Our subsequent Trading Card Spotlight options Jason Gares, who at the moment is displayed on card quantity 4094, from the Superstars of 2022 Collection.  Jason has been a serious contributor to the Midwest Gaming Classic conference for nearly a decade. He is the exhibits panel director and videographer of the panels to verify they’re watched once more after they happen. He additionally contributes to the tvMGC Twitch Channel present. You can see Jason enjoying his favourite pinball simulation video games on the channel and discussing all issues gaming to his subscribers.

What is your favourite a part of the Midwest Gaming Classic?

May favourite half can be all of the friendships made and relationships fashioned by being there yearly for the previous eight years. Back in 2015 I used to be invited to movie the conference to provide a documentary on it. I returned in 2016 to movie extra and ended up serving to somewhat within the panel room. In 2017 I returned and helped the sound tech Jason Paul with path of the panel room and anything that was wanted in that area. In 2018 I turned the “official” panel director (and videographer) and have been there ever since. The place has allowed me to have an integral half within the conference, permitting me to fulfill a plethora of recognized expertise from the online game, pinball, film, tv, music, and on-line leisure industries. I really feel very lucky to have the place and don’t take it as a right. The Midwest Gaming Classic has grow to be an important a part of my life and sit up for it yearly. The documentary by no means received made, however I’ve produced a number of on-line exhibits and sequence that should do with the panels I movie. They could be discovered on my YouTube channel, Jason’s Showtime Arcade Extravaganza and on the tvMGC Twitch channel.

What are your opinions about at present’s technology of video video games?  How do you evaluate them to older, traditional video games?

I believe at present’s technology of video video games have much more depth and naturally attractive graphics than what I grew up with. But, on the finish of the day, I ALWAYS are likely to gravitate again to the classics. As they problem me to get higher each time, I play them. To get that increased rating, or to get to the following display or degree. All although newer video games are likely to have extra depth and superior trying graphics, the one downfall is that when you end the story, that’s about it, you’re executed. Unless you wish to obtain all trophies (or accomplishments), then there’s somewhat bit extra gameplay that may be squeaked out. But finally, the sport play does cease when all trophies have been earned. In my opinion, it’s very laborious to get to the “end” of a traditional recreation, except you dedicate quite a lot of time and have the mindset to do exactly that. It could be completed; as confirmed by many file holders, it simply takes quite a bit longer to get there.

Did you ever suppose if you had been youthful you’d be on a online game buying and selling card?

No, by no means! You know as a child; you suppose how cool it will be to be on a Topps baseball or soccer card. These online game buying and selling playing cards weren’t even out again then, so the thought by no means crossed my thoughts. Then a number of years again (I don’t keep in mind when) I discovered in regards to the Walter Day online game buying and selling card sequence. I assumed they had been fairly cool as properly. But once more, it by no means crossed my thoughts that I might have any half in it. Then in the future out of the blue, you contacted me. And the remainder we will say, is historical past. Being awarded my very own online game buying and selling card, being a part of the gathering and receiving the award was some of the shocking and most cherished recollections of my life. It actually felt like profitable an Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, and so on.

Do you keep in mind your first online game / arcade you performed and what do you keep in mind about it?

The first online game I keep in mind enjoying was round 1982 (I consider I used to be 11 on the time) and it was the unique black and white Space Invaders at Aladdin’s Castle inside Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, WI. Along with that, I keep in mind my first pinball machine play being there as properly. The recreation was Haunted House by Gottlieb. The authentic Pac-Man was additionally in that arcade, and I’ve been a HUGE fan ever since. I’ve loved virtually each sequel and platformer tied to Pac-Man over time and have been fairly open minded to something new being related to that recreation franchise.

When did you first meet Walter Day and the place was it at?

I even have by no means met Walter Day. I’ve shared the identical constructing with him although. Let me clarify. He was on the 2018 Midwest Gaming Classic sharing a desk with Billy Mitchell and I used to be simply too busy within the panel room to have the ability to go to their desk. As the saying goes “close, but no cigar”. Perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to fulfill Walter someday sooner or later.

If you possibly can describe Walter Day in a single phrase, what would that phrase be and why?

Pioneer. For having the foresight and imaginative and prescient to type Twin Galaxies and being the “grandfather” of eSports. A LOT of what’s executed at present when it comes to excessive rating retaining and eSports basically owe quite a bit to Walter and what he began with Twin Galaxies.

What does it take to be a online game podcaster? What recommendation would you give others?

