Musings of the Mad Gadabout

Browser typing game

2011-10-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

In pursuit of neat, off-beat and free games? Check out Z-type. Would be a classic arcade shooter, except you shoot by typing words next to the baddies.

Excellent Presentation from DICE 2010

2010-02-24T11:13:00.000-08:00

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2010 - Guitar Hero 5

Scribblenauts - Video Game

2009-09-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

by 5th Cell for Nintendo DS

While new out this week, a buzz surrounded this game months before it was released. At PAX, long lines of people waited for their chance to test their imaginations. And, not without good reason. Cute art and the ability to summon anything your imagination reaches for (the game recognizes 10,000 words but no "frisbee" because it's a trademark - Did you know that? I didn't.) So far, it's a fun game. I love that I can summon Cthulu and then throw him in the trash when I'm done with him. (So much for no proper names.)

But, there are some serious game play issues. The control of the main character is absolutely awful. For example, if you equip a butterfly net and then tap a bee, two things could happen. One, a small menu will pop up and you can choose to "fill item" at which point you approach the bee and capture him in the net. Or, just as likely, your character immediately shambles over to the bee and is stung to death while the net hangs like a vestigial appendage, whose purpose is long forgotten. Remember, for both, you need to tap the bee. Oh, and be prepared to fall off cliffs at inopportune times... repeatedly.

And, you have little to no control over the majority of items. Summoning a hose only gets you a limp, dribbling tube, which is no fun for anyone. When given the task for capturing a butterfly, I summoned a large dome which absolutely refused to fall on the butterfly and instead fell behind it. (2D world?) Also, the laws of physics do not apply. Concrete roadway tunnels get flung about like paper cups. A bee literally knocked over a tank I had summoned, killing one of the characters and ending the level.

After awhile, you kind of give up on the really out-there solutions and just try to think of the item that requires the least amount of movement and the most amount of amusement. Cthulu is summoned regularly in my games.

Amusement is really the name of the game, which is why I am still excited about 5th Cell's upcoming new release Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter. It hasn't received as much hype, but perhaps that is the best thing for it.

XKCD

2009-09-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

XKCD is releasing its first book and holding release parties in New York, San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

XKCD is one of my favorite comics and one of the few that I read regularly. I was surprised to find out that they were selling tickets to the event, but not surprised that they were doing so to raise money for a the Room To Read charity. While the auction is now closed, there will be a waitlist available.

And, of course, there is always the book.

North 40

2009-09-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

by Williams and Staples
Wildstorm

Cthulu in the midwest - what's not to like? After a geek and goth get ahold of a mysterious text through a library loophole, they unleash the beast. Everyone falls asleep only to awake either (1) transformed into a demon (2) in possession of super powers or (3) with an assigned role in the apocalypse (many times both 2 and 3). So far, it's actually kind of neat. I haven't really seen anything quite like it before, which tickles me.

Issue 3 is due out this month. I will sleep until its release.

The Unwritten

2009-09-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

by Mike Carry and Peter Gross
Vertigo

Currently on issue 5, this series is promising.

Mix:
(1) the power of myth and stories present in Promethea with
(2) the magical character living in the real world theme present in Fables and Books of Magick: Life During Wartime

Sprinkle with ample doses of both classic literature and Harry Potter references.
Hmmm. Tasty. But, with only five issues out so far, it's still only an appetizer.
That being said, this is the type of story that literature fans like and writers love.

---

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses, but I can't shake the feeling that I've read something like it before. Many authors reference timeless literature as a guidepost for their own story. Many more authors use timeless literature as a sturdy parapet, shooting a grappling hook upon it and pulling the entire weight of their story up with the help of someone else's work. I'm curious to see which type of authors Carey and Gross turn out to be.

Scary Girl

2009-04-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous, morbid art and addictively fun game play . . . you can't go wrong.

Scary Girl

Saturday, April 11th

2009-04-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Flea Market at GameKastle, 11am-3pm.
Postsecret Gallery Exhibit in Walnut Creek, 12pm-5pm.
White Lies and the Friendly Fires playing at Slims in SF, starting at 7pm.

Lego Mania

2009-02-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

Those who grew up with Lego know how addictive and awe-inspiring the act of blocky creation can be. Now, there's a free toy for the engineer in all of us: Lego Factory.

This free software allows you to design a Lego creation, find out how much the pieces will cost and then have them ship the whole shebang to you -- with a picture of your creation on the box!

My recent project: Sonic the Hedgehog

But, this is amateur stuff next to the submissions presented at Brick Con. That's right, a convention for Lego lovers everywhere. If you scroll down on that page there are multiple links to impressive original Lego creations, from towns to aliens and zombies.

Just as impressive as Brick Con fare, The Brothers Brick have posted numerous impressive creations, some of their own and some gathered from various online sources. These creations span all of sci-fi, fantasy, and even common places some of us see everyday, like...

But what, pray tell, is next for the Mad Gadabout?

A tribute to Futurama:

Online Game - Perfect Balance

2009-01-30T15:30:00.000-08:00

Perfect Balance can be a dangerously addictive game. Available online after a minute of load time, you are given 40 puzzles. The only challenge - keep things in perfect balance. You'd think it'd be easy. You'd be mistaken. But, you also stand a good chance of becoming obsessed.

As seen in the Kotaku article, Perfect Balance Upends Your Productivity. Try to resist.

The Mad Gadabout

2009-01-30T14:06:00.000-08:00

The:
-definite article
(used, esp. before a noun, with a specifying or particularizing effect, as opposed to the indefinite or generalizing force of the indefinite article a or an ): the book you gave me; Come into the house.

Mad:
-adjective
1. mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented.
2. enraged; greatly provoked or irritated; angry.
3. (of animals) a. abnormally furious; ferocious: a mad bull.
b. affected with rabies; rabid: a mad dog.
4. extremely foolish or unwise; imprudent; irrational: a mad scheme to invade France.
5. wildly excited or confused: frantic: mad haste.
6. overcome by desire, eagerness, enthusiasm, etc.; excessively or uncontrollably fond; infatuated: He's mad about the opera.
7. wildly gay or merry; enjoyably hilarious: to have a mad time at the Mardi Gras.
8. (of wind, storms, etc.) furious in violence: A mad gale swept across the channel.

Gadabout:
-noun
1. a person who moves about restlessly or aimlessly, esp. from one social activity to another.
2. a person who travels often or to many different places, esp. for pleasure.

I can tell we're already off to a good start.