spacepup

I think for me, rather than looking for reasons why gaming isn't part of my identity, I've embraced the fact that video gaming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  I wouldn't say that my collection of material items is part of my identity - but video gaming in general, is and has always been a decent part of my life.  Not the ONLY part, or the most important part, but definitely part of who I am.

I think the key difference, or the piece I'd want to expand on, is that it isn't just the physical games.  But the shared experience of gaming, the relationships I've built through a shared interest, the friends I've made, the impact I've made - I mean, all of these I can attribute to my interest and participation in video gaming in some form. 

I think about Gloves' Extra Life events and the fact that we've made a difference.  I think about other charity events like the recent AGDQ I contributed to, where a love of gaming brought people together to raise 2.5 MILLION dollars to help fight cancer.  Or the NES Spectrum Marathon, which has raised over $20,000 for autism awareness.

These are just a fraction of the different events and ways that gaming has made a positive impact on the world, in addition to just the direct entertainment value.

I don't really think my collection or gaming "defines" me, but at the same time, video gaming in some form, has been an interest of mine, and something I've spent a decent amount of time enjoying, for over 30 years, so I'd be lying to myself if I said it wasn't some 'part' of me at least.  

I think the key, like anything else, is remembering that there are always things that are more important than playing or collecting video games, and of course I haven't forgotten that.  Making a positive impact on the world and those around you, being good to others, supporting and fighting for what you care about, strengthening relationships, and so many many many other things.  As long as people don't forget what is TRULY important, that it's perfectly fine for video games to be a huge part of their lives.

This was awfully difficult.  I LOVE the Ghibli / Miyazaki films - have seen every one on the list, many of them multiple times.  

I picked Nausicaa as my favorite, because there is something about that movie that just really resonates with me.  But for me, it is incredibly difficult for me to even pick a favorite between Nausicaa, Mononoke, and Laputa.  I love all 3 SO much and have seen each of them many times. 

I enjoy most of the other movies - especially Spirited Away.

I've always loved the Miyazaki and Ghibli films.  There is a special kind of magic in the stories and storytelling, that many have tried to replicate but just can't quite get.  There are also some great themes that persist throughout many of them.

All in all, they are just great and I love them very much.  Every year I go to multiple of the movies in theater thanks to "Ghibli Fest"

I haven't seen it in a long time, but I REALLY enjoyed the movie, and thought it was fantastic.  Rating it a 9 here, but it's just really great.  

I can't provide any quantitative proof or anything, but I certainly *feel* like stories (the good ones, in good games) have gotten better, more interesting, and way more in depth and full-featured, as time has gone on.  

Or I guess I should say, because of the technical improvements in how the story can be *delivered* in-game, the stories are more engaging to me.  I can't say whether writing has improved or not, or which game this or that, but with better technology, more life-like personalities, AAA-budget voice acting, and more, the combination of visuals, audio, and the way the story is presented, can be more immersive than ever before.  We can get down into semantics about trying to rate individual stories from writing alone - but from my perspective as a consumer enjoying content, and as a gamer who loves story and characters in gaming, I feel that things are getting better and I'm excited for the future.

Sure, you could easily point out a bunch of mediocre stories in cash-grab games, but that isn't what I'm talking about.

Maybe I could summarize by saying, idk about the technical 'stories' but the storytelling and full experience has improved over time (for me personally), and I love being able to enjoy that element of gaming more and more.

3 hours ago, Sumez said:

Pretty sure you could have done the same with Grim Fandango  

You could, sure.  But TLOU just had a much wider audience and is more modern.

Btw, I agree with you 1000% on Grim Fandango and it is actually one of my favorite games of all time.  When I was in San Francisco, I actually made a specific point to visit 450 Sutter Street building which is what the DOD building is based off of in the game!

6 hours ago, TDIRunner said:

Bioshock is certainly one of my favorite stories (including the entire trilogy).  I also love the fact that they can tell such an amazing story with almost no cut scenes.  

Horizon Zero Dawn is also an amazing story.  It's the only game I've ever played where I was so interested in finding out what happens next, I almost wanted to skip the gameplay section to see the next cut scene.

The Portal storyline is also extremely enjoyable and another that is told with minimal cut scenes.  

