Prognostication Record: 8-4
Last week I predicted the Redskins would smash the Rams 21-8. Not only was I right, the Redskins won 33-20 in a phenomenal game, I even managed to predict the point spread! Not bad, looks like the Redskins earned their keep, to say the least.
This week we have something dear to my heart a'happening. The great Green Bay Packers versus the lousy Carolina Panthers, live on my TV set! Yes, all-time sack leader and turncoat Reggie White versus the indefatigable and quick healing Brett Favre. You can't beat a grudge match like that. I played the Pack and this time I couldn't lose. Adrenaline filled me with fire, “The Pack may not make the Playoffs but they won't lose to that other silly cat expansion team!” I exclaimed loudly (my wife looked at me funny, but I don't even notice that anymore).
FAVRE!
The game went as planned. A mix of bullet passes to Shroeder and Freeman and couple runs from Hendersen and Green led to Favre on the 2-yard line. Boom! He runs it in on a sneak! The Panthers answered with a Field Goal at the end of the half. Third quarter sees a Packer FG and another TD, this time a pass and one-handed catch from Freeman. Fourth quarter sees Hendersen fumble and the Panthers picked it up and ran it in. Then, with 30 seconds left, Favre added insult to injury by hitting Shroeder with a 25-yard bullet into the endzone. Packers-23, Panthers-10!
Anyone out there a fan of Tim Schafer's wonderful and innovative adventure game, Full Throttle? Well the guy who played the voice of lovable Ben in the game is seriously ill with cancer. His contact info has been released and his family would appreciate any kind words or well wishes you can send. It's too happy of a season to bear something this sad, so see if you can't find a stamp and something nice to say about a voice that'll be remembered by anyone who played that game.
Roy Conrad
c/o Bobby Ball Talent Agency
4342 Lankershim Blvd.
Universal City, CA 91602
U.S.A.
I am thankful for Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home, Star Wars: Force Commander, Star Trek: Klingon Academy, Star Trek: New Worlds, Mortyr, Blaze and Blade, Sydney 2000, Invictus, Battlezone II, Codename: Eagle, Submarine Titans, Die Hard Trilogy, South Park Rally and, yes, Rune. Why? Because bad and totally mediocre games like the above showcase how rare and wonderful a truly good game can be! Wonderful games like: Thief 2, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, Combat Mission, NHL 2001, AOE2 Expansion, NOLF, Baldur's Gate II, Diablo 2, Crimson Skies, High Heat 2001, MDK 2, Motocross Madness 2, and Porsche Unleashed.
I am even thankful for Daikatana. Because of the fact that it took so long and stunk so bad it became the perfect lightning rod for me to cut my teeth on. Looking back I slammed the game and its horrendous problems mercilessly and repeatedly. I wouldn't do that now, but back then I was still new to the weekly column format and having something with that big of a target painted on it made learning the process of satire comfortably easy. I also want to thank Romero for taking most of his criticism like a man and for only rarely using his girlfriend as an enforcer. Honestly, I'd be even more thankful had Daikatana been a great game. Why? A happy ending to a development nightmare like that is just a great, and wholly unexpected twist and you know what? I actually like the taste of crow.