Competitive Gaming takes the next step, Best Buy takes a step on GameStep, and I'm taking some baby step becuase I have to take it easy.

Have a few things I want to comment on today. Gonna make it quick(ish).

The Video Game Hall of Fame launch party happens this Tursday in Ottumwa. A lot of well known gamers will be there. Sucks that I can't make it but I'm still glad that Ottumwa is getting noticed for starting organized gaming. I hope to be a Hall of Fame inductee someday.

I read something about Best Buy offering their unused games for the price of GameSpot's unused games. It's not a big deal to me since I often see GameStop charge $60.00 for new game and $55.00 for a used copy of that same game. I know GameStop has its faults but wanting Best Buy to run over GameStop is like wanting Wal-Mart to run 7 Eleven out of business. Maybe it's just me, though, but I doubt it.

I mailed off my tape for Wii Sports Resort to Twin Galaxies. I have to admit that I was still learning the ins and outs of the title and I still have much room for improvement. I see games differently from the average person and sometimes I sacrifice early results but often harvests better crops later on. I may (or may not) be behind how but I'm sure to separate my degree of Wii skills from my competition.

I have been submitting all my scores to Twin Galaxies by videotape. I want to switch the DVD to help curb the cost of submitting. But I first have to buy the proper equipment (Computer, capture card, etc.). But my income is anything but disposable right now. The good news is that I the crappy economy has taught me to cut down the things I don't really need such as Blockbuster Online. Shoot, I might dust off my old Arctic Zone and start taking sandwiches to work again. Buy VHS tapes is WAY too much money when you compare it to the cost of DVD's.

Chiming In (August 1, 2009)

Personal life has been not so this year. Gone worse just recently. No specifics, but it has cut into my time Twin Galaxies, Empire Arcadia, etc. My practice time -- and execution -- for certain games has suffered also. I can't get back into full gear until I get to some stuff sorted personally. Hopefully that is sooner or later.

I was looking to go to an MLG this season to play Fight Night Round 4 but I'm too broke right now. Hopefully they will be holding them when I get back on my feet.

I have received a comment for my ECA blog from ECA's Brett Schenker, himself. I appreciate the response but I stand by what I have posted. I don't believe the President said anything requiring "action" thus far. If I don't question the ECA's motives in this action campaign, even more harsher critics will.

Wii Sports Resort came out so I picked that game up. The Wii Motion Plus did wonders the the Wii Sports follow-up. As usually I will see how far I can go in that game.

I found out from a Tweet that Triforce, Justin Wong, and Prod1gy picture from the Jinx shoot made it into Play magazine. I'm proud of them. They have been in the gaming scene for years and have earned it.

Well that's pretty much it. Cya next post.

- RLW

My Take on ECA Vs. Obama

On July 27th, The ECA started a letter-writing campaign to show President Barack Obama their disapproval of his so-called anti-video game statements. Necessary? I think not.

ECA-run GamePolitics opened their announcement of the for, letter by saying this:

If you're a regular GamePolitics reader, you know that President Barack Obama often refers to video games as something to be set aside in favor of presumably more worthwhile pursuits. In the most recent example, Obama, speaking at the NAACP's 100th anniversary dinner, counseled African-American parents to put away the Xbox.

What are the pursuits that are "presumably" more worthwhile than playing a video you ask? Let's go to Obama's NAACP 100th Anniversary speech, the same speech from which ECA quoted the "put away the Xbox" statement. He gives us a few examples of what goal young blacks should shoot for.

They might think they’ve got a pretty good jump shot or a pretty good flow, but our kids can’t all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers. I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court Justice. I want them aspiring to be President of the United States.

In short The ECA is shunning President Obama for suggesting black parents to cut down their kids' time on video games in order to study in hopes to be doctor, teacher, politician. I'm sorry ECA, but those are not "presumably worthwhile goals", they are worthwhile goals period. Don't get it twisted. I love playing video games, but I see no problem in sacrificing leisure time for more time studying for a top-notch education.

ECA Online Advocacy Manager Brett Schenker writes about this "action campaign", stating:

We know video games can promote fitness. We know games can educate, because we've experienced that first hand.

There are certain video games that do promote education and/or fitness. But with like most forms of media they are in the minority. The majority of today's entertainment, be it video games, film, music, etc., is just simply entertainment.

