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I PLAYED IT IN LEIPZIG
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7Nov 09
LIKE A BOSS.
Ive finally made a new blog post, and to kick it all off again, its my Gamescom post.
I'm back once again with dry mud from Germany on my trainers and my worn camp festival band loosely dangling from my arm. And yes there actually still is dry mud on my trainers from two months ago. That's just how special the Germany gamescom is. And also, how weird I am.
And even though last year was pretty fantastic; taking the tram with Jessica Chobot, eating out with Gamespot, Fallout demo. I actually preferred this years event. To cut a long delayed story into a short photo blog post, here's how it went...
-Me getting pumped for the Gamescom! And yes that is a NES controller.
-Reuniting with Fran
-Preshow setup
-Cool tent
-Retro gaming clothes day
-Gamespot golden age member number 3
- The unofficial IGN fan club
- German girls FTW!
- Germans are always trying to make me laugh
- on the Main pretty bridge at Koln, there's this tradition of locking padlocks on the grill fence. Hopefully next year I can revisit this location and unlock the padlock.
- Playing Mario Kart DS with some random fellow gamers at the queue for Dark Void.
- The coolest.
-My wrist wear attire for the show.
-Once again we beat the Germans 
These are just some of the photo highlights from my Facebook photo album where you can catch the whole shindig.
Ive even got some fantastic videos behind the scenes of 'The Daily Fix' shot at Gamescom this year (yet to be put up). Oh yeah and that was me at the intro and background of both Fix videos at the con.
So yeah, it was pretty fantastic. Chobot taught me how to have sex with multiple partners in Fable 2, Fran introduced me to Peer, I showed off my cool Nintendo belt to Matt Casamasina, all the gamers that had taken photos of my space invaders t-shirt and when I told Alex Navarro how awesome Gamespot used to be and, well, the list goes on.
Your probably thinking wheres the games talk/photos. But I think at this point in time a more personal blog on the event was more appropriate and well a better read.
And it was a much more personal holiday then that of the previous also.
Having left planning to last minute, I was once agian left to huddle in my small tent 'little Britain' at the official camp grounds.
And what a great decision it was, I can genuinely say that from my experience this year, I will now attend every future Gamescom at the camp grounds. My experience totally excelled that of the lone wolf adventurer of 2008 Leipzig. It was a much more social ground. And thanks to Red Bull sponsoring it was a much more comfortable ground too.
Bean bag tent, open camp fire, volley ball net, outdoor/indoor showers and toilets, adventure park, youth center building. This was a great camp site. The move to Koln was a good one based on this alone.
Then the Gamescom itself. Whilst there weren't as many playable game demo's as there were in Leipzig, the air con at the expo halls was fantastic. That's right, I'm putting air-con over playable game demos and if anyone reading this has been to the Leipzig Gamescon before, they know what I'm talking about.
The Leipzig expo hall was essentially one giant green house.
But it was the overall experience that made this con stand out to me over last year and pretty much any expo this year. Little things as well as the above such as the PC parts that decorated the morning breakfast tables. Making a ton of friends with gamers from all around the world. Seeing the main guy behind saboteur (the one with the awesome Mohawk) sit at dinner with his crew like a king, and pulling that hot German girl whom was way above my league.
I cannot recommend all gamers to attend Gamescom enough. No matter where you are in the world, whether or not your going to E3, and especially if you like Fanta; You should go to Gamescom.
It a gamers event. And the campsite brings a great festival feel to the event which none other offers. And seriously German Fanta is so much better then crap they give us.
That's it for now. I'll leave with something more present. A photo of my Halloween costume.
- Posted Nov 7, 2009 5:25 pm GMT
- Category: Games
- 4 Comments
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25Aug 09
You know that scene in 'Last Action Hero' when the main kid walks ino the police station for the first time and and then Sharon Stone walks past him followed by the T1000, and he kinda just follows them with a turn of his head in disbelief. Thats what it was like when I saw Alex at the Gamescom 'Germany' this year.
