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Advice for the Sensitive Gamer #6

Columns by Jenna Ogilvie on November 1, 2003

Jenna Ogilvie answers questions about her staff picture and stuffed animals.
Versus Mode: GTA vs. Hit and Run

Columns by Kay Leacock on November 1, 2003

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a pretty awesome game. Your goal is to complete "missions" given to you by various people and the mob. These missions can include races, purchases, drug deals, and lots of other things. You can run around on foot, or drive around in various vehicles to get to where you need to go and do what it is you need to do. You can also drive around in other people's cars. As you run over things and cause mayhem, a little counter goes up. When this counter reaches it's maximum level, you are busted by the cops.
The Gates of Life: Episode 6, Part 2 – Dugo’s Dilemma

Columns by Brian Wolf on November 1, 2003

While Barin and Najen slept below deck, Dugo watched as white curls disappeared among the black sea. The morning dawn provides warming rays of light, but the chill ocean breeze quickly counters the warmth. Hours pass, and the Black Isle, along with promises of imminent doom, approaches beyond the horizon.
Dear Readers: Please Send Me Stuff for the Janish!

Columns by Paul Franzen on November 1, 2003

So you wanna write for GameCola? Here's your chance to shine! We're looking to pump up our Second Annual New Year's Awards Special with numerous guest reviews. If you've got the interest, the talent, and the testicular fortitude to bare your soul in the best goshdarn gaming newsletter that the Internet has to offer, drop me a line and I'll fill you in with more details.
… of the Month: Pocky

Columns by Matt Gardner on October 1, 2003

For those of you who have never heard of Pocky, they are tasty little biscuit sticks covered in a dry whipped cream (more like yogurt, not whipped cream) toping of various flavors, such as strawberry, chocolate, or coffee. Are any of you readers fans of nuts besides Paul? If so, you will be happy to know that some varieties of Pocky come with almonds made right into the toping! These delicious treats are as easy to eat as pretzel sticks, and they don't have any of that annoying salt falling off all over you while you sit on your lazy bum, making them the perfect snack for video gamers. Just think of the possibilities... you are sitting in your sweatpants on the couch playing video games waiting for your date to show up for a romantic evening. He/She comes in, sees you sitting there, and all he/she can say is, "Oh my goodness! You have no crumbs on you at all! You are totally not the video game playing slob I thought you would be! I love you! Please make love to me all night long!!" Do you think any other snack could possibly have this effect? Could your precious sour cream and onion potato chips do this? Definately not. If you find yourself getting hungry and want to snack on something, do everyone a favor and get yourself some Pocky.
Advice for the Sensitive Gamer #5

Columns by Jenna Ogilvie on October 1, 2003

Jenna Ogilvie offers advice about getting too "excited" while playing Tetris, burping while running, and more.
Versus Mode: Half-Life vs. Team Fortress

Columns by Kay Leacock on October 1, 2003

The original Half-Life is a simple deathmatch game with awesome graphics, decent levels, and some kick-ass weapons. Upon joining the game, you are dropped into the level which the server is on with your basic weapons. When you kill a person, you can acquire their weapons and ammo, and you're allowed to spray paint a logo of sorts on their death-spot.
The Gates of Life: Episode 6, Part 1 – Barin’s Nightmares

Columns by Brian Wolf on October 1, 2003

Dugo: In order to find out what happened, I think we should follow that specter towards the Black Isle.
Dear Readers: Atrophy

Columns by Paul Franzen on October 1, 2003

Along with fellow Team GameCola member Brian Wolf, I've been playing a lot of Secret of Mana (SNES) this month. We totally rock at it (though, let it be known that I'm the only one of us to have ever cleanly completed the game). Occasionally, somebody else from our dormitory here at Rutgers University will join up with us; but as a general rule of thumb, they don't know their rabites from their cups of wishes. It's sad, really -- all these kids who claim to have played SoM in their youth are now totally out of touch with the game. It's gotten to the point where we'd prefer to have the characters be powered by AI than by an actual human being. Anyone familiar with Secret of Mana should immediately see that this is a sad state of affairs.
… of the Month: Pirates of the Caribbean

Columns by Matt Gardner on September 1, 2003

I'm sure many of you have seen this movie, which many would call the greatest pirate movie of all time, but in case you haven't, let me sum it up for you: Captain Jack Sparrow is awesome, and goes on a pirate adventure with swordsmith Will Turner. Any more information would spoil the movie, I'm afraid, and I just cannot do that to such a piratastic film. The characters were well portrayed by the actors, especially Captain Jack Sparrow, and keep your eyes glued to the screen wondering what they are going to do next. The story is filled with action, leaving out the ridiculously long and boring dialogue scenes that plague so many movies. The pirates in this movie, unlike in the video games, act very piratey (stealing, kidnapping, plundering, pillaging, arring, etc. etc.) and even turn ghostly, making for an exciting scene that captures the qualities of the actual ride. Piratey or not, this is a great movie and if you haven't seen it please get together whatever money you have and write the following sign and paste it on your back: