go unnoticed.


Being able to plug the optic 5.1 straight into the 360 via the AV plug was something of a bonus that was a sore point with me last time round. Xbox was always advertised as a 5.1 unit and to find you needed to outlay a further $60 was a slap in the nether region when all you wanted was out of the box in your face action. But it seems enough of us complained to make M$ get it right this time. So after having all the jacks in place I power up. No more bang bang bang start up screen. A nice simple bing and I'm faced with setting screens. I had to fiddle about with my wireless adapter (DWL-G820) but a simple power cycle sniped that problem in the butt.


So I'm now up and running and connecting to Xbox Live, my favourite single most thing about the whole Xbox eXperience. Getting my profile ported over was a sinch. Rather than the dicky Credit Card verification method I simply needed to use my Windows Live sign in. Cool. Since I use that often I knew the password's etc off by heart. Once I signed in everything fell into place.


I then hooked in my webcam which I purchased as a headset came with it (but not with the 360 itself tsk tsk). Once I plugged that in the dashboard changed ever so slightly. My image was in a watery mess in the background as a nice touch. Well done R & D. Subtle but slick utilisation of the cam. After sorting that I now wanted to get online with Halo 2 (afterall we did refer to the Xbox as "that Halo machine"!). Downloading the maps was gonna be a bother so I remembered I bought the Map Pack DVD and got that installed. Got into my first game and found that the voice with the 360 headset was a little more rough on my end but other users stated I sounded clearer. Strange indeed. I also had probs with the forementioned wireless adapeter. Seems the 360 is a little more greedier with data traffic so I had to stop and re-config to speed the DWL-G820 up in "Turbo G" mode.


Right so that's the Live side sorted out. Lets play Kameo. Yawn. Eject. Maybe I gotta give it time but it seemed like a chore to play this right now. So I leave it for another day. I then hop back in to see what this new console of mine can do. I head to market place. Buy some M points or whatever they're called and buy Bejewelled 2. Yeah I know Streetfighter 2 was there but I'm hooked on this puzzle thing! Played that but didn't earn any gamer points.


So sussed all that out but what about this streaming music thing? So I head to the Windows Media section... follow the prompts and although I don't have Windows Media Centre I still manage to send music from my Wi-Fi to my Hi-Fi thanks to my wireless router network I have in my house. Looks like that Logitech Music Anywhere bluetooth music streamer is out of a job! I couldn't believe how easy it was to get the music from my PC to the 360. The visualiser looks fantastic with the webcam throwing in a surprise or two with some creepy effects when I moved. But the lack of a shuffle or random feature is a bit of a concern unless I have plain missed it.


I also watched some video's streamed to my telly and it all looked good in widescreen. Photo's come up surprisingly clear as well! So overall they score highly for the media aspect of this machine which goes way beyond expectations in music management. Even simply displaying music titles despite not being online was a big surprise to me.


So after some Red vs Blue on Marketplace, getting my first accomplishment points and watching a DVD that wrapped up my first day with the 360. Overall I am keen to see what other surprises Microsoft have in stall for what promises to be a great console for years to come. I'm stoked.


Of course I'll be updating this blog with any new problems or good surprises that come my way so keep an eye out for that!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

First Ever Killing Frenzy in Halo 2!



I can't wait to get stuck into my Xbox 360 when it arrives. Till then Halo 2, Fable, Project Gotham Racing 2 and Silent Hill 4: The Room are getting a working over. But mostly it's always Halo 2 that resides in the CD tray.


After complaining to a newly found mate on Xbox Live that I have only achieved 1 Killtacular ever and coming oh so close to doing it on MANY occasions I finally got my wish... and then some!


I achieved my first KILLING SPREE! 5 in a row... 4 seconds between. It was almost 6 in a row but... RAN OUT OF BULLETS! LOL


By the time I was reloading I had cheesed off enough of them and was pinned down... and tea bagged for my efforts!


Can't wait for the new maps. Hope they simply re-launch Halo 1 maps as well for use with Halo 2. That would simply ROCK to play the old tracks again. Countdown for Halo 3 begins! Sign me up!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Level 10! So now check out my Video Blogs!



