Ramblings (Underdog Chamber)

Moving up the popularity list for UC ’11, we have the Atari 5200 system, from the early 80′s. I setup this system specifically using the roller controller and with games that used the two controllers together. However my intentions where though, the system did not draw much attention to itself. This came as a bit of a surprise, as Atari consoles usually do rather well, at least from past experience.

I think part of the reason for the 5200 not doing really well in ’11 was that many of the game would not reset to a title screen when the game ended (I noticed this issue with folks on a few systems I had on display). Of the small selection of games I had on display, Missile Command did the best of them all. While somewhat let down by the low attention that the 5200 received, I’ll probably bring it back in a year or two, maybe with a different set of games and layout to boot. There are some darn good games for the 5200, and I refuse to let this one drop from the show that easily.

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The Atari Jaguar system was just a tad more popular for 2011, with a setup that also had a limited selection of games (I didn’t want to compete against Jagfest too much). Missile Command and Tempest did the best on this early 90′s system. I did notice that some gamers were confused on what to press in each game. This is something that I would like to fix in future years, if possible, by putting up some type of small sign showing what does what in the game. Darn thing is, myself, I just figure it out. Guess some folks just don’t have that true gaming spirit (have to say it – I don’t read the manuals normally – and I play these games just fine).

Oh well. Both Atari systems faired somewhat poorly for 2011, but they weren’t bombs, not like the Arcadia. They will return, eventually (I’ll probably bring back the 7800 next year – or something special – we’ll see).

A step up on the popularity list for the UC ’11 exhibit, we have the Pippin gaming console. Most people describe this system as a disaster, and honestly, I can say it was. This was the first time I’ve actually spent some time with a Pippin, borrowed to me by JD. Norman. While the console itself is interesting, from a historical perspective, the problems are with the software and controller.

The Pippin itself is a parred down Mac computer, stuck inside a console case. Apple made little or no attempt to optimize the software or hardware for games, thus the few that were made for this system are not very good. Combine that with the somewhat awkward controller, which is just not very good for playing video games with, and you get an even poorer experience. The $599 price back in 1995 didn’t help matters either. I didn’t have a keyboard for it, but would guess that it could have helped make some of the games a bit more playable.

As for the Pippin’s showing in the UC area for 2011, it did get some play, mostly from a few folks that were wondering ‘what the heck is that’. And with talking with JD, that is the typical response to this unique gaming system. Great piece of history, but not a great gaming system.

I ran Marathon 1 & 2 on Saturday, with the controller making playing it rather difficult. People kept resetting the system in a vain attempt to get a game going. Sunday I put in Shockwave, which did somewhat better, and no one reset the system on that day.

It was nice of John to borrow me this system, but I’ll be totally honest in that I don’t plan to exhibit it again, or at least not for many years.

Starting off at the bottom (literally), the Arcadia 2001 did rather poorly for the 2011 show. I haven’t had this system on display since ’07, when it did poorly then as well. For ’11 it got the least amount of attention, in any shape or form, in the entire UC exhibit. While I had a few games running, such as Cat Trax and Funky Fish, I only saw about one person actually try to play with the console. The vast majority of people just did the quick glance and walked right on by.

I know the Arcadia 2001, from 1982, was not a popular system by any means. I was not that surprised that it got so little attention in 2011. I’ll be honest in that this was a last chance for the system, and I doubt I’ll bring it back for some time now (if at all). I don’t expect every system to do well, but if it does as badly as the Arcadia did in 2011, I just don’t see the sense in displaying it. The only exception might be as a piece of history, without actually hooking the system up, but that will still be some years down the line at best.

So for now, good-bye Arcadia 2011, you had your time. (This system actually did a bit better in 2006, for some unknown reason).

Myself, I do like the Arcadia for some reason, but it is not my favorite by any means. There just are not enough good games for this system. It is a nice historical piece, and I don’t plan on selling it off (not yet at least). To those few fans of this system out there, have fun with what you have, as it won’t be seen in the UC exhibit for a long time now.

With school starting back up, I’ve been a bit too busy to post anything of substance in the last two days. That will hopefully change soon. I do plan to recap differently than I have in the past. For one, I plan to recap each system, and not just the entire area. I also plan on doing away with the past rating system I was using to show popularity amongst the systems I had on display. Removal of the ratings for 2011 is in simple response to the fact that a lot of my systems did good overall, with only one system standing out as the so-called winner, and one standing way out as the loser for 2011. This will be in the recaps, but without a rating of any type.

So again, stay tuned, and I’ll be posting recaps soon (and hopefully pictures too – maybe even get that 2010 gallery up here!).

