NAVA Gamer's Meeting, September 27th: "Meet the Game Doctor"

[digitalpress]

NAVA = North Atlantic Videogame Afficionados. It's FREE, and YOU are invited to attend.

Previously at NAVA...
- Pre-printed name badges were made available to digitpress.com forum members. Finally, faces to the names to the handles.
- A new "Atari Retro" champion was crowned, and he came all the way from Ohio to do it.
- At least one Rock Band singer was publicly offended, though we expect to hear him again next time.
- Many games and systems traded hands between attendees.
- Pictures and video tell it best:

http://www.digitpress.com/images/store

We will have a special guest at this month's NAVA. Bill "The Game Doctor" Kunkel is best known for his pioneering work with Electronic Games magazine. With partners Arnie Katz and Joyce Worley, the trio became the first journalists in the videogame industry as Electronic Games magazine paved new ground, presented new concepts, and gave us our first peek at what was to come.

I've met Bill many times over the years, and there's never a shortage of stories. He'll be sharing some of them as well as hosting a Q&A for NAVA attendees at 6pm. Bill's "keynote" will replace the normally scheduled tournament but I promise it will be just as entertaining.

Don't miss the autograph opportunity. His book will be for sale at the store, or you could bring along personal copies of Electronic Games to get autographed.

Are you ready? It's time for another NAVA.

When: Saturday, September 27th, noon to midnight.
Where: Digital Press Videogames: http://tinyurl.com/yscakm
What happens: Gaming, trading, tournaments, big prizes! Attendance is FREE. Half price for kids!
What can I bring?: Snacks, soda and beer are always appreciated. Cakes have been very popular as well.

[Dastardly Dylan]

Sweet, I'm already ready and set for this month, and so are my friends along with some newcomers to NAVA I'll be brining this month if nothing comes up. Hopefully PBC Productions and some g1's from ScrewAttack.com will show up once again, 'cause I haven't seen them in a while !

Looks pretty much like this month will kick my ass with gaming awesomeness along with going against many challengers in Smash Bros. Brawl.

See everyone there!

[Hitman Tyler]

I shall be there....
Also if someone has a Black "Sega Sports" Dreamcast contoller, I will buy or trade my white one for it.... See post in Buying and Selling for more details.
Thanks,
HITMAN TYLER

[Apollo]

This is the same day as Pulsewave in NYC, and I'm most likely going to be there instead.

Hopefully next time, though.

[VideoMastersTV]

Is it possible to get a few minutes with Bill Kunkel, for an interview for Video Masters TV??

Just wondering...

[Coldguy]

Looks ok for my schedule at the moment, also want to see if I can get a few for a private interview.

(rubs hands together) this could be my breakout blog article....

[digitalpress]

Is it possible to get a few minutes with Bill Kunkel, for an interview for Video Masters TV??

Just wondering...

I'm sure Bill would be happy to hold interviews. Just approach him during the day and ask what would be a good time. He's a pro and has been to lots of larger shows where he's the center of attention so hob-nobbing at a NAVA will be a breeze.

[DR EGG]

Happy day!

"Introducing: Nintendo Pii (http://www.destructoid.com/introducing-the-wave-of-the-future-the-pii-103053.phtml)" video that was screened a couple months ago at NAVA made its way onto Destructoid's front page! W00t exposure!

[Dastardly Dylan]

Wowzers ! Congrats Frankie ! You should be throwing a party now for this awesomeness. Quite an honor.

[TonyTheTiger]

That is pretty awesome. It is kind of a shame that the video is gimped though. But considering the product being advertised...how amusingly poetic. LOL

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Yeah, I got a PM from Nick about this earlier ...

... I jumped out of my chair and got Lis to come over to the computer ... and when we clicked the link and waited for the video to load ...

... nothing happened.

However, we poked around on GameTrailers.com and found that it was in fact there (so the Destructiod embeded video must be faulty in some way).

And, while I'm proud and pleased to see that it made it (totally on it's own) to Destructiod ... I'm a bit sad that it's a video-of-a-video version.