Can't believe it's taken this long but FINALLY I'm on level 10 on my Gamespot blog site. So now I'm allowed to post video blogs. I've wasted little time and have got two up there so far. My first blog was simply more of a test than a blog. It's a quick fly by of my collection and not much more. But my latest v-blog shows ME! I decided to show 5 blasts from the past that I have in my collection. I loved these titles and still enjoy a quick hit out on them today.


For my next blog I may show off my NHL collection from EA. Best and worst of the series and how much they have wained away from the innovative side of things that made EA a household name.


Hope you enjoy the blog. It's a totally new experience for me!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Flickr Goodness


Most of you regulars to this site may already know about Flickr and my newly found fascination with this photo sharing thing. But if you haven't visited my Flickr site already then you missed out on these beauties:


Highlights of photos tagged "Blackout"


Oh Per-lease. Right Through the Gap Battered Fabio Enter the Breeon Bruce faces in his gum nut


My current top 5 photos


Coffee Tray Cat Spoilt Freeloader Just Make It Snappy! Postcard Opera House Dozing Off


View My Flickr Photos

Saturday, October 28, 2006

More Stupid San Andreas Related News


In response to San Andreas Suits Advance


Although Rockstar stuffed it big time by having such content within the game has anyone forgotten the lengths needed to view the offending title. It's not like you can accidentally come across it during one of the missions. If it were an option within the open menu then yeah I could understand the legal cases occuring for sure. But were talking redundant data. We should all drag out Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive and play the lost level (which was only accesable using an Action Replay as Sega couldn't complete the game in time) looking for sexually suggestive content. OK... stupid comparison but you get the drift. People buying a game based on gang welfare selling drugs, shooting rival gangs and not to mention the language used within the game should hardly be offended with the hard to get to mini game which only hard core nerds could access to begin with. Furthers the call to have 18+ Rated games become readily acceptable.


Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Sony Suck - Game Over For Liksang.com

Strong call I know but if this mega giant gets any bigger there WILL be no competitors. Just ask Liksang.com. I have made some purchases online from this great website. My Dreamcast Sonic 10th Birthday tribute pack to name one of a few great grabs from them. But their website now displays a Out of Business due to Multiple Sony Lawsuits sign.

Game Over for Liksang. Who's next? Will we be forced to buy our games from only major retailers who kiss these corporate high flyers on their rosey red cheeks? Sorry but the majority of gamers will be happy buying the basic release. Your top 10 rubbish that sells really well. But some of us like to be able to track down that rare title or odd memorabilia. But if Sony keeps giving these grey importers law suits claiming dodgy arguments such as "protecting the rights of consumers" then we'll all be forced to buy $2000 PS4's with Xbox etc out of the race as Sony sign exclusive retail deals to corner the already bully boy like market

Rebecca Diab ( 1954 - 2000 )

I still remember the massive truck loads of food Rebecca would cook up for all of Gilbo's "little friends". I would be over Gilbo's house to check out this new Internet thing and Rebecca would constantly offer us with drinks, food... numerous times! Also... Rebecca was a great source of info on dating! If I was having drama's with my main squeeze of the time she'd surely tell me the best thing to do! LOL The news of her passing was a sick feeling that never has quite gone away. I will always remember her as one of my happy memories of my days in Menai. God bless her.

 

Gilbo has set up a tribute page at http://users.tpg.com.au/gdiab/farewell.htm where you can read about some of Rebecca's favourite things in her short life and view photo's of her life in Lebanon and later as a mummy in Menai! Be sure to sign the guestbook and mark your respect to one of life's most beautiful people.

 

 

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Halo LAN Party - 3rd Coming

This new Halo bash is going to be a good one. We're not only gonna be thrashing the crap out of each other on four seperate Xboxes with Halo 2 but for a nolstalgic blast we're dragging out Halo the original title. That big chunky ice level is screaming out for multi player action. Shame they never put it into Halo 2 as a revised course. But we'll fix that! Just be ready to adjust to the slower pace of the original!

 

There's gonna be a BBQ on thanks to Wayno's new investment! So BYO food to make sure you get to eat well on the day! As before, beer is optional and BYO controller (with headset) to ensure the best experience. Want more info? Email me (sirbargearse@gmail.com) for the low down on what's happening!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

NRL Trophy Found!

