I recently got a PSP. I used it during GDC to show people my demo reel. I only used it three times, but one of the companies I showed it to was Valve, and that was a great experience. But, since I bought it, of course I had to go out and buy a ridiculous amount of games. One of the ones I bought recently was Patapon.
Just to inform those of you who haven't played it, there are a few things you should know. Patapon is a rhythm game, but nothing like DDR or Guitar Hero which have the scrolling indicators that let you know when to hit a button once the indicator reaches a designated point on the screen. In Patapon, you are essentially the god of a tribe. This tribe will react to the music depending on the combination of beats you use. There are three main types of commands, Guard, Attack and Advance.
The driving force that helps you keep the rhythm is the constant 1-2-3-4 of the tambourine. If you do well and hit exactly on beat with the tambourine you can tell by the sound of the drumbeat, if you're a little off, so is the sound of the drum. But if you do well enough you can send your tribesmen into a fever where they start jumping up and down and flinging enough arrows and spears to fill the sky. While playing you help the tribesmen hunt for food, defeat all kinds of large creatures, and fight other tribes. It's a good game!
Today, I decided to try taking a walk while playing Patapon, taking a step to each beat and it turned out to be a good walk! The persistent beat of the tambourine beckoned me to take each step at a faster pace than what I normally go. I actually worked up a sweat while walking today because of Patapon. It was very difficult to keep the rhythm with my thumbs without keeping rhythm with my feet, so there was a sort of synergy between my body and the game because of it.
Despite the fact that it was an enjoyable experience, there was a downside to playing the game. For one, I was horrible at the game while walking. I only came away with a handful of meals for my tribesmen after playing about 6 times (about a game per lap around my property). I lost the movement of my arms since I had to hold the PSP. Finally, it wasn't easy to see the screen because of the sunlight. But, I may do it again so that I can see if I can both keep walking with the beat and get my tribesmen into a fervor, because that would feel more like true synergy.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Water?
There's a lot of different types of bottled water out there. All of which aren't worth buying unless you're not near a drinking fountain or near a trustworthy tap. The truth is, the water from the tap is very often the same water that is in the bottles. Well, maybe they run the bottled water through a whole bunch of coffee filters that are sewn together first, but mostly it's the same stuff.
However several companies including Snapple, Sobe, Propel, and Glaceau have their own versions of "water." "Antioxidant water", "life water" "invigorating water", "vitamin water" are the names of the waters that these companies produce. None of which are clear, none of which taste tasteless.
I'm confused though, if water has a flavor, if water is colored then how can it still be water? I would call it a flavored drink. Marketing stategy defeated.
However several companies including Snapple, Sobe, Propel, and Glaceau have their own versions of "water." "Antioxidant water", "life water" "invigorating water", "vitamin water" are the names of the waters that these companies produce. None of which are clear, none of which taste tasteless.
I'm confused though, if water has a flavor, if water is colored then how can it still be water? I would call it a flavored drink. Marketing stategy defeated.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Dead Batteries.
Do you remember when Laser pointers were really popular? Audiences would basically cover performers in laser light. I'm sure it's still a little bit of a problem, but not as bad now. The reason it's not so bad now is because the batteries ran out. It's cheaper to buy a new laser light than it is the batteries to resupply your old one with power. So most people just throw it in a drawer and forget about it.
What a waste of good electronics. I dug through my drawers and brought out all the dead items that I would probably still use if I didn't have to spend up to 15 dollars on each thing to get new batteries. Here's all of the stuff that I have that's now useless:
Most of the batteries in these lights are dead from rolling around in my pocket and the button ends up pressing against the keys.
I would definitely still use this one, it has a timer, a radio, and a clock. The reason the batteries are so quickly dead on this one is because it is really easy to have the radio on without knowing it. I could really use the timer though (which is what I bought it for) for when I work out.
I would kind of like to know what kind of batteries are in different electronics however. The reason is because if I could find certain electronic devices that are super cheap, (at a dollar tree for instance) and then cannibalize the batteries and use them in the devices I want to use. But, that'd be a gamble to do, since there are several different types of small batteries. Plus I'd have an even bigger pile of useless junk.
So what to do with all these junked components? I don't know what I'll do with them, but I look for components that use Triple A batteries now. I also use rechargeable batteries. Take that battery companies!
