12/14/00

Fat's Rants: The waiting game

I'm certain that a lot of you (okay, the few of you) who have read my recent columns may have noticed that I have a one-track mind recently, when it comes to what I've written about.  Yes, with the release of the Playstation 2, my never-ending crusade against biased-ass fanboys has suddenly reached a whole new level.  I certainly am not the only one fighting this battle, in fact I'm somewhat encouraged to see that many people I've talked to are thinking for themselves when it comes to great monolith of hype which is the PS2, though there are many who are still blinded by it.  This article is primarily for those who are.

The way I talk about the PS2, and the way I have talked about Sony in the past, many of you might think that I am full-blown against ever buying the system in my lifetime, but this is not the case.  I don't like Sony's "crush 'em all" business practices, their tendency to hype their products beyond reason, and the quantity over quality amount of shovelware that is constantly being heaped upon us due to their lax standards.  Despite all that, the simple fact remains that some of the best game companies in the world make games exclusively for Sony's systems.  Though many reviewers are down on most of the Playstation 2's first generation game lineup, There are already a couple of games (SSX and Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore, which I'd be getting for the extra features, since the Dreamcast version actually still looks better) That I will purchase once I get a system (I will NOT purchase the system just to play those games, however).  As someone who truly enjoys good games, I cannot simply ignore the fun I had playing the two afore-mentioned games, nor can I ignore the fantastic potential of a game Like Metal Gear Solid 2 (Which, as Pat recently pointed out, is beginning to look more like a graphic facelift of the first game than the immersive experience that was shown at E3) simply because I don't like the company which makes the console that the game is on.  Eventually, I WILL buy a PS2.  You can bet on it.

Yes, the PS2 is going to be the home of some great games.  What the "Sonbies" I argue with don't seem to understand, however, is that it won't be the ONLY system with great games.  

I have been a stalwart Dreamcast fan(boy) ever since I first bought my imported system, over 9 months before the US release of September 9, 1999, but I've never been more of a fan of the system than I am right now.  Never before in my 20 some-odd years of gaming have I EVER seen a stronger lineup of software than what's coming for the DC this Christmas.  Just about every genre of gaming is covered with a AAA DC title, including some genres that until recently didn't exist.  First Person shooter fans are covered with the likes of Half-Life and Quake III Arena.  RPG fans will be taken care of with Skies of Arcadia (which is GREAT) and Grandia II.  You wanna skate and shred? do it to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, or Jet Grind Radio.  Race fans have the likes of Metropolis Street Racer (at least in Japan and Europe, we wont get it 'till Q1 next year), Test Drive LeMans, and, if you want to import, Daytona Online.  Fighting fans get to pick from the best 2D fighting games in existence, such as Capcom vs. SNK, and some pretty swank 3D fighting games as well. Sports fans get great online versions of Football and Basketball.  The quirky Music game genre gets the addicting Samba de Amigo, complete with (expensive) morrocas.  And then, there's Shenmue, which defies catagorizing.  It is an exciting time to be a game player right now, but the excitement is severely lessened if you happen to be a single-system fanboy. I truly feel sorry for someone who looks at a game like Shenmue and feels not excitement, but animosity, because the game isn't for "his" or "her" system.  When I talk to a dyed-in-the-wool Sony Biased ass fanboy about the Dreamcast's current lineup, the response I almost always get 
is this:

"Just you wait...."

Wait?  OK, let me see if I can understand this: many people have been waiting over 2 years for the PS2: Now that it's available, you have to wait even LONGER for the good games?

Wait?  I've been waiting for Shenmue ever since I saw it's first demo (Project Berkely) disk around 2 years ago, and now here it comes.  I've been waiting for the new Zelda, and here it is. The long wait for Final Fantasy 9 is over as well.

Wait?  Hey PC players, a new, souped up version of Unreal Tournament is out now (Just a rehash you say?  If you're a PS2 fanboy, I wouldn't talk if I were you).

Wait?  No, I'll tell you PS2 fanboys what....

Why don't YOU wait?

Don't misunderstand me: I AM waiting for the really good PS2 titles as well.  I just have a different way of waiting than someone who pledges his alliegience to the flag of one system.  When a game I want for the PS2 comes, I'll walk into the store, buy the game, buy the console (there won't be a manufactured SHORTAGE by then, and I don't care what Sony says, it IS manufactured), and walk out.  I'm NOT going to miss out because "that game sucks 'cause Sony sucks", nor should anyone miss out on a great Sega game because "Sega sucks", or a great Nintendo game because, to quote Uncle Brad, "Nintendo sucks" (but even HE's up for a game of Ogre Battle 64).  Remaining "System celibate" because of a budget or a lack of space is one thing, but out-right HATING games because you can't play them on YOUR system is ridiculously ignorant.

I realize that there are Sega fanboys (I'm sure some of you consider me one of them...and you're right), Nintendo Fanboys ("Just you WAIT for the Gamecube....and Conker), Microsoft fanboys (X-Box: talk about "just you wait"...), and PC fanboys (ummm...just you WAIT for the new 612-bit 256 meg Double-Fandango Nvidia 3D card!  Only $800! And it'll take a full MONTH before it's outdated!), but right now, the PS2 fanboys, whether they actually own the system or not, seem to be out in droves, screaming some kind of public outcry, and I'm getting sick of it. Like I've stated in the past, They have the three M's (media, money, and mindshare) on their side, but right now, there is one "M" that they're suffering from: Mediocrity (kind of a Playstation staple).  It's true that waiting will solve this problem, and that eventually, those who wait for the better games will receive them.  

By the way, there's been some recent rumors (almost confirmed, but not really 'till we see a work in progress) that due to a deal with Ack-Lame (they own the Ferrari license, so Sega had to release the arcade port of Ferrari through them), Sony players will "soon" be playing Sega greats like Crazy Taxi and 18 Wheeler on PS2!  When? Oh, about a year from now.  I've been playing Crazy Taxi for months, as well as 18 Wheeler (imports are nice), and I can tell you these are some good games (Crazy Taxi is great, 18 wheeler is...okay), so it's good news for you PS2 owners that can't really afford to get a DC, but it really isn't something for Sonbies to brag about, considering you're getting the games a year late (at LEAST), and they are being ported by some funky 3rd party programmers (they TRIED porting Ferrari, apparently it was cancelled due to difficulties).  Still, I suppose it's something to "WAIT" for...

Then again, how about we all just KEEP waiting?  Sure, stuff Like MGS2 will be good, but MGS3 will be even BETTER, right?  And MGS4 will be better than that.  Sony's newest ad campaign has given me some insight:  If you think the PS2 is good, think of how good the PS9 will be!  Never mind that it's coming out in 2072 and you'll be ancient by then, later is better, right?

Wrong.  My point here is that right here, right now is a great time to be a gamer, better than it has been in years.  Enjoy it, and don't let  biases get in your way.  I've got 'em (as I'm sure you're quite aware), but I won't let 'em spoil MY fun.

I was trying to think of a better way to end this article, but I just can't figure one out right now.  Maybe if I do, I'll revise it.  In the meantime, I guess....

...You'll just have to wait...

-Fat

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