Insights
from Marriott_Guy
Paging Father Time
Added on 31-Jan-12
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This past weekend my brother and I had our quarterly Gaming Night. His perk for being the host was selecting the main game for the evening. To my dismay, an online battle with Modern Warfare 3 was his choice.
I had been down this road before with him in another Call of Duty installment. Let me tell you – it was not pretty. The beating I previously endured is the type normally reserved for runaway sister wives. I would like to report that I redeemed myself this past gaming session, but unfortunately that is not the case. Virtual bullets ripped apart my gaming warrior for the better part of 25 straight minutes. My online ‘posse’, initially understanding and helpful, soon grew tired of my abysmal performance. Just like my agent of war, my psyche was continually peppered as I took verbal fire from comments like "Dude, what are you doing???" and "Get a clue, bro!!" were firedslug with . It got to be so ugly that some frustrated guy on our team named DeathSqud32 decided to take a more direct approach with me. During one of our matches, he stuck his Desert Eagle directly into my grill and uttered the simple words "You suck" just before emptying its contents straight into my melon. Initially I was pretty torqued off at having that slug planted squarely into my coconut. Granted, I pretty much stunk up the joint and probably deserved it. But what irritated me the most was having to deal with the silent assassin that uniquely inhabited this greybeard’s virtual battlefield – Father Time. In contrast to the straightforward method employed by DeathSquad32, I have found that Father Time prefers the Death by 1000 Cuts approach. Just like a dreaded termite, he stealthily devours my log cabin of gaming skills bit by bit. For the most part, I am unaware of the damage that has been inflicted until I attempt to compete in the virtual arena – where I continually get my butt kicked. It seemed not so long ago that I could wield my gaming prowess like King Arthur once brandished Excalibur – nowadays, not so much. In spite of all of my efforts, this old gamer is struggling mightily and needs some assistance. Who better to ask than the one who stalks me on a daily basis? With this in mind, the following email train ensued: Dear Father Time. Let me start by stating I am pretty much past dealing with my mid-life crisis. From the daily juggling of medications to the inability to jump, overall I think I am handling the aging process rather well. There is one exception – video gaming. I know I can’t master games like in my hey-day, but getting beaten to a pulp every time is really starting to get old (pun intended). I know your plate is probably full, but is there anyway you can help out with this situation? Best regards, MG MG. I usually do not respond to underlings. Be grateful that I am in a good mood this afternoon. I won’t sugarcoat it – your game is leaking some serious oil. According to my records, you better thank your brother for inviting you to their online gaming party because it would take a miracle for ANYONE else even to consider it. Don’t believe me? Take a look. No bones about it, your game is just plain brutal. And, before you even ask, the answer is NO. You cannot reallocate those life experience points – that is my domain. You blew any chance of negotiating this by wasting away your Armor Enhancement slot on a Gaming Blankie. Now get lost and quit bothering me. Father Time. PS. A Gaming Blankie??? Really??? For Pete’s sake, grow a set!! So I guess I should just chuck any plans on being able to compete in the upcoming Final Fantasy XV? Do not test my patience.
I can’t exactly say this was the response I was looking for, but overall I am not overly disappointed. Father Time was as subtle as a sledgehammer in pointing out my glaring weaknesses, but this I already knew. What he did not correctly identify was the competitive fire that is still ablaze within this blue-haired gamer. The online thrashings will inevitably continue, but that does not mean that I will relegate myself to Extreme Chess tournaments as Father Time somewhat insinuated. Though my gaming skills continue to erode like a sand castle at high tide, you will still find this elder battling out there in the digital world – Gaming Blankie and all. |
What’s Cookin’: 11-Dec-11
Added on 11-Dec-11
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Although it may seem quiet on the VGCL front, many changes have occurred over the course of the last few months. The creative juices are definitely alive and well! An entire site audit was conducted in October, 2011 to identify areas that required refinement, upgrades or, at times, a complete overhaul. Based on these results, it was determined that the immediate attention would best be focused on improving existing content to enhance overall consistency in both presentation and quantity of information for a respective console. This undertaking is ongoing and taking significant time, which is partly due to the custom design of VGCL (it is not a database driven site). During this process, new features are also being added for every system. The Games section of each console page is getting a complete facelift to include more screenshots, pictures of the game packaging as well a short text intro highlighting various aspects of available software for the respective system. Owner’s Manual are now featured (when available) in the Specs section of the console page. These have been accumulated through the years from various sources (credits provided for known sources). A dedicated listing for the entire archive is also available here. Currently As you can see, the proverbial VGCL plate is definitely full with new and exciting upgrades, additions and content. As always, your comments and suggestions are always welcomed. |
Hello all.
