Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Immersive Flight
EDIT: The original video that used to be embedded here was about 5 minutes long. Sorry if you missed it. It was a thousand times more impressive than what you see below. Apparently, the video was so popular that the original host could no longer support it. Sucks. If you missed it, then you need to check this blog out more often, slacker.
Choose Full Screen and then drag your mouse around. This is damned incredible.
Check out other examples courtesy of Immersive Media where you can free fall off a bridge, walk out onto a football field, and more.
If you like MUSE as much as I do, then you'll shit yourself over how awesome their version of this tech is HERE. You can choose which vantage point to watch the concert (the window on the bottom right of that screen - click a dot to choose that vantage point). The bottom vantage point moves with the person filming which makes that one pretty trippy.
Choose Full Screen and then drag your mouse around. This is damned incredible.
Check out other examples courtesy of Immersive Media where you can free fall off a bridge, walk out onto a football field, and more.
If you like MUSE as much as I do, then you'll shit yourself over how awesome their version of this tech is HERE. You can choose which vantage point to watch the concert (the window on the bottom right of that screen - click a dot to choose that vantage point). The bottom vantage point moves with the person filming which makes that one pretty trippy.
Sony's PSP2 (aka NGP)
Sony just officially announced the NGP - the Next Generation Portable - which should be released to the public by this holiday season. Here are the specs:
Quad Core ARM Cortex-A9 Processor
5" touchscreen OLED @ 960 x 544
Dual analog sticks (actual sticks not the nipple nub on the current PSP)
3G
WiFi
GPS
Rear placed touchpad
Accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensing
Compass
Both front and rear facing cameras
That's a whole lotta WOW in one little package. I fear what this thing might cost.
The graphics in that demo are incredible - like having a PS3 downsized to something portable. And the demo itself, being an Uncharted game, makes me drool since it's one of my top five favorite gaming franchises.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wonder Woman Coming to NBC
After all of the major networks had initially turned down the most recent attempt at making Wonder Woman into a television show, NBC has decided to green light David E. Kelley's script and ordered a pilot. We could see something aired as early as this fall.
McG, the guy with the douchebaggiest name on the planet, is said to be producing.
Two names have been bounced around for the lead role: Minka Kelly and Lake Bell (images below).
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| Lake Bell |
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| Minka Kelly |
I'm curious if they plan to go with a traditional costume, the new costume, a version of her Amazonian clothing, or something different altogether.
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| Traditional Costume |
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| New Costume |
David E. Kelley is the writer and/or creator of the following shows: Boston Legal, The Practice, Boston Public, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, Doogie Howser, and LA Law
McG has been the producer of the following: Supernatural, Chuck, Nikita, Pussycat Dolls, and the O.C.
Minka Kelly is probably best known for her role on Friday Night Lights.
Lake Bell has one of those faces that I always find myself asking where I've seen her before. However, she's done a couple of David E. Kelley shows already and has expressed the most interest.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Flava Flav To Open Fried Chicken Restaurant In Iowa
From the New York Daily News
Rap star Flava Flav is bringing New York-style fried chicken to little Clinton, Ia.
The wacky reality TV star and Public Enemy rapper is opening Flav's Fried Chicken Monday in the Midwest town of 26,000 that's 200 miles west of Chicago.
"I always said to myself, 'Col. Sanders, you better watch out," the rapper says in a YouTube video. "Your boy Flava Flav is coming and you better watch out."
Flav, whose real name is William Drayton Jr., has been in Iowa preparing for the launch and told the Clinton Herald newspaper he's even ready to work the fryer.
He admitted it was a bit off the beaten track for him and says hopes to expand quickly to "hundreds" of outlets.
"I ain't gonna lie: This is way out there," Flav said.
The new joint will be called FFC and the rapper says the idea stemmed from the 99-cent wings he served at Mama Cimino in Las Vegas.
His business partner is the brother of that restaurant's owner.
Flav was known for his signature "yeah, boyee" chant and wearing a giant clock necklace when Public Enemy was topping the charts in the '80s. He found fame anew in 2004 on the third season of VH1's "The Surreal Life" He also starred in the network's "Flavor of Love."