I just didnt expect to see him, even though I knew that Rockband Beatles was making an attendance and the knowledge that Alex works for them (or at least some form of music game). As huge fan of the oldschool 'original' Gamespot, it was a great moment I wont forget any time soon.
I stopped him, told him Im a fan of his gamespot years, and that himself and the rest of the crew (Rich Gallup. Greg Kasavin, Jeff Gerstmann etc) were at the top of their game when they were at the helm, and overall that they rock. This photo soon followed.
Unfortunately I didnt see Alex again, dispite his invitation to perform at Rockband Beatles. But I'm happy enough just bumping into him. Bumping into one of the old school crowd could be compared to finding Deoxys in Pokemon, they are spread out and are rarely found in public expos like this since leaving games journalism.
Next up on on the spot, Rich Gallup. I wish.
p.s. should be getting photos and vids up on here on the next following days
- Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:32 pm GMT
- Category: Opinion
- 11 Comments
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20Apr 09
- For out first game review, we'll review 'Flight Control'. See... theres a man behind me...hes enjoying it...I give it an 8. End Review.
-You know if there was one person in this room that I had guess made games, it would be you.
- I really enjoyed this one. Casual and laid back.Unfortunately it looks like I may have to drop Tina like a wife on Fable 2. Shes broken and funny looking.
STUPID GAMESPOT CROPS THE PHOTOS, WILL RESIZE THEM LATER
- Posted Apr 20, 2009 11:28 pm GMT
- Category: Games
- 5 Comments
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8Apr 09
The Past decade has seen the video games industry blow out of control; further into the mainstream and deeper into the pockets of the world. The games at the frontline on the whole have received notable awards for their achievements in the standard GOTY (game of the year) awards. But what of the best over the past ten, a look at the grander scheme of things. Games that change the medium, 'turning point' games, evolving the medium from Warcraft to World of Warcraft.
The 90's saw what most heralds as the best game of all time- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time. The game by which most 10/10 games get compared to, the "citizen cane moment in gaming history"* (*Edge magazine).
And with this decade dwindling out, I don't think there has been a game to match it, albeit against the view of some high ranked video game review sties* (*IGN review on GTA IV).
This is not to say that this decade has been a letdown in terms of medium accomplishment, in fact far from it. In 2005 Shadow of the Colossus brought about the discussion of video games as art. 2006 saw Wii sports being embraced by a wide age range most notably among them old grannies. And in 2007 Halo 3 unofficially slowed down the box office during its opening weekend.
Dare I say it, but I believe this decade has seen the most accomplishments in the gaming medium, and not so much through singular games that are groundbreaking in their genre, but on the industry as a whole.
I mean, old grannies getting a turkey in Wii bowling! I would never have imagined that back when I was riding through Hyrule field in the late 90's.
Jokes aside, these really are some great accomplishments, and here's my personal list of nominees for GOTD '00-
*Split into 'personal' and 'professional' opinions. Personal being more to my own unique taste, and Professional where I aim for the gaming community as a whole. Both recognise originality, quality and achievement.
*Games listed under 'Notable mention' are games that would have won it, if not for the tough competition that year.
