NAVAnomaly...? ... ! [December 1st]

[digitalpress]

The November NAVA will be held in December this year. This strange anomaly happens only once every 27 months. It's a lot like an eclipse or a comet, only without the sun and stars and whatnot.

You are invited to attend. This NAVA, other than the timing anomaly, will be much like any other. There will be trading, gaming, drunken fistfights, dancing girls, and hidden lava pits. OK, maybe it's a little different than usual.

But WAIT, we are holding a simulated "Starcade" game show (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108493) here in the store at 6pm. If you have never seen the show you might not get it but if you have, you'll hopefully appreciate our treatment. Sign-ups are at 5 but since there are only two contestants we'll be drawing randomly for our players.

Two things you should be thinking as you're preparing for NAVA:

1. Bring things to trade or sell. Everyone is looking for stuff, every NAVA brings great deals.

2. If you can, bring snacks and/or soda. I spring for the pizza but that's a one-time event. There never seems to be enough snackage for the before and after!

So get ready for a big gathering and feel free to email or call if you have any questions prior to the event.

WHEN: Saturday, December 1st, noon to midnight
WHERE: Digital Press Videogames (see http://www.digitpress.com/store/ for directions).
WHAT: Lots of trading, lots of gaming, and lively chatter among gaming aficionados.

[Vectorman0]

Will there be a NAVA held on the 29th of December as well?

[Apollo]

Lava pits? Glad to see your finally taking my suggestions seriously, Joe.

Any word on how the two Starcade contestants will be chosen (is they haven't been already)?

[digitalpress]

Will there be a NAVA held on the 29th of December as well?

Ack, I'm not usually good at planning THAT far ahead but tentatively I'd say yes. I don't have any conflicts.


Any word on how the two Starcade contestants will be chosen (is they haven't been already)?

They'll be randomly drawn.

PS does anyone happen to own a portable PA system? I can use my trusty megaphone but I think it's going to be a little awkward. No worries, I'm all about awkward.

[Apollo]

How about two megaphones?

[digitalpress]

How about two megaphones?

I've got a portable PA system on its way so we're good to go. I love my megaphone but it just wouldn't work right in this particular scenario.

The next NAVA is shaping up to be a great one. Don't miss it.

[Apollo]

Fine then, if we can't have two megaphones, can we have pit traps? I'd say bear traps, but the carpet would get dirty, and it would eventually start to smell.

[digitalpress]

I've got a portable PA system on its way so we're good to go. I love my megaphone but it just wouldn't work right in this particular scenario.

The next NAVA is shaping up to be a great one. Don't miss it.

We did a "technical and logistical run" of the Starcade simulation this morning, and it went great. I think everyone will be pleased with our presentation. Plus, the camcorder and PA system made for some extra fun in the store today. I love toys.

I'll be working on the script this week. We do hope to be well prepared by the 1st. Stay tuned.

PS is anyone considering taping this? I only own one camcorder and it's needed as the camera for the arcade screen.

[Vectorman0]

PS is anyone considering taping this? I only own one camcorder and it's needed as the camera for the arcade screen.
You should see if itobandito is going, he might be up to the task.

[NoahsMyBro]

My business manager (i.e., the wife) can't tell me whether or not I can make it to the Big Show, but I'm going to try.

Whether or not I can make it, I've got a MiniDV camcorder (& Tripod) you can use, Joe, to tape the proceedings. I'm not a videophile, but this was a very top-of-the-line-for-consumers model 7 years ago, so it's probably just barely adequate.

If you want to borrow it for Starcade-NJ, let me know.

[Apollo]

I've put in to have work off for next Saturday, bu they've put me down for work on days when I told them I couldn't come in anyway. So if I do come, I'll try to remember to bring a few, probably 3 or 4, 2-liter bottles of soda. Any requests?

[scottcrawford]

Barring any catastrophes, and it would take real catastrophes to keep me away, I'll finally be around for this one. As per my discussions in the last NAVA thread, I'll have some goodies with me (Swordquest: Waterworld cart only in nice shape, CV Kevtris cartridge #68, the Frogger marquee that Apollo was interested in and some other stuff, I forget what's in the box right now), ideally available for cash (not looking trade at the moment, unless you've got a spare Jaguar Defender 2K, 2600 Subterranea or Cosmic Commuter, N64 Sin & Punishment or Neon Genesis Evangelion, or Mega Drive Zero Wing; yep, that's my whole want list at the moment, anything else I can get fairly easy or am not in a hurry to get...), so help me pay for some Christmas shopping and get my castoffs into good homes!

I'll try to remember to throw some soda and some Chex Mix in the car.

