f13.net

I've been tossing this around in my head for a bit (read: less than 24 hours) because I was looking around for a decent online Book Club as I know I'll be reading more out in Arizona (whatwith a porch and the sun and all). But would anyone be interested in a gaming club? I know most of the people in here own a decent PC with one or two consoles (b/c of that other thread). Basically each month we'd have a poll for a new game (or oldie that no one has played in a while) everyone would buy it and talk about it for the following month (while a new poll was going on). WAP pointed out to me that we already sort of do this, but this would be more focused discussion...like a book club. Some obvious rules/exceptions:

1. Would never be an MMORPG as we always have enough people to talk about any that matter - and even some that don't.
2. Will not be an Xbox360 title this November as I'm sure most people will get them closer to Christmas.
3. Will not be a portable game. Ever.
4. Abandonware/Romware is ok, but we're not distributing either.
5. Perhaps we should force alternating genres/release dates. If we play a new RPG - the next month we play an old title that is not a RPG.
6. Stuff that came out in between 2 years ago and today (insert date here) is not valid as at least a couple people will have recently played through any given game.
7. Intentional Derails will be punished.
8. The club will get a subforum.
9. If you don't have the system, you don't have to participate that month - but really, with the diversity among the systems - shouldn't everyone have them all (Unless they are just console haters)?

#9 is the only problem I see, but I also don't want to have to seriously play a PC game every month. But that's just me and I understand the money issue for people who's top hobby isn't gaming. I'd really like to get something like this together, so every single one of these rules is up for debate over the next few weeks whilst I trek west to Arizona.

Not to rain on your parade, but this is really the point of having contributors isn't it? We start the threads, people respond. The idea that this community could get together on any sort of project is semi-risque. I'm not saying it couldn't work, but I think the format issues of consoles/PC would cause issues.

That being said, if you wanted to do such a thing, you'd have to get a dedicated base to follow it hell or high water. No, Oh I don't like it so this time I won't participate, stuff. Just my thoughts.

If 50,000 people are willing to join book clubs to read shit like The Da Vinci Code - I'm hoping there's at least 5-10 people who are willing to do something like this. I'm not looking for massive turnout. Just something a little different.

Contributors are about giving their one opinion - discussion turns out whether people have seen the movie or played the game or not. That's all part of having a website. The gaming club isn't - the gaming club is just uhhh, massively multiplayer single player gaming. Or something. Work with me here. And yes, I also want to expose the console fans as I've become more and more of one as MMORPGs have become more and more of the same.

I'd be up for it.

PC/XB here. I can always get ahold of a GC or PS2 for certain titles. Worse comes to worse I play it at work.

I'll try for as long as my bank account allows.

Pc/Xbox

Personally I just couldn't give a rat's ass about book/movie or game clubs.  I read, watch, and play what I want, when I want.  I've already got enough obligatory stuff in my life that I don't need to extend that into my entertainment time also.

Of course, that's just my $.02.

Pinko Commie Griefer? (http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=4261.msg107674#msg107674)  I think Signe is going to be upset she didn't get her pink name and that Nix did.  :-)

I tend to align with Gulp on this one. Not to mention I'm about to begin taking lessons with an INCREDIBLE jazz player, I've got neither money nor time ;)

I kinda thought this was covered by the very nature of the site...we get together and talk about games we're playing.

Gave me a sig idea, though!

I dont own any current gen consoles, and as much as I like ya schild I'm not planning on picking any up except maby a ps2 after the ps3 makes it like 50 bucks and then I'll get to play all those rpgs and tbs games you've prattled on about.

I would probably be happy to do this, but unfortunately I would have to be a fair weather member.

a)  I dont particularly like the idea of shelling out $50 per month

b)  I dont have enough gaming time to play the things I choose to play as it is

c)  I really dont play single player stuff, like sneaky games or platformers (do they still exist?) I really can't remember the last time I bought a game that I didn't intend to play online like 95%+ of the time.

I guess as much as I want to be a part of a club, it doesn't seem like it would work.  Perhaps I can feel loved if I start playing MtGO?

I already complained to the management.  They just told me that Nix is more woman than I'll ever be.   :cry:

In.

I agree with Way on this one, it's kind of what we do already, except just not mandatory. Not to mention I rarely have the money to buy a new game once a month anyway, which is why I support terrorism by buying used games.  :evil:

I would join but I do not do the console thing beyond N64.  For like 3 years there I was going through them faster than I go through MMORPG's (record stands at 10 bought in one year).  I am not very good with money.

I might consider it, but the platform issues could come up. I'm PC/PS2 right now, and have no intention of buying an XBox before the 360. Oh, and I'm an Intellivision guy, so no evil Nintendo box will ever touch my TV.

