A Game of the Week Club for 2014?

[SamIAm]

I'm guessing there are a lot of people here like me. We've got so much going on in our grown-up lives that sometimes we're in the mood for gaming, but we come home tired after work, look at our collections, and can't quite commit to anything in particular. Then we just say to hell with it and do something else until bedtime.

A little extra motivation goes a long way, and a little more time spent playing on everyone's part would do a lot to contribute to the community here. That's where a game of the week club would come in.

Would you guys be up for this?

We could have everyone who wants to do so submit a game to an organizer (I'd be happy to do take care of that job) and then have the organizer post a weekly thread. The order of the games could be decided by the order of submission. Each week, besides of course playing the game, people could talk about it in the thread, help and encourage each other, and even post pics of the ending screen if they make it that far for some sweet, sweet forum cred.

The games should generally be short and accessible - the kind of games that people could play in a single day if they really wanted to. I remember the "plays well together" thread in the PCE section before, and while I loved the idea, I thought Legend of Xanadu was a little too much to ask given its length, difficulty and language barrier. Basically, RPGs are not going to be a good idea, though there may by room for exceptions.

Of course, TG-16 or PCE games, Hucard or CD games, anything would be fine. Maybe just not Supergrafx or Laseractive games.

So, if you're all up to it, if the mods will give it their blessing, and if you don't mind me being the one to post the weekly thread, send me a PM with your suggested game. If nobody else has suggested it, I'll add it to the list along with your username, and credit you for the suggestion when your game's week comes up. Heck, you can write up an introduction if you want to.

Sound good?

[esteban]

Great idea. 

[_Paul]

This has been done on more than one occasion. Good luck with it, but interest fizzles out after a couple of months and you find some people just post links to their reviews rather than discuss the games.

[SamIAm]

Yeah, I've seen it go that way on another forum. Still, if some people play games together for even just a couple of months, I think there's some value in that. And if it keeps going for longer, that's great.

One option would be to open it up to other consoles and put the topics in the Chit-Chat or Console Chat forums. I'm sure the old timers have played some TG-16 games to death, so that could make it more enjoyable. Any thoughts?

If there's not much interest, I won't force it. Anyway, for anyone who thinks they might like to participate, do let me know.

[FiftyQuid]

You described me perfectly.  I would be interested in giving this a try Sam.

[ToyMachine78]

Man that is so me! I have the bad habit of buying more games than I have time to play.

[Otaking]

I'm guessing there are a lot of people here like me. We've got so much going on our grown-up lives that sometimes we're in the mood for gaming, but we come home tired after work, look at our collections, and can't quite commit to anything in particular. Then we just say to hell with it and do something else until bedtime.

This is me.

Good idea though I will try and join in. 

[roflmao]

I'd be interested in participating!

[TheClash603]

If you are going to do "other consoles," maybe that should be 1 of every 4 weeks.

The wildcard to mix things up might be a good idea, but as this is a TG16/PCE forum, I think going into other consoles too often limits the amount of people who will have the game.

Also, if you could announce game schedules for the following month, that could help people secure games they don't have.  With that said, I also think a sub-$50 price tag on games should be a key requirement when picking a titile.  I love Beyond Shadowgate for example, but it just isn't a game that is widely accessible.

[VestCunt]

So the first game is Might & Magic III.

j/k

Good idea, Sam. And announce next-month's games like Clash suggested so people can secure them.

I don't think we should focus on other consoles because that spreads our membership pretty thin. Most of us have decent NEC collections, but we're unlikely to have many owners of random games for other consoles except blockbusters like Contra or Sonic, in which case, what's the point?

That said, maybe we could do two games simultaneously: one "Turbo Game of the Week" and one "disObey Game of the Month" (or week) sharing the same thread. If this requires posting in Console Chat instead of TG16 Chat, so be it.

[FiftyQuid]

Yeah, what vesty said.  Oh and maybe avoid choosing pricey games like Magical Chase.  I personally don't have an emulator and don't feel like shelling out $200 for a PCE game.

[SamIAm]

I would actually prefer to keep it TG-16 focused myself, and I'm glad to see that that's where you guys are leaning as well.

I'm all in favor of posting the games in advance, too, and we'll go ahead and leave out the triple-digit priced ones.