Video Game Weaponry – Magic
Added on 24-Sep-11
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Video Game Weaponry Melee Ranged Magic We previously reviewed the direct, brutal approach of wielding Melee weapons. This writing will focus on the arcane arts of Magic. As stated previously, this is not meant to be all-inclusive, inventory type of document, but more of a general overview from this old school gamer. Employing magic during combat usually requires more strategic thought than simply lumbering forward with a big ole stick. In addition to managing manna reserves, correct timing and spell choice play a critical role. The mage must also keep their distance from the hordes due to their typically lowered physical attributes. Personally, this method can be somewhat frustrating, especially when games force you into this playing style just to continue the story. I love AoE (Area of Effect) spells, even though they are usually over-powered. The following takes a look at some of these arcane arts and my thoughts on them. It seems like all mages are endowed with the ability to manipulate Fire through magic. From the basic fireball (Flare) to the most catastrophic (Meteor Storm), most foes are not immune to this high-temp assault. For whatever reason, this is usually the first spell that is discovered (learned) in your gaming adventure. The graphics usually rock when unleashing one of these high powered attacks. Overall, a nice, consistent weapon of destruction. Water magic is a tough nut to crack. Often times it encapsulates recuperative abilities of some sort while also enabling the use of offensive spells like Freeze and Tidal Wave. This lack of focus is rather bothersome for this OCD gamer since it does not allow me to master any particular aspect of battle. Has anyone else noticed that only fire breathing dragons suffer significant damage from this type of magic? I think I’ll take a pass on the Avian. Earth Wind Earth magic has to be the most schizophrenic of all the arcane arts. Half the time it can be used for defensive purposes through barriers and the like, other times it can let loose Mother Nature’s true furry. The best spell by far is definitely Petrify (Poison being a close second), but unfortunately games limit the chance of success to usually only 10% due to its incapacitating power. I say invest your manna points elsewhere. This has got to be one of the most under-developed magic types of all time. Sure, Wind magic can produce gems like Tornado and Vortex, but other than that programmers usually rip off other elemental forces (i.e. Wind Blades is akin to Flare). If this lack of creativity isn’t enough, the damage inflicted is usually lackluster compared to its counterparts. Graphics and sound effects are usually mediocre as well. IMHO, this magic usually blows. What is there not to like about the Lightning magic? It took game developers a while to graphically depict the true horror of being electrocuted (remember the flashing skeleton?), but once they mastered it there was no going back. Typically the incantations are the same with varying wattage (ie. Thunder, Thundera, Thundaga), but this repetitiveness does not deter this gamer. Flip the breaker bro and unleash that electrical storm! Spirit magic is sometimes an anomaly for me. There always seems to be that one type of foe that is immune to everything with the exception of this type of damage. On the other hand, there is no mystery when it comes to Light and Dark magic (which I am including in this category) – they are ‘da bomb’. The cost of wielding this power is usually substantial (manna, life points, etc). Still, unleashing the good/evil locked within oneself is gratifying. Almost all mages have at least some ability to miraculously heal themselves and/or their compadres. From Heal to Cure to Resurrect, these maintenance tasks are imperative at some point during your journey. The bad thing is that assigning these duties to an AI controlled magician can be perilous. They usually have little to no common sense and burn through their manna like a drunkard does with hot sauce packets on a Soft Taco Supreme. Let me get this out of the way right up front – I love power-ups, but I hate to manage them through the use of magic. When imbued with Attribute Enhancements, it is a safe bet that my gaming character will begin to glow in some sort or be sporting some nifty icon halo over my melon. In all honesty, I’d rather pop an icy cold Damage 2X potion than mess around with the menus or button combinations to get this effect. Summoning magic has evolved greatly through the years, probably more so than any other type of magic. In the early days of gaming, you were limited to evoking a mythical beast to aid in your battles. Now you can summon a small army, resurrect the dead or direct innocents to fight for your cause. I was never a big fan of this type, until I played Sacred 2. Now I am hooked. Some games give you the opportunity to evolve into the ultimate being. This power usually becomes available in degrees to the gamer, with the highest level being a prerequisite to defeating the final villain. Graphically these Transformations are stunning and presented at the highest level. The bad thing is that most games limit this use to the latter stages of the game. Unleash me already! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Video Game Weaponry – Melee
Added on 16-Jun-11