Was just getting into my shift at work in the Qantas terminal in Sydney Airport and saw a media scrum. Wondered what all the commotion was abotu so I wondered over with my camera. Behold! The NRL trophy was found in it's prestige and glory. Intact! For those not in the know. It went to Melbourne for a promotional shoot. When shoved on a flight to Sydney, Qantas goofed up and sent it to Perth by mistake! With the Western Reds being as bad as they were this was as close as Perth was ever going to get in getting this cup in their neck of the woods!


NRL Trophy


Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Bush Walk In Blue Mountains Rocked!

Last Sunday we hiked about in the Blue Mountains. Wentworth Falls to be more precise. Turns out Sydney's grand Tourist Attraction is there not because of the sisters alone! I took a total of 190 odd photo's of which I have posted the best on Flickr.com.

Wentworth Falls - Spreading Runs


The grand highlight of the day was a team of abseilers we spotted scaling a 300 metre waterfall into a lake below. Logan couldn't help stripping down and diving in like some Tarzan wannabe! LOL That guy is nuts. But it looked like fun diving in. I never expected to see enough water in that section to be able to swim in. Guess I'll know next time and try it on our next trip!

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Foo Foo Conquers Sydney Opera House!

Initially it was my 1996 photo of the Sydney Opera House that got all the praise. But a new photo has taken over the acclaim on my flickr site. A picture that I rushed to grab my camera to snap of Foo Foo looking all too comfortable on my computer chair is now the most interestingness photo as rated by Flickr.

Spoilt Freeloader

Thursday, September 14, 2006

1000 Views On Flickr!

Postcard Opera HouseEnd of Level Boss. Get yours at flagrantdisregard.com/flickr


Since joining Flickr I''ve been busy getting all my past snaps up on the site. I'm almost finished. Selecting, Uploading, Tagging, Labelling and then siiting back to see which photo's make the most "interestingness" list. I've been even motivated enough by this whole Flickr experience to go out and replace that camera I busted up in Beijing along the outer skirtings of the Forbidden City. I'm now the proud owner of a Fuji Finepix S5600. Not an expensive camera by any means. Only AU$299. Do a word search on the model and you'll find that to be cheap! But you get alot of camera for your bucks! It's an SRL style camera with 10x optical zoom and it has a 5M sensor. Can't wait to get out there an take some real photo's with it.


I'm wondering away though for the real reason for this blog entry. I'm celebrating 1000 views! I was attemtping to keep up to match the views with number of photo's. But in the last week the numbers have flown over out of control! That photo you see at the top of this blog of old Opera House herself is my #1 viewed, faved photo by other Flickr users. But it's Foo Foo that makes the top list constantly. She has #2, #3, #4 and #9 spots. Spoilt cat! This Blue Mountains walk coming up I'll be busy with the lens so I'm looking forward to that!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Blue Mountain Hike: You In?


Blue Mountains Bushwalk


Date:    Saturday 23 September 2006           


Meet at Penrith Maccas at 10:00am.


            To get there:      1) Get on the M4 and head west.


2) Take the Mulgoa Road Exit (turn right at the traffic lights)


3) Maccas is approx 3 mins up the road, just passed the


    roundabout at the corner of Jamison Rd and Mulgoa Rd.


Place:  Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains National Park


            (parking off Falls Road, Wentworth Falls)



Walks:  Overcliff/Undercliff/National Pass/Valley of the Waters


            Time: approx 4.5 hrs


             A description of some of the walks we’ll be doing: 


For superb Blue Mountains scenery, without going too far from civilization,           Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba are the ideal spots.


For the fitter hikers, the 4km 4hr climb down National Pass and up through the Valley of the Waters (or vice-versa) is recommended, with a descent of approx. 200m. Many walkers, the author included, emerge looking done in. A few look like they're just getting warmed up.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

RIP Crocodile Hunter


Just got an SMS saying that Steve Irwin AKA Crocodile Hunter died from (of all things) a Stingray wound. Never met the guy but have taken the piss out of him on numerous occasions. He may have had some negative press in regards to his treatment of his little baby but no one since Paul Hogan has done so much for this countries tourism. It'll be a long time before he is (dare I say) equalled.

Monday, September 04, 2006

EB Special: Trade in Your Soul & PS3 is Yours for $699!


