Sunday, January 31, 2010

Driving Me Up The Virtual Wall

“Whilst all of his other friends were eyeing up Madonna by moonlight, he was learning about the Prancing Horses heritage”

Driving games are notoriously unrealistic. They arrive with a pretense of being the most “realistic driving simulator” and usually come with inspirational quotes from the likes of Michael Schumacher on the box. Once the glitz and glamour of packaging and turbo-charged graphics are worn away however, the actual experience usually turns into something a lot more boring. You’re usually presented with a well-rendered model of your ideal car, and are then expected to drive it with a controller that bears no resemblance whatsoever to the controls for a car. I’ve driven a few cars in my time, and never in any of them was the gear change controlled by a little green button. Nor was the accelerator actually a small trigger on the side of the steering wheel. And I may be wrong here but I’m pretty sure the car wasn’t presented to me in a third person view either. But here’s the thing. Aside from all of the technical problems associated with driving games, what they do offer you, especially if you’re racing a mate is a unique glimpse into their automotive mind. And that is a very interesting experience indeed.

As those of you who are in touch with your inner geek are probably aware, the game I’m talking about is the latest offering from the Forza series. This third installment really does have a tough act to follow. When it’s big brother came out a few years ago, I spent so much time staring blankly at the television screen my parents thought I might actually have slipped into a coma. But somehow Forza 3 offers you more than just a racing game, it offers you a chance to drive the most exotic cars on the planet from the outset. The first race in career mode for example puts you at the wheel of an Audi R8. None of this start in a Corsa and work your way up to a Ferrari nonsense.

I should probably explain why I was playing this game in the first place. Well, myself and one of my friends at university had an argument, quite a big one as it turns out. But being blokes, we’d forgotten about the whole thing five minutes later and went to settle things with a pint and a race. The rules were simple. 3 laps, any car, and the winner would be able to claim moral victory over the other. I’d expected him to head straight for the hyper car garage and pick out a Veyron, as most other people would have done. But no, to my astonishment he eventually chose a fantastic Ferrari F50, a magnificent car. He explained that he’d lusted after one for years and even went so far as to have a poster of it on his wall. Whilst all of his other friends were eyeing up Madonna by moonlight, he was learning about the Prancing Horses heritage. Over the next half hour we had several races, and each time he managed to make a truly informed decision over what type of car to choose. So what had started out as an apologetic make-up race had turned into petrol head heaven as I discovered that my friend does in fact know quite a lot about cars. This meant we could talk about which cars were the best. Which of course led to more arguing. Which also lead to more racing.

So yes, a very positive experience came out of playing a so called “driving simulator,” but to be honest I still don’t see the point in them. I mean, aside from giving you a view as to how your opponent’s brain is wired up, they’re really pretty useless. I can see the point of games that allow you to go online and throw grenades at another person halfway around the world. Because actually going out and doing it would be pretty stupid. But if you wanted a truly realistic driving game, why not just go for a drive instead? I guarantee it will be a more realistic experience, and the graphics are amazing. Why offer a virtual alternative to something that is readily available? I did some research into the other types of simulators people can buy, and honestly, only someone with more facial hair than common sense would find any of them interesting. Did you know you can actually buy a bus simulator? Why would you need, or want, to simulate a bus? Why would you want to virtually perceive such a horrible experience in the first place? Surely a bus journey in any form is horrific enough, without having to deal with it when you come home as well? And don’t think the simulator stupidity stops there either. There’s sailing games, flying games, virtual fishing, virtual cooking, there’s even virtual sex games for goodness sake! How unlucky do you have to be if you can’t even get laid virtually!

So far as I can see all so called “simulators” are pointless. I mean yes they can give you the experience of doing something you’d never normally get to do, but surely it would be better to have that experience for yourself? Rather than relying on a computer to give it to you. I don’t see the point in them and I’m sure I never will. But it seems that the nation’s youth are hooked onto any sort of simulator they can get their hands on. I’m sure of there was a street crime simulator they’d be queuing out the door for it. So in the absence of being able to change anyone’s opinion on the subject, if you don’t mind, I’m going for a drive. A real one.

[Via http://mossonmotoring.wordpress.com]

Lazy Saturday

Today I did nothing!!!  I slept in later than normal because my parents went to Bend today.  After I did morning duties, I played a single game for hours.  I usually don’t allow myself to be totally enthralled in a game because there is also something else that is more exciting and/or creative.  Playing a game is neither of those.  However, as I didn’t need to do anything, I played it.  

