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              <p><font color="#0000FF"><b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#0000CC">volume 
                1, issue 17</font></b></font></p>
              <p><font color="#0000FF"><b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#0000CC"> 
                </font></b></font></p>
              <p>  <p><font face="Courier New, Courier, mono"><b><font color="#339900" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Today 
                in loonygames:</font></b></font></p>

<P><font color="#000000" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">New!!</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> The Archives have been cleaned up, fead links fixed, and printable versions restored! Also, don't miss the new comments <a href="../../../index.html">on the front page</a>!</font></p>
              
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  theAntiELVIS explores the wild and wacky world that is Will Wright's <b>The Sims</b>, 
  asking the inevitable quesiton, &quot;is <b>The Sims</b> the first step toward a virtual 
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  Vasquez on <b>Omikron: The Nomad Soul</b>.</font></p>
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              <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><a href="../../1.16/geek/index.html">Geek 
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        <p align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="+3" color="#0022A8">It's 
          a Very Geeky Christmas<font size="+1"></font></font></p>
        <p align="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
        <p align="RIGHT"><font color="#804000"><b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By 
          Jason &quot;<a href="mailto:jason@loonygames.com">loonyboi</a>&quot; 
          Bergman</font></b></font></p>
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<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.15/">2.15: Livin' With The Sims</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.14/">2.14: To the Extreme</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.13/">2.13: Not Just a Passing Wind</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.12/">2.12: It's Not Easy Being Green</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.11/">2.11: Inside Origin Systems</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.10/">2.10: Game Networking 101</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.9/">2.9: Tell me a Story</option>
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<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.6/">2.6: PC Fight Club</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.5/">2.5: Paul Steed '99</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.4/">2.4: Sounds From All Over</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.3/">2.3: Kicking Back with a Bear</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.2/">2.2: End of the Line</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/2.1/">2.1: American McGee's Alice</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.41/">----- Volume 1 -----</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.41/">1.41: Put a Little Love...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.40/">1.40: Game Programming...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.39/">1.39: More loonygames @ E3!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.38/">1.38: loonygames at E3!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.37/">1.37: The ReRuns Issue</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.36/">1.36: Inside Raven Software</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.35/">1.35: Waking Graeme Devine</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.34/">1.34: Writing the Game</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.33/">1.33: Totally Tribal</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.32/">1.32: Under His Skin</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.31/">1.31: The Glory of G.O.D.</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.30/">1.30: Chillin' w/Jason Hall</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.29/">1.29: Extreme Annihilation</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.28/">1.28: Adventures in ASCII</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/">1.27: Serious Brass Ones</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.26/">1.26: Two Programs...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.25/">1.25: The Unreal Cliffy B!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.24/">1.24: Gimme Your Money!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.23/">1.23: Old Crusty Gamers</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.22/">1.22: Bugs!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.21/">1.21: 2001</option>
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<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.19/">1.19: The Rise and Fall...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.18/">1.18: romuluSngan HoH!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.17/">1.17: A Very Geeky Christmas</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.16/">1.16: 5 Years of Doom!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.15/">1.15: Tune Up Your Game!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.14/">1.14: NT + Games = ???</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.13/">1.13: Blue and Levelord...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.12/">1.12: When It's Done!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.11/">1.11: Hangin' With John Romero!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.10/">1.10: Still Sick of Games</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.9/">1.9: Gettin' Odd with the loonies</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.8/">1.8: LAN Parties...</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.7/">1.7: The Community Summit</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.6/">1.6: DRAW Pardner!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.5/">1.5: Taking Aim at Paul Steed</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.4/">1.4: Play Where You Like!</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.3/">1.3: *Special Duke Issue*</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.2/">1.2: Are You Sick of Games?</option>
<option value="http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.1/">1.1: Chris Taylor Gets Some!</option>

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        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#0022A8" size="+1">Part 
          One: Geek Toys</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey, here at loonygames, 
          we make no attempt to hide our love for toys. We’re not just talking 
          about action figures here…geek toys covers all of those gadgets, gizmos, 
          and all around fun crap that only hardcore geeks can get into. Let’s 
          take a look at what the loonygames staff is drooling over this year.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font color="#0022A8">Low 
          End ($10 - $20):</font></b></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Resident Evil Toys</b>: 
          You can’t beat these things with a stick. As far as we’re concerned, 
          there shouldn’t be a geek around who doesn’t have one of these babies 
          on their desk, happily scaring away the kids. What makes them so dang 
          cool? They’re zombies! That’s right, honest to goodness zombie action 
          figures. The fact that they tie into one of the coolest PlayStation 
          titles around aside, zombie action figures are just too dang cool to 

          pass up. Be sure to check out the non-zombie RE toys…they’re not quite 
          as cool, but they are pretty well made.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: Toy Biz</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $10</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 2</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Blizzard’s Epic Action 
          Figures: </b>Here’s a shocker for you…action figures based on Blizzard’s 
          <b>Warcraft</b> and <b>Starcraft</b> games. What’s more, these are really 
          well made. Personal favorites include the &quot;Orc Grunt&quot; for 
          his sheer size, the &quot;Zerg Hydralisk&quot; for its demented appearance, 

