#50: Ness's Bike (EarthBound)
I would rate this song quite a lot higher if it were actually used in any significant part of EarthBound, but alas, it is resigned to a delightful little miscellaneous parts bin. But really, all you need to know to understand how different EarthBound is from every other RPG in existence is that this piece of music is in it. It's peppy. It's happy. It's carefree. It's everything RPG's aren't supposed to be. In fact, you don't see the kind of themes this music invokes in just about any video game that isn't aimed at young children.
EarthBound isn't aimed at young children by a sight, not even as much as Pokémon is. (A few other pieces of music that will appear later in this list will demonstrate that.) EarthBound is a deceptively mature game that pulls on remarkably mature emotions--but you have to be drawn in by its zany and semi-cartoony feel to understand it.
And what's really interesting is, you don't have to have ever heard of EarthBound to understand all of the above just by listening to this music.
I dare you to listen to it without whistling along. I double dare you.
Friday, February 11, 2011
My Favorite Video Game Music: Introduction
I'm going to be posting my favorite pieces of video game music, one by one, on here until I'm through. I put together a top 50 list, actually, and will count it down from #50 with a YouTube link and a little mini-essay on each one.
This is NOT some kind of faux-authoritative list on which video game music you should like. It's what music I like, and you will see that I have odd tastes. (I'll have fun elaborating on those tastes as I go.) Also, if your favorite game is completely omitted from the list, you're in good company with millions of other people. This is because the list draws only from games I played, and I only played a small number of games. I grew up in a house where money was pretty tight, and I got two new games a year: one in May for my birthday, and one on Christmas day. That pattern never varied for 12 years, ages 6 to 18. All of my gaming experience was on the NES (15%), SNES (75%) and N64 (10%). I hardly ever touched a Genesis or a PlayStation. And my experience ends in about 1999.
The entire list, then, is pulled from a handful of games. Almost all the music on it, actually, comes from the great SNES RPG's, because those were my favorite games. There are a few exceptions.
Every song on the list comes from one of the following games:
Castlevania
Chrono Trigger
EarthBound
Final Fantasy IV, V, VI and VII
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Lufia II
Mario Kart 64
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario 64
Tecmo Super Bowl
And that's it.
This is NOT some kind of faux-authoritative list on which video game music you should like. It's what music I like, and you will see that I have odd tastes. (I'll have fun elaborating on those tastes as I go.) Also, if your favorite game is completely omitted from the list, you're in good company with millions of other people. This is because the list draws only from games I played, and I only played a small number of games. I grew up in a house where money was pretty tight, and I got two new games a year: one in May for my birthday, and one on Christmas day. That pattern never varied for 12 years, ages 6 to 18. All of my gaming experience was on the NES (15%), SNES (75%) and N64 (10%). I hardly ever touched a Genesis or a PlayStation. And my experience ends in about 1999.
The entire list, then, is pulled from a handful of games. Almost all the music on it, actually, comes from the great SNES RPG's, because those were my favorite games. There are a few exceptions.
Every song on the list comes from one of the following games:
Castlevania
Chrono Trigger
EarthBound
Final Fantasy IV, V, VI and VII
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Lufia II
Mario Kart 64
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario 64
Tecmo Super Bowl
And that's it.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tecmo Speaks on Super Bowl 45
Simulation 1
Packers 0 13 0 0 13
Steelers 10 0 7 0 17
Scoring Summary
1Q: Hines Ward 9 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
2Q: Shaun Suisham 33 yard field goal (0-10)
2Q: Greg Jennings 28 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-10)
2Q: Mason Crosby 33 yard field goal (10-10)
2Q: Mason Crosby 37 yard field goal (10-13)
3Q: Mewelde Moore 12 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (17-13)
Injuries: Emmanuel Sanders, James Jones, Greg Jennings
Player of the Game: Greg Jennings (5 receptions, 142 yards, 1 TD)
Simulation 2
Packers 0 7 0 3 14
Steelers 7 7 7 0 21
Scoring Summary
1Q: Hines Ward 13 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
2Q: Rashard Mendenhall 4 yard run (0-14)
2Q: James Starks 10 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-14)
3Q: Mike Wallace 7 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (7-21)
4Q: James Starks 1 yard run; 2-point conversion failed (13-21)
Injuries: Rashard Mendenhall
Player of the Game: Rashard Mendenhall (10 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD)
Simulation 3
Packers 7 7 7 14 35
Steelers 0 0 0 7 7
Scoring Summary
1Q: Donald Driver 6 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-0)
2Q: James Jones 8 yard run (14-0)
3Q: Greg Jennings 33 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (21-0)
4Q: Greg Jennings 24 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (28-0)
4Q: James Jones 14 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (35-0)
4Q: Emmanual Sanders 7 yard run (35-7)
Injuries: Tramon Williams, Ryan Clark
Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers (11-16, 245 yards, 3 TD)
Simulation 4
Packers 3 0 0 13 16
Steelers 7 7 3 0 17
Scoring Summary
1Q: Mike Wallace 21 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
1Q: Mason Crosby 14 yard field goal (3-7)
2Q: Mike Wallace 4 yard fumble return (3-14)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 41 yard field goal (3-17)
4Q: James Jones 1 yard run (10-17)
4Q: Greg Jennings 34 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers; 2-point conversion failed (16-17)
Injuries: Ben Roethlisberger, Casey Hampton
Player of the Game: Ziggy Hood (2 sacks)
Simulation 5
Packers 3 0 0 10 13
Steelers 7 7 7 0 21
Scoring Summary
1Q: Emmanuel Sanders 8 yard run (0-7)
1Q: Mason Crosby 47 yard field goal (3-7)
2Q: Emmanuel Sanders 9 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (3-14)
3Q: Rashard Mendenhall 1 yard run (3-21)
4Q: Mason Crosby 31 yard field goal (6-21)
4Q: Greg Jennings 21 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (13-21)
Injuries: James Jones, Cullen Jenkins
Player of the Game: Emmanuel Sanders (17 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 TD)
SCORES:
Packers: 13,14,35,16,13
Steelers: 17,21,7,17,21
Mean score: Packers 18; Steelers 17
Median score: Packers 14; Steeelers 17
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl 45, 17-16.
