Monday 30 April 2012
Sunday 29 April 2012
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Monday 23 April 2012
Sunday 22 April 2012
Valve: How I Got Here, What It’s Like, and What I’m Doing | Valve
Reading this and the leaked Valve employee handbook today has blown my mind. How can this actually be true and how the hell does it work?
Valve: How I Got Here, What It’s Like, and What I’m Doing | Valve
Valve: How I Got Here, What It’s Like, and What I’m Doing | Valve
Thursday 19 April 2012
The Eyes Have It: SCP – Containment Breach
The Eyes Have It: SCP – Containment Breach:
Anyone who played, or feared to play, the experimental horror game SCP-087 has probably been wondering if it would inspire more games based on the horrific series of scientific and supernatural lockdown. I’m pleased (and mortified) to say that the time for such things is upon us. If you don’t know what the SCP Foundation is refer to my previous post, but also be aware that the game linked to there has been updated. For tense and hopeless wandering in the dark, you will now want SCP-087B. The newest addition to the SCP gaming family contains more than one horror. There’s been a Containment Breach, you see, and you’re the poor sod who’s tasked with cleaning up the mess.
(more…)
Anyone who played, or feared to play, the experimental horror game SCP-087 has probably been wondering if it would inspire more games based on the horrific series of scientific and supernatural lockdown. I’m pleased (and mortified) to say that the time for such things is upon us. If you don’t know what the SCP Foundation is refer to my previous post, but also be aware that the game linked to there has been updated. For tense and hopeless wandering in the dark, you will now want SCP-087B. The newest addition to the SCP gaming family contains more than one horror. There’s been a Containment Breach, you see, and you’re the poor sod who’s tasked with cleaning up the mess.
(more…)
Breivik Testifies About Gaming, Press Ignores The Facts
Urgh :(
Breivik Testifies About Gaming, Press Ignores The Facts:
It is inevitable that during the trial of Norwegian mass murderer, Anders Breivik, that the matter of videogaming will come up. Soon after the horrendous events I dug into what Breivik had actually said about gaming in his ghastly manifesto, and it was pretty much nothing of relevance. But with the press still not having found the next nasty to leap on, gaming is the scapegoat. It seems reasonable to point out how inaccurate this remains, and how attempting to shift the blame onto things uninvolved only makes it more likely that whatever led to Breivik’s state of mind will not be discovered. But now that Breivik has testified about how important playing WoW was to him, and his peculiar understanding of Modern Warfare 2, it’s all happening again.
(more…)
Breivik Testifies About Gaming, Press Ignores The Facts:
It is inevitable that during the trial of Norwegian mass murderer, Anders Breivik, that the matter of videogaming will come up. Soon after the horrendous events I dug into what Breivik had actually said about gaming in his ghastly manifesto, and it was pretty much nothing of relevance. But with the press still not having found the next nasty to leap on, gaming is the scapegoat. It seems reasonable to point out how inaccurate this remains, and how attempting to shift the blame onto things uninvolved only makes it more likely that whatever led to Breivik’s state of mind will not be discovered. But now that Breivik has testified about how important playing WoW was to him, and his peculiar understanding of Modern Warfare 2, it’s all happening again.
(more…)
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Tim Schafer offers top five tips for Kickstarter success
I'm disappointed that step one isn't "Develop a cult following as a games developer in the early 90s"
Tim Schafer offers top five tips for Kickstarter success: Double Fine believes Kickstarter success can be repeated by others
Tim Schafer offers top five tips for Kickstarter success: Double Fine believes Kickstarter success can be repeated by others
A Dad In A Dungeon: Part Two
A Dad In A Dungeon: Part Two:
In the second part of my dad’s adventures in Legend Of Grimrock (you can read part one here) we learn why my dad never goes anywhere in games and takes three million years to finish them. We also learn that he’s putting off writing about the bit where he got stuck and had to have me do it for him. To the dungeons!
(more…)
In the second part of my dad’s adventures in Legend Of Grimrock (you can read part one here) we learn why my dad never goes anywhere in games and takes three million years to finish them. We also learn that he’s putting off writing about the bit where he got stuck and had to have me do it for him. To the dungeons!