The game is called “A Tale of Two Kingdoms”, another game on Adventure Game Studio.  I have mentioned this game site before.  Anyway, the game is about two kingdoms that don’t like each other.  There is the threat of goblins so the other kingdom comes to the first kingdom’s aid.  Tensions are high during supper and in the night, an assassin kills the king.  The character that you are controlling gets framed for that murder.  So he has to escape.

There are other plots in the story.  The story includes druids and faeries (“don’t call them that,” says a druid).  The game has amazing graphics, but still not 3D.  For a point-and-click game, it has amazing graphics.  It also has several ways to die (giant food, imprisoned forever, fall off a cliff, drown, pecked to death by ravens, etc.).

I had to use the walkthrough several times of course.  However, there was a part where I couldn’t continue even with the walkthrough.  It happens after I get the flute from the jeweler.  Then I travel to the place where the flute would be useful (no game hints here).  Halfway to that place, a thief shoots me with a slingshot or otherwise traps me and takes my flute.  This is what the walkthrough says:

First, stop moving, and LOOK at the net right above you (+1% Wisdom). Then, go grab the apple for a later puzzle (+1% Wisdom), and then open the chest to get your stuff back (+1% Wisdom).

I can never find where that net is.  I’ve stopped before the place where the thief traps me and look around and I cannot find anything.  When I am trapped, I cannot go anything until the thief leaves and I still cannot find anything.  So I registered on the forum and did not write down what I called myself, which is “sam” with some sequence of numbers.  This was stupid.  But then I thought that I was done with the game anyway.

These troubles broke the trance.  I played with total concentration.  The fire was done to almost ashes and I hardly ate anything for lunch.  Perhaps now I can do something useful or semi-useful.

[Via http://spufool.wordpress.com]

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Riddle of The Month (ROTM) Matibeku.com

Yey, akhirnya ROTM berakhir! Hahahaha.. http://emo.huhiho.com Akhirnyaaaaa,, setelah 13 minggu yang cukup membuat kepala sakit.

And the result is….

Kl gambarnya gag keluar, bisa diliat di SINI.

Ane runner up gan! wkwkwk.. http://emo.huhiho.com

Padahal gue bisa jawab dengan benar 2 week terakhir,, karena satu dan lain hal, gue malah jawab ngawur.. http://emo.huhiho.com

Anyway.. Ehem.. Terima kasih kepada Allah SWT. Terima kasih kepada kedua orang tua saia. Terima kasih kepada Ibu Bapak Guru.. (lho? lw mau posting apa pidato kelulusan???) Well.. Ehem.. Terima kasih kepada teman-teman yang telah membantu saia dalam mencari pencerahan(davindra, fajrin, athin,ryz, bertiupangin, dll). Terima kasih kepada Wangsa, Yamiza, n Tangleons yang sudah membuat riddle yang cukup untuk membuat saia melupakan “sesuatu”. Hehehehe..

Enough ah maen riddlenya. Mau SIMAK UI. Mengalihfungsikan otak dari main riddle jadi belajar fisika. http://emo.huhiho.com

Doain gue yaa kawand!

Case Closed. http://emo.huhiho.com

[Via http://justthegirl54.wordpress.com]

Tetris+Snake=NoMoreBoredAtWork (Game)

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine

[Via http://worldofsmedley.wordpress.com]

New fashion stuff and...

As always we have new beach theme stuff, but they are mostly for CASH only,

why is it that all HATS are always for cash, and what KITES has to do with FASHION if I can ask, because I do not think we can wear it… so 4thumbs down and one up for nice look of them..

on the other hand I finally got my first and from what I hear one and only RARE till now it is a BUOY….

so I am happy now I know all the things really are in MYSTERY FREE GIFTS but we need luck lots of it to get rare or cash LOL.. I open 77 gifts and one rare in it… but I do not ming the rest was YOCOINS I almost made 700 with it… so with 1000 in the morning I made a lot for one day :) and I still love this idea and not getting free gifts I do not want…. yocoins are fine with me… yes yes I would love some cash too, but I got already 2$ so maybe this is what one profile is suppose to get LOL… I am happy anyway :)

And one more thing, I have seen those wallpapers and thought how about making a blue flowers

MY VERSION

ok something close to that color just me trying to not be so one color because porangy floor with orangy walls looks not so good :(

Finally one thing I love any sculptures in this collection finally some art big way in one collection on YO… and even those sand sculptures love those too they really remind me of beaches…

the prices are little big for those, but I love any art so those are

5 thumbs up….

[Via http://yovillanm.wordpress.com]

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Rubik's Cube

The Rubik’s Cube was invented in 1974 by a Hungarian Sculptor and Professor of Architecture, Erno Rubik.

