I make no secret of it.
I am a 43-year old man who loves playing computer and video games.
And why not?
I was a teenage when Space Invaders, Asteroids and Centipede took over the arcades.
I was sixteen when I bought my first computer, a TRS-80. It was great for primitive gaming.
And I've got a great collection of old computer software in a special room in my basement. Perhaps I'll do a video of it some day so you can see.
I like to work hard and I like to play hard.
When you love what you do, your work is very much like play. It's enjoyable, fun, exciting, and the payoff is significant. So there are stages in my life where I will not play games much because I'm having too much fun building my business.
But there are other times where I take a step back. Business can become serious business and it isn't so much fun anymore. (I'm actually in the process of remedying that right now.)
So what are the latest games that have my attention?
1) I bought a Sony Playstation 3 for the family for Christmas. We have it hooked up to our 103" home theater screen.
Holy schnikies! This is one killer system!
We've got a Wii, and it is a technological marvel. And we've got an XBox 360. Cool stuff.
But neither of them touch the PS3 as far as an all-in-one gaming machine and media center.
It's got a large hard drive, plays Blu-Ray DVDs (you should see Planet Earth on this thing), connects to the Internet for online play, allows you to download add-ons and demos from the Playstation store, plays music, video and displays photos. All in glorious 1080p resolution!
So the first game we played on this system was Rock Band
I've played Guitar Hero. It's great fun.
But Rock Band comes with a drum kit, guitar and microphone, so I was able to jam out with my kids. Since I knew more of the songs, I grabbed the mic. You haven't heard anything until you've heard me belt out the lyrics to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead of Alive". Well, perhaps its better that you don't hear me.
Nevertheless, it is great fun and we've not yet unlocked all the songs. I love that you can go online and purchase new tunes for the game. I picked up "Limelight" by Rush, "Roxanne" by The Police and a couple others.
There are very few games that keep my attention all the way through to the end.
The Ratchet and Clank series on the PS2 has been one of those games, and the latest game for the PS3 does not disappoint.
The game is called Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
It's a 3D platform style game where you are placed in a lush and beautiful world (many worlds, actually) and play through the story by smashing, shooting and solving puzzles. It's easy to pick up, full of Insomniac Games' fantastic sense of humor and some of the most wonderful eye candy I've ever seen. It's totally appropriate for all ages and I will probably end up playing through it again some time.
Finally, I have recently started playing Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
It's very much in the style of the Tomb Raider series, only there are some new twists and moves added to set this one apart. Naughty Dog games did a great job creating a compelling storyline, developing interesting characters, balancing gunplay and action with exploration and adventure, and really making you feel like you playing a movie. The story unfolds at an appropriate pace and the realistic scenery is breathtaking. Sometimes you have to stop the action just to look around and smell the virtual roses.
Moving on from the PS3 to the PC...
It's no surprise that I am still playing World of Warcraft on a limited scale. I have fully leveled my warrior to 70 many moons ago. I've got my epic flyer and some nice gear. Since I am not a hardcore playing, I'm not tweaked out in epics, but I just don't have that much time to play.
And I am waiting for the expansion pack. Sometime in 2008, hopefully sooner than later, Blizzard is releasing the second expansion to the game, Wrath of the Lich King. WotLK will introduce players to an entirely new continent with new quests and critters to fight. It will also increase the level cap to 80. So when it finally does come out, I'll probably be highly unproductive for a month or so. ;-)
Finally, I have spent many nights repeating this phrase... "Just one more try..."
Why? I acquired a copy of Peggle from Popcap Games.
WARNING! This game is highly addictive and is only recommended for those who are willing to sacrifice precious hours of their lives!
Here's a summary. Imagine "Pachinko meets crack".
The game board is filled with blue, orange, purple and green pegs, with each board displaying a new design.
From the top of the board, you shoot a ball towards the pegs with the goal of eliminating the orange pegs before you run out of balls. Hitting a green peg gives you a special ability for a short time, while hitting a purple peg increases your bonus points.
It looks so innocent.
It's not. Popcap is evil. They owe me hours back.
I finished the regular game a few weeks back, only to be introduced to a "challenge" mode, which provides you with 75 additional challenges!
The good news is I've completed approximately 60 of those challenges, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
But there is nothing like the victory dance you do on the inside after completing an extremely challenging level and receiving an in-game trophy. Big whoop, huh? I know. "Get a life, Joel"
So, that's what I am playing.
How about you? Are you a gamer? Do you just "not get it" when it comes to video games?
Comment below!
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January 15, 2008 09:21 AM
Joel,
I am happy that your computer addiction also helps you to make money online. What do I do with a college student who does his homework and then spends too much time playing games? I tried to get him to learn about Internet marketing, but he's not interested.
