Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
My "Final" Fantasy?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
VR - Pixel Junk: Shooter
Apparently you cannot upload a video over 10 minutes in length. Not sure how I missed that, but therefore in the interest of time, I simply split the latest video into two parts. So watch below if you are interested in seeing Lauren and me’s experience playing Pixel Junk Shooter.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
"Friendly" Rant: The Latest "Crush" in Gaming
Just when you thought the world couldn’t become a lonelier place, GameCrush has decided to up the ante on the level of despair the Internet brings to a new generation. What is GameCrush?
–cited from their press release. Thoughts after the jump...“an entirely new interactive social gaming experience allowing gamers to meet, match and pay to play online games with other users (PlayDates). GameCrush is the only online service that allows gamers to choose a companion to spice up their favorite online games. Both Players and PlayDates define the experience they want - either “flirty” or “dirty”, choosing from some of the most popular console titles and casual web-based games.”
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Something I Picked Up the Other Day
Yeah... its real. Now when does Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 come out again? :-D
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Gaming Outdoors: Final Fantasy in Dallas
The girlfriend and I went to the Myerson for an evening of drinks, music and best of all Final Fantasy. Having played almost all of the games at one time or another I am a huge fan. And the music by Nobuo Uematsu has to be some of the most prolific for our medium. It was nothing short of fantastic hits across all generations, a sneak peek of FF14 (same as E3) and a video message from Nobuo-san; mostly in regards to his love of ping pong. All in all the night was a success and I hope the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will do it again. For the future shows, we need more cosplay.
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Recommended Reading
For those calm sunday afternoons, when it feels good to get away from
all the hustle and bustle of our weekdays, sometimes you need a good book. Being in grad school right now, I am kind of strapped for time. I can't imagine reading some Tolkien, while trying to cram a Consumer Behavior textbook into my brain, but I refuse to stop reading for pleasure. Information is like food for me, although if all I keep eating is these meaty textbooks, botulism will surely ensue. So, I picked up a new book from one of my favorite editors at Kotaku, Brian Ashcraft, who decided to explore the arcade ulture that has held the country of Japan captive for the past 25 years or so. Behold, Arcade Mania!
all the hustle and bustle of our weekdays, sometimes you need a good book. Being in grad school right now, I am kind of strapped for time. I can't imagine reading some Tolkien, while trying to cram a Consumer Behavior textbook into my brain, but I refuse to stop reading for pleasure. Information is like food for me, although if all I keep eating is these meaty textbooks, botulism will surely ensue. So, I picked up a new book from one of my favorite editors at Kotaku, Brian Ashcraft, who decided to explore the arcade ulture that has held the country of Japan captive for the past 25 years or so. Behold, Arcade Mania! *
To me this book was more than just an "average" book for two reasons: first, I grew up on these cabinets. I can remember being in a bowling league when I was like 8, and in between frames I would run over and watch all the teenagers tearing up Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter 2. And then when I was in High School I worked at a go-kart park, occassionaly spending a night working the arcade, adding free credits to Killer Instinct and Virtua Fighter cabinets to feed my fighting game hunger. Second, I just got back from Japan in May, and I went to alot of arcades while I was there, so much so, that I would stop mid-chapter sometimes exclaiming "Oh! I have been there!" and continue reading as I walked down memory lane, wishing I was at a Street Fighter IV cabinet in a smokey basement in Akihabara.
For anyone living in the U.S. now, they know the sad state of our Arcades, considering anything mom & pop was pushed out of the market by these Gameworks and Dave & Busters years ago and who inevitabley has done a great disservice to the industry, by filling the floors with dedicated cabinets at $2 per play, while removing all the long standing fighting, adventure, and retro-games that we all know and loved. But this is not the case worldwide, because for all the rhythmically charged, robot flying, card based games existing in Japan now, there is still a calling for all types of games. From shooters to Majhong, in Japan, the arcades have evolved with the people and not only does this book feature historical aspects of the multiple genres that inhabit Japan's arcades, but it also explores the people who have helped create, inspire and prolong this cultural phenomenom. My favorite had to be player 4 "the beast", as I recall gathering around a friends computer back in 2004 to witness Justin Long beating the crap out of this guy ("the beast") only to have his super combo parried 15 times and die taking Shinryuken to the face.