Having a group look at something on a regular basis has the advantage of creating a more focused look.  Some  people enjoy this, some don't.  I've been in book clubs and wine clubs and learned a lot.  It causes you to examine your own tastes and occasionally open your mind to the views of others.  It also forces you to take a critical look at things you may otherwise not.  The regular meeting times do create a "work-like" feel at times, but it's great for developing your tastes and improving the ability to articulate them.  I see this as a good idea that's just not for everyone. Having said that, I'd be interested. 

Monthy might be a bit tough but chances are I'd have several games in my box addressed to the Island of Misfit Toys. You could select bargain bin only games until it gets some direction.  PC/GC/PS2 here.

Like Haemish, I don't have the budget for a new game every month.  As it is, I'm entertaining myself right now but playing through all my AD&D PC games again (Gold Box, Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, Planescape, and many more).  If it was just abandonware or other stuff that could be downloaded I'd be in, or maybe a graphic novel club.

This would be reasonable (and easy :)). We'll talk about it more once I get out to Arizona in a week or so.

This sounds like a lot of fun.  I'd be up for it, assuming there's no penalty for missing a month or three (very limited budget and a PC that's past obsolete).

Yeah.  I don't do the PC scene anymore, and I am not buying any of the new systems except
possibly the Revolution for old games.

Also not dropping 50 dollars on games.  Can't we like, do budget games?

We can do some budget games, but most people have their tried and true favorites and most of the rest just aren't worth playing. It'd be hard to find stuff that most people haven't played and how many conversations can we possibly have about the gold box games, Looking Glass software, BIS stuff, and Ocarina of Time? Maybe I'm just being pie in the sky, but there's something appealing about focusing on a single game that few people have played and discussing it to death. As a twofer when a game we've discussed gets brought up again whenever we can just point at the thread. But like I said in the first post, it's just an idea.

I also could not afford this, nor would I really want to for reasons described by Big Gulp.

You are all cheap!

Then again, so am I.

I'd participate. 

I do not post all that often, although I do stop by and lurk quite often.  Maybe it'd give me a reason to actually post every once in a while.

I'd probably join in for PC games.  Probably not for console games, since the most modern console system I own is an original NES.

Actually, I'm not at all cheap, but being broke tends to be indistingushable from being cheap.

Seconded.

I think the basic idea has merit, but the cost seems to be a problem.  The best alternative I can come up with is doing roundtable-style reviews with a rotating group of reviewers so you don't have the same people buying new games every month.  It wouldn't be much different from a typical thread on a game now, but it could make for good front page content as a slightly different from the norm kind of review on a game.

Assuming I can afford the games, count me in.

I doubt I can do this.  It sounds organised or something.  It also sounds like it might have deadlines.  I admire deadlines, but only from afar.

I'm game, though some titles may pose a problem what with Europe always getting the shaft when it comes to console titles.

For the monthly game I would recommend looking at somewhere like Gogamer.com that usually has pretty decent deals on things as well as a ton of bargain bin stuff you can order.

See, for me its not just that I am cheap, but that my income is at least for the next 5-6 months gonna drop by about 100 a week because my employers suck royal ass even though I have been there 9 years and try to do whatever batshit stupid thing they want.

On the upside I will be off a day I have pretty much worked for the last 9 years so I can go to the comic shop and play some Magic or stay home and watch football.

However it is not conducive to buying 50 dollar videogames that may or may not suck raw ass.  Probably the only new release I plan on buying in the next few months is the Dawn of War expansion because I love the Warhammer 40K universe even if Games Workshop is roughly held in my esteem at the same level my employers or Electronic Arts is.

Thus my dilemma.  Not to mention I have yet to even see if the following games work, much less play this short list of games:
Freedom Force vs the Third Reich, Arcanum, Okage, Phantom Brave, and Vagrant Story.

Hence why I chimed in about wanting to do the cheapie games.  I hardly play the ones I have, so wasting 50 bones better spent on Warmachine, Star Wars Minis, or maybe Axis & Allies Minis seems kinda dumb.

But I really like the whole idea of this and want to contribute, but will be damned if I put a videogame on the credit card.

I dont know that the club needs to include new games, seeing as they get a lot of discussion anyways, on the basis of being new.  A club for old games though, to either highlight overlooked gems or revisit old favourites in a coordinated experience would be enjoyable.  It would also be a lot more friendly on the wallet, and a lot of people seem to have budgetry concerns (me included).

A possibility would be to use old games off of abandonware sites. That way everyone can afford them, most people could play them if your system isn't up to date, and I imagine there are a few diamonds in the rough, or a least some shiny stuff after you knock all the crap off.

I definitely agree with Wasted or ClydeJr.  I'd love to partake in something like this, but know that my purse probably couldn't handle the pressure if we're going to be buying new games very often.   If not, would it be possible to opt-out on certain games, if we're tight on cash, so as to be able to at least participate for the most part?


By the way, I did  re-install Diablo and catassed for about 7 hours on it.  Ah, such sweet memories. It's entirely too easy now, though.

