The Incredible Journey of the Gulf War Game Boy: A Nintendo Relic Retires

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2 July, 2023

Unlikely Hero in a Game of War

The gaming world is filled with stories of consoles’ resilience, but none is as fascinating as that of the Nintendo Game Boy that survived an airstrike during the 1991 Gulf War. This rugged handheld, a testament to Nintendo’s extraordinary build quality, proved its mettle in the cauldron of war.

Amidst the perilous backdrop of the Gulf War, U.S. Army medic Stephan Scoggins found solace in the fascinating world of his Nintendo Game Boy. Small yet robust portable console served as a beacon of familiarity and relief amid a storm of uncertainty and conflict.

Testament to Resilience

Fate tested the Game Boy’s durability when Iraqi forces launched an airstrike on the U.S. base where it was stored. Despite being caught in the destructive storm, this console emerged battered but unbowed – its casing charred, its buttons melted, and its motherboard exposed.

After recovering the war-torn console, Scoggins returned it to Nintendo, hoping for a replacement. The technicians at Nintendo, astounded by the tale of survival, tested the console’s functionality, inserting a Tetris game cartridge. The console sprang to life, its distinctive ‘ping!’ echoing through the room – a triumphant melody of survival against the odds.

An Enduring Legacy

Nintendo replaced Scoggins’s console, preserving the battle-hardened Game Boy as a symbol of resilience. It found its place in Nintendo’s flagship store in Rockefeller Center, New York, where it played an eternal game of Tetris, captivating and inspiring visitors with its story.

This resilient Game Boy’s saga has woven itself into the fabric of Nintendo’s history, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to quality and durability. However, the tides of time have recently swept this console from the public view in the Nintendo New York store. According to a store worker, this resilient survivor has found a new home in Nintendo’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

As we bid farewell to its public display, the Game Boy’s legacy continues to inspire Nintendo enthusiasts around the globe. Its journey is a remarkable testament to Nintendo’s commitment to crafting durable and enduring gaming devices. This console may have retired from the public view, but its story of survival and resilience will always be a cherished part of Nintendo history.

References:

“The Gulf War Game Boy has officially been retired from Nintendo NYC”. Twitter post by VideoGameArt&Tidbits [https://twitter.com/VGArtAndTidbits]
Stilwell, Blake (2021). “The Game Boy That Survived an Iraqi Bombing During the Gulf War.” Military.com. [https://www.military.com/off-duty/games/game-boy-survived-iraqi-bombing-during-gulf-war.html]
“Game Boy that Survived a Bombing.” Atlas Obscura. [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gameboy-that-survived-a-bombing]

Diablo IV: 14 Wild Loot Drops Fans Have Found

By

Mat

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30 June, 2023

With so many skill trees and loot combinations, Diablo IV has no shortage of ways to eviscerate your foes and make them fear your mathematical superiority. Players are still finding all sorts of incredible Unique-rarity items, and certain of these weapons and armors are proving to be exceptionally worth hunting down.

Accidental Exposure of Sony’s PlayStation Secrets Amidst Microsoft’s FTC Hearing

By

Mat

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29 June, 2023

Sony's accidentally revealed document detailing PlayStation secrets. — Document Leak Reveals Sony's PlayStation Secrets

Sony has unintentionally provided a peek into its PlayStation operations. Amid the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing examination of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a document from PlayStation head Jim Ryan was mistakenly released. This document, intended to be redacted, shed light on Sony’s publisher margins, Call of Duty earnings, and the cost of creating some of its proprietary games.

Regrettably, the method of redaction – using a black Sharpie – proved insufficient. The document scan revealed the redacted information. While the court removed the document, it was downloaded and viewed by reporters and Sony’s competitors during its short time in the public domain.

Among the unveiled data, the document disclosed that Sony’s Horizon Forbidden West cost $212 million to develop over five years with 300 employees. The Last of Us Part II was produced with around 200 employees for $220 million.

Sony’s relationship with Call of Duty was also brought to light. The company claimed that one million PlayStation gamers exclusively play the Call of Duty franchise. The document also indicated that Call of Duty players spent an average of 116 hours per year on the game in 2021, with heavy users averaging 296 hours.

The disclosure of this data was Sony’s attempt to demonstrate the significant revenue impact if Call of Duty became an Xbox exclusive. Sony has consistently expressed concerns in various filings to regulators about Microsoft potentially monopolizing Call of Duty or sabotaging its PlayStation versions.

The financial impact was further detailed by accidentally revealing Call of Duty’s worth to PlayStation. The popular franchise accounted for $800 million of PlayStation’s revenue in the US alone in 2021, and it appears to have contributed $1.5 billion globally. Counting accessories, subscriptions, and related sales, the document suggests a total revenue of up to $15.9 billion annually.

The document also hinted at Sony’s revenue sharing with third-party publishers like Activision, with a possible typical margin of 10%. It also seemed to suggest that Sony’s own first-party games constituted around 14% of total PlayStation games sold.

In a surprising revelation, the document disclosed that Sony has only one more Call of Duty game as part of its exclusive marketing deal with Activision, set to be released in late 2023.

Moreover, Sony’s document revealed some intriguing statistics about console ownership. Almost half of PlayStation 5 owners in the US also own a Nintendo Switch. At the same time, less than 20% of PlayStation 5 owners also have an Xbox Series X or S. This data provides crucial context for the FTC and Microsoft’s ongoing debate over whether the Switch competes directly with the Xbox and PS5.

Sony isn’t alone in this series of unintentional revelations, though. Earlier this week, a confidential Microsoft document exposed all the company’s intended Xbox acquisition targets. The document has since been replaced with a heavily redacted version.

Stay tuned for more insights as this intriguing story unfolds, providing rare insights into the secretive world of gaming industry giants.

From Gameplay to Graphics: Red Dead Redemption 2’s Undying Charm and Remaster Rumblings

By

Mat

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28 June, 2023

Arthur Morgan shooting in Red Dead Redemption 2 — Arthur Morgan in Action: Capturing the Engaging Gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2

PlayStation, Red Dead Redemption, Remaster

It’s been five years, and “Red Dead Redemption 2” (RDR2) is still going strong. The game’s mature storyline, engaging gameplay, and non-ageing graphics keep PlayStation users hooked. The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea recently hinted at a new console classification for the original “Red Dead Redemption”, stirring up talks of a possible remastered version. With Rockstar Games silent, fans are left anticipating what’s next for this enduring franchise.

Celebrating the Thrill and Chills: 3 Years of The Last of Us Part II

By

Mat

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26 June, 2023

Ellie holding JJ and waiting for new adventure. — Ellie with baby JJ: A glimpse into the emotional depth that keeps fans gripped to The Last of Us Part II, three years on.

Three years down the line, “The Last of Us Part II” remains an adrenaline-pumping ride of a game. Its blend of horror and heart has captured millions, despite the PC port of the original game’s remastered version hitting a few bumps. Unfazed, the franchise’s sales and HBO adaptation continue to thrive. Sure, LoU’s multiplayer might not have hit the mark according to Bungie, but the prospect of a standalone sequel keeps the anticipation alive. With Ellie and Abby’s saga yet to fully unfold, we’re eager for more. Are you?