Another great part about this book, was to see how much I had missed. I only spent about 5 days in Tokyo, so there are thousands of Arcades left for me to visit, and if I can see half of them, I will die fulfilled. All in all, this book has been a treat and already has me planning out my next arcade fix, half way around the world.
Thanks for reading.
You can purchase this book at Amazon.com here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
For Your Consideration
Sunday, June 1st, 2008
In retrospect, this trip to Japan has been an experience which defines me. I learned alot about meeting new people and assimilating culture in ways I can't explain. One memory that will always stay with me is a night my brother and I went to Roppongi to check out the clubs. We had been riding the Metro lines during our 2nd stay in Tokyo, because they were the only line running near our Ryokan. And as we descended into the tunnel the weather was overcast but nice, only to arrive in Roppongi and a torrential downpour would ensue. So, there we are, lost, standing at a street map, looking like the dumb Americans short an umbrella, when low behold a middle age Japanese women appeared behind use and offered her umbrella. At first we declined, but she insisted she lived around the corner and it was only right that she pass it on to us. Really, it saved the evening and warmed my heart (tear...).
So, that is how I will remember Japan, a land of mystery and beauty, home to a people, whose shyness is overshadowed by their hospitality and generosity.
Thanks for reading.
In retrospect, this trip to Japan has been an experience which defines me. I learned alot about meeting new people and assimilating culture in ways I can't explain. One memory that will always stay with me is a night my brother and I went to Roppongi to check out the clubs. We had been riding the Metro lines during our 2nd stay in Tokyo, because they were the only line running near our Ryokan. And as we descended into the tunnel the weather was overcast but nice, only to arrive in Roppongi and a torrential downpour would ensue. So, there we are, lost, standing at a street map, looking like the dumb Americans short an umbrella, when low behold a middle age Japanese women appeared behind use and offered her umbrella. At first we declined, but she insisted she lived around the corner and it was only right that she pass it on to us. Really, it saved the evening and warmed my heart (tear...).
So, that is how I will remember Japan, a land of mystery and beauty, home to a people, whose shyness is overshadowed by their hospitality and generosity.
Thanks for reading.
Don`t Feed the Animals
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Don`t Feed the Animals
Back in Tokyo.
We were staying at another capsule. But had some time to kill, so we went back to Shibuya and hit up some guitar shops. When I say some, I mean many. There were like five or six 3+ floor music shops on the same block. I tried out this sweet sunburst Grass Roots Guitar and Tim was jammin' on a murdered out Les Paul. Afterwhich, we went to a drum room on the top floor of one building, where Tim played on a custom Yamaha electric set. He said it was the staple for all electric drum sets (cost like $3800) and whats even funnier was the throne he was sitting in cost about $4000!! Must have been made out of baby cow or something. We hit a couple arcades again, btw finally found they have porn video games, I couldnt figure out how to play it, but it was weird, kinda like a card game but you would unlock sections of a picture. Then crashed in a capsule.
Next morning we had Japanese Dennys for breakfast, and decided to go off to the Zoo. For Tokyo it was what I expected, huge, full of animals, sadly, Ling-Ling the giant Panda passed away in April, so we did not get to see him, but otherwise it was a very eventful place. We also went to the Tokyo National Museum and learned alot about Buddhism in Japan, Meiji and Edo armour and weapons and other aspects of culture.