Yes. I did pick these up.
OMGEEZ! I've had a fun time trying to keep up with all the change I've found so far. I know it is such a mundane thing really, but I find it to be quite an interesting experiment. I'm pretty sure I've missed out on about 33 cents because of various social situations however.
The first miss was on an escalator between the set of stairs, I wasn't fast enough, and people were horny to get on the moving stairs, that was at least 6 cents. The second occasion was in San Francisco. I had more of an opportunity to get it, but there was a change hungry zombie across from it who was asking for change. I had the notion soon after the opportunity had passed to go pick up the 2 cents and give it to him. But, if you get in a situation like that you have to be ready for anything, and I didn't feel like dealing with him.
For the third I saw a quarter lying on the ground in front of a Hardees drive-thru. Now this situation is rare, because a person just doesn't happen by a drive thru. I've had to fight the urge to scour them for change because people drop a lot there, but it is an awkward social situation to just open your door and pick it all up while you're waiting on your food. But in this instance, we parked on the side with the drive thru and it was very near the entrance to the restaurant, but when I had the chance to snatch up the 1/4 dollar a car pulled up to get their food.
I've picked up some pretty dirty money. Certain coins were dirty enough to photograph.
This particular penny conflicts with the rules. As previously stated, change can only count if found out in public. This penny was found outside on the ground at my house.
I know I never dropped this penny because I would remember such a screwed up penny and I generally don't maim money for fun and neither does my Dad. I want to count this coin. But I need the OK of the people that have thrown in the pot in order to count it. They approve, it has been counted.
Yes. I did pick these up.
The first miss was on an escalator between the set of stairs, I wasn't fast enough, and people were horny to get on the moving stairs, that was at least 6 cents. The second occasion was in San Francisco. I had more of an opportunity to get it, but there was a change hungry zombie across from it who was asking for change. I had the notion soon after the opportunity had passed to go pick up the 2 cents and give it to him. But, if you get in a situation like that you have to be ready for anything, and I didn't feel like dealing with him.
For the third I saw a quarter lying on the ground in front of a Hardees drive-thru. Now this situation is rare, because a person just doesn't happen by a drive thru. I've had to fight the urge to scour them for change because people drop a lot there, but it is an awkward social situation to just open your door and pick it all up while you're waiting on your food. But in this instance, we parked on the side with the drive thru and it was very near the entrance to the restaurant, but when I had the chance to snatch up the 1/4 dollar a car pulled up to get their food.
I've picked up some pretty dirty money. Certain coins were dirty enough to photograph.
This particular penny conflicts with the rules. As previously stated, change can only count if found out in public. This penny was found outside on the ground at my house.
I know I never dropped this penny because I would remember such a screwed up penny and I generally don't maim money for fun and neither does my Dad. I want to count this coin. But I need the OK of the people that have thrown in the pot in order to count it. They approve, it has been counted.
Yes. I did pick these up.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Why the Wii sucks. *Now with more video!
There are several good points to the Wii. The motion sensing, the wifi, the virtual console... sorta. But I gotta throw off on the Wii a little. Here's a list:
1 Shovelware.
2 Lack of non crappy games.
3 Virtual Console.
4 I had to pay for the internet browser.
5 What? No Flash?
6 Lack of online play.
7 Making friends is a painful process.
8 You can fill up your memory easily.
Here's the Details:
1. Chicken Shoot, Pool Party, Carnival Games, Anubis, etc... Don't buy em, they're crap.
2. This one holds less water, there are several good games, but I feel like I'm being let down since the 360 has a ton of great games and most of them have multiplayer capabilities. I don't have a 360.
3. They seem to be neglecting the VC. Where's Battletoads? Earthworm Jim? Final Fantasy IV (then called FFII in America)? A Nintendo 64 game is 10 dollars. 10 Dollars! I can find Perfect Dark for $5 in a used game store, and yes, I still have my Nintendo 64.
4. My friend Josh got a Wii before I did. He got the Opera Browzer for free. I had to use 5 dollars worth of wii points. What the Crap!?
5. I want to watch a lot of video through my internet browser, especially Alluc.org but I can't because the internet browser doesn't have the latest version of flash equipped.
