I have a problem with used games within the first three months of a games release and gamestop or anyone asking, "Why don't you buy the used version and save $5?" The $5 discount is not worth cutting the developer out of the financial loop. Also the increased chances of getting a scratched disc without the instructions and a screwed up game case to me erodes the $5 savings. Also if you are not supporting the game initially the likelyhood of another game from the developer quickly diminishes.
Now if the game is a large budget title and has huge sales like a COD or Gears then I don't think the you are really hurting the developer. Also if a games over a year old and they refuse to put at a Greatest Hits price then go ahead and buy the used copy as long as you save more than $5. Also if you like retro games it's impossible to collect without going the used route through ebay etc. So I think the used space has a valid spot in the market.

Finally, please don't buy relatively new releases used from a Gamestop, got Amazon and buy a new copy often discounted more than $5 (killzone 2 $52.99 & RE5 53.99 @ Amazon) and get the free shipping without Sales Tax and a f**ked up disc.

Ok I finally beat the ring leader of the Ghost's in Uptaten Tower and hopefully found all of the treasure chests after 2 deaths and achieving level 7. I think I made an error somewhere because I still have the Silver Tea Set (compeleted) because I haven't been prompted with anyone to give it to and i Didn't compete the set until after all the ghosts were gone. I went back to the village and saved the cat named Saber, which was added to my party but then I lost Bianca as me and father Pankaraz went back to Whelbrook. I discovered there is a misterious fellow looking for Pankaraz and at this point I save with 2:57 of play time. The  story is extremely linear so far and I look forward to gaining more freedom to roam around the world and discover new areas. I also can't wait to see what happens next in the plot. So far Dragon Quest V has exceeded my expectations and is so far superior to Chrono Trigger.

The look is amazing and the 2.5D graphics with the Final Fantasy Tactics like rotating camera are very unique for a classic RPG. I actually love the graphics they are extremely charming and use both the top and bottom screen allowing for an amazingly large sense of scale for the castles, ships, and world. I had few problems with the first dungeon where you have to find a potion maker of sorts for a family friend Mrs. Whitaker without the help of your father Pankaraz.  I like how Pankaraz saved me when I initially wondered out into the world and met a few slimes. Then left my party  while I tackled the first dungeon on my own. I soon realized after venturing with Bianca to Uptaten Towers with Bianca that I should have spent more time grinding so that I could purchase all of the gear before ending the previous quest. The monsters in Uptaten Towers were extremely difficult and Bianca and me were quickly dispatched and our gold halved. I will have to continue to grind a little it appears to move past the current objective. After being defeated I saved my game I'm currently at 1:42 minutes.

I've been a Dragon Warrior (Quest) fan since I was 8 years old and it first came out in 1989. It was the only game I could play for hours without a game over screen. I found the game play fun and it felt like a real adventure. I played some Dragon Warrior 3 & 4 as a kid also and really enjoyed those. Now I'm getting ready to start playing Dragon Quest V it is 17 odd years in the waiting to come to the United States with an english translation. I plan to blog about my experience after each day that I actually play to give my thoughts and insights on the game, and this entry is to provide a basis for where I'm coming from as a gamer and fan.

I finished Chrono Trigger on the DS just a couple days ago and will likely draw comparisons between the two. I currently know from the previews and reviews that in Dragon Quest V I will start out as a child adventuring with my father and will eventually set out on my own adventure and get married. I understand that I get to recruit monsters to join my party.  I will be back with more as soon as I discover it.

I want to write about something I've discovered over time as continue to kill time at work listening to various podcasts. Over time a sort of relationship between the listener and the podcaste talent develops. After listening to hours each week of the Giant bombcast, former ListenUP, Rebel FM, Sports Anamoly, Retronauts, The Hotspot, WSJ Carcast, The Daily Madden, and the former 1UP podcasts (pre UGO); I have a feeling as if I actually know all the people on the podcasts. Each week it is as if I'm sitting in the same podcast room with them as they talk about games, cars, or sports. I would like to look further into this because it is a wierd artificial connection that is developed with the listeners.

First off I'm a well adjusted and realize I don't actually know any of the Podcasters and they don't know me. However, overtime the listeners develop a sense that they do know the podcasters and it is almost as if you do become friends because the podcasters talk to you over the course of days, weeks, months, and for me 2 years now. It becomes like having a friend who talks about interesting things but never lets you get a word in sort of like my first podcast impression of Shane. Podcasts develop into a huge fan base for the personalities and actually leads many fans seek out other content of there "favorite" podcasters.

Some of the podcast do a better job at acknoledging the development of the fan base such as the 1UP ComicCon meet-up with Garnett and Tina, which is really a great way to show appreciation for the listeners that provide an audience for thier content. I also would understand some of the podcasters being leiry of hanging out with the "fans" or listeners because lets face it there are a lot of crazy people out there with no sense of boundaries. I think reaching out to the fan base in a meaningful way is a difficult and challenging area for podcasters because you have a way of strengthening your fan base, but you also don't want to be to accessible to the unstable.  

I think the relationship between the listener and podcaster has some major value added business benefits as well. The podcasters can develop a market for there other paid content such as articles and grow click threws by listeners interested in there voice. Also as the podcasters for various reasons leave the companies or podcasts they previously were on they have a built in fan base that will follow and sometimes even pay for content (i.e. Rebel FM, Geekbox, Co-Op, & Giant Bomb). I personally became a 1UP user and EGM subscriber after hearing the podcasts. I discovered that I prefered the indepth analysis and discussions on the podcasts and I wanted more. I also followed all the podcasters that left on their new podcasts.

In conclusion podcast enable the building of a onesided friend like relationship with major potential benefits for the podcasters with a few risks. After listening to the former Bombcast I always wanted to go to the bar with you guys and have a drink and talk about whatever current big game.

I bought a few games this year. Pixel Junk Monsters, Pixel Junk Eden, Wild Arms, Castlvania SOTN, Linger in Shadows, The Last Guy, and Super Stardust HD. I plan on buying a few more once I catch up on some other games.