The Crow Rambles

I cannot wait for this… Geekgasm!

JR’s School of Gaming reviews the NES classic Super Mario Bros. 3.

Part 1

Part 2

I stopped into Gamestop the other day to ask about a few games and confirm some release dates (street dates occasionally are a day ahead or behind of what’s posted in my area). Dead Space was one of the items on my list, and I was told by the mid-twenties guy behind the counter it was a day late in hitting the shelves.

Me: “Great, no problem. Thanks for the help.”

Gamestop Guy: “Do you want to reserve that?”

Now… I know you guys have to ask this. I understand. I’ve had to slave away in a retail environment before, I know how it works. You’ve got to do things you don’t want to. You have to ask the questions. If you don’t you’re not doing your job and you get fired. Not to mention there’s been numerous posts I’ve read through other blogs about the poor employees whining about how they have to do this. I get it. What happened next though it was really bothered me, and it’s an all-too-common scenario whenever I’m asked about reserving a hot title.

Me: “No thanks. I’m not sure if I’ll be down here tomorrow.” (which was true… I was a half hour south of home running errands)

Gamestop: “Well… okay… but…” *winces*

Me: “What?”

Gamestop: “There’s been a lot of last minute interest in that game. I’d reserve it if I were you… you never know…”

I declined and left, thinking: You never know? Are you kidding me? Gamestop, I know you have to do this. I’m aware of the fact that you’re trying to get foothold on tomorrow’s business today. And I know that you have to milk me for every drop of money you can while I’m in the store. But for cryin’ out loud… I’ve been a gamer since Link was sixteen pixels tall, and I’ve never, ever seen a run on a game so severe that I couldn’t find a copy. In a world where you can buy Gears of War 2 from a Seven Eleven mere days before it’s release date, do you think anyone really believes this?

I picked up the paper this morning and Circuit City was offering me 1,600 free Microsoft points for buying Gears 2 from them. And it was at this moment I was struck by a sudden thought; Gamestop is selling in a very George W Bush-esqe way… they are selling with fear. You’re trying to convince me that if I don’t reserve my precious copy of Dead Space or whatever with you right then and there that I’m going to lose out. I’ll be the one gamer in sitting at home tonight bemoaning my foolhardy decision to forgo the immense opportunity you offered before me on a silver marketing platter. C’mon guys… really?

I’ll be buying my copy of Gears 2 at Circuit City. Ironic, considering they’re going out of business soon (or at least closing a bunch of stores). The company that’s not selling with fear… but instead with a positive spin. ‘Buy here and we’ll give you this and this.’ Hope sold Obama… a positive message is putting the first black president in office… and damned if that isn’t awesome. Gamestop, try selling me on the positive aspects of reserving my game with you and you might earn my business. Until that day comes though, and you insist on trying to sell me on a game reservation with the fear that it will vanish into the ether if I don’t give you my five bucks right then, I’ll just go to a) WalMart b) Target c) Seven Eleven d) Bull Moose (local comic store) e) Newbury Comics f) ANYWHERE but from you guys. Hope sells. Fear doesn’t. Welcome to the new world, bitches.

Don’t mean to turn this blog into a YouTube gallery… but… serious geek-gasm watching this:

Support this guy! Regular fan-dude fighting to work in the system. Keep it up man!

JR’s School of Gaming’s 4th season one episode, a review of the classic horror / survival game Splatterhouse.

The story is done. Holy crap, the story is done. I sat down yesterday at 5 in the evening, and by 10:30 I had the final chapters first draft written. Still a lot of work to do… but it will be online very soon. And wow, what a good feeling!

Cruise on over to JR’s School of Gaming and check out Episode 3, part one of a comprehensive look at Y’s Book 1 & 2. Or watch it below right here, but make sure you visit their Forums and give them a hello!

The second episode of our favorite screwball game reviewer, JR and his School of Gaming - Episode 2: Strider

The premiere of JR’s School of Gaming - Episode 1: Captain Commando

I cannot explain this. But it frightens me.