Funny of the Week: I Love Disclaimers!

A Email To Jaffe

Just got done reading/watching a post over on David Jaffe's site that made me go, WTF? Not anything David said or did, but what was sent to him in a email by a journalist over at MSNBC ... if that's really the persons profession. I decided, for the shits and giggles, to copy and paste that email below and answer it myself as a gamer. A gamer, mind you, that doesn't own a PS3. So, you might think what I am about to say is bias, but wait and see.

David,

I'm working on a story for MSNBC examining the life-to-date chronology of the PS3. As a respected PlayStation developer, would you be willing to answer a few questions? In the interest you are, here goes:

In hindsight, noting the PS3's lukewarm reception and relatively high cost, a lot of people wonder what Sony was thinking when developing the PS3. So... what were they thinking? Um, how about they were thinking of making the best console possible at the time. What's so wrong with that? Microsoft did the same thing with the 360 when you think about it, as well as the original Xbox. Not to mention Sony did the same with the PS2 and original Playstation. And to dig deeper, so did SEGA and Nintendo with all their previous systems as well. Nintendo broke that chain with the GameCube, but really, have any of them really thought poorly in their systems design and capability? Not really.

It's been said that Ken Kutaragi and Howard Stinger dictated what technology the PS3 should include instead of doing proper research to what the consumer wanted while paying little mind to price. As a development partner, did you feel that was the case? Why/why not? I find this to be the problem with all companies, as well as the bonus. What they think the consumer wants and what the consumer wants tend to be two separate things since the dawn of the home console. So, why is this a big deal now? Plus, they were intent on helping their new technology get a better launch (Blu-ray) and did so successfully having it built into the system, unlike HD-DVD which you needed to buy a very expensive add on to run. Who wasn't thinking of the consumer again? Plus, they had been researching CELL for a while before they even announced the PS3. To say they didn't do proper research before implementing it is like saying you DID do proper research before coming up with that question.

It seems that releasing a feature-rich console for $600, now $400, was a crippling move for Sony, especially given the recent economic downturn. Would you agree? Why/why not?  In what way was it crippling again? Besides, it's not like they could foresee the current economic climate. Besides, while not everyone can lay down the once $600 and now $400 for the console, considering what is packed inside the $400 price tag is a pretty sweet deal! Besides, if you want a crippling price point that killed someone, you should look towards the Neo-Geo or even the Turbo-Grafix ... oh, forgot those consoles already, did we? 

Did you ever perceive low morale within the company once the $600 price was announced in 2006? Can you elaborate? I can't this question though. 

Consumers appear indifferent to Blu-ray technology. Do you feel Sony overvalued Blu-ray, after DVD helped the PS2 become such a huge success? Um, did you forget that Blu-ray WON the format war already? Besides, every movie getting a release now comes out as Blu-ray and Blu-ray IS selling well. So I'm not sure why in the hell this question is even being asked.

It seems the PS3 has been cobbled together since its release: feature-cutting to help cut costs, patched with controller rumble, patched with Home, patched with trophy achievements -- like the console never had a specific plan. During your tenure, did you feel the powers that be at Sony had a grip on what exactly would make the PS3 a success? Why/why not? As if the 360 hasn't been patched with NXE, chip and motherboard changes to help fight off RRoD and so on. Sure, I think Sony has dropped the ball hard on removing backwards capability so soon (proof is in the PS2 still selling like mad), but as gamers in a day and age where games and consoles can be upgraded through patches, its nice to see the PS3 making improvements instead of dealing with what it was lacking out of the box. Unlike all of us who own a 360 who have to send our systems off once every two years (or less) to get it replaced cuz it no longer works. Besides, it's clear Sony had a very specific plan when they developed and delivered the PS3, some of the things they happened to deliver later due to popularity (such as Trophy's to equal out the playing field of achievements on the 360) or because the project was far from done (or in the case of Home, still far from done and way overhyped). 

What has been your biggest concern as a PS3 developer? I can't answer this as a developer, but as a gamer, I'd have to say Sony's lack of trying to hold onto its exclusives. That isn't helping one bit loosing so many of them to the 360, and even the Wii. That and they have canceled some huge titles that the fans have wanted to see finished. That doesn't help either. I mean, Heavenly Sword might not have had that critics going crazy for more, but gamers in genreal did.