Was in an EB at Warringah Mall here in Sydney and they had an advert playing over the PA (in that ridiculous annoying voice they seem to think we feel is cool) and it said "Trade in your PS2 plus 25 games and the new PS3 can be yours for only $699! That's the best bargain you'll find this summer!"

I was gobbed smacked! Has Sony lost the plot? Have they forgotten why people play games to begin with? Fun anyone? I had Nirvana's "Rape Me" song playing through my mind when I heard that "offer". Is it just me or is Nintendo going to clean up if their console is at a more reasonable and realistic price point? Could you imagine having to give up 25 PS2 titles... AND A CONSOLE?

For the price they are asking for it better be the most awsome experience out there plus be able to Knock Out the Fat!

Thursday, August 31, 2006

LAN Party Report: Pizza for Les Behan


After a month or more in the waiting we all managed to get together and blast the bejesus out of one another in our inaugral LAN Party bash. I say inaugral but truth is we're not new to this at all. We've got the set up at my brother's place up and running smoothly now to the point where we can get a game up and running within 5 to 10 minutes notice! But this was the first all day smash fest where 2 of the party actually arranged sickies to be there! LOL

 

Hightlights of the day were:

 

- My 25 "Unfreakinbelievable" kills in a row. Although Owie figured it was cheating I must admit it was no where near as impressive as my 24 killing spree with nothing but a Sword and Shotty. But unlike last time where Wayno screamed out "stop killing us with the sword or I'll put the controller down" (to which I stuck him with a plasma!) this time it was Owen screaming like a bitch. I did die. Once in that game in fact thanks to Damo (newcomer) who hoiked me out of the tank. But after that I managed to scon 25 kills together and I'll admit. IT WAS DAMN FUN!

 

- Video camera sessions. We taped the in between games sessions. Lots of energy has to be let out. Sometimes this may translated into good old taunting. But when that's simply not good enough or when the mental capacity of (usually) the taunted is not exactly huge it is then converted into a bit of biff!

 

- The taunts. Best idea of the whole day was to have a headset in every room. This was the first time we'd managed to have 4 headsets and they got put to the most effective use possible. Even some of the veteran players resorted to change in tactics thanks to the new addidtion of the headsets! Thanks to a year or so of Live I didn't so much let myself be affected with the cheese being thrown about. But enjoyed it nonetheless!

 

- Ordering Pizza for Lesbians. We made a pizza booking for a Less Behan (see pic) and even managed to keep the receipt. Funny thing was the chick at Pizza Hut was cracking up at the name and we were pretending to be offended at their laughing. Which worked!

 



Anyone that has not been to a LAN party. What is wrong with you? It's the best way to devour pizza and belittle your mates! Although I would like to buy a Wii it's gonna be difficult for Nintendo to tap into the LAN wonder that is Wii. But I can imagine that they will try their best!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Snakes On A Plane 2: Return Flight

I'm tired of hearing about "mother******* snakes in the mother******* plane!!!!!" but I wanna watch mother******* snakes in the mother******* plane just to hear Samuel Jackson say "I'm tired of all these mother******* snakes in the mother******* plane!!!!!

Umm... I'm now mother******* confused...

More Photo's Uploaded to Flickr

Spent a few minutes today sorting out some photo's, wishing I had a decent digital camera that wasn't broken and getting some study done online. For those of you who are wanting to see some indoor cricket photo's from over the years then head to my Flickr site at www.flickr.com/photos/tangledcontrolpads and check out all the other newly added pics while your there. The count now stands at approximately 300 photos and more to come as time moves on. Let me know if you like pics you see there!

 

 

Monday, August 21, 2006

Wayno's 28th Photo's

Wayno's 28th surprise party went off without a hitch! We all went down to Caringbah Bowling Club and basically surprised Wayne by not telling him how many people were going to be there. As an extra bonus we chucked the parents in on the deal too! LOL Wayne's face lit up to see the oldies come up to shake his hand. Long list of people on the invitees included Aaron and his girlfriend, Brad, Owen, Chris, Wanisara, Graham and all of the Brices too. I'm bound to have forgotten some but no offence meant!

 

The tucker was great but the Karaoke wasn't! To add a surprise to the event a possum was caught in the roof during the party! It was hissing and growling at the pest guy. Here I thought possums were cute animals.