(more…)
Tuesday 17 April 2012
The secret lives of avalanche rescue cats [Video]
The secret lives of avalanche rescue cats [Video]:
In the snow-covered wilderness of Canada, "a small organization staffed primarily by cats" is saving lives and challenging rescue-dog hegemony.
This group is CARCA — the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association — and they've made a recent no-budget documentary cataloging their brave efforts. At their website, cat lovers looking to learn more about CARCA's good works can read the applications of those who are volunteering their felines for this dire service:
For more information on the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association and their deathly serious documentary, see their website.
[Via MeFi]
In the snow-covered wilderness of Canada, "a small organization staffed primarily by cats" is saving lives and challenging rescue-dog hegemony.This group is CARCA — the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association — and they've made a recent no-budget documentary cataloging their brave efforts. At their website, cat lovers looking to learn more about CARCA's good works can read the applications of those who are volunteering their felines for this dire service:
Liz is a young cat who has been brought up in the Highlands of Scotland so [she] knows a thing or two about wild weather. She is a good worker and likes the cold. Unfortunately she is scared of everything, so some development would be needed in this area [...]One applicant has gone so far to submit video evidence that his feline has the chops to buck the canine dogma that so many ski slopes unquestioningly subscribe to.
Blackberry is very strong. He jumped off the deck which is a story off of the ground and knocked me down for fun once [...]
Rango could be skidded downhill to the site of a tragedy with a simple push of his crate onto the rutted ice of the primary slope. The gentle, almost non-existent vertical drop would deliver him at a very slow speed to the site of any disaster.
For more information on the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association and their deathly serious documentary, see their website.
[Via MeFi]
The new trailer for the TRON: Uprising cartoon is already better than Tron: Legacy [Video]
The new trailer for the TRON: Uprising cartoon is already better than Tron: Legacy [Video]:
Before Flynn's son snuck onto the grid to rescue his electric guru father, there was a DayGlo uprising. Disney's latest Tron animated series — which features the voice talents of Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Lance Henriksen, and Paul Reubens — shows what happened leading up to the reign of Clu (a.k.a. Flynn's program incarnation). This brand new trailer gives us a first look at the many programs on the Grid.
Here's the rundown from USA Today:
Before Flynn's son snuck onto the grid to rescue his electric guru father, there was a DayGlo uprising. Disney's latest Tron animated series — which features the voice talents of Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Lance Henriksen, and Paul Reubens — shows what happened leading up to the reign of Clu (a.k.a. Flynn's program incarnation). This brand new trailer gives us a first look at the many programs on the Grid.
Here's the rundown from USA Today:
The new series stars Beck (Wood), a young program who leads his family and world in revolution against the tyrannical Clu and his No. 2, General Tesler (Henriksen). Fortunately, Beck has been trained to fight by the top warrior in all of this digitized world, Tron (Boxleitner).Honestly, TRON: Uprising already appears to be infinitely more interesting than Tron: Legacy. Color us interested.
Sony to launch "nasne" networked media device
Sony to launch "nasne" networked media device: Entertainment hub will work in concert with PS3, Vita, VAIO PCs and other Sony devices
Exactly What It Sounds Like: Minecraft DOTA
Exactly What It Sounds Like: Minecraft DOTA:
Well now, this is quite the thing. In its never-ending march to assimilate all the games, Minecraft has turned its gaping, block-toothed maw on DOTA. The resulting map (no mods required, amazingly) has it all: towers to defend, a colorful assortment of creep(er)s, and the single most overblown trailer soundtrack you’ll ever hear. The mere act of its war drums caressing my ear drums transformed my arms into swords and my legs into chain flails. I really wish it would’ve been the other way around, as I’m now functionally immobile. Anyway, you’ll find the absurdly impressive trailer after the break. Fair warning: side effects may include feelings of general inadequacy and the inability to ever touch the things you love again.
(more…)
Well now, this is quite the thing. In its never-ending march to assimilate all the games, Minecraft has turned its gaping, block-toothed maw on DOTA. The resulting map (no mods required, amazingly) has it all: towers to defend, a colorful assortment of creep(er)s, and the single most overblown trailer soundtrack you’ll ever hear. The mere act of its war drums caressing my ear drums transformed my arms into swords and my legs into chain flails. I really wish it would’ve been the other way around, as I’m now functionally immobile. Anyway, you’ll find the absurdly impressive trailer after the break. Fair warning: side effects may include feelings of general inadequacy and the inability to ever touch the things you love again.