6. This is as much the fault of the developers. Medal of Honor 2 has online play, Smash Bros Brawl has online play, So does GH3. But I know you couldn't count all the games with online play on your fingers for the 360.
7. In order to make friends on the Wii you have to input their 16 digit code. They also have to input your code. Once you have done this you have to spin around without pausing 18 times with the wiimote in your hand. On the 360, it's just a matter of knowing the person's screen name.
8. I don't know what happens when you use all the memory available on the Wii, but I'd hate to think you would have to delete a game to get another one. After all you paid for it.
I suppose that's why it costs less. I suppose if I wanted all those things I would just have to buy a 360. But I'm trying to hold off because I need to learn some software for my job, else I would have one now and it would rule my life. But alas, if I actually bought more games for the Wii, I'd probably have a better experience on it. I've mainly been using it to play Game Cube games right now so I'll keep my Wii for a long time. Because I sold my Game Cube.
1 Shovelware.
2 Lack of non crappy games.
3 Virtual Console.
4 I had to pay for the internet browser.
5 What? No Flash?
6 Lack of online play.
7 Making friends is a painful process.
8 You can fill up your memory easily.
Here's the Details:
1. Chicken Shoot, Pool Party, Carnival Games, Anubis, etc... Don't buy em, they're crap.
2. This one holds less water, there are several good games, but I feel like I'm being let down since the 360 has a ton of great games and most of them have multiplayer capabilities. I don't have a 360.
3. They seem to be neglecting the VC. Where's Battletoads? Earthworm Jim? Final Fantasy IV (then called FFII in America)? A Nintendo 64 game is 10 dollars. 10 Dollars! I can find Perfect Dark for $5 in a used game store, and yes, I still have my Nintendo 64.
4. My friend Josh got a Wii before I did. He got the Opera Browzer for free. I had to use 5 dollars worth of wii points. What the Crap!?
5. I want to watch a lot of video through my internet browser, especially Alluc.org but I can't because the internet browser doesn't have the latest version of flash equipped.
6. This is as much the fault of the developers. Medal of Honor 2 has online play, Smash Bros Brawl has online play, So does GH3. But I know you couldn't count all the games with online play on your fingers for the 360.
7. In order to make friends on the Wii you have to input their 16 digit code. They also have to input your code. Once you have done this you have to spin around without pausing 18 times with the wiimote in your hand. On the 360, it's just a matter of knowing the person's screen name.
8. I don't know what happens when you use all the memory available on the Wii, but I'd hate to think you would have to delete a game to get another one. After all you paid for it.
I suppose that's why it costs less. I suppose if I wanted all those things I would just have to buy a 360. But I'm trying to hold off because I need to learn some software for my job, else I would have one now and it would rule my life. But alas, if I actually bought more games for the Wii, I'd probably have a better experience on it. I've mainly been using it to play Game Cube games right now so I'll keep my Wii for a long time. Because I sold my Game Cube.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Gas Prices Rhetoric.
Writers can lead us to believe just about anything. I don't know how I would handle writing articles about gas prices if I were in a position to do so, but I do know that I'm no too happy with the way writers are handling it now. I suppose they're required to be subjective and they end up writing articles like these: Gasoline: Painful and getting worse.
"Now there are some studies that say it's not really that bad."
Oh really? Are the people who do these studies rich? Doubling in price in little more than a year is NOT GOOD. I feel like I'll do ok, but what about those who live from paycheck to paycheck? Tell them that "It's not so bad." I remember when I was younger hearing an older uneducated man talk about the woes of earning a living and how the government was going to jack up the prices on everything, and that things were only going to get worse. I scoffed when he said it, but he turned out to be right. Well, at least about the fact that prices are soaring now.
Ultimately, I wish Americans were more willing to protest. Everyone is so jaded and apathetic, that they just don't rise up and protest anymore. I care. I want to shake down the walls of whoever is responsible for such ridiculous prices for gas. We're being robbed people! Gas used to cost me about $22 to fill up my Chevy Cavalier. It costs me nearly $34 dollars a tank now. Gas costs nearly the same as a gallon of milk does now. When I was 17 years old gas was somewhere around $.80 a gallon. I'm 26 now and gas is $3.20? That was only 9 years ago.
This photo was taken on January 13th, 2007:
Everything is NOT OK! Protest!
