After a five month hiatus, I've reinstated my editorial obligation to the complimentary feature christened as Bahn Unplugged. Thanks to the shared feedback of our dedicated readers, the team and I have made gradual efforts to express our ideals that have helped shaped TNL.

As a gamer, the past few months have been rather turbulent, and despite numerous events qualifying for personal discussion, I became rather uninspired to rant - about anything. Yes folks, the industry has been rapidly changing as we've witnessed the fall of GameFan (both in respects to the online and print entities), SNK's NeoGeo Pocket was dropped from the market - a pity since it possessed the potential to truly gain a niche with the handheld demographic. But perhaps the biggest event that triggered a shockwave throughout the entire gaming community pertains to the radical business ammendments taken by Sega, (along with the reality that 2001 marks the last year for the Dreamcast), as they shifted from functioning as a competitor in the horse race and opted to become a third-party developer for all video game platforms. Meanwhile, looking towards the new kid on the block, Microsoft demonstrated their conviction to gain their niche as they unveiled the official console model and its current libary of first-generation games; and the list goes on...

Yup, there was certainly much I could've personally talked about. However, would it truly have made a difference? Perhaps the biggest problem I've gained with composing editorials is - how do my thoughts affect the industry? Aside for the sake of expressing my opinions, I'd feel more proud about my columns if they serve a practical purpose - to enrich the minds of others, to give a person a reason to consider the pros and cons of a topic and in turn, realize a perspective that was never presented. If my column only serves as a platform to whine about what sucks and what's cool, but fails to actually provide something constructive, memorable - do you really want to look forward to future articles? My point is that an editorial should be unique and serve to deliver something on the basis of being memorable; whether its of humorous or a serious nature.

These days, as the fansite realm fluctuates like a revolving door as the goal for dedicated readership weighs heavily on the minds of every diligent manager, it's become increasingly difficult to remain distinct against the vast selection of online sites. As one reader expressed to us in a forum, every site offers news, previews and reviews. Thus, as yet more feedback followed, it was then at that point we truly realized how significant our columns helped to establish the uniqueness that has captured the interest of many, and its increasing. As with the case of Riisuke's Retribution, Raziel's Rants and the newly established column developed by Coury "Mezz" Carlson - Aisle 5 at the 7-11, these complimentary features help to enhance our distinctivness and above all, are developed to pique your interest.

With that being said...here's the inaugural breakdown of my recent exploits :)

Scotty...I need shields!

Over the past few months, prior to visiting what has become one of the most popular venues for the hardcore and casual gamer, I assist with the moderation of Shoryuken.com's forums. Suffice it to say, the task is quite the adventure. The place can be likened to a virtual Deep Space 9 with gaming innuendoes thrown in. The board is broken up into several departments...which vary from General Discussion for non-Capcom and practically any topic imaginable, Strategy & Tactics (allowing players from all skill levels to exchange and acquire information to improve their gameplay), along with a place for skilled artists to feature their visual works (and also exchange feedback and form new friends).

My primary tasks there is to monitor the FanArt and Tournament Results board, though I enjoy visiting a number of the various SRK boards in which I express feedback or warnings when applicable. For those that have yet to visit the boards there, moderation is certainly necessary. As of recent, the current vibe going on is that we, the moderators weren't doing our job. That in itself is a whole other issue altogether, and you're better of checking out the thread - "Do moderators do anything" out yourself. Based on a similar tangent that's become quite, annoying IMO is in regards to all the whining about the karma feature and user's glowing shields. To further elaborate, a karma system was created, a keen feature which was designed mainly out of entertainment purposes and existed as a means to award (or when necessary, warn users from improper conduct) on the basis of their feedback quality, consistency and integrity. To elaborate: positive karma is awarded based on a user that provides constructive information that aids others and/or posts frequently. Thus, the quality complements the quality...something that many initially could not understand. As you gained more points for karma, the shields (a feature that represents the number of posts per user) will begin to glow. In theory, this definitely was an awesome way to have some fun and to get everyone to particpate in an effective fashion. Unfortunately, a number of forum users have truly taken something innocent and made it chaotic. Nothing can be more disturbing than seeing people complain about their karma dropping when they're in fault; (note that consecutive negative karma points reaching a predetermined value will ban you from the boards), or something along the lines that triggers discontent. It's like watching kids argue over candy or something. Hopefully in time, many of them will get a reality check and discover how immature they're acting. =)

