(edit: Yes, I know it's more than 1 1/2 years since my last entry on both blogs, I try to redeem for that in the future)
This entry is virtually only interesting for Gamer, the rest of you is excused.
Not that I want to prevent you from reading, but it may bore the others or the rather won't have any idea about what's going on respectively.
The Non-gamers may directly go to the Facts column or have a look at the Cosplay pictures (people who dress up as Anime- or Game-characters) before that.
So:
On sunday I was with some other people at the Osaka Game Festa, a gaming convention. It is by far not as big as the Tokyo Game Show (TGS), the old E3 or PAX but nonetheless it was great and we had tons of fun. Unfortunately there are only a few photos, we were too considered with gaming.
A small selection of the featured games:
Guitar Hero III:
I have never played the other installments but despite the simple concept it's insane fun fiddling with the guitar.
WII Fit:
New gear for the WII, a platform to stand on and play utilising your feet and body motions. Skiing and skijumping was simply ingenious using it. They stay true to their concept of a family console, since naturally there's also software for work out and body stretching, the WII saves you aerobic-training.
Mario & Sonic Olympic Games (even allowed to use the official Logo of Beijing 2008): Ingenious idea: All the well-known and loved characters of Sega (Sonic, Tails, Robotnik and company) and Nintendo (Mario, Luigi, Bowser et al.) compete in olympic disciplines, from 100m Run beyond Long Jump to Hammer Throwing. Playing that one with friends is almost more fun than WII Sports.
And of course PS3 and Disgaea 3:
It looked alike its predecessing parts (graphical etc.) with likewise elements but as we all know concerning Disgaea it never was about the grahpics or an exceptionally epic story, it's just like always but that's exactly what makes it good. And the main character Mao also packs quite a punch.
Oooohh, Prinny, Prinny, PrinnyPrinnyPrinnyPrinny, Dood, Prinny, Dood, Dood, KABOOM
As at every Gaming-convention (edit: digital or not): Cosplayer
(Although there are lots more people taking part in it in the US than Japan)
VIVI!
and Eiko
Card Captor Sakura (but how!)
Spidey also paid us a visit
I have no idea what that was (anyone does?), but it was funny how it drove through
the area, (especially the children were thrilled)
The gang of Kingdon Hearts II was also there, but sadly I don't have a nice photo.
And of course: FINAL FANTASY VII: Advent Children
One of the girls (from Seattle), who were with us is also into Cosplay, but she left her Yuffie-costume at home, well, bad luck.
More pictures will be on my album under "Verschiedenes" (edit: miscellaneous)
Should anyone be able to name all the characters on the pictures and send me an E-Mail with the answers to manuel.leitgeb"AT"gmail.com I will bring him a reward with me from Japan (I won't give away what that'll be).
Interesting (and funny) facts/opinions about Japan:
Since the Japanese never invented buttons or zippers, they always have used bands, for example for clothing, which has led over time to rather complicated lace fastenings (anyone who has ever taken a closer look at traditional clothing knows that). The same applied to packaging, which also (actually more often) was being handled by complex folding of the outer material (fabric, cloth or paper). The point I want to make is, that this tradition can still be seen in even the simpliest packagings. The wrapping of purchasings is an important activity even if the product itself is already wrapped up. For instance: When you buy a large electric device, it is already completely in its package and ready to go but nonetheless it is taken by the sales-person, two plastics-straps are winded around it by a machine and a small plastic handle is being attached to it for the purpose of an easier transport. If you are buying something at the super-market, or wherever (meaning smaller stuff), you ALWAYS are automatically treated to a plastic bag and if there aren't already other people waiting, you get your purchase bagged in by the clerk.
(edit: I know that's nothing new for people from the US etc. having baggers and such, but in Austria this is unheard of).
The other side can be seen at getting presents: If those are wrapped up in giftpaper it won't simply be "shredded", like at home, but rather carefully removed to convey the appreciation for the present. Although most of the time presents aren't unwrapped immediately but put to the side for the time being. On the one hand it is because at birthdays etc. where you get several presents in succession you can't take the appropriate time for unwrapping, on the other hand you avoid neither the Giver nor the Receiver losing their faces, should the gift not be well received.
And to conclude: I have found the perfect in-between snack:
Smoked Squid-slices
(Okay, perfect would have been octopus, but squid is great too)