By this time we could get into the new Ryokan, Sawanoya and I am throughly impressed. The owner speaks English very well and even has a book published about how he turned this dying Ryokan around to become one of the best in Tokyo. I will probably get a signed copy before I leave. Also, the bath here is amazing. It was a rainy morning and the bath has a small window and garden next to it and between the hot bath and cool weather, it was the best bath I have ever had in my life (or at least that I can remember). Anyway, today we leave for Ikebukuro, gonna hit up the Toyota Auto Salon so be prepared for lots of car pics.
Don`t Feed the Animals
Back in Tokyo.
We were staying at another capsule. But had some time to kill, so we went back to Shibuya and hit up some guitar shops. When I say some, I mean many. There were like five or six 3+ floor music shops on the same block. I tried out this sweet sunburst Grass Roots Guitar and Tim was jammin' on a murdered out Les Paul. Afterwhich, we went to a drum room on the top floor of one building, where Tim played on a custom Yamaha electric set. He said it was the staple for all electric drum sets (cost like $3800) and whats even funnier was the throne he was sitting in cost about $4000!! Must have been made out of baby cow or something. We hit a couple arcades again, btw finally found they have porn video games, I couldnt figure out how to play it, but it was weird, kinda like a card game but you would unlock sections of a picture. Then crashed in a capsule.
Next morning we had Japanese Dennys for breakfast, and decided to go off to the Zoo. For Tokyo it was what I expected, huge, full of animals, sadly, Ling-Ling the giant Panda passed away in April, so we did not get to see him, but otherwise it was a very eventful place. We also went to the Tokyo National Museum and learned alot about Buddhism in Japan, Meiji and Edo armour and weapons and other aspects of culture.
By this time we could get into the new Ryokan, Sawanoya and I am throughly impressed. The owner speaks English very well and even has a book published about how he turned this dying Ryokan around to become one of the best in Tokyo. I will probably get a signed copy before I leave. Also, the bath here is amazing. It was a rainy morning and the bath has a small window and garden next to it and between the hot bath and cool weather, it was the best bath I have ever had in my life (or at least that I can remember). Anyway, today we leave for Ikebukuro, gonna hit up the Toyota Auto Salon so be prepared for lots of car pics.
A Shinkansen Away
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A Shinkansen Away
In our last day we decided to push the limits by going from the Golden Pavilion in the Northwestern edge of the city and walk all the way to the far North Eastern edge called the Silver Pavilion (which at the time was being restored, but the view was great). After which we travelled to the beautiful and recluse temple, Tenin-in, just off the Philosopher's Path. It is a one of a kind location, of which an anamolly foreign to me exists, quiet. It seems this city boy (I.E. myself) had been neglected this sensation, or at least a more accurate display of what "quiet" really means. It was an exuberating experience.
Finally, we ended in the Kyoto Handicraft center, where there were 5 floors of authentic Japanese crafts from the countryside. After some gift buying, including my very own Yukata (Japanese Robe), we got back to the Ryokan we were too exhausted to got back out for food, so it was time to try a Japanese Mcdonalds. It was suprisingly spot on to any Mcdonalds I had ever been to (whether or not that is good or bad...) And I say that only because anytime we would try some form of western food here so far, it still taste very Japanese. Even the eggs for a western breakfast, the cook them slow and rarely flip them, so it almost comes out like patte, but I really like them, so its all good.
We leave for Tokyo tomorrow, so expect more odditties.
A Shinkansen Away
In our last day we decided to push the limits by going from the Golden Pavilion in the Northwestern edge of the city and walk all the way to the far North Eastern edge called the Silver Pavilion (which at the time was being restored, but the view was great). After which we travelled to the beautiful and recluse temple, Tenin-in, just off the Philosopher's Path. It is a one of a kind location, of which an anamolly foreign to me exists, quiet. It seems this city boy (I.E. myself) had been neglected this sensation, or at least a more accurate display of what "quiet" really means. It was an exuberating experience.
