Wonderland

Smoking Link

Smoking Link
Originally uploaded by Rappe.

Chortle!

Bioshock bigdaddy ring

Five dollars!

 

Just in time for the run-up to Bioshock 2.

UPDATE: There's a matching bracelet, too...

Namco arcade cufflinks

Very cool. A quite titchy 15 bux, too. Bargain!

Games Based Learning 2010 - conference

Get your discounts here. Early Bird Rate is on - last day today apparently? - and a C4-pals (which you are by default if you're reading this. It's like a EULA!) get an additional 10% off, which you'll need because pound-for-dollar, this isn't the cheapest conference on the block. It's good though, focused.

They're expecting 500-odd delegates of the international type this year.

Those who register before Sunday save at least £100 on a delegate pass and receive a free digital camcorder and a half day's CPD workshop; we've provided a special 10% off discount code for use by friends, rabbits and relations of the Channel 4 network. The code is channel4gbl10.

Some speakers:

• Siobhan Reddy, Executive Producer & Kareem Ettouney, Art Director, Media Molecule
• Michael Acton Smith, CEO, Mind Candy (Moshi Monsters)
• Derek Robertson, Learning & Teaching Scotland
• Tom Chatfield, Author, Fun Inc
• Major Roy Evans, Army, Ministry of Defence
• Sean Brennan, Managing Director, Bethesda Europe

... and me. Maybe see you there...

Trion/SyFy TV-MMO still ticking along...

Back in 2008, the Syfy-Trion partnership was announced: the TV network and game developer were - are - codeveloping a digital world and TV show. I've always loved this idea, and I think we'll see plenty more such partnerships springing up in the next few years, now that the game-rendering of space has become pretty much indistinguishable from filmed space. Avatars on telly are now also acceptable. Worlds blend.

Trion are calling their game a MMOARPG (yikes):

MMOARPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Action Role Playing Game) produced in partnership with Syfy Channel is a groundbreaking collaboration between Trion World Network and Syfy Channel. A dynamic, connected entertainment experience, Trion's game and Syfy Channel's television show will blend seamlessly, allowing fans of the universe to enjoy it in two mediums and watch developments in the show affect the game and events in the game affect the show.

No name for it, although Virtual World News says it's codenamed One Earth.

It's a serverside-run game, with just a client on the user's machine ...? Curious. There are beasties, and aliens, and robots in that video, so it looks like they're hedging their bets so far as to what type of sci-fi to go for. Funded by GE's huge VC investment fund, too.

January

There is very little videogaming-related news of interest to me out there right now.

It must be January!

Jon Blow said at GDC once, if you're going to release a game, do it after March, as the post-xmas period is very, very quiet: everyone's playing their holidaytime pile of new games. He's usually right, that Jonathan.

So, no games. Here's an ascii-heart necklace though, which is lovely and valentinesesque.

 

(Via BoingBoing)

Achievement for watching TV

Torne is Sony's new Playstation DVR.

"It's compatible with the PS3 trophy system, and you can get trophies for things like watching final episodes from a lot of TV series, for example." One wonders about the other trophies that might be available. Watching 1000 hours of anime, maybe?

... says 1Up.

Out in Japan only, it seems, at the moment.

Did you miss "Muscle March"?

Press play. Wait. Marvel. Laugh. Squee!!

PURCHASE*.

(Via Brandon/BoingBoing)

(*Any news on a EU release, anyone? UPDATE: Q1 2010, that's any minute now! Thanks Lee!)

Tom Watson's big thinking panel

The wonderful and ever-sensible Tom Watson (MP) says:

Monday 25th January, Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, 6.30-8.00pm

How should we think about the world’s fastest-growing and most lucrative entertainment medium?

I am chairing a discussion on the place of video games and virtual worlds in modern society – the lessons we might learn from them, their dangers, and why the public debate needs to move beyond breathless accusations about violent, screen-addicted young people.

Tom "Fun Inc" Chatfield, Sam Leith and Philip Oliver (Blitz) are the panel guests. Free event! Sign up by calling or emailing:

If you would like to attend the event, please let Claire Pilsbury know in my London office on 020 7219 8335 or by emailing pilsburyc at parliament.uk.

I am sad to not be able to go, but I bet someone'll blog the results.

Pac-Man room illusion

Beyootiful!

Link