 

Take a gander at the pics on my Flikr site by clicking here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangledcontrolpads/ 

Friday, August 04, 2006

Microsoft... What the Blazes Did You Do To My Space?

About to head off to work so this is a short one. Microsoft has gone and messed around with their MSN Spaces. Relabelled it Live or something. What is that suppose to mean anyway? The changes weren't being allowed by Norton on my PC. Had to undo that. There had better be some new bells and whistles with this new look or there'll be people marching in LARGE numbers.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Pick 5

www.Gamespot.com asked visitors which 5 games they could not do without. Got me to thinking. 400 or so in my collection which 5 do I pick? So here's my dream 5!



1) Gran Theft Auto: San Andreas (Xbox) - Man that game would just keep ya exploring for a lifetime me thinks!



2) NHL 2006 (Xbox) - A guy needs his sports and mine is Hockey (strange for an Aussie I know but... I'm strange!)



3) Mario Kart DS (DS) - Does this island have a hot spot? Hmm... may have to reconsider this one!



4) Halo 2 (Xbox) - This almost falls into the same catergory as Mario Karts query. Just shows how important online gaming has become!



5) Shenmue (DC) - Did I hear a pin just fall? No that is my final game! I just spent a week in Japan and I can't believe how well Sega captured the vibe of this country! The innocense of that game is something I truly admire.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Cool Spot (SNES) & Splatterhouse 3 (MD) Reviews Posted



Finally got some time to fire up the scanner and re-release some more crusty old school reviews of mine! This time it's January 1994. Sonics still on the mage covers, Toe Jam and Earl gets a sequel and the most excellent Super Empire Strikes Back gets released. So what does the editor give poor old Brian to review? Bloody platformers! Oh well. They were not too bad though for the time.





Atari Jaguar was also making headlines, not sales. I never knew that the Jaguar had slightly more punch than the 3DO. Both were cool consoles. Just over zealous with their goals. Or no realistic path set to achieve them! "It doesn't matter how good a system looks on paper, without good quality games, it hasn't got a hope. Third party licensees are very important. 3DO have already lined up hundreds of the buggers; Atari have less than 20 and this will probably be Jaguar's biggest problem." Funny the word Sony isn't even uttered at this stage! Hindsight's a wonderful thing.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

From Megazone we now go to HYPER!

I've now entered in all my material ever posted in Megazone magazine which now moves me onto the extremely successful Hyper magazine. Back in 1994 a major change in the industry was taking place. Mega Drive was slowly dwindling in sales along with the other 16 bit Super Nintendo. Talk of 32 bit was upon us and Sony of all companies was to enter the games market. Who'd have thought? Get ready for more retro reviews as I log onto Gamespot and post away!

 

In the meantime check out the cover of the inaugral issue of Hyper magazine. 11 years on and still going!

More Reviews From the Vault of 1992

Uploaded tonight for your viewing pleasure:

Bonanza Bros (SMS)
Pengo (GG)
F-Zero (SNES)
Predator 2 (MD/GEN)
The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants (MD/GEN)
Speedball 2 (MD/GEN)
Blue Lightning (LYNX)

Of those reviews the most controversial was my review on The Simpsons. It was altered much to my disgust and I think any true gamer will see why when they read it. I was told to get out of the editors office after I gave him a serving for messing with my review!

Just head to my Gamespot page for all the reviews!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Streets of Rage (MD/GEN) Review Now Posted

My Streets of Rage review from Megazone April May 1992 was finally posted today after I re-typed the whole blooming article into the site tonight. That was not one of my best reviews me thinks but I did state that the game had the makings of a classic and still people mention Streets of Rage when talking Mega Drive/ Genesis.



I just wish they'd launch a number 4. Complete with old school game play and new look graphics. But they have to get Yuzo Koshiro in on the action or it'll just not feel right.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Nintendo GB Micro & Mario Kart DS

One of those good day days today. Got Mario Kart DS so NEW Super Mario Bros (gay name I'm sorry) will have to wait a little longer. Got it relatively cheap (AUS$47). But the big scoop was getting a Gameboy Micro for a gob smackingly low AUS$50!!!! I honestly figured it to be a mistake. But no mistake was made. GBM is now mine and I'm really stoked!