Year- (Developer/ Publisher)
2000-
Personal-No One Lives Forever (Monolith Productions/ Fox Interactive)
Professional- The Sims (Maxis/ Electronic Arts)
2001-
Per- Silent Hill 2 (Konami/ Konami)
Pro- Grand Theft Auto 3 (DMA Design/ Rockstar Games)
Notable mention- Halo: Combat Evolved ( Bungie Studios/ Microsoft Games Studios)
2002-
Per-Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar North/ Rockstar Games)
Pro- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar North/ Rockstar Games)
2003-
Per- Beyond good and evil (Ubisoft Montpellier/ Ubisoft)
Pro-Star Wars: Knights of the old republic (BioWare/ LucasArts)
2004-
Per- Metal Gear Solid 3 (Konami/ Konami)
Pro- World Of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment/ Blizzard Entertainment)
2005-
Per- Shadow Of The Colossus (Team ICO/ Sony Computer Entertainment)-DRAWN WITH-Fahrenheit (Quantic Dream/ Atari)
Pro- Resident Evil 4 (Capcom/ Capcom)
Notable mention- Guitar Hero (Harmonix/ Red Octane), Psychonauts (Double Fine Productions/ Majesco Entertainment)
2006-
Per- Dead Rising (Capcom Production Studio 1/ Capcom)
Pro- Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks/ 2k Games)
Notable mention- Wii Sports (Nintendo EAD/ Nintendo)
2007-
Per- Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward/ Activision)
Pro-Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward/ Activision)
Notable mention- Halo 3 (Bungie/ Microsoft Games Studios), The Darkness (Starbreeze Studios/ 2K Games)
2008-
Per- No More Heroes (Grasshopper Manufacture/ Ubisoft)
Pro- Little Big Planet (Media Molecule/ Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)
Notable mention- Fallout 3 (Bethesda Game Studios 2K Games/ Bethesda Softworks)
*List as of time of writing- 8/4/09
*Games listed by earliest international release date
*GOTD 90'S
Per- Final Fantasy VII (Square/ SCE Europe)
Pro- The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (Nintendo EAD/ Nintendo)
- Posted Apr 8, 2009 9:05 pm GMT
- Category: Editorial
- 4 Comments
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22Mar 09
#sound may be low#
- Posted Mar 23, 2009 1:00 am GMT
- Category: Games
- 5 Comments
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12Mar 09
I haven't managed to post a vid blog in a while as my laptop is in for repairs, so id thought id make it up to you with a photo sneak peak at that video games programme I'm working on. Taken from last weekends test shoot rehearsal.
So far, so good.
- Posted Mar 13, 2009 12:04 am GMT
- Category: General
- 6 Comments
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20Feb 09
Unfortunately the YouTube quick capture cut off the last bit of the post, but the majority of it is there.
- Posted Feb 21, 2009 12:26 am GMT
- Category: Games
- 2 Comments
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14Feb 09
- Posted Feb 14, 2009 1:53 pm GMT
- Category: Relationships
- 8 Comments
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2Feb 09
The schools were closed, transport was down, temperatures hit minus 2, and an army of snow man invaded st James park in what was the most snow fall in two decades. And did I stay at home throughout it all? Nope. I managed to make it all the way to Buckingham Palace.
-Things weren't looking good before I even left te house.
-Things did not get better when I arrived at the station. 
-Snowy Peak
- Where did the Underground go?
-Why didn't I think of that! PLASTIC BAG SHOES!!!! 
-Reminds me of Peter Pan.
- Jack Daniels frozen in Trafalgar Square.
- Cool cat
- He's my fluffy, and I shall call him fluffy!
- Ive pulled!
- Buckingham Palace If you live in London, and are interested in pursueing a career in Video Games, why not become part of the largest independant video games show to be made. Email me at ante_meridian@hotmail.com.
- Posted Feb 3, 2009 12:07 am GMT
- Category: Other
- 8 Comments
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1Feb 09
I've been writing for almost two years now intermediately, throughout it all pondering the question, should I get into games journalism?, am I the next Rich Gallop?, will Jessica Chobot ever be my co host?
Every now and then the universe whispers into my ear, 'you're going to make it Mark, you're on to something here'. And most recently it came in the form of a reply for the 'Ready Up' staff writer advertised on Xbox Live-
Sure, there's the part in there that says that 'there were a few stand up people that stood out from the rest', and I wasn't one of those, but the fact that I was in the top 30 out of 700 is pretty fantastic, especially seeing as I sent the application without spell and grammar check by accident.
These days I feel like I'm almost there, just a little longer.
2007 was the year I first thought about getting in to gaming industry.
