xboxoz360
suttondagger
dkpatriarch
Shadow Wave
darkmurder
GrathiusXR
twodogsz
Lame Gamer
AXIS of Reality
betheo
Aaron Klein
Allegionary
commentator123
belgavionAn Old Aussie Gamer’s tale:
Grant Smythe
aka XboxOZ360:
They say you’re only as young as you feel, well there’s days I feel 108 or more, but many I feel much younger than the 54 have on the clock so far. My son, who turns 31 this Christmas eve (’07) is also a great gamer, in his own right. Both my son and I frequented the old “Palours” of old back in the late 70′s and early ’80′s while he was still just a toddler, and was amazed at all the big machines and fun games most palours had at the time.
Over time, he began spending more time there after school with his mates, and becoming very proficient at games such as the early Street Fighter, Space Invaders and the like. While his dear old dad tagged along to keep him “company” . . . . sure dad, sure. Well at least that’s what I kept saying to my wife at the time. However, as ‘we’ grew older, and one would hope wiser, or so we’d like to believe, Daytona, SEGA Rally and After Burner made the scene, and thus our fate was sealed . . .
He spent most of his younger years living with me up until he moved in with his mother at around 11 yrs old. His mother and I had divorced when he was just 4yrs old, and I was a “house-dad” for him for almost 7 years. It was a great time, albeit somewhat painful and stressful at times, but games did help when things got a little stressful in the house.
Games seemed to help us merge or be “together” as it were, and when he moved into his mothers, we shared games and even car modeling, not to forget slot cars and the various Custom Car Show Scene during his younger teen-age years. Until he met “girls” . . . that is. We still loved to play the games, and I relented one year and got him his first game console, a PS2 for one of his birthdays, followed in 2002 with a 1st-gen Xbox, and then most recently, an Xbox360 for his last Birthday.
He was always a PS2 gamer for the most part, but his “old man” was always playing this silly HUGE black box so much, even though I had a PS2 btw, he wanted to know what was “so special” about it . . so whenever he came over, I dropped a controller in his hands, whacked a game in, and let him loose . . He was often amazed difference between the same games on both consoles. Especially the Splinter Cell Series. Often stating that ‘the box’ was by far, much more detailed and had more “villains and enemies to kill” in the various on-screen battles, as well as greater detailed scenery and environments in general.
This prompted a call prior to his birthday in 2002, as many kids do, asking “please dad, could I have an Xbox for my birthday this year dear old dad – father of mine”. Sounded like a line straight out of a Disney cartoon with Silvester the cat and his young son. If you’re old enough to remember that, then you’ll remember the line and show.
His PS2 only got a look-in for playing GT series, which was definitely worth it. But once he tasted PGR and PGR2, that was it. V8 Supercars (TOCA – Race Driver) followed, as did the several Rally racers available on the BBB (Big Black Box).
My library grew to in excess of 150 titles, most of which were FPS, Stealth, tactical shooters, and semi-adventure games such as Prince Of Persia etc. I wasn’t into the fighters like my son, each to their own I say, but I did/do enjoy the shooters, tactical shooter and especially the “good” racing games.
Both of us still enjoy our games, but now his dad has much more of a taste for them. Helping me deal with a severe pain problem I have had with my back since the early ’80′s when it was injured at work.
The games help with pain relief, seriously, they do. As different game help produce different body reactions, which in-turn produce different biochemicals within the body. The bodies natural opiat drugs such as endorphins, adrenaline and dopamine. These help or give the synthetic drugs I take, by giving them an ‘edge’ and seem to help the pain reduce, depending on the type of games played.
I’ve narrowed down my 1st-gen Xbox library down to around 80 odd titles, and now have a small smattering of Xbox360 titles which amount to 24 games -so far. And the games just keep on coming. Which is a good, and bad thing. As saving up for these games is no mean feat, especially with the number of great games that keep coming out.
Anyhow, that gives you a bit of history on this old Aussie gamer, so drop by the Australian Xbox Forums, and see if you can spot my GamerTag, and send me a PM . . or place your comments or questions below, they are more than welcomed – so long as they are civil of course.
Update: 16th December ’07.
Thought I’d list the games that I “currently” own, so that you get an idea of thegenre’s I follow and if you’d like to do some gaming, send me a PM via XboxLive friends request. I’m also a “Bit of a Collector” so you’ll notice some odd ones, and afew double-ups of somegames. As I usuallybuy the standar editin to play, and the CE/LE to put aside.
Collectore Editions / Limited Editions:
- Assassin’s Creed (holographically number edition) LE
- BioShock CE
- Halo 3 Ledgendary Edition
- Halo 3 CE
- Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter 2 CE
- Gears Of War CE
- Perfect Dark Zero LE ?!
- Call Of Duty 4 CE
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent: CE
- Forza 2 CE
- Mass Effect CE
- Oblivion CE
- Prey CE
- Ace Combat; Hori ACE-EDGE Bundle
Normal issue:
- Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
- Condemned: Criminal Origins
- Quake IV
- MotoGP ’06
- Test Drive: Unlimited
- Far Cry: Predator
- Call Of Duty 2
- Call Of Duty 3
- Colin McRae: DiRT
- PGR3
- PGR4
- Top Spin 2
- Table Tennis
- F.E.A.R.
