Hiya!

[Cynicaster]

Hi all

I’m from Ontario, Canada, grew up with Atari 2600, NES, and Genesis. Got back into retro games a few years ago, but these days I’m pretty much a MAME-brain, spending virtually all of my gaming time channeling the arcade classics into my basement via my MAME cabinet.

Stumbled upon the Retrogaming Radio podcast a few weeks ago while looking for some content to veg out to on my long commute to work. I “auditioned” several, and was disillusioned to find out just how many gaming podcasts consist of nothing but a bunch of bozos sitting around talking, cracking unfunny-geeky jokes, and talking about Xbox games that I couldn’t possibly care less about, even if God Himself asked me to.

What I like about Shane’s show is how he’s not afraid to be brazenly opinionated. Even when I don’t agree, it’s refreshing to hear strong opinions backed by discussion; too many podcasts seem to be trying too hard not to offend anybody.

Anyway, I selected a few random episodes from iTunes and it was the rant about touch-screen controls on tablets/phones and how they completely disgrace classic games that made me realize that this host is definitely my speed. That’s a perfect example of a topic that I can’t believe hasn’t caused more vocal outrage in the retro gaming community; to the contrary, everybody just seems to quietly tolerate these games being prostituted out in the name of a quick $2, and worse yet, some even buy them. After all Pac-Man has done for us, he deserves to be treated with more respect than to be controlled by sliding our fingers around on a piece of glass like we’re finger painting or flicking boogers.

[merman1974]

Welcome to the forum. A lot of retro gamers here, but we don't neglect modern hardware.

As for touchscreen controls... Saving up to get myself an iCade, but check out the Llamasoft (Jeff Minter) games on iOS for retro games with good touch controls

[Shane R. Monroe]

Anyway, I selected a few random episodes from iTunes and it was the rant about touch-screen controls on tablets/phones and how they completely disgrace classic games that made me realize that this host is definitely my speed. That’s a perfect example of a topic that I can’t believe hasn’t caused more vocal outrage in the retro gaming community; to the contrary, everybody just seems to quietly tolerate these games being prostituted out in the name of a quick $2, and worse yet, some even buy them. After all Pac-Man has done for us, he deserves to be treated with more respect than to be controlled by sliding our fingers around on a piece of glass like we’re finger painting or flicking boogers.

Thanks man!

You're totally right ... and it doesn't take much to figure out just how bad it is. I was working with GBA emulators last night - noticing that my Asus TF300 plays Gameboid SOOO much better than my TF101 did; especially the quality of the sound playback - and I fired up Konami's Arcade Classics (Frogger, Scramble, etc.) and hit me up some Frogger. I was too lazy to go get my Wii controller, so I used the onscreen D-Pad. It is pretty much equivalent to being kicked squarely in the nutsack.

The Good News(tm) is that at least Android developers are figuring out the importance of physical controls. More and more Android titles are getting at LEAST keyboard mapped controls along with Xperia Play controls which opens up the floodgates to play with whatever damn controller you want. Of course, I don't know if this is happening with iOS or not - frankly don't care that much; let the hippies rot with their touch screen controls .. heheheh

Still a long way to go - last I checked, the largest collection of classic games non-emulated on Android is Atari's and it STILL doesn't allow physical controls to be mapped.

Welcome to the forums, my brotha. Remember, we spend a LOT of time on Google+ around here - so if you want MORE and FASTER info, you might want to circle up myself, RetroGaming Radio and the RetroGaming Radio Live pages. Twitter @retrogamingradi ... and we also have a 24 hour a day shoutcast server with classic episodes running 7 days a week. Just search for Retrogaming Radio on Shoutcast.com or your favorite shoutcast app/site. Should find it.

Nice to have you here!

[Dragon57]

Welcome to the forums! Come on over to Google+ and circle us up. Let us know what your Google+ name is, btw.

[Cynicaster]

Admittedly I'm completely ignorant of Google+. I've kind of had it with social networking sites, but I like the idea of using such a thing strictly as a window into communities associated with my hobbies and interests.

Is there any way to register and retain some semblance of anonymity? I ask because I'd prefer to not get "friend requests" (or whatever Google calls them) from my old tee-ball coach, the chubby chick with zits on her tits that had a crush on me in 11th grade and now has 7 kids, and the suspected diddler at the local supermarket who bags my groceries and wears a reprehensible mustache without a shred of irony. I don't really care what these people had for breakfast, if their kid just lost his first tooth, or who they're voting for on American Idol. But at the same time, I'd prefer to not have to be viewed as "rude" for shutting them down. I figure if they can't locate me, they can't bother me. How does that work?

[Dragon57]

Technically you are supposed to use your real name, but if you use a common sounding alias, you should be ok. There are a couple of others here that do that.

[hiphopcr]

Is there any way to register and retain some semblance of anonymity? I ask because I'd prefer to not get "friend requests" (or whatever Google calls them) from my old tee-ball coach, the chubby chick with zits on her tits that had a crush on me in 11th grade and now has 7 kids, and the suspected diddler at the local supermarket who bags my groceries and wears a reprehensible mustache without a shred of irony. I don't really care what these people had for breakfast, if their kid just lost his first tooth, or who they're voting for on American Idol. But at the same time, I'd prefer to not have to be viewed as "rude" for shutting them down. I figure if they can't locate me, they can't bother me. How does that work?

Hahaa... you're my kind of man! (no homo)

[Shane R. Monroe]

Trust me, getting "requests" from Google+ is a low key affair. I wouldn't worry about that.