Packers 0 13 0 0 13
Steelers 10 0 7 0 17
Scoring Summary
1Q: Hines Ward 9 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
2Q: Shaun Suisham 33 yard field goal (0-10)
2Q: Greg Jennings 28 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-10)
2Q: Mason Crosby 33 yard field goal (10-10)
2Q: Mason Crosby 37 yard field goal (10-13)
3Q: Mewelde Moore 12 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (17-13)
Injuries: Emmanuel Sanders, James Jones, Greg Jennings
Player of the Game: Greg Jennings (5 receptions, 142 yards, 1 TD)
Simulation 2
Packers 0 7 0 3 14
Steelers 7 7 7 0 21
Scoring Summary
1Q: Hines Ward 13 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
2Q: Rashard Mendenhall 4 yard run (0-14)
2Q: James Starks 10 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-14)
3Q: Mike Wallace 7 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (7-21)
4Q: James Starks 1 yard run; 2-point conversion failed (13-21)
Injuries: Rashard Mendenhall
Player of the Game: Rashard Mendenhall (10 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD)
Simulation 3
Packers 7 7 7 14 35
Steelers 0 0 0 7 7
Scoring Summary
1Q: Donald Driver 6 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (7-0)
2Q: James Jones 8 yard run (14-0)
3Q: Greg Jennings 33 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (21-0)
4Q: Greg Jennings 24 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (28-0)
4Q: James Jones 14 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (35-0)
4Q: Emmanual Sanders 7 yard run (35-7)
Injuries: Tramon Williams, Ryan Clark
Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers (11-16, 245 yards, 3 TD)
Simulation 4
Packers 3 0 0 13 16
Steelers 7 7 3 0 17
Scoring Summary
1Q: Mike Wallace 21 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (0-7)
1Q: Mason Crosby 14 yard field goal (3-7)
2Q: Mike Wallace 4 yard fumble return (3-14)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 41 yard field goal (3-17)
4Q: James Jones 1 yard run (10-17)
4Q: Greg Jennings 34 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers; 2-point conversion failed (16-17)
Injuries: Ben Roethlisberger, Casey Hampton
Player of the Game: Ziggy Hood (2 sacks)
Simulation 5
Packers 3 0 0 10 13
Steelers 7 7 7 0 21
Scoring Summary
1Q: Emmanuel Sanders 8 yard run (0-7)
1Q: Mason Crosby 47 yard field goal (3-7)
2Q: Emmanuel Sanders 9 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (3-14)
3Q: Rashard Mendenhall 1 yard run (3-21)
4Q: Mason Crosby 31 yard field goal (6-21)
4Q: Greg Jennings 21 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (13-21)
Injuries: James Jones, Cullen Jenkins
Player of the Game: Emmanuel Sanders (17 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 TD)
SCORES:
Packers: 13,14,35,16,13
Steelers: 17,21,7,17,21
Mean score: Packers 18; Steelers 17
Median score: Packers 14; Steeelers 17
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl 45, 17-16.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Test post
Check it out, dudes: just last month we got like 80 inquiries from high-wealth types looking for some of our prime juicy real estate.
We ought to accommodate them. Our real estate firms are chomping at the bit to sell them some land, but you know how rich folk are, always bitching about how there ought to be a, whatyacallit, doctor in the town they live in.
Yeah, but we put a hospital in here and they'll just move haphazardly right into the middle of the slums. That's the last damn thing I need, a line of rich morons at my office that moved into the slums and then want to bitch about the neighborhood.
So we bandied that about a little and decided the best way to deal with it would be to lay out some land for the rich folk, put a clinic in the middle of it, but not give it any ambulances. The rich snobs ought to like that, a medical clinic undefiled by filthy peasants. The peasants won't like it none too much, but since when do we care about peasants?