Have you ever thought about helping 20 year olds as an example? How can I prove to my son that YOU really make money? He thinks he needs to be an architect or MD like his brothers and go to college forever, which means playing games most of the time. He and his girlfriend hook their games up to my big TV. That was their idea of a perfect New Year's Eve.
January 15, 2008 09:46 AM
Joel,
I am 32 years old and share the same "addiction". I grew up with the 8-bit Nintendo--so Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong were some of my best friends growing up. Even though I'm now an internet marketer, I have several emulators for the classic consoles on my PC that I still spend hours on!
Sometimes it's tough to find time to eat, sleep and spend time with everyone!
Glad to see I'm not the only "adult" who likes to take the contoller and escape to another world. My wife and kids wonder when I'm going to "get serious"...and I tell them whenever I stop having fun.
So far...SO GOOD!
Michael Crosby
www.BeachBumCash.com
January 15, 2008 10:44 AM
Hi Joel,
I wish I had the same funny life of yours, but my business - forex trading - does not leave me a minute
to have some fun and playing...
May be as you said, If I loved my business it should become my most exciting game ever...
All the Best,
Hatem
http://www.eforexcourse.info
January 15, 2008 11:28 AM
Hi Joel, before I start I am not after plugging my site on your blog, apart from the fact that it is new and I am still learning web building (and finding dreamweaver very difficult to master)it is a bit rude in places and probably not suitable for a lot of your readers. This is more of a personal note because reading your blog reminds me basically of myself.I am 44 and have owned every console known to man, a bit like yourself, at the moment I am hooked on Xbox Live. All games are fab but Live they are fantastic.If you get a moment have a look at xboxx.co.uk and go to the "In The Beginning" page, just me rambling on about gaming, Cheers Derek
January 15, 2008 11:55 AM
Joel, once the games got into so much motion, I had to quit because I get dizzy! But we added a Wii to the family this year and I am hooked. This is great entertainment! And read an article recently that home health care facilities or nursing homes are installing them because the elder patients are hooked, especially on golf and bowling! Gotta luv technology!
Terri Shearer
homehealthcarebooks.com
January 15, 2008 01:14 PM
Woot!
I'm not the only one so addictive to computers that I'm not just working on it but playing too :)
Keep on great job!
I'm currently trying everything I learned on your blog in my new website http://worldmeetingzone.com
Let's see what happens!
January 15, 2008 06:48 PM
Hey Joel,
I'm 24 years old, and super addicted to Halo, Killzone, and the X-Men games for Playstation 2. It will be a PS3 in a couple of months, alomst there, saving up. Hey, its cool having all my friends over every weekend to become a group of unstoppable superheroes in Marvel Ultimate Alliance. =)
I agree Joel, you have to love and enjoy what your doing, or else what's it really worth in the end.
Michael
January 16, 2008 06:37 AM
Hi Joel,
You are very best, i read your book, and i will try my best to do like you.
January 16, 2008 08:24 AM
OMG TRS-80,I remember playing that. I'm a closet gamer. My fav is the Wii. (I have just about every other gaming system except PS3) I still play Baby Bonks on Turbografix from time to time and when little kids are at my house they enjoy playing Boogerman on Sega.
After a day of work, building websites and reading emails, they help clear my head. I don't look at it as a time waster but brain clearer.
Game on!
Jeannete get your some to blog reviews about the games he plays, tricks he uses etc...
Ciao,
Jan
January 18, 2008 08:36 PM
Hi Joel:
I'm glad you are brave enough to admit you play and enjoy video games. As an adult, there is a serious stigma attached to anyone who plays them.
We always hear the negative things but very rarely the positive things. I have been actively involved in the industry since the early 90's and been playing some form of electronic game since pong.
It's up to us to spread the good word. I am the Chairman of the Board of the non profit awards organization -- The National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers --and as one of the few industry recognized industry awards we are finally starting to see some headway. We believe that by encouraging more recognition of many of the industry's talented individuals, the enhanced visibility of these leaders will lead to a greater public appreciation of the medium as an art form, and possibly change the face of video game marketing.
We are taking a positive step with an event on Carnival Cruise Lines this year. It is being headlined by Cloris Leachman and focuses on many aspects of the casual game industry -- as evidenced by the remarkable sales of the Wii and the DS. We also are highlighting how 3-D virtual simulations are used by doctors at Walter Reed Military Hospital to help Iraq vets deal with posttraumatic shock syndrome. Google "Virtual Iraq" to see news about it. Thanks a lot, Joel for opening up a dialogue that is positive.
January 21, 2008 01:13 AM
Sitting down reading your book and just wanted to check out the website, also brought back memories reading about you and the trs-80 (trash 80), remember going to junior high school and during breaks sitting in the "computer room" and typing some 'basic' programs and dreaming of owning one.... Best and have a great monday holiday.
patrick