What's changed for you?

[Agent Of Fortune]

With news of Shenmue III's release, I got to thinking back to when the first two games came back. It's been so long since they came out. What has changed for you in the last years since it's release?

When Shenmue II came out, I was still in High School, and wasn't yet 18 so I didn't have a credit or debit card. Once it was announced that the US release of Shenmue II on DC was cancelled, I asked my sister to use her credit card to import it for me from the UK. To this day I will still load up my Utopia DC disc, and load Shenmue II on Dreamcast with the Japanese language track. I would love for an HD release of the first two games, so that I can have a chance to complete Shenmue II with my Shenmue I saved game. I've never been able to do that before.

Nowadays I'm a 31 year old married guy with a 2 year old, and I'd love for the opportunity to show my daughter Shenmue someday when she gets older.

Randomly, I think it's funny that as of last month, Shenmue I/II was so unpopular you could buy them on eBay for <10$, but now they are going for over 100$ a piece. :-O

[Yukupo]

Wow you're right. Even Shenmue IIx is selling high!

Can't believe 14 years ago was almost literally half of my life. Too much has changed. Instead of being a high school student with no direction who played video games every second of his spare time, now I'm an adult with a career and a relationship. My career is just beginning too. One day I hope to work on a game like Shenmue. That's the dream. Not just playing a game as great as Shenmue, but making one.

[Brotherman]

For me, I went from high school gradate to automotive mechanic and now collage student. Almost stopped playing video games if it wasn't for my classmates. My short-term goals is just to graduate with a decent GPA, get a good job, and pay off my school loans. Long term goals includes starting my own business(es) and traveling the world.

[darkly]

I remember when Shenmue 2 came out, I picked it up in the store on my way home from work and I was so excited the entire trip back home.

Since then a lot of things has changed. 14 years ago I was a on a different road with a job and a career, but that road has recently come to an end and I have yet to find the next road forward. I'm much more passionate about games today than I was back then. Which is not that surprising, I've always loved a good story and when I was a kid I wanted to become an author. And with the recent development with story telling in games, these are some very exciting times to be a gamer! I've also recently had the pleasure of familiarising myself with the scientific study of games, with focus on how and what we learn while playing games. Which, as it turns out, is quite a lot of useful things even in games such as counter strike.

[Agent Of Fortune]

That's awesome. I personally have almost entirely stopped playing video games. I just never have time for it these days, and I have a pretty small house with only one TV right now, so it's hard to find the time alone needed to play them. Currently I'm almost at the end of Resident Evil: Revelations, but I've been working on it for a very long time.

[Ryudo]

Well First game is 1999. I was in my first year in Football and my jr year in HS. 2001 I graduated. 2003 Joined SD.
I always had issues with social skills and such and anxiety and anger issues. Often made me irrational. I knew only a couple emotions Anger and Bitterness. Tho I made my first online friend with Yukupo in 2004 when we would talk sometimes til 9am the next day. I did the mod/admin thing til again anger and irrationality took over. Immaturity as well. Got the heart problems and all.

Last few years however been about growth. I have a full range of emotions. My outlook on life is very different. Even tho Athena died I can push forward. Even tho I myself died 10 times this past May and June I push forward. Life is a bittersweet symphony. It's a great but rocky ride. Every day I am privilidged with the glory that is life. Some days suck. Some are great. All are a gift. I am now making friends as I am more social. I attend events like going to Salt Lake Comic Con next month. Even was on The New Sceensaver on TWIT. I am more relaxed,more mature tho have a long road ahead and much more to learn. Things that would once send me in a rage I can pass off. I am not the person I was even 3 years ago.

I still have my traits and personality. So a little blunt at times and always joking around.

[Agent Of Fortune]

That's awesome man. I went to my first Con in May, and it was a lot smaller than that. I had a lot of anxiety issues there, but I get freaked out in areas with a lot of people. I have a tendency to watch everyone around me constantly, so my brain goes into overload in crowded rooms.

[Ryudo]

I'm exactly the same. Which is why I been forcing it and over time it gets better. The anxiety doe sno go away just able to deal with it better.

[Agent Of Fortune]

Ah sweet, good luck. Like you said, some days are better than others for me too.