Video Games and Me (Part 6)
| Mr. Red |
 My introduction to the bestselling video game console of all time: the PlayStation 2!
Anyway, to continue… After 5 years of enjoying playing games on the Sony Playstation at video game rental shops, Sony released the most successful gaming console in history (well, in my opinion only, okay?), the PlayStation 2. The very first game I played on the PS2 was Final Fantasy X-2. I was at a friend’s house when I first saw the Playstation 2, and wow!!! The graphics were great and the gameplay was quite enjoyable. I tried my hand at it and instantly, I knew right there and then that I was holding a bestseller! Reluctantly, I gave the controller back to my friend. I looked around and saw some other DVD game, “Soul Calibur 2″. I recognized the game since I used to play the original Soul Calibur game at the arcade with my sister (who beat me most of the time using this eerie character named “Voldo”). I asked my friend when it was released and was I surprised. It was released in 2000, 2 years earlier! I couldn’t believe it! I was waaaay behind the news… and indeed, the Playstation 2 was already a bestseller! Why was I behind the news? Well, after spending months preparing for the Millenium Bug in 1999, the company that I worked for got taken over by another company, and I was one of the employees that were retained. I got busy with some other stuff like getting involved launching the website, getting married, and other stuff. I’ll get to that other stuff after my last post regarding Videogames and me. (I know, I know… Grammatically, it should be “Videogames and I”, but this sounds better to me.) (Oh and let me greet those good people at Software Experts in Florida: Hi! Enjoy your weekend!) Till next post…
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on. |
Video Games and Me (Part 5)
| Mr. Red |
|
Nintendo versus Sony – The Rivalry Begins Sony, instead of stopping their research, continued to use what they had so far and went on to create the PlayStation. Nintendo tried to protect itself from the oncoming revolution by filing a lawsuit against Sony, which they lost. And so, in October 1991, the first PlayStation said, in a manner of speaking, “Hello, World!” When I first saw the PlayStation and the CDROM, I was instantly hooked. It can play audio CDs, Video CDs (VCD), and allowed the gamer to play in 3D! The first thing I played was Tekken, a fighting game developed by Namco, and then Ridge Racer; after which, I and my brother would frequent the malls where some computer shops were renting out PlayStations for a fee. We would sit there for hours battling each other with controllers getting battered by the minute. The ultimate feature that I liked about the PlayStation was the PlayStation Memory Card which allowed gamers to save their progress for the game. This enabled game developers to create games which you could play longer. One such game that pioneered this was Final Fantasy VII. Soon enough, the PlayStation dominated the video game scene. More next time…
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on. |
Video Games and Me (Part 4)
|
Mr. Red |
|
The Nintendo Family Computer 2 (from NES to SNES) I was talking about the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) earlier which was also known as the Famicom (short for "Family Computer"). For years, the Nintendo Entertainment System dominated the console gaming industry. Why was it such a success? I’m not really sure, but I believe the NES owes it success to the volume of games that people could play on it. The NES was not uncontested though. Atari kept coming out with newer models of its gaming console. Sega, a company that produced video games, also came out with its own gaming platform (different models through the years were known as the Genesis, the Saturn, and the Dreamcast). Other companies who got into the fray were SNK, Coleco, Panasonic and maybe some others that are unfortunately unknown to me. With a host of competitors, Nintendo fought back to keep its niche and released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) or more popularly known as the "Super Family Computer" or "Super NES". I only got to play with the SEGA Saturn a couple of times but never really liked it that much. Oh, the machine was good but the games that I liked were, of course, mostly on the SNES. The SNES was graphically superior to its predecessor by exactly 8 bits. The NES ran on 8 bits and rendered 8-bit graphic games. The SNES, on the other hand, were able to play 16-bit graphic games. I remember playing "Duck Hunt" using the NES Zapper, a gun- shaped controller which was sold separately. Nintendo would be able to hold its own, that is, until a not-so-new player entered the gaming console industry. More on that on the next post.
