Hi everyone,
I just thought I'd post a small list of video games that I'm currently interested in buying. Some of them are quite rare, so I'm having trouble finding them. So on the off chance that anyone wants to sell a copy, get in touch! :)
Gran Turismo Test Drive Disc (Single version or Pule Pule / Pure Pure version)
Gran Turismo 2 Test Drive Disc
Gran Turismo 4 Press Kit
Gran Turismo 5 Press Kit
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Press Kit
Grand Theft Auto III E3 2001 Demo
I'll be adding more to the list whenever I come across something that I'd like to own. I'd probably also be interested in any items that are in any way similar to those that I have posted above.
Send me a message on YouTube (MattJ155) , or email me at mattj_155@hotmail.co.uk
~Matt.
Video game reviews and what not...
Saturday 28 July 2012
Thursday 12 July 2012
Tracking down the GTA III beta
Most people would consider Nintendo World Championships (Gold) as the holy grail of gaming. For good reason too, as it is probably the most expensive piece of gaming memorabilia out there; often selling for over £20,000 in those rare instances where it comes on the market. The only item that springs to mind which could fetch more, is if any of the Atari Swordquest treasures ever appeared for sale.
Just like Indiana Jones' father in The Last Crusade, who devoted his life to the search for the holy grail. Well, that's like me with the Grand Theft Auto III Beta. Well, in reality; I've only being looking around for a couple of months now! But still, I'm here to note down those small pieces of information which I've gotten so far.
For people that don't know; Rockstar never released an early beta for public viewing. There are very early screenshots, where the graphics were more cartoonish, there were school buses populating the road; along with many more things that would go on to be changed in the final release. The first trailers and video clips came along after the game had been worked on a little more. Then finally, a demo of the game was playable at E3 in 2001. However, this wasn't a case like Gran Turismo 2000; which was given out at the Playstation Festival 2000 in limited quantities. The beta GTA III was never given out, not even to the press.
In fact, Grand Theft Auto III had a fairly dismal time at E3 2001; as people were more impressed with the look of State of Emergency. Hard to believe that this GTA III is the same game that still generates a big amount of interest today; leading Rockstar to release a 10th Anniversary edition of the game last year. After E3 2001, Rockstar decided to pursue different routes to showcasing their impending releases; never bringing a playable demo to E3 or any other convention again. This is still the case today, as Rockstar decided not to showcase GTA V at E3 this year, much to many fans' surprise.
I briefly spoke to Jeff Gerstmann, former editorial director of GameSpot; who played this GTA III demo at E3 in 2001. Here are his thoughts at the time:
http://uk.gamespot.com/grand-theft-auto-iii/previews/e3-2001-hands-on-grand-theft-auto-3-2762402/
When I asked him for any other information regarding the beta demo at the time, he said:
"People played it at E3, it was never sent out to the media, as far as I know."
Unfortunately, no one really knows what happened to it after the convention. Many fans believe that any beta material is still in the hands of Rockstar. But it's important to note that most beta screenshots and video clips come from a work in progress; a code that's constantly being worked on. To my knowledge, the only instance where a beta version of the game was put onto a disc was for E3 in 2001.
Anyway, my search goes on... Though it should be noted that I have recently purchased a rare Rockstar press kit from E3 in 2001. It's not the demo itself, but it will contain information and possibly some screenshots and video clips from the game as a work in progress.
More to come soon hopefully!
Just like Indiana Jones' father in The Last Crusade, who devoted his life to the search for the holy grail. Well, that's like me with the Grand Theft Auto III Beta. Well, in reality; I've only being looking around for a couple of months now! But still, I'm here to note down those small pieces of information which I've gotten so far.
For people that don't know; Rockstar never released an early beta for public viewing. There are very early screenshots, where the graphics were more cartoonish, there were school buses populating the road; along with many more things that would go on to be changed in the final release. The first trailers and video clips came along after the game had been worked on a little more. Then finally, a demo of the game was playable at E3 in 2001. However, this wasn't a case like Gran Turismo 2000; which was given out at the Playstation Festival 2000 in limited quantities. The beta GTA III was never given out, not even to the press.
In fact, Grand Theft Auto III had a fairly dismal time at E3 2001; as people were more impressed with the look of State of Emergency. Hard to believe that this GTA III is the same game that still generates a big amount of interest today; leading Rockstar to release a 10th Anniversary edition of the game last year. After E3 2001, Rockstar decided to pursue different routes to showcasing their impending releases; never bringing a playable demo to E3 or any other convention again. This is still the case today, as Rockstar decided not to showcase GTA V at E3 this year, much to many fans' surprise.
I briefly spoke to Jeff Gerstmann, former editorial director of GameSpot; who played this GTA III demo at E3 in 2001. Here are his thoughts at the time:
http://uk.gamespot.com/grand-theft-auto-iii/previews/e3-2001-hands-on-grand-theft-auto-3-2762402/
When I asked him for any other information regarding the beta demo at the time, he said:
"People played it at E3, it was never sent out to the media, as far as I know."
Unfortunately, no one really knows what happened to it after the convention. Many fans believe that any beta material is still in the hands of Rockstar. But it's important to note that most beta screenshots and video clips come from a work in progress; a code that's constantly being worked on. To my knowledge, the only instance where a beta version of the game was put onto a disc was for E3 in 2001.
Anyway, my search goes on... Though it should be noted that I have recently purchased a rare Rockstar press kit from E3 in 2001. It's not the demo itself, but it will contain information and possibly some screenshots and video clips from the game as a work in progress.
More to come soon hopefully!