And finally you get to send President Obama your disaproval of him suggesting to parent to moderate the kids gaming time. You can personalize the letter to say whatever you want or you can use the message already in the text box:

...I think that you’ll find that the video game community is quite vibrant and active...

Just ignore the people who curse you out in the forums and Xbox Live. They don't count.

With the recent launch of the Nintendo Wii...

Recent? Something that happened three years ago is recent?

...We have taken the next step in physical immersion in video games. Nintendo has made it a part of their system and known to the masses that video games allow us to be physically active and no longer tethered to our couches.

Except for a few games such as Wii Fit and EA Sports Active, most Wii games can be played SITTING DOWN. I think they are overselling the issue, but, whatever.

I hope this letter will allow you to think about video games and the gaming community in a new light and that you’ll rethink their inclusion in future speeches.

Yes...yes... Maybe in his next speech he will say, "Parents, make sure your kids play video games until they fall asleep on top of their controllers, then, if time permits do a little bit of homework and study." Would that satisfy you, ECA?

I think people are making too big a deal out a three-second sentence from a 30 minute speech. The ECA should find better stuff to do than make a big deal over a few one-sentence "statements" about video games.

If you want to hear the President's full speech you can find it here.

EA Sports Challenge

Just yesterday MLG announced that they partnered with Electronic Arts to bring to the masses the EA Sports Challenge Series. Judging from the promotional stuff, the game list will include Madden NFL, NBA Live, and Fight Night. Nothing announced officially though.

I would like to enter for Fight Night but they say it will be PS3 only. If the only way to qualify is online and no store qualifiers than I will be in trouble. No PS3. If there were store qualifiers I wouldn't mind the PS3 controller. But if the only way to qualify is through PSN then it will be a major problem trying to qualify.

"Only On PlayStation" stuff aside, I think it's good to see good MLG supporting competition on EA titles. I personally hope EA Sports Challenge becomes a success.

Didn't Win Fight Night

I didn't do well. In the district round for Fight Night yesterday. On my first match I play in in-your-face Ali against my Foreman. I was doing okay at the beginning. Well at least I thought was until I got KO's 1st round. 2nd Round I managed to win but third I got knocked down a second time. Third round I took another knockdown. Then forth round I took a finally got put down. I got outplayed. I have faded most poor passive Alis online and I simply didn't know how to play a more active Ali.

Well I''m officially done with the GameStop tournament. Gotta get back to doing Twin Galaxies stuff. I may apply to ProGamingTraining.Com as an "Elite" player, which mainly means non-pro. Hopefully there will be more Fight Night tournaments. The World Series of Video Games once hosted Round 3. Maybe a league will host Fight Night in future.

Evo Starts Tomorrow!

Just want to make sure everyone know that Evo begins tomorrow. It's probably the world's best know fighting game tournament. If you want to find out what happens go to www.evo2k.com.

Ready! Box!

Well I made survived round 1 of the GameStop Fight Night tournament. Only one the person showed up. And yes I did win. The person wanted to pick Manny Pacquiao, who is to light to fight a heavyweight in this game. I decided to pick Roy Jones, Jr. to avoid an agument. I was nervous big time. That its until my Light Heavyweight destroyed destroyed his Welterweight. I know you guys wanted to hear about me going through a crowd of 32 people or so but this was the hand I was dealt. I'm not sugar-coating it. Hopefully more people will show up in the furter round and I will get to really show my stuff. Got all week to prepare.

Speaking of which. I'm really seeing online play for what it is. Thing such as perfect blocking and coutnering and skillfull evading occasionally falls to aimless thumbstick flicking. This lag crap is making people think they good. One fight some guy was talking shit during the fight. Ironically, I knocked him out AND I was leading in the scorecards. Makes me yearn for real face to face comepetion.

Since we are on the topic of boxing, I was found out that Nintendo released an add-on to Punch-Out!! called Doc Louis's Punch-Out!! The downside? Only plaitinum Club Nintendo can get it. It lools like Doc wasn't kidding when he said to join. I'm gonna see if there is any other way Nintendo will offer this.

Okay. Gotta get back to practicing for the round 2 Saturday. Wish me luck!