Ken vs Sagat–Street Fighter II–SNES
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on.
|
Video Games and Me (Part 3)
|
Mr. Red |
|
The Nintendo Family Computer The Nintendo Family Computer (commonly referred to by most as the Famicom) was released by Nintendo in the early ’80s. Its success in Asia prompted Nintendo to release it in the USA and Europe where it became known as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The first time I laid eyes on it, immediately, I knew that the Atari Video Computer System’s (AVCS) days were numbered. Compared to the Atari home computer, the Nintendo Family Computer was smaller, making it easier to allocate space for it in the living room. Most of my friends and people I knew who owned an AVCS typically didn’t make it a part of the living room. They only took it out of its box when they wanted to play, and replaced it back in the box afterwards. Well, maybe that’s the case where we live, a country where a majority of houses have small living rooms. Or maybe, people were just not that into video games back then. Whatever the case may be, the Famicom became an integral part of the living room; that is, for most people who can afford to own one. It was a good thing that one of my close friends owned one. We would spend hours playing Super Mario Brothers, Galaga, Contra, Karateka, Donkey Kong, Arkanoid, Bomberman, Pac-man, Double Dragon, Super Mario Brothers, Battle City, Final Lap, Gradius, Star Wars and… did I say Super Mario Brothers? Yep, we played the plumbers’ game a lot… A whole lot! It was good that my friend did not mind the companionship, neither did his mother because he was an only child. (My mother minded it, though, since I was the eldest of three children.) Through our high school days (Yes, don’t snicker. You read that right.) we would often spend the afternoons playing with the Famicom. Well, unless we were playing chess or billiards, which was our alternative pastimes. When we finally went to college and became busy with other things, I eventually stopped visiting my friend until the time both of our families had to move to different cities and we lost contact. Lucky for me and my new set of friends, video gaming shops started to sprout everywhere, renting out TVs with their individual Famicoms for a set price per hour. It’s like I was playing back in the ’70s’ tabletop video game arcades but with a whole lot of better games which you can change from time to time. But things were bound to change with new video console developers entering the scene. Things were going to become more competitive and Nintendo was going to lose a major piece of the video gaming industry to its competitors. This only meant progress, which means this benefits everyone: video game console developers, video game creators, and most importantly, video game players like myself. How to Beat Super Mario Bros.
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on.
|
Video games and me (Part 2)
|
Mr. Red |
|
The Wonder of the Atari Video Computer System In my previous post, I related my first encounter with video games via the tabletop coin-operated machines. I found myself a regular patron of that arcade, that is, whenever I had money to spend. Soon, I noticed that it was getting too costly to play and my video gaming expenses was eating up most of my school allowance. Eventually, the lure of the arcade, with its bright, blinking sights and beeping sounds lost its attraction. It was just too expensive. Well, actually it was my parents’ frequent scolding that were primarily responsible for my sudden disappearance from the gaming arcade scene. As a result, I would often daydream of one day owning one of those machines, and putting it right smack in the middle of our living room with the whole family gathered around that black, glowing tabletop arcade machine, shouting encouragements to whoever was playing as he struggled to break the current highest score. Yes, it was a child’s dream; little did I know that in the future that would come true when video game consoles would actually start becoming a standard piece of appliance for the living room. The first of these consoles I knew was the Atari Video Computer System – created, manufactured and sold by Atari, Inc. Sadly, I was not able to own one because of financial constraints. The first time I saw one, though, was when I visited a classmate at his place and he allowed me to play a video game called "Pong" with him for a couple of hours. As I left his house, I was green with envy, to say the least… and yet I was happy to know that technological advancement was spurring the development of video gaming systems for the home. My dream of owning my own tabletop arcade machine was now replaced by my dream of owning my very own Atari Video Computer System. From the very start, I wished Atari, Inc. the best of luck so that they would be able to sell more Atari Video Computer Systems at a much more affordable price; but more advancements were soon on their way. The Atari Video Computer System would soon give way to its better successor, the Nintendo Family Entertainment System. More on that on the next post. Atari Video Computer System
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on.