2008 was the year I tried out a few conventions and wrote on my blog.
2009 will be the year when I give it everything. No more procrastinating. I've got my new laptop, I've got the inspiration, and I've got a voice in my head that keeps telling me that I can make it good.
Wish me luck, or better still participate.
I am going to be making a video games TV show in London, and I think it's going to be something special. If you're interested leave a comment or email me at ante_meridian@hotmail.com
- Posted Feb 1, 2009 8:31 pm GMT
- Category: Editorial
- 8 Comments
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2Jan 09
-I started off the year by finally getting a HD tv. Only to get use to it after a month and not notice the difference any more.Spring
- Celebrating my 1 year anniversary as Wii360 owner. 
-My first booth babe or cosplay girl (Play.com event-London)
-who you gonna call? not activision...
-Me and some fine people I shared my birthday cake with.
- I...WILL NOT ...CRY!
-This cake, is not a lie. It was very expensive however. Rupinder, I still owe you a cake.
-Insert coinSummer
-I ran out in the rain straight after work to buy this game on release. And it DID NOT deserve 10/10. 
-Me and the daughter of some guy that was good at kung fu.
-When my life long best friend and gaming buddy Marvin congratulated me on owning him at COD4 on his own PC.
- When I bought a Blu-ray player to go with my consoles
-I actually got to sit on THE Delorean! (London Film and Comic Con)
-I actually got to touch THE ark. Well ok, it was a stunt ark, BUT it WAS used in the film!
- Honestly, I have never seen those deathsticks before! The weed is mine though.
- When I wrote a blog on how the now 'best game of the year' could of been better. It got noticed on the IGN charts and not because it was a flame, but because it was a well written unbiased analysis covering major and minor points of critical review. Well thats what I'm writing on my CV.
- In late Summer I went to Germany played some games , drank some beer and taken the tram with wonder woman.
-Later on in 2008 this lovely lady decided to make the video games rating board even stricter in England. HUGS AND KISSES. If only text could visualise the sarcasim I am out putting right now.
- When I formed a gaming clan of future famous people in the games industry. AKA the 'Bon Jovi' clan.
- Sleeping in an airport. Ametuer video games journalism has its rock and roll moments.
-In 2008 I finally got my DS signed. Which was the reason I got a White DS in the first place.
- When Tommy Tellerico said he liked my t-shirt and then tried to sell me tickets for his next gig in London. Smooth Tommy. Real smooth.
-When I had dinner with some Gamespot journalists, whom did'nt really want me there, but put up with me all the same.
-The view from my tent at Leipzig was quite beautiful at sunset.Autumn/ Winter
-When I sold that Blu-ray player I had and then pimped out my 360 and Wii. And yes that is an Optimus Prime 360 faceplate, with the autobots logo as the power button.
-When I chainsawed Danny'O'Dwyer in the face.
-After 1 year of gaming and blogging I finally learned how to blow dry my hair and look handsome for a photo. Albeit in a poorly lit room...- Posted Jan 2, 2009 3:48 pm GMT
- Category: General
- 13 Comments
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28Dec 08
- xmas eve game face. (plus pillow croch manovure, aka the erection muffler)
- best xmas movie. ever.
-free xmas theme ftw!
-view from underneath the xmas tree.
-presents, yay!
- the tree at Trafalger. Thanks Norway.
-starters
-the supermans only come out on special occasions. Or when Im trying to save the world...
-me trying to be pratical with my xmas cold whilst eating my xmas dinner.
-The eternal struggle between man and xmas wrapping paper comes to an end...
AND BAM, its a tshirt of that photo of me and Jessica Chobot in Leipzig titled- 'stop staring at my girlfriend'
-leaving vault 101.More photos to come.
- Posted Dec 29, 2008 3:22 am GMT
- Category: Other
- 11 Comments
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30Oct 08Despite some long winded text dialog to read, this game needs some attention.
