London Casino Crew meets (RIP the Arcade)

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:25 am

Taylor wrote:Yeah, pooling for something is a good idea. I remember Futari Black Label was uber-expensive but that was the complete package.

Futari 1.5>Futari BL. Cheaper too.

maybe the original Death Smiles after its price hits rock-bottom in Jan would be a better option.

It's already rockbottom - about 100,000k yen for a new kit. They are nearly sold out (most shops are sold out), so it doesn't look like it will go any lower. Used bare Deathsmiles PCBs currently sell for 90,000~98,000 yen at Japanese PCB shops. There were some good deals on PCBs and kits on YAJ a few months ago, but they don't seem to be popping up anymore.

The days of finding newer CAVE games at Ibara-level used PCB prices, or Galuda 2 brand new kit prices, are long gone. AMI learned their lesson.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:26 am

EOJ wrote:Futari 1.5>Futari BL.

I think you're the only one who thinks this still.

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:49 am

Most people haven't played both in depth. I think that's the problem.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:57 am

Kinda sums up... 98% of this forum?

Can you explain what makes Futari 1.5 greater than BL, then?

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:51 am

1.5 has the following advantages in my eyes:

-Better Original mode
-Better Maniac mode
-Ultra mode

God mode is OK in BL, but it's glitchy and there's way too much slowdown (which is jerky as well). It's also too easy (about the same difficulty as 1.5's Maniac mode). Once you get over the whole flashy x30,000 multiplier thing it feels rather empty. Ultra mode is way better. I don't quite understand why I'm pretty much the only guy here who has played Ultra seriously when there are lots of people who praise Ketsui and DDP:DOJ (and Mushi's Ultra) primarily for their extreme challenge. But for Futari Ultra, people just throw up their arms and say "that's too hard! I'm not even going to bother! Let's play God mode because it's easier and has flashy multipliers!". In reality, Futari Ultra isn't much harder than Mushihimesama's Ultra mode, and it has a much better scoring system.

Original mode in BL initially seems superior until you find out that to score well you have to constantly and rapidly tap the joystick all the time to suck up the gems (not tapping results in a significantly lower counter). It's a recipe for carpal tunnel. I guess if you don't care about having a good score this isn't much of an issue.

I think 1.5's Maniac is pretty much perfect. In BL, they dumbed down the stages, decreased the difficulty, and made the scoring more frequent but less exciting. Still the best mode on the PCB in my eyes, though. Being able to carry over your multiplier from one stage to the next is one improvement in BL.

I also think Normal Reco is the best ship type available among the two games, but she's absent from BL. Removing the normal/abnormal select was a downgrade.

People seem to think BL is tops because it is easier, flashier, and it's a "black label" (so they go in thinking it must be better). I do like BL, and I'm glad they made it. Futari is my favorite game, and who wouldn't want more variations on their favorite shooter? But after playing all 3 versions of Futari a lot over the past 1-2 years, I just can't say BL is as good as 1.5 (or 1.0).

Sorry for the OT, everyone.

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:31 am

Skykid wrote:Taylor, do you really think Death Smiles will hit rock bottom prices in Jan?

If so, I'd better start saving for it. What's rock bottom though - like Ibara PCB prices?

My logic is that when the 360 port was announced the price dived, it’s released in Jan with super sexy graphics and hopefully MBL will start coming down in price soon

EOJ wrote:It's already rockbottom - about 100,000k yen for a new kit. They are nearly sold out (most shops are sold out), so it doesn't look like it will go any lower. Used bare Deathsmiles PCBs currently sell for 90,000~98,000 yen at Japanese PCB shops. There were some good deals on PCBs and kits on YAJ a few months ago, but they don't seem to be popping up anymore..

I would hope it drops lower than that, ~100,000 was what I paid for a new DFK, which has no upcoming HD port (though there was some weirdness going on there).

It was 90,000 for Mushihimesama Futari 1.5 (used, with copies of the material) from G-Front when I checked. But even if the regulars who visit Casino all chip in evenly that’s still costly.

ill6 · Post by **ill6** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:56 am

I have MSBL and I have no problems lending it (or any of the other rarer boards) to Casino for a meet for example... Del and I spoke about a Black Label meet with all the Cave BLs the other day BUT:
- I would want to be there to put the boards in
- I would want to get it back right after the meet - I don't want to leave something that would be hard / expensive to replace if the worst should happen.

The problem is that you can't organize a board change with Casino so you have no idea when its going in or coming out. Its a bit like they think they are doing you a favour when you offer them a $1000+ board...

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:35 am

What we should all do is chip in and buy bloody Casino! It's probably worth less than a Mushi BL board too.

mr_m0nks · Post by **mr_m0nks** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:38 am

Spadgy, you started your new job yet?

If so, are friday nights still good for you? you mentioned you had quite a commute now

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:56 pm

Skykid wrote:Taylor, do you really think Death Smiles will hit rock bottom prices in Jan?

If so, I'd better start saving for it. What's rock bottom though - like Ibara PCB prices?

will proboably pan out around 60-70K just like galuda 2 and futaris are on yahoo...

The problem is that you can't organize a board change with Casino so you have no idea when its going in or coming out. Its a bit like they think they are doing you a favour when you offer them a $1000+ board...

lol

wonder why this is, dont they always have a manager with the keys on site?

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:46 pm

mr_m0nks wrote:Spadgy, you started your new job yet?

If so, are friday nights still good for you? you mentioned you had quite a commute now

I start on Monday, and I'll be able to get to Casino by 7.30pm on Fridays at the earliest. Hope that will still work for you at least on the the occasional Friday!