Finally, we ended in the Kyoto Handicraft center, where there were 5 floors of authentic Japanese crafts from the countryside. After some gift buying, including my very own Yukata (Japanese Robe), we got back to the Ryokan we were too exhausted to got back out for food, so it was time to try a Japanese Mcdonalds. It was suprisingly spot on to any Mcdonalds I had ever been to (whether or not that is good or bad...) And I say that only because anytime we would try some form of western food here so far, it still taste very Japanese. Even the eggs for a western breakfast, the cook them slow and rarely flip them, so it almost comes out like patte, but I really like them, so its all good.
We leave for Tokyo tomorrow, so expect more odditties.
As it Rained in Kyoto...
Sunday, May 25, 2008
As it Rained in Kyoto...
I was a little upset thinking that this would some how ruin our day, but in reality it was perfect. It was cool enough for us to spend the next 9 hours hiking around the city and exploring the temples. Getting to the Ryokan was a little tough though. Nothing like seeing your wheels on the suitcase slowly degrade into the streets of Japan, as you look feverishly for the Inn, hidden amongst the narrow alleys. Anyway...
We woke up refreshed and went to Nijojo Castle. Awesome stuff. If you look at the map it actually had 2 palaces and outer palace for guests and an inner palace for the shogun. We could only tour the outer palace but it was still pretty amazing. Everything from the architecture to metal working all seemed way ahead of its time and they even built a "Nightengale" floor that squeeked no matter how quietly you walked (a security feature at the time). There were also Gardens and towers within the walls and wow, when I say walls, look at the pic of Tim standing next to one!
Afterword, we decided to visit some buddhist temples. The first was Sanjusagendo and it held 1001 gold statutes of a goddess, protected by 22 deities. It is actually the longest wooden temple in all Japan. Sadly, you will notice that most places would not let us take pictures of the interior due to age. From what I understood, this temple was built in the 1200s, and because of its length (394 feet), it is home to the Toshiya (archery contest). Another thing I did notice in Kyoto was Geisha. In most cities in Japan the Geisha have all but died away, but Kyoto (being the home of Geisha) they are still active today. You will see pics of a mako and her host mother walking her around as we were out in the city.
Next we went to Kiyomizudera, which was a massive grouping of temples built into the mountains, east of Kyoto. It was an amazing site, and while there we had a summer lunch of soba noodles and shaved ice (the best strawberry flavoured anything I ever had). Also, while walking around a small group of school kids had me help them with some English homework, which was fun in and of itself. Tired as we were we still stopped at a massive pagoda, some small shops and finaled at one of the largest buddhas in the world. It was amazing!
Tomorrow, we are off to the Golden Temple and philosphers path, and if we have time we will stop in Kyoto's craft district. See you tomorrow night!
As it Rained in Kyoto...
I was a little upset thinking that this would some how ruin our day, but in reality it was perfect. It was cool enough for us to spend the next 9 hours hiking around the city and exploring the temples. Getting to the Ryokan was a little tough though. Nothing like seeing your wheels on the suitcase slowly degrade into the streets of Japan, as you look feverishly for the Inn, hidden amongst the narrow alleys. Anyway...
We woke up refreshed and went to Nijojo Castle. Awesome stuff. If you look at the map it actually had 2 palaces and outer palace for guests and an inner palace for the shogun. We could only tour the outer palace but it was still pretty amazing. Everything from the architecture to metal working all seemed way ahead of its time and they even built a "Nightengale" floor that squeeked no matter how quietly you walked (a security feature at the time). There were also Gardens and towers within the walls and wow, when I say walls, look at the pic of Tim standing next to one!
Afterword, we decided to visit some buddhist temples. The first was Sanjusagendo and it held 1001 gold statutes of a goddess, protected by 22 deities. It is actually the longest wooden temple in all Japan. Sadly, you will notice that most places would not let us take pictures of the interior due to age. From what I understood, this temple was built in the 1200s, and because of its length (394 feet), it is home to the Toshiya (archery contest). Another thing I did notice in Kyoto was Geisha. In most cities in Japan the Geisha have all but died away, but Kyoto (being the home of Geisha) they are still active today. You will see pics of a mako and her host mother walking her around as we were out in the city.