The man was obviously a twisted and demented sadist.

When I was kid, everyone on the planet had a Rubik’s Cube. I think I am the only idiot on the planet that was never actually able to solve the Rubik’s Cube.

I never even came close.

While some of my friends could sit and spin and twist that damn thing and get it finished in 5 minutes, I could spend days feverishly working on it and it would still look no more complete than when I started.

Over 350 Million Cubes have been sold worldwide since it was invented.

I wonder how many suicides, cases of alcoholism, cases of drug addiction, and severe mental breakdowns the blasted little game has caused over the years?….

The Rubik’s Cube is widely considered to be the world’s best selling toy.

I have never bought any of my three children a Rubik’s Cube. I would not wish that level of torment and mental anguish on my kids or any one Else’s kids.

Of course, my kids could probably solve it in 5 minutes or less, just reinforcing the fact that I am a major Idiot.

The kid solving the puzzle in the video is NOT one of my kids! I would have sold them to the Circus if they had been able to solve the puzzle in 10 seconds!

[Via http://idiotflashback.wordpress.com]

Can you believe she said that?

Yes, I can.

I’ve had a lot of time on my hands today and I’ve done a lot with that time.  I actually completed not one, but two sets of homework! I’m amazed how driven I was today.  It’s weird because Wednesdays are usually my worst days of the week but tonight I get to leave at 8.  The class I monitor only meets up 3 weeks and then gets a week break.  I’m missing out on hours but I don’t care at this point.  Any time I get the option of going home early, I’m going to take it.

Did you know I can type 60 wpm?  Well, I can.  One time I even got up to 90 wpm.  But maybe that was just a fluke.  Either way, these fingers are magical.  Like Harry Potter magical.  So magical in fact, that I’m waiting on my acceptance letter from Hogwarts.

I’ve been uncomfortably thirsty all day.  I’ve drank a lot too but for some reason, my throat feels really dry.  I had my math test today. I have to say, I’m a genius.  I’m magical and a genius.  No wonder I’m royalty.  If I wasn’t, then who would be?  Right? Right.

Saturday I’m going to a “game” night.  I’m expected to socialize.  It won’t be so bad.  Tyler is even bribing me with a trip to Half Price Books before that.  Some guy we work with is throwing it.  I do love games, so hopefully it will be fun.  It’s also made me realize how little friends I have.  I haven’t hung out with anyone besides JC in a little over two weeks and even with JC, that was a while ago.  I guess I’ve kind of retreated into school and…well basically school. It has been a busy two weeks.  I’ve even gotten holes in my Vans slip-ons from how much I’ve been doing.  I swear, they were in decent condition before school started and now they are falling apart.  I think it’s from all the salt that they lay down.  And because I’m a machine.  More probably because I’m a machine.  I power walk between buildings at least 3 times a day.  It’s crazy.  Okay, I don’t actually power walk.  That was a lie.  I just non-leisurely stroll back and forth.  Non-leisurely?  I’m a dork.

I’m going to make my mom buy me some new “kicks” this weekend.  Maybe more slip-ons because I hate work and tying your shoes is a constant headache. Who wants to bend down and tie two strings together? Not me obviously.

I’ve also been working on Valentine’s Day projects. Oh, this year is going to be the year of amazing Valentine’s.  Maybe I need to tone down the awesomeness.  I don’t want everyone to get all worked up.  I also gave Tyler an idea for a valentine he could make.  I told him to get naked and put a heart shaped pillow down you-know-where and then lie down on the bed with a come-hither look.  He laughed but I don’t think he’s for it.  That would be one awesome Valentine card to get, wouldn’t it?  Yes, it would.

[Via http://maggiesampson.wordpress.com]

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

How to Save Money on Xbox 360 Accessories

The Xbox 360 is one of the most versatile, exciting and high quality game consoles available today. If you are one of the several million people who currently own one, you’d probably like to fit it out with as many cool accessories as possible. Money shortages are the biggest roadblocks to getting all of the Xbox 360 accessories that you’d like to have; fortunately, we’ve got a number of hot tips that can help you get those accessories for a lot less money – check them out below.

visit the top online retailers that turn up during your search. You are sure to be amazed by how much store credit you are one of the original price. Check in on online auction sites regularly and bid on the things that you want to buy, then visit the top online retailers that turn up during your search. You are sure to be amazed by how much the price for one Xbox 360 accessories that you are one of the most versatile, exciting and high quality game consoles available today. If you are saving yourself by shopping for Xbox 360 accessories at online auction sites regularly and bid on the things that you buy online.

