PSI Life Change Alpha!
It’s probably commonplace that friends from school or work send you links to clever webpages and internet points of interest. But, it’s not everyday that you receive a link to a website focusing solely on a Super Nintendo game from your childhood.
Yep, it was roughly ten years ago when I first laid eyes on Earthbound. I was around eight years old, and my brother, Scott, about twelve. He had brought it home brand new, and told me to cover my eyes while he opened it, and also insisted on keeping a folded piece of paper over the cartridge so I didn’t see what it was until the title screen came up. At first, I believe it was safe to say I was somewhat lost. Earthbound? What’s that mean? But after watching him play for what was probably a few hours straight, I was enthralled. The notion of a meteorite crash-landing in a small city was awesome; it was completely different than all the Final Fantasies and similar role playing games I had watched my older brothers play for hours and hours without end.
I watched him play through Onett, simply mystified. I absolutely adored the Shark Punks. The music was fresh. There were no people on the battle screen. I watched Scott play constantly thereafter, ignoring our schoolwork just so we could get an hour in Earthbound-wise. Although I find it hard to recall in exquisite detail everything I witnessed, specific things do remain ingrained in my mind.
A few years later, a random memory had plagued me. I remembered an older game, something at a waterfall, where one had to recite a password, which was simply remaining motionless for 3 minutes. I wanted to know what game it was, but for some reason I never really made it around to checking it out.
Cut to the middle of 2004 sometime. A newer friend from school was chatting online with me, and made a vague reference to PSI. Something sparked. "Why do I know this? It’s so familiar…"
I asked him to clarify. I swear his jaw dropped behind his monitor, confused by the fact I had never heard of the game. Once he said, “PSI Rockin’? Earthbound?” I instantly recalled the game. I told him all about watching my brother play when I was younger, and what other bits I could remember. What I did remember of it came flooding back, and I instantly did what I could to again get involved with the game. Then came the link to Starmen.net.
I was pleasantly surprised. A colorful layout, making use of the clay figures, nifty update icons, radio, fanart, and awesome things to be said by the staff. Then, something caught my eye. Earthbound Funktastic Game Play? What the heck is this? I ventured into it, yearning to find out more. Lo and behold, it was a weekly shindig to “get back in the game.” I grinned and decided I would relive Earthbound.
I joined the forum, played through the game, and “convinced” the site crew to make me special Café Press clothes. I ordered the fabulous green and purple Mr. Saturn set, and also an EBFGP Camp Staff shirt to commemorate my first year at Starmen.net. I was simply in love!
For a while during the year I was on and off the forums, as time permitted me to do so. During my first class of my senior year, I spent a good half hour reading things on Starmen and posting on the forums. Instead of correcting Japanese homework, I was fascinated with reading articles pertaining to editing, translating, and also the shafting we got in the States. Everyone on the forums was absolutely wonderful, and I enjoyed reading and posting about anything I felt inclined to. No one made fun of me or insulted me, but rather, all the members were pleasurable on all accounts. In some cases, they were even unusually agreeable!
Let’s just say it’s basically all downhill from there. I suggested lots of thing in the Merchandise thread, and I still insist ShadowX stole the frat hoodie idea from me. I shelled out the forty bucks to ensure I got one, and now I can’t live without it. Forget security blanket, it’s a SM.net bodyguard.
From there, I continued to post and became more active; trying to keep current with everything the site had to offer. I loved every minute of it, and just couldn’t get enough of it. But don’t stop there; the slope gets even steeper…
Tomato made a post about how new staffers were needed to help convert the old pages and make everything shiny. I, unable to resist the shiny, was compelled to apply. I didn’t really know what they were looking for, but I think I sold my soul over to the higher position staffers to get there. I had almost forgotten about it when I received an e-mail saying I was accepted. Oddly enough (read; ultra-sadly), I actually made phone calls to my friends to brag. They had no clue what it was, but knew that it was related to video games, and were happy for me. And yes, I continue with it from there.
As of now, I listen to PSI Radio, check the forums almost everyday, and talk to lots of other members on the site, constantly looking for something new and fresh for Mother fans. I’m proud to be a staffer, and I just plainly love the site as a while. Everyday I absolutely look forward to chatting with people online, posting on advice, goofiness, movies, music, and even Mother.
So now, I know what the password for Grapefruit Falls is without checking, I know that the Mother series of games got severely mixed up on North American shores, crows really smoke (and drop cookies), and that masses of video game nerds can meet up, hook up, and even get married thanks to a simple little website.
I like to think that Starmen.net is sort of a pixilated ethereal second home for me, where I get to bunk with the coolest geeks on the planet. Of course, I still have to do biddings for those above me, but I really can’t complain. It’s nothing horrible, and any job I am given, I am glad to accept.
