Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

RetroNate is closed until Jan 2014! Until then, be safe and merry! Take care! 2014 - Live Mas!

The Retro Video Game YouTube Community

I really started my "online" persona on YouTube as "Thriftdweller Nate". I made videos for a loose community of Retro Video Game Collectors. Now a days there's probably thousands of retro video game channels when back there I bet there was only a few hundred it feels like.

Not only did I get to interact with other like minded people, I've actually met up with a few (in real life), like 64BitMatthew, or "Matt" in real life. I totally found him randomly and noticed he had a locally relevant shirt! So I messaged him and some how we met up in Winnipeg. Since then we've had many game hunting days in Winnipeg, I've visited his town and I've even had the pleasure of hosting his family at my place for dinner.

This might be an extension to my "game hunting - more than games" post a few days ago, but it's cool to see how this community has grown outside of YouTube to Facebook, Blogs (like this one) and even twitter. I enjoy interacting with these peeps! Who knew there was so many retro game collectors? Check out Matt's latest PICKUP video where he mentions out latest game hunting trip.

"I asked my old boss once, what the secret to success was? "Network" he said" -Nate

-Nate is gonna sleep... ZZZ

Rearranging the Game Room

Well, it's been a few days off and I've been busy moving around the game room... again! I'll show some updated pics soon, but just wanted to comment "dang these obsessions". I remember when I had a fish tank, my fish hated me because I kept rearranging the tank to make it perfect.... it never was perfect however, as I would change it again and again. Sorry to my old fish!

Daddy's got problems! =D

-Nate is cleaning

GameHunting - More than Just Games

GameHunting - The act of physically searching for video games (usually at Thrift Store, Pawn Shops and Flea Marekts)
I was out with the Beardman for a long over due game hunting day. I noticed funny enough, most of our time wasn't spent on video games itself (aside from looking for games for 64BitMatthew) Got me thinking, what is truly important during game hunting?

A video from the last "Ian and Nate" game hunting day! =D

In retrospect, video game collecting has taken me to places I never expected. I've strengthened my old friendships (cheese), made new friends, took video game road trips and even risked harm all in the name of "Hunting". It's the time in between the games when I laughed the most...

YES! It's in the Press! =D

RetroGamersWinnipeg is my local online fan group. Our mandate is to host video game events and support Winnipeg!

CHEESE! Check out the full article, CLICK HERE!

Thanks to my good buddy Kyle for writing an article and getting us some exposure online on WinnipegIsNerdy.com. I'm very pleased on how the article turned out! It's cool to think this started as an idea talking with Alex, Matt and Ed every time we met at PNP Games (official event and group sponsor!). I'm We're actually doing it!I believe that Retro Video Gamers are some of the nicest people I've ever met. That was the inspiration to start this group and event, to direct that passion and do some good for Winnipeg. I hope the April 5th Event #RetroHeartsWinnipeg is the first step and we can do bigger and better things for Winnipeg.

"Own your day!" -The Rock
-Nate is happy!

Transformers

Well, who knows what triggers things in my brain? In anyone's brain? Like a spark that starts a flame which grows into a forest fire. Retro video games was my first spark, probably most powerful since there was a lot of sentiment. Like when I hold a Super Nintendo cartridge, I feel that childhood excietment!

Well, I picked up a transformer at the Thrift Store the other day... then that music played in my head "Transformers, more than meets the eye!" It started with Starscream (the tall one) then I went back and picked up some more! I don't think this is going to lead to the same path that video games has... but who knows? (I'ld prefer some generation 1 toys however)

The first one I picked up! Starscream

-Nate is watching Serenity and just realized he missed 2 "post days" (Sadface)

Pushing Max Capacity

RetroHeartsWinnipeg is my retro video game charity event, April 5 2014

RetroGamersWinnipeg is my local online retro video game fan group 

Pushing max capacity, that’s what every promoter wants to hear. If you’ve followed my blog you know I recently and surprisingly found myself in the position of a (retro) “video game promoter”. I admitted, there was some pressure, but it was the good kind! Not only am using my passion (retro video games) to do some good for Winnipeg, I get to geek out with some awesome people (the RetroGamersWinnipeg Planning Committee).