+1 to the Horizon story.  The Horizon series is probably my favorite new IP of the last decade, and I loved the story and characters in both Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.

I think I still have that if you'd like it for future boxes.  I took that out purely to make room for stuff.  Not joking, I can send to you if you want it.

I'd like to be removed from the ping-list as I don't plan on participating anymore, but thank you for hosting them in the past, and good luck!

Happy birthday @PuppyWaffles!  Hope ye have a good one!  And happy birthday to everyone else we missed through the holiday season!

I knocked off an early one by finishing Alwa's Legacy yesterday, woo!  I beat Alwa's Awakening in 2023 as it was on my 2023 list, and it was pretty fun - decent metroidvania style platformer game.  Alwa's Legacy is a slightly more modern take with some updated graphics and features, and a few quality of life improvements.  Overall, it was pretty fun and I enjoyed both games.

Backed, thanks for the reminder!

I beat 5 specifically on my list and I’m thrilled with that.  Idc about the percentage to my total list.  I’m very happy with it.

They weren’t on my initial list so I didn’t include them, but I beat a ton of other games in 2023, including several backlog games that just weren’t on the first list.  All in all, I made a ton of progress on backlogged games so 2023 was super duper successful for me there.

Looking forward to 2024!

8 hours ago, BlackVega said:

Woah this is a big one. I've finally completed Zelda Minish Cap on Gayboy Advance in the past few days during the holiday season and I had been originally playing for like uh, a few years in total... I got stuck at some point and I decided enough is enough and said fuck it and just looked up playthroughs and got through these bullshit moments. I like Zelda games very much but those stupid bullshit moments in zelda games just kill the whole fun once you get stuck forever for months or even years. And with that said I completed this "challenge" 10/10 since I started doing it like 3 months ago

Really?  'Gayboy Advance'?  Are we in middle school?

I'm gonna be blunt - take that garbage outta this forum.  You can make your little 'jokes' like that elsewhere, but leave it at the door please.

Sure, sign me up!

Thanks!

Honest critique can be fine, but consider the tone, and also consider the time and place.  This isn't a FS or general thread, it is supposed to be a fun Christmas contest for the community, where the dev provided the game for *free* for everyone to play, and in addition, is generously donating a physical copy for the event.  The comments made were overly negative and completely unnecessary given the context of what this event is about.

Just because you *can* do something, doesn't always mean you *should*.  

Moving on, let's enjoy the rest of the contest and move forward!

Heya Andy!  I’m glad to hear you got to spend some time with family.  Wishing you the best and good to see ya!

It's that time folks!

Make sure to post your reveals in the Reveal thread here:   OR ELSE    
I mean pretty please!

Merry Christmas everyone!

My Secret Santa was @RegularGuyGamer and thank you very much!  I didn't have any of the switch Kirby games yet, so looking forward to this one.  Minecraft is my jam so the figures are great.  Thanks again!

2 hours ago, SNESNESCUBE64 said:

Not gonna lie, I had a moment of weakness and opened up the shipping box early. My secret santa was one step ahead though and wrapped what they sent me which I as far as I am concerned is a legal binding contract for opening on christmas day.

Just a reminder to everyone, make sure not to post your reveals in this thread - we'll make a new one tomorrow!

Alrighty - I think I have everyone all caught up - but let me know if I missed anyone! 

Thanks!

7 hours ago, OptOut said:

@Gloves @spacepup does the prototype badge apply for test-discs or is that something else?

Please provide an example of what you mean by test discs - because different systems have different types so I wanna make sure what you are referring to.

14 minutes ago, PuppyWaffles said:

@spacepup

Thank you!

You're welcome!

I think I got everything, but let me know if I missed any!

On 12/21/2023 at 10:59 AM, Sumez said:

Do ports count for CREATE - Homebrew ?

(don't tell nint**do

https://archive.org/details/donkey-kong-clone-for-nes

 

Let's try to keep it toward original creations and not ports / hacks / etc.  Thanks!

I'm mostly caught up but don't panic if it feels skipped - I have a few I need to go back and check some details for and add the rest.  Thanks!

8 minutes ago, ikk said:

Aren't these only for when the library is actually completed?

Participant is fine if they have completed games for the thread.  Obviously the Bronze, Silver, and Gold, would only apply when it is over.