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Almighty Tecmo Speaks: 2010 AFC Championship
SIMULATION 1
Jets 7 7 0 0 14
Steelers 3 7 7 14 31
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Shaun Suisham 21 yard field goal (0-3)
1Q: Mark Sanchez 34 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (7-3)
2Q: James Farrior 40 yard interception return (7-10)
2Q: Joe McKnight 1 yard run (14-10)
3Q: Ben Roethlisberger 6 yard pass to Rashard Mendenhall (14-17)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 10 yard run (14-24)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 2 yard run (14-31)
INJURIES
1Q: LaDainian Tomlinson
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Troy Polamalu (2 interceptions)
Ben Roethlisberger: 72%, 203 yards, 1 TD
Mark Sanchez: 40%, 96 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT (McFadden 2, Farrior, Polamalu 2)
Rashard Mendenhall: 10 carries, 37 yards; 10 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
Shonn Greene: 4 carries, 23 yards; 2 receptions, 12 yards
Santonio Holmes: 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
SIMULATION 2
Jets 7 7 3 7 3 27
Steelers 7 10 0 7 0 24
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Heath Miller 54 yard fumble return (0-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 34 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (7-7)
2Q: Rashard Mendenhall 3 yard run (7-14)
2Q: Shaun Suisham 30 yard field goal (7-17)
3Q: Nick Folk 41 yard field goal (10-17)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 2 yard run (17-17)
4Q: Ben Roethlisberger 22 yard pass to Hines Ward (24-24)
OT: Nick Folk 26 yard field goal (27-24)
INJURIES
2Q: Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall
3Q: James Harrison
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Braylon Edwards (7 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 60%, 108 yards, 1 TD
Mark Sanchez: 54%, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (Polamalu)
Rashard Mendenhall: 7 carries, 41 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson: 9 carries, 81 yards; 2 receptions, 20 yards
SIMULATION 3
Jets 0 14 7 14 31
Steelers 7 0 0 7 14
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Ben Roethlisberger 9 yard pass to Hines Ward (0-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 16 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (7-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 36 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (14-7)
3Q: Nick Folk 41 yard field goal (17-7)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 14 yard run (24-7)
4Q: Ben Roethlisberger 24 yard pass to Hines Ward (24-14)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 1 yard run (31-14)
INJURIES
4Q: Rashard Mendenhall
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Braylon Edwards (5 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 58%, 212 yards, 2 TD
Mark Sanchez: 52%, 173 yards, 2 TD
Hines Ward: 7 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD
LaDainian Tomlinson: 7 carries, 50 yards, 2 TD
Santonio Holmes: 1 reception, 52 yards
SIMULATION 4
Jets 7 7 0 7 21
Steelers 3 0 9 0 12
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Mark Sanchez 30 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (7-0)
1Q: Shaun Suisham 52 yard field goal (7-3)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 18 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (14-3)
3Q: Ben Roethlisberger 7 yard pass to Rashard Mendenhall; extra point blocked (14-9)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 43 yard field goal (14-12)
4Q: Mark Sanchez 11 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (21-12)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Santonio Holmes (4 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 50%, 24 yards
Mark Sanchez: 61%, 162 yards, 3 TD; sacked 4 times
Rashard Mendenhall: 10 carries, 133 yards; 6 receptions, 21 yards, 1 TD
LaDainian Tomlinson: 9 carries, 70 yards
Shonn Greene: 9 receptions, 68 yards
SIMULATION 5
Jets 7 0 7 0 14
Steelers 7 0 3 7 17
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Emmanuel Sanders 1 yard run (0-7)
1Q: Shonn Greene 1 yard run (7-7)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 18 yard field goal (7-10)
3Q: Mark Sanchez 28 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (14-10)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 3 yard run (14-17)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Emmanuel Sanders (18 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 13 yards)
Ben Roethlisberger: 68%, 181 yards
Mark Sanchez: 59%, 106 yards, 1 TD
Rashard Mendenhall: 11 carries, 61 yards; 4 receptions, 25 yards
Hines Ward: 5 receptions, 103 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson: 8 carries, 52 yards
Santonio Holmes: 3 receptions, 81 yards
TECMO'S RANDOM IMPRESSIONS
Tecmo's strongest impression is that the Steelers are going to come out with a preposterously conservative game plan, and the Jets are going to come out bombs away. No points for guessing which strategy proves more effective.
Tecmo strongly believes that Shaun Suisham will miss a chip-shot field goal, and the Steelers will likely promptly collapse like Greg Norman on Sunday as soon as that happens.
Ben Roethlisberger did not throw a single interception the entire five simulations, and was only sacked an average of once a game.
Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions in the bizarre first simulation, but only one the rest of the way. So there will be few interceptions, but Tecmo believes the Steelers are going to lose a couple of crucial fumbles. In other words, Tecmo expects the horseshoe that's been up the Jets' butt for the past two years to remain there.
One or both of the Jets' big two receivers is going to have a huge day.
If anybody picks off Sanchez, it will be the guy with the hair.
AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE...