Can you find Ed? It's like where's Waldo!

Why the heck is there "dates" on the pictures! =(
Jana and Dan helping us scout the venue for  RetroHeartsWinnipeg

The group’s been getting a lot of vendor table requests recently. So today a few of us had to check out the RetroHeartsWinnipeg venue today to determine maximum vendor tables. Shout Out to Jana for using her keen eye in helping us determine the max  capacity of 20 – 22 vendor tables. It would be a dream to sell out vendor tables… and therein is our goal!  Also, thank you to every member of the RGW Planning Committee for all their hard work!

20 Vendors! To the Max!

Find your heart and follow your passion!

-Nate is Dragon Crown-ing

Attracting Vendors

RetroGamersWinnipeg is Nate's video game convention and charity project

Ed (RetroGamersWinnipeg Group Coordinator) and myself have to visit the venue for our April charity event Retro Hearts Winnipeg to see how many vendors we can have max... that's right, max!!! We'll also be visiting potential sponsors next Monday but also we'll be starting to hunt for more Vendors.

A flyer I made to add to the vendor's packets we're handing out!

-Nate is Vendor and Sponsor Hunting now!

The Art of the Pick Up Video

Thriftdweller is my YouTube video blog series with my best friend Lester!

What's a pickup video?

Pick Up Video - In the YouTube retro video game community, a pick up video is a form of a video blog where people show what games they recently acquired, usually with stories. It was one of the earliest formats for video bloggers we noticed when we started YouTube. I think it's an integral part of the community, we get to share each other's enjoyment and maybe pick up some "thriftdwelling" tips.

For my part of Season 3, I still want to do Pick-Up videos for video games. Since Lester and I always have to do something to make it "our style" I've outlined some things we'll be trailing for Season 3 Pick Up videos. Hopefully you might learn something you can use in your own videos.

Turn Based Attack

Nate's Maple Syrup Pick of the Week!
http://www.turnbasedattack.com

I see why people like Podcasts now! I found a pretty sweet video game pod cast from my friend Lee and Rob. Not only did they base their 1.0 website on my favourite game ever Final Fantasy 2 (FFV in Japan), their podcast concept is pretty sweet.  Check them out! Nate's Maple Syrup Pick of the Week! =D (Lee also likes Majora's Mask! IMO better than Ocarina of Time!)
Check out http://www.turnbasedattack.com

Nate's Goals For Season 3 Thriftdweller

Thriftdweller is Nate's video blog with his best friend Lester

The Countdown to Season 3 is here! 

Nate's Thriftdweller Season 3 Goals (from Nate)
Nate's personal goals that I think will make us broadcast our message more clearly...

So I'm a Video Game Promoter?

I had a meeting today with my Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg sponsor PNP Games and it went great. Not only did they confirm at least 2 vendor tables, but they also connected us with 100Yen, a Winnipeg produced video game documentary.  I had the pleasure of seeing it months ago at a ChipDamage tournament (it's dope!). I am hoping they'll confirm a table and appear at our April 2014 Event for Charity as they would be a perfect fit! You can get your copy of 100Yen autographed next April! Has a great ring to it! PNP Games has been an awesome supporter of my project!

I'm not in it to be rich however...

I also am attempting to secure our final platinum sponsor Galaxy Comics. They said they'll "for sure" advertise with us, but I'm hoping they can confirm vendor tables at our event (there's a question on staffing at the moment)! Remember, sponsorship comes with a free vendor table for you interested parties out there.  I truly respect and admire Galaxy Comics, I've been a customer there for years and I honestly could promote them well!

