@colewheeler: You're welcome! Glad you made it into the top 5!
I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, and my girlfriend for coming up with this idea, which was apparently a good one. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@rorkimaru: Or the comment system doesn't collapse mid way through.
Or it's Kotaku commentors only rather than the huge influx by people coming form other sites.
but yes, it's nice that fortune not only favours the bold, it also only favours the US. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@rorkimaru: Kotaku will probably be happier next contest if people stop making unreasonable requests. You should look up international shipping costs, they're astronomical, especially coming from the U.S.
Also Kotaku is an U.S. based blog, I'm not saying others aren't welcome to read it, but I am saying that you can't expect contests to take on a global scale when they're not being set-up by a global blog. That's why Kotaku has an Australian affiliate and a Japanese one too. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@cat. bus.: I would have been more than willing to pay the shipping costs. They wouldn't have been in excess of $40 and this is a prize worth ~$3000.
Also the writers are situated around the world and the internet is international. In general it's only America that geo-locks things. I know that almost everything that is Irish internet based is internationally accessible. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@cat. bus.: Over half its readership is non-US though. Doesn't help a fair amount is EU based, but there's no EU correspondent, or kotaku.eu
And it's not so much Kotaku but Naughty Dog. the ONLY way to get the FHE is if your US. There has been no way to get it outside of US except pay silly amounts for it from ebay. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@deanbmmv: I clearly seem to have stumbled onto a larger issue here.
It is sad but Europe as a whole often does seem to get the shaft from the video game industry although not having spent very much time examining game situation during my time there I can't really elaborate on why. Regarding the fortune hunter edition, there were only 200 anyway, so there was basically no way to get it inside the U.S. except to pay silly amounts anyway.
Speaking in terms of Kotaku, I'm under the impression that the two independent sites Kotaku AU and JP were formed due to the unique situation of video games in those countries. By this I mean that in Australia they're relegated in the public/government eye as a child's plaything and that in Japan there are very distinct cultural norms that influence the preference towards certain types of video games etc. that set Japan apart from the "west." I'm not saying this justifies the lack of more EU focus on Kotaku but it does explain it a bit. I think. Also there's only one correspondent on Kotaku as far as I am aware that was not born/raised in the U.S. and that's Luke. I think.
This became rambly and potentially non-sensical so sorry about that, but I hope...that...helps? #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
@cat. bus.: At least with 200 copies up for grabs US had a chance to get hold of it with this competition, PAX, the uncharted 2 cinema events. there was no chance to get it at all outside of US.
We don't get much shaft, but as far as games industry goes we are pretty big, lot's of big studios. And we are fairly even between US n Japan, no leniency to 360 or PS3. (actually I believe Europe is more PS-centric)
Kotaku is actually quite Japan centric (notice the Japanese in the title)
But yes, I feel that we are far to huge a market, we are only a smidgen behind US as a market, (UK alone became 2nd largest games market) to be ignored.
Kotaku has reported a fair bit on European news, and tbh a fair bit could do with a knowledgeable glance. For example covering the news on various shops not carrying the PSPgo did earn a fair few "who the hell are they" as these shops are like chains of 6 stores.
A Euro correspondent can get up close n friendly with SCEE n MS's Euro branch and the various high profile European studios. It does seem a good idea for them to poach someone. Even if it's for random articles. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
Congrats to the finalists! Though I have to say I can't find my favorite entry in any of the older posts. Whoever had the picture of themselves dangling from the jungle gym, BEST looking Nathan Drake I've seen yet, big props to ya!!! #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Hunter2458: I think it was the other guy, his picture was shot downward with him looking up with a single hand on a monkey bar. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@ppppp: Neither did I. Even the finalist posts are disappearing. And I remember that one clearly too. It was the one with the elaborate lock and key thing. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Psudonym: Thanks for your support! even though its late in the game, I am glad my post stuck in your mind #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
Even though I did just notice that ppppp was talking about Greyisokay's post which is still visible. Yours is the one that's just plain old missing! How can you ever get into your house now? #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Psudonym: hopefully i will wither muster enough votes to join your ranks among the top 5, or I will begin another epic adventure to find another phurba dagger.
Geeze, I just spent bout an hour going through all the comments in this thread. I know it feels like my entry is more for something like a fan art contest, but I'm honest in saying that was my best way of showing how I really love the series. And heck, I'm sure I'm not even the best artist that browses through here. My sincere apologies if "skirting" the rules offended you.
I didn't post on the last day just because of some cynical attempt to remain fresher in memory. It just takes time to make these things, and I had hoped I could have made it better by the deadline. But time was running out so I put up what I had been working on.
That said, yeah I'm rather quite concerned how some of earlier the comments seem to have disappeared. And the person I would have voted for, her comment seems to have gone away. I think it was Grab Bag. Her website [uncharted2amongthieves.blogspot.com] pretty much shows a kind of dedication to the series I can hardly comprehend. And she had an awesome Nathan Drake plush doll!