I was thinking it was going to be much worse quality, but after watching it all the way through - it's not too bad. Nice and loud to say the least ... and the "laugh-track" is nice (though the cam is a bit on the "floaty" side) who shot this??

I tried to send my "clean" versions which are on my YouTube account for the world to see but the woman who did the report for Destructoid - Colette Bennett, has like, 4 blogs and NO way to contact her ... very, very frustrating. If anybody knows how to get in touch with her, drop me a line.

Another strange thing, is that the video on Game Trailers seems to be watermarked from some totally foreign site, I'm not sure what language it's in, but it's totally NOT English.

DeluxxSoftwareGameConcepts is makin' some waves on the inter-webs, thanks in part to NAVA and Digital Press!!!

[Coldguy]

just send a tip to dtoid with the correction, anytime they get one of those it goes to the top of the priority list.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

just send a tip to dtoid with the correction, anytime they get one of those it goes to the top of the priority list.

I sent one via email earlier today ... should I "post a news story" about it??

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

You guys are gonna have a freakin' BLAST.

Ask him to tell you the story of Arnie Katz at the Activision awards dinner. It's in his book, but trust me, you won't regret it. :p

[RCM]

Sweet, I work with Bill over at J2 Games. Hopefully I'll be around to catch up with him! I've missed too many NAVAs anyway

[Coldguy]

Oh Frankie "Anybody up for some 4-player SNES Saturday Night Slam Masters + Multi Tap action at the next NAVA??"

Is it still going to take place, if so I can bring my multitap.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Oh Frankie "Anybody up for some 4-player SNES Saturday Night Slam Masters + Multi Tap action at the next NAVA??"

Is it still going to take place, if so I can bring my multitap.

Yes!!!

I'll be sure to bring my copy of the game.

[Vectorman0]

Edit - I think I will be coming

I'm not sure I will make it to this one. I've done two in a row, and gas is expensive. We'll see though, maybe I will change my mind.

[SegaAges]

Ah, dissappointing. I wish I could be there, but I am half a country away. Hopefully I will make next NAVA since I should be able to afford it by then

[Dastardly Dylan]

As of yesterday, Rock Band 2 has came out for the 360, Sweet. Will we be having this set up instead of Rock Band 1?

[Coldguy]

As of yesterday, Rock Band 2 has came out for the 360, Sweet. Will we be having this set up instead of Rock Band 1?

More importantly will he have all the rock band songs unlocked on rock band 2? ($5 to do it)

[Dastardly Dylan]

More importantly will he have all the rock band songs unlocked on rock band 2? ($5 to do it)
What he said.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I doubt that DP will have a used copy by NAVA ... so if anybody has a copy and is planning on coming, I suggest bringing it with.

As far as paying for the song exporting - that all depends on whether or not Joe wants to use $5 worth of MS points on that.

[Coldguy]

I doubt that DP will have a used copy by NAVA ... so if anybody has a copy and is planning on coming, I suggest bringing it with.

I will wager you $1 that someone will buy it brand new, and then return it before NAVA, can almost guarantee it.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I will wager you $1 that someone will buy it brand new, and then return it before NAVA, can almost guarantee it.

I'll take that wager, but if I lose I'm paying it out in pennies.

[sonicteam]

i would offer to bring my copy of rock band 2 but then i'd have to bring my xbox too..........for undisclosed reasons

[Hitman Tyler]

I will wager you $1 that someone will buy it brand new, and then return it before NAVA, can almost guarantee it.


I'll take that wager, but if I lose I'm paying it out in pennies.

It looks like we have a WINNER & LOSER..

Due Today 9/17/08 @ DP it was traded in...

Congrats Coldguy!!

Frankie start counting your pennies... LOL LOL LOL

Also I am still looking for a Sega Dreamcast "Sports" controller.
Finally I would like 2 Dreamcast games:
1. Mortal Kombat Gold
2. NFL Blitz 2K

[Coldguy]

It looks like we have a WINNER & LOSER..