He has a culinary degree and restaurant experience - and a serious shortage of modesty.
"I'm gonna have this place crowded like O'Hare airport," he bragged.
Don't Confuse Weather With Global Climate Change
I live in the Northeast and it's been damned cold as of late - colder than usual for Winter. I've been seeing a lot of people confusing weather with climate especially in status updates on Facebook or on their Twitter feeds. People, please don't confuse weather with climate change. Here's a video that might help:
Monday, January 24, 2011
Cool Kinect Tricks
Microsoft's Kinect for the XBox360 is a pretty slick peripheral and there are some very smart people are doing some very cool things with it.
Kinect Controlled Interface Inspired By Minority Report
Hand Drawn Impromptu Keyboard
Kinect Controlled Interface Inspired By Minority Report
Hand Drawn Impromptu Keyboard
Anne Hathaway is Catwoman and Tom Hardy is Bane in Dark Knight Rises
BURBANK, CA, January 19, 2011 — Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” She will be starring alongside Christian Bale, who returns in the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.Christopher Nolan stated, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story.” In addition, Tom Hardy has been set to play Bane. Nolan said, “I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.” Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven. “The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release on July 20, 2012. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
I'm assuming Bane will be the primary villain whereas Catwoman will be more of a love interest. Bane seems like an odd choice to me. And I wonder if the script will be calling for Bane to disable Batman as he did in the comics. In anyone else's hands I'd say this movie sounds like a dud, but I have a lot of faith in Nolan's ability to make this great.
Two More Matrix Movies On The Way And Samurai Keanu?!
According to Ain't It Cool News, Keanu Reeves spoke at the London School of Performing Arts and mentioned that two new Matrix movies are currently being discussed.
Says he met the Wachowski's (no emphasis on the word brothers), for lunch over Christmas and stated that they had completed work on a two picture script treatment that would see him return to the world of the matrix as Neo. Says the brothers have met with Jim Cameron to discuss the pro's and con's of 3D and are looking to deliver something which has never been seen again. keanu stated that he still has an obligation to the fans to deliver a movie worthy of the title "The Matrix" and he swears this time that the treatment will truly revolutionise the action genre like the first movie. Wachowski's are working on a movie called "Cloud Atlas" at the moment, once that concludes they will talk again.I know it sounds cliched, but parts two and three sucked. I had such high hopes for them but in the end they blew huge chunks. Just watching them tarnishes the beauty of the first one. Let's hope that if they *do* move forward with this that they don't continue to shit on the first movie's awesomeness.
Also in his talk, Keanu discussed working on an "action movie around the world of the samurai and that it will be a hard 'R' rated 3D action feast that will deliver some great martial arts set pieces." This sounds fracking awful, to tell the truth. And now that I've seen on the IMDb that the movie is going to be based on the story of the 47 Ronin I just know it's going to be stupid enough to actually cause viewers to drop IQ points by the time the ending credits roll and will probably ruin the legend by infusing the story with turds. I'm sure I'll see it once it hits Netflix, but mark my words: this one is also going to suck the balls.
Little Big Planet IRL
Really cool top comment: I'm going to make this video into an actual level for you. Psn name: Welt-Schopfer.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Entanglement
I just tried playing a browser game called Entanglement by Gopherwood Studios. There have been other versions of it out there, but this one is the best I've seen. It's downright awesome, addictive, and... well... awesome. The core concept is simple but the execution is damn near perfect. Check it out: Entanglement
Duke Nuken Forever Finally Being Released?!
According to Gearbox Software's website, Duke Nukem Forever now has an official release date of May 3, 2011.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Captain America: the First Avenger
Just some images from the July 23, 2011 movie Captain America: the First Avenger.
Anyone Remember This Game?
I used to love playing the games that came with previous Windows software like Chip's Challenge, Rodent's Revenge, Jezzball, Space Cadet 3D Pinball and SkiFree.
When I found this picture it was like finding a long lost friend.
That wants to kill you.
When I found this picture it was like finding a long lost friend.
That wants to kill you.