[Goblin]

I'll likely be making a mid-afternoon appearance. I'm looking to trade for a Nintendo DS lite with an R4 card. If you have one let me know via PM and we can set up a trade. I've got a lot of stuff that normally isn't in my trade box that I would consider parting with for this. So let me know and I'll do my best to make it worth your while.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

As per the initial call from Joe for video segments for the "Simulated Starcade"

I'm putting the finishing touches on one. Finished the pick up shots today, and it should be done as of tomorrow.

If you want to have yourself a good laugh at the expense of 1980's TV game advertisements - stay for the video segment. I promise there's something in there for everybody.

[Apollo]

If you want to have yourself a good laugh at the expense of 1980's TV game advertisements - stay for the video segment. I promise there's something in there for everybody.

Even for me? Awww, thanks.

Goblin, if you still need a GBA, I can bring one this Saturday, I finally found it after about a half hour of looking through my old stuff.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Even for me? Awww, thanks.

Goblin, if you still need a GBA, I can bring one this Saturday, I finally found it after about a half hour of looking through my old stuff.

Everybody....except you.

Sorry if that was unclear. ;)

[Oobgarm]

As per the initial call from Joe for video segments for the "Simulated Starcade"

I'm putting the finishing touches on one. Finished the pick up shots today, and it should be done as of tomorrow.

If you want to have yourself a good laugh at the expense of 1980's TV game advertisements - stay for the video segment. I promise there's something in there for everybody.

Promise me that this will find its way online at some point.

[digitalpress]

Promise me that this will find its way online at some point.

I'll work with Frankie on this. I really hope the whole Starcade experience gets taped somehow. I've just got too much going on to do it myself what with hosting and using my camcorder to display the arcade screen on a big screen and all. I spent a good 3 hours today scripting the thing. We're good to go!

Drawing will be random though I'm really tempted to hand pick the participants. The fact that we can only do two players is kinda a shame.

Gonna be fun. Promise.

[Goblin]

Goblin, if you still need a GBA, I can bring one this Saturday, I finally found it after about a half hour of looking through my old stuff.

Thanks, but our illustrious host hooked me up after the last NAVA.

As I mention above I would be interested in a DS w/ R4 if anyone has one. After repairing my afterburner GBA I started thinking that it might finally be time to upgrade. I have some business travel coming up that it could come in handy for.

[Apollo]

Thanks, but our illustrious host hooked me up after the last NAVA.

As I mention above I would be interested in a DS w/ R4 if anyone has one. After repairing my afterburner GBA I started thinking that it might finally be time to upgrade. I have some business travel coming up that it could come in handy for.

Or, you could just order an R4 from their site and buy a used DS, which may run you cheaper. I've found when people sell something that's modded or packaged with homebrew, they ramp up the price to much more than it's worth, for the most part.

http://www.r4ds.com/r4.htm

Joe, couldn't we run more than one? Depending on how long you wanted them to run each, maybe there'd be a way. I'm just nervous because it sounds awesome, and I want to be in it :-P

But anyway, I'm off of work on Saturday, so I'll finally be at the store again for what seems like the first time in 3 months...

[digitalpress]

Joe, couldn't we run more than one? Depending on how long you wanted them to run each, maybe there'd be a way. I'm just nervous because it sounds awesome, and I want to be in it :-P

I'm not doing more than one. As it is, I pretty much have to have the store shut down for the 30-45 minutes it will take. Also, just "being here" won't guarantee you get to play as contestants are being drawn randomly.

There may be a better way to do it but I won't know that until I run through it "for real" one time. If we do it again maybe I'll have learned of a way to do it where it's less reliant on store resources!

[Coldguy]

I will be arriving, just got the confirmation.

[Goblin]

Looks like I am going to miss this one after all. My whole family has been sick all week and I'm still feeling lousy.


Or, you could just order an R4 from their site and buy a used DS, which may run you cheaper.
http://www.r4ds.com/r4.htm

Sure I could do that, but sometimes it's more fun to try and trade for things. If there were ever an opportunity to find something like this local it would be from a NAVA regular.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

For anybody who's interested - I'll be bringing a beautiful condition boxed, complete fat-style US PSP (modified with an OFFICIAL SONY Japanese White PSP faceplate) with a buttload of accessories, demo discs, and a full version of Daxter.

It's got a very recent firmware, but I'm sure it could be downgraded with a "pandora battery" or some such thing if you were so inclined.

(Currently I own 3 PSP's - an original launch v1.5 unit which I use for homebrews, a silver silm for all my UMD/Online/PS3 Remote Play needs, and this white one, which...really, wasn't seeing any use...SO, I figured, sharing (and trading) is caring.)

