Titan Games Kalamazoo

The evaluation of “Comic book shops” have come a long way, even in my shorter- then some life span. I find it interesting to compare when I was a child going into a comic shop, to now days.

I grew up somewhere you wouldn’t think there would be a “comic nerd” to be found. I was raised in a farm area of southern Ohio, where the was very little shops in general. Its just a little speck on a map called New Holland. Not too far away (about a 20 minuet drive) there’s a city called Circleville. Some people may actually know this place, only for its famous Pumpkin Show every year.

In this city, when I was a very young girl, I was introduced to my first comic book. I don’t remember the name of the shop sadly but I recall exactly what it looked like on the inside. It had this old blue carpet, and white walls littered with art and random pictures from books. It even had its own unique smell.. not a bad one..but it was something that belonged only to that shop. There high tables (they actually were most likely normal tables, but I was a very small child), and cases full of cards.

The thing that puzzled me most, was that there were adults there. I always thought that comics and cartoons were for children, and adults had those boring shows with real people in them. I asked my mother why there was so many grown-ups and she told me that you never had to out grow comics. She also picked me out some books to show me, that she told me she read as a kid. This also shocked me, since I thought that it was a boy hobby. That was the day I found out that even a big girl could love comics, and some how its something that had a greater influence on me then at the time anyone could have guessed.

Over time all things must adapt to changing situations. Comic shops are no different. What used to be a small, normally family operated business has boomed into much more. Influences from all over the world can be found gracing the shelves. From Anime and Manga from Japan, to board games from Germany, there is something for everyone.

I look around the shop, and the people I have met here, and can’t help but be in awe of it. While some may see it as just four walls with some shelves, I see it more of a sanctuary. Everything on our shelves are meant to bring happiness to those who pick it up.

Warhammer is something HUGE here, and while I first wasn’t sure of it, I am a believer now. People spend hours collecting, painting and readying there army, looking forward to Saturdays. The day finally arrives, and the come carrying there big boxes, ready for the action. People who normally are so calm and collective when they speak to me, are shouting and laughing. The same can be said for anything here. There’s nothing like the rush of rolling the dice, and they come out in your favor.

I admit, its a bit exciting to see so many strike up conversations about there passions here with strangers. Can you imagine if the whole world was like that? Its odd to think of a business as a place where everyone can laugh and play together, but that’s why we hold events here. A lot of man hours go into our events. Even when its not the days of them, there’s still letting everyone know, setting up everything needed and so much more. We wouldn’t have it any other way though.

Comic shops have gone from little stores you go into once a week to pick up your comics and cards, to something I think is much better. Its turned into a community where you get a warm greeting and there’s always something waiting for you.

I wonder if this is were my mother imagined when she told about comics that this is where I would end up. I remember the day I told her I was leaving my home to move up to Kalamazoo and begin perusing my dream of being a comic artist. She didn’t believe me. The I found myself with a job in a comic shop while I’m here learning to improve my artistic ability, and she told me its exactly where I needed to be. I think shes right about that.

As many of you know, I was missing from the shop this past weekend. I was in the not-so-far away land of Deer Born, Michigan at Youmacon.

Youmacon is my favorite anime convention. It is not the biggest, but the staff runs it very well. Even the dealers will tell you how they enjoy attending this con in comparison to some of the others. I will always complement the staff on how they are not only very good at their jobs, but always polite and helpful. Iv been to cons where the lines get out of control, and people get confused, then the yelling starts. This con, however, the staff is much more calm and kind enough not to scream in my face for being in the wrong line.

Another thing I love about this con is the guests! This year we had on board:

Catlin Glass. Shes been going to this con longer then me even (I believe she has gone all 5 years). She is mostly known for her vocal roles. Shes played Whinry in Full Metal Alchemist, Haruhi in Ouran High School Host Club and countless others. She also is a director at Funimation, directing the English dubbing for the new Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood and reprising her role as Whinry.

Michael Sinterniklaas. Yea quite a name. He is best known for his non-anime roles. I think most people on campus know him as the voice of Dean Venture from The Venture Brothers (on Adult Swim!) He is also a few voices on Bleach, including the Espada, Luppi. He also is a director for dubs.