(more…)
Monday 16 April 2012
The Price is Wrong
The Price is Wrong: Veteran journalist John Walker explains why used games aren't the source of all the industry's woes - the problem is the price-tag.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Cabin in the Woods will make you love movies all over again [Video]
And now a review, because I will be pushing this film until everybody sees it.
Why Cabin in the Woods Really Is Like a Very Special Buffy Episode [Cabin In The Woods]
Saw this last night. It's brilliant and hilarious. You should all watch it.
Valve's secret hardware project is 'wearable computing'
"shrink computers down to a point where you can have one on you at all times" erm....*points at phone*
Valve's secret hardware project is 'wearable computing': Valve is hiring engineers to bring science fiction closer to science fact
Valve's secret hardware project is 'wearable computing': Valve is hiring engineers to bring science fiction closer to science fact
Apple CEO seen at Valve HQ
Apple CEO seen at Valve HQ: Tim Cook spotted in Bellevue, setting off speculation for the visit
Friday 13 April 2012
What would Titanic look like in the hands of George Lucas? [Video]
What would Titanic look like in the hands of George Lucas? [Video]:
James Cameron is said to have made just one major revision to Titanic in preparation for its re-release (besides converting it to 3D, that is); but who among us hasn't wondered what Titanic might have looked like had Cameron turned to George Lucas, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Bay for assistance with the remake?
What's that? You hadn't thought about that at all? Oh well. PistolShrimps' Titanic SUPER 3D gives us the answer, anyway — and it does not disappoint.
James Cameron is said to have made just one major revision to Titanic in preparation for its re-release (besides converting it to 3D, that is); but who among us hasn't wondered what Titanic might have looked like had Cameron turned to George Lucas, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Bay for assistance with the remake?
What's that? You hadn't thought about that at all? Oh well. PistolShrimps' Titanic SUPER 3D gives us the answer, anyway — and it does not disappoint.
Spooks: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Multiplayer Footage
Shared for explanation of which Ghost Recon games are on PC.
Spooks: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Multiplayer Footage:
Like me, you may have become a little confused about what Ghost Recon games are coming to PC, and which aren’t. Let me explain. Ghost Recon Online is, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier wasn’t, but is now. Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars was for the DS. Ghost Recon: Have We Found The Ghosts yet won’t be, but then will, but then won’t be again. Ghost Recon: Elizabethan Attack definitely will be for the first three months. And Ghost Recon: Ghostly Reckoning will only be on PC if you install it on PS3 first, and play via your 360. Glad to have cleared that up. Below you can see the latest trailer for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, which is coming out on the 15th June for PC, rather than 25th May for consoles, because Ubisoft just cannot help themselves.
(more…)
Spooks: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Multiplayer Footage:
Like me, you may have become a little confused about what Ghost Recon games are coming to PC, and which aren’t. Let me explain. Ghost Recon Online is, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier wasn’t, but is now. Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars was for the DS. Ghost Recon: Have We Found The Ghosts yet won’t be, but then will, but then won’t be again. Ghost Recon: Elizabethan Attack definitely will be for the first three months. And Ghost Recon: Ghostly Reckoning will only be on PC if you install it on PS3 first, and play via your 360. Glad to have cleared that up. Below you can see the latest trailer for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, which is coming out on the 15th June for PC, rather than 25th May for consoles, because Ubisoft just cannot help themselves.
(more…)
Thursday 12 April 2012
Lost Dark Knight Rises audio outtakes reveal that Morgan Freeman is a honey-voiced madman [Video]
Fake, but hilarious :D
Lost Dark Knight Rises audio outtakes reveal that Morgan Freeman is a honey-voiced madman [Video]:
This is absolutely golden. Thanks to the magics of the internet, somebody was able to leak the secret off-camera conversations between Morgan Freeman and Christan Bale on the set of The Dark Knight Rises. In these short snippets of mania, learn how Freeman has no idea who Batman actually is and how his dulcet voice is like a Mexican hotel. Also, Bale's primal description of his bodybuilding routine is a hoot.
PS: In case the YouTube links didn't tip you off, this was a stunt for an upcoming episode of Ugly Americans. Hat tip to Mark Andrew Smith!