For the moment, I feel as though I should hold off my vote until some things are straightened out. The disappearing posts confuses me and has incensed a lot of readers. Even if I did win, I'm beginning to feel a little bummed by the bad vibes.
ps. I am actually a huge fan of the games, and have done my best to share that with everyone I know. I've even had movie night like showings of the first game with friends over, just to say "SEE! This is what Indiana Jones IV should have felt like! This is adventure!" But even then, I still think guys like Reekme or that guy who sold a bajillion copies deserve it more than I do.
@Psudonym: I voted for you! Your entry not only took talent, hard work and dedication, but a love of the series as well. It shows. A drawing takes a lot more effort than a single photograph (no slight meant for the other contestants).
Good luck getting the prize, you deserve it! #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Psudonym: Sorry to hear that the community has bummed you out so much. You shouldn't listen to them though as any MATURE self-respecting Uncharted fan would surely be happy for you. I entered and didn't quite make it, but I am exceedingly happy not only to have had the chance but to participate, but also to have read so many funny posts.
I am sure that the Kotaku-side of the site was well aware of ALL the entries including those posted early on in the game. It is not like they have the limited "front-end" access we all share. So I wouldn't worry about those that have "disappeared" including mine.
All I can say is best of luck to you, and shame on all those other people that display their poor sportsmanship. They are really attacking the judges opinions and the only way they can seem to do that is by taking it out on the finalists. Yeah, it's stupid.
BTW- if you ever need/want a critique on some of your artwork feel free to ask as I am a fellow artist. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@yhummo: Thanks for the offer of help. But I've got a few other places to turn to first for critique. After this contest is over, I'll mull over the poster design with some friends and other places for comments. I'm grateful but, I'm not sure the comments section of Kotaku is the best place for back and forth editing.
And thanks for the compliments everyone. I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm happy to be up there. But there're some other big fans I'm rootin' for first. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
Not voting.
You said stated a paragraph. A single paragraph.
While I may just be picky, i generally refuse to vote for people who don't follow rules exactly how stated. It wasn't stated paragraph minimum, it was stated paragraph.
That and one of the people, as mentioned multiple times, doesn't have an image of himself. I'm also sure someone got a random picture off photobucket or another photo sharing website but that's not quite the point. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Toastngravy: yeah.. i actually had some super long post planned out.. but then i re-read the rules.. and remembered how crazy kotaku used to be with contests back in the day.. so i shortened it to a paragraph.. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
I was deciding between reekme, Levanthine, and Pseudonym. Pseudo's drawing was incredible, Levanthine's funny, and reekme's was selfless. I appreciated the family man that reekme was but I can also appreciate some good art. I'll have to think about this for a minute... #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
Good luck to all the candidates! And if you don't get it, don't be sad. The game is the best part of the package and luckily those aren't limited :) #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
Wait... the guy that sold all those copies of Uncharted, sold PS3's, went to NG, HE ISN'T ON THIS LIST!! That's absurd! #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Friedhamster: Oh, and I'm not voting for either of the girls. That's effing stupid. They're hot and that's ALL they have going for them. This is redonc Kotaku. Seriously, I don't mind I wasn't picked. But that dude that sold all those U1 copies, brought footage into work on his PSP, he didn't get a nod? Come on. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
@Friedhamster: Thank you for remembering my entry. I was really confident about it, I even posted my pics from Naughty Dog studios...meeting Evan Wells was amazing. The man is so insanely nice and he is a genuine gamer. He and Richard (Lead Game Designer) were my tour guides. It was easily one of the best days I can remember.
I eat, breathed, and lived Uncharted for almost 3 years now. But I just guess I didn't express that clearly enough or have a funny enough story. I went with truth as to why I was a fan, not a clever paragraph. Not enough.
11/02/09
11/02/09
Seriously, drawing is one thing. Kidnapping? That's a whole nother level of dedication I could never even touch. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
11/02/09
Thanks for your uncommon generosity. My hat's off to you good sir!
Thanks for voting all!
Cheers #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, and my girlfriend for coming up with this idea, which was apparently a good one. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
@Rated-G: You give winners a good name.
Thank's for the votes, ya'll. You've made us Uncharted fans very happy. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
Or it's Kotaku commentors only rather than the huge influx by people coming form other sites.
but yes, it's nice that fortune not only favours the bold, it also only favours the US. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
Also Kotaku is an U.S. based blog, I'm not saying others aren't welcome to read it, but I am saying that you can't expect contests to take on a global scale when they're not being set-up by a global blog. That's why Kotaku has an Australian affiliate and a Japanese one too. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
Also the writers are situated around the world and the internet is international. In general it's only America that geo-locks things. I know that almost everything that is Irish internet based is internationally accessible. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
And it's not so much Kotaku but Naughty Dog. the ONLY way to get the FHE is if your US. There has been no way to get it outside of US except pay silly amounts for it from ebay. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
It is sad but Europe as a whole often does seem to get the shaft from the video game industry although not having spent very much time examining game situation during my time there I can't really elaborate on why. Regarding the fortune hunter edition, there were only 200 anyway, so there was basically no way to get it inside the U.S. except to pay silly amounts anyway.