Differences in Video Game Platforms Today
Do... or Do Not.
This picture makes me laugh every time I see it. Whoever the brilliant bastard that created this is, I salute you.
Survivorman Is Way Cooler Than Man vs Wild
I will admit that Bear Grylls, the host of Man vs Wild, is a badass and his name is the single manliest sounding name in history (the only possible exception is Magnus Ver Magnusson). Whenever I say his name aloud I grow a moustache - it is THAT manly of a name. His first name is Bear, one of the scariest damned beasts that exists (aside from tiny spiders, of course) and his last name is Grylls which are those things you cook fucking steaks on (rare, of course)! He also eats bear shit, live snakes, and drinks his own urine FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT! If that isn't manly, I'm not sure what is. Oof. My moustache just grew chest hair thinking about it.
However, there is another man that is far superior to Bear Grylls and his name is Les Stroud. No, his name isn't manly. As a matter of fact it sounds downright silly. It's the name of an insurance adjuster or a bellhop. But I've been shouting from the rooftops (apologies to my neighbors) that this guy is just that much more hardcore (hardcorer?) than Bear Grylls. Damn! My moustache's chest hair is now smoking stogies.
You may have heard of the show, Survivorman. It's the same general principal as Man vs Wild, but it's an entirely different ballgame and I've never been able to accurately explain to others why this guy and his show are just that much hardcorer (the hardcorest?). I finally found a picture that explains it perfectly:
However, there is another man that is far superior to Bear Grylls and his name is Les Stroud. No, his name isn't manly. As a matter of fact it sounds downright silly. It's the name of an insurance adjuster or a bellhop. But I've been shouting from the rooftops (apologies to my neighbors) that this guy is just that much more hardcore (hardcorer?) than Bear Grylls. Damn! My moustache's chest hair is now smoking stogies.
You may have heard of the show, Survivorman. It's the same general principal as Man vs Wild, but it's an entirely different ballgame and I've never been able to accurately explain to others why this guy and his show are just that much hardcorer (the hardcorest?). I finally found a picture that explains it perfectly:
Buy Portal 2 for the PS3, Get It For the PC FREE
Valve has just announced that Portal 2 (release date: 4/18/2011) will be cross platform - if you're playing the multiplayer on the PS3 you can play against (or WITH in a co-op game) other players using Steam on a PC or Mac.
That's not the coolest part of this story. Valve has also announced that once you link your PSN account with a Steam account you can share save games between the two (yes, that's part of the "cloud" feature they've mentioned, but I can't stand the term).
And that's still not the best part. If you buy a PS3 version of the game, it will come with a key for the Steam version for free. I seriously wish other games/companies would do this.
Sources: HERE and HERE and HERE.
That's not the coolest part of this story. Valve has also announced that once you link your PSN account with a Steam account you can share save games between the two (yes, that's part of the "cloud" feature they've mentioned, but I can't stand the term).
And that's still not the best part. If you buy a PS3 version of the game, it will come with a key for the Steam version for free. I seriously wish other games/companies would do this.
Sources: HERE and HERE and HERE.
Texting Woman Falls Into Mall Water Fountain
Everyone has seen this video. Seriously. EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE PLANET. And if you haven't, then you must be dead. Or on another planet. Either option is acceptable.
Yes, the woman in the above video is what is known clinically as a Friggin' Idiot. Sure, the security personnel that recorded the cam footage and posted it online is a douchebag. And he's taking a helluva risk with any potential lawsuits that might arise from this. But, that leads me to the more important issue: the woman is suing the mall! Check it out. I cannot make this shit up.
Yes, the woman in the above video is what is known clinically as a Friggin' Idiot. Sure, the security personnel that recorded the cam footage and posted it online is a douchebag. And he's taking a helluva risk with any potential lawsuits that might arise from this. But, that leads me to the more important issue: the woman is suing the mall! Check it out. I cannot make this shit up.
Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2
Visceral Games and Electronic Arts have come up with quite the awesome ad campaign for the upcoming Dead Space 2 (release date 1/25/2011) called "Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2." Make sure you check out some of the participant case studies on the right side Suggestions area for a kick (that is, if you follow the video to the YouTube site).