          and the &quot;Human Footman&quot; for the attention to detail. Great 
          toys, that are well made enough to pass for miniature statues.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.blizzard.com">Blizzard</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $12</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 3</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 4</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Duke Nukem Action Figures</b>: 
          What can we say…we love these damn things. The <b>Duke</b> figures are 
          totally kickass, with an attention to detail that is on par with the 
          best figures out there today. The plain ol’ <b>Duke</b> figure is the 
          best, but don’t forget about the aliens. The &quot;Pig Cop&quot; in 
          particular is stylin’.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.resaurus.com">Resaurus</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $10</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 2</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Nintendo 64 Memory Upgrade</b>: 
          Here’s a weird concept…a RAM card for a console system. Despite Nintendo’s 
          original stance that this would never come out without the 64DD, it’s 
          been released anyway, and lots of games this year are taking advantage 
          of it. A quick list of some of them: <b>Rogue Squadron</b>, <b>Turok 
          2</b>, <b>NFL Quarterback Club ’99</b>, and just about every new title 
          in development. It’s not too expensive, and every N64 owner out there 
          pretty much wants one. You can’t go wrong here.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.nintendo.com">Nintendo</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $20</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 3</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 2 (the games that 
          use it: 5)</font></p>
        <p>&nbsp;</p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font color="#0022A8">Mid 
          Range</font></b> <font color="#0022A8"><b>($25 - $100)</b>:</font></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>USB Wheel Mouse:</b> Logitech’s 
          always made the best mice around, and their first USB mouse is no different. 
          The lack of a third button is a major disappointment, but if you want 
          to take advantage of that USB port, this is the way to go (besides…if 
          you really want the third button, see our next pick). </font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.logitech.com">Logitech</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $25</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 2</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 3</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>MouseMan Wheel</b>: So 
          you want some buttons, eh? Well, you’ll get three buttons here (two 
          standard, and one funky thumb button) as well as the wheel that’s all 
          the rage these days. What’s more, thanks to the recent PS/2 mouse fix, 
          you can beef up the sampling rate in Windows to get the same level of 
          control as a USB device without switching over. Stylin’!</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.logitech.com">Logitech</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $30</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 2</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 3</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>The FragMaster: </b>We’re 
          not quite sure what to make of this funky looking thing, so we’ll let 
          you decide. It claims to be the first joystick designed for first person 
          shooters, and whether or not that’s true aside, it sure is weird looking. 
          Definitely the strangest looking thing since the SpaceOrb 360, and you 
          know what a hit that thing was. Recommended for the true geek that has 
          everything.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.thrustmaster.com">Thrustmaster</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $55</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 1</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Wingman Force</b>: Yeah, 
          it’s a big joystick with force feedback. What can we say, besides…we 
          dig it. Force feedback’s a cool thing to have. What keeps this from 
          being <i>totally</i> kickass, is a lack of software support, and the 
          gratuitous price. Well, that and the fact that for most games you'll 
          want to use a mouse, and not a bulky joystick. But definitely the thing 
          to get for flight simulator fans (at least until that force feedback 
          mouse comes out). </font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.logitech.com">Logitech</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $90</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 3</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 2</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Dex Drive: </b>Now <i>here’s</i> 
          a geek toy. The <b>Dex Drive</b> is a odd looking gizmo that plugs into 
          your <b>PlayStation’s</b> memory card slot and then into your PC’s COM 
          port, allowing you to save (and back up) your games to your PC. Sound 
          like a waste of time? Maybe…but it also just might start a PlayStation 
          revolution. Imagine web sites loaded with save games to download…imaging 
          reverse-engineering PSX save files to let you do all kinds of funky 
          things. It’s not just a wacky idea…it’s already happening. A must have 
          for the absolute geek out there.</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.interact-acc.com/">Interact</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $40</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 5</font></p>
        <p>&nbsp;</p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font color="#0022A8">High 
          End ($100 and up):</font></b></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>The Intensor</b>: We reviewed 
          this baby last week, and it just had to make the list…it ain’t cheap, 
          but man oh man is it a scream to use. This one’s <i>only</i> for hardcore 
          geeks with lots of cash to blow…but shoooeee is it fun to annoy your 
          neighbors with its kickin’ sound system. Trust us on this one. :)</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.intensor.com">BSG 
          Labs</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $300 - $600 </font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 4</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Palm III</b>: Well, you 
          can’t talk about geek toys without mentioning the all time champion 
          geek toy…the handheld PC. It’s part status symbol, part really useful 
          device, and part…well…<i>toy</i>. Sure you can use it to balance your 
          checkbook, check your e-mail, and plan your life…but you can also use 
          it to play some totally kickin’ games, too. And thanks to that IR port, 

          you can even use it to control your TV and VCR. Now <i>that’s</i> technology 
          for you. </font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.3com.com">3Com</a></font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Avg. Price: $300</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geek Factor: 5</font></p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Coolness: 4</font></p>
        <p>&nbsp;</p>
        <p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Keep going, there's plenty 
          more geekiness ahead!</font></p>
        <ul>
          <li><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Part One: Geek Toys<br>
            <br>
            </font></li>
          <li><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="hw.php">Part 
            Two: Geek Hardware</a><br>
            <br>
            </font></li>
          <li><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="sw.php">Part 
            Three: Geek Software</a></font></li>
        </ul>
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    <td><i><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-2"><b>Credits:</b> 
      Illustration &copy; 1998 Dan Zalkus. It's a Very Geeky Christmas is &copy; 
      1998 Jason Bergman. All other content is &copy; 1998 <a target="_self" href="http://www.loonyboi.com">loonyboi 
      productions</a>. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited, dangit.</font></i></td>
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