So, everyone who ever worked to make Starmen.net possible, and everyone who brought Earthbound to them, thanks. I really owe you guys…
It’s probably commonplace that friends from school or work send you links to clever webpages and internet points of interest. But, it’s not everyday that you receive a link to a website focusing solely on a Super Nintendo game from your childhood.
Yep, it was roughly ten years ago when I first laid eyes on Earthbound. I was around eight years old, and my brother, Scott, about twelve. He had brought it home brand new, and told me to cover my eyes while he opened it, and also insisted on keeping a folded piece of paper over the cartridge so I didn’t see what it was until the title screen came up. At first, I believe it was safe to say I was somewhat lost. Earthbound? What’s that mean? But after watching him play for what was probably a few hours straight, I was enthralled. The notion of a meteorite crash-landing in a small city was awesome; it was completely different than all the Final Fantasies and similar role playing games I had watched my older brothers play for hours and hours without end.
I watched him play through Onett, simply mystified. I absolutely adored the Shark Punks. The music was fresh. There were no people on the battle screen. I watched Scott play constantly thereafter, ignoring our schoolwork just so we could get an hour in Earthbound-wise. Although I find it hard to recall in exquisite detail everything I witnessed, specific things do remain ingrained in my mind.
A few years later, a random memory had plagued me. I remembered an older game, something at a waterfall, where one had to recite a password, which was simply remaining motionless for 3 minutes. I wanted to know what game it was, but for some reason I never really made it around to checking it out.
Cut to the middle of 2004 sometime. A newer friend from school was chatting online with me, and made a vague reference to PSI. Something sparked. "Why do I know this? It’s so familiar…"
I asked him to clarify. I swear his jaw dropped behind his monitor, confused by the fact I had never heard of the game. Once he said, “PSI Rockin’? Earthbound?” I instantly recalled the game. I told him all about watching my brother play when I was younger, and what other bits I could remember. What I did remember of it came flooding back, and I instantly did what I could to again get involved with the game. Then came the link to Starmen.net.
I was pleasantly surprised. A colorful layout, making use of the clay figures, nifty update icons, radio, fanart, and awesome things to be said by the staff. Then, something caught my eye. Earthbound Funktastic Game Play? What the heck is this? I ventured into it, yearning to find out more. Lo and behold, it was a weekly shindig to “get back in the game.” I grinned and decided I would relive Earthbound.
I joined the forum, played through the game, and “convinced” the site crew to make me special Café Press clothes. I ordered the fabulous green and purple Mr. Saturn set, and also an EBFGP Camp Staff shirt to commemorate my first year at Starmen.net. I was simply in love!
For a while during the year I was on and off the forums, as time permitted me to do so. During my first class of my senior year, I spent a good half hour reading things on Starmen and posting on the forums. Instead of correcting Japanese homework, I was fascinated with reading articles pertaining to editing, translating, and also the shafting we got in the States. Everyone on the forums was absolutely wonderful, and I enjoyed reading and posting about anything I felt inclined to. No one made fun of me or insulted me, but rather, all the members were pleasurable on all accounts. In some cases, they were even unusually agreeable!
Let’s just say it’s basically all downhill from there. I suggested lots of thing in the Merchandise thread, and I still insist ShadowX stole the frat hoodie idea from me. I shelled out the forty bucks to ensure I got one, and now I can’t live without it. Forget security blanket, it’s a SM.net bodyguard.
From there, I continued to post and became more active; trying to keep current with everything the site had to offer. I loved every minute of it, and just couldn’t get enough of it. But don’t stop there; the slope gets even steeper…
Tomato made a post about how new staffers were needed to help convert the old pages and make everything shiny. I, unable to resist the shiny, was compelled to apply. I didn’t really know what they were looking for, but I think I sold my soul over to the higher position staffers to get there. I had almost forgotten about it when I received an e-mail saying I was accepted. Oddly enough (read; ultra-sadly), I actually made phone calls to my friends to brag. They had no clue what it was, but knew that it was related to video games, and were happy for me. And yes, I continue with it from there.
As of now, I listen to PSI Radio, check the forums almost everyday, and talk to lots of other members on the site, constantly looking for something new and fresh for Mother fans. I’m proud to be a staffer, and I just plainly love the site as a while. Everyday I absolutely look forward to chatting with people online, posting on advice, goofiness, movies, music, and even Mother.
So now, I know what the password for Grapefruit Falls is without checking, I know that the Mother series of games got severely mixed up on North American shores, crows really smoke (and drop cookies), and that masses of video game nerds can meet up, hook up, and even get married thanks to a simple little website.
I like to think that Starmen.net is sort of a pixilated ethereal second home for me, where I get to bunk with the coolest geeks on the planet. Of course, I still have to do biddings for those above me, but I really can’t complain. It’s nothing horrible, and any job I am given, I am glad to accept.
So, everyone who ever worked to make Starmen.net possible, and everyone who brought Earthbound to them, thanks. I really owe you guys…