- Posted Oct 31, 2008 12:45 am GMT
- Category: Games
- 9 Comments
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29Oct 08
Organ Grinder- Kill 30 enemies with a coner mounted mulcher (any dif)
Dirty, Dirty Horde- Survive first 10 waves of Horde (any dif)
Shock and Awe- Kill 30 enemies with heavy mortar (any mode)
Does this look infected to you? - Story progression in act 5, chapter 5
Brumak Rodeo- Story progression in act 5, chapter 4
You are the support son- Story progression in act 5, chapter 2
And the horsey you rode on- Story progression in act 5, chapter 1
Have fun storming the castle- Story progression in act 4, chapter 6
Better wrapped in beacon- Story progression in act 4, chapter 3
Theres a time for us- Story progression in act 4, chapter 3
Photojournalist- Submit a spectator photo
Smells like victory- Kill 30 enemies with a flamethrower.
Longitude and attitude- Story act 3, chapter 3
Open relationship- Complete 10 chapters in co-op
Heartbroken- Story act 2, chapter 6
Freebaird!- Story act 2, chapter 5
That sinking feeling- Story act 2, chapter 4
Girl about town- Story act 1, Chapter 6
Escort service- Story act 1, chapter 6
One night stand- Complete 1 chapter on co-op
Collector- recover 5 collectibles
Once more with feeling- 30 active reloads
Its a trap- Story act 1, chapter 2
Currently playing 'Dead Space' and 'Dead Rising' to 'Iglu and Heartly'- Jump out of your car
- Posted Oct 29, 2008 10:47 pm GMT
- Category: Games
- 9 Comments
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7Oct 08
So my entire plan of 'raping' this blog has come to a stand still. This is down to several things but mostly because of the tough ps3 market on EBAY.
-This man tried to sell his ps3 on EBAY to feed his children. EBAY removed it due to health and safety.You see, I have been planning to buy a laptop for some time now, specifically the new Dell Studio 15. My ten year old 'Tiny' PC has seen better days. The average time it takes me to write a full blog on it with photos is around 2 hours. Without the money, Ive got no laptop, to get the money I would have to sell my ps3, which I was planning on eventually. No kick arse laptop, no hardware to blog on.
-hmm maybe I should sell a photo of a ps3? Maybe that would work.Unfortunately selling a ps3 is not as simple as I would of hoped. There are around 200 ps3's on Ebay UK on sale at any one moment and at some ridiculous prices. I myself have entered my ps3 at a bargain £278 40gb bundled with MGS4, GT 5 and a HDMI, free delivery, with no avail.
-How can I compete with this?And now that the laptop prices have risen with the run up to xmas, I have had to cancel my purchase and blog rape-age until the January sales. Its fairly frustrating considering the cool topic ideas Ive been getting for blogs and my planned tv show podcast. But it should be worth it in the end.
Oh yes it will be mine, It will be mine...
So what have I been doing with my time since Leipzig. Not playing a lot, that's for sure.
Alone In The Dark has been looking up at me with weepy eyes hoping that I will play it for Achievements, whilst yesterday I purchased Uncharted and pretty much played that for trophies. It may be the prettiest game Ive seen on a console, but its gameplay sure is repetitive.
In fact I can't help but feel as though Guy Cocker and Jessica Chobot have been looking at my blog and thinking, 'hmm this dude will travel all the way to Germany and say hi to us, but he can't even write his own blog or play games. What a dork'. And somewhere in Ireland DannyO'Dwyer is rubbing his hands together whilst laughing menacingly "all the video games journalism jobs in the world will be mine, MUHAHAHA!!1"
So with that I end another half hearted blog attempt, with poor spelling and grammar as spell check will crash my PC. For the next week or so I'm going to be doing some maintenance on this blog, after that I am going to try and aim for at least five blogs a week, although they will most likely be small entries. Apologies to all whom actually use to read my blog in the past and think 'hmm this guy might be on to something'.