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:04 pm

spadgy wrote:What we should all do is chip in and buy bloody Casino! It's probably worth less than a Mushi BL board too.

Ha ha! True!

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:35 pm

ill6 wrote;

Its a bit like they think they are doing you a favour when you offer them a $1000+ board...

Its weird but true. I went down on both Friday and Sunday to install MMP and still couldn't manage it

. Mainly because there's no engineer around and the Boss is elusive. Security of the boards is no problem though.

PROMETHEUS · Post by **PROMETHEUS** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:42 pm

EOJ wrote:1.5 has the following advantages in my eyes:

-Better Original mode
-Better Maniac mode
-Ultra mode

God mode is OK in BL, but it's glitchy and there's way too much slowdown (which is jerky as well). It's also too easy (about the same difficulty as 1.5's Maniac mode). Once you get over the whole flashy x30,000 multiplier thing it feels rather empty. Ultra mode is way better. I don't quite understand why I'm pretty much the only guy here who has played Ultra seriously when there are lots of people who praise Ketsui and DDP:DOJ (and Mushi's Ultra) primarily for their extreme challenge. But for Futari Ultra, people just throw up their arms and say "that's too hard! I'm not even going to bother! Let's play God mode because it's easier and has flashy multipliers!". In reality, Futari Ultra isn't much harder than Mushihimesama's Ultra mode, and it has a much better scoring system.

Original mode in BL initially seems superior until you find out that to score well you have to constantly and rapidly tap the joystick all the time to suck up the gems (not tapping results in a significantly lower counter). It's a recipe for carpal tunnel. I guess if you don't care about having a good score this isn't much of an issue.

I think 1.5's Maniac is pretty much perfect. In BL, they dumbed down the stages, decreased the difficulty, and made the scoring more frequent but less exciting. Still the best mode on the PCB in my eyes, though. Being able to carry over your multiplier from one stage to the next is one improvement in BL.

I also think Normal Reco is the best ship type available among the two games, but she's absent from BL. Removing the normal/abnormal select was a downgrade.

People seem to think BL is tops because it is easier, flashier, and it's a "black label" (so they go in thinking it must be better). I do like BL, and I'm glad they made it. Futari is my favorite game, and who wouldn't want more variations on their favorite shooter? But after playing all 3 versions of Futari a lot over the past 1-2 years, I just can't say BL is as good as 1.5 (or 1.0).

Sorry for the OT, everyone.

100% agreed (although I have way less experience in those games, that's also how I feel about them).

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:40 am

Are any of you going to be around this Friday?

mr_m0nks · Post by **mr_m0nks** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:33 am

i should be there about 7ish

Smraedis · Post by **Smraedis** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:45 pm

I may be there too

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:24 am

Smraedis wrote:I may be there too

In London again dude?

Post by **spadgy** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:32 am

Smraedis wrote:I may be there too

Oh balls, I might not be able to make it, and there's a few of you down there.

Smraedis, it would be good to see you again mate, so I'll try and do my best.

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:50 pm

I'll mooch down Goodge either tonight or tomorrow with the MMP board, seeing as there'll be a few characters down on friday.
Yet again I'll have to trust to luck that John the Boss is down for the install.

CHI · Post by **CHI** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:10 pm

Taylor wrote:Are any of you going to be around this Friday?

I am... 6:00pm onwards... till 8:30 cos i have dinner to attend to...

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:53 pm

easy Uncle CHI. You around tomorrow night?

Smraedis · Post by **Smraedis** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:43 pm

Yeah, I'll be there Friday, early and later on in the day too, not sure on the times just yet.
It'll be great to see everyone again too

Post by **spadgy** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:22 am

I might be there earlier in the day smraedis, so I'll keep an eye out for you...

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:17 pm

It's my girlfriends birthday so we're coming to London this weekend so I can take her out and spoil her a bit.
However, I'm sure that I'll be popping by Casino some point tomorrow - I'll try to make it evening-ish so I can get on the pork!

CHI · Post by **CHI** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:55 pm

Friday 28th:
popped in Casino after work as usual just after 6pm...
after playing a few games with a friend on various machines, i notice 2 guys JUST playing Progear, so i thought i'd go make conversation...
it turns out to be Smraedis and Taylor...
nice to meet you guys

congrats on the 17mil personal best on the US Progear .SM
then mr_m0nks appears which i introduced him to the other 2 players...
someone has left a credit on Mushihimesama, so i'd ask SM for a little demo...
while me, a female friend, Taylor and mr_m0nks watches SM smashing up the buttons (jokes), what does he do? he completes it on Original... nice one

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:36 pm

Yeah, that was cool. Nice to meet you, too! I saw you taking an interest when I was playing and thought you might be one of us. :)

I beat .SM's progear score by a fraction before leaving, which was my own personal best too. Hehe, had a bit of a spring in my step after that.

mr_m0nks · Post by **mr_m0nks** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:31 am

Yeah it was good to meet you guys, it was nice for the shooter fans to outnumber the fighter fans for once

CHI · Post by **CHI** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:36 am

NOTICE TIME OF POST! just came back from a night of drinking

mr_m0nks wrote:it was nice for the shooter fans to outnumber the fighter fans for once

shame that DEL (off to Brussels), spadgy (erm...), KAC (was expected!) and MILLS (work) wasn't there, would've been a cool minimeet

now that i'm working just down the road (7 minutes away by foot), we should do this more often

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:55 am

I was in on Saturday night for a bit. No one there except some Chinese guy on KOF 98.

Stuck in a credit and bashed the guy off straight and then he left. Then I left.

Uneventful.