Atari VCS: The OG Returns!

March 20, 2018Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

The year was 1977 when the era of “The Gamer” came to be. The Atari 2600 was released and it entertained households as the first stand-alone video-game console that popularized the idea of game cartridges, giving the struggling video-game industry a means to produce real revenue from an existing machine. This console was the mother of all consoles and gee-golly are we glad it is coming BACK with the Atari VCS console. Although we are all excited to know what this new machine will bring us, lets not forget what they have already brought to us humble gamers.

The history behind this console is just amazing – I mean this console created heroes and many classic characters, like Donkey Kong, Q-Bert and Dig-Dug. It was also the first main-stream console to release interchangeable game-cartridges, since before all the games had to be programmed manually into computers before being able to play them (which was a pain in the ass). Innovator Jerry Lawson created the game cartridge for a console that lived in the shadow of the Atari and died out (The Fairchild Channel F). Considering he had a great product in a failing company, Lawson instead founded his own company named Videosoft where he would write software for the Atari company, and would later be recognized as a pioneer in the video-game industry.

Over the years, Atari developed new consoles (the 5200, the 7200, the Jaguar and the Lynx), however other companies came in and took over the industry, Nintendo being the only left standing from those days. Eventually, the Atari company died out, and stopped producing main-stream hardware. We never expected them to make a comeback… but boy are we glad they are!

The release date for this new addition to Video Game history is said to be released to the press sometime this April. The developers have promised that this console will not only give new video-game consumers a chance to experience their original classics, but will also come with a variety of new indie games to be released exclusively for the Atari VCS.

“Every person at Atari and every partner involved with the new platform is just as fanatical about the brand and its heritage as our biggest fans are… With the Atari VCS name, we know how important it is to get everything completely right, and that’s why we briefly paused an imminent launch late last year. It was a difficult decision with the countdown underway, but we weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment. We hope that despite the delay, Atari’s fans appreciate our extreme attention to detail and are as excited about the Atari VCS as we are.”
-Michael Arzt
Atari Connected Devices Chief Operating Officer

Fun Fact

I hope this brief historical journey of the Atari has inspired you in some way. You know, Ed Fries (former VP of game publishing at Microsoft) was once inspired by learning about the Atari’s history. He read Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System and felt inspired to create an old-school Atari version of Halo called Halo 2600 an Atari game, complete with cartridge and all. Now wouldn’t you want to play that on the new Atari VCS!?

Super Smash Bros 5: A Character Wishlist

March 13, 2018Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

The Super Smash Bro’s series has been around since 1999 during the good ol’ N64 days, and every time a new Nintendo console has been released, a new version of the game has eventually followed. The excitement for this comes from all the new classic characters you get to choose to fight with!

As we all know, Nintendo has recently announced it’s newest edition to the Super Smash Bro’s series. If you missed it, here’s the trailer for it:

We can obviously see that the game will include characters from a Nintendo favorite called Splatoon; a series that was released for the Wii-U back in 2015. However, we know there will be more characters to come. But which ones!? Nintendo has hosted so many great protagonists and antagonists in it’s games, it’s really hard to tell who else will be included.

Well… here’s my wishlist of the characters I would like to see. I’ll start with characters that I feel could most-likely be added.

If anyone from my list is likely to make it, it would probably be Bomberman. Very popular Nintendo character who’s made several appearances in both home console and handheld platforms. He would be a pleasant new face to see running around the screen kicking some major ass… I personally have only played the older versions of his game, and not very much… I wonder what kind of move-set he would have.

Next in my wishlist is Waluigi. The only reason he’s 2nd on my list and not 1st is because they’ve had Wario in the Super Smash Bro’s series for quite some time now, and have failed to include Waluigi in it’s series. However… I feel like it’s time. Hopefully he will be brought on due to popular demand.

Battletoads is a another Nintendo classic that has yet made its way to the Smash Bro’s legacy. The thought of watching these kick-ass frogs jumping around the screen being awesome brings a smile to my face. There’s no current hype for these dudes to make a comeback, but they were very popular during their time… so who knows!

If you were a 90’s kid with an SNES, and you did NOT play Earthworm Jim… I don’t know what to tell you. These series of games were just ridiculously awesome! This is definitely my 2nd favorite character on the wishlist that I hope would make it, but I highly doubt he’ll join the Smash Bro’s team.