Why don't we start on January 15th, to give people time to acquire the games if they don't have them? Then, for the first two weeks, let's choose common games that are easy and cheap to get. After that, we can go for the more-off beat stuff.
 
I'm reluctant to make the first choice myself because I want this to feel like a community thing, not my thing, so please post or PM me your suggestions. I'm literally going to choose in the order of suggestions received, so now is your chance!

[TheClash603]

Let's start with a game that is dirt cheap and will take very little time to play...  make things easy.

I vote...   Battle Royale.

[esteban]

Let's start with a game that is dirt cheap and will take very little time to play...  make things easy.

I vote...   Battle Royale.

Hahahahahahahahaha. I haven't played that in earnest since it was released. Sure, I've played it every now and then, but not with sustained interest 

I propose Drop Rock. I think I own this game, but I know I haven't played it much in over 20 years.

[whisper2053]

This sounds like an amazing idea guys. Either way it goes (pce/tg16 focused or not), I would definitely be down for this. I'm already part of the Shmup of the Month and Beat 'em up of the Month rotations over at ng.com, and don't see a problem with having some more incentive to play other stuff too!

Count me in

[SamIAm]

So be it!

January 15 - 21 -- Battle Royale
January 22 - 28 -- Drop Rock

I like the variety.

Keep 'em coming. I'll add a game myself after the first four or five weeks have been decided.

[roflmao]

Gah!  I don't have either on of those!

Howabout something more common and enticing next time around like Legendary Axe (I or II), Blazing Lazers, or Military Madness?

Maybe they aren't as common as the ones previously listed.  I'd be interested in knowing!

Maybe throw in a Bonk game early on?  Most folks ought to have one of them.

[SamIAm]

Which of those would you like to have for week three? Please choose one.

On one hand, I can understand wanting to go with only "greatest hits" stuff, but on the other hand, I can appreciate choosing games that most of us would never really think to play on our own. Even if they aren't great games *cough*Battle Royale*cough* we can still talk about them and try to beat them.

It's all good to me. Drop Rock actually looks really fun, too.

[munchiaz]

Really like the idea. I did this with a facebook group about a year back and it was a lot of fun. Ill have to pick up those 2 games. So if anyone knows where they can be purchases please post a link

[SamIAm]

There's one Drop Rock on ebay now.

There's also plenty of Battle Royales available if you search, and they're all pretty cheap.

Since I'm in Japan, I can swing by my favorite game shop tomorrow and see if there's an extra Drop Rock or two there. There are a few on yahoo Japan right now too, and for reasonable prices.

Just be aware that I presently take payment only in Cheetos.

[bob]

so, if we have drop OFF, will that count?  or it must be the game that is chosen?
So if it's a PCE game, can we play the US counterpart (or vice-versa)?  Or is that shunned upon for this?

just askin'...

[SamIAm]

LOL, I didn't even know that there was a US version of that one.

Of course it's OK! This is for everyone to have fun, and nothing more.

[CrackTiger]

I think it's a good idea to play games that aren't super popular, but I don't think that games like Battle Royale should be chosen as it is intended to be played by several humans at once.

[bob]

I think it's a good idea to play games that aren't super popular, but I don't think that games like Battle Royale should be chosen as it is intended to be played by several humans at once.

+1

[VestCunt]

I propose Silent Debuggers. I've been meaning to play that one for years.

[bob]

^^ Great choice. I can get behind that one.

[SamIAm]

Let's go ahead with Battle Royale. If we second-guess one game choice, we'll wind up second-guessing a lot more, and I'd like to avoid that. Besides, it's cheap and very available, and it does have a short one player mode.

What would you guys say to Bonk's Adventure for week three (credited to roflmao)? That gives us a solid A game nice and early on, and another one that's fairly easy to get. Then we could do Silent Debuggers (credited to vestcunt) for week four.

[esteban]

I feel bad for making everyone play Drop Rock/Drop Off, but we'll play the damn game AND HAVE FUN sharing our experiences

Who knows? Maybe it isn't that bad...




