The most exciting time of gaming is...

[Papercut]

I usually tend to take a seat at our big wooden kitchen table and proceed to examine every inch of the packaging before looking over the console like it was a newborn baby. That might read as being somewhat weird but the design, the look & feel of all these things, matters a lot to me.

I must say, I do the same. Don't want to miss anything

[Mayhem]

I've never bought a console at launch. I've always waited until at least the US release before getting something. Normally that's been quite a few months, in fact the Cube is by far and away the most recent purchase to when it first appeared (3 months). That's partially because I wanted the Smash Brothers and Rogue Leader goodness

I can wait... I can size things up. Okay so I've always ended up buying Nintendo's consoles, but as mentioned before, how the early software pans out is an important factor in buying decisions...

[iloveannie]

Horses for courses and all that. Some do, some don't. Not fair to criticise people of being elitist just because they want to be one of the few. I like owning things that are few and far between. Haven't got many and most are financially beyond my means (Ferraris for instance). But I can afford games consoles and their software, so when something is wanted (never needed) I indulge.

This feeling that some of us have is ok. I don't brag but I do feel a certain pride. Ultimately, to most, I'm viewed as a sad geek. But like Biffo commented this week, it's feels good to be part of a unique club - even if it is pathetic.

Anyway, the enjoyment gained from knowing a self-indulgent gift/treat is on the way (and is affordable) is second to none. I'm not a tree hugging hippie or a Budhist Monk. I know the rich man can't fit through the eye of a needle and all that. So what. Let me live a little in the way I choose.

And yes, I completely understand the guy who said he admires the box, packaging and all the rest. After all, I'm a man who has discovered how to open Japanese Gamecube titles without damaging the clingwrap!


Kind regards and a knowing wink to all who love gaming in the obsessive manner which has ensared me. Here's to gaming!

alan m

[replicant]

Great to see we still have a place for elitism on the forums.

God forbid we'd have learned our lesson by now, and just realised that gaming is gaming, and people enjoy playing games and new consoles no matter when they encounter them.

Pathetic

Treble -

Lets not forget that this is an import forum, and on import forums there are people who enjoy buying console on JPN import!

Id like to see how exactly buying a console at JPN launch is elitism. What about people who spend alot of money on say a cart of King of Fighter 2001, or 2002 for the NeoGeo? Are they not in their own way being "elite"?

Interesting that elitism is mentioned. Sometimes it appears to me that the fault isn't with the gamer buying the more expensive launch console, but with the gamer who does not follow due to being unable to match either for personal, or financial reasons. Green cheese? Maybe.

Anyway, this thread was not about elitism, it is about what excites people in gaming be it a launch jpn console, or not. Please keep on topic.

As for iloveannie

Not fair to criticise people of being elitist just because they want to be one of the few. I like owning things that are few and far between.

It will always happen. The problem is that it always appears to be the gamer who has the limited/launch consoles fault. Slightly annoying, and unfair.

[replicant]

Why? Because I had been looking forward to it for far too long, and I had wanted to play on all the games asap. Not because I wanted to feel in the "look at me, getting things for a stupid price, and looking richer/better than you" crowd, just because as a gamer I could get my mitts on the console as soon as possible.

It doesn't always mean that you feel more elite than the others.

Exactly! Its the excitement of actually checking out and playing the new games, on the new hardware instead of reading about it. There is a buzz on the internet about them on various import sites, and there is a buzz about them in the UK published media. It is fun to be part of that cycle.

As for making you look better than other people. Well for the people who matter to me gf, friends, parents, work collegues whatever it has no bearing. Infact the above take no interest in gaming, therefore to the people that matter to me the most it has no meaning, and doesn't make me stand out from the crowd. Its just another console for my childish hobby.

[Treble]

Well, I like the way this thread has gone but, tbh, I'm surprised it has. Guess I should have more faith in people. I was too harsh in my initial post, fair enough, but the way it read made it appear to suggest that, unless you got a console at japanese release, you were missing out:

The anticipation of the launch far exceeds any excitement for the UK launch as its brand new, unventured ground.

...which may or not be true, but is pretty inflamatory.

What about people who spend alot of money on say a cart of King of Fighter 2001, or 2002 for the NeoGeo? Are they not in their own way being "elite"?

Only if you perceive yourself as elite already. I'm sure you would like a game series you love on its original format, playable with the proper controllers, on the original system. That's not elitism, it's knowing what you want from games and going direct to the source.

So, I suppose there's nothing wrong with your original statement apart from the fact that is supposes that a UK launch is redundant and uninteresting, which it isn't. For example, if you found out the new PAL Nintendo machine could be modded, you could play it from the box with no need for stepdowns, get downloadable content from Nintendo in your own language and play against people from down the road on a Broadband package specifically designed to work with UK systems and appeal to UK users, wouldn't that be the more exciting launch for a UK resident?

PAL console releases inhabit their own world and their own niche, and are as exciting in their own way.

[Corrupt Rose]

On reflection, I do understand what Replicant is saying... although I don't feel it. It's for that reason that I don't import, because, quite simply no Hardware 'excites' me. Why? Not sure... maybe I've burnt out, having worked in a horribly intense IT environment, whilst having computers/consoles as a hobby has just numbed me to things with electronics.

