August 2008 Archives

Road Rage

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on August 30, 2008 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

People like different games for different reasons. When I'm on the road for business, I'm looking for a game that will completely distract me from reality, reduce my stress level, and allow time to fly by.

Great game designers also play off the platform. Elite Beat Agents is insanely fun, gets better with headphones, and could only be possible on the Nintendo DS. Loco Roco is perfect for the PSP (though would be much better with a motion sensing controller). But the winning game for conquering the road rage of business travel is Lumines.

Lumines is quite possibly the best game for an airplane ever. When combined with headphones, the PSP version is deeply immersive. The music is so integrated to the action that you can stay entertained for most of a cross-country flight, and the gameplay is quick enough that you can't look away. This combination makes for a time-suck worthy of investment. It is similar to Tetris, just a little more entertaining and immersive.

I realize this was one of the launch titles for the PSP, but it is that good. After a week on the road, Lumines has the replay value that few games offer. I'm pretty sure that Lumines kept me sane over the past week.

[UPDATE] It looks like Lumines is coming to the PSN. I wasn't as much of a fan as the XBOX 360 version. There is something that just doesn't translate to the big screen. Glad to see more people will get a chance to play though.

Home

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on August 30, 2008 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As I've said in the past, I'm really excited about Home's potential. If it becomes a natural extension of the PS3 interface, I'm pretty sure it will be game changing. The thing is... it has to be forced on people. If it is just another program, I'm not sure people will use it, but if you show up in your own little universe each time you load up, it will change the way we game.

According to Joystiq, Home is in the final stages of beta, version 0.98. I've read that testing has expanded from Europe to Asia, and will hopefully be heading stateside soon. We've got a meeting with SCEA next month, so hopefully I'll be able to get inside and play around. The last time we met, we just didn't have enough time.

Monday Night Madness

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on August 26, 2008 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

We had our fantasy football draft last night... a 3.5 hour process to kick off a season of trash talking, betting, and attentive football watching. I haven't been into fantasy sports since high school, and things have changed a lot. I used to have a leg up because I knew where to find digital box scores and how to write a few simple equations in excel. Now everything is online from strategy guides to stats that are configured to your league's specific scoring system. My edge is gone... but the Waco Wackos will dominate.

It is an interesting branding exercise though. ESPN's version is sponsored by GMC, and beyond that, there are very few ads. I do, however, keep noticing an add about yellow teeth at the bottom of the screen. First my PS3 tells me I'm fat, and now my laptop is telling me my teeth are yellow. eeehhhhh.

I hate the news part 2

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on August 23, 2008 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This video does a great job of illustrating my point about the media.

Obamaniacs

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on August 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I hate the news. I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport, and even with my noise canceling headphones on... All I hear is Wolf Blitzer yapping about the VP. The thing is... everyone who cares can sign up for the text or e-mail and know before the news, but they ramble on. Not only do they have journalist following each of the alleged front-runners, but they have people stationed at airports in Illinois in case someone shows up.

CNN, FOX, everyone is guilty of the hype. There is a new book, The Science of Fear, that actually argues how dangerous this can be. It talks about the sensationalism of the media and how our sense of security (and fear) is skewed irrationally by the media. I haven't read it yet, but I'm fascinated. As soon as I finish The Ten Faces of Innovation... it is next on my list.

I should get paid for all the plugs in this post. sorry.

oh Jesus...

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on August 22, 2008 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Looks like W+K tapped into something special with this Tiger Woods launch video. For the case study, I'm hoping they planted the original... but maybe it is better if they didn't. Either way it has all the makings of a good viral ad: it is part of a popular conversation... and it has a little shock value. But as Adweek points out... it is a little drawn out. See for yourself:

HOLY MOTHER OF ANIMATION

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on August 20, 2008 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This isn't real. The person in the video below is all digital. And my mind is officially blown. Last week I saw some animatics from a company that did pretty good 3D rendering, but this is just ridiculous. I may have ruined the reveal, but this is still stunning. The proof comes near the end of the video.

Think about what this means about everything. The impact on games and cinema and ads. This is a close up and you can't tell she isn't real. WOWSERS.