Next we went to Kiyomizudera, which was a massive grouping of temples built into the mountains, east of Kyoto. It was an amazing site, and while there we had a summer lunch of soba noodles and shaved ice (the best strawberry flavoured anything I ever had). Also, while walking around a small group of school kids had me help them with some English homework, which was fun in and of itself. Tired as we were we still stopped at a massive pagoda, some small shops and finaled at one of the largest buddhas in the world. It was amazing!
Tomorrow, we are off to the Golden Temple and philosphers path, and if we have time we will stop in Kyoto's craft district. See you tomorrow night!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Im in Japan!!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Im in Japan!!
So, made it across the sea and am in the land of vending machines, hidden streets and what sometimes feels like waves people. It wasn't easy though, we actually missed our original flight due to the tickets being mis-printed, but thanks to a no BS attitude we got a direct flight out of DFW instead, which was to our advantage. Once, Tim and I arrived in Tokyo it was a little rough. It took about an hour in the airport, cause I had to get a bunch of rail passes and rent cellphones, but luckily i know enough Japanese and everyone else knows enough English for us to get around.
So, after the airport we went to Shibuya, it was closer to the Square Enix Studio and all the arcades we wanted to stop at, but the trick was finding a new capsule hotel. This would have been fine except for a couple things; first, we did get a little lost... second, when we finally got there, the lockers were not big enough for our luggage (everything bigger in Texas, everything smaller in Japan) and lastly, Tokyo is abnormally hot. I mean, i may just be me, but I was sweating my ass off the whole night. You could probably tell by some pics of me in the arcade. But yeah, we found lockers, then we hit up the arcades. They were gamer paradise, made me long for the days of arcades past, but I haven't found any crazy japanese games yet. Mostly, tons of fighting games and racing games. Plus, 2 floors for gambling and the worst crane machines ever. They are impossible.
Eventually, we passed out in the capsules and woke up to a nice breakfast in a cafe over the 7-11. Then we hit up the Square Enix Studio. For anyone that plays Final Fantasy it was a wet dream, but you can see the pics yourself. Then we hit up the Shinkansen to Kyoto and here I am in our Ryokan blogging.
Tomorrow we will got to some castles and temples so I will see you all later.
Im in Japan!!
So, made it across the sea and am in the land of vending machines, hidden streets and what sometimes feels like waves people. It wasn't easy though, we actually missed our original flight due to the tickets being mis-printed, but thanks to a no BS attitude we got a direct flight out of DFW instead, which was to our advantage. Once, Tim and I arrived in Tokyo it was a little rough. It took about an hour in the airport, cause I had to get a bunch of rail passes and rent cellphones, but luckily i know enough Japanese and everyone else knows enough English for us to get around.
So, after the airport we went to Shibuya, it was closer to the Square Enix Studio and all the arcades we wanted to stop at, but the trick was finding a new capsule hotel. This would have been fine except for a couple things; first, we did get a little lost... second, when we finally got there, the lockers were not big enough for our luggage (everything bigger in Texas, everything smaller in Japan) and lastly, Tokyo is abnormally hot. I mean, i may just be me, but I was sweating my ass off the whole night. You could probably tell by some pics of me in the arcade. But yeah, we found lockers, then we hit up the arcades. They were gamer paradise, made me long for the days of arcades past, but I haven't found any crazy japanese games yet. Mostly, tons of fighting games and racing games. Plus, 2 floors for gambling and the worst crane machines ever. They are impossible.
Eventually, we passed out in the capsules and woke up to a nice breakfast in a cafe over the 7-11. Then we hit up the Square Enix Studio. For anyone that plays Final Fantasy it was a wet dream, but you can see the pics yourself. Then we hit up the Shinkansen to Kyoto and here I am in our Ryokan blogging.
Tomorrow we will got to some castles and temples so I will see you all later.
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