One day I will get my new laptop, and I will write about games. And maybe I'll even get paid for it.
markBOSS
-£199/free delivery/Baby included.- Posted Oct 7, 2008 11:13 pm GMT
- Category: Games
- 8 Comments
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2Oct 08
Around 15 or so years ago my older brother stole a Cindy Crawford keyring from a stall at London's Trocerdero, and then gave it to me as a birthday present.
And for 15 years since it happily accomadated my house keys collection.
Its been a while now that I have been planning to replace my keyring, and at the Leipzig GC I was intent in finding a video games inspired replacement.
Alas I was unsuccessful and upon my arrival back home I decided to go back to the place of the first keyring 'purchase'; Trocerdero(my home from home).
For a costly £3.50 I purcased this slightly demeaning Mario red mushroom keyring. Even with its rip off price, I am fairly content with the choice considering the vast selection available at Tokyo Toys (one of the coolest shops at Trocerdero). Plus I like to think that in a way, I'm also paying for the Cindy Crawford one
What do you guys think?
And no, on the other side of the Cindy Crawford one, its just the same picture.
For a while now I have been pondering on whether or not I would trade my DS lite for the next DS reincarnation. I have pondered such anal things with the slim ps2 and the 360 with the HDMI. Its a pondering that can last years.
This particular case pretty much came to a halt as soon as Tommy Talerico's pen touched my DS lite.Then when Jessica Chobot drew a heart on the front of my DS lite, I was pretty certain that I was going to be burried with the thing. But then Fran signed the back and I was back to the pondering again (just kidding Fran, your hair is so shiny!)
But thankfully todays news made me return to the funeral director.
TWO CAMERAS!? hmmm those crazy Japanese scientists are at it again!
The only thing that kind of appeals to me in fact is the internet browser. But even this could be accomplisehd with a DS accessory so really that leaves me with a large mp3 player that can take photos of mobile phone quality. So its basically like a modern day phone then...but wait its a DS...and you can't actually phone people. Oh yeah and you can't play GBA games. So it's really like a DS thats pretending to be PSP then, but wait you can actually make calls on your PSP. Hmm I'm confused, wait a sec, it's got TWO CAMERAS! Now I'm really confused, hmm, if only there was an actually reason to release this peice of crap then maybe I could write this blog!!!!! arrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111
Written to whilst listening to Goo Goo Dolls- Flat Top- Posted Oct 2, 2008 9:54 pm GMT
- Category: Games
- 4 Comments
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1Sep 08
To quote DannyOdwyer, 'that guy gets around.'
Thanks to the Gamespot UK crew whom I had dinner with during day two of GC, I received a flattering mention on the latest UK podcast which can be found here-
(Or if your reading this after the next episode, just look for the post Leipzig podcast.)
It was pretty nice to hear Luke recall me as his highlight of the GC, although I'm pretty sure I wasn't.
I also managed a quick shot in IGN's GC tour, although you won't be seeing a link of that here as my facial expression resembles that of an underpaid actor auditioning for the role of Timmy in a theatre production of South Park.
To be fair I did warn that I may go crazy/ spongebob wavy hands, if I came across certain journalists/ presenters on an earlier post. And thats exactly what happend when Fran filmed me.
Although when I get my new laptop within the next week or so, I promise to make some sort of video edit with it.
And thirdly I also get a quick mention on the great indie games site citizengame, thanks to my gaming companion and 1/4 of the Bon Jovi clan- DannyOdwyer.
I guess getting around is just what I seem to do lately. And its something I've managed to do quite well at Leipzig. Here's a video if me walking around the Video Games Live show during its half time break, after which I managed to nab an expensive seat for my cheap seat tickets.
I should say that its not the most entertaining video ever. I pretty much made all my videos for my own personal viewing and then later on thought maybe I could post some on Youtube or something.