Jets' scores: 14, 27, 31, 21, 14
Steelers' scores: 31, 24, 14, 12, 17
Jets' mean score: 21
Steelers' mean score: 20
Jets' median score: 21
Steelers' median score: 17
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The New York Jets win the AFC Championship, 21 to 19.
Jets 7 7 0 0 14
Steelers 3 7 7 14 31
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Shaun Suisham 21 yard field goal (0-3)
1Q: Mark Sanchez 34 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (7-3)
2Q: James Farrior 40 yard interception return (7-10)
2Q: Joe McKnight 1 yard run (14-10)
3Q: Ben Roethlisberger 6 yard pass to Rashard Mendenhall (14-17)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 10 yard run (14-24)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 2 yard run (14-31)
INJURIES
1Q: LaDainian Tomlinson
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Troy Polamalu (2 interceptions)
Ben Roethlisberger: 72%, 203 yards, 1 TD
Mark Sanchez: 40%, 96 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT (McFadden 2, Farrior, Polamalu 2)
Rashard Mendenhall: 10 carries, 37 yards; 10 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
Shonn Greene: 4 carries, 23 yards; 2 receptions, 12 yards
Santonio Holmes: 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
SIMULATION 2
Jets 7 7 3 7 3 27
Steelers 7 10 0 7 0 24
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Heath Miller 54 yard fumble return (0-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 34 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (7-7)
2Q: Rashard Mendenhall 3 yard run (7-14)
2Q: Shaun Suisham 30 yard field goal (7-17)
3Q: Nick Folk 41 yard field goal (10-17)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 2 yard run (17-17)
4Q: Ben Roethlisberger 22 yard pass to Hines Ward (24-24)
OT: Nick Folk 26 yard field goal (27-24)
INJURIES
2Q: Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall
3Q: James Harrison
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Braylon Edwards (7 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 60%, 108 yards, 1 TD
Mark Sanchez: 54%, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (Polamalu)
Rashard Mendenhall: 7 carries, 41 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson: 9 carries, 81 yards; 2 receptions, 20 yards
SIMULATION 3
Jets 0 14 7 14 31
Steelers 7 0 0 7 14
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Ben Roethlisberger 9 yard pass to Hines Ward (0-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 16 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (7-7)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 36 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (14-7)
3Q: Nick Folk 41 yard field goal (17-7)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 14 yard run (24-7)
4Q: Ben Roethlisberger 24 yard pass to Hines Ward (24-14)
4Q: LaDainian Tomlinson 1 yard run (31-14)
INJURIES
4Q: Rashard Mendenhall
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Braylon Edwards (5 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 58%, 212 yards, 2 TD
Mark Sanchez: 52%, 173 yards, 2 TD
Hines Ward: 7 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD
LaDainian Tomlinson: 7 carries, 50 yards, 2 TD
Santonio Holmes: 1 reception, 52 yards
SIMULATION 4
Jets 7 7 0 7 21
Steelers 3 0 9 0 12
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Mark Sanchez 30 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (7-0)
1Q: Shaun Suisham 52 yard field goal (7-3)
2Q: Mark Sanchez 18 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (14-3)
3Q: Ben Roethlisberger 7 yard pass to Rashard Mendenhall; extra point blocked (14-9)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 43 yard field goal (14-12)
4Q: Mark Sanchez 11 yard pass to Braylon Edwards (21-12)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Santonio Holmes (4 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD)
Ben Roethlisberger: 50%, 24 yards
Mark Sanchez: 61%, 162 yards, 3 TD; sacked 4 times
Rashard Mendenhall: 10 carries, 133 yards; 6 receptions, 21 yards, 1 TD
LaDainian Tomlinson: 9 carries, 70 yards
Shonn Greene: 9 receptions, 68 yards
SIMULATION 5
Jets 7 0 7 0 14
Steelers 7 0 3 7 17
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Emmanuel Sanders 1 yard run (0-7)
1Q: Shonn Greene 1 yard run (7-7)
3Q: Shaun Suisham 18 yard field goal (7-10)
3Q: Mark Sanchez 28 yard pass to Santonio Holmes (14-10)
4Q: Emmanuel Sanders 3 yard run (14-17)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Emmanuel Sanders (18 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 13 yards)
Ben Roethlisberger: 68%, 181 yards
Mark Sanchez: 59%, 106 yards, 1 TD
Rashard Mendenhall: 11 carries, 61 yards; 4 receptions, 25 yards
Hines Ward: 5 receptions, 103 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson: 8 carries, 52 yards
Santonio Holmes: 3 receptions, 81 yards
TECMO'S RANDOM IMPRESSIONS
Tecmo's strongest impression is that the Steelers are going to come out with a preposterously conservative game plan, and the Jets are going to come out bombs away. No points for guessing which strategy proves more effective.
Tecmo strongly believes that Shaun Suisham will miss a chip-shot field goal, and the Steelers will likely promptly collapse like Greg Norman on Sunday as soon as that happens.
Ben Roethlisberger did not throw a single interception the entire five simulations, and was only sacked an average of once a game.
Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions in the bizarre first simulation, but only one the rest of the way. So there will be few interceptions, but Tecmo believes the Steelers are going to lose a couple of crucial fumbles. In other words, Tecmo expects the horseshoe that's been up the Jets' butt for the past two years to remain there.
One or both of the Jets' big two receivers is going to have a huge day.
If anybody picks off Sanchez, it will be the guy with the hair.
AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE...
Jets' scores: 14, 27, 31, 21, 14
Steelers' scores: 31, 24, 14, 12, 17
Jets' mean score: 21
Steelers' mean score: 20
Jets' median score: 21
Steelers' median score: 17
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The New York Jets win the AFC Championship, 21 to 19.
The Almighty Tecmo Speaks: 2010 NFC Championship
SIMULATION 1
Packers 7 7 0 7 21
Bears 3 7 0 0 10
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 11 yard pass to James Jones (7-0)
2Q: Robbie Gould 30 yard field goal (7-3)
2Q: James Jones 20 yard run (14-3)
3Q: Jay Cutler 25 yard pass to Matt Forte (14-10)
4Q: Aaron Rodgers 5 yard pass to James Starks (21-10)
INJURIES
1Q: Charles Woodson, Cullen Jenkins, Donald Driver
PLAYER OF THE GAME: A.J. Hawk (3 sacks)
Aaron Rodgers: 54%, 59 yards. Not sacked.
Jay Cutler: 53%, 109 yards. Sacked 5 times.
Matt Forte: 11 carries, 74 yards; 4 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
James Jones: 4 carries, 61 yards; 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 2
Packers 0 0 7 3 10
Bears 3 0 3 7 16
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Robbie Gould 28 yard field goal (0-3)
3Q: Bryan Bulaga 24 yard fumble return (7-3)
3Q: Robbie Gould 48 yard field goal (7-6)
4Q: Mason Crosby 40 yard field goal (10-6)
4Q: Robbie Gould 31 yard field goal (10-9)
4Q: Charles Tillman 31 yard interception return (10-16)
INJURIES
1Q: Devin Hester, A.J. Hawk
2Q: Tim Jennings
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt Forte (14 carries, 98 yards; 5 receptions, 53 yards)
Jay Cutler: 50%, 82 yards, 2 INT
Aaron Rodgers: 38%, 99 yards, 1 INT
James Starks: 8 carries, 16 yards
Donald Driver: 2 receptions, 40 yards
Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson: 1 INT
SIMULATION 3
Packers 0 3 7 0 10
Bears 0 14 7 0 21
SCORING SUMMARY
2Q: Mason Crosby 18 yard field goal (3-0)
2Q: Earl Bennett 1 yard run (3-7)
2Q: Jay Cutler 21 yard pass to Devin Hester (3-14)
3Q: Jay Cutler 6 yard pass to Johnny Knox (3-21)
3Q: James Starks 28 yard run (10-21)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Devin Hester (2 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD, three big kick returns)
Jay Cutler: 57%, 138 yards, 2 TD
Aaron Rodgers: 35%, 110 yards 1 INT (Chris Harris)
Matt Forte: 3 carries, 56 yards; 2 receptions, 11 yards
James Starks: 11 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 4
Packers 7 7 7 7 28
Bears 0 10 6 7 23
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 5 yard pass to Andrew Quarless (7-0)
2Q: Matt Forte 8 yard run (7-7)
2Q: Robbie Gould 31 yard field goal (7-10)
2Q: Aaron Rodgers 16 yard pass to Donald Driver (14-10)
2Q: Robbie Gould 48 yard field goal (14-13)
3Q: James Jones 1 yard run (21-13)
3Q: Robbie Gould 23 yard field goal (21-16)
4Q: Jay Cutler 32 yard pass to Johnny Knox (21-23)
4Q: James Starks 5 yard run (28-23)
INJURIES
1Q: Earl Bennett
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Donald Driver (5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD)
Jay Cutler: 47%, 99 yards
Aaron Rodgers: 52%, 182 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (Danieal Manning); 3 carries, 23 yards
Matt Forte: 9 carries, 55 yards; 4 receptions, 27 yards
James Starks: 6 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 5
Packers 7 3 7 0 17
Bears 7 14 7 0 28
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 60 yard pass to Greg Jennings (7-0)
1Q: Jay Cutler 22 yard pass to Devin Hester (7-7)
2Q: Jay Cutler 25 yard pass to Johnny Knox (7-14)
2Q: Earl Bennett 1 yard run (7-21)
2Q: Mason Crosby 28 yard field goal (10-21)
3Q: Jay Cutler 15 yard pass to Greg Olsen (10-28)
3Q: Aaron Rodgers 7 yard pass to Donald Driver (17-28)
INJURIES
4Q: Tramon Williams
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jay Cutler (57%, 181 yards, 3 TD)
Aaron Rodgers: 41%, 174 yards, 2 TD
Matt Forte: 7 carries, 48 yards; 3 receptions, 27 yards
Devin Hester: 4 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD
James Starks: 6 carries, 33 yards
Donald Driver: 6 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD
Greg Jennings: 3 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
TECMO'S RANDOM IMPRESSIONS
Tecmo has rarely been so clear on a point as this one: The Bears special teams will dominate this game.