Price Gouging Petition
"Now there are some studies that say it's not really that bad."
Oh really? Are the people who do these studies rich? Doubling in price in little more than a year is NOT GOOD. I feel like I'll do ok, but what about those who live from paycheck to paycheck? Tell them that "It's not so bad." I remember when I was younger hearing an older uneducated man talk about the woes of earning a living and how the government was going to jack up the prices on everything, and that things were only going to get worse. I scoffed when he said it, but he turned out to be right. Well, at least about the fact that prices are soaring now.
Ultimately, I wish Americans were more willing to protest. Everyone is so jaded and apathetic, that they just don't rise up and protest anymore. I care. I want to shake down the walls of whoever is responsible for such ridiculous prices for gas. We're being robbed people! Gas used to cost me about $22 to fill up my Chevy Cavalier. It costs me nearly $34 dollars a tank now. Gas costs nearly the same as a gallon of milk does now. When I was 17 years old gas was somewhere around $.80 a gallon. I'm 26 now and gas is $3.20? That was only 9 years ago.
This photo was taken on January 13th, 2007:
Everything is NOT OK! Protest!
Price Gouging Petition
Friday, March 7, 2008
Brick and Mortar to Ashes and Dust.
My local CD shop after more than 10 years of business is gone. They were a cool little shop and it pains me to see them go. They had a SWEET sale before they closed shop though, so I got a lot of stuff for cheap. I had a really interesting conversation with the owner of the shop though.
Steve Jobs may very well have had his hand in their demise with the advent of iTunes. I told the owner of the shop that the reason he didn't get much of my business is because I boycott the RIAA. That also being the reason that I walked out of there for the last time with only used media.
When I told him that I boycotted them he said "Why!?" I was taken aback at his reaction but I told him how I felt about it. He, being a part time DJ in addition to running the shop knew pretty well how things worked in the music business. He told me that he thought overall the RIAA tried to help musicians. He did admit that their practices were questionable, but that ultimately they helped musicians do better than if they were independent.
Although Cloud Cult seems to be doing well, I can see how the RIAA does lift a lot of the burden off the musicians backs so that they can concentrate on writing and producing the music they want to. But my problem with the RIAA is that they don't give the artists nearly what they deserve.
The guy that I spoke to also said that he thought the artists were struggling quite a bit right now. I think I believe that. I'm sure it is much more difficult to become a signed artist right now because iTunes only charges $10 an album so there is much less revenue to give to the artists. David Byrne goes into great detail on the situation that musicians face here: David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars The 360 deal being the worst possible deal for artists to agree to.
So, in boycotting the RIAA I'm sending a message to two parties. The RIAA and the musicians. Basically I would like to see the RIAA ended and I would like to see musicians begin to converge on their own and figure out a new method of helping each other to get noticed. Ok, I guess that just doesn't happen as we all know competition is a big part of the music business. After all that's why all these boy bands popped up at the same time back in the 90's. They gotta cash in.
Ultimately I feel that since music has become so commercialized, it has lost much of it's sincerity. I'd love to see no more payola radio, no more bands releasing one ballad to sell their record only to find upon purchasing their album that they're thrashcore country metal rapstars, no more "the first album was great, but the second album blew" careers... Ahhh what an utopian dream.. Of course it's not ever going to be perfect, but it could be so much better than it is now.
Speaking of Cloud Cult, I'm going to see them in concert in April. I'm really looking forward to it and I just love how they handle themselves business-wise as well. Their new album came out yesterday, go check em out!
Steve Jobs may very well have had his hand in their demise with the advent of iTunes. I told the owner of the shop that the reason he didn't get much of my business is because I boycott the RIAA. That also being the reason that I walked out of there for the last time with only used media.
When I told him that I boycotted them he said "Why!?" I was taken aback at his reaction but I told him how I felt about it. He, being a part time DJ in addition to running the shop knew pretty well how things worked in the music business. He told me that he thought overall the RIAA tried to help musicians. He did admit that their practices were questionable, but that ultimately they helped musicians do better than if they were independent.
Although Cloud Cult seems to be doing well, I can see how the RIAA does lift a lot of the burden off the musicians backs so that they can concentrate on writing and producing the music they want to. But my problem with the RIAA is that they don't give the artists nearly what they deserve.
