FINAL COMMENTS
You know, I didn't think I would be back on the Sega scene this soon. G3
had come to a point where I felt that I could leave it and move on to other projects. That
was to have been the massive undertaking of documenting the entire Super Nintendo/Super
Famicom software library, and writing up a catalog along the same lines as this document.
That was the plan, anyway. What happened afterwards was beyond my control, and the fate of
my unfinished SNES/SFC research currently remains in a state of legal limbo.
In May of 1999, Nintendo began going after anyone and anybody whom it felt was infringing
on its intellectual property rights insofar as the emulation community was concerned. The
very nature of my research mandates that I frequently have to deal with certain
"questionable sources and material" on a regular basis, as these are often the
only way I can learn about various software titles. In other words, I have been and
continue to this day to be deeply involved in the efforts of the emulation community.
Nintendo's behavior made it clear that they would regard such actions on my part as an
unauthorized infringement on their intellectual property. Concurrent legal research I had
undertaken at the time convinced me they would have no hesitation about taking action in
this regard. I was not at that time an accredited reporter, therefore I could not claim
journalistic protections (as recognized by law) for my efforts. As a result, I was forced
to suspend all of my emulation-related research activities until I could somehow establish
a legal basis to continue a pasttime that I genuinely enjoyed.
It touched me deeply to see how fast the folks on the Sega gaming scene responded to the
announcement of my intended retirement. Even before that day had passed I was already
receiving letters of support and offers of legal advice (although none from a certified
attorney). A few days later, Steve Snake personally intervened and offered me the legal
clearances that I needed to continue my research, insofar as the Sega community was
concerned. The Snake was in a unique position to do so, and I gratefully accepted his
offer. Thanks to him, my research efforts can now resume (even if only in a limited way at
present) and might possibly spread once again to the extent that they had reached prior to
Nintendo's recent behavior.
I hope that every one of you who reads this document will take the time to drop Steve
Snake a little post in the Tavern at Eidolon's Inn to just say, "Thank you!" I
hope you will also do something else - go down to your local store and buy at least one
authentic Sega title. Although Sega has never officially taken a position on my research
and the methods I use, they were very polite and quite prompt in the one or two questions
I sent their way, and they have never tried to stop me in this regard. I am grateful to
Sega for their tacit acceptance of my work, and try my best to do what I just asked you to
do - buy a new Sega title every time the opportunity presents itself. This is one of the
ways that excellent companies like them stay in business, and this is why they let folks
like me do what I do concerning their older consoles without constantly reminding users of
the need to protect their intellectual property rights. Show your support for such an
outstanding company - go out and buy Sega. It's the right thing to do.
See you at the store!
- Sam Pettus (aka "the
Scribe")
18 June 1999
[ This section is from the v1.04f version of the
Genesis Game Guide ]
It's been a year now since I first visited Harry Tuttle's now-extinct massive G/MD archive
over at The Dump and began perusing his on-line reviews. It struck me then how many of the
entries were empty when there was so much information available on the World Wide Web.
Being an emulation newbie back then (without the ability to program), I immediately saw a
way to show my support for the emulation community, and I let Harry know my intentions. To
my surprise, he was not only appreciative, but went so far as to post the first draft of
this document on The Dump - an act for which I will ever be grateful.
When The Dump: Genesis died in the massive ROM site killoffs back in the
spring and summer of 1998, I didn't know what to do with G3. I approached several gaming
and emulation sites, but nobody seemed to care - that is, until a nice young man over in
Germany invited me to rent a room at his "place of business." That man was
Eidolon, and if it had not been for Eidolon's Inn, then G3 would have died on the vine. It
was Eidolon who more than anybody else assured the success of this FAQ - getting me in
touch with the real pros in the Sega emulation community, encouraging my title searchs
(and evening contributing a title or few), actively promoting my efforts on his web site,
correcting me when I was wrong, criticizing me when I was making a fool of myself, and all
in all being a great friend. Eidolon is the best friend that the Sega emulation community
has ever had to date, and I for one am grateful for his kindness.
There comes a time in every great effort when those involved must move on. So it is with
the Genesis Game Guide. I concieved it, gave birth to it, nursed it through its delicate
formative stages, slowly built it as the information came in, and shared it with the
emulation community. I've watched it grow from just an idea into a document which is now
widely acknowledged today as the single best source for information on the many titles in
the G/MD software library. To say that I take pride in that would be an understatement; it
was a painstaking labor that I enjoyed, and I'm glad that the emulation community now
accepts it for what it is. I wish I could stay around and watch its future develompent,
but I can't. I know it still has mistakes and I'm irritated that there are still so many
holes in several entries. The perfectionist in me want to leave no stone unturned, but
other projects and adventures call. American country singer Kenny Rogers noted in his hit
single "The Gambler" that "...you have to know when to hold them, and know
when to fold them." Folks, as much as I don't want to do this, it's time for me to
fold and leave the Sega table.
I'm going to miss the Sega emulation community. You guys are great, and helped me in my
baptism of fire with using the Internet. It's kinda nice to know that this old dog can
still learn some new tricks. This is by no means my last emulation-related project, as I
still have FAQs to write, but G3 has come to the end of the line. My train has pulled into
the station, and it's time for me to catch the next one. Oops - there's the whistle.
Better hurry now, or I'll miss it.
Be seeing you.
- Sam Pettus
aka "The Scribe,"
author and editor
27 March 1999