Firstly Mario Kart DS. I love this new title. Short time was spent fooling with the settings to get Wi-Fi set up. But a connection was made and my choice to invest in a wireless modem/ router was once again showing to be a god sent. Got stuck into a Region game. No single player nonsense as I figured I'd go straight into it. I was up against some stiff competition first up. Some guy who seems to live on there with 10 times more wins than anyone else plus 2 other guys. I actually managed to come 1st in my first race! But the fun stopped there. Bummed out here and there and ended up 3rd. I loved the new weapons and the new courses look absolutely excellent. I'm looking forward to more MKDS.




As for the Gameboy Micro, well what a buy! Not bad considering I was originally seeing if I could find an original GBA but saw the price tag on the Micro and JUST HAD TO ASK! The Micro is damn small. Bit bigger than a box of matches. Screen is really cool. So bright and easy to view. Buttons handle well but L and R buttons are a little way off to reach in a hurry. This thing is best suited to RPG's I think. Text can be read with little hassles. Face plate is a cool idea. My first eBay search shall be to get the Game & Watch plate as I collect Game & Watches (have 12 G&W's with 3 of them in original boxes!). Down side to the Micro is it won't run Gameboy Colour or plain old sucky GB games. No real heart ache but Zelda: Ages and Seasons are games I'm meaning to finish off! But overall this new mean little monster is one heck of a console. I'm not even sure if you could class it as a console as it's so small!

 

Thursday, July 13, 2006

10 Reviews In One Day!

 Well OK I cheated. I scanned them from old old issues of Megazone I had stored away in the garage. But the transfer from print to screen was not smooth. OCR (Optic Character Reading) technology is a little wishy washy at best. But sure beats retyping them totally. These are the old games revisited:

 


 


 

Streets of Rage - Game Gear

 


 

RoadBlasters - Atari Lynx

 

NHLPA Hockey 93 - Mega Drive

 


 

James Bond: The Duel - Mega Drive

 

Contra III: The Alien Wars - Super Nintendo

 

F22 Interceptor - Mega Drive

 

Yeah I know. Some real crusty ones in there. But I'm extrating these reviews as I find them. No order of preference! Quite a trip down memory lane indeed!

Old Skool Revisited

Ambitious I know but it's been bugging me and until I complete it I won't rest! I am cataloguing all my old reviews in Mega Zone, Hyper and any other rag I've been published in and getting it online. I'll be posting up the reviews on my www.gamespot.com profile (sirbargearse off course) and placing links to finished work up here on my blog as I go along. I have a box of old mags to go through that weigh a ton and so this could take a while.

 

Wish me luck!

 

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

GTA: Vice City (Benny Hill Style)


Feel in a stupid mood? Wanna see something that'll get a laugh out of ya? Watch this crazy ass GTA Vice City video some guy has put together using a PC mod and GTA: Vice City in a kinda tribute to Benny Hill! Enjoy!

 

 

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Job Envy

Just got word that a mate of mine who use to be all jealous of the fact that I was working for Sega here in Sydney Australia on the Sega Hotline as a professional game player is now working for Sega in Japan! So basically he saw my Sega Hotline job and raised me a Japanese location! This guy speaks fluent Japanese which is something I never got the chance to learn in school. Back in 1990 I was running my own Fanzine (as we didn't have internet back then we resorted to more dire actions to get our opinions out there!) called "The Sega Times" and once I got my job in Sega I kinda let it go and stopped running the fanzine. But we wanted to run up a magazine of our own simply called Vid Gamzin' which was going to feature ALL consoles. We had our own artist who thrived on drawing SF2 characters with huge muscles and small heads! We had mates queing up to get reviews printed. There was me with the internal access to Sega and Gwyn my mate who wrote the longest reviews in a flash and LOVED RPG's!

Well the magazine didn't eventuate for one reason or another. Mostly because I was as poor as anything spending money on going out on the piss! But mostly because some people who promised to kick in and fund it ran off when the time came to produce the dough. But who'd have thought 10 years later there'd be this whole internet thingy and games would be downloaded and portable colour games would be played via a thing called Wi-Fi and against people from around the world?

Good luck with the job in Sega Gwyn and you know one thing is for sure. I'm as jealous as all &*^&^%&! LOL