Not very many interceptions, especially not from Aaron Rodgers. But very costly fumbles abound.
Robbie Gould is going to be money, unless it's garbage time.
Both quarterbacks are going to generally struggle but hit a few big plays.
AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE...
Packers scores: 21, 10, 10, 28, 17
Bears scores: 10, 16, 21, 23, 28
Packers mean score: 17
Bears mean score: 20
Packers median score: 17
Bears median score: 21
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The Chicago Bears win the NFC Championship, 21-17.
Packers 7 7 0 7 21
Bears 3 7 0 0 10
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 11 yard pass to James Jones (7-0)
2Q: Robbie Gould 30 yard field goal (7-3)
2Q: James Jones 20 yard run (14-3)
3Q: Jay Cutler 25 yard pass to Matt Forte (14-10)
4Q: Aaron Rodgers 5 yard pass to James Starks (21-10)
INJURIES
1Q: Charles Woodson, Cullen Jenkins, Donald Driver
PLAYER OF THE GAME: A.J. Hawk (3 sacks)
Aaron Rodgers: 54%, 59 yards. Not sacked.
Jay Cutler: 53%, 109 yards. Sacked 5 times.
Matt Forte: 11 carries, 74 yards; 4 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
James Jones: 4 carries, 61 yards; 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 2
Packers 0 0 7 3 10
Bears 3 0 3 7 16
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Robbie Gould 28 yard field goal (0-3)
3Q: Bryan Bulaga 24 yard fumble return (7-3)
3Q: Robbie Gould 48 yard field goal (7-6)
4Q: Mason Crosby 40 yard field goal (10-6)
4Q: Robbie Gould 31 yard field goal (10-9)
4Q: Charles Tillman 31 yard interception return (10-16)
INJURIES
1Q: Devin Hester, A.J. Hawk
2Q: Tim Jennings
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt Forte (14 carries, 98 yards; 5 receptions, 53 yards)
Jay Cutler: 50%, 82 yards, 2 INT
Aaron Rodgers: 38%, 99 yards, 1 INT
James Starks: 8 carries, 16 yards
Donald Driver: 2 receptions, 40 yards
Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson: 1 INT
SIMULATION 3
Packers 0 3 7 0 10
Bears 0 14 7 0 21
SCORING SUMMARY
2Q: Mason Crosby 18 yard field goal (3-0)
2Q: Earl Bennett 1 yard run (3-7)
2Q: Jay Cutler 21 yard pass to Devin Hester (3-14)
3Q: Jay Cutler 6 yard pass to Johnny Knox (3-21)
3Q: James Starks 28 yard run (10-21)
INJURIES
None
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Devin Hester (2 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD, three big kick returns)
Jay Cutler: 57%, 138 yards, 2 TD
Aaron Rodgers: 35%, 110 yards 1 INT (Chris Harris)
Matt Forte: 3 carries, 56 yards; 2 receptions, 11 yards
James Starks: 11 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 4
Packers 7 7 7 7 28
Bears 0 10 6 7 23
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 5 yard pass to Andrew Quarless (7-0)
2Q: Matt Forte 8 yard run (7-7)
2Q: Robbie Gould 31 yard field goal (7-10)
2Q: Aaron Rodgers 16 yard pass to Donald Driver (14-10)
2Q: Robbie Gould 48 yard field goal (14-13)
3Q: James Jones 1 yard run (21-13)
3Q: Robbie Gould 23 yard field goal (21-16)
4Q: Jay Cutler 32 yard pass to Johnny Knox (21-23)
4Q: James Starks 5 yard run (28-23)
INJURIES
1Q: Earl Bennett
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Donald Driver (5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD)
Jay Cutler: 47%, 99 yards
Aaron Rodgers: 52%, 182 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (Danieal Manning); 3 carries, 23 yards
Matt Forte: 9 carries, 55 yards; 4 receptions, 27 yards
James Starks: 6 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD
SIMULATION 5
Packers 7 3 7 0 17
Bears 7 14 7 0 28
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q: Aaron Rodgers 60 yard pass to Greg Jennings (7-0)
1Q: Jay Cutler 22 yard pass to Devin Hester (7-7)
2Q: Jay Cutler 25 yard pass to Johnny Knox (7-14)
2Q: Earl Bennett 1 yard run (7-21)
2Q: Mason Crosby 28 yard field goal (10-21)
3Q: Jay Cutler 15 yard pass to Greg Olsen (10-28)
3Q: Aaron Rodgers 7 yard pass to Donald Driver (17-28)
INJURIES
4Q: Tramon Williams
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jay Cutler (57%, 181 yards, 3 TD)
Aaron Rodgers: 41%, 174 yards, 2 TD
Matt Forte: 7 carries, 48 yards; 3 receptions, 27 yards
Devin Hester: 4 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD
James Starks: 6 carries, 33 yards
Donald Driver: 6 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD
Greg Jennings: 3 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
TECMO'S RANDOM IMPRESSIONS
Tecmo has rarely been so clear on a point as this one: The Bears special teams will dominate this game.