(And as for 2012 – there will be some potential big changes in store for that – but that will not be posted here until it becomes much more concrete).

As of 5pm (my time), MGC ’11 is officially over.

In all honestly, it was a fun show, simply put. I won’t that at times I wonder why I still do the Underdog Chamber, but I could say that about anything anything in life (to a point). Everything has its good and bad (for lack of a better word) side. In case of MGC (and the Underdog Chamber), it leans a lot more towards to ‘good’ end, and that is wonderful!

For 2011, besides having a very good overall group of people coming through my area, this year proved to be much better in one area. What area would that be? The fact that for some unknown reason, a lot more people asked questions about the systems I had on display for 2011, and that is one thing I really (and I mean really) enjoy about MGC and my UC area. I love talking about the technology, especially when people show an honest interest. To me, that is fun!

Other than that for now though, I won’t deny I’m tired from the show (in a good way). I’m not 21 anymore (by a long shot), and my knees are complaining. I’m going to relax now, watch some Becker, and have a nice meal.

One last thing… I’d like to thank Dan Loosen and Gary Heil for putting the show on (along with the new help they found for this year that will keep MGC going – good for them!). Also ‘thank you’ goes out to (in not particular order – except the first two): Greg Jervis, Erica Woollums, Jeffery Koss, Jennifer Drews, Mark and Jeri Heil, Marty and Marcy Goldberg, Erik Olson, JD Norman, John Brunette, and far too many others to remember at this time. Also thanks to the few folks that I talked to during the show that may be donating things to help with future show!

Bye for the moment (back with pictures, recaps, and other things as I can fit them in).

It is Sunday, last day of MGC 2011 (all good things end eventually – until the next year). It starts now till 5pm. Be there or be square! Plus it is only $10 to get in on Sunday. Good deal in my book!

Game on…

The first day of MGC ’11 is over now, as I am just winding down and getting ready for some needed rest. Rather busy day, with lots of people playing everything I had setup in my UC area. Quake got a really good workout, but it did suffer a casualty (a newer Graphite iMac bit the dust). Other than that, more people than in recent years asking lots of questions about the systems in my area, which is one thing I really like about doing the Underdog Chamber exhibit. That was lacking a bit last year (to a point), but so far, this year has made up for that in a big way. Already have some contacts, made one person rather happy he came to the show (will tell the story at a later date), and even got at least one lead on getting some things donated to me to help with the UC exhibit (which I don’t make money on – I actually loose hundreds each year in what I invent into it – period). Love of the hobby, simply as that (not love of money and such).

I’m rather tired though now (Saturday is fun, but it is a long day). Off to get some rest, then back to the show from 10 to 5. Later…

As of 10am, the show is officially open. The UC area, as I did last year, will open around 11am (why, because I like to shop first – looking for possible rare deals – before I open my exhibit – otherwise I don’t get that chance). Its only one hour, gamers will live.

Game on… (at 11am)!

After roughly eight hours, the UC area is ready for the weekend (for the most part). Console and the Quake LAN tested and ready, but there were a few snags. Nothing that can’t be dealt with, but it means getting there a tad early on Saturday to fix a few things.

First, I brain farted on the Quake LAN, and did not have the proper routers, meaning that currently the LAN is only 10-player. I need to bring my spare 8-port unit in early so that I can bump that back to 11-player as intended. This should work fine, it is just a bit of extra work. I originally brought an 8 and a 5 port router, forgetting that one port on each is needed to cross over to the middle of the room, plus one port for a controller machine. That is 13 – 2 – 1 = 10. Thus the need for an additional 8-port router (in place of the 5-port one), which I do have in the basement (just need to dig that out before going to bed).

I forgot to print a few ‘do not touch’ sign, for things that I don’t want folks messing with, like the LAN controller. Easy enough to print those up now.

Bumped into a problem on one TV, and didn’t have the remote to easily fix it (thanks to John for helping with a temporary fix). Will bring controller, just in case on that one.

And lastly, ended up with a bum controller on my Sega Dreamcast unit, so I have to get out another unit for possible two player games. Not sure what happened, as it tested out okay weeks ago, but the 2nd controller just would not work at all on any port. Sucks when that happens, but it does, just part of collecting older stuff.

A few other nit picky things, but those will be ironed out in the morning. See you there (if your going)!

(P.S. as of midnight, have gathered things to make corrections/fixes. See you gamers on the weekend!)

UC area ready to go

Probably the earliest I’ve woken up in a long time. Going to be a busy day setting up, as it always is. I always wonder how the bigger displays do it (some always down to the last minute, but that’s just how it goes). Going to be a great weekend!