A sack of money for the expo

[+Propane13]

Is anyone else concerned at the HUGE amount of available games for the expo this year? The major players (like DP) have multiple imminent releases, and there are a LOT of homebrewers debuting their work.

 

Is anyone else concerned? If I ever wanted to release another game, it'd be bad if people had to pass it up just because "oops, sorry, I'm out of cash cuz' I spent it on 15 other $40.00 homebrew games." Things are getting a little pricey.

 

So long as the game quality does not diminish, I don't see another "crash of '84" type event happening, but perhaps things should be done in moderation? Or perhaps, CGE needs 2 expos a year...

 

The good thing I see about this "multiple sales available" situation is that people who are trying to make a quick buck by producing a low-quality game, so that collectors will buy it anyway may be thwarted by their attempts.

 

However, "new" programmers may be denied sales of their work due to the fact that better things exist. This could be discouraging.

 

Thoughts?

-John K. Harvey

[jsoper]

Make sure you have plenty of cash on hand for the auction too, if you're interested in that. I was really hot for a sealed 7800 tank command and a intv Tutankahm, but couldn't keep up. John Hardie would look over at me for a higher bid, and it was so frustrating.

 

Had a long talk with Pitfall Harry before the bidding started, he's a pretty nice guy.

 

For one auction, John held up an Odyssey2 proto and someone yelled it might be a fake. He answered really sarcastically "Now who would fake an O2 proto?" and the whole room cracked up.

 

There was this one kid about 10 or so making really high bids, and a 25ish couple across from me. When the guy got outbid he said "I let him have it because he's just a kid" Then the girl started laughing and said, "Yeah, and also because he's got more money than you!"

[Snider-man]

Oh God! I nearly forgot about that kid! He had the deepest pockets of anyone there and, yes, he was around 10 years old!

 

He came to me after the auction and asked if I had any more Venture IIs. I told him that I sold them all earlier and that I wasn't making anymore. I later heard that he was systematically tracking down the 20 folks who bought them there and was trying to buy them. Hilarious.

 

I still scratch my head. Who was that kid? Why would a 10-year-old be interested in 2600 carts? How did he ever HEAR of the 2600? And how in the ^%#&@ does a 10-year-old earn and spend - I'm not exagerating - over $1,000 on classic video games? Boggles the freakin' mind.

[Adrian]

Haven't been to CGE yet -- my preparations for Burning Man always get in the way -- but I plan on being there this year, come hell or high water. I'm only planning on buying Atari 2600 carts, but now I'm wondering if that's still going to put me back a couple hundred dollars. Any ideas on what and how many 2600 cartridges are going to be released there?

[Snider-man]

quote

I'm only planning on buying Atari 2600 carts, but now I'm wondering if that's still going to put me back a couple hundred dollars. Any ideas on what and how many 2600 cartridges are going to be released there?

 

10, 100, 1,000...what difference does it make? The point is, you'll want to buy one of EVERYTHING you see there. (I know I did.) There is truly a ton of stuff for buy/sell/trade. Just be selective rather than trying to buy everything just because it fits in your 2600. I swear, next year I'm going to program "Stella Rock/Paper/Scissors" just to see if I can sell them all just because it's an Atari game.

 

Now that I've finished getting that rant out of my system, I'll try to give you an answer. Digital Press has confirmed they have at least 5 new releases that they'll be coming out with. It's a safe assumption that maybe 2 or 3 will be 2600 games (the others being Colecovision). I know that Cypher is in the works and my own game is also slated for release. So far, that's 4 or 5.

 

Now then, the last couple of years, the Ebivision gang have released games and this year will probably be no different. Also, I betcha Jerry G and/or 2600.com have a release as well (they did Secret Agent last year and are doing Bugs Bunny at PC3 next month.)

 

So now we're up to 6 or 7 2600 releases. There will most certainly be 2 or 3 other 2600 homebrews released (although I couldn't tell you who or what) so my best guess is 10 Atari 2600 releases. Each will set you back $30-$40, so plan on bringing $300-$400 just for Stella stuff if you plan on getting each and every Atari cart there is.

 

Heaven help you if you like Atari 5200, Colecovision and Vectrex stuff, 'cause I could rattle off another 5 or 6 new releases for these systems slated for CGE. Hence my constant rants on being choosy. It's that, or go broke.

[slapdash]

Snider-man wrote:

quote

I swear, next year I'm going to program "Stella Rock/Paper/Scissors" just to see if I can sell them all just because it's an Atari game.

 

Ha! Another one of my ideas!

 

When thinking about the A#2FLC, I was thinking about trying to do some chintzy fake games just to do them, and "Jankenpon" (Japanese for the "Paper Rock Scissors" game) is one I wanted to do...

 

I think it would be fun to have a fun Japanese/anime style label, probably hot pink background with either Japanese kids and/or anime characters on it, and colorful/cartoony Japanese characters on it; then the screen is just two big hands and the countdown.

