the not so hardcore gamer

I've been a Jim Rome fan for a while now. He sprinkles just enough ego onto his sports knowledge and ability to get any guest he wants to keep me entertained. (He makes so much fun of those EAS Myoplex commercials where Utley and Hasselback are all "I'm not done...Now I'm done"-classic) Today at lunch though, Romey pissed me off. I went home for lunch to mack on some microwave pizza and catch some sportscenter, play a little xbox. On my way back to work, I cranked on Rome, only to hear him loading up for a rant against "gamers".

He was quoting an article by the CDC stating that gamers are overweight and depressed when compared to other sects of society. What other sects...crackheads? I'm pretty sure that you could take any pie-section of American society and they would be overweight, and depressed. (see Chicago Cubs fans.)

Anyway, Rome continued on to talk about how big of a "loser" you are if you're a gamer. Up until the point where he said "If you're just having a few beers and playing Madden with the guys, that's fine. Do that." So according to the guy who sits on his ass talking sports all day, video gaming is for lazy losers who need to get their life together-unless they play sports video games. Then it's ok. Give me a break, everyone has a hobby, and video games are no different.

Mr. Rome is a big proponent of horse racing, I wonder how those people who bet on the races would stack up against a gamer? What's the difference between blowing your money on a horse race, or blowing your money on a little video game entertainment? How's playing games any different than watching TV? (Its scientific fact that video games improve hand-eye coordination, FYI) I bet you if you compared the average gamer to the average sports fanatic that the gamer has had similar success in their endeavors. So who is Rome to say that people are losers for the hobby they enjoy?

What about all the middle-aged men who sit around at work listening to Rome trying to think up texts that are funny enough for Rome to make fun of them on his show?

Nah, they aren't losers.

Now I'm done.

-d0c

Raise your hand if you went to get Madden 10 at midnight. Ok probably just me of the people I know. But there's something exciting about going to get a game at midnight of release. Knowing there are hundreds of thousands of people doing the same thing, about to head home and get online so that I can beat their faces in with the Packers.


Thursday night I went to the Gamestop over on Park to pickup my copy-they had let me know earlier in the day that there was a tournament starting at 10pm, with a grand prize of a PSP. I thought that was really cool, and while I decided to skip it due to spending some time with my lovely lady, I think it would have been a lot of fun.

I showed up around 11:45, and went inside. To my surprise there were about 30-40 people there! The tournament was still in the first round-and this little nerdy white guy was playing as the Chiefs and MOPPING UP this guy he was playing. Ouch, guy. The first thought that crossed my mind was "Wow, this is an interesting crowd."

The crowd was half pudgy white nerds, like myself, and the other half, doo-rag wearing black guys. What else could bring together these two polar opposite groups than a Midnight Madden Mass? Pretty sweet to see people don't know each other, who probably would never talk to each other, laughing and cutting it up while playing some Madden.

Another stereotype shake-off by the video game industry.

I've also been playing around with some of the Xbox360 arcade titles lately, and Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is a classic. If you played this game as a kid, at least get the demo. BIG APPLE 3 AM made me laugh so hard as the level was loading.

My favorite arcade game, however, is the new TRIALS HD. Its a lot like a nuclear bomb exploded in one of those little flash games where you try to keep the motorcycle rider from falling off, and out came intense HD graphics and even more intense courses. Loops, jumps, flaming oil barrels, and the ability to eject your rider for some serious carnage. Need I say more?


HOLLA.


Now Playing: Madden NFL 10, NCAA Football 10, TRIALS HD