Travis Willingham. For all of you who sit there and think that vocal actors are just doing voice work because they are nerds and unattractive, you should stop thinking that now. Travis is one of the handsomest mans to ever sign something for me. Travis is best known for lending his voice to Roy Mustang on Full Metal Alchemist. He has done a few other well known shows such as One Piece and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Cosplayers, some of you were amaizing. I have a huge problem with “not-even-trying” cosplayers. No, I am not talking about “lazy cosplayers”. How do you know what kind of cosplayer you are? Here’s how to tell:

Did you put thought and planning into your costume at least a month before the con? Did you order it from a seamstress? Did you spend more then 3 hours on it? Chances are you did a good job and are an acceptable cosplayer.

Are you L? Then you are a lazy cosplayer.

Are you wearing your bra with some wings attached to the back and a skirt you have had for 2 years? Did u cut a sheet, spray paint it in your room then leave? Are you wearing something you normally wear? Did you put on ears and tail and thought “you know, that’s good enough”. Then you are not a good cosplayer. In fact that’s not cosplaying at all. Sorry.

The events and panels were mad fun. Mario Party After Dark is always a classic (but I am sad I missed that one this year). I hear it was great. Anime limbo was an exciting rework of a new classic.

There were more guests and such I just don’t have time to type about. I could write a book on how much fun I had this year, but I guess you’ll have to suffice with a summery.

My Costume. Im Melon from Akikan!

Blue

I would love to tell you that Im coming to you live from Japan’s famous city, but alas I am still on US soil. That’s OK though, since Iv been keeping a close eye on what is going on this year. Here’s a few of the highlights I am super excited for.

Level 5 is a great publisher. Its made of the games that keep us glued in our chairs for hours. An example of there excellency can be seen in the amazing White Knight Chronicles. With up and possibly over 100 hours of game play it is a true vision of what an RPG should be. White Knight Chronicles 2 was announced and is development. No word on a release date, but the wait will be worth it.
On that note, for the more modest gamer, Level 5’s first series on the PlayStation 2 was Dark Cloud. If you have never heard of it, I am not surprised. I found Dark Cloud 1 and 2 used, cheap at a Gamestop 5 years ago. It was fantastic. The 2nd one is better then first, so if your going to chose, I would stick with 2, but they are really interesting games.

Do you like to make things blow up? Yea, it makes you feel like a man! Then you will be excited to hear about Tecmo’s “TPS” (thats third person shooter for those not so gaming inclined) Quantum Theory. In a lot of way, it compares to a lot of modern shooters. What is different about this? Women tossing. You are followed by a female partner controlled by AI (though Im sure there will be a 2nd player feature) named Filena, whom you can toss. That is right. You pick her up and throw her at an enemy. Fun!
As for a cheap Tecmo game..its Tecmo. Its been around since the dawn of video games. We carry a lot of the old cartage games here in the shop, so your always welcome to come check those out.

Namco-Bandi. I love you. I love the “Tales” games. I can forgive Tales of the Abyss for the main character. I can. Its OK. We have 2 games for the Tales series at TGS, one old and one new. First there is the port of Tales of Vesperia to the PS3 with new, unreleased material like a new playable character! Then we have Tales of Graces. Yes, they are running out of names. It looks like our slandered installment. The battle system has upgrades, like you can now turn 360 degrees to attack, which is nice.
For a low cost game, try Tales of Symphonia, one of the few good games for the Game Cube. It even has a squeal for the Wii.

Then my final notice of the day, Square Enix. Final Fantasy. You knew it was coming. Anyone who knows me know I enjoy Final Fantasy games, and 13 has me quite excited. It now has a release date of April 2010. It also was announced that with it would come out a limited editon pink and white ps3. Nice.
A cheaper alternative of course is any of the 8-12. 7 is still really expensive, unless you download it from the Playstation Network.

Its been 10 years since the epic date of 9-9-99 when the Sega Dreamcast bounced its way onto the market. It was a shining achievement in gaming technology. It was the first of “next-gen” console, beating the PS2 by over a year. It was also the first system to come out of the box internet-ready. So, then why did it die in under two years?

