Web site fixed. It now displays properly in every browser except Netscape 4, which doesn’t seem to want to stretch my image out to 100% of my table. Oh well, such is life. Besides, there is a very free Netscape 7 out there, so you should have no reason not to view this page in all its glory.

I remember when I used to be good at video games. That was a long time ago. I remember a time when the fight with Death was the only part of Castlevania that offered me any sort of challenge. Now, I can’t even finish level 2. Similarly, I remember Fantasy Zone as being an easy shooter, good for a quick play through. In the last year or so, I’ve managed to beat the first boss once. What’s happened to me? Where have my “l337 skillz” gone?

Nowadays, games don’t keep you coming back with mind-numbing difficulty. Instead, they just set meaningless “collect them all” objectives as a means for replay value. Be it shine sprites, dog tags, or monsters that fit in your pocket, the fact that every game has become a collect-a-thon has caused my gaming muscles to become flaccid. It’s no longer about memorizing patterns, honing reflexes, or exploiting design flaws. Now, completely mastering a game is determined only by one’s ability to stomach repetitive collecting.

Still, there are still plenty of new games which let me jump on things with furry corporate mascots. At the end of the day, that’s all I really want.