Monday 2 July 2012
Has Fergie lost his eye for a signing?
Eric Cantona; one of the first names on fans' lips if asked to name a Manchester United legend. The flamboyant Frenchman scored 80 goals in 5 years for the Red Devils, was listed in the 100 League Legends List, and in 2002 he was inducted into the the English Football Hall of Fame. A tremendous talent, signed for just £1.2 million in 1992, by Alex Ferguson.
Other great deals by Fergie include, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (£1.5 million), Roy Keane (£3.75 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.25 million). Just three names that are synonymous with Manchester United, and have gone on to fully justify and exceed their transfer fees. But this got me thinking; has Fergie still got the same eye for a player, in the transfer market today? Roy Keane's transfer from Nottingham Forest was then a British record fee, so it's obvious these days; that you can expect to pay a little bit more than that.
So why have Chelsea reportedly agreed an £8 million fee for Inter Milan and Brazil's Maicon? As a United fan, I think the position we need to strengthen most is the defensive / holding midfielder role. But Rafael is also less than competent at right-back, and Smalling or Jones could only fill in there, as they are both centre-backs primarily. It seems absurd to me, that Fergie hasn't even contemplated a move for Maicon since he's available on the cheap, or another right-back that would serve us for a handful of seasons.
Also, Ronaldinho became a free agent this summer; leaving Flamengo after a row over unpaid wages. I would have loved to see us snap up the Brazilian legend on a free transfer; but again no contact was established and Ronaldinho went on to sign for Atletico Mineiro just a few days later. Yes he's not as good as he once was, but let's not forget; Fergie snapped up Laurent Blanc on a free transfer in 2001. The commanding centre back did a decent job for us, despite his age of 35.
Over the last few years, despite good pieces of business for the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo; Fergie has bought a number of flops. Eric Djemba-Djemba anyone? Brought in by Sir Alex to replace Roy Keane, however he ended up applying his trade in Qatar by the age of 27. Others include Liam Miller, and the more recent flops of Mame Biram Diouf and Bébé. The latter costing a ridiculous £7.4 million.
However there is some good news, as Sir Alex has bought well in Shinji Kagawa. As one of my favourite players, he possesses good passing and dribbling abilities, and has an eye for goal. Our second new arrival is Crewe's youngster Nick Powell. Firstly, I'm pleased to see us beat Arsenal to the signing of a young, potential star; but I'm also pleased to see us buy British talent. I wish that a lot of the big teams would scower the lower leagues more, rather than buy from abroad; but United aren't too bad at that in general. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to name another two bought Englishmen.
But it remains to be seen if Fergie can counjure some more off-guard, inspirational signings. Will he uncover the next Nemanja Vidic? (a £7 million bargain) or perhaps the next Roy Keane? In any case, our midfield is dire need of a holding midfielder; as our search for the next Roy continues since 2005. It also remains to be seen if we can keep up with moneybags Manchester City and Chelsea. Chelsea already opening their cheque book to sign Marko Marin and Eden Hazard this summer.
Other great deals by Fergie include, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (£1.5 million), Roy Keane (£3.75 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.25 million). Just three names that are synonymous with Manchester United, and have gone on to fully justify and exceed their transfer fees. But this got me thinking; has Fergie still got the same eye for a player, in the transfer market today? Roy Keane's transfer from Nottingham Forest was then a British record fee, so it's obvious these days; that you can expect to pay a little bit more than that.
So why have Chelsea reportedly agreed an £8 million fee for Inter Milan and Brazil's Maicon? As a United fan, I think the position we need to strengthen most is the defensive / holding midfielder role. But Rafael is also less than competent at right-back, and Smalling or Jones could only fill in there, as they are both centre-backs primarily. It seems absurd to me, that Fergie hasn't even contemplated a move for Maicon since he's available on the cheap, or another right-back that would serve us for a handful of seasons.
Also, Ronaldinho became a free agent this summer; leaving Flamengo after a row over unpaid wages. I would have loved to see us snap up the Brazilian legend on a free transfer; but again no contact was established and Ronaldinho went on to sign for Atletico Mineiro just a few days later. Yes he's not as good as he once was, but let's not forget; Fergie snapped up Laurent Blanc on a free transfer in 2001. The commanding centre back did a decent job for us, despite his age of 35.
Over the last few years, despite good pieces of business for the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo; Fergie has bought a number of flops. Eric Djemba-Djemba anyone? Brought in by Sir Alex to replace Roy Keane, however he ended up applying his trade in Qatar by the age of 27. Others include Liam Miller, and the more recent flops of Mame Biram Diouf and Bébé. The latter costing a ridiculous £7.4 million.
However there is some good news, as Sir Alex has bought well in Shinji Kagawa. As one of my favourite players, he possesses good passing and dribbling abilities, and has an eye for goal. Our second new arrival is Crewe's youngster Nick Powell. Firstly, I'm pleased to see us beat Arsenal to the signing of a young, potential star; but I'm also pleased to see us buy British talent. I wish that a lot of the big teams would scower the lower leagues more, rather than buy from abroad; but United aren't too bad at that in general. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to name another two bought Englishmen.
But it remains to be seen if Fergie can counjure some more off-guard, inspirational signings. Will he uncover the next Nemanja Vidic? (a £7 million bargain) or perhaps the next Roy Keane? In any case, our midfield is dire need of a holding midfielder; as our search for the next Roy continues since 2005. It also remains to be seen if we can keep up with moneybags Manchester City and Chelsea. Chelsea already opening their cheque book to sign Marko Marin and Eden Hazard this summer.
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