My podcasting is in video type on each the tvMGC Twitch channel and on my YouTube channel. I file my weekly Twitch streams and add them in a day or two to my YouTube channel. Advice is a tough one to reply, as I don’t think about myself a grasp at what I do. As I’m at all times nonetheless studying. I might say do what pursuits you FIRST. Don’t do it for the cash or fame. That can come later (or it could by no means occur). Do it since you wish to and that it makes you cheerful. Fame, cash, and the whole lot else will are available due time (or possibly it gained’t). Pick a topic you want and embrace it a thousand % as a result of YOU discover it fascinating, don’t do what’s “trendy” as it’s possible you’ll not like the subject material. Believe me, you’ll discover out that others take pleasure in what you say and do. You’ll discover your voice and viewers in time. Don’t let the “haters” get you down and FIGHT on your imaginative and prescient, no one else will do it for you. Success is available in many kinds and is completely different for everybody. Don’t measure yours by what others suppose it ought to be. You’ll be the ultimate decide of what makes you cheerful and the way you outline your triumphs. Be affected person, open minded, be taught to take criticism, have “tough skin” and at all times be keen to be taught.

Do you like PC or Console gaming and why?

That’s a tough one to reply, as each have their positives and negatives. Like my transportable gaming system query, I’m going to offer you two solutions, however this time with one phrase… BOTH! I can’t lie, I actually like each. PC gaming for the convenience of simply selecting up a controller that’s already related to the PC I’m engaged on, activate the Steam app and decide from the lots of of titles I personal. How straightforward is that? On the opposite hand, console gaming has so MANY exclusives that normally don’t find yourself on PC, in order that’s the place they’ve the sting over PC gaming. Specifically relying on who manufactures the console. You get Mario video games unique to Nintendo consoles, Halo to Xbox, Uncharted to PlayStation and so forth. I’m very lucky to have a PC that performs nearly any recreation and a bunch of consoles between my recreation room and lounge for myself and others to take pleasure in.

If you possibly can personal one arcade recreation or pinball recreation, what wouldn’t it be and why? 

I might personal the arcade recreation Ms. Pac-Man and the Haunted House pinball machine by Gottlieb. I like Ms. Pac-Man somewhat bit greater than the unique Pac-Man due to the maze variations and normally gravitate to it extra within the wild after I see it than the unique Pac-Man (though Pac-Man is my favourite). As for pinball machines, the explanation I would love Haunted House goes again to what I discussed earlier than, as I keep in mind it being the very first pinball machine I ever performed. I’ve many different arcade and pinball machines I wish to personal, however I don’t have to be grasping. A number of arcade and pinball machines I personal on varied console platforms and am very completely happy having these. I don’t must have the unique machines or {hardware} to nonetheless take pleasure in them.

Growing up had been you crew Sega or Nintendo and why?

I began off crew Nintendo however gravitated to crew Sega as soon as the Genesis got here out with Sonic the Hedgehog. I actually loved Sega’s “tude” within the 1990’s with their advertising. It did discuss to me greater than healthful Nintendo. Don’t get me mistaken, I at the moment take pleasure in each Sega and Nintendo (I do have a Switch), however Sega was in your face and wasn’t ashamed of it. Many individuals (myself included) think about Nintendo to be the “Disney” of video video games, and I believe that’s nonetheless true to at the present time. Even although Sega isn’t within the console enterprise any longer, the present video games they produce nonetheless have that 90’s “tude” in them. I hope that by no means modifications.

What is your favourite online game controller and why?

That’s a straightforward one… The Wiimote and Nunchuck controllers. As I nonetheless use them at present enjoying varied Wii video games, particularly Wii bowling with the household. I’m fairly certain that’s essentially the most performed recreation right here at dwelling (nonetheless). Then second, can be the Switch Joy-Con controllers. As I play my Switch fairly a bit.

Are video video games aimed primarily at kids, adolescents, or adults?

All three, unquestionably! I noticed that occuring approach again within the 1990’s largely between Nintendo and Sega. I labored at a pair online game shops within the early to mid-1990’s. They had been Captron: World of Nintendo at Southridge mall in Greenfield, WI the place I used to be the assistant supervisor and the Video Game Exchange on the South Side of Milwaukee, a number of blocks north of Layton Ave. I used to be an assistant supervisor there as properly. I noticed in each shops video games of every type focused in any respect three teams. The primary concept again then (and nonetheless at present) from each Nintendo and Sega was to begin with studying titles for youngsters to get them “hooked” on video video games at a really younger age and transfer them up the ladder with titles that finally can be of curiosity of their adolescent years, then have them absolutely devoted as adults when the have extra money. That apply continues to be being executed at present. Just go searching in any respect the consoles and their titles and also you’ll see it.

Do you consider some video video games are too violent and result in violence in America at present?

