Playstation Dreams: The PS1’s Dream Emulator
The following shots are from a 1998 Japanese Playstation game called LSD. The game simply has the player navigate grotesque and ever-changing dream worlds.
The result is some really lovely lo-fi polygonal goodness worthy of a modern art installation.
We really need to import this game.
- Kyle & Aaron
Metal Gear Smile: Meeting an Idol
You might not believe it, but I made Hideo Kojima do something not many people have seen.
I made him smile.
Last month, a few friends and I headed down to SoHo’s Uniqlo Store to stand in line and wait for an opportunity to shake the hand of Mr. Metal Gear. By the time we made our way to the end of the line, we had already had wrapped halfway around the block. Being two hours early, was clearly not the brightest idea.
As we waited I saw more camo and cardboard boxes than I have ever seen on the the city’s streets, and I heard more about Dragon Ball than I would have expected.
We finally made our way inside, and I could see him sitting at the top of the stairs. Moving a few steps forward, we were told that Kojima would be signing items. One item per person, and they could only be things that he had worked on.
Our memorabilia in hand, we made our way up the stairs.
He sat behind a small convention table in the far corner; a translator to his right and a guard to his left. He spoke very little, his translator quickly uttered English, and the fans were pushed aside when their fleeting time expired.
I saw Kojima sign a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4, I saw him sign a action figure, and I even saw him sign a copy of Metal Gear Solid for the Playstation. I remember looking down at my hands, as I was bring rushed towards Kojima, and wondering what he was going to say.
I handed him the book I was holding, thanked him for making games that I had enjoyed, and I watched him as he pondered over what I had just handed him.
When I was younger, I loved my Nintendo. I would stay inside all weekend long and play as much as I could. I also loved reading. When my thumbs would grow numb I would make my way to my room and read whatever I could. Naturally, when I found out about a group of books that were based on Nintendo games, I grabbed as many as I could. The Metal Gear novelization being among them.
He sat the book down, looked at the book, and picked it back up. I watched as he flipped the book open, and thumb through the pages, while he looked at what was in his hands with bewilderment. He looked to his left, spoke to his translator, and then turned to me and offered his hand. As his translator spoke, he faintly smiled, before setting the book down and signing it.
The translator told me that Kojima had never seen this book before, and asked me what it was. I hastily explained the book to the translator, and watched Kojima break another small smile as she told him what I had said.
He handed the book back to me, shook my hand again, before I was promptly shooed away. I still find it had to believe that no one else had ever had him sign it, but it really makes me happy that, as far as I can tell, that I was the first. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not gloating for the sake of gloating. It isn’t even my book, as I had lost mine so many years ago. The book was a gift for my girlfriend, who really is the biggest Metal Gear fan I know.
I am just really happy I was able to give her something that is so damn cool!
- Aaron M.
Trainer Mentalities: An Observation of the Hearts and Minds of the Humans Who Inhabit The World of Pokémon
I’ll admit it.
I love Pokémon. It won me over with its deep and ever expansive battle system, and it continues to pull me back with it’s charm. Take for example the Battle Frontier.
At the Battle Frontier you and a friend battle together against opposing trainers, gain BP, and generally have a good time. While I do enjoy playing Pokémon together with my girlfriend, what I really enjoy are the things the other trainers say.
Observe:
Beauty Trainer
Before Battle:
“…Oh, wait one second.
I have to take this call.”
After Battle:
“Hi, yup… Yes,just battled… Nope…
Kid beat me… Uh-huh…”
Waiter Trainer
Before Battle:
“Work is fun, and Pokemon also.
I am happy I come to this country.”
After Battle:
“Oh, why you beat me? So mean!
I want to go home to my country.”
Expert Trainer
Before Battle:
“Fwo-fwo-fwo. Youngster, what’s most
important is to never give up.”
After Battle:
“Fwo-fwo-fwo.
You’re and admirable Trainer already.”
Collector Trainer
Before Battle:
“I’m the main character of this story.
It’s impossible for me to lose.”
After Battle:
“…The hero has to suffer a bit so the
audience feels more empathy.”
With only a few lines of text, Game Freak was able to give massive amounts of color and texture to the Pokémon world. It really shows how much thought they have put into the game. Beside being one of the cutest game scripts I have read, this game also managed to pack in humor, a pretty surprising vocabulary, and just a touch of social commentary.
Take a gander:
Lady Trainer
Before Battle:
“Partying, shopping, dining…
Darling, I’ve grown bored of it all.”
After Battle:
“Only battling lifts me from this idle
existence of boredom and apathy…”
Wow! I never thought I would be reading something like that in a Pokémon game.
While I do love that last one, thus far my personal favorite has been this one:
Reporter Trainer
Before Battle:
“This microphone is what made me a star.
It’s my all and everything.”
After Battle:
“…Thud. Bzzzzt…”
- Aaron M.
sprties via bulbapedia