Speaking in terms of Kotaku, I'm under the impression that the two independent sites Kotaku AU and JP were formed due to the unique situation of video games in those countries. By this I mean that in Australia they're relegated in the public/government eye as a child's plaything and that in Japan there are very distinct cultural norms that influence the preference towards certain types of video games etc. that set Japan apart from the "west." I'm not saying this justifies the lack of more EU focus on Kotaku but it does explain it a bit. I think. Also there's only one correspondent on Kotaku as far as I am aware that was not born/raised in the U.S. and that's Luke. I think.
This became rambly and potentially non-sensical so sorry about that, but I hope...that...helps? #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
We don't get much shaft, but as far as games industry goes we are pretty big, lot's of big studios. And we are fairly even between US n Japan, no leniency to 360 or PS3. (actually I believe Europe is more PS-centric)
Kotaku is actually quite Japan centric (notice the Japanese in the title)
But yes, I feel that we are far to huge a market, we are only a smidgen behind US as a market, (UK alone became 2nd largest games market) to be ignored.
Kotaku has reported a fair bit on European news, and tbh a fair bit could do with a knowledgeable glance. For example covering the news on various shops not carrying the PSPgo did earn a fair few "who the hell are they" as these shops are like chains of 6 stores.
A Euro correspondent can get up close n friendly with SCEE n MS's Euro branch and the various high profile European studios. It does seem a good idea for them to poach someone. Even if it's for random articles. #uncharted2fortunehuntersedition
11/02/09
10/30/09
Its the eleventh hour, Looks like the top 5 is still close. I really had fun reading the comments today and seeing folks reactions to the contest.
Looks like I may be camping outside again, but thanks for all the votes!
I am a huge uncharted fan and look forward to keep playing, no matter the outcome!
catch me online: anoklumberjack #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
Even though I did just notice that ppppp was talking about Greyisokay's post which is still visible. Yours is the one that's just plain old missing! How can you ever get into your house now? #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
Either way, I will have a great adventure!
Cheers #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
I didn't post on the last day just because of some cynical attempt to remain fresher in memory. It just takes time to make these things, and I had hoped I could have made it better by the deadline. But time was running out so I put up what I had been working on.
That said, yeah I'm rather quite concerned how some of earlier the comments seem to have disappeared. And the person I would have voted for, her comment seems to have gone away. I think it was Grab Bag. Her website [uncharted2amongthieves.blogspot.com] pretty much shows a kind of dedication to the series I can hardly comprehend. And she had an awesome Nathan Drake plush doll!
For the moment, I feel as though I should hold off my vote until some things are straightened out. The disappearing posts confuses me and has incensed a lot of readers. Even if I did win, I'm beginning to feel a little bummed by the bad vibes.
ps. I am actually a huge fan of the games, and have done my best to share that with everyone I know. I've even had movie night like showings of the first game with friends over, just to say "SEE! This is what Indiana Jones IV should have felt like! This is adventure!" But even then, I still think guys like Reekme or that guy who sold a bajillion copies deserve it more than I do.
10/30/09
Good luck getting the prize, you deserve it! #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
I am sure that the Kotaku-side of the site was well aware of ALL the entries including those posted early on in the game. It is not like they have the limited "front-end" access we all share. So I wouldn't worry about those that have "disappeared" including mine.
All I can say is best of luck to you, and shame on all those other people that display their poor sportsmanship. They are really attacking the judges opinions and the only way they can seem to do that is by taking it out on the finalists. Yeah, it's stupid.
BTW- if you ever need/want a critique on some of your artwork feel free to ask as I am a fellow artist. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
And thanks for the compliments everyone. I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm happy to be up there. But there're some other big fans I'm rootin' for first. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
You said stated a paragraph. A single paragraph.
While I may just be picky, i generally refuse to vote for people who don't follow rules exactly how stated. It wasn't stated paragraph minimum, it was stated paragraph.
That and one of the people, as mentioned multiple times, doesn't have an image of himself. I'm also sure someone got a random picture off photobucket or another photo sharing website but that's not quite the point. #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
10/30/09
I eat, breathed, and lived Uncharted for almost 3 years now. But I just guess I didn't express that clearly enough or have a funny enough story. I went with truth as to why I was a fan, not a clever paragraph. Not enough.
GAH! ;_; #uncharted2amongthievesfortunehunteredition...