I love gaming. I love how it gives you many things; an escape from the world around you, something fun to do with friends that are visiting, a way to make new friends, a deeper way of thought (depending on the game). All these things are what I get from an evening (or day on the rare occasion) of gaming. I love it so much that I really dive into the world of it, getting to know the developers, reading magazines, and trying out different genres to broaden my horizons. It really can be, and is, a lifestyle. And that's where it can be a problem, especially if you're without a career job...
Gaming can get extremely expensive, even more so of you're trying to do a blog on gaming. Most games, on the usual Tuesday release, are gonna cost you $60 (plus tax) a piece. That can be a real pain and fast. I average about $64 for a new game every time I buy one, which sadly is limited because my paycheck says that I can't afford that. Then I start to fall behind the times and am not up-to-date on anything. It can really suck.
To add on to the suck is the online multiplayer aspect. Now, if you're lucky and you got a PS3, then you're part of the world where your online multiplayer is free over Playstation Network. To you, I say, "Shove it." If you're like me and you have the slightly more popular XBOX 360 then you're paying a subscription for LIVE. That cost can vary between $8/month, $30/3months, $60/year. I was lucky and grabbed a deal for a year of LIVE for $37. They'll usually have those deals floating about when certain big name releases are coming out for 360. Be on the look out, otherwise your wallet may revolt.
Now, one might wonder, how in the Hell are you supposed to pay for all other costs of living when the gaming costs are so high? I'll tell you.
I counteract a majority of gaming costs by getting a Gamefly subscription. $22 bucks a month allows me 2 games out at a time, especially new releases. A lot cheaper than $60 bucks a week. Yay!! Only downfall is that their stock of new releases tends to fall short and you're left waiting a few days before they can get you the new one. Boo!!
Another good place to look is through your local used game store(s). These guys are awesome for two reasons: get a used game (from almost any system Nintendo and up) for a decent price, and you can trade in that piece of $@&# game you bought on Tuesday for credit towards that used one you really want. Joy!! Most people go through Gamestop or EB Games (are they even around anymore?) at the local mall. Otherwise, you can check out the newest gaming store in your area. They're popping up all the time. I have 2 in my town.
So, while the cost of gaming can be pretty extensive (not a typo), there are ways around it. You just gotta look for them.
Now computer gaming is a different story...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Gaming Vs. Relationships - Is the feud finally an alliance?
**POWER ON**
"So, I was thinking about the party tomorrow night... and what we...
Colin? Colin... Flim-flam... Butt-monkies... Colin!!"
That is usually a statement that I get a lot from the lady of the house.
"Huh?"
That's usually my response. This is responded to with an eye roll, head shake, mild laugh, or a combination of the three from said lady of the house.
Anybody else get this? If so, then you are in a relationship and you are trying to still be a gaming nerd. Warning!
This is usually a bad and terribly difficult situation to be in and I would recommend a helmet, body armor and a powerful weapon. No, the BFG is not powerful enough. You're gonna need an arsenal of apologies, flowers, expensive dates, and promises of remission from your gaming addiction (yes, this applies to both sexes). It's a terror zone that could very well end in your coming home to either a missing significant other, missing video game system and games, or both!! FLEEEEEEE!!!
Now, if this was about 5-8 years ago, I might have ended tonight's blog with that. Short, sweet and a fair enough warning. But now we're into the year 2011 (which has me wetting myself with gaming anticipation, btw). This means that we're at a whole new level of gaming and dating. Now we're at the point where not only are we seeing more girls as gamers (Jessica Chobot anyone?), but we're seeing gaming couples. Yes, my dear geeks!! We are finally amongst the socially acceptable and we have hotties that want to play along!!
Hell, even the Koreans are accepting and embracing this. In the largest computer-industry nation in the world, they have created internet cafes that Americans can only dream about. Here, couples can even share love seats while they sit at computers and terminals to go on gaming dates. Yes, dates. It's insane, yet so awesome at the same time!
Here at home (America), we're still trying to weed out the "your video games or me" approach to finding the right one. Arguments over who gets too little time with what and how long is too long are still very present but it's a sinking trend as gaming is vastly growing into the social norms... especially on social networking sites (I still refuse to Farmville and Mafia War it up).
Look at me, my girlfriend, who never had a video game system in her house until she was 16 years of age never really considered herself a gaming nerd, but I was able to find games that the two of us really get into. Maybe I have awesome amounts of charm. Maybe I am able to see how I can manipulate her to the dark side of the social force. Or maybe she just really loves me and wants to get excited about the things that I get excited about, too.
DAAAAAAWWWWWW......
"So, I was thinking about the party tomorrow night... and what we...
Colin? Colin... Flim-flam... Butt-monkies... Colin!!"
That is usually a statement that I get a lot from the lady of the house.
"Huh?"
That's usually my response. This is responded to with an eye roll, head shake, mild laugh, or a combination of the three from said lady of the house.
 | |
| No, this is not me and/or my girlfriend. |
This is usually a bad and terribly difficult situation to be in and I would recommend a helmet, body armor and a powerful weapon. No, the BFG is not powerful enough. You're gonna need an arsenal of apologies, flowers, expensive dates, and promises of remission from your gaming addiction (yes, this applies to both sexes). It's a terror zone that could very well end in your coming home to either a missing significant other, missing video game system and games, or both!! FLEEEEEEE!!!