Was the Wall Street Journal right: has hope faded for PS3 as the "comeback player"? When has the Wall Street Journal been on top of the video game industry? Try never! I remember when they first started to do game reviews to get new blood to read their paper and they complained that GTA Vice City didn't allow you to use a steering wheel to drive and the light gun to shot. I'm surprised they didn't claim it should of allowed you to use the DDR pad to walk and run and come with a blow up doll to fuck then beat over the head with the light gun to get your money back. Oh, wait, this is the same paper that said that the Wii had an uphill battle even at its lower price point. Who's winning the race again?

Kindly,

Mystery Journalist (A.K.A. I know as much about the gaming industry as a nat)

Funny of the Week: Wal Mart Bingo

14 Years and 14 Sleepless Nights

First of all, I'm extremely tired, so if any of this post doesn't make sense, blame it on the lack of sleep. Now, on with the show:

It's strange to think that soon it will have been exactly 14 years since Cerra died, and for the past 8 or so of those years, I have to keep wondering why my body cycle hasn't reset itself yet. I guess I should explain a few things real quick.

Cerra was the love of my life all those years ago and she was unfortunately taken away from me thanks to a incurable disease. What's worse, outside of her obviously dying on Valentines Day, it was also her birthday. This in itself can lead me to want to tlak about her view on this, but I'll skip[ it for now.

Since that time, I've found it impossible to fall asleep between February 13th and 14th. Why, I can't say. Well, maybe I could at first all those years ago, but it's not like she's exactly on my mind 24/7, and she sure wasn't on my mind tonight before I came to my realization. So, why can't I fall asleep?

What triggered my thought's about her this time was the fact that thanks to not being able to sleep, I started to read through Misdirection one more time ... just to make sure ... and when I came across the description of Jessica, it hit me. You see, I ended up basing her looks off of Cerra, knowingly, but it wasn't really until this time through that it stuck with me.

I hate to think my subconscious self will hold onto that day for the rest of my life. I like sleep too much for that one day to interfere. Yet, it makes me wonder why it holds on so strongly after all this time. Sure, I could probably give you a list, but its a list I never really think about unless it comes up. That's what confuses me. If she's really never on my mind, why does this always happen?

Bah, I'll just ramble on for two more paragraphs unless I stop myself. Just wanted to let my mind get this out before I try to fall back asleep ... hopefully successfully this time. I really don't want to make it 14 years is a row without sleep on the same day.

Silence Is...

Yesterday, Erica came over so we could not only watch some Children of Dune (awesome), but also so we could pull off two other things, both of which she was the center of. To see how Mike and Nichelle react to her. While the reaction from Mike was fun, it was what happened with Nichelle that was so damn good. While the initial interaction seemed like she was handling things well, when Erica said she was going to be hanging out at my place, something changed. Might have to do something with the way she was dressed ... who knows. Anyway, today when I saw Nichelle at her work, she didn't even try to talk to me at all. Wow ... Silence ... did not expect lol.

Funny of the Week: Chad Is Back!

A day late, but hopefully the fact it is Chad Vader will make up for it. ^_^

Welcome To Stalkersville

Yes, I'm going to talk about past relationships, so you know it's going to be interesting considering my track record. Anyway, since I'm not really sure what I have/have not expressed so far here, I'll try to do the Cliff Notes version to catch everyone up on the latest Wondermint™

It all started last year when I started to date this ex and everything was good. We had fun, we enjoyed our time together, explored some hills and valleys, all that stuff. Then on New Years Day, we texted to each other while I was at work ... which helped pass the time nicely I might add. The next day, the texts continued, got a bit more interesting, but then suddenly went off the damn chart ... the wrong way.


Now to set this up, let just say that I was having fun texting away when she said she was going to swing by to see me. I can handle that. After all, the last time she did that I got food on top of seeing her. Double Ding! But this time when she said she was going to come see me, she combined it with, 'where are you at?'


This didn't really catch my attention until after I answered it and I got back, 'Um ... I know this is going to sound silly but ... I think I don't know who I'm talking to. Who are you?'


...
...
...
...


Now, my mind froze for multiple reasons, as I'm sure you can all understand. What stuck in my mind the most was, she's sending all these texts, with what we were texting, and she doesn't even know who's she's texting? WTF?!