If you do like the Video Games Live tour or the video Intro, then you may want to check out the other videos. The other videos are linked by the same user so its easier to find the videos on there. There are also a few more on there that I haven't linked to on here. Enjoy
Leipzig day zero-
Video Games Live-Metal Gear Solid
Written to whilst watching Police Academy
- Posted Sep 2, 2008 12:45 am GMT
- Category: Games
- 7 Comments
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28Aug 08
24 Photos
-The other campers called it 'Little Britain'.
-Martin Leung plays Super Mario Bros blindfolded
- In a very deja vu moment, Tommy says he likes my t-shirt akin to Shannon Lee 4 months earlier at the martial arts convention.
-gaming
-My new Crucifix.
-At the Fallout 3 queue.
-My first day companion and mentor 'Michelle', shows me that you have to dance for food at Leipzig.
-I had to come up with a whole new word for the 360 stage show girls. Hot Bombs. They were there everyday, could handle themselves on guitar hero and were really passionate.
- That World Trade Center game, which admitedly I did play.
-The obligatory Dreamcast photo.
-Arrrrggghhhhhhhhh. I posted something about spongebob before on a previous Leipzig post, so this seemed really necessary at the time...
- Photo caption competition.
-Bumping into Chobot then taking the tram with her was the beginning to an awesome day where I would meet some fantastic people. 
- Me and Max, the cool dude I waited with at the Mirror's Edge line.
- The end to an amazing day, with an amazing night. Me and some Gamespot peeps.
-What the other tourists were taking a photo of.
-Seriously, do not have a license. I just showed them my provisional.- View from my tent.
- The spot where my tent lay.
-Thank god Jessica Chobot didn't pull this face.-The 'Bon Jovi clan', left to right-Me (UK), Philip(GER), Danny(IRL) and Patrick(AUS). Philip had recently joined the German military so he could earn money to attend the 'Games Academy' and become a games developer.-Me sleeping at the Berlin airport.
-Game Over338 Words
On my third day at the games convention I happened across two Muslims that were praying in the main hall. They were on their knees, bowing as part of their noon prayer. It was a real photo moment, but out of respect I carried on through the hall.
It was the image it set that I was interested in. Gamers on a pilgrimage.
A pilgrimage can be defined as a long journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a persons beliefs and faiths. And that's exactly what Leipzig or any other large games convention is. Its what the legendary E3 used to be like. Its our Mecca.
My journey was a great one. I went on my own, I camped, I travelled a lot, played a lot, met people I admire and made new friends. It was one of the best holidays I have ever been on. And the best thing to happen to me this year.
Those four days in the largest games convention in the world, were memerable.
I'm going to miss alot about Leipzig; The most approachable people on earth, Left 4 Dead, strangely named German sausages, the intoxicating but nice fruity perfume all German girls wear, being gob smacked at all the people I met from games sites, making friends with the nicest gamers in the world- that like me are trying to find their way into the industry, white beer, free travel, free zero cola, blue eyes, LittleBigPlanet, the earthy smell of camping, my union jack flag waving gently to the summer afternoon breeze, the view of the sun rising from my tent, using my German phrase book to make people smile, hearing the other campers shout 'Helga' in the middle of the night, Euro's, not working, the smoking culture, sweaty controllers, surviving on free sweets and pretending I was games journalist.
My video games Disney World trip has come to an end. Until another year, this pilgrim has to go back to daily worship.
Until then.
Written to whilst listening to Goo Goo Dolls- Let Love In (album).
And alot of videos
I recorded an account of my entire pilgrimage myself with just my digital photo camera. I'm in the middle of uploading the entire journey onto Google video, so please check back for further content. The videos are unedited and fairly un pro, imagine Blair Witch with video games, so do expect some dodgy angles and poor sound.
The videos are based on my journey and experience rather then games footage, so if your looking for that it is probably better to check out Gamespot, IGN or CitizenGame's footage.