Not very many interceptions, especially not from Aaron Rodgers. But very costly fumbles abound.
Robbie Gould is going to be money, unless it's garbage time.
Both quarterbacks are going to generally struggle but hit a few big plays.
AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE...
Packers scores: 21, 10, 10, 28, 17
Bears scores: 10, 16, 21, 23, 28
Packers mean score: 17
Bears mean score: 20
Packers median score: 17
Bears median score: 21
TECMO'S PREDICTION: The Chicago Bears win the NFC Championship, 21-17.
Friday, October 16, 2009
New Version of Untitled Story, Chapter 1
I wrote a similar chapter 1 from the same concept, based on a dream I had last year. Now I've decided to re-tool it a bit and run with it; the new Chapter 1 follows. I'd tell you what kind of story it's going to wind up being, but it's so much more fun for you to work it out yourself...
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My life began with the sound of a sliding door slamming into place.
I opened my eyes and took in the world into which I had just been born. It wasn't much to look at. I found myself standing inside a contraption the size of a refrigerator, but round and a little taller, and I found myself looking around at a dusty, long neglected room whose only furnishings were three open cardboard boxes, one ripped open down the side, and an empty metal shelf. All this I saw in very dim light slipping through little more than a crack in the wall, an arrow slit.
I stepped out of the tube.
My name is Quinn Vish.
I don't know how or why I know that, but the knowledge appears in my brain and I know it correct. My name is Quinn Vish... and my life has just begun. That didn't seem right; it seemed like I had to have been alive for quite some time. But I had not the faintest clue why it seemed that way. My mind was blank. Before I heard that door slide open, there was nothing. That sound marked the dawn of time.
My name is Quinn Vish. And why am I here? And where is 'here'?
I spied a door to my right and was upon it in three steps, in the blink of an eye. The knob squeaked when I turned it, and the hinges groaned like an old man trying to rise from bed in the morning.
Beyond the door lay ruins.
What had once been the purpose of this building? No man could tell. I looked down a wide hallway with a tall ceiling, and to my right it looked like great windows spanning from the ceiling halfway down the wall had once stood. They were mostly gone now, only jagged glass around the edges remaining, and a lot more glass was strewn about the floor, interspersed with dead leaves. That made me look up and out, and indeed it was late autumn; the air was chilly and the distant trees bare.
I looked down at my feet. Yes, I was wearing shoes, surprisingly nice ones. I moved quickly down the hall, glass crunching under my feet, and stopped at an open doorway where maybe a door had once been. It looked to have been some kind of... classroom? Three desks, two of them all but destroyed, lay strewn about, tossed aside by some giant, and what had once been a white markerboard was on the wall, filthy now.
I moved to the second room, and here took in a more interesting sight. This room featured a broken window, a torn up blind on the floor beneath it, and two upset bookcases. Most or all of an encyclopedia set, perhaps with a few other books of unknown nature, was littered across the floor beneath them. In the far corner a hopelessly dirty easy chair which may once have been red leaned diagonally on broken legs, its upholstery torn, its stuffing burst loose.
And a cat sat on the back of it.
Oddly, the cat didn't budge a muscle despite the speed of my approach. And when I reached it I instantly realized why: it was stuffed. It sure looked like a cat, black with white markings on its nose and paws, but it was stuffed as any deer's head in a hunter's trophy room, complete with marble eyes.
Now, why in the hell would someone stuff a cat? And especially why would a stuffed cat be in what I had begun to assume was some kind of school? I tapped on its head with my knuckles, listening to the hollow sound, when I noticed someone approaching me from behind.
I spun back to face the door. He wasn't right behind me; actually he was still a fair pace off when I first felt him. He was out in the hallway, beyond the wall, yet I could feel him moving, walking very slowly toward the room I was in, just as well as if I could see him.
He approached the doorway. I tensed. For whatever reason, I didn't find any point in hiding.
He appeared in the doorway, and he very obviously wasn't a he. Instead of... whatever it was I was expecting, I was looking at the slim form and troubled face of a girl about my own age or a little younger, early twenties.
How did I know my own age to be early twenties? My birthday flashed through my mind: February 15, 1980. What year was it now? I had no idea.
The girl remained in the doorway, and when I snapped back to reality I saw tears rolling down her cheeks. Her lip quivered.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“Quinn?” she whispered.
I frowned. “Do I know you?” I'd never seen her before, that I could remember, and by a quick glance I was pretty sure I would remember if I had. She was easy on the eyes.
She looked dejected. “You... don't remember me, Quinn?”
I shook my head. “Should I?”
Instead of responding, she lingered in the doorway for another second and then rushed forward. I instinctively assumed a defensive posture and glanced at her hands, confirming that she was carrying no weapons, and she crashed into me, wrapped her arms round my shoulders and hung on so tightly I thought for a moment she might be trying to suffocate me, were it not for all the tears she was pouring into my shoulder.