Now, if this was about 5-8 years ago, I might have ended tonight's blog with that. Short, sweet and a fair enough warning. But now we're into the year 2011 (which has me wetting myself with gaming anticipation, btw). This means that we're at a whole new level of gaming and dating. Now we're at the point where not only are we seeing more girls as gamers (Jessica Chobot anyone?), but we're seeing gaming couples. Yes, my dear geeks!! We are finally amongst the socially acceptable and we have hotties that want to play along!!
Hell, even the Koreans are accepting and embracing this. In the largest computer-industry nation in the world, they have created internet cafes that Americans can only dream about. Here, couples can even share love seats while they sit at computers and terminals to go on gaming dates. Yes, dates. It's insane, yet so awesome at the same time!
Here at home (America), we're still trying to weed out the "your video games or me" approach to finding the right one. Arguments over who gets too little time with what and how long is too long are still very present but it's a sinking trend as gaming is vastly growing into the social norms... especially on social networking sites (I still refuse to Farmville and Mafia War it up).
Look at me, my girlfriend, who never had a video game system in her house until she was 16 years of age never really considered herself a gaming nerd, but I was able to find games that the two of us really get into. Maybe I have awesome amounts of charm. Maybe I am able to see how I can manipulate her to the dark side of the social force. Or maybe she just really loves me and wants to get excited about the things that I get excited about, too.
DAAAAAAWWWWWW......
 | |
| This is not me and my girlfriend, either. |
Either way, we can still play games together, and gaming is more enjoyable because of it. Yes, we're going to have that occasional spat over the, "Um, we rarely get to see each other," or the "Can I play the system that you've been hogging for the last 7 hours," part of the gaming relationship. Don't fret or worry. Arguments and disagreements are all part and partial in relationships. Sometimes gaming is the focus of said arguments. We play on through.
Now, if you want to avoid the nasty villainy of the 'Gaming Vs. Relationship' conundrum either learn to properly balance the real world against the digital one, or find yourself a compatible other half that enjoys the gaming world as much as you do. It's really that simple. Or you could simply be a shut in and have a relationship with a person through... WoW... or something....
But if you're still trying to figure out how to even speak to a person of the attractive sex (hey, I'm just covering all bases here) then just stick to idolizing the nerd-girls we can never attain. mmmmmm......
**POWER OFF**
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Oops!
**POWER ON**
Before I hit you up with what should be the first of many weekly editions of Gamer Cents, I feel that I must come forward and explain my lack of appearance on the blog... life. Seriously.
I have found that life has been far more hectic than I anticipated when I started this whole shindig, therefore, I was forced to make myself look completely unorganized. To over quote myself, "Fail."
Hopefully, this will be rectified with tonight's soon to be post.
Go play something fun and I may have something nice for you patient kiddies when you return.
Thanks!
Colin
**POWER OFF**
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
HALO: Reach - Bungie's farewell is it's greatest work yet
**POWER ON**
It's been a long time. Wish I had a bit more motivation to write in this or do something a bit more dramatic with it. Yet, here I am.
And what's a better reason to start up your video gaming blog again?
Two words... HALO REACH!!
I posted my review of it on the IGN website:
Yes, I am Pianoman4085
Enjoy. And if you're somehow finding this and reading it, by all means, let me know what you think.
**POWER OFF**
It's been a long time. Wish I had a bit more motivation to write in this or do something a bit more dramatic with it. Yet, here I am.
And what's a better reason to start up your video gaming blog again?
Two words... HALO REACH!!
I posted my review of it on the IGN website:
Yes, I am Pianoman4085
Enjoy. And if you're somehow finding this and reading it, by all means, let me know what you think.
**POWER OFF**
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"Let'sa Go!"
**POWER ON**
Exactly as Mario would have put it.
I'm Colin, and as my blog title implies, I'm a 'gamer'. For those of you who are unaware of what a gamer is... I'm not going to bother. You shouldn't be reading this anyway. Nothing I have to say will grab your attention. Go read your books or something.
Now, for those that do know what a 'gamer' is I welcome you. Welcome to my little experiment in narcissism and those that may or may not feed into it. Why would I do this? Well, let's just say that, of the few things I love in this world, playing video games and hearing myself talk are up there. Therefore, when I'm stressed after an 8 hour day of sales and faking politeness I want to be able to just play a video game (or 5) and then let the world know what I think about it. Whether or not you enjoy it is up to you. I'll keep writing (or blogging in this case) no matter if no one reads (which is most likely the case as of this post).
Seeing as this introductory post was a bit longer than I had anticipated, I'll probably hold off my current thought until tomorrow. Since I don't really have too many thoughts during a day I won't worry too much about forgetting until then.
**POWER OFF**
Exactly as Mario would have put it.
I'm Colin, and as my blog title implies, I'm a 'gamer'. For those of you who are unaware of what a gamer is... I'm not going to bother. You shouldn't be reading this anyway. Nothing I have to say will grab your attention. Go read your books or something.
Now, for those that do know what a 'gamer' is I welcome you. Welcome to my little experiment in narcissism and those that may or may not feed into it. Why would I do this? Well, let's just say that, of the few things I love in this world, playing video games and hearing myself talk are up there. Therefore, when I'm stressed after an 8 hour day of sales and faking politeness I want to be able to just play a video game (or 5) and then let the world know what I think about it. Whether or not you enjoy it is up to you. I'll keep writing (or blogging in this case) no matter if no one reads (which is most likely the case as of this post).
Seeing as this introductory post was a bit longer than I had anticipated, I'll probably hold off my current thought until tomorrow. Since I don't really have too many thoughts during a day I won't worry too much about forgetting until then.
**POWER OFF**
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