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Post by Mayhem on Apr 12, 2012 12:44:57 GMT -5
Hello to all... I guess I finally had a reason to register here heh. Some of you will know who I am without needing an introduction. For those that do not, let's just say I have a lot of Vectrex stuff  Anyhow, on a random whim, I submitted a proposal to Retro Gamer magazine for a collector's guide for the Vectrex. Imagine my surprise when they've gone and said yes. So I have about a month to put it all together, which should be eminently doable. But I need some assistance. Firstly, I'd like a big collector to volunteer to be interviewed for the section. This will involve some questions, taking a few photos of their collection, and having their face in the magazine. That last bit is important. Please don't put your hand up if you don't wish to show your face in the publication. Secondly, if someone here owns a complete Mr Boston, or has photos of a complete Mr Boston, in regards to the separate components, that would be very useful to me. I've tried asking Chris (Romero) if he still had shots of his, but haven't heard back from him. Thirdly, I'd probably want to prompt some discussion about what games from the original release set should be featured (ten maximum). Currently there is no focus on homebrew, but I've raised that with the editor and it might get a small section. Likewise, opinion about what peripheral should be the main feature, along with ideas for the others to be included. I know what I'd like to include, but I always throw it out there in case I somehow overlook something! If there is a repository with high quality (300 dpi and above) scans of various adverts and pamphlets, then that would save me hunting them down to include. I already have a few from my previous Vectrex articles, but always nice to find new stuff. I think that's it for now. Onward and upward! |
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Post by VectorX on Apr 12, 2012 13:16:11 GMT -5
Thirdly, I'd probably want to prompt some discussion about what games from the original release set should be featured (ten maximum). Spike (only game that talked) Hyperchase (made use of analog joystick) One of the 3D games should go on AnimAction or Melody Master Cosmic Chasm (first home to arcade port) Fortress of Narzod Mine Storm (due to level 13 bug/version that went further/built-in great game!) Web Wars Space Wars Armor Attack Currently there is no focus on homebrew, but I've raised that with the editor and it might get a small section. Yeah, that's really WRONG to leave out a batch of games, many of which are better than any of the original GCE games from back in the day! |
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Post by desfeek on Apr 12, 2012 13:42:53 GMT -5
I submitted a proposal to Retro Gamer magazine for a collector's guide for the Vectrex. YES. This is a great idea. One, comprehensive guide. I wish I had had one  Firstly, I'd like a big collector to volunteer to be interviewed for the section. This will involve some questions, taking a few photos of their collection, and having their face in the magazine. That last bit is important. Please don't put your hand up if you don't wish to show your face in the publication. I'm willing do do this, however, my collection has a couple glaring holes, namely, Lightpen and 3D imager peripherals and games. I do have some cool things a lot of people don't: distributor's carrying case, Triton and Electronics Direct paperwork (thanks Glip!), and a sealed Vectrex, but I feel there are a couple better collections to showcase (including your own!) Secondly, if someone here owns a complete Mr Boston, or has photos of a complete Mr Boston, in regards to the separate components, that would be very useful to me. I've tried asking Chris (Romero) if he still had shots of his, but haven't heard back from him. I'm pretty sure there's a JPG for Chris' Mr. Boston (the only CIB one?) floating around somewhere, from a past CGE. I'll try and track it down for you. Thirdly, I'd probably want to prompt some discussion about what games from the original release set should be featured (ten maximum). Currently there is no focus on homebrew, but I've raised that with the editor and it might get a small section. Likewise, opinion about what peripheral should be the main feature, along with ideas for the others to be included. I know what I'd like to include, but I always throw it out there in case I somehow overlook something! Star Castle, Spike (for voice synth), Bedlam, Minestorm, Pole Position (for name recognition) are a few suggestions. I feel like 10 original titles is too much (nearly half the library!) and maybe 6 originals, 4 homebrews (Vector Pilot, I, Cyborg, Protector, Patriots) would be a more diverse sampling. For the peripheral - gotta go with the 3D imager. Especially with the current rise of 3D gaming, it would make for an interesting sidebar. If there is a repository with high quality (300 dpi and above) scans of various adverts and pamphlets, then that would save me hunting them down to include. I already have a few from my previous Vectrex articles, but always nice to find new stuff. Maybe later today, I am going to scan a bunch of new Vectrex paperwork/advertisements. I'll send you an email with attachments whenever I get to that. |