Due Today 9/17/08 @ DP it was traded in...

Congrats Coldguy!!

Frankie start counting your pennies... LOL LOL LOL


*puts Queen CD in computer and plays we are the champions on loop*

I called it baby, I called it!

[Dastardly Dylan]

*puts Queen CD in computer and plays we are the champions on loop*

I called it baby, I called it!


Very nice! Coldguy wins once again with his mind reading ability!

It's crazy that this month's event is almost here, it came so fast! but that's a good thing, ain't it? :D

See everyone there!

[Coldguy]

I might be able to go this month due to a scheduling snag :( Will update if things change.

[digitalpress]

I have a request. I need someone to "officially" record the Bill Kunkel keynote/Q&A session. I'd like to put this up on YouTube after NAVA so everyone gets the benefit of "being there", even if they had to be at a wedding in Virginia, for example.

Who's gonna step up?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I have a request. I need someone to "officially" record the Bill Kunkel keynote/Q&A session. I'd like to put this up on YouTube after NAVA so everyone gets the benefit of "being there", even if they had to be at a wedding in Virginia, for example.

Who's gonna step up?

Dude, all you had to do was ask!

I'll be there with my HD digital video camera and tripod.

[Coldguy]

Foiled again! Looks like I will not be able to come to the event...:( Got to save the slam masters for another time.

[digitalpress]

Dude, all you had to do was ask!

I'll be there with my HD digital video camera and tripod.

Gracias, amigo.

[Apollo]

I most likely won't be attending Pulsewave this Saturday so there's a chance I might show up. It depends on how much gas I end up with on Saturday, honestly.

[Dastardly Dylan]

The first NAVA my friends and I will be attending.... ON BUS !
HUZZAH!

[Apollo]

The first NAVA my friends and I will be attending.... ON BUS !
HUZZAH!

On...bus?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Foiled again! Looks like I will not be able to come to the event...:( Got to save the slam masters for another time.

NOOOOOOOO!!

Anybody esle have a SNES multi tap??

[Scrimble]

NOOOOOOOO!!

Anybody esle have a SNES multi tap??


I'm pretty sure I will be there so I can bring mine along.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm pretty sure I will be there so I can bring mine along.

Sweeet, looks like we'll get to experience the hilarity that is putting "Jumbo" in a fisherman's suplex with 4 players after all.

[Dastardly Dylan]

On...bus?
Hell..... Yes!

[Hitman Tyler]

so your taking the bus to DP?

intresting what bus stops over there?? hmmmm

[Dastardly Dylan]

so your taking the bus to DP?

intresting what bus stops over there?? hmmmm

It will be taking us to Clifton, and we don't know where it will drop us off. We googled it from a certain address to where it will drop us off and DP's address, and it's about a 10 minute walk, no biggie.

[Hitman Tyler]

It will be taking us to Clifton, and we don't know where it will drop us off. We googled it from a certain address to where it will drop us off and DP's address, and it's about a 10 minute walk, no biggie.

word.. LOL, thats short walk...
just don't get lost in clifton... there are some "bad sections"..

[Apollo]

word.. LOL, thats short walk...
just don't get lost in clifton... there are some "bad sections"..

I laugh in the face of your so-called "bad sections"

[digitalpress]

so your taking the bus to DP?

intresting what bus stops over there?? hmmmm


A number of buses stop at the Main St/Piaget Ave intersection (by the White Castle). The 190 from Port Authority thru Paterson comes to mind:
http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0190.pdf

It's really LESS than a 10 minute walk. Dylan probably just "moseys" moreso than actually walks.

[Coldguy]

Hey Joe why not add this bus info over on the store page, might be helpfull for those in NYC that want to visit the store and only have that as their means of transportation.

[Dastardly Dylan]

Dylan probably just "moseys" moreso than actually walks.

:o How'da know? LOL

[Dastardly Dylan]

:o How'da know? LOL


Hey Joe why not add this bus info over on the store page, might be helpfull for those in NYC that want to visit the store and only have that as their means of transportation.