|
Video Games and Me (Part 1)
|
Mr. Red |
|
Tabletop Arcade Games As I came closer, I saw those who were sitting at the tables were hunched down with hands somewhere between their legs and jerking left and right, leaning forward and backward at times. A little more closer and then… that’s when I heard some sounds I never heard before. There were beeps and pops and whatever and this just added to my curiosity. At last I came near the first table and my eyes grew wide at the site. The tables were no strange coffee tables! There were small colorful images moving there and the sounds and some music were coming from there. I peered over one person’s shoulder and was mesmerized when I saw that the table top had a screen like a TV; only, it wasn’t a TV and there was no television show. On closer inspection I saw what looked like an inverted T-shaped thing moving at the bottom of the screen shooting bullets at a lot of other oval shaped like things moving at the top of the screen. Those things seemed to be moving downwards and the guy playing the game was doing his best to eliminate all the enemies. I was hooked. Later on I found out that the name of that arcade game was "Space Invaders" and that those weird tables were called arcade machines. That was how I first came to know and love video games. Till the next post… Space Invaders in Play or Retro Tabletop Arcade Machine
Run the race. Fight the good fight… while keeping the gloves on.
|
In the Midst of Tragedy
|
Mrs. Blue |
Mr. Red |
|
Standing Firm But I see Japan’s strength in its people – there has been no looting, no pilferage, no violence, zero crime. In fact, the Japanese are seen going out cleaning, rebuilding, helping victims. The Japanese are truly a commendable and great patriotic people. That is one thing positive we see. Character is tested through the crucible of tragedy. Against the backdrop of the worst events the light of discipline, integrity, and unshakeable hope shines through. Right now disasters are the only thing that is in everybody’s mind. We are nervous of the impending doom, our imaginations dwell on unpredictable events. Yet as nervous as everyone could ever be. I will remain calm and trust that everything is according to plan by the Lord. How we deal with our anxiety will reveal the strength of our soul. The shadow cast by these disasters may seem terrible and big but hope’s radiance will always overcome it. Hence, I refuse to be crippled by this fear and I will not allow myself to be a victim of unfounded fears. If this is a test, then I will hold on to the fact that God has better plans amidst all the chaos. Floods, earthquakes, tsunamis can plague any nation but I fear God than any disaster. I stand firm in my faith. |
Why? “Honey, you know it’s not that easy. I’m doing this for all of us. Please understand,” and with that, they said their goodbyes. Two weeks before Christmas, he died of heart failure. His wife came home. I spoke to her and she asked me, “Why? Why did God allow this to happen? Couldn’t He have done something to prevent this from happening?” Many have echoed these words throughout history, and many are asking them again after the tragic events in New Zealand and Japan. Sadly, I myself do not know the answer. What I do know however is that God is still in control (Jeremiah 32:17) and that in the face of tragedy, during our times of loss and sorrow, God is with us. Remember that “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) |
I Feel The Ground
|
Mrs. Blue |
Mr. Red |
|
Wisdom’s tool To be honest, I hated making mistakes when I was younger. It made me feel stupid, embarrassed and often times frustrated. After years of blaming hormonal changes, people around me, my shortcomings and my lack of perception in a given situation. I simply accepted that I do make mistakes. The best thing though is I learned from most of them. It was just too late to rectify the others. The outcome nevertheless from those experiences is a better perception and discernment of things. Accepting that making mistakes is a part of life and that it can be harnessed as a learning tool made me a happier person. I am no longer paranoid or deceptive in my decisions. As I started to improve my decision-making skills and got better at it, I now have a sort of sixth-sense that warns me when I know I might be making a bad decision or turning a bad situation into something worse. It’s like a tingling sensation when Spiderman gets if something bad is about to hit him. I am a semi seasoned-veteran of war of battling my way in life. Like any soldier, I have learned that bombs can either maim or kill altogether, and that exposing myself out in the open will get me hit by a sniper. Also, leaving my navigation tools will definitely get me into a lot of trouble. Like Snake in the game Metal Gear Solid, I am learning stealth techniques, skills in combat, and I’m sticking to my mission of finishing this game. In real life, I am equipping myself with hope, joy, faith and the greatest of all Love. Finally at the very end I can say : "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4:7)
|
