March 25, 2005

Ain't that a kick in the head.

Mood: Tormented.
Music: Any Time At All, Beatles
Game: World of Warcraft (60 Rogue, 15 Priest, 9 Warrior (PvP))
Book: Prisoner's Dilemma, William Poundstone
Muffin: Poland Spring Sparkling Water.
Punchline: I thought I updated.....

So I guess I forgot to hit the submit button when I updated my blog yesterday. Suffice it to say that it wasn't particularly interesting. I wasn't much in the mood to update my blog, but I thought I'd throw something out there. I guess my subconscious said "Nah. Don't do it if you're not into it." Oh, well.

Anyway, today, I'm going to talk about the brutal battle going on inside my soul in regards to the PSP. My normal inner monster is saying "Dude, you own every gaming platform known to mankind. How can you not get this right now?" My brain, however, is telling me a few things. The last time I found myself in this situation, my brain was right.

I bought the Nintendo DS...I was convinced it was an upgrade to the Gameboy Advance SP, which I owned and loved. As it turned out, the DS, which is a cool little platform, weighs about as much as a Cooper Mini, but is nowhere near as much fun. The software for the DS is pretty much lacking, and the much touted touchscreen is more an annoyance than anything useful. The dual screens have yet to be used for anything of any consequence in any of the software that I've seen. In short, it's a larger, heavier GBA SP with less software (because it can't play original Gameboy content. The carts don't fit.)

OK...so, what's my read on the PSP? My brain is saying: It's a large, relatively heavy handheld, with limited software, low battery life, a movie player on a proprietary format which I'll never use, and an LCD screen that has documented pixel problems that Sony just says "tough" about.

Add that to the fact that you can't buy one without spending $400 that I just don't have at all, and comes with two games that you wouldn't buy if they were giving them away...and I've got a pretty pat "Not right now, thanks."

On the other hand, I have a few friends who have them...and they say that they're really amazing. Of course, all the friends that have them are nihilistic technofetishists with deep pockets. That should say something about me, I suppose. But in any case, the system IS Sony, it's cool, looks great (according to said friends), and Ridge Racer is a must have.

Welp...I'm not much on the whole racing game thing...unless it's Wipeout or some sequel/clone. Much prefer wickedly fast hovers to realistic race cars on most days. Couple that with my marked lack of skill in said genre, and well, I'm just not rushing right out to play it.

More software is bound to come out soon, software that will make this a harder intellectual decision. Right now, a recently launched platform with only launch titles is hard to justify unless you HAVE TO HAVE one of those launch titles. For me, that'd be a Zelda game. Not many other franchises/games made me want to buy a system. And I don't see a Zelda-like title in the launch list.

So, given everything I've written, why is it so hard to keep myself from running right out to get one? I don't think I would really use it that much, I don't really want any of the launch titles, and I can't afford it without crushing my bank account.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I dunno. My birthday's coming up next Sunday (37! Sheesh!) Maybe someone will take pity on my torment.

(Or maybe I'll just buy it for myself for my birthday if no one else does. I'm such a sucker.)

Posted by Glenn at March 25, 2005 09:29 AM
Comments

The line following line made me laugh in my little cubicle:
Of course, all the friends that have them are nihilistic technofetishists with deep pockets. That should say something about me, I suppose.

Great, great line. I bought the PSP and one game: Ridge Racer. I showed it to a few people at work and the reaction was nearly universal: "Wow." I'm pleased with the system and I don't think you'd hate it. I also think, that about a year from now, between the games and the user-made mods/applications for the devices, it will be a pretty useful little device.

On another note, I'm not sure if it is a reflection of anything but your writing has been exceptionally good lately. You should channel that creativity and talent into a book (which I think we've talked about ...)

:D

Posted by: Paul at March 25, 2005 11:09 AM