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Video Game Weaponry Melee Ranged Magic This article will take a look at the first class, the Melee based method of assault/defense. This writing is not meant to be all-inclusive, inventory type of document, but more of a general overview from this old school gamer. For me, this type of attack is the preferred method during gaming. The personal, upfront confrontation with some dark spawn is my cup of tea, especially when I am brandishing an instrument of mass destruction in my gloves. I also like the aspect of not running out of ammo or manna like you can with the other two types. Sure, I have to keep watch in some games with my stamina level, but overall this is usually a small price to pay. The following takes a look at some of these pain-bringers and my thoughts on them. Executing the uppercut of the century is always satisfying. Even back in the day, the sound effects were spot on and conveyed perfectly when delivering bare-handed punishment to your foes. Range, on the other hand, is always its downfall. Be prepared to take a few whacks to your grill when powering up your guns. They don’t call it "The Persuader" for nothing. The Hammer is not what you would call a subtle instrument of destruction. Known for dishing out massive damage, this tool is extremely slow to wield and maneuver, often leaving the Hero in a vulnerable position. It worked pretty well for Mario though. Overall not one of my favs. Crowbar Lead Pipe In my humble opinion, the Crowbar is one of the most underrated melee weapons of all time. Sure, Gordon showed off its true potential in Half Life, but very few others have taken his cue. Its simple, elegant form contradicts the pure pain-inflicting nature of this device. Another plus is that it always comes in handy when having to break some window or pry open that door to a secret room filled with loot and other goodies. The Lead Pipe has been a favorite weapon of game developers for quite sometime due to its overall effectiveness and simplistic design. One overhead whack to the coconut and you can say goodnight to any villain. One of the constants throughout the gaming years has been that hollow, high pitched ‘clunk’ sound effect when connecting with the bad guy’s melon. Unfortunately this iron pain baton has lost its luster through the years. What is there not to like about the Aluminum Baseball Bat? The sound effects are awesome, you can wield it with one or two hands and the damage is usually staggering. There is also something unnerving when you see one in real life stashed in the back of someone’s car or next to your lady friend’s bed. Out of all the blunt weapon types, this is definitely one of my favorites. For whatever reason, the Axe doesn’t really do anything for me. I admit that I am not a big fan of slow, cumbersome armaments like this (see Hammer). Most times it is a two-handed affair which limits my options (shield, secondary arm, etc.). I still have no idea to this day why every single member of the Dwarvian nation absolutely loves the Axe. Must be something in their genes. Nothing more clearly communicates your intentions to the baddies when you lumber towards them with a churning chainsaw in your mitts. As a gamer, that guttural ‘wheee’ noise truly gets my blood pumping. One of the great things about the Chainsaw is that it never runs out of gas, but it can get ‘stuck’ in monsters. These come in all varieties and have been a staple throughout the evolution of gaming. From Simon Belmont (Castlevania) to Kratos (God of War), the Whip has always proven to be an effective instrument during combat. Though it inflicts moderate damage to the evil minions, its range and usefulness (climbing) are excellent. There are all sorts of swords that become available to the gamer during their progress through a title, but the Katana is usually the ultimate score. Lightening quick and capable of felling a foe with a single swipe, this sleek blade exhibits unusually high precision. Unfortunately most games require two hands to take advantage of this power. The is definitely a drawback, but it is still cool! The infamous Light Saber. This is most definitely one of the most versatile melee weapons out there. It will not only dole out unequalled pain, but it can cut threw sealed doors, be thrown like a boomerang amongst other activities. The bad thing is that use is usually restricted to members of ‘The Force’. Luke was cool, but if Han could also wield this blade I would be a very happy camper. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MG’s Game Take – Fable III (Microsoft Xbox 360)
Added on 21-Apr-11
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Having been a fan of the first two installments in the series, I was thoroughly pumped to dive right into this latest release. In Fable III, your Hero is once again pitted against the throes of evil, but this time you are tasked with both saving your beloved kingdom of Albion as well as becoming its competent ruler. Sure, this sounds compelling but will this just be another example of Lionhead’s propensity to overpromise and under deliver? Let’s dive right into the details and find out first hand. Story Our Hero’s plight is the epitome of the hold-your-hand adventure. From the very onset of this adventure, you are basically playing the equivalent of a RPG rail shooter. You can venture off and knock out a side quest here and there, but make no mistake in thinking that this is an open ended game play experience. You basically have only one choice in this entire game – is your Hero good or evil. Moral dilemmas once again influence how the story unfolds, but this has also been considerably dumbed down. Though your choices played little part in shaping the world of Albion in past episodes, there was at least a tiny bit of grey area in your decision making. Unfortunately, in Fable III my 5 year old niece could easily differentiate between the presented options. The side quests on the other hand are quite enjoyable and offer a good deal of