Sega was always an innovator. If you stop and compare the Gameboy with the Game Gear its hard to believe they were in the same generation. The Gameboy was released in 1989 and and the Game Gear came out just one year later. In just that short year gaming went from this:

To this beautiful thing:

The Game Gear is an impressive piece of work, but it had its flaws. For one, it was heavy. I was only 5 when it came out and 6 when my mother placed it in my hands, and the weight made it a little hard to play. Another huge problem was its battery life. The monster took 6 AA batteries and ate them up in 5 hours. That really sucks. It did have an adapter, but that’s not what you want in portable game systems. Sega did later release a rechargeable pack that gave it slightly more playtime, but this was sold separately and brought even more weight to the already hefty console. The Game boy only took 4 AA batteries and lasted 10-14 hours.
The Game Gear also lost out in price. It was around $150 at its release, which is much more then the $89.99 cost of the Gameboy.
The Sega Nomad followed after in 1995. It was also bulky, expensive and ate batteries, and slipped into only the true Sega-fan’s hearts soon after.
Sega did a lot of things first. It was actually the first one to have a system that would allow owners to go “online” where users could download games for a small monthly fee. So why has the empire fallen?

One could argue that Sega was just ahead of its time. Its systems were more advanced, but it came with an advanced price. The 5th generation consoles saw heavy price tags, but none weighed like Sega Saturn’s. The N64 was priced to move at $199.99 and the Playstation was at $299.99 but the Saturn’s was $399.99. This is the 5th generation, in the middle of the 90’s. It was hard to get a parent to shell out $400 when they could get another system for just half that price.

The Dreamcast (under the code names like Katana and Black Belt) was first heard of at E3 2008, then released not soon after in Japan. For a while it was a power house. It had amazing new titles, with the best 3D seen. Sonic Adventure was breath taking for its time, and it breathed some new life into a series that was fading fast. This was the golden days in the sun for Sega’s ill fated system. Impressive titles which many gamers still swear by today were released. Shenmue was out of this world when it first came out. Its high attention to detail draws you in and doesn’t let go. Even Square Enix praised the system (yet they stayed clear of it when it came to releasing games). It did get some impressive RPGs though, such as Skies of Arcadia and this gamers favorite Grandia 2. Yes, before you say it, there was holes in the story. It needed some more work, but when we look at the battle system, and magic system..its fantastic. I actually did enjoy the story quite a bit, and was able to look past some of its flaws. That and I though it was pretty.

Then came the cancellations…

Major companies soon started stalling or canceling upcoming games for the system. Konami canned both Castlevaina: Resurrection and The Mummy. Collin McRea Rally, a much awaited squeal was also canceled so that Codemasters could concentrate on PS2 titles.
The Playstation 2 exploded onto the scene selling out over much of Japan and later, America and other countries. It had a powerhouse of titles both from Sony and from 3rd party developers. The Xbox also showed up out of the shadows to land another blow.
You notice I didn’t mention the Gamecube in that…hm

It died here in America in 2002, but it kept on going in Japan untill 2006. Even today people all over the world still enjoy it, and home brews have opened a whole new chapter into the consoles life. I played mine last night, some Soul Caliber and a couple Japanese titles I own. I still love it…and so do many of you.

I love GenCon. The sights, the new people, the excitement! This year did not disappoint me either. Though most the day I was in the booth, I did get a nice taste of the con. I can’t help but notice while I read Marcus’ view on it, that we have very different takes on the who experience (which is not surprising seeing that I am a 23 year college student and he a …slightly older business owner). You can read his GenCon report here.

First Id like to thank the people at the Indy Hostel. They did a wonderful job of making me feel welcome. I had my reserves about staying in a hostel, but I found it a wonderful experience. Its a nice homey feel, and the owners are very friendly.

There was a tidbit of information about the upcoming film 9. 9 is based off a 2005 short film about a sentient rag doll living in the ruins of a decaying world. The full length feature is being produced by Tim Butron and Timur Bekmambetov and is set to hit our theaters on 9.9.2009 (shocker, I know). From all the footage Iv seen, I think this is going to be a good one!

Not a lot was there for video games. We were right across from Atari who was showing off their new game Champions online, due out in September. It looks at lot like City of Heroes. ALOT like it. I honestly thought that’s what I was watching at first. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but I feel like this is just another MMORPG that we have seen before.

I also took note that there was a lot more anime and manga related things this year. Now, I am a huge anime nerd. I love anime. I love watching it. I have a massive collection that would make even the most hard core Otaku fall to his/her knees and weep. I can’t help but stop and ask myself though, is GenCon really the place for that? Do I really want to mix my Dungeons and Dragons with my Gurren Lagann? Do I need Settlers of Catan and an L plush in the same shopping bag?

Lets see what next year brings!