As for Battle Royale, I think there a few people here who have squeezed a few moments of fun from it. I spent more time with this game, back in the day, but all I remember doing is mashing buttons (and taunting other players with each wrestler's "catch phrase").... Executing moves should, theoretically, be more engaging. Time to open the Battle Royale manual and learn those moves.

[SamIAm]

I actually gave Drop Rock a spin on my everdrive just to get a preview. I think anyone who enjoys breakout will be able to enjoy Drop Rock, definitely.

[esteban]

I actually gave Drop Rock a spin on my everdrive just to get a preview. I think anyone who enjoys breakout will be able to enjoy Drop Rock, definitely.

There is hope. 

[BigusSchmuck]

How about Somer Assault? Not enough love is given to that game.

[whisper2053]

There are just so many titles, popular *and* 'obscure', that can (and ultimately, I hope, will) be used for this. Sam...why not pick 3 or 4 titles based on suggestions thus far, and start a voting poll with those as the inclusive nominees?

[roflmao]

Battle Royale it is!  Even though that's not one I own, I can stick it on my GoY Flashcard for a week.   Maybe it'll even convince me to pick it up sometime!

[FiftyQuid]

I'm not looking forward to Battle Royale, but I'll play it.  I have Drop Off as well so I'll play that one.

I would like to nominate Splatterhouse for the 3rd week of January.  Popular, but not stupidly priced (yet).

Wait... Are we at the 4th week or 3rd week of January?

[esteban]

How about Somer Assault? Not enough love is given to that game.

I love Somer Assault. Definitely one of the "underappreciated"

[bob]

I beat somer assault back in the 90s and had a cracking good time with it. I played it again recently and the depth of that slinky is very under-appreciated.

[technozombie]

OP describes many many nights for me.

I've never tried Battle Royale, but I look forward to giving it a try.

[SamIAm]

In the interest of simplicity and fairness, I really think it's best if I set the list in the order of submissions given, obviously with the limit of one per member until everyone who wants to has had a chance to give one.

What I will add is that if a member wants to retract their submission, that's fine. However, in that case their next submission will go to the end of the cue.

The list so far:

January 15-21: Battle Royale (TheClash603)
January 22-28: Drop Off/Drop Rock (esteban)
January 29-February 4: Bonk's Adventure (roflmao)
February 5-11: Silent Debuggers (vestcunt)
February 12-18: Somer Assault (BigusSchmuck)
February 19-25: Splatterhouse (FiftyQuid)
February 25-March 5: OPEN!

Looks like a fine list to me.

[FiftyQuid]

I'd like to bump Splatterhouse into the Somer Assault position.  Splatterhouse is more of a love story and I think it would be a more suitable game for Valentine's Day week. 

[TheClash603]

Will there be a separate thread for each week's game?  Or will it be included here?

I am honored Battle Royale was picked first.  I understand it is shallow and not great...  but if we are going to do primarily TG16 games, it isn't like there are a million to choose from, so we can get some good and some bad in!

[SamIAm]

^^^I'm thinking separate thread for each one. Mods, if you want to keep the forum from getting cluttered, I can do one thread per month.

I am honestly psyched for Battle Royale. It's going to challenge me to play a game that I would have totally ignored before. After all, the whole reason why I wanted to do this GOTW thing was to motivate me to play games that I wouldn't normally play.

I'd like to bump Splatterhouse into the Somer Assault position.  Splatterhouse is more of a love story and I think it would be a more suitable game for Valentine's Day week. 

That sounds nice and all, but if I let one person bump someone, I have to let everybody bump someone. Don't worry, I can assure you that everyone will be looking forward to Splatterhouse nonetheless. 

[PunkCryborg]

Some suggestions
Either a new thread for the games or updated thread title. Nice thing about individual threads is the posts would only be about whichever game.
Also high scores on the original post per game would be nice.
Weekly is pretty hardcore, bi-weekly would give more time to beat games.

Also some game suggestions: L Dis, Shinobi, Saint Dragon, Panic Bomberman, Travel Epule

[whisper2053]

Seconded on the bi-weekly front. Not sure about everyone else, but I'll probably just be hitting my stride in figuring (or re-figuring) out the current title

[FiftyQuid]

I'll vote for bi-weekly as well.  With the kids being in school, me starting a new job, poker night, and the kids starting swimming lessons I only have 2 or maybe 3 nights a week to play.  Weekends are off-limits as they are reserved for Mrs. Quid.