Where I'm not

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on August 19, 2008 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Game Convention in Leipzig is under way and I'm not there.

Rumors are starting to fly though. There are reports of new Heavy Rain footage (hopefully an explanation), Resident Evil 5 zombies, Killzone previews and more. I hope there are some announcements that get me excited about the holiday season's rush of games... because right now, things are looking kind of dry.

I feel like the systems are so complex now that it takes developers too long to create games. Producing something quick and easy for the Wii is a good way to make a buck, but it doesn't create the immersive experience that people keep coming back to. But games on the 360 and PS3 take forever. The two games I'd anticipated from the PS3 launch (MGS4 and Burnout) have come and gone. Now what? Lead times are so long... I don't even know what I should be waiting for.

Companies who get it

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on August 18, 2008 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Meet Ned. Ned likes to take pictures. Now Ned is the president of Pentax. He also has a blog... and that is what makes him a little different.

Ned's blog isn't an official site for Pentax and he doesn't post on it all too often, but it is still a site I've kept in my bookmark bar ever since I found it. It is simply a testing ground for whatever he is working on, read by fans of the brand, Pentaxians. He has thrown up ads and asked for opinions, he's posted pictures with pre-production lenses, he talks about things before they happen, but perhaps most importantly... he listens.

Over the weekend, he posted an open response to a heated conversation on a digital photography message board. Someone was complaining about firmware upgrades, debug modes, and Pentax not giving a damn. Because Ned is an active participant in the conversations, he was able to respond. And he did it in an honest and natural way. Even though he didn't offer the news I was looking for, it made me even more of a fan of Pentax.

My PS3 knows I'm fat.

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on August 16, 2008 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So I downloaded a demo of Facebreaker, a new boxing game, that has a really cool feature. You can use the PS3 eye camera to upload pictures of yourself. Naturally I tried it... and while I was a bit disgusted by my fat face, I wasn't expecting to be made fun of by the game. After 'determining my personality' from my picture, the game started offering step by step instructions for how to bake brownies!

If you look closely at the bottom of this picture, it says I should be preheating my oven to 350. As much as I want to turn off the game, I'm looking back at my pile of McDonalds and beer cans. The PS3 is right. I need to go on a diet.

These damn video games are smarter than I thought. I think I'll have another Diet Pepsi.

I'll update this with my final character... it isn't going to be pretty.

Catching up.

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on August 15, 2008 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So I'm home alone this weekend, and that means I'm going to be getting back into a couple of games and possibly finishing one. First on the list is finishing MGS4, then I'll explore the Cagney expansion pack for Burnout, and then get back into GTA 4.

After that, I'm not really sure what I'll do, there aren't any other games that I'm dying to play. I think I might start researching my fantasy football roster...

and I'll probably fire up the grill again, this time with tacos.

And the winner is... Carling

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on August 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As I mentioned yesterday, there are a lot of apps making money on the iTunes store. And so far, there aren't a lot of branded apps. There are a few Twitter apps that have banner ads within the program, and CHANEL had a terrible attempt, but Carling got it right.

It's a game, it uses the platform flawlessly, but most importantly... it's a bar trick. The best time to use the application is when you are sitting around, drinking beer, and need a reason to proclaim, "I have an iPhone, and here is a way I can show it off." All of a sudden you're sliding virtual Carlings and being rewarded with virtual pints. So at the time of purchase(s) you are thinking Carling. It is brilliant.

This is the direction gaming and advertising should be going. Add to an experience or create an experience that people appreciate. As soon as we take people out of their game, they will hate us.

Technorati Profile

Better with age.

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on August 13, 2008 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Slate has a new article out about the Sonos music networking system. It talks about how the "Sonos you buy today will get better as it ages." It goes on to talk about the software updates that have happened over the years to constantly update the hardware and give it new functionality. While it is an interesting read, I find it incomplete. Everyone has firmware updates now.

Look at the iPhone. Apple re-revolutionized the iPhone with the 2.0 software update and the Apps store. They are now selling $1 million in software per day. The XBox360 and PS3 are the same way, where every so often you get all kinds of new functionality that you may have never expected. I bought my PSP as a gaming device, and now I can watch movies from my laptop, through my PS3 to my PSP anywhere in the world (not that I've actually done that... but I could, and thats what counts).

