Hey there, Chime. Sorry, no odd singing from deformed munchkins or anything...

I'd just like to inform the user of PSMPlay from yesterday's column, and any other user of that software that there is a newer, more constantly updated program of the same type called PS Multi Convertor, that has a high compatability rate with odd formats used by Square (FF9, Crono Cross), and can do fundamentally the same thing as far as viewing and conversion of Playstation FMVs, images, and audio.

It's available for download at http://www.zophar.net/utilities/psxutil.html in both an older freeware version and a newer shareware version. Also, if PSMplay is really your thing, then it appears that a newer version is available on that same page as opposed to the link sent yesterday.

Last, I just want to say that, as far as I know, Squaresoft games store audio in a MIDI-like format, not a CD-track, which is why it can't be extracted, not because they are located in a different place. Certain songs, specifically those with vocals, such as Eyes on Me in FF8 (scan for it on Disk 3) CAN be extracted, because those are CD audio.

As RPGamers semi-official Obscure import Guru(If you've never heard of it, I've played it!^_~) I felt I should write in with some information on importing, especialy considering the letter posted in the last column. I know the person wasn't asking about importing, but I thought some basic knowledge would help everyone out, as well as make importing more enjoyable for everyone. When Importing, there are 6 basic rules you should follow-

1: Find a company you trust. There's nothing worst then plunking 60+ down on a game and finding out you'll never get it, or worst that it got lost in shipping or something cruddy like that. My personal recomendation is NCSX(www.ncsx.com). Their a tad overpriced, but they insure your item and WILL give you a full refund if something goes wrong.

2: Make sure you enjoy the series. Yeah, XXX Triple Action Nine X 32 might be the hotest new import around, but if you don't like the type of game, don't get it. This sounds like a No-Brainer, but many times people will plunk money down on a title they thought 'Looked Cool' but ended up hating it's guts.

3: When in doubt, go with something known. Not being able to read what's going on in a game can be daunting. When your just starting out, go with a game with lots of Documentation on it. That way, if you get stuck, you'll be able to get some help on it, rather then banging your head uselessly.

4: Get a Kana chart. Learn some of your basic commands. Load, Save, Yes, No. All of them are very easy to reconize after you've played a few games, and it'll be alot easier when you can reconize them on sight.

5: Stick with what you know. Unless your confident in your abilites as a gamer, stick with games you know about. A Fan of Gundam? Import a Gundam game. Like Dragon Ball Z? Go for one of the myriad Dragon Ball games. Knowing about the subject matter can make an import 10 times as fun.

6: Lastly, don't give up! Importing can seem daunting at first, but you'll find that even if you can't understand the language, you'll pick it up quickly. Some of the games you can import are a blast, so make sure you above all else HAVE FUN!

Well..I hope that helps some people out.

Dragoon T
Internal Contributer
TRC's Lackey

=====
'Humanity's souls are weighed down by gravity..To save itself, Mankind must migrate to space!'

Hello Chim,

For the guy that was looking for FF3 and BOF2 for the SNES. Just know that they have also been rereleased in the US.

FF3 (Which is FF6) can be found in Final Fantasy Anthology for the PSX, but I recommend it on the PS2 so battles will load faster.

BOF2 can be found on the GameBoy Advance, and it seems pretty much the same as the SNES version. I haven't played it much, though.

Also, I was just wondering, does anyone know the order for the D&D games for PC. I know there are the old DOS ones, like Eye of the Beholder and such, and I found them all in the $9.99 games, its like 12 games on 2 CDs.

But I am looking for the Windows games.
I know these ones

Planescape: Torment
Baldur's Gate and the Expansion
Icewind Dale
Baldur's Gate 2 and the Expansion
Icewind Dale 2 (upcoming)
and Neverwinter Nights

Are there any more?

Thanks

DekarGuy

C,

I must admit that it is refreshing to finally have some change in the whole "Q&A" scheme of things. Something as simple as renaming the section has been the most profound innovation since we were first introduced to the "quickie." I do not mean for that to sound sarcastic either; I'm completely serious.