- Rainbow Six: Vegas
- Battlefield: Modern Combat
- Over G Fighters
- The Drakness
- Medal Of Honor: Airborne
- The Orange Box
First off, Obliviat0r, I didn’t steal your name so you know, I use the exact same name for everything but it seems you’re using it
And @ Eb4life, the comment you made was childish, pathetic & uncalled for. You may call him a noob, but it’s quite obvious he’s a good gamer and would pwn you utterly and completely. Noob.
Wow thanks Grant, the package came in today and the ruffian’s guide is a surprise since it is not GOW2 related, the pictures are bit gray but still nice. The cap is also a nice touch, Thanks again.
Being sent out this week mate, huge issues and health, but all okay now, being sent tomorrows mail mate, plus a little bonus in the parcel for all of you . .
Hey Grant,
I would like a status update on my GOW2 since it has been a week and a bit.
Thank you.
No need to appologize Terry,
I ill be sending them out on Monday hopefully, as I’ve been waiting on a few “extra” things to throw in with the GOW2 prizes . . .
I’ll send you an email as soon as they leave my office mate.
Hi Grant,
I haven’t received an email yet about the status of my GOW2. I have already replied to the email but no response. Has it been sent or are you still packing? Sorry if i sound too impatient or ungrateful.
Thank you.
@ Cosma (Solid II Sn4ke)
Thanks mate, most appreciated.
EB4Life, are you serious? You can’t just abuse some one for being older than you. When I first flicked over to this page I was suprised that he was in his 50′s but it isn’t like I care, it didn’t bother me and I have the same respect for him in the XBL community as I did before. To be honest, I would rather have a friends list full of 50 odd year olds than one full of moronic judgmental 10 year olds.
@ MASH
Thanks mate, but you’d be surprised at the number of people that either give me a weird look, or pass sme odd comment (read snide) when I mention I’m into games, let alone setting up and running a website dedicated to a gaming platform . . .
After all, gaming is for – well – kids – isn’t it???
Actually that’s the biggest misconception we have with the general public. They assume wrongly I might add that gamers are kids at school and simply idle their days away being – well – kids.
I started seriously in gaming only in the early 2000 to help deal with my pain, and found it very helpful, and for other reasons I won’t go into here, but when you look at all the major companies, and heads of businesses, many are “mature men and women,and these men and women “play games for a living” and make a bloody good sizable income from it I might add.
So who’s to say someone like me can’t turn things around and begin a new venture at the age I am, no one, other than misinformed individuals sadly.
There are those who are totally supportive of it, and they do make it worth the while to keep on at the whole thing. Along with supportive comments as seen in here in various posts comments section.
Sorry guys but I finally have the first opportunity in a very long time to actually call a real noob a noob so here it goes…..
@ Eb4life, OMG UR SUCH A NOOB!!!!
What possible detail do you have to lay such a comment, you obviously are attracted to this site for one reasons or another so why dis the brains behind it? Your a tool and your a typical EB fan boy, you remind me of the Annoying yanky gamers on XBOX live the think they’re all that and a bag of chips.
Oh and piece of advise to the not so mature and educated gamer, you might like to try shopping a gamer’s store staffed by real gamers, not a snobby business like EB who are only good for some good deals they have now and then. Try Gamesmen (these guys could be any more true to the heart), Game Traders, and last but not least “GAME”.
Pledging allegiance is for the weak and stupid. Spread your shopping and develop a relationship with the guys at all your local video game stores, just don’t annoy the staff by trapping them into deep and huge conversations so that they can’t keep doing their job.
MASH
@ eb4life – Oh the irony, someone swearing allegiance to the most mainstream and corporate gaming retail giant calling someone a noob.
Although we do appreciate the hits to this website you have so provided and would love to now spam your email into oblivion, I just don’t have time to waste on someone like you. Have a nice day
@ Eb4life All I can say is . . . such a sad life you must have.
When you do grow up, which I assume will be in about 10 years from now, you’ll realize that a huge percentage of people that run, work in, design and manage all the major publishing houses, development studios, PR companies etc are NOT 16 yr old school kids, but men and women in their 30′s, 40′s and even their 60′s . .
So do wake up and look outside your bedroom walls.
Your a noob and a puppet… Your not a gamer just an old man…
eb4life.
wow thank you very much!
much appreciated guys
Hey Obliviat0r – XboxOZ360′s going to be out of action until Friday – but he asked me to let you know he’d be in touch via XBL message when he gets back.
He’s awesome at Forza and I’m sure he’ll be able to help out
oh yea don’t bother emailing me as I hardly ever check my laptop, just send me an in game message or friend request if u kindly agree to help me.
heya man, I’m looking to get serious about forza 2, and I’m 14 so uve obviously got more experience in this game that ive had for a day( collectors ed btw), and so would u mind getting in touch with me on xbox by adding me and helping me out a little? Well yea, ty in advance!