Those savings quickly add up, and can be used to purchase more items to go along with your video game system. Use Online Auction Sites Popular online auctions sites like eBay are great places to find cheap Xbox 360 accessory can vary from one retailer to the nearest video game accessories by purchasing a minimum amount of money – check them out below. Trade In Your Old, Unused Stuff Video game stores typically let gamers trade in their old things for store credit. You can use that store credit you are saving yourself by shopping for Xbox 360 Accessories The bottom line is that there’s no reason to ever pay list price for Xbox 360 Accessories The bottom line is that there’s no reason to ever pay list price for Xbox 360 Accessories The bottom line is that there’s no reason to ever pay list price for one Xbox 360 accessories to ensure that you’re not going to get ripped off.

Other than that, sit back and appreciate the money that you want to buy, then visit the top online retailers that turn up during your search. You are sure to be amazed by how much the price for Xbox 360 accessories at online auction sites regularly and bid on the things that you bring in and determine how much store credit you are saving yourself by shopping for Xbox 360 accessories. Many times, you can get free shipping for video game retailer. Store staff will look through the items that you buy online.

Those savings quickly add up, and can be used to purchase more items to go along with your video game system. Use Online Auction Sites Popular online auctions sites like eBay, too, and usually for significantly less money than usual. Check the seller’s rating before bidding on any Xbox 360 accessories. By taking your time and using various resources, you can save a significant amount of money – especially when compared with how much store credit to buy brand new accessories for your Xbox, you can usually avoid paying more than you’d bargained.

[Via http://bobcomment.wordpress.com]

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Tatiloyun.com - Tatil Oyunları Sitesi

Türkiye’de her geçen gün açılan yeni siteler içerisine birde Turkey Tour çalışması olan Tatil Oyun eklendi. Tatil Oyun hedef olarak en iyi tatil oyunlarını derleyip sitesine eklemeyi amaçlıyor. Bu konuda küçük bir araştırma yapan kadroları Tatiloyun.com ‘u satın alıp üzerine inşaa etmeye devam ediyorlar.

Her gün bir birinden ilginç oyunları eklemeye gayret sarfeden Tatil Oyun bunu bir miktar başarmışa benziyor. Henüz biz bu makaleyi yazarken Tatil Oyun bilgi hazinesine sadece 10 oyun eklemiş durumda :) Bu oyun sayısı elbette zamanla artacak ve Tatil Oyunları dendiği zaman marka konumuna gelecektir. Bu konuda eminim çok iyi bir iş çıkartacaklardır.

Tavsiye Oyun

Otel işletmesini sevenler için ekledikleri oyun benim çok hoşuma gitti. Sizde eğer otel işletmesini becerebileceğinizi düşünüyorsanız bu oyun ile kısa bir çalışma yapabilirsiniz. Bakalım otel işletmek sizin düşündüğünüz kadar kolay mı?

http://www.tatiloyun.com/file.php?f=5

[Via http://kraloyunara.wordpress.com]

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Skates Are Here & Pop Up Chat Window!

Hey guys this is Jimbercane posting. There are some updates in Planet Cazmo as you can see from the title of this post, so lets begin. First off all, the most awaited skates are here! (That too the most perfect day for it to come too, since today is a Friday!; I think they had it ready earlier though, but still good release time.) To buy it, first click on the Newspaper Icon on your Chatbar or your Mini-Chatbar. (Your Mini-Chatbar is visible right when you log on to Planet Cazmo.) After doing so click on the bottom section where it says Hot Deals, and you will go automatically to the shop. Just scroll through and you will find the skates. They cost $25 Cazmo Cash. Unfortunately I can’t afford them. (You may think I am rich from alot of awards that I am given, but I spend alot of it, and therefore it wouldn’t hurt me if you call me broke :smile: ) You may stil lbe able to afford them, so go ahead and check them out!

Finally, there is now a Pop Up Chat Window! To view it, click on the Chatbox button on your Mini-Chatbar, and then on the first icon at the top. What this does, is that it brings up that chat in another window itself. I don’t know why this update was made, but I think probably because it is easier to view all of the chat that is going on. Oh well that is just my opinion, you may have a different one.

jimbercane.wordpress.com

planet cazmo cheats

~Jimbercane~

[Via http://planetcazmocheats.net]

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Beginning Research for Red Light, Green Light

I’m starting to do my homework for designing and implementing the Red Light, Green Light game I’ve blogged about here in the past. At the moment I’m putting together a reading list about architectures of control, but I’m having a hard time finding any information specifically about designing campuses in response to the Kent State massacre. Since UB’s North Campus was built post-Kent State, I suspect that I might even be able to find specific information about the design of this campus as a response to that event.