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Post by desfeek on Apr 12, 2012 13:50:30 GMT -5
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Post by Mayhem on Apr 12, 2012 15:11:43 GMT -5
Yeah, I was aware of that page, and the individual images are sufficient size probably for what I need. I am mostly after a good quality ensemble shot of the whole package, sadly those photos from CGE are likely too small to be used for printing. Yeah, that's really WRONG to leave out a batch of games, many of which are better than any of the original GCE games from back in the day! The collectors guide series in RG is designed for people getting the officially released games only. The Vectrex is a bit of a misnomer in that regards because of its tiny library. But I agree, not featuring homebrew anywhere would be silly, so I'm looking to see what I can do to get that noted somewhere. Maybe devote part of the main write-up to it, and perhaps adding homebrew releases to the "collector checklist" that is at the end. |
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Post by gliptitude on Apr 13, 2012 2:22:35 GMT -5
Games (in order of priority):
Web Wars
(Protector)
Minestorm
Bedlam
(I Cyborg)
(one of the 3D games)
(Dark Tower)
Pole Position
Fortress of Narzod
Cosmic Chasm
I think you've got a pretty good excuse to include 'homebrews' in the list since this console was so short lived in the commercial realm. At this point some of the most essential titles are homebrews and Protector in particular is easier to buy than any of the GCE games. Certainly I, Cyborg, Protector and others are more relevant to the Vectrex universe than Mr. Boston. You would be misleading people if you omitted these games from the essential library.
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Post by desfeek on Apr 13, 2012 2:31:58 GMT -5
Certainly I, Cyborg, Protector and others are more relevant to the Vectrex universe than Mr. Boston. I agree fullheartedly with this statement. However, you have to think about what makes an exciting read to the average joe, and $3000 games draw people's attention. You'd be doing a collector's guide wrong by not including the (arguable) 'holy grail'. |
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Post by VectorX on Apr 13, 2012 8:27:55 GMT -5
Plus as he said originally, they "might" get a small section later; he said a list of 10 original games max, as I think he's just asking for 10 of those right now.
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Post by Mayhem on Apr 13, 2012 10:22:26 GMT -5
Yeah, it's just original games only. Homebrew will be mentioned, and I will get shots taken to include in the article, but the collecting part of it is just the GCE/MB releases. And probably Minestorm 2. So yes, just suggestions from the original library here. I am pushing as much as I can to include as much homebrew coverage as I can though!
The "jewel in the crown" page was accidentally left off my purchase order sheet, so this means Mr Boston will get a whole page to itself as a feature. Now it REALLY becomes important someone can supply me with good quality photos of an ensemble of the game! Those scans from AtariHQ are good enough for the side bar talking about each individual bit. I guess I should ask, who owns that website, so I can ask permission to use the scans from there?
Peripherals... I need eight in total and I've been trying to think of eight! So what do you think I can add as the final entry to this list?
3D Imager (main piece)
Lightpen
VecMulti
VecVox
Vectorcade stick
Carry case
Dust cover
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Post by VectorX on Apr 13, 2012 11:11:39 GMT -5
Probably just about anything Dan Siewers has done...or for the Cliffs version of it: 3D Engine Demo PS2 / Gamecube to Vectrex Adapter Vectrex Extender Vectrex Multifunction Adapter (probably this one, or at least it'd be my pick) Vectrex PS2 keyboard interface Vectrex USB ROM loader stick Vectrex Wireless Controller Vectrex Wireless Mouse |
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Post by gliptitude on Apr 13, 2012 13:18:49 GMT -5
eh i don't know what kind of guide omits the best games, but accepting that as your publisher's hard and fast rule, as well as forcing you to produce a full list of 10 I'll say:
Web Wars
Bedlam
Minestorm
Dark Tower (can that count?)