That lasted about a minute, and then she finally pulled herself back, and I can only imagine the flabbergasted look she saw on my face when she did. She shook her head in wonderment. “You don't remember anything at all, do you?”
“Of you? I'm sorry, but I don't.”
“Dr. Diamond didn't think you would. I knew that, but I guess I still was hoping...” she trailed off, talking mostly to herself.
“Something's very wrong, isn't it?” I said. “I remember certain things about myself, like my name and my birthday. But... that's about it. I don't remember anything at all besides, but I feel like I should.” I paused, struggling for the right words and not finding them. “Do you... have a past? Do you remember it?” I finally said.
She nodded, leaning on the broken bookshelf. “Yes. You have one too, Quinn, but you've lost it.”
“Why have I lost it?” I said. “And what is this place?”
“I've been waiting for seven years for this day, and now I don't even know where to start,” she said.
Waiting for seven years? It made no sense to me. Was seven years a long time? I was pretty sure it was, but the answer eluded my every attempt to grasp it.
“You could start by telling me your name,” I said.
She looked forlorn. “I guess I was still hoping you'd remember it.”
I shook my head. “Sorry.”
“Emily,” said she.
“Emily,” I repeated, and it sounded nice and comfortable on my lips. “Did I... know you, sometime before?”
“I knew you very well, Quinn. We... kind of grew up together”
“How old are you? Do you mind me asking?”
She giggled. “I'm twenty-two now. I was fifteen the last time you saw me.”
“And I'm about the same age,” I said rather than asked, trying to work information out.
“Hm? No,” she said. “You're twenty-eight now. Or I guess... I don't know.”
I frowned and furrowed my brow. I was sure, for some reason, but I also was about twenty-two. Being told I was twenty-eight just felt wrong, for reasons I of course couldn't comprehend. She had said seven years...
“Seven years,” I said aloud. “Something happened seven years ago. Something that made me lose my memory?”
“You kind of... haven't existed for the last seven years.”
“Nothing much is making sense to me right now, Emily, but that really doesn't make sense.”
“I know,” she said. “Um... what I'm trying to say is, you should be twenty-eight now, but I guess you still might really be twenty-one. I'll have to explain later. Quinn, they know I'm here. They're coming for me.”
“'They'?”
“The Enlightened,” she said. Why did everything she said seem to only confuse me further? Who the hell were 'the Enlightened'? “I abandoned my assignment. They'll have sent Elites, two or three of them.”
“You've got to cut to the chase,” I said. “None of that makes any sense.”
“The Enlightened is our ruling class now,” she said, “and I work for them. But I've waited all along to betray them, and now I have. The Elites are coming to take me and...” she breathed out a ragged breath. “Execute me.”
“You're not taking that as badly as you might,” I noted. “Do you know a good spot to hide?”
She shook her head sadly. “There's no hiding from the Enlightened. They just track my chip.”
Chip. “Like a computer chip?” I said, clueless as to whence this knowledge was just popping into my head. “Stuck on you somewhere?
She nodded. “So we can't—“
“They're here,” I suddenly said, interrupting her before my brain could even process the thought. “Approaching from my left, the same way you came. Moving fast. Less than ten seconds.”
She stiffened, breathing dramatically harder and faster. “Quinn...” she said, and took a step toward me.
Two tall men clad in black, faces obscured by what looked almost like a gas mask, and carrying pistols materialized in the doorway. “Emily Suard,” one boomed—was his voice rigged to a megaphone I couldn't see?—“turn around, drop to your knees and put your hands behind your head.” He paused, cocked his head, looking me over. “And who are you?”
“Quinn Vish,” I said reflexively.
The two Elites looked at one another, and then the other one looked down at some gizmo he was holding in his off hand.
“Nothing,” he murmured.
“An unchipped, Quinn Vish?” boomed the spokesman. “Very well. On your knees as well, Quinn Vish. Hands behind your head.
Emily was already in the demanded position now. Unable to tell just what to make of this situation except that we apparently were in trouble, I knelt beside her and put up my hands.
“Quinn...” she whispered, body and voice trembling. “They can't take us. Fight them.”
“Do what?” I said, more loudly.
“Silence!” they had moved up behind us, to within a step.
“Fight them!” Emily whispered urgently. “Please!”
And then they both lay dead, or at least seriously incapacitated, on the floor. I blinked, looking down at them and trying to recall what had just happened. It couldn't have taken more than two seconds. I had spun, grabbed, whipped the two together, ducked, thrown an elbow, and... that was it.
I looked down again. One of the two only had half a head.
The other half appeared to be largely splattered across my arm.
What did I just do? How did I do that?
Emily stood leaning her full weight back against the wall, trembling, her mouth hanging open. Clearly she was pondering the same two questions.
“It works,” she whispered.
“What works?”
“You do.” She embraced me a second time, more delicately than the first. “You just saved my life. Thank you. Now we should get out of here, but first there's something I need you to do for me.”
“What's that?”
“Remove my chip.”
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