I guess you could say I am a promoter. Do I feel pressure? YES! But it's the good kind as I am using my passion to help out our city a little bit!

To the success of Retro Hearts Winnipeg, A video game event for charity!
-Nate

Still Kickin' Ass

Well, season 3 for Thriftdweller is almost here and my partner Lester made a sweet poster!

The goal is always to be part of the community and start to look at making some other interesting content. I think we always tried to put our spin on everything we did. Someone once told me our video blog stood out because there was two of us, we have some sort of chemistry (heck, we've been friends forever seems like) and we're asian?!?!

Regardless - SEASON 3 is coming - I think we're going to be a bit more honest on camera, little more "dick"ish, as that's how we are in real life sometimes. On camera we tend to be "nicer" not that we aren't nice, but if we get upset, maybe we'll just leave it in rather than edit it out? 

Goodmorning america!

-Nate

My Current Game Collecting Status

I've been buying retro video games now for almost a decade, scouring streets, thrift stores and garage sales to find all my childhood classics as well as hidden gems. I've come to a point where I've met a lot of my goals and  I had to reflect to truly refocus, since my energy has been divided on so many other projects. Thank goodness for this blog, I feel, even though I might just be writing for myself, I can visually take a picture of everything I'm doing online.

Click here for more of "the room of doom!"

Currently I've slowed down physically buying video games.  I've got every game that ever meant anything too me (and I do plan on going further in depth with my collection reflections) and I have a game room that's pretty much done (although, I can't ever seem to have the final arrangement in the room) Still...

I always have to be doing something, so I've found that my other projects have taken what would have been video game buying and collecting time.

Projects
1) Thriftdweller - My video game blog on Youtube. We're currently on break and that's probably the reason why I've slowed down buying. Season 3 is coming soon however! Can't wait! So many ideas!

2) My MAME Arcade - A computer with every game I ever wanted housed in an arcade cabinet. The project is almost done, but the hard work is over. The cabinet is awesome and the computer is set up great. Just waiting for the roms to be downloaded and it's done (more on this later too!)

3) Retro Gamers Winnipeg (RGCW)- my video game convention group for winnipeg (my city). I started it a month ago and it's just blown up with everything I'm doing. Seems a lot of my time gets taken up in it. I've worked on delegating tasks to others and I find that I am having more time to do stuff other than RGCW! We're inching closer to our end goal, a retro video game convention! Can't wait!

4) Team Retro Gamers Canada - A little known side project where I want to collaborate with some other Canadian Youtubers and make somewhat of a central video game hub for canadian retro video game video bloggers. This is early but is launching soon! I might change the name, undecided!

Thriftdweller Season 3 and RGCW Updates

THRIFTDWELLER NEWS
Thriftdweller is a video blog series I created with my best friend Lester. We mostly talk about Retro Video Games.
Well, Lester and I (we form "Thriftdweller" on YouTube) had a chat today quickly about the state of our channel and how much we hate Google+. It was more or less about what we want to do and where we want to go. At the end, we really didn't come up with anything but "we're going to do a Christmas episode" then announce "Thriftdweller Season 3 for January 2014, Still Keeping Physical Media Alive, Still Kickin' Ass!

Season 3 Is Almost Here!

Some "Missing Files" Thriftdweller tapes from Season 2 we still need to "burn off" as a count down to season 3.

RGCW NEWS
RGCW is short for Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg, I created an online group of Winnipeg retro video game fans planning to host an event for charity in April 2014
Tomorrow I have to talk to Ed, my event planning partner for Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg (RGCW) about the state of that project! I also have to update him we have a new "communications team" in my wife and our own "Kyle" (nickname to come) who can handle all the media outlet stuff. Kyle, just get me on Breakfast Television to talk about our event (personal goal) =D !

Nate and Ed (aka-24BigGamer) at the latest RGCW Planning
Committee Meeting. He keeps me level

Nate is out! 

Goodnight!

What I got from attending ChipDamage's Christmas Party.