That's actually a great idea!

[Hitman Tyler]

I laugh in the face of your so-called "bad sections"

botany village isn't so great of an area in clifton.. also ackerman ave isnt any better, some drug deals go down there.

[Apollo]

botany village isn't so great of an area in clifton.. also ackerman ave isnt any better, some drug deals go down there.

Drug deals went on less than a block away from my high school. There were kids selling crack-cocaine right across from the school, and there were numerous times people were caught with guns in our school.
Hell, just this past year, a kid was found with a machete taped to his leg.

So yes, I laugh in the face of your so called bad-areas. ROFL

[Hitman Tyler]

Drug deals went on less than a block away from my high school. There were kids selling crack-cocaine right across from the school, and there were numerous times people were caught with guns in our school.
Hell, just this past year, a kid was found with a machete taped to his leg.

So yes, I laugh in the face of your so called bad-areas. ROFL

damn,.. you lived in some wierd town... LOL
I take that back about "bad sections" now.. since it seems its alot worse over there.

[Apollo]

Good ol' Hackensack!

[Hitman Tyler]

Good ol' Hackensack!

wow! never thought that would happen in Hackensack.

[rurouni318]

Apparently you haven't spent too much time in Hackensack. I used to work at the Game Crazy there.

Also I am going to be bringing some good PS1 and PS2 games to sell. Dunno how long I am going to stick around though, I have some things I have to do later that day. But expect good stuff....

- Raj

Also, I talked to Mike and I don't know if Rock Band is going to be set up. But I am going to leave my copy at the store just in case.

[Dastardly Dylan]

Apparently you haven't spent too much time in Hackensack. I used to work at the Game Crazy there.


Ho...Holy crap! That is where I remember you from! The Halo 3 launch at Gamecrazy! that was some time ago though, but it was all in good fun.

[digitalpress]

We will have the new t-shirts for sale at NAVA. I have limited quantities in S, M, and L. A bit more in XL. Shirts are $12 apiece.

No Rock Band and no Wii, though there will still be plenty of systems set up to play. With "The Game Doctor" in attendance we're taking a little more retro approach to the day.

I've had a few calls during the week from new people planning on bringing stuff to sell, so be sure you've got your trades (or cash) ready to go.

[Ronack]

Definitely looking forward to this months NAVA, its probably going to be the most Retro NAVA yet!

[Dastardly Dylan]

Awesome, my shirt size is available at the store! can't wait to pick one up since I missed out on the world tour t-shirt. Looks like this month we're kickin' it old school which is pretty cool cause I've been playin' current games and not as much as retro, so I'm ready to kick it old school!

Can't wait to mingle with all the ScrewAttack g1's and the NAVA peeps. See everyone tomorrow!

[rurouni318]

There were so many people there, I'm sorry I didn't remember you Dylan. I was just trying to keep the ensuing chaos under control. Ah, midnight releases how I don't miss thee.....

-Raj

[Hitman Tyler]

looks like I will be buying a shirt.
see everyone tomorrow..

[Vectorman0]

And for VCS fans, I'm bringing in flyers for the new 2-volume collection of the "2600 Connection" newsletter. These are reprints of the first 50 issues by original editor Tim Duarte, and each volume includes a full-color cover. Also, NAVA folks can get them at a special price... but the offer expires October 31st. I'll bring a set with me so that people can literally get a 'hands on' look at them :)

http://2600connection.atari.org/bi.html

Now I'm definitely coming! Can you bring two sets so I can bring one home with me?! ;)

[VideoMastersTV]

Once again, can't make it, which pisses me off. My job was closed for 2 weeks, and I am now flat broke. This is upsetting, cause I really wanted to meet Bill Kunkel, and I have no clue if he'll be back another time.

I hope someone will take pics with him.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Bringing a lot of carry over merch from last time ...