Pole Position
Fortress of Narzod
(one of the 3D games)
Cosmic Chasm
Spike
Animaction
Star Castle (if Dark Tower doesn't count)
A few last words on homebrew games: For me they were a large part of what prompted me to start collecting Vectrex. Even from a collecting standpoint, the homebrew stuff is the most compelling, with small editions and packaging etc. Fury Unlimited cartridges are each uniquely numbered from within the program (when inserted in the Vectrex the monitor displays "cart # 134" or whatever number it is in the edition). "Collecting Vectrex" without acquiring anything produced after 1984 is absurd. Even some of the original developers have contributed to the post-GCE/MB life of the Vectrex. Unlike many other old consoles, the Vectrex people clearly enabled this continued development. The "original library" is subject to a tragic fate.
If you including homebrew peripherals, I'd like to nominate the converted SNES pad. I use it all the time for all but a handful of games.
Eh you might also consider listing simply the original standard control panel as a top peripheral, even though one comes standard and stowed in the console itself. It's a pretty nice controller for the time and "collectors" pay a lot of money for them loose. Some games require the use of two simultaneously for 2 player action, so the 2nd one would have been an "extra peripheral" for the 1983 customer. Having two original GCE control panels is pretty essential for the serious collector I think.
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Post by Mayhem on Apr 13, 2012 16:17:41 GMT -5
Yeah, I had thought about just a normal controller as a "peripheral", but technically it's no different to the included joystick, and then I thought about the Vectorcade. Going for the flash heh...
Dark Tower probably doesn't count as it wasn't released. It's a prototype, albeit one that appears to have been finished. Similar to Mail Plane and Pitcher's Duel. I'll have to wait until Monday probably to find out what they think about covering items that were not released, and homebrew.
But I agree with your argument about homebrew being a gateway into collecting the original releases, and that's a point I will be making in the text.
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Post by desfeek on Apr 13, 2012 18:14:39 GMT -5
3D Imager (main piece) Lightpen VecMulti VecVox Vectorcade stick Carry case Dust cover This is a nice list - the Vectorcade really was the premier homebrew controller (that, or the VecArcade: vectrexmuseum.com/collection/vecArcade.php ), Dan's stuff looks ultra cool, but he really hasn't made his stuff available, so nobody can collect it. I'd give nods to PCJohn (Dondzila), RecycledGamer, and Nanny's Sewing Treats' Reproduction dust covers, along with Revival Studios, Fury Unlimited, Tutstronix, etc., maybe in a sidebar, just listing website URLs. This will be a cool article, I hope they give you some freedom with the layout! |
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Post by Mayhem on Apr 14, 2012 13:44:56 GMT -5
Layout won't be much under my control, but I have a good idea how it will go because I've written one guide before, and there's been a few published already. As for the peripherals, yeah, needs to be something tangible that was sold and made available for people to purchase, for the most part. Sure, the Vectorcade had only... what... about 23 made? But it's definitely a peripheral that should be mentioned, because... well... I really like the one I own heh.
In regards to the light pen, I will mention both the original and reproduction, likewise for the other peripherals too. Whether I can get URLs in there is another matter, as I don't have much room for side bars and outline boxes. But we'll see. I'll probably use the main boxout for talking about Minestorm 2.
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Post by Mayhem on Apr 22, 2012 11:20:35 GMT -5
Need to get this going now. Anyone volunteer for the interview? Not sure if Oliver was going to do it, he's on holiday currently and hasn't been able to reply to my email. Also a definitive 7th peripheral... it's hard to come up with stuff heh.
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