Lost Dark Knight Rises audio outtakes reveal that Morgan Freeman is a honey-voiced madman [Video]:
This is absolutely golden. Thanks to the magics of the internet, somebody was able to leak the secret off-camera conversations between Morgan Freeman and Christan Bale on the set of The Dark Knight Rises. In these short snippets of mania, learn how Freeman has no idea who Batman actually is and how his dulcet voice is like a Mexican hotel. Also, Bale's primal description of his bodybuilding routine is a hoot.
PS: In case the YouTube links didn't tip you off, this was a stunt for an upcoming episode of Ugly Americans. Hat tip to Mark Andrew Smith!
How Las Vegas missed out on a life-sized Starship Enterprise [Star Trek]
How Las Vegas missed out on a life-sized Starship Enterprise [Star Trek]:
In 1992, plans were in the works to create a life-sized Starship Enterprise in downtown Las Vegas. The model ship would have been roughly as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall, and would have contained all the key rooms and areas from the original Star Trek series. Vegas business owners loved the idea, and so did Paramount Licensing. So what went wrong?
With downtown Las Vegas losing tourist bucks to the Strip, the Downtown City Fathers decided to hold a competition for a major attraction that would bring people back downtown and into the casinos and hotels. Entertainment design firm the Gary Goddard Group came up with a brilliant idea, one that bring starshiploads of tourists to downtown Vegas, even folks who might not otherwise visit the city: the Star Trek Experience.
The life-sized Enterprise model would be one of those grand attractions that you would see when you were flying into Vegas. According to the plan, there would be live Star Trek shows aboard the Enterprise, and tours of the show's familiar settings. The Group was told by Paramount Licensing that they should have no problem getting the approval of the studio chairman once the project was approved, and the Las Vegas redevelopment committee loved the idea.
However, getting final approval from Paramount was not as easy as promised. The final go-ahead had to come from Stanley Jaffe, the president and COO of Paramount Communications. Jaffe wasn't as keen on a life-sized Enterprise as the rest of the world. He told the Goddard crew:
You can read the entire tragic story at Gary Goddard.
[Gary Goddard — Hat tip to TVs_Frank]
In 1992, plans were in the works to create a life-sized Starship Enterprise in downtown Las Vegas. The model ship would have been roughly as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall, and would have contained all the key rooms and areas from the original Star Trek series. Vegas business owners loved the idea, and so did Paramount Licensing. So what went wrong?With downtown Las Vegas losing tourist bucks to the Strip, the Downtown City Fathers decided to hold a competition for a major attraction that would bring people back downtown and into the casinos and hotels. Entertainment design firm the Gary Goddard Group came up with a brilliant idea, one that bring starshiploads of tourists to downtown Vegas, even folks who might not otherwise visit the city: the Star Trek Experience.
The life-sized Enterprise model would be one of those grand attractions that you would see when you were flying into Vegas. According to the plan, there would be live Star Trek shows aboard the Enterprise, and tours of the show's familiar settings. The Group was told by Paramount Licensing that they should have no problem getting the approval of the studio chairman once the project was approved, and the Las Vegas redevelopment committee loved the idea.However, getting final approval from Paramount was not as easy as promised. The final go-ahead had to come from Stanley Jaffe, the president and COO of Paramount Communications. Jaffe wasn't as keen on a life-sized Enterprise as the rest of the world. He told the Goddard crew:
"You know, this is a major project. You're going to put a full-scale ENTERPRISE up in the heart of Las Vegas. And on one hand that sounds exciting. But on another hand, it might not be a great idea for us – for Paramount." Everyone in the room was stunned, most of all, me, because I could see where this was going. "In the movie business, when we produce a big movie and it's a flop – we take some bad press for a few weeks or a few months, but then it goes away. The next movie comes out and everyone forgets. But THIS – this is different. If this doesn't work – if this is not a success – it's there, forever…." I remember thinking to myself "oh my god, this guy does NOT get it…." And he said "I don't want to be the guy that approved this and then it's a flop and sitting out there in Vegas forever."So the plan was scrapped, and the Fremont Street Experience was built instead. There you have it. When you sit around wondering why a life-sized model of the Enterprise doesn't exist, you know who to blame.
You can read the entire tragic story at Gary Goddard.
[Gary Goddard — Hat tip to TVs_Frank]
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