variety. Other extracurricular activities are available for your indulgence, including rhythm-based mini games, raising a family, landlord duties, Kingly responsibilities, etc. Unfortunately, these all share one common trait – they are BORING. In all honesty, I pay my virtual kid zero attention just to hear him spit out some great one-liners as I brush past him on my way through town ("All of the other kids get toys… How come you don’t give me anything?"). Graphics From a technical standpoint, this game is afflicted with frame rate issues and glitches galore. I’m usually OK with the occasional slowdown in areas where there is a huge amount of activity, but in Fable III these occurrences are frequent and could occur with my Hero standing alone in field with absolutely no one around him! In addition, quest markers (‘golden crumb trail’) randomly disappear for some unknown reason. Audio Though expertly voiced by the acclaimed British actor John Cleese, this NPC quickly becomes so annoying that you will find yourself searching for a "Mute" option in the main menu (to no avail). To top that off, if you are online he will keep pestering you to purchase new DLC items (all of which are crap). I don’t know about you, but in-game pimping is definitely a big turn off for this gamer. Game Play Navigating throughout the various towns and regions is effortless, but conspicuously absent is the local mini-map. You have the option to purchase a great many homes and buildings throughout Albion, but maintaining these assets is a chore. You must drill down to a menu for each unit and select to fix it, which is tedious and boring. Why the developers didn’t include a "Repair All Buildings" option is beyond me. Combat is rather repetitious and nothing more than mashing your primary attack action (magic, ranged, melee). You can switch the method of your assault on the fly using quick action keys, but there is a noticeable pause when doing so, leaving your Hero wide open to getting his butt kicked. Magic is EXTREMELY over powered in this installment, and coupled with the fact that your magical fuel (Mana) never runs out, you will find yourself spamming this all day long. Regarding NPC interaction, Fable III has replaced the expression system used in the two first games in this series in favor of performance based animations. Basically, you choose to perform either an amiable or evil action and then the game takes over and randomly picks some stupid animation based upon your selection (i.e. Dance with the NPC.). My guess is that the intent of this change was to heighten NPC attachment, but in the end all it did was to make me not want to go anywhere near any of those dolts. Unfortunately, this same aversion applies to my furry sidekick in this adventure. I don’t know about you, but I kind of liked the introduction of my canine companion in Fable II, but this Lass is nothing more than a shaggy treasure detector (and a bad one at that). Your pup never gets injured, but then again he never ventures into any battles as he is supposed to. He will run right by many treasures, that is when he isn’t stuck behind some invisible dog fence. Let me just say that your computer controlled mutt is riddled with so many technical issues that the programmers should be heavily fined by PETA for the unethical treatment of a virtual animal. Overall, I was quite disappointed in this latest chapter of Fable. The graphical presentation and voice acting is top notch and the game does have its moments where it shines brightly. In the end the many technical issues that plague this title are truly unforgivable. Wait until this game hits the bargain bin before picking up this turkey. |
The Demise of the Video Game Manual
Added on 01-Mar-11
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Last night I opened up NBA 2K11 and was presented with the following on page 1 of the miniscule documentation (4 pages in total):
Reading those dreaded words officially ended my naive hopes that my gaming partner would recover from the years of cropping and truncating. Though I was aware that the end was nearing (Ubisoft, EA), my old friend known as the Video Game Manual was at long last on its final legs. For those old-timers out there, this anticipation was akin to slipping the jacket out of a new vinyl purchase. You did so in a very slow, calculated manner in hopes that this meticulous action would somehow ensure the ultimate payoff – song lyrics imprinted upon the album sleeve. Ripping into a new video game purchase was much the same. For my hard earned cash, I was eagerly expecting to be rewarded in some manner in addition to the game itself. For the most part, the publisher did not disappoint. They took great pride in the production and content of their game manuals. Screenshots were showcased in addition to providing ‘survival tips’, background story, team rosters and sometimes even a game map. You never knew what might be encompassed within, or accompany, the instructions. It was like opening up a box of Cracker Jacks as a kid. Sadly, those magical moments are nearing its end. Final Fantasy III really gave gamers a bang for their buck!! For the most part, budgetary and environmental initiatives have basically castrated the Video Game Manual. Don’t get me wrong – I want to save a tree as much as the next guy. I am all for utilizing technology to reduce manufacturing expense and the overall ecological footprint of production. That being said, the instruction booklet is an integral part of the overall experience for this old school gamer and should not be the sacrificial lamb. The joy of simply reading through that gaming goodness prepared me for the upcoming experience. I can’t quite put it into words, but I could feel myself getting completely immersed in the game after studying a well produced manual prior to actually playing it. Yes, I grant you that I may just be feeling nostalgic at the moment. I miss the days of finding those hidden gems within that game packaging. I find myself being pleasantly surprised less and less as the years go by. Of course, this is a sign of my old age coupled with the rising sun known as the digital millennium. Still, I will miss my cherished compadre. The glory days of the Video Game Manual have unfortunately come to an end. Unless, of course, you decide to purchase the Limited Edition version. |