Anyway, I pointed out who I was, which i didn't think I had to, and I got this in return; 'Oh yeah, I thought you were someone else. Sorry Dude.'


...
...
...
...


Was she asleep the past few months? Or just asleep when we were hanging out? I know for a fact she wasn't asleep when we were exploring valleys and hills!



This of course started even more questions of who in the hell did she think she was talking to, which she refused to really answer. The answer came after work when I stopped by where she worked and talked to someone that we both know. I then found out that she was seeing someone else and the reason ... you'll love this ... he drives a nice car.


ATTENTION SHALLOW BITCHES EVERYWHERE: A car means dick ... and I'm not talking about the erect kind. If you are going to fall for someone based on what they drive ... well, I don't want to have anything to do with you.


This of course also lead to me finding out that she's been doing a lot more then just 'hanging out' with this dude. Oh well, guess I'm better off anyway.


Where this is leading is that after about two weeks, she was already trying to  get back with me. After all, Mr. Hot Ride was an asshole (surprise?), and she knows better now. As for me, I'm not impressed. If anything I have learned in all these years, I refuse to give anyone that cheats on me a second chance and she is on that list.


Fast forward to this week. I was texting Erica, a good friend from work, when I just so happened to walk into the ex's work. She saw me, saw me texting and asked, 'so who are you texting?' I in return said, 'My new girl friend.'


Well, I wasn't lying. Erica is a 'new' 'friend' and she is a 'girl'.


This won me a wonderful look of, 'oh no you didn't go get a new girlfreind instead of hooking back up with me' look. Yes, I found it funny too. After a few more very small plesantries, I left and began to text Erica about the encounter and how she felt about me using her as a faux girlfriend, and she loved it actually. The bad part being I didn't think about showing the ex a pic of Erica until I got home just to see her reaction. Oh well, I'll leave that in the next time file.


Fast forward about 4 hours, the ex decided to come over after she got off work so we could talk like normal human beings. READ: She beated around the bush for an hour and a half until she got to the meat of why she came over. She wanted to know what she had to do to get me back. After a long explaintion of 'no way in hell', I walked her home.


Sure, I might hate her for cheating on me, but it was 3 am and I didn't want to see her A) beaten B) rapped C) both of the above or D) A+B+C+ whatever else.


Interestingly enough, she called me earlier, waking me up to boot >.<, so she could again ask the same question, just phrased differently.


How the hell do I find these people?!?!?!?!

And does anyone happen to have the number to a ex-girlfried exterminator????

Words of Wisdom: Teaching A Old Man New Tricks

How do you get a man to try something new? Tell him he's too old to do it!

Funny of the Week: When Not To ... Well, You'll See

Fun With Alarms

One of the fun aspects of working security is that we also get to have fun with every type of alarm that can exist. At least, as long as that company has some system set up for said alarms. For the most part, a good number of the alarms we deal with are false alarms, most of which being set off by the weather.

When it comes to fire alarms, one of the biggest contributors is the units on top of the building and the air system, which can set off the smoke detectors when the motor burns up or eats through a belt. Of the twenty or so fire alarms I have had to deal with since starting security, 99% of those have been set off this very way.

Today was no different, though there is one interesting twist to the story.

After the fun took place, the company that is over the system came out to check the smoke detectors, as there was no fire and we’ve had a few recent issues. Though today being the only one that set off the actual fire alarm. Either way, his arrival marked the start of the twist.

The employee consulted the on-site maps of the smoke detector placements to the readout on the alarm screen and … they didn’t match. Ooops. In fact, a good number of the fire alarm system did not match the map. Ooops. Because of this, the employee was not able to find the smoke detectors in question. Ooops.

Now, I’ve been working security a long time. I’ve had to deal with my fair share of alarms. Yet, this is the first time I have seen this happen. I’m sure you can guess at this point there are some confused and not too pleased people built into this situation.

My question then becomes; if the map isn’t for our building, whose does it belong to? And, where’s ours?

In the end, it’s not too bad as it was a false alarm and the building is in good shape, even if the fire system clearly needs some work. The sudden adrenalin rush mixed four hours sleep did make a bad combination with 9 hours of the work day still ahead of me, but I rather deal with a false alarm then a real one any day.