 

Man, one of these days I need to sit down and start coding some of these stupid things... Anyone got extra time they can donate to me? :-)

[+Propane13]

quote:

---

Originally posted by John Soper:

Make sure you have plenty of cash on hand for the auction too, if you're interested in that. I was really hot for a sealed 7800 tank command and a intv Tutankahm, but couldn't keep up. John Hardie would look over at me for a higher bid, and it was so frustrating.

---

 

Sorry about taking the Tank Command from you. That was the only thing I had ever wanted to bid on at the whole expo, and I was hoping one would show up at the auction. It was a good thing to see. The only problem is it's sealed, and I want to play it! D'oh! Guess an unboxed one may cross my path some day.

 

I was quite intrigued to hear all of the "oohs" and "aahs" for it going though. Apparently, people don't realize what a great hard-to-achieve asset that game is to the 7800 community.

 

-John K. Harvey

[+Propane13]

I pretty much did what SniderMan did last year, and I'll probably do it again this year. I got my Elevator Action, which was very cool, and i got Ebivision's new game (Igor is an excellent programmer), and Tank Command at the auction.

 

However, the decision process fow which games to pick up is killer! It's a pain to find these things at thrift stores and flea markets, and then BAM! 20 games for sale, all at one time. The pressure is intense!

 

The trick... always budget how much you want to spend. Alas, you will never get everything you want unless you've got a lot of cash, so just pick the best that you can and go from there.

 

-John K. Harvey

[StanJr]

If there weren't so many exclusives that would help, but when you only get one shot at buying a game then its gone, man you better mortgage the house!

[atarimastermarty]

Last year at cge i Brought 415 bux. This year Im going to bring 600, Right now Im at 350 but still owe my dad 145 for the Atari 2800. Based on last years money I spent I would say go with 400-600.

 

[ 03-21-2002: Message edited by: Atari master marty ]

[Rick Weis]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snider-man:

Oh God! I nearly forgot about that kid! He had the deepest pockets of anyone there and, yes, he was around 10 years old!

 

He came to me after the auction and asked if I had any more Venture IIs. I told him that I sold them all earlier and that I wasn't making anymore. I later heard that he was systematically tracking down the 20 folks who bought them there and was trying to buy them. Hilarious.

 

I still scratch my head. Who was that kid? Why would a 10-year-old be interested in 2600 carts? How did he ever HEAR of the 2600? And how in the ^%#&@ does a 10-year-old earn and spend - I'm not exagerating - over $1,000 on classic video games? Boggles the freakin' mind.

---

 

not sure who the kid was, but i do know when he won an auction JerryG steped up and paid the bill...

 

Take care,

 

Rick

[atarimastermarty]

I am the boy. Yes I am the boy. I am now 12 and at the time was 11. Tim I do the same thing you do collect. By the way I ended up getting a venture 2. You will see me there agin this summer, can't wait to see you there. Hope your new release is as good as venture 2 Tim. I didnt win that auction were Jerry G paid I thought I did but I lost. I work ALOT for that money.

[Rick Weis]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Atari master marty:

I am the boy. Yes I am the boy. I am now 12 and at the time was 11. Tim I do the same thing you do collect. By the way I ended up getting a venture 2. You will see me there agin this summer, can't wait to see you there. Hope your new release is as good as venture 2 Tim. I didnt win that auction were Jerry G paid I thought I did but I lost. I work ALOT for that money.

---

 

HI Marty,

 

good job on finding a venture II hope it did not cost you as much as mine did!

 

when i was 15 i worked a LOT so i could buy atari games also....

 

Take Care,

 

Rick

[s-kelly]

Now Marty....you're not forgetting that kind, red-haired gentleman who gave you his Venture II cartridge now are you?

 

In regards to the releases at the show, we are trying to limit them as much as we can even if it means holding back a title or two ourselves. Where the homebrew guys are concerned, their games are generally a little cheaper which helps, but I think it will also mean that they'll have to step-up a little and realize that if their game doesn't look like something people are going to want to play, people might take a pass. Kinda like "quality control". That's not to say that writing anything on the 2600 isn't an accomplishment in itself.

 

For the most part, you'll know what's going to be released at CGE well before the show so just make your plans according to what you think you will enjoy playing or what your collection can't live without.

 

 

Sean Kelly

Classic Gaming Expo

[Albert]

Yes, I also think it's going to be particularly bad this year in terms of the amount of cash one will need to lay out in order to purchase all the titles released. I spent a considerable sum last year on Jaguar and Lynx titles, so at least I won't be spending nearly as much on those systems. However, I'm guessing there will be twice as many releases this year, and last year I think there were around 10. I don't think most of them will be $40, but even averaging out at $30 a pop that would be $600 if indeed 20 titles were released. Ack!

 

To add to one of Sean Kelly's earlier posts, you better also start putting a dollar a day away just for the homebrew titles (in additon to the dollar a day for your flight, and a dollar a day for your lodging).

 

..Al

[jahfish]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Russ Perry Jr:

When thinking about the A#2FLC, I was thinking about trying to do some chintzy fake games just to do them, and "Jankenpon" (Japanese for the "Paper Rock Scissors" game) is one I wanted to do...