I'm really looking to TRADE this for something neat, but if nobody wants to trade, I could probably have my arm twisted to "sell" it.

PM me if you're interested, I'll check my messages before I leave.

Looking forward to seeing everybody again!

[scottcrawford]

Leaving at the top of the hour-ish, with the Metal Gear VR Missions cardboard standup (still boxed), the Frogger marquee, 2600 Swordquest: Waterworld and Frogger II (among a bunch of other not-so-commons), ColecoVision Kevtris #68, a bunch of other game randomness (including Space Bunnies Must Die! non-playable promotional CDs for those who missed E3 '98), and on the not quite video game but still electronic tip, a Synsonics drum pad and 6, count 'em, a Lazer Tag lot including 6, count 'em, 6 Lazer Tag sets! Oh, and a bag of Chex Mix.

See y'all around 4! Bring 2600 Subterranea and Cosmic Commuter, Jaguar Defender 2000, or Mega Drive Zero Wing or NES Dragon Warrior IV (just remembered I need this, loose cart is fine if not preferred) if you have spares, or cash if you don't! :D

[digitalpress]

Yesterday's gathering at the store produced two firsts. Legendary Activision programmers Garry and Dan Kitchen made an appearance, signing autographs and talking to the NAVA attendees about their Atari 2600 days. Maryah (playing Kevin) and myself (playing Geoff Edwards) hosted a live Starcade game show, something I've always wanted to do. I often say "best NAVA ever" but this one is gonna be tough to beat.

http://www.digitpress.com/images/store/tn_071201_051_jpg.jpg http://www.digitpress.com/images/store/tn_071201_055_jpg.jpg

Those who know me know I love tradition but I'm a serious proponent of change. I always feel like I need to add something new, different, or unexpected to the mix. Our monthly NAVA meetings should never feel "mundane". So for this event I decided it was time to try to pull off a recreation of the classic J&M Production of Starcade, a game show I hold near and dear from my youth. I spent a week with past episodes of Starcade running on the store's TV monitors just to study the pace and style of the show. Two weeks before NAVA I enlisted Maryah and Ryan to help with the logistics as we staged a "can we actually do this here during business hours" rehearsal. Many more hours added to scripting the event and the final preparation a complete run-through on the morning of.

I was very happy with the outcome. We drew two of 20 or so entrants, and a better matchup could not have been picked. Dave Warmington was picked first (Dave is "portnoyd" on our forums, a good friend who I even had the honor of being part of his bridal party this spring), then John Hardie (practically a brother). These guys are both great old-school gamers which meant not only would the event be fun to watch but the competition would be good as well. Dave led into the third round after games of Zookeeper and Elevator Action where John took the lead in a game of Popeye, winning the event. We had a few expected technical glitches, the machine we were doing the games on locked up after the second round but fortunately another NAVA member stepped up and had supplied us with his own 80's style commercial which we "aired" on our TVs as we re-booted the machine. The glitch went unnoticed by most.

If that weren't enough, we had a surprise visit from Garry and Dan Kitchen earlier in the day. The resume is incredible, but most will remember Garry from Keystone Kapers and Dan from Crackpots. They spent an hour or so in the store signing autographs and addressing the group with tales of their Activision days. What surprised me personally is that they wanted to see "the whole store" and when taken downstairs to the overstock area were positively excited by the sheer amount of Atari games that had been traded into the store over the past year. I've seen these guys talk at Classic Gaming Expo in the past and was entertained by their stories. On this day, I was able to return the favor.

http://www.digitpress.com/images/store/tn_071201_050_jpg.jpg http://www.digitpress.com/images/store/tn_071201_049_jpg.jpg

Garry and Dan are meeting up with David Crane who some of you may know from games like Pitfall!, Kaboom!, Dragster, Decathlon, and many more. We're planning an evening "meet and greet" at the store on either December 10th or 11th, I'll post here with an update if anyone is interested in attending.

Pictures, bigger and better, available at http://www.digitpress.com/images/store

[rolenta]

I completely forgot about this. I bought a new laptop and spent all weekend moving my data from my old one to the new one.

[portnoyd]

Aarrrgghh The Barrel Why Did You Miss Bluto's Massive Cranium

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm still interested in the possibility of this meet & greet...

...did you ever get it set up?

If so, which day? Monday 10 or Tuesday 11?

If so, what time?

Of course, I flooded all your email boxes with the same question, but the response here will be for the benefit of others who are interested ;)

[digitalpress]

I emailed the Kitchen brothers on Thursday and haven't heard back. It's either "off" or they're going to drop in unexpectedly as they did at NAVA.

If I get any kind of reply I'll post on the forums as well as to both the NAVA and DP Store mailing list, promise.