A little more with the "Making Of" video here:
I can't wait for this game. The first one was damned awesome and it's starting to sound like this one is even better. I just snagged the single player demo on PSN the other day and they certainly haven't forgotten that horror formula: cheap scare, cheap scare, quiet, cheap scare, quiet, BLARGH HEART STOPPING IN YOUR FACE AWESOMENESS! It sounds silly, but it works. And well. It all really comes down to atmosphere and story and the first game had both in spades.
A little more with the "Making Of" video here:
I can't wait for this game. The first one was damned awesome and it's starting to sound like this one is even better. I just snagged the single player demo on PSN the other day and they certainly haven't forgotten that horror formula: cheap scare, cheap scare, quiet, cheap scare, quiet, BLARGH HEART STOPPING IN YOUR FACE AWESOMENESS! It sounds silly, but it works. And well. It all really comes down to atmosphere and story and the first game had both in spades.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bulletstorm Last Call Trailer
Poking some fun at Halo 3's "Believe" campaign that used an elaborate diorama to tell a short tale, the makers of Bulletstorm created an equally incredible diorama for their "Last Call" advertising campaign. Check out the Halo 3 ad first and then the Bulletstorm one. Great job all around!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Old School Dungeons & Dragons Renaissance
I have a metric shit ton of extremely fond memories of playing Dungeons and Dragons throughout my childhood starting with the old red boxed Basic Set. Hell, I kept playing it up to and including college and then a little bit beyond that but I really haven't done much D&D gaming since 2003-ish. Now the gaming system is up to its fourth edition and it bears very little resemblance to the game I played when I was in high school (1st and 2nd edition AD&D). I thought I'd take a look and see if it might be worth investing my time into figuring out how to play 4e D&D with friends using an online tabletop of some sort (more on this some other time).
During my research I found that there is a small movement of fans that are still playing or have gone back to playing the original AD&D rules (1st edition) or the original D&D rules (the Basic Set). I couldn't possibly fathom why. I've done my share of studying up on the fourth edition rules and they seem awfully fun: magic users (read: wizards) can hold their own at first level, combat is much more tactical, other classes can now perform "powers" and players can feel like they are doing more than just doing swing-hit-repeat, the character classes are much more balanced than they ever have been, characters can much more easily heal after battles to continue playing the game without having to rest (or go back to town) nearly as much as per previous iterations of the rules, and pretty much everything not covered in the rule books can be adjudicated by the d20 system. So why would anyone want to go back to the original rules set?
Matthew Finch, one of the original creators of OSRIC (see below) and Swords and Wizardry, wrote A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming (download the PDF here) in which he argues for a return to old school gaming. According to his piece, it all boils down to emphasizing ROLE playing over ROLL playing. Definitely give it a read especially if you, like many others, feel like something is missing from the fourth edition rules.
Since the original rules now fall under the Open Gaming License, a number of retroclone games have been released in the past ten years including Castles & Crusades, Swords and Wizardry, Labyrinth Lord, and OSRIC (a retroclone game is nearly 100% identical to the original rules they replicate but certain aspects have been altered, cleaned up, or downright fixed). Paizo Publishing, the company that used to publish Dragon Magazine, has even gotten in the act with their extremely popular Pathfinder RPG which is a cleaned up version of the 3.5 edition rules (not quite "old school gaming" in the same vein as Finch's piece, but a return to an older rules set nevertheless).
Here are three examples of some popular retroclone D&D games that are 100% free and legal to download, play, and enjoy:
Swords & Wizardry by Mythmere Games (Linkage)
Replicates the 1974 post-Chainmail original "white books" - the very roots of D&D
OSRIC (Old School Reference and Index Compilation) at Knights n Knaves (Linkage)
Replicates the 1978 First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons books
Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games (Linkage)
Replicates the 1981 Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets
I played a lot more Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st and 2nd edition) than any other role playing system so I'm mostly interested in OSRIC. I even purchased a hardcover copy from Lulu because I wanted to support the movement in some way.