The biggest parallel is processors for me. I used to be all excited by computers. "Wow! 200mhz! That's incredible!" etc. And now it's got to "Oh. 3Ghz. Speedy". Same with Consoles, each iteration is getting gradually less exciting for me.

I'm absolutely ****-scared I'm going to turn into a nostalgic mong at the age of 22.


- Corrupt Rose

[Scythe]

I'm absolutely ****-scared I'm going to turn into a nostalgic mong at the age of 22.

- Corrupt Rose

I love 2000 anybody?

[delb3k]

I really dont care about hardware in any way at all. For me, its just a means to an end to play the software. Thats the most exciting part for me, playing the titles and enjoying them. I need the hardware to do this, but really dont care to much about it. As long as it works, I`m happy.

If you get enjoyment out of it thats fine, I can understand your point and view and have no problem with it at all.

[Smeghead]

never really had a console on PAL launch, let alone Jap primarily due to financial reasons, I do like to find out a few opinions on a console before taking the plunge at full price also, but I must admit diving into something new and unknown is a buzz, I've been doin it with a couple of import titles recently, I'm very tempted to get one of the "next" gen consoles at Jap launch, but we'll see.

camps, only looking forward to Initail D for a week? Been over a year since I started counting down can't believe it lived up to expectations tbh.

[Brats]

Some people have missed the point . There's nowt wrong with enjoying a console at Japanese launch, even if it does cost a fortune. But the idea that you get more enjoyment from it because fewer people own it is elitist by nature and I can't see how anyone can deny that? Whether you see elitism as a bad thing or not is down to personal preference, but imo it just shows signs of an inferiority complex .

Put it like this, if Nintendo released a 100,000 more Pearl GBA's would I be pissed off? To be honest, no. If you're the sort of person who is, then by definition you are elitist and (imo) a bit of a sad sack .

The point of this thread was if buying consoles at launch becomes more affordable and therefore easier, will it become less enjoyable for those that have bought them in the past? I've already given my answer as an unequivable no. Some people have yet to give their answers on this, the topic poster for a start .

[replicant]

The point of this thread was if buying consoles at launch becomes more affordable and therefore easier, will it become less enjoyable for those that have bought them in the past? I've already given my answer as an unequivable no. Some people have yet to give their answers on this, the topic poster for a start .

The actual console build up. No. The excitement of the parcel arriving, getting it set up and playing Ridge Racer VII. No.

However maybe something could be lost within the import community. Now don't read that the wrong way, its not an "elitest" statement. What I am saying is that some of the intensity, and pioneering "spirit" of importing the console could be lost. I can remember when the super famicom was released in Japan. I didn't get one, but I can remember visiting a local games shop as seeing it. It was exciting, and interesting because it wasn't 10 a penny. Same with the PSX, and JPN Saturn launches.

As was quickly discussed on irc today, the problem can sit with people who aren't in the same situation. Thats when the term elitest appears as forum members start to discuss their new console and games with enthusiasm. And why shouldn't they? Surely they have the right to discuss them on a forum such as this without being branded elite.

[replicant]

Well, I like the way this thread has gone but, tbh, I'm surprised it has. Guess I should have more faith in people. I was too harsh in my initial post, fair enough, but the way it read made it appear to suggest that, unless you got a console at japanese release, you were missing out:

The anticipation of the launch far exceeds any excitement for the UK launch as its brand new, unventured ground.

...which may or not be true, but is pretty inflamatory.

Its hardly inflamatory. Ive been part of the N64, DC, PS2, GC, and XB UK launches. To be perfectly honest they have all been disappointing. Is that an elitest statement? No, it boils down to hardware availablity and the pick up rate. Its down to the media, out with the specialist press, not really jumping on the train and creating a stir.

The last console launch in the UK, had 40 people in a queue at its launch party to buy the console. In the middle of London. So as you can see I wasn't being inflamatory, afterall if I had wanted to be I would post in the PAL forum. However Im not posting in a PAL forum, am I?

Only if you perceive yourself as elite already. I'm sure you would like a game series you love on its original format, playable with the proper controllers, on the original system. That's not elitism, it's knowing what you want from games and going direct to the source.

Thats exactly the same as buying a launch console, yet something that you termed as being elitism.

So, I suppose there's nothing wrong with your original statement apart from the fact that is supposes that a UK launch is redundant and uninteresting, which it isn't. For example, if you found out the new PAL Nintendo machine could be modded, you could play it from the box with no need for stepdowns, get downloadable content from Nintendo in your own language and play against people from down the road on a Broadband package specifically designed to work with UK systems and appeal to UK users, wouldn't that be the more exciting launch for a UK resident?

Now if that was to happen I would eat my hat

[Oh! My Car!]

The most exciting time of gaming is...

when you are totally stoned


.....or buying a console at Japanese launch

[vic_viper]

The point of this thread was if buying consoles at launch becomes more affordable and therefore easier, will it become less enjoyable for those that have bought them in the past?

The answer to that question at least as far as i'm concerned is No not at all. The reason that getting a new console at Japanese launch is so exciting is that your getting the full experience of the thing first hand. You're experiencing everything about a new console and its launch titles for yourself and that in itself is definitely exciting. Waiting for a couple of months, reading others impressions and then buying or maybe even waiting for the US or PAL release is definitely 'less' exciting, but still fun, just in a different way.

If all consoles and games were released simultaneously(sp?) in all regions then that initial excitement would still be there.