---

 

A#2FLC? you remind me that we still have to get two labels ....

[Snider-man]

Hmmm...an interesting thought, but one that applies only to the "I gotta buy everything" collector mentality.

 

I'll be there and I know for a fact that I'll never be able to afford every single new release that comes out. So, I plan on shopping for the games that appeal to me - the shooters and platformers. At last year's CGE, I walked away with Elevator Action, SCSIcide, Allia's Quest, and Vault Assault. However, I did NOT purchase Secret Agent, Ms. Space Fury, and the Colecovision Pac-man, Joust, and Dig Dug. Do I regret not picking them up? Not particularly, 'cause I wasn't interested in playing them. And even if I *could* afford all of the new releases, I'm a bit more selective with my purchases - aren't you?

 

And as for homebrewers just churning out a low-quality game for a few quick bucks, I can't see this happening. It takes WAY too much time, cash, and talent to make even a lousy game for it to be remotely worthwhile for the profit-focussed homebrewer. And, even if a lousy rip-off artist was to come down the pike, I'll view them as I viewed companies like Games by Apollo and Mythicon: You'll get my money once because I didn't know any better. But I will NEVER purchase another thing you make.

 

To summarize, think about this - I own a PS2 and really enjoy the games coming out for it. But I don't feel this burning urge to blow my monthly paycheck on every single title that comes out. Same with new games for classic systems. Try it before you buy it. Wait for the inevitable Hozer release. Be selective. Buy what interests you THAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY PLAY AND ENJOY and leave the rest for the "Gotta-Haves."

 

My 1/50th of a dollar.

"Snider-man"

 

P.S. Not to suck up, but Pressure Gauge is one of my regular must-plays. A great "twitch" game. Thanks for creating it.

 

[ 03-21-2002: Message edited by: Snider-man ]

[Atari Master]

If only the expo would come to Louisiana...

[Snider-man]

quote

I am the boy. Yes I am the boy. I am now 12 and at the time was 11. Tim I do the same thing you do collect. By the way I ended up getting a venture 2. You will see me there agin this summer, can't wait to see you there. Hope your new release is as good as venture 2 Tim. I didnt win that auction were Jerry G paid I thought I did but I lost. I work ALOT for that money. Marty Cosimo

 

Hey Marty!

 

Look, I wasn't putting you down. Quite the contrary. It's just that, when I was your age, I remember actually scrounging through the couch, looking for spare change. It took me months to save up enough for a hand-held Space Invaders game from Radio Shack. I don't know what job you've got at this age that allows you to have that kind of liquid cash, but I salute you!

 

(Let's see, at 12, he's earning that kind of scratch, so at 21, figuring in cost of living increases and interest, he'll be earning - roughly - $1.2 bazillion a year. )

[Atari Master]

He probably cut grass and that, I get 20 dollars every time I do that.

[+Propane13]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snider-man:

P.S. Not to suck up, but Pressure Gauge is one of my regular must-plays. A great "twitch" game. Thanks for creating it.

---

 

Thanks!

 

I rarely ever get feedback on Pressure Gauge anymore, and I actually thought its charm would decrease with time. There have been so many games since that vastly utilize a lot better programming techniques, and have better graphics than a game with 2 numbers and a few lines on the screen.

 

I'm not evern sure if atariage.com has the corrrect version (I know the screenshot is from a really, really old demo, and not the actual game itself).

 

My favorite part about the game, though it is short in gametime, is the fact that I find myself hitting the reset button often just to get another chance when I screw up early

 

I'm glad you like it.

 

-John K. Harvey

[Cassidy Nolen]

My money may be limited this year for both PC and CGE. My mothers home just had a fire this week, and every penny I have is going into things for her and that situation.

 

Strange how priorities change.

 

If this helps, I took 400 cash to Philly and that got me everything I wanted (except that DANG Coleco TrakBall I got cheap on and would not blow 25 for!). CGE was another story. I blew 450 in the first hour. Crazy Climpber, 25 sealed games, Custers, Supercharger stuff, etc.

 

My game plan suggestion to keep a lid on things, have an idea what you want on a scale of one to ten. See if your number ones are there first, and decide if the price is fair. You have, and I mean "seconds" to decide. I got my Vectrex in Philly for 40 bucks, but was 3 seconds ahead of the fella that wanted it behind me. Be ready to act, not talk, and five bucks does not make a difference in the end. Get what you want.

 

Next, go to number two's, etc until you are at your limit. Then, come play Star Wars with me in the arcade. I am always happy to meet people!

 

Cassidy

BTW, I sell a bunch of stuff on ebay for the few months before the shows so I can have pocket cash.....

[slapdash]

Jah Fish wrote:

quote

A#2FLC? you remind me that we still have to get two labels

 

I still bug Marty (not Cosimo :-) about the labels every now and then, every hopeful. Last I heard they just had to be printed and mailed. I do wish he'd do so.