Many thanks to those that attended the first ever meeting of the Chicago Gamers Club. Rain, sleet and snow are no match for the determined Chicago Gamer. Celtic Crown, our host location, was nice enough to put $3 personal pitchers and 25 cent wings on special. Combine that with some great company, and you've got our first ever meeting rundown. Details after the jump...



I want to send a personal thanks to all the Chicago guys that did actually make it out on Saturday. Some of you had to cancel, and my heart is truly broken. I have the luxury of not only having a car, but an Earth killer...er, I mean Jeep Grand Cherokee. A few of our new members braved the smog brown CTA buses while avoiding falling ice. Bless all of you, you truly are founding member material.

CGC Trade Tracker

We were able to go over quite a few details and discuss a lot of the ideas we've been talking about, including our new Trade Tracker program for active members. All members that came to the first meeting are now eligible to participate and fill out their CGC Trade Tracker. This program will allow us to trade just like when we were kids but maintain adult-level checks and balances. I'll be posting everyone's trackers next to their profile under Active Members. Click on the CGC Trade Tracker link for full details on the program.

For those that are curious, the rules in place here are all from Meeting #1. Please take the time to read the rules, download the file, type in the games you own and send the file back to me. The sooner we have updated trackers available for all CGC members, the sooner we'll be getting new games to play through the system. Send all questions or concerns about the program to blatt@chicagogamersclub.com.

CGC Promo Flyer

DJ-Twan will be sending out the first CGC Flyer that you can bring to work, school or post in your neighborhood businesses next week. This flyer is going to help more Chicago Gamers to find us, so it's crucial everyone participates in distributing it anywhere they can. We'll have a color and black & white version that is copier friendly.

Your Articles, Your Reviews, Your CGC

CGC Members that attended Meeting #1 are entitled to post new stories and reviews on the official site. Please email DJTwan@chicagogamersclub.com for more details on how you can become a contributing member. We have a reserved number of slots -- this is on a first come, first serve basis, so start writing now!

Discussion Recap

I'm beyond obsessed with Mass Effect, and explained to the group that my 360 is likely dying. I've had 10 dirty disc errors in the past week alone. The red ring 'o death has got to be on my doorstep at this point. I'm crying inside a little bit...this IS my second box. At what point do I stop replacing them? Eh, whatever, Microsoft is paying for it. And if they weren't I'd still replace it. I'm a real sucker.

DJ Twan just posted his outstanding review of Mario Galaxy that he promised us on Saturday. Most gaming reviews read like they were written by a 4th grader. Since we're adults, and DJ Twan is a professional writer, we can read things written by adults for adults. Does that make sense? Maybe not, but it's a damn fine review. He'll be posting the full CGC Review Guidelines in the next couple of days. Suffice it to say, we had a breakthrough idea come from new member Dave. I promise you, there is no "Gertsmann Gate" even possible with this concept. One through 100 scales are just part of gaming's past, and we just don't want to move on. Classic three-reviewer EGM, IGN and 1up are clearly controversy inducing. Have you even read NeoGAF lately? Hell, even EGM isn't EGM anymore. I think we've proven that by now, no doubt.

Keep your eyes out for all kinds of good articles too. My brain is running a mile a minute, and I've got a wife to attend to. My 360 is dead after all, right?