Windows 98/NT/2000 compatible Visoly Flash Advance Linker Writer unit and a 256M GBA Flash Cartridge.

http://emu.gbxemu.com/img/shop_flash_linker.jpg
http://www.gameboy-advance.net/img/cards/flash256_main.gif

Complete with a printer cable.

$25 for the pair OBO

---

EXTERNALLY Silicone Lined DS Lite hard shell - very nice if you hate leaving fingerprints on your DS!

$5

---

DS Lite Charge Cradle White with Blue LED

$2

---

River City Ransom EX GBA
Defender of the Crown GBA

$5 Each

---

PS3 3rd party Controller Keyboard Unit (also works as a standard wireless USB keyboard on just about anything)

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/04/madcatz-ps3-gamepad.jpg

$10

---

Loose SMS games

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? - $5
Ghostbusters - $2
Astec Adventure - $5
Lord of the Dance ... I mean Sword - $5
Pro Wrestling - $2
Double Dragon - $5
Kung Fu Kid - $2
Space Harrier - $2
Rambo - $2
Fantasy Zone : The Maze (damaged label) - $2

---

Sandisk Sansa MP3 Player

512 MB internal, with SD expansion slot

Includes never-used skullcandy style earbud headphones and USB cable.

http://www.best-dvd-recorder-reviews.com/images/SanDisk-Sansa-e130-512MB.jpg

$10

---

PM me if you want me to hold anything for you!!

[Dastardly Dylan]

OMFG I am right next to Hitman Tyler I'm going to ask for his autograph right now.

[Hitman Tyler]

OMFG I am right next to Hitman Tyler I'm going to ask for his autograph right now.

OMG!! Really?? I am next you??? Intresting. ROFL

I got my pen out, ready to sign a autograph.. Question is what does Dylan want me to sign??? LOL

[J2games]

How was the meeting? Which stories did Bill treat you guys to?

[Hitman Tyler]

How was the meeting? Which stories did Bill treat you guys to?


sadly... I had to leave before, this happend. Also a video was supposed to be recorded, and put on youtube. So to be continued.

[Kid Ice]

How was the meeting? Which stories did Bill treat you guys to?

You'll see in the video it was not really a story-oriented presentation. The DP crowd asked some (I thought) intelligent questions about Bill's thoughts on the state of the industry and the state of video game journalism. Pretty good size crowd there too....I thought there were more people at this appearance than there were a couple years ago at VGXPO when Bill read excerpts from his book.

[J2games]

I wish I had been able to make it up, even as my business partner, I don't get to see Bill enough and to this day he still floors me with some long forgotten story he has. I assume someone will post the link (or did I miss it already?)

[Dastardly Dylan]

Had a great time at NAVA, as always. It was cool getting to know a little more of the Game Doctor, and of course hangin' with the cool forum members of Digital Press, AND keeping up with an old friend from ScrewAttack.

See everyone next month!

[supergoldzero]

Here is the link to the Game Doctor's speech and Q&A:

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=1I4ZMSLD

Here are the Game Boy Camera pictures:

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2099852&l=86a65&id=26107746

Here are the 'special' Game Boy Camera movies starring Apollo and Frankie Says Relax:

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=UOPM28N0 Apollo's video
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=3ETPYQXT Frankie's video

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Part 1 of 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxZBzoy-efw

Part 2 of 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_yAMGUI6T8

Part 3 of 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDXthUiXYAQ

Part 4 of 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIn7sw4ZNCQ

Part 5 of 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFVfa5UZJTQ

I apologize for the below average quality video ... YouTube absolutely devastates my DV video.

Here's the full 40 minutes uploaded on Megavideo, if the bandwith is exceeded, check the YouTube versions out.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=YZUVWJCF

[J2games]

One comment about MegaVideo - we have used them in the past and they sometimes have issues. Evidently there is a bandwidth maximum that they repeatedly pass - making some videos unviewable during certain timeframes.

But, as YouTube limits file sizes and duration, MegaVideo isn't a bad alternative for larger sized files.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=YZUVWJCF

Better compression, and no breaks in the video.