______________________________
The sanctity of this place has been fouled.

I'd be in, but my only potential issue is the timeline. I don't have a job, and even I have concerns about being able to complete a game per month (especially since I tend to play very sidetask-heavy console adventure games/RPGs. I always want to get EVERYTHING.). I love the idea of the club delving more heavily into console games, and incorporating old-skool titles, as we are a 4 console, 1 PC and 1 handheld household. Oh, but wait. Then Sauced and I would prolly hafta take turns (assuming he would want to join also). Also, we don't have an XBox yet. I dunno, maybe we could take turns playing/watching wach other play and provide independent input or something.

We buy new shit all the time anyway, so it'd be nice to see what others think and share experiences and whatnot. And then maybe I won't be the Useless News board whore.

Edit: to address schild's suggested guidelines, I like for the same reasons that others do (and it gives us a chance to honestly revisit games 2+ years old. Except that I'm a Zelda fangyrl and still play Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask about once a year. And since we picked up a used N64 a coupla months ago I still dick around with Mario 64 and the good ol' Rare games once in awhile.

I suspect that there will still be plenty of f13 participants whose top hobby isn't gaming, and won't feel the need to join the subclub. But I also don't want to hafta play PC games for the simple matter of the PC not being in front of a couch and being forced to sit that close to the screen. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to play my games on a big TV with my feet up and my cocktail close at hand. Can't really do that at our cramped computer desk (and I've already spilled a cocktail dangerously close to the 'puter. Sweeping up shattered glass through a puddle of Cape Codder just isn't the blast you'd imagine.)

Not old-fashioned, at all! Rather, new-fangled. Just need to get with the times!

I play PC Games from the comfort of the sofa with wireless controllers. (example (http://home.twcny.rr.com/iamthey/images/kahuna.jpg) and example (http://home.twcny.rr.com/iamthey/images/kahuna2.jpg)).

I totally agree that computer desks are teh sux. Games are meant to be played in a reclined position, not all hunched over. Imo and whatnot.

Cue Sky's response in 5, 4, 3, 2...

Edit: Haha, I hit post and there it is.. above mine for good effect.

As for me, I like a mixture of both environments.  I don't want a keyboard and mouse in my living room. I want my own room for computer shit and I have it.  This also lets the wife watch chick flicks while I play something on the computer instead of the Gamecube or Xbox.  It's like having my own fortress of solitude.

Personally, I might be interested in following along with such a club.  Just a few snags: I don't own a PS2, I'll be sans home PC until December at earliest (love my beefy work laptop), and I'm really bad when it comes to prolonged participation in any sort of club.

I will have to go in on the side of "isnt that what we do already?". I have the cash to do this, but not really the time these days. Maybe if the idea could be tweeked a bit to be some thing not totally so close to what we already do, then I would be interested.

Rasix, when I was reading that post, I also was just waiting for the Sky post, and there is was.

Sky's avatar scares me, MAKE THE BAD MAN GO AWAY!!

I like that I'm becoming synonymous with sofa gaming! The revolution has begun!  :-P
A slight alteration of viewpoint is required. You don't want the pc in your living room? Then you want a sofa in your gaming room!
Captain Spaulding: "But most of all...fuck you! .....that motherfucker got blood all over my favorite clown suit..."

Aside from being duty bound to grumble about low-spec PCs with ultra low-resolution screens, awkward controllers, and games with pissy small levels at any suggestion of console play, it could be a fun idea.

Of course, if it *doesn't* turn out to be much fun, it wouldn't be hard to stop doing it anyway.

We have a cozy geek room with the sofa and all that (in fact we have our bigger TV in the geek room instead of the living room). But it's a tight space with those, a coffee table and end tables, the comp desk and the armoire all in a teeny spare bedroom.

Wireless PC, eh? But then we'd hafta get a bigger monitor (no space) or hook it to the TV and the aforementioned "having to share the gaming" issue is revisited. Believe it or not, being a couple who games together can have its minor snags too!

Get two projectors :)

Yeah hi, necro and whatnot. Schild, you've been in AZ for awhile now. Is this still even on the radar? I wanna play and talk about old games. Everyone here is playing Civ4 or SWG or somethin' and I feel left out. Is the holiday season making for an ill-timed attempt at dragging this out again?

I don't play old games. Don't ask why, because I don't know myself. Or maybe I'm not just willing to admit to myself how shallow I am.

What's "old" anyways? I have a PS2, an X-Box, a couple of old Macs (neither of which are set up for gaming), and a fairly up to date PC (where many old games won't even work on).

Christmas is the time for new games  :roll:

Yeah, what I meant was that since everyone is/will be playing new games will it be unlikely that anyone will want to play old games and participate? Time managament and all.

btw, Stray, nice Dae-Su avatar.

I just finished a riviting game of Nethack... in wizard mode, of course.

I would have gone for the "Hammer ----------------> Head" screencap, but the pic was too dark.

Necro AND a derail. You guys (and gals) have some skills.