During my research I found that there is a small movement of fans that are still playing or have gone back to playing the original AD&D rules (1st edition) or the original D&D rules (the Basic Set). I couldn't possibly fathom why. I've done my share of studying up on the fourth edition rules and they seem awfully fun: magic users (read: wizards) can hold their own at first level, combat is much more tactical, other classes can now perform "powers" and players can feel like they are doing more than just doing swing-hit-repeat, the character classes are much more balanced than they ever have been, characters can much more easily heal after battles to continue playing the game without having to rest (or go back to town) nearly as much as per previous iterations of the rules, and pretty much everything not covered in the rule books can be adjudicated by the d20 system. So why would anyone want to go back to the original rules set?
Matthew Finch, one of the original creators of OSRIC (see below) and Swords and Wizardry, wrote A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming (download the PDF here) in which he argues for a return to old school gaming. According to his piece, it all boils down to emphasizing ROLE playing over ROLL playing. Definitely give it a read especially if you, like many others, feel like something is missing from the fourth edition rules.
Since the original rules now fall under the Open Gaming License, a number of retroclone games have been released in the past ten years including Castles & Crusades, Swords and Wizardry, Labyrinth Lord, and OSRIC (a retroclone game is nearly 100% identical to the original rules they replicate but certain aspects have been altered, cleaned up, or downright fixed). Paizo Publishing, the company that used to publish Dragon Magazine, has even gotten in the act with their extremely popular Pathfinder RPG which is a cleaned up version of the 3.5 edition rules (not quite "old school gaming" in the same vein as Finch's piece, but a return to an older rules set nevertheless).
Here are three examples of some popular retroclone D&D games that are 100% free and legal to download, play, and enjoy:
Swords & Wizardry by Mythmere Games (Linkage)
Replicates the 1974 post-Chainmail original "white books" - the very roots of D&D
OSRIC (Old School Reference and Index Compilation) at Knights n Knaves (Linkage)
Replicates the 1978 First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons books
Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games (Linkage)
Replicates the 1981 Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets
I played a lot more Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st and 2nd edition) than any other role playing system so I'm mostly interested in OSRIC. I even purchased a hardcover copy from Lulu because I wanted to support the movement in some way.
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| How some 4e gamers feel just before moving on to the retroclones |
Friday, January 7, 2011
Voxatron
Just announced a few days ago by the indie game creators at Lexaloffle Games, Voxatron looks damned cool but unfortunately won't be out until sometime later this year.
The name is a mix of "voxel" and the classic game Robotron. I love the 3D Dot Game Heroes look with SmashTV and Gauntlet style gameplay mixed together. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a PSN or XBLA release as it looks like it might be better suited for dual sticks rather than keys and mouse.
Check out the creator blog here for more info.
The name is a mix of "voxel" and the classic game Robotron. I love the 3D Dot Game Heroes look with SmashTV and Gauntlet style gameplay mixed together. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a PSN or XBLA release as it looks like it might be better suited for dual sticks rather than keys and mouse.
Check out the creator blog here for more info.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Razer Switchblade
CES 2011 is going on right now and there have been some pretty nifty sounding gadgets and concepts being showcased. Razer, a company well known for their high end gaming mice and keyboards, have just released information about their (possibly) upcoming product called the Switchblade. It's a tiny form factor (easily handheld) Atom processor based portable PC designed specifically for playing games on the go. Check out some awesome concept pictures here and the video below. I love this idea and am curious about what sort of price point this might hit if eventually produced.
Min-Liang Tan, the CEO of Razer, sounds disingenuous at the beginning of the video, but don't let that distract you from the awesomeness of this idea.
Min-Liang Tan, the CEO of Razer, sounds disingenuous at the beginning of the video, but don't let that distract you from the awesomeness of this idea.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Homeless Man With Incredible Radio Voice
When I first saw this video there were maybe 400 views. Today I decide to embed it here and HOLY CRAP it's had over 4 MILLION views! Then, when I went to check my usual social news and regular news sites I find that it's damned near everywhere. This sort of viral phenomenon still boggles my mind. Anyway, enjoy the clip. Dude's had a bunch of job offers because of it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
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