I know… I know… the possibility of Dante ever happening dwindled away when Nintendo ended-up not releasing Devil May Cry for the Switch. Still. this would make my Super Smash Bro’s dreams come true… I mean, when Bayonetta was released as DLC for the Wii-U version, I got excited since Dante and her are somewhat similar characters… However Dante is by far my favorite. It’s not hard to imagine him being in the mix; even though his games gameplay is RPG based, the agility he has in his own games is amazing!

HONORABLE MENTION

One thing I loved about Brawl was being able to pick Pokemon Trainer, mainly for the ability to play as one of my all-time favorite Pokemon, Ivysaur (well, it’s really Bulbasaur, but this is close enough)! Although they kept Charizard as a stand-alone character in the Wii-U version, I would have much rather have Ivysaur or Bulbasaur join the battle! His move-set could have been developed to be a lot more interesting, adding a new variance of fighting-style to the game.

That’s my list. What characters do you wish were released in the upcoming Super Smash Bro’s for the Nintendo Switch? Share this with your friends, and see what they think!

Trumping Violent Video-Games…? Nice try!

March 9, 2018Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

“Violent, isn’t it?”

The first words Trump said to Video-Game critics and Video-Game execs after having a meeting with them in regards to the violence shown in Video-Games. He goes on to explain that these games are “murder simulators” and is encouraging these developers, as well as the entertainment industry as a whole to be aware of this, and to regulate the production of such violent content. Trump continues to say the following.

“Can anyone deny that we’ve raised the most vicious generation of killers the world has ever seen?”

I wonder… instead of wasting the time of these game executives and game critics who have far much better things to do (like making even bloodier video-games), why didn’t he hold the same meeting with the entire nation via a live-stream? Because the reality is that these 6 games (two of the scenes are from the same game) along with several others are rated properly by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and are not intended to be played by children.

The reality is that most American parents have done very little “raising” when it comes to the content their children are exposed to. They treat todays electronics as if they were today’s babysitters, leaving their kids in their rooms for hours, unsupervised, not even aware of what their kids are playing or watching.

I myself (Gen X / Millennial) was raised playing video-games, and over the years those beloved characters have grown up along with me. I was fortunate enough to go through the 8bit and 16bit era during my single-digit youth, so the violence and gore could not possibly be as explicit as it is today. My three nieces (Gen Z) were scarcely exposed to video-games growing up, because my brother understood the impression modern game content could leave on his highly influential kids. I personally do plan on exposing my son Jack (currently 3) to video-games, but of course it will be highly regulated (as in… I’m most-likely going to be playing with him).

Video-Games, just as other forms of entertainment media, is where the modern artist thrives! They collaborate with other artist, and get to express an idea through visual and audial stimuli. The range of an artist has no limits or boundaries, and should not be regulated… it’s really not President Trump’s place to step-in and request such a thing from a thriving company. He of all people should know better. But he should, by all means, encourage American families to pay more attention to what their kids are doing, and to… I don’t know… be fucking parents. Regulate your children’s time with electronics. Make sure they are interacting with things appropriate to their age or maturity.

Shit man, even Steve Jobs limited his own apple products in his home, I can only imagine how strict he was in regards to video-games. In an interview, when asked if his kids loved the iPad, Jobs replied with the following.

“They haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”

I love violent video-games, and ask anyone who knows me well, I am the least violent person they know. Then again, I also love Disney movies so I suppose I’m well balanced in that sense. The again, what do I know, right? I’ve only been a comical entertainer and clown since the age of 6, I have worked with kids for a very long time. When I was 14, my first niece was born, and we pretty much helped raise her. I was also a High-School Theatre teacher for a while, and have participated in many after-school programs in multiple institutes. Not to mention, I currently have a 3-year-old son.

Jenny, prepare yourself for a shock: The Rocketeer is coming back in 2019!!!

February 28, 2018Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

(play this while reading the article for ultimate immersion)

The worlds favorite hood ornament is coming back, but… it may not be exactly what you imagined. As announced by Disney’s ABC Press, there will be a new animated show on Disney Junior called “The Rocketeer” in 2019 – yes, it is inspired by the original comic book series by Dave Stevens, however unlike the movie, it will focus mainly on a little girl named Kit who receives the Rocketeer gear in the mail, and is entrusted to be the next-in-line to wear the suit, and save the day!