The idea of putting together a bibliography for a game is kind of odd, but it makes sense if you want to make an effective intervention. I think it would be beneficial for players to have a resource to be directed to after the fact. And also something to prove that I’m not just a “fun” designer. I think I will make the bibliography available via AAAARG, both for political and practical reasons.

Anyway, if anybody has any ideas about additions to the bibliography for me to check into, please let me know. I’d really appreciate it.

Oh, and also, we can play Name That Game, since I’m not yet sure what to call this exercise.

[Via http://thenoiseofthestreet.net]

I am getting me one of these.... sooooo sexy

Oh my god this literally looks sooooo sexy !!! for anyone who is like me and loves the design and everything about penguin books this is a must have. I can predict I will probably be absolutely terrible at the actual game but ohhhh it looks soo nice !!!I am already bidding on one on ebay, now don’t go and outbid me please !!!

[Via http://jocastaisseyegh.wordpress.com]

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Supersoldat

I’m going to do one of these little presentations for each of my games ;-)

“Supersoldat” was the first “Gamemaker” game I ever made. I started off by modifying Mark Overmars‘ “platform game” tutorial and gradually added more and more weapons, abilities and enemies: some games have “feature-creep” but Supersoldat was the very embodiment of feature-creep. That said I’m very pleased with how it turned out, considering that I never once say down and planned out what I wanted the game to be. It also only used Gamemaker’s Drag’n'Drop functions, which is an achievment… in the same sense that head-butting your way through a brick wall is an achievement.


Setting

Apart from experimentations with the tools, Supersoldat was born out of a “Ramnstein” phase – that’s where the name and setting come from at any rate. The Nazi enemies will actually goose-step in time to “Du Hast” because that’s the song I was listening when I started working on it. Later on I swapped it for something less loud so you could actually hear the other sound effects.

The basic premise is that “Seibben” (“Seven” in German) is a super soldier developed in a Nuclear Bunker in a post-apocalyptic, alternate-history world where Nazis and Soviets are the only surviving world powers, and are still fighting the good fight despite both being buried deep beneath the ground. I’d just finished reading “Children of the Dust” and wanted to say something about Nuclear War (man). I’d also recently watched the original “Manchurian Candidate” so I decided that Seibben would be neuro-linguistically programmed to follow the orders of anyone who knew the right code-word. But the code is stolen by a Russian spy (who else?) who takes a sample of Seibben’s blood (so as to clone him) then orders him to escape, hoping this will create a distraction.

Of course, none of this actually comes across in the game because I never got round to making any cinematics – it does however explain why our aerian hero is running around a bunker flying-kick Einstein look-alikes in the face.

Supersoldat screenshot

Gameplay

Supersoldat is a pure adolescent power-fantasy: I was also doing Tae Kwon Do throughout development (all of Seibbens attacks are based on this martial-art) and feeling pretty lean and mean, and the game was an outlet for that intensity. So you can run unbelievably fast and jump unbelievable high, you can sneak up behind a guard and literally turn their head backwards, or, if you get enough of a run-up: rebound off a wall and flying-back-kick them from one side of the room to the other.

The mechanics are really all about speed: the faster you’re running the more power your attacks have and the further you can jump. You’ll also bounce further if you kick off walls, which is nessecary for certain levels. Obviously some inspiration comes from “Abe’s Oddyssey”: you need a run-up to make certain jumps, you’ll knock yourself down if you run into a wall, and for the final level you have to escape from guard-dogs by timing rolls under various obstacles and jumping over bottomless pits. There are also grenades you can use, shadows you can hide in, buttons to press to open (trap) doors and men with guns to shoot you down if they catch sight of you.

I’m particularly proud of the AI: it was probably the thing I spent the most time on – enemies will jump over pits and climb up ladders to search for you, and generally do a very good job of hunting you down. Depending on their type they may also keep their distance and hurl projectile back at you, or periodically stop in their pursuit and take pot-shots.

Supersoldat screenshot

Presentation

There artwork for Supersoldat was very minimalistic: one background, one tileset, two tracks (from “Final Fantasy 7″ in case you were wondering). I spent a lot of time on the pixel-art though, and I’m very pleased with the often gruesome animations, especially considering that I was very bad at drawing with a mouse back then (I used a lot of references). I actually started off with static, black and red stick figures (the game was originally called “Stick Wars”) and gradually coloured them in and animated them, frame-by-fame-by-hand. I think animation is the most important thing when it comes to bringing a character to life: Seibben may only be 32 by 32 pixels, but when his face gets bitten off, you feel it!

[Via http://wilbefast.wordpress.com]