About

You may be asking yourself “Who is this ruggedly handsome guy who the world proclaims to be the best gamer that the world has ever seen?” The answer is a simple one and one that comes from comes from humble beginnings. I was born in mid-1971 and for the first six years grew up in the gang infested blocks of the developing Rowville. Legend states that during the rush to hospital and between contractions my mother had time to play a rushed game of Pong in the hospital cafeteria. That Pong console exploded in her face and she was covered in microchip shrapnel. The initial bond between game and child had been tied. The next six years that seed of gaming strength remained in hibernation waiting for the right time to germinate.

"..1977 was coined by survivors as “Single Play Day”

I lived a nice simple life in Rowville but in 1977 an event happened that shook the world and booted the evolution of early gaming. I remember the day well. My Aunty Violet took my sister and me to the historic Melbourne Luna Park. I walked around in wonder looking at the magical rides and wonderment that was on offer. I was in wide-eyed wonderment looking at the array of early arcade games that were on offer but up to the stage I had never played an electronic game. I asked my Aunty for a go at a simple torpedo game and she said yes. I slipped the coin into the machine and the game started. The bright lights of the new game screen burnt their way into my retinas and my soul imprinted itself into the games circuit board. 1977 also sparked the world’s first video game market crash involving a flood of clone pong-like console systems on the market.

August the 22nd, 1977 was coined by survivors as “Single Play Day”. Grant and gaming had become self aware. A bond that could not be broken, bent or disturbed. For ever more gaming and I would be separated by technology but as one in practise. This brought forward a new era and people saw light beyond 1977 crash and a new age of consoles emerged.

During 1978 we moved to the tiny hamlet of Waterloo, seven kilometres out of Beaufort. Living in Waterloo was a magical period of climbing trees, exploring mine holes and climbing mountains. This move was intentional on behalf of my parents who were reluctant to allow me to live in a technologically advanced and population heavy area. My parents were worried that my gaming evolution would be too heavy and advanced for humanity at the time. For the next 3 years I was without electronic games in practise but in my mind I was constantly calculating and evolving new ideas and game mechanics.

During 1982 gaming took a new turn. My sister had purchased an Atari 2600 console and had chosen to leave it at home with the family. My parents could no longer stop the advancement of gaming. Every day after school I would fire up the Atari and conquer the likes of Space Invaders, Asteroids, Kung Fu Master and Air/Sea Battle. I was constantly thinking up new modes of game play and pushing the pre-designed game mechanics to the limit. The console could not keep up with my constant demands and I melted many joysticks through pure friction. During one intense hour of playing Phoenix the joystick had melted into my hand and the doctor had to carefully remove it. Funny thing was that the joystick cable had fallen off yet I could still control it.

"..I was constantly calculating and evolving new ideas and game mechanics."

One night during late 1982 I had a dream-like premonition. I had foreseen millions of cartridges the world over screaming in unison. A true disturbance in the gaming force was felt. Not long after this premonition stood true. In 1983 a second more devastating game crashed occurred through the North American market. The console and cartridge age was over. More powerful consoles were on the horizon and different play media were taking shape. Amongst all the doom and gloom and could see the hope of a new age on the horizon and I was the rising sun.

The 80s saw the rise and constant competition between Nintendo and Sega. It was during these years that I took a slight hiatus from modern gaming and started to play electronic bat and ball games again. I looked backwards to evolve gaming forwards. I even looked to handheld gaming and the Nintendo Game & Watches for inspiration. I saw a future need for portable consoles, wireless controls and motion controlled games. I meditated on top of Mt. Cole and projected my thoughts out to humanity to plant the seeds of gaming evolution. I also projected that the computer would be a powerful medium for future gaming and that for future society to grow gaming communities must also be formed.

"But I still saw a need for even more powerful consoles.."

During the early 90s a funny thing happened. I acquired a Commodore 64. I loaded many games from both tape and floppy disc. I saw the jump of such arcade classics as Double Dragon and Afterburner to the console and C64 market. I conquered such games as Barbarian and Creatures. As I grew in age and maturity so did gaming. The link between us was obvious, powerful and growing at a rapid rate. As much as I loved the C64 the gaming market noticed by concerns and the Amiga and home PC became big players in the games market. Floppy discs turned into hard disks and platforms became more affordable for the home market. But I still saw a need for even more powerful consoles which could take advantage for the upcoming CD & DVD mediums.

Boom the mid-90s saw the emergence of the Play Station and the subsequent PS2. I shook in fear at the market advantage that Sony was taking. I knew that one company and console was not the answer to all questions. I looked to the promise of a Microsoft emergence and Nintendo rising from the ashes. My fears and concerns were heard and ever since these mighty three gaming titans have been locked in combat for the market share.

Gaming and I continue to evolve. I influence gaming and gaming influences me. I sit back and smile looking at the unfolding future. The Kinnect and the Wii with their motion sensing powers offer so much and have breathed so much life into gaming. The humble PC still holds its own as a gaming platform and multiplayer gaming is booming. I shouted from the mountain that gaming should not only be in the hands of the major corporate and thus the Indies rose. I preached the needs for gender equity in gaming and more females have become gaming gurus. I saw the need for employment for all and the likes of Chinese gold farmers rose. The world is benefiting from my thoughts and ideas. Companies keep producing titles to test and inspire me. I keep playing games and projecting thoughts to inspire gaming companies. As long as we are together the future for gaming and humanity will be bright.

"and the likes of Chinese gold farmers rose."

But I see a Cloud emerging from the distance. A Cloud that will change gaming forever more.

I offer refuge to all unwanted, neglected or down on their luck games, consoles and paraphernalia. Donations are welcomed to this collection of all shapes and forms. If you wish to donate please contact the Best Gamer in the World HERE. Your donations will help ensure that the history of gaming is not lost to the masses.