Most Hated Gaming Missions
Added on 21-Feb-11
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For the first time in nearly two months, the madness known as ‘social obligations’ had thankfully subsided for a couple of days. My internal battery had been running on fumes for quite a while, so this break was more than welcomed. I was not about to waste this momentary reprieve. What better way to recharge than to bust out a new video game! This wasn’t the part that stumped me in TW II, but it is completely applicable to my anguish. Are you kidding me? I had carefully crafted my Hero to be the super tank for all ages, but now he was obligated to complete some seemingly random, clandestine operation for the story to progress. What’s up with that nonsense? The bliss enjoyed merely moments ago quickly vanished. Necessitating this unnatural tactic upon my champion was the equivalent to a swift kick to my spiritual grill. I love a good challenge and all, but sometimes jamming a square peg into a round hole just doesn’t cut it. Frustrated to no end, I quickly hit the Save button and ended my gaming session. I sat there thinking to myself how much I truly despised this type of Alter-Ego adventure. If I were top dog overseeing this game project, after several failed attempts I would have allowed an "Annihilate All" gamer option of dealing with the problem at hand. Sure, the rewards would not be as great as accomplishing the goal as originally instructed, but at least the player could proceed and continue to get their game on. The following are other types of missions that truly tend to spike my blood pressure, and not in a good way. The GTA series is known for their timed missions, and I respect that. Too bad I suck at them. Being a more casual gamer, I prefer to enjoy the gaming experience at a steady pace rather than always being in 5th gear. Timed Missions are my antithesis. Initially, I love the adrenaline flow that immediately occurs when that ticking clock unexpectedly pops up in the right hand corner of your display. But once the countdown begins in full earnest, I am singing a completely different tune – one of panic and stress. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the pressure that accompanies missions of this sort. That being said, I don’t want to put through the agony of attempting to complete a timed objective 30 consecutive times just to continue the story (I am looking at you GTA). Yeah, I know, this type may be targeted by me due to my gaming futility. But regardless if I stink, it wouldn’t kill the developers to throw me a few outs, or workarounds, at the very least. Driving that Mako in the original Mass Effect was anything but enjoyable. I love driving a rad car/boat/ship/etc. as much as the next guy, but it needs to be properly executed. There are very few things worse than sticking it to the man with a crappily controlled mode of transportation. It is frustrating as hell to maneuver a poorly engineered (programmed) POS, but on top of that to expect us to achieve any sort of objective is ludicrous. I don’t care if it is a horse, hover craft, whatever, please triple the time you spend on QA testing in this area prior to incorporating into any game. Like my parents preached to me as an adolescent, just because you can do something son doesn’t necessarily mean you should (a lesson Mass Effect 2 thankfully took to heart). Escort Missions Zombie killing machine one moment, protecting an innocent the next. Shame on you RE 4. You know the drill. Deliver some random, computer controlled being/convoy from Point A to Point B, hoping they don’t get massacred along the way. I think developers want us to feel some type of emotional attachment to these NPC idiots. First off, I really don’t give a rat’s ass if they get butchered – I am just doing this quest for the loot and experience points. Secondly, if you are going to burden me with this dolt, at least program them properly. It’s bad enough that I have to protect someone who only has a sliver of HP/protection to begin with compared to our foes, but then you saddle them with programming afflictions as well. All of them are either slow of foot, unfocused, confused or too brave for their own good. Give them (and me) a fighting chance for goodness sake! That ‘stealth assignment’ for my Two Worlds II warrior is looking pretty good to me right about now. :) |
What’s Cookin’: 22-Jan-11
Added on 22-Jan-11
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Hello all. Updates Current Workings As always, our goal is to provide the best video game hardware information that the internet has to offer. Thank you for your support as we continue to enhance VGCL and keep the history of the console alive for all. Happy gaming all and I’ll touch base again soon. MG |
Although it has been a while since my last What’s Cookin’ post, many exciting changes have occurred within the past year for our VGCL website. We have not been slouches at all, but have been hard at work. This article gives a little summary of those past happenings, as well as what we have planned for the immediate future.