So I was at Chip Damage's christmas party the other night. I originally was just going to pop in to confirm their tournament involvement for my Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg charity event April 5th 2014. Happy to confirm they are going to do a tournament or two, which is great news!

There was a couple things I got that night. Looking at all the peeps having fun, getting together, doing troll encouraged christmas gifts, gaming, potluck (well... pizza table). That's what I want to form with my Retro Gaming Group. I think it's possible and I can't wait for the day. . .

New Personal Goal: Attend more activities from other Winnipeg groups.

. . . I got a great partner helping me plan my events, I got a great planning committee, great sponsors... things are moving up. I would be lying if I didn't say I felt a little pressure, I really need to delegate more...

One more thing I learned from my visit to ChipDamage's Christmas party, new comers. All the people I met the other night are really nice, but I can see how new comers can feel apprehensive from approaching or even attending these types of groups. It's those "fringe" fans I don't want to loose. Personally, I think I can enter almost anywhere and make a friend, but I'm sure that's not everyone. My idea is to have hospitality assigned staff at our first event to encourage people to try games or even meet new people.

That's it from me today... to the future me reading this, how was your latest RGCW Christmas party? =D
-Nate

Christmas Leaflet for RGCW

Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg, my baby! I started this project a few months ago, to direct the passion of retro gamers in Winnipeg towards doing some good. I just finished this flyer type thing, it's going to be small, about a quarter size of a page. PNP games is going to hand them out this December during the busy christmas season to help us spread the word and grow our community. I think it turned out okay! I made it on an online flash photo-editor Pixlr. 

RGCW is off to a great start. I've recruited a great partner in Ed (24 bit gamer), we got a great official planning committee, sponsors are jumping on board... all indicators point to this being a successful event. 

Post 2 - this is fun!

Stay classy Winnipeg

-Nate

The First Post to my Personal Blog

This is not the first time that I started a blog, so I know that usually, the first thing I'll ever post would only be read by me. Regardless, if you read this, thanks! Consider this a "Lester" type post (my best friend Lester likes reading and writing in a deep feeling manner) so this may be a bit "texty". May it serve as an introduction to who I am and what I am doing, but I'll save my life history for another time...

If I have to sum up my life at the moment in a single word, all my projects going on

"consumed"

This is not my first time starting an online outlet, but it is the first time I've started something just for me.  I originally started a video blog with my best friend Lester. We called it "Thriftdweller" and it has grown to exclusively document our adventures in retro video game collecting. It's been a great ride as we've done a lot of what we set out to do. We've reconnected with a lot of old friends and made some new friends from the YouTube retro game community. Our online following is nearing 2200 subscribers, we're planning to move on to "season 3" for our channel to improve our current videos as well as start some new concepts. More on this to come. . 

My most current project is "Retro Gamers Convention Winnipeg", a collection of retro video gamers who want to help local charity and eventually, host our city's first retro video game convention. This is suppose to be the toughest time (the beginning) building the "infrastructure" and unifying the group. Hopefully, I can start stepping back a bit the bigger we get, but it seems less likely from here. Our online following grows everyday, our group has even been sponsored by PNP Games (Winnipeg's largest retro game retailer). The closer we get to our first event, the more I feel the pressure to keep up and push forward. I've delegated some jobs to some trustworthy people, I even got a great planning committee. I'm sure a majority of my posts will involve RGCW as it is what is taking the bulk of my energy.

I also started a central hub to hopefully unify the online retro video game collecting community in Canada, but this is staying close to the chest until it is launched. But I've recruited some of the best Retro Gaming YouTubers in Canada to help me build the "hub". I'm hoping in collaboration we can make some great content and inspire more of our fellow Retro Canuckle-heads.

I'm tired, so I'm going to finish this episode of Star Trek then off to bed! 

Post one completed, that's one goal stroked off the list! =D Stay tuned for more.

Goodnight

-N8