Expect a video later today with me and DannyODwyer on Guitar Hero. Also Citizen Game has a podcast on Danny's last day at the show hanging with me, be sure to check it out as wellas an upcoming post on my blog with a photo of my signed DS.- Posted Aug 28, 2008 12:55 pm GMT
- Category: Editorial
- 14 Comments
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23Aug 08
Leipzig pics coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I have a pretty good reason why I did'nt post last night. Its because I was dinning with some of Gamespot's finest. And yes you read right on the same day, I also met Jessica Chobot and Fran from IGN.
I think yesterday has to be one of the greatest holiday days, ever. It definately made the trip worthwhile for me.
First thing is first- I was on my way to the city center from the games convention after my batteries died on my camera. I was quite annoyed to be leaving the show half day, but then as I crossed the street towards the trainstation, a pretty brunette caught my eye on my right.
I looked over. Kept walking for like a second. And then stopped, turned around and shouted out "Jessica!."
On probably the top of my list of people I would have realistically liked to see at the GC, Chobot stopped and I said hi. She was in a rush to the show and had to catch the tram, so I offered to ride with her so that she could sign my DS; previously signed a couple of nights before by Tommy Tellrico and Dave Perry. (not to rub it in)
We jumped on she signed my ds, we had a nice little chat and then had a pic taken. I jumped off early so I could continue my chore to find a german adapter, with a pretty big smile on my face.
Jessica had not only turned my trip around, but had started what would be a somewhat fate driven awesome day.
Oh and even though I lost two hours of the GC, I later learned that the show would be closing later that day, so I didnt actually lose any hours.
And not long after returning, I bumped into Jessica again at the main entrence hall, this time with the one and only Fran, whom also signed my DS.
Later that day at the end of the show I had needed to go to the city center again to find the visa cash machine in order to take out some much needed euro's after spending on the adapter and a new sd card for my camera. I was walking around, weary of the time and feeling hungry. I was looking around for someone to ask, after a few hesitations due to a few drunks, I asked the most normal looking person in a ten meter radius.
Mid sentence, I stopped and said "Hey do you work for Gamespot?", and the next thing I know there are a whole troop of international Gamespot journalists dev team in front of me. Some names you may recognise; Guy Cocker(UK), Luke(UK) and Shaun(US) and Takka(US).
After Luke introduces himself and me to Guy, I awkwardly ask if I can join them for drinks. We end up going to a restaurant, and I spend the next couple of hours just amazed at being in the presence, and try to crack the odd joke here and there in an effort to be one of the Gamespot guys.
It was a great night, it was quite surreal to see them talking candidly and chilling out, but in a very cool way. If I did'nt think about it, it felt just like as if I were coming back from working at the GC and were now chilling with my fellow games journalists.
Thanks to all you guys for letting me take an awesome group photo. And special thanks to Luke and Guy for making me feel ridiculasly welcome.
So yeah my camera rocks, I keep thinking maybe its like a gaurdian angel like in Transformers, with bumble bee and the main kid. Any minute now Megan Fox is going to ride past me in a scooter.
Their were other random things that happend that day, like this guy that I met at the Mirror's Edge line, 'Max', whom is thus far the nicest person I have met. And even the people at the 'information' desk are awesome, they let me charge my camera that day at their desk and again today at this very moment. I have taken photos of these guys also.
I'm not sure exactly when I can post photos of all this stuff, but am working on it. Oh yeah and since day one I have been recording video also. I have around an hour of fairly decent 'blair witch' type footage.
So day 2 was basically a complete turn around from day one.
Thanks to all the amazing people I met yesterday, mentioned or not. You made my trip worthwhile.
Before I go, just want to make an apologie for any spelling or grammer mistakes, I am writing this as fast as possible so that I can get on with the rest of the day.
And also I shall write tomorrow about the gamesI have played in detail including Mirror's Edge, which was amazing.
Peace.
- Posted Aug 23, 2008 1:17 pm GMT
- Category: Travel
- 10 Comments