The guy that I spoke to also said that he thought the artists were struggling quite a bit right now. I think I believe that. I'm sure it is much more difficult to become a signed artist right now because iTunes only charges $10 an album so there is much less revenue to give to the artists. David Byrne goes into great detail on the situation that musicians face here: David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars The 360 deal being the worst possible deal for artists to agree to.
So, in boycotting the RIAA I'm sending a message to two parties. The RIAA and the musicians. Basically I would like to see the RIAA ended and I would like to see musicians begin to converge on their own and figure out a new method of helping each other to get noticed. Ok, I guess that just doesn't happen as we all know competition is a big part of the music business. After all that's why all these boy bands popped up at the same time back in the 90's. They gotta cash in.
Ultimately I feel that since music has become so commercialized, it has lost much of it's sincerity. I'd love to see no more payola radio, no more bands releasing one ballad to sell their record only to find upon purchasing their album that they're thrashcore country metal rapstars, no more "the first album was great, but the second album blew" careers... Ahhh what an utopian dream.. Of course it's not ever going to be perfect, but it could be so much better than it is now.
Speaking of Cloud Cult, I'm going to see them in concert in April. I'm really looking forward to it and I just love how they handle themselves business-wise as well. Their new album came out yesterday, go check em out!
What did the five fingers say to the face?
It sounds like the RIAA is getting SLAPped with a counter suit that could be very troubling for them: The Wired Article
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
GDC Photos.
Live Katamari.
Bioshock's Big Daddy.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Morgan Webb playing the Wii Fit.
Recoil Steam Punks.
Man I need a flash for my camera, but I assure you I was packing around enough equipment already, so that's why some of the photos.. well... all the photos blow.
Bioshock's Big Daddy.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Morgan Webb playing the Wii Fit.
Recoil Steam Punks.
Man I need a flash for my camera, but I assure you I was packing around enough equipment already, so that's why some of the photos.. well... all the photos blow.
Game Developers. A Conference. A Peeved Job Seeker.
At some point in the recent past my girlfriend and I drove nearly an hour to our Alma Mater to see if we could get any help with searching for jobs. Once we got there, we were basically told that everything is done online now and that we should do it all on there. Even though we were told on an earlier trip to the same office that the lady who helped us on the later occasion was great and that she could do a lot for us. If everything is done online, then what exactly is her purpose then? Why are they paying her a salary?
Tantamount to that story, I had a great time at the conference this year but one thing about it really irked me. I traveled all the way from Virginia to San Francisco, California to present my demo reel to the game companies at the career fair only to be told by some of them that I should submit it online because they're not taking them there.
Not accepting them there? At a career fair? I was insulted. I felt that it was rather rude of them not to accept reels. I will submit my reel online, and understand that it is a more tidy method of receiving them for the companies, but for someone to have to travel such a long distance only to be told that they don't accept demo reels there is just unacceptable.
I had heard though, that some companies had booths set up nevertheless because they did on site interviews to the ones who had submitted their reels prior to the event. Also, I think there was also purpose for them being there to talk to investors. and finally, I heard that another reason they wouldn't accept them is because they would have to fly them back, adding an expense to their trip. But I hardly think those are excuse enough to shrug off those who were seeking jobs.
I thought driving 50 minutes to my college was bad.
(This blog written in part on a PSP, which I think is kinda cool.)
Tantamount to that story, I had a great time at the conference this year but one thing about it really irked me. I traveled all the way from Virginia to San Francisco, California to present my demo reel to the game companies at the career fair only to be told by some of them that I should submit it online because they're not taking them there.
Not accepting them there? At a career fair? I was insulted. I felt that it was rather rude of them not to accept reels. I will submit my reel online, and understand that it is a more tidy method of receiving them for the companies, but for someone to have to travel such a long distance only to be told that they don't accept demo reels there is just unacceptable.
I had heard though, that some companies had booths set up nevertheless because they did on site interviews to the ones who had submitted their reels prior to the event. Also, I think there was also purpose for them being there to talk to investors. and finally, I heard that another reason they wouldn't accept them is because they would have to fly them back, adding an expense to their trip. But I hardly think those are excuse enough to shrug off those who were seeking jobs.
I thought driving 50 minutes to my college was bad.
(This blog written in part on a PSP, which I think is kinda cool.)
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