Erasing Mistakes The other day, I was helping Little Miss Pink with her homework. Only after she answers it first do I give her my inputs and let her do the necessary corrections. It so happened that this time, she made a few mistakes and I taught her how to correct it. Since she’s only in kindergarten and using pencils, it’s easy for her to erase her answers and write the necessary corrections. On this occasion, she wrote hard on the paper using her Number 2 pencil and was erasing away such that the paper was starting to thin. Before rubbing a hole, she stopped, satisfied that all remnants of the previous answer were gone and started to write the correct answer. This reminds me of life and how often we make mistakes both small and great. Some mistakes we can easily rectify or at least minimize the damage it may cause us or others, but some are just too damaging that there are some of us walking wounded as we go through our daily routine. Yes, we live with the consequences of our bad decisions and actions, but we do not have to walk in defeat with head bowed down and hands in our pockets. The way I see it, accept your failures for what they are, try to make amends where necessary, and then move on. I remember Christian and Hopeful in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress when they were crossing the River of Death: "They then addressed themselves to the water; and entering, CHRISTIAN began to sink. And crying out to his good friend, HOPEFUL, he said, ‘I sink in deep waters, the billows go over my head; all his waves go over me.’" "Then said the other, ‘Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it is good.’" |
Love Thy Parents
Mrs. Blue |
|
When I was younger I hated it when my father never seemed to have the time to spend with me. My dad was the culprit whenever he made excuses of not making it on my birthday, my presentations at school and even my graduation. I hated that I missed him on regular days; it was worse when he wasn’t there on occasions that I needed him. He broke my heart again and again. Now that I am a parent going through the same motions my father went through during his corporate years, I am anxious of my managed time I spend with my children. I am so tired that I barely have enough quality time to play with Ms. Pink. I spend as much time with her on regular days and make sure I share those special occasions with her. And now I understand in a way how my dad was whenever he wasn’t able to be there. The deadlines are harsh and the need to do all the work is so overwhelming at times. I am appealing to the children right now regardless of whether they’re six or thirty six and bitterly missing a parent. Try not to hate your parent. There is no justifiable reason for them not to be there and yes not even their work should ever be an excuse. But I’ll tell you a secret that I wish I knew when I was crying and hating my dad. Your Mom or Dad is trying their best to work things out and hurrying up those deadlines because they want to be with you. Every parent’s priority is keeping their children safe, healthy and happy. Making sure you have the best education, enjoy traveling, sometimes even extra things that you demand. All these things mean more time is spent at their jobs than with children. It is difficult to manage things but I encourage parents that it is possible. Now that I know better, I wish I spent the time laughing with my dad than arguing with him when he did manage to take a day off just to be with me. To really talk with him, share and open up when he did get home and have dinner with me and my mom. If I was given a chance to be with my dad again, I think I will just hug him tightly. Now, I miss him so much; but I don’t have the chance to tell him that I finally understand him. To the children who still have parents. Whenever they are around, show them how much you appreciate them because they’re giving their best to make you comfortable, providing your needs and wants. Be obedient at all times. They only have the best intentions for you. On moments when they are absent, always consider they are missing you and thinking about you all the time. Whatever the circumstance, keep in touch and keep good relations with them. Kiss your mom and dad; your hugs and kisses are our ultimate joy. And yes, no matter how old you are, we will always see you as our baby.
|
Love Thy Partner
Mrs. Blue |
|
Since this is a blog about partnership then I would like to start it with loving your better half. Here’s a famous sample vow: I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live. Some of you may have used this actual vow or made your own and however it was I am sure it meant so much between the two of you at your wedding day and I hope until this day. As the years go by I am hoping that you are as excited to hurry home and spend time with your spouse and family. Talking with my spouse is one of the joyful benefits I share in our marriage. Going through the daily grind in life, it is comforting at the end of the day to talk with my husband. The conversations range from silly babbling to serious decisions or concerns, and mostly about the funny escapades of little Ms. Pink. Whether I am excited to share some great news or releasing my stress I am secure that he is always there to listen. I tell him everything, his opinion matters so much to me; he eases out my insecurities and understands my fears. Our decisions are a process of talking things through, weighing and sharing our responsibility together. It touches a nerve whenever I hear – “I’m still talking to my wife even when she has passed away”. I don’t even want to think that either one of us would die soon but the line resonates how much a couple feels about each other. Marriage is sharing everything, going through everything together and I think that is what God says “and the two shall become one flesh” Mark 10:8a |