Putting humor to good use

It's no secret that I tend to really flare up on things I don't like (just ask anyone on the team). Entrenched with my own standards and personal tastes, it's easy to be labeled as - picky. Though in any case, as I've come to learn over time, the successful way for any online site of members to get along is to effectively communicate. This is really important if the team assembled is made up of persons that can't readily speak to each other much as you would with your friend down the block. Thus chatting with persons has to be graciously handled with ease and when addressing rather important topics of concern; lots of tact. I've had a great degree of trial and error with this and as of late, I've opted to use humor whenever possible in order to get my point accross. This was especially put to work in one matter involving The Wok who had inquired (via our private forum) as to the whereabouts of a news article he emailed to me. Note that when I am especially tired, I become very cranky...and my degree of tolerance is quite low...but this of course is a team member that's taking time out to provide a contribution and well, snippiness has no place in this regard. Thus I came to and posted a rather, unique reply. The conversation went as follows:

Meanwhile in Gotham City....

Raziel: Holy fingerpointing Batbahn...Woker just announced that you haven't posted his news in the Control Room!!! O_o

Batbahn: Steady Raziel, steady...we'll approach the Woker with...ease and, TOTAL tactfulness. *approaches Woker* Ready your Batbahn mask Raz...

Raz: *grabs mask from utility belt* READY!!!! =D

Um....Batbahn...what do we need the mask for???

Batbahn: Um...*thinks*
Don't ask questions, just go over to that PC and update FGN with some news. @_@

The Riisuke: (leaps in the window) WARRRRRRH!!!!! Riddle me this Battybahn...how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll??? :D

Batbahn: *pushes The Riisuke* Man...who cares????? And you're in the wrong episode, you dont' show up until next week! Begone!

The Riisuke: AHHHHH *falls*

Batbahn: Now...where we're we??? O_o

Raziel: I am afraid...

Batbahn: Ah yes...Woker I am afraid that I have yet to see anything addressed from a "Mr. Dickerson" arrive as of late. Your crimes of accusation toward me will not be tolerated in Gotham City and the sanity of TNL depends on it...implying that you sent it a few days ago and you haven't seen it up should've made you raise an eyebrow.

Woker ......

Batbahn: It's no use Woker...we're on to your dirty scheme and it's back to Arkham Asylum...there you will join the rest of your goons and finish up those reviews that you told the judge were never completed due to faulty software.

Woker .....(!)

Batbahn: You see Woker, if you sent me email to my standard account, I would've posted it. If you didn't see it up,...it's because I never got it. Which means, you were attempting to make Comissioner Kenshin think that I in fact wasn't doing my job, but I was. The whole city knows how to reach me, I have 3 Batbahn signals throughout the city:

bahn@the-nextlevel.com, shin.bahn@usa.net, and bahn_xl@hotmail.com

I don't think that you ever used these signals at all...it's a trick to frame me as incompetent, but it won't work Woker!!!! >:)

Woker: AHHHHH! CURSE YOU BATBAHN!!!! I will RID of you once and for all!!!

(slightly cheesy 60's Batman music mixed in with one of Puff Daddy's remix play in the background)

BOP!!!!

BAM!!!

ZORT!!!! (Egad!)

Later...in Comissioner Kenshin's office

Com. Kenshin: Well done Batbahn, looks like the Woker failed once again in his plight to deliver content to you and will be back off to the Asylum until he can become a trusted part of society! =)

Batbahn: Yes Commissioner, the case was rather simple to figure out, I am sure Woker had good intentions, but his diabolic nature is too entrenched to probably EVER become a true Samaritan *walks to the window* we can only pray that one day...that will change...

To be Continued....

(Heh...okei, so perhaps my fatique was the result of such odd behaviour, Idgaba-X seems to believe I drank tained water).

Next week, we'll take a look at the a few PSO impressions. What's everyone's take on Sega's most anticipated online RPG? In addition, I hope to feature a selection of screenshots from last week's Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Lockdown Tournament that took place in Chinatown Fair; and of course, yet another amusing look at the folk at SRK should make an rather interesting read. It will all be very entertaining to say the least. Until then...

Game On!

··· Bahn