I don’t know about you… but I’m pretty excited about this. My son will be 4 next year, and this show will be geared towards 2 – 7 year old kids, and will be presented in a “Family Fun” way. My son gets to grow up with one of my childhood heroes! Well… kinda. It will be a girl, so he won’t be able to relate in the same way. But still… this is a great follow-up to show him the movie, and he’d be more willing to get into it.

When the original film came out in 1991 (I was 5 at the time) I fell in love with it. A dude flying around with a Rocket strapped to his back… and that iconic helmet. It also carried an exciting plot filled with Nazi’s, old-school gangsters, airplane races. I mean, the concept was just badass. Not only that, but the film also showed some insight to a “behind-the-scenes” environment of the film business, since Jenny (The Rocketeers love interest) was an aspiring actress, and the villain was a movie-star.

I hope you’re as excited as I am – to get you more into the mood, here’s the original soundtrack to the film. Play it in the background while you run around your house, jumping from couch to couch screaming “I got to save JENNY!!!”

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR THE THEME PARKS!!!

The title picture was taken by me in Disneyland’s Tomorrow Land in California. I remember always wanting them to have some kind of live Rocketeer show, or at-least a face character you can meet and take a pic with. Then when Disney’s California Adventure opened up, and they showcased that area with “Soarin’ Over California” with all the airplane themed things, I was sure they would have him pop up there every now and then. But no dice. Now… this is a very real possibility! Can’t wait!

BON VOYAGE!

The Sauce

February 27, 2018Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

If you haven’t heard by now – McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce popularity made a HUGE comeback after Rick & Morty’s Season 3 premiere episode on April Fools day. In it, Rick brags about how amazing this fucking sauce is – and how he can only have it in his dreams since it was discontinued. The sauce was a promotional gimmick used when Disney’s Mulan came out.

Anyway. Mickey D’s brought the sauce back in a VERY limited supply after MILLIONS of fans of Rick & Morty demanded it. Needless to say… it was fucking chaos. Check this shit out.

and of course – those who managed to get their hands one some of that glorious sauce took fully advantage of the situation.

SO… They did a public apology, and yesterday they released a GREAT AMOUNT of The Sauce to all of their stores so that everyone can have a chance to try it. I went last night after work, and got to try it… and also got to do a fun little photo-shoot with my babe.

The Sauce… was okay. Nothing special. But the hype… well, it was enough to get me to put my pants back on, put on my high-top converse and tie them up, and drive to McDonald’s (which I never go to) and buy a 10 piece nugget order to get 3 packets of the sauce.

Good job Rick & Morty. You’ve exposed many truths in us Americans with this bit of entertainment which inevitably became a social experiment. Thank you.

Streamer of the Year

November 14, 2017Yanko Artidiello Leave a comment

when I started streaming last year… I was completely new to the entire experience. I was not an avid watcher of other streamers… I didn’t REALLY see the potential in playing video-games professionally, or being that kind of personality. I did it because… I needed a creative outlet, I love video-games, and I started out during an emotionally distressful month of that year, and streaming helped me get through that; you know, the pre-production, the excitement of being “LIVE” – hanging out with friends who cared to watch and be there for me (shout out to Neil Shuford – love you bud).

Now… shortly after I started streaming, I began to see what kind of content was out there – I was honestly not very impressed by most of it. My entire life has revolved around Entertainment – I’m from a circus family, I went to Orange County High School of the Arts for Piano Performance – I got my degree in TV/FILM and Theatre, and I currently work as a Video Producer full-time for Frost & Sullivan… there’s a lot of crap out there getting a lot of undeserved attention. But then I ran into The Doc… I instantly found new inspiration. This guy really takes live competitive gaming to a new level. His character, with his over-the-top life-style and personality just finds its way into your heart. In just a year, this guy managed to rank up 40k LIVE viewers. Other great streamers have struggled to grow that fanbase in a decade.

I don’t know this guy – but I’m so proud of him. I know how hard it can be to engage an audience, especially one of that size. He truly deserved this award, and I hope his career just keeps growing from here. Like he says “He’s already half-way up the mountain, and he’s just getting started.”