I do NOT really feel that video video games result in violence. I really feel the identical about music, films, books, and TV exhibits. They are scapegoats for greater issues, poor parenting and never taking good care of psychological sickness correctly on this nation. It’s at all times been the character of individuals accountable others or one thing else when issues go mistaken. It’s very uncommon, or hardly in any respect when somebody owns up and says, “I guess I should have done better as a parent”, or “perhaps so-and-so should have had better mental health treatment”. When do you hear individuals say these issues? I certainly don’t. most individuals routinely go on “witch hunts” and attempt to blame one thing that’s straightforward to assault moderately have a look at themselves and determine how they missed the warning indicators. It’s at all times straightforward accountable music, films, TV exhibits and literature and their creators as a result of surly that’s the place the issues come from. Not poor parenting, a violent dwelling life, bullying at college, rejection, and so on. I performed a LOT of violent video games in my life, and it didn’t make me wish to go shoot harmless individuals. I consider it begins with how individuals are handled at dwelling, work, faculty, and so on. Video video games and the like are simply straightforward targets for the bigger issues individuals simply ignore.

What is your favourite transportable gaming system and why?

I’m going to cheat right here and provide you with TWO, that are each related a technique or one other. The authentic Nintendo Game Boy and the Nintendo Switch. I performed the unique Gameboy a LOT and have approach too many favourite video games to say right here. Of course, I discussed the Switch, which to me is a LOT just like the Game Boy, however with MORE energy (in fact). It’s transportable just like the Game Boy, and could be simply related to a TV, identical to a console. I did have each the Super Game Boy peripheral for the Super Nintendo and the Game Boy Player for the GameDice, these had been as shut as you possibly can get to console gaming with the Game Boy. These days I normally play my Switch earlier than mattress to wind-down from the day. It’s unbelievable to have the ability to play the identical recreation on my TV in my recreation room and in mattress. That’s the ULTIMATE in portability.

Do you like enjoying video video games alone, in opposition to buddies or on-line in opposition to the world and why?

With video video games I’ve at all times been a loner. It’s just about how I began after I was younger going to arcades. I’d plop in 1 / 4 and be misplaced in that world for nonetheless lengthy I may make that recreation final, and it stayed with me after I received into console and PC gaming. I just like the challenges that video games provide on their very own with out having to be a part of a web based group… which some are recognized to be very poisonous, so I simply keep away. I do play Tetris 99 and Pac-Man 99, however that’s so far as I get with on-line gaming. I’ve tried Mario Kart on-line and that’s simply brutal. I play video video games to get away from the actual world and that would come with getting away from individuals as properly. I simply should have that point away from the actual world alone to recharge.

What video games at present do you play and what are your favourite genres of video games?

I LOVE enjoying pinball simulation video games like Pinball FX 3 by Zen Studios and Stern Pinball Arcade by FarSight Studios. I’m additionally BIG into most Pac-Man recreation variations (arcade and platformer) and actually just like the Atari Recharged sequence. I’m largely an arcade and pinball simulation gamer. Arcade fashion for its problem and ease, and pinball simulation as a result of it’s actually the one economical approach I can personal many pinball video games/machines on the similar time.

Are you continue to concerned with the Midwest Gaming Classic, and what roles do you play?

Yes, I’m. Like I discussed beforehand, I’ve been the “official” panel director since 2018 and return yearly to maintain the panel room operating. I assist audio tech Jason Paul with the sound within the room, retaining the “flow” going from one panel to the following and watching over each the viewers and panels visitors’ security, which is VERY necessary to me. Safety and delight of the panel visitors and viewers members are essential to me.

Where do you see video gaming within the subsequent 10 years?

I nonetheless see it simply as fashionable 10 years from now, as I’ve seen it develop quite a bit over the past 30 years. Though to be sincere, I believe corporations would possibly be at a stalemate with graphics. Gameplay will at all times be there, that’s a given. But the graphics are just about “on par” throughout the board between PC and console gaming. Since the daybreak of devoted console gaming, it’s at all times been severely missing behind within the graphics division. But that actually stating altering with the PS3 and Xbox 360. That’s when consoles had been beginning to catch up… and now they’ve. It’s virtually like consoles and PCs are on a degree enjoying subject with graphics. It’s wonderful to see that lastly occur. Virtual actuality has gotten quite a bit higher as properly. I’ve a PS4 VR headset and it’s wonderful. My spouse purchased it for me a 12 months after it got here out for my birthday. The first recreation I popped in was the Star Wars Battlefield demo and it truly made me cry (actually). I couldn’t consider that I used to be inside, piloting an X-Wing fighter. My 5-year-old Star Wars loving self would have by no means thought something like this may be a actuality sooner or later, however right here we’re. So, I assume in any case that, I believe VR gaming will likely be much more superior in 10 years. It’s AMAZING now, however I can’t wait to see the place it’s at in 2033. I’m certain will probably be wonderful!