With that said, I confess I really had nothing else of any importance to say, other than I hope G will continue this trend, rather than letting it merely be a weekend event. Perhaps by engaging the readership with topics and the lure of the spotlight will G be able to improve the absolutely dismal display of weekday "Q&A." At its current rate, it would probably be better to have a weekday column only every two days, or more.

If you only get three pieces of printable mail a day, out of the thousands of people who visit this site daily, perhaps that is telling you something, yes?

-Red Raven

Greetings,

I doubt anybody will remember me, but I was on staff at RPGamer about a year and a half ago. I was only a media person and due to time contraints I was forced to withdraw from the position after one update, although I regret that now. OK, enough introduction. Recently on a vacation in Martha's Vineyard, a friend and I went to a bridge above the water that is a very popular spot to jump off of. I've done it countless times; flips, dives, and regular flops. But for some reason, the water must have been extra low yesterday. I dove from the back railing, and upon hitting the water, I also smack my head on the bottom of the ocean. I felt the rocks under my head, and the force put on my neck from the rest of my body. At first I thought my neck was broken and I was about to die. But I made it to shore, and we drove home. After consulting my parents I decided against going to the local clinic. Now, a day later, I have many cuts on my head, a sore neck, and a mushy forhead(eww). I think I will be ok, but only time will tell. Sorry about the length, and I am not quite sure why I wrote to RPGamer about this, but I did.

My question is regarding these new announcements of portable RPGs that are flooding the market. While I enjoy the idea of being able to play games that I may have missed due to lack of funds, or no localization, I don't know about playing them on the GBA. I almost wish they would be released on the GCN, because I too am a 2D whore. What are your thoughts on portable gaming? RPGs in particular.

Sorry for the length, and my opening, this was a very spur of the moment letter. Keep up the good work.

-Seijou / Pete Brown

Hey Chime

The other Day it was said in Goog's column that there would be no reason to release the HDD for PS2 here. Why is that? I thought that FFXI required it. Am I confused?

Also, have you looked at .hack? The screen shots and description make me think of a Secret of Mana type battle system. Do you think it will also be 1-3 players?

Eggman

Hi Chime,

Just have a couple comments or questions....whatever. 1) Why does the RPG industry always have some person or thing in their late teens or early 20s who finds out they have special powers or are on a mission and find out they have to save the world? When will this cliche end? (if ever) The only game that comes to my mind that isn't in this category would be Vagrant Story which was a very good game but didn't get as much recognition as it deserved.

2) Why don't characters in RPGs ever change clothes? Occasionally they show certain armor or weapon they have during battle but on the map screen, town, or dungeon they always have the same clothes on. Seems kind of odd.

Well that's it, good work disemboweling the one reader from yesterday's column!
~Silversol

Hello all wise Chime.

Of course though that you aren't allowed to be wrong, and same goes for Google, or Chesh-sama. You are supposed to be all knowing super powerful RPGing gods among men. Wrecking havoc and amassing followers wherever your travels take you! ^_^

Of course, back here in reality, where I'm plagued by people that go "Final Fantasy, what's that?" We all make errors, and a minor error about game dates or grammer goes completely unnoticed next to all the others.

Anyway, along with this mass of rambling and ranting that I'm prone to do every now and then I do have some questions for your infinate wisdom to answer.

The problem with the over the shoulder veiws and such most RPGs seem to have is that the difficulty is often shafted. The game designers in my opinion, however humble it may be, is that with all the range of movement and attacks you can use the enemy doesn't have anywhere near same capabilities. In 3-d games such as The Bouncer and the N64 Zelda games I never saw a single opponent with any sleek moves like you have, with the exception of Dark Link, but all he does is copy you. Do you think that if they made enemies that were a fair match for you that perhaps the 3-d RPG battle system will catch on? Either that or it'd turn off the slow reflex RPGers.

Also why is harvest Moon covered in RPGamer.com? It's always puzzled me as it doesn't seem like an RPG at all.... Zelda I can understand because the rabid fanboys would tear you apart if you ever even thought of phasing it out, but Harvest Moon?