An Interview with SHMUPS.com's very own rancor!

[Pyongyang]

Hi all, I promise I won't keep adding new threads for every blog post I make! I felt this one deserved one though. Here's an interview with a SHMUPS.com user you all know as rancor, the friendly Ye Olde Shoppe owner of Tokyo SHMUPS!

I shall not 'spam' again, promise!

http://www.pinkbullets.co.uk/blogs/?p=314

[kid aphex]

More proof that the shmups genre/community is the most insular of all game-related communities out there.
Cool interview though

[Pyongyang]

We're certainly alone out here at this distant last outpost. But I think it's a rather tightly-knit community all the same. Compared to other areas of gaming I find the SHMUPS scene to be a lot friendlier and more willing to share knowledge, help out, bounce ideas around etc. Maybe because it is just so insular as you say compared to other areas of gaming?

Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked the interview.

p.s: Lisa Bonet on your tumbl? Nice one.

[Casper<3]

thumbs up if you had to google "insular" to know what the hell it means.

[MintyTheCat]

We're certainly alone out here at this distant last outpost. But I think it's a rather tightly-knit community all the same. Compared to other areas of gaming I find the SHMUPS scene to be a lot friendlier and more willing to share knowledge, help out, bounce ideas around etc. Maybe because it is just so insular as you say compared to other areas of gaming?

Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked the interview.

p.s: Lisa Bonet on your tumbl? Nice one.

Yes I think I can surmise this by stating that the Shmups Scene is 'Hardcore' and the people who follow it have a type of purity that I rarely see elsewhere. The only other example perhaps would be that of the RPG Collectors and Players.

Many thanks for the little Interview, Geoff has always been fine with me

[BaliBlast]

Great read, very interesting. Jeff comes across as down to Earth and I wish him the best. Still might need his help with a rarity or two. The idea of YJ Auction not shipping outside the motherland fits a certain stereotype, but makes me wonder- doesn't everyone use proxy bidding services (I've used FromJapan with OK results...)? I'd never thought to try and set up my own account directly.

[rancor]

doesn't everyone use proxy bidding services (I've used FromJapan with OK results...)? I'd never thought to try and set up my own account directly.

It's a hobby amongst some "collectors" over here to out the proxy services accounts. Once you have enough feedback on your YAJ account or you're caught buying multiple copies of the same item, it's assumed that you're not buying for your personal collection. It is a small minority, but it still happens.

[Skykid]

doesn't everyone use proxy bidding services (I've used FromJapan with OK results...)? I'd never thought to try and set up my own account directly.

It's a hobby amongst some "collectors" over here to out the proxy services accounts. Once you have enough feedback on your YAJ account or you're caught buying multiple copies of the same item, it's assumed that you're not buying for your personal collection. It is a small minority, but it still happens.

Cool stuff. Can I ask, when you say the 'red/white' Famicom stuff is popular, are you talking peripherals for that particular (original) model, or did you just mean Famicom stuff in general (like gamez n' shiz.)

[BaliBlast]

doesn't everyone use proxy bidding services (I've used FromJapan with OK results...)? I'd never thought to try and set up my own account directly.

It's a hobby amongst some "collectors" over here to out the proxy services accounts. Once you have enough feedback on your YAJ account or you're caught buying multiple copies of the same item, it's assumed that you're not buying for your personal collection. It is a small minority, but it still happens.

Ah, I understand. Interesting.

[rancor]

Cool stuff. Can I ask, when you say the 'red/white' Famicom stuff is popular, are you talking peripherals for that particular (original) model, or did you just mean Famicom stuff in general (like gamez n' shiz.)

I meant the original famicom. The "dogbone" gray/red system is still popular and expensive because of its limited release and improved video output, but the people that own those most likely own the original system as well. Pretty much anything connected with famicom is popular and expensive. Chinese dudes still stand out on the streets of Akihabara during the weekend selling newly made 100-in-1 bootleg famicom carts. I bought one recently..

edit - let me just clarify the above - good condition items are expensive. You can still find loose, sticky carts of "Pooyan" for 50 yen at recycle shops, but anything you'd want in a collection is going to cost you a bit more.

[Skykid]

Cool stuff. Can I ask, when you say the 'red/white' Famicom stuff is popular, are you talking peripherals for that particular (original) model, or did you just mean Famicom stuff in general (like gamez n' shiz.)

I meant the original famicom. The "dogbone" gray/red system is still popular and expensive because of its limited release and improved video output, but the people that own those most likely own the original system as well. Pretty much anything connected with famicom is popular and expensive. Chinese dudes still stand out on the streets of Akihabara during the weekend selling newly made 100-in-1 bootleg famicom carts. I bought one recently..

edit - let me just clarify the above - good condition items are expensive. You can still find loose, sticky carts of "Pooyan" for 50 yen at recycle shops, but anything you'd want in a collection is going to cost you a bit more.

Ah, you mean the AV Famicom. Got it.

[sven666]

neat, good read and good answers

[Teufel_in_Blau]

Can we make wishes for the next entry?

I would like to read a discussion with Skykid and Elixier about american politics or how about a sexy photoshoting with Culian? Or a shmup short story by KiethSomataw99?

Keep up the good work, really nice blog!

[Pyongyang]

Thanks for the positive feedback all.

I've a couple of bits and pieces lined up, but spacing those out (should I secure them) with other stuff.

Big thanks to Jeff though, don't you be giving that Ibara DVD to anyone right? Put a big 'reserved' sticker on it!

[t0yrobo]

Some people comment that the overall webpage design is terrible

Now who would say such a thing . I'd only ever bring it up to someone who hadn't heard of you and didn't trust the place based on looks alone. But honestly, it's 100% than almost every japan based website I've ever used, they have a serious problem with web design.

I've gotta figure out how these guys are getting their wives/girlfriends to pay for games, I don't get anything in that department from mine.

[Skykid]

Some people comment that the overall webpage design is terrible

Now who would say such a thing . I'd only ever bring it up to someone who hadn't heard of you and didn't trust the place based on looks alone. But honestly, it's 100% than almost every japan based website I've ever used, they have a serious problem with web design.

I've gotta figure out how these guys are getting their wives/girlfriends to pay for games, I don't get anything in that department from mine.

Some of the best stuff in my collection came from my other half.

Regarding JP web design, I understand it's cack because html is a language written in English, something they're not too savvy with.

[Pyongyang]

I posted an interview with Mike Walz, the guy behind a new XBOX Live Indie Games shooting game if anyone is keen for a read.

http://www.pinkbullets.co.uk/blogs/?p=342

[Pyongyang]

...and here is an interview with Mommy's Best Games!

http://www.pinkbullets.co.uk/blogs/nath ... est-games/

[burgerkingdiamond]

nice interview. Jeff is a cool dude.

[oogabooga]

Insular and caffeine and nicotine addicts!

[ZenErik]

Jeff is great. He deals well with me, and I consider myself a bit annoying to deal with regarding these sales. I tend to change my mind a few times before I come up with a final list of games I want.

I also like that he is honest about which games he enjoys. When I have asked him his thoughts on a particular game he generally provides useful insight. Doesn't just pitch everything he sells as being an amazing game that everyone will love. In fact, he "can't stand" one of the games I just bought from him.

Keep it up rancor. You're a trooper.

[GaijinPunch]

Regarding JP web design, I understand it's cack because html is a language written in English, something they're not too savvy with.

I know I'm like 6 weeks late on this b/c I'm always in Off Topic, but the reason Japanese web design sucks is b/c of the lack of simplicity found in just about anything in Japan. Look at the fucking railway map.... or if you're really in for some masochistic behavior, try to work for a Japanese company.