[esteban]

BI-COASTAL & BI-WEEKLY.

[SamIAm]

Well, it's a matter of what kind of balance you all prefer.

Certainly a two-week cycle would give us a lot more opportunity to beat each game and know it more deeply, and give the busiest among us a better shot at participating. On the other hand, a one-week cycle lets us play more games overall, gives us more motivation to not put off playing, and makes us wait less time for the next game if we aren't enjoying the current one.

Not to mention, if it's a game you've beaten already, you probably don't need two weeks with it no matter what it is.

As you can probably see, I'd prefer a one-week cycle. I can easily understand why you'd want two weeks if we were playing games with the depth and difficulty of R-Type every cycle. If you look at the list so far, though, how many of those games are really begging for two weeks? Battle Royale and Drop Rock sure aren't. Bonk's Adventure is comfortable enough for one week, as is Somer Assault. Silent Debuggers and Slaughterhouse, I can't honestly say. Even if they would do better with more time, though, I fear things getting stale with a two-week cycle.

Like I said before, I do want this to be a community thing, and if lots of you guys want two weeks, then two weeks it is. I do have to say, though, that given the broad range of games we're going to be playing anyway, I think we should aim more at becoming familiar with lots of games and spending lots of time playing than we should at completing lots of games.

Thoughts?

[esteban]

Well, it's a matter of what kind of balance you all prefer.

Certainly a two-week cycle would give us a lot more opportunity to beat each game and know it more deeply, and give the busiest among us a better shot at participating. On the other hand, a one-week cycle lets us play more games overall, gives us more motivation to not put off playing, and makes us wait less time for the next game if we aren't enjoying the current one.

Not to mention, if it's a game you've beaten already, you probably don't need two weeks with it no matter what it is.

As you can probably see, I'd prefer a one-week cycle. I can easily understand why you'd want two weeks if we were playing games with the depth and difficulty of R-Type every cycle. If you look at the list so far, though, how many of those games are really begging for two weeks? Battle Royale and Drop Rock sure aren't. Bonk's Adventure is comfortable enough for one week, as is Somer Assault. Silent Debuggers and Slaughterhouse, I can't honestly say. Even if they would do better with more time, though, I fear things getting stale with a two-week cycle.

Like I said before, I do want this to be a community thing, and if lots of you guys want two weeks, then two weeks it is. I do have to say, though, that given the broad range of games we're going to be playing anyway, I think we should aim more at becoming familiar with lots of games and spending lots of time playing than we should at completing lots of games.

Thoughts?

OK, you swayed me. I'm OK with one week cycles for the group (if it is for the greater good and most folks want it). I will vote with the majority.

Some weeks I'll have more time with a game, other weeks, less—I am OK with that. 

I acknowledge that keeping things fresh is, in many ways, more important than other factors for this to work with a bunch of folks.

ADVICE TO THE TIME-CONSTRAINED: It would be perfectly acceptable for someone who wants to delve deep into a game to start playing it ahead of schedule (since they have limited time), thereby allowing them sufficient opportunities to to make progress and be able to discuss details/nuances of the game.

[FiftyQuid]

I won't be as wordy as esteban.  I'll just say FINE.    Bi-weekly for Battle Royale would probably kill this club anyway.

[TheClash603]

I won't be as wordy as esteban.  I'll just say FINE.    Bi-weekly for Battle Royale would probably kill this club anyway.

In Urkel voice, "Did I do that?"

[VestCunt]

Community, schmunity. This stuff's not up for debate anymore. We already have a month's worth of games lined up. Biweekly is stupid. Half of us aren't going to play Drop Off and Battle Royale for two days, let alone two weeks. On the flip side, I've already played Bonk's Adventure to death so I'm not going to play that for two weeks either. The goal is to get people excited about playing their system every week and posting experiences. Beating games is great too, but that'll happen naturally.

The more games we cover, the more people will participate. Many members won't own or be interested in a particular game - don't make them wait two weeks.

Finally, no one is going to lock threads. Popular and challenging games will linger for a while. If someone is still trying to beat last week's game or doesn't like this week's, they can bump the old thread.