The Perfect Storm
Added on 27-Nov-10
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The Perfect Storm For any company to take advantage of this potential opening, a perfect storm must occur with the convergence of the following attributes: Financial Wherewithal, Technological Expertise, Brand Recognition and Visionary Leadership. Financial Wherewithal Technological Expertise Brand Recognition Visionary Leadership The following lists a few companies, all of which have varied historical ties to the video game console industry, which fit this speculative profile. The above list is purely theoretical in nature. Research was conducted in compiling the prospective candidates, but by no means should this be viewed as anything but an educated conjecture. In all honesty, as market conditions change, successful companies have the ability to adapt and shift focus to meet consumer demand and maintain profitability. For all we know, the next juggernaut console may be named one of the following: OK, I grant you that last entry (SX2) might be a bit of a stretch. But the truth is, the next household name may come from a complete unknown, as has been demonstrated in the past. At the end of the day, new competition only enhances our video gaming experience and advances technology. In today’s age, a true perfect storm must occur for this to happen. Who will surprise us? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gaming Flashback: Vintage PC Gaming & Memory Management
Added on 26-Nov-10
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Vintage PC Gaming & Memory Management After adjusting her desk chair for normal human use (she is only 5′ tall), I proceeded to fire up her PC and was greeted (after 5 minutes of boot time) with a plethora of system tray icons – 18 in total! Her system was so crippled and memory starved that ToolTips displayed after a 20 second delay. Needless to say I was disgusted by this mess, but at the same time rather invigorated by the challenge of freeing up precious RAM for this abused Compaq Presario. The task at hand reminded me of the old days when memory management and PC gaming went hand-in-hand. Just like a blank Word document is to an author with writer’s block, this flashing prompt was intimidating to say the least. To this computing nubile, this was the modern day equivalent of the Windows Blue Screen of Death. I had no idea how to respond to that relentless blinking cursor. A lesson was quickly learned while I blankly stared at the monochrome display: a certain proficiency in the abstruse DOS language would be required if I wanted to partake in PC Gaming. You have to remember that Windows (or Mac/Linux/etc.) was not a standard in 1989 – it was basically DOS. There were no memory optimization programs at the time. You were left to your own devices to configure the allocation of this precious resource known as RAM. There was but one method available to monitor this critical component – the beloved MEM command (sample shown below). The key for early PC Gaming was to free as much Conventional Memory as possible, while ensuring that you still loaded your various device drivers (mouse, CD drive, sound card, etc.). This was accomplished by the editing of two critical system files – Autoexec.bat and Config.sys. Let me tell you, this was not an easy task and was basically a trial and error procedure. I won’t bore you with the details, but for nostalgic purposes and as a tribute to us old farts here is a sample screen shot. Basically it became a game of Tetris while you juggled various commands/drivers into the High Memory Area to relieve the strain on the core resources of the system for applications. This “Quest for Memory” became almost an obsession during the era of vintage PC gaming. I vividly remember the first time I was able to get my Conventional Memory above the magical 600KB threshold – man was I stoked!! Though it is true that managing RAM is just as important in today’s modern age of PC Gaming, I can’t really say that I received the same level of satisfaction once I got done lobotomizing my lady friend’s computer. Sure, I was happy with the end result but it did not resonate the pure joy that accompanied like accomplishments back in the day. After this past weekend, I am glad that this mundane task is not as arduous as it once was. That being said, the pure adrenaline rush that I experienced in finally being able to fire up Quest for Glory will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for taking a trip down the PC Gaming memory lane with me. What are your fond memories of Vintage PC Gaming? |
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