No bells, no whistles, no fanfare as Calvert Games turned three a few days ago. Keeping on keeping on is my motto, and it looks like Calvert Games is doing just that despite the many ups and downs and current blog iteration of the site.
It is hard to believe that Calvert Games posted its first content September 27, 2001 (the site was officially launched the following week). Calvert Games launched with two articles and a review, and the rest as they say is history.
Interestingly enough the first ever article was titled “Re-return: MJ Bounces Back”
As a white kid who could not jump, I certainly spent plenty of time trying to imitate a MJ buzzer beater. I certainly look forward to seeing if MJ can recapture some of that old magic.
In “System Wars 2001″ I predicted that Microsoft would struggle badly behind Nintendo:
When all is said and done, games sell systems. The average Wal-Mart shopper could care less about broadband, hard drive space, or any other perceived advantage that Microsoft is currently trying to push. At this point, I do not feel that either system offers a compelling lineup, but as a fan of video games, my money is on Nintendo over Microsoft, but Sony will win the 2001 System Wars.
The first review was Le Mans 24 Hours for the PS2, earning a 3/5, and a couple of giggles as I look back on the style of the day.
I admit that I am a whore when it comes to racing games, especially those leaning towards the simulation side of the spectrum — I just cannot get enough. I spent many hours with Test Drive Le Mans (TDLM) for the Dreamcast (DC), awarding the game a score of 80%. It was with baited breath that I anxiously awaited the PlayStation2 (PS2) conversion.
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Contrails [thanks Paul K.!] make a spectacular appearance. In fact, seeing the contrails is a sign of things to come — overdone, and over emphasized. Much like TDLM, brake rotors glow, but in Le Mans they look like someone taped an old orange Hot Wheels strip of track around the inside of the wheel. Night racings are almost a mockery of lighting effects. As I said in the beginning of this review, night races look like something out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Not trying to toot my horn or anything, but the review was actually entertaining. I am not sure where I lost it, but somewhere along the way I have forgotten how to review games. I guess life was much simpler in those days; too bad I lost my innocence. Maybe one day I can recapture the magic.
It would be a huge mistake not to send a special thank you to the guys that really made the site churn over the last few years. My hat goes off to the talented staff that made Calvert Games so special: Adam Simpson, Derek Mirdala, Kevin Mosley, and Ted Leiker.
After a rather inauspicious ending in August, leaving Calvert Games “off the air” for a couple of days, Calvert Games has managed to struggle kicking and screaming to year three. Many happy returns, and thanks for the continued support!