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I suddenly realised the other day that PS2 is just like a university student. The way the console has progressed, especially now that its about to start its second year in the UK. The similarities are really quite shocking.
The build up to University:
Before you can start off, you need to prove worthiness. In our case, we have to take exams. With computer consoles, this involves creating all the neccesary parts of a machine, packaging it, advertising it, attracting both developers and customers, and then taking it to the shops. Large amounts of time can be spent ensuring you have all the required items. "Do you have your registration letter?", which in the PS2`s case, could have been equivalent to "Do you have sufficient support to create such an adventurous piece of kit?".
Preparation:
This is the key to making a good start. As all students know, it is nowhere near as easy as it sounds. Making sure you are ready for anything is never easy. In fact its impossible. There is always some detail that won`t be expected at all. In the PS2`s case, the idea of a pre-order scheme was actually very well thought out. More dedicated fans could pick up a console early on, using the pre-order forms, whilst more casual gamers could get one when they first saw it in the shops. The problems that arose were unfortunate, but eventually unavoidable. Given the circumstances it did the best it could, but its never easy.
Fresher`s Week:
The time to party, and celebrate one`s arrival in a place of improved freedom, and with more readily available alcohol. This period of time at university is supposedly the best, though nobody ever remembers it all later on, as there are many patches of a student`s memory that are apparently unrecoverable from this time. The PS2 had a similar launch - SSX and a handful of others will stay with the PS2 for years. The quality of those few titles has shown what fun the PS2 will be able to have, however there were titles that will remembered for a lot less time. Within a year, they may be forgotten forever...
The First Year:
For a student, the first year is set into two examination periods. Each half is actually called a semester, and at the end of each, you must take a set of exams, to enable you to progress. As these exams are only for progression, and don`t actually count for the final exam, there is always room for improvement, even if the standard is high.
The first set of exams went well for PS2, with some satisfying results from Zone of the Enders, Starfighter, and a taster of what to expect later on in the form of a Metal Gear Solid 2 demo. The Second semester was a little quieter, but had the best result yet. Gran Turismo 3 arrives, showing just what the PS2 is capable of. Other reasonable results include Onimusha, showing a historical knowledge, and also Red Faction demonstrating a more lateral thinking style.
The Second Year:
For a student, this is approaching crunch time. Responsibilities increase, as you could be cast into a new environment, away from the university campus. Bills, travel and work, all become more of a challenge. The second year exams are the real thing now. What degree you achieve in the end depends on these exams, and those of the following year.
The PS2 has begun to get its act together. The extra challenge of the second year (the arrival of the Gamecube and X-Box) has presented a target that the PS2 will have to work for, but is unafraid of. Already there are excellent pieces of work in the pipeline. The list of titles due for release this christmas (around exam time) is nothing short of stunning. There is something there for everyone! Jak and Daxter for those who like platform games, Smackdown 3 for fighters, Wipeout Fusion for racers, Devil May Cry for... (its good enough to suit anyone really). The choice really is unimaginably great. The potential is there for a superb second year, and now its in the hands of the PS2... its down to the student.
Good luck.
The build up to University:
Before you can start off, you need to prove worthiness. In our case, we have to take exams. With computer consoles, this involves creating all the neccesary parts of a machine, packaging it, advertising it, attracting both developers and customers, and then taking it to the shops. Large amounts of time can be spent ensuring you have all the required items. "Do you have your registration letter?", which in the PS2`s case, could have been equivalent to "Do you have sufficient support to create such an adventurous piece of kit?".
Preparation:
This is the key to making a good start. As all students know, it is nowhere near as easy as it sounds. Making sure you are ready for anything is never easy. In fact its impossible. There is always some detail that won`t be expected at all. In the PS2`s case, the idea of a pre-order scheme was actually very well thought out. More dedicated fans could pick up a console early on, using the pre-order forms, whilst more casual gamers could get one when they first saw it in the shops. The problems that arose were unfortunate, but eventually unavoidable. Given the circumstances it did the best it could, but its never easy.
Fresher`s Week:
The time to party, and celebrate one`s arrival in a place of improved freedom, and with more readily available alcohol. This period of time at university is supposedly the best, though nobody ever remembers it all later on, as there are many patches of a student`s memory that are apparently unrecoverable from this time. The PS2 had a similar launch - SSX and a handful of others will stay with the PS2 for years. The quality of those few titles has shown what fun the PS2 will be able to have, however there were titles that will remembered for a lot less time. Within a year, they may be forgotten forever...
The First Year:
For a student, the first year is set into two examination periods. Each half is actually called a semester, and at the end of each, you must take a set of exams, to enable you to progress. As these exams are only for progression, and don`t actually count for the final exam, there is always room for improvement, even if the standard is high.
The first set of exams went well for PS2, with some satisfying results from Zone of the Enders, Starfighter, and a taster of what to expect later on in the form of a Metal Gear Solid 2 demo. The Second semester was a little quieter, but had the best result yet. Gran Turismo 3 arrives, showing just what the PS2 is capable of. Other reasonable results include Onimusha, showing a historical knowledge, and also Red Faction demonstrating a more lateral thinking style.
The Second Year:
For a student, this is approaching crunch time. Responsibilities increase, as you could be cast into a new environment, away from the university campus. Bills, travel and work, all become more of a challenge. The second year exams are the real thing now. What degree you achieve in the end depends on these exams, and those of the following year.
The PS2 has begun to get its act together. The extra challenge of the second year (the arrival of the Gamecube and X-Box) has presented a target that the PS2 will have to work for, but is unafraid of. Already there are excellent pieces of work in the pipeline. The list of titles due for release this christmas (around exam time) is nothing short of stunning. There is something there for everyone! Jak and Daxter for those who like platform games, Smackdown 3 for fighters, Wipeout Fusion for racers, Devil May Cry for... (its good enough to suit anyone really). The choice really is unimaginably great. The potential is there for a superb second year, and now its in the hands of the PS2... its down to the student.
Good luck.
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I had to sleep on the sofa cause my PS2 came home drunk from the pub. It had a huge hangover in the morning....
I came home to find my ps2 asleep on the sofa surrounded by beer cans and the (mighty tasty) remains of a kebab.
Its a student alright.
a thesis title ? 'the tachycardic effects of audio visual stimuaiton derived from Japanese gaming consoles.'
hard to make an exciting console sound as boring as the average phd title
anthony
Its a student alright.
a thesis title ? 'the tachycardic effects of audio visual stimuaiton derived from Japanese gaming consoles.'
hard to make an exciting console sound as boring as the average phd title
anthony
ermm..the new Army Men game?
Maybe a PhD is on the cards... MGS2 is more than enough to graduate with, which could lead to a nice chance at a futher qualification. Any ideas for a thesis?
I think its predeccesor the PSone could be a doctor, and if not a Prof by now, so hopefully the PS2 will do the same!
good post
but will it go on to a post grad degree, and fruitless years as a post doc ?
Dr Jim (jaded)
but will it go on to a post grad degree, and fruitless years as a post doc ?
Dr Jim (jaded)
My top score by my own method on pipedream was 365K, but then there was a guide printed in PSM2 that made it much easier. I then improved to 520,000.
I can`t remember what issue it was in, but it was quite a long time ago. Probably about issue 8 or 9.
I can`t remember what issue it was in, but it was quite a long time ago. Probably about issue 8 or 9.
it was good
ssxpro what is you top pipedream score on SSX
ssxpro what is you top pipedream score on SSX
lol! Thanks guys, but I don`t think it was that good. Just something I suddenly realised when I was doing my registration the other day.
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