It makes it easier to pay the early adopter tax when you know it will pay off in the end.

Targeting

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on August 13, 2008 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sometimes you want to be everything to everyone. It is widely known that more and more women are picking up video games. My wife can kick my ass in Mario Kart, and she loves Lumines. When it comes to ads, she even likes the new Comcast Wii ad...

But GameStop has something new and different: The perfect solution for a girls night in! Complete with party recipes and a football vocabulary lesson. It is really everything your wife or girlfriend needs for a night of digital football with her friends, all in one convenient location. Kotaku has an in-depth review of the initiative.

Introducing the iSpoon

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on August 12, 2008 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The newest app for the iPhone is free, and you can download it here... The iSpoon.

Once engaged, you can use your iSpoon just like a real spoon! Eat food. Stir. Scratch your back. It is all possible with the iSpoon. Download now.

You know what I love?

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on August 12, 2008 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pinball. What ever happened to pinball? It is classic, it is cool, it is mechanical, and I want a pinball machine. I know this comes with a lot of maintenance and upkeep, but that is part of the appeal... It is also why I think that brands should get back in the game (pun not intentional, but I'm kinda glad it happened). I've been poking around the ipdb, and there are some great games from everyone from NASCAR to Playboy to Jurassic Park.

I'm pretty sure it would get attention, and over time become collectable... But where would you put a pinball machine nowadays? About the only place I can see making sense is in a Burger King. Not only would people have to go to a restaurant to play, but BK might actually be bold enough to try it. Other than that, I'm having trouble figuring out where one might go. Where would you put one?

Also, I'm really upset I haven't seen a steampunk pinball machine yet. That would make my week.

Madden Jets Cover

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on August 11, 2008 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Here is an exclusive. The new Bret Favre Jets cover for Madden. The files are huge and I'm having trouble posting them, so I sent them over to Ashcraft at Kotaku and he got them scaled down and posted. Thanks Brian. So head over there to see the covers of Madden 09 for PS3, XBOX 360, and PSP.

[Update] The new cover is now available for free at all Walmart stores... if you purchase the game.

LittleBigPlanet might be huge

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on August 10, 2008 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been hearing about LBP for a while now, but I'm starting to think it is going to be a big deal. The game isn't out until the holidays, but Deutsch is already starting the campaign to make Sackboy an icon for Sony.

AdAge just posted an article that hints at a viral campaign that plays up the positive aspects of the Aqua Team Hunger Force fiasco. They are planning to unload about 1,000 ready-to-steal signs:

"Sony also plans to create about 1,000 "LittleBig billboards" -- about the size of a small yard sign -- to stick in the ground in and around San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Unlike typical cardboard yard signs, however, the minibillboards will feature working lights and ladders and other high-end art and design. The idea came from the game's agency, Deutsch. While the size of the boards almost ensures that at least a few will be stolen, that's OK with Sony. A spokeswoman said some pilfered signs posted on eBay may even add to the hype."

YouTube also has some hints of in-game brand integration. Amazon.com already has a trailer posted that ends with Sackboy pulling an Amazon package from the mailbox. With the ability to create your own levels being the unique selling point of this game... it will be interesting to see how many companies get onboard and create their own levels... and when this happens, will this make for a better or worse gaming experience?

[UPDATE] Looks like Walmart has a similar version out that I didn't know about. You can see it here.

Impending doom for the PC

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on August 10, 2008 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gaming is no longer an excuse to pick a PC over a Mac... And it isn't because Macs are great for gaming, its because people are moving to consoles. This means a couple of things:

1. The sticking point for people to choose PCs over Macs is now irrelevant, thus more people can buy Macs as home computers.

2. Software developers are shifting their focus from the PC to the console.

Edge has an interesting interview with John Carmack of ID Software where he concedes, "The ground truth is just that the sales numbers on the PC are not what they used to be and are not what they are on the consoles."

Maddenpalooza Jumbotron Ad

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on August 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is going to play Monday night on the Jumbotron:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Maddenpalooza

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on August 7, 2008 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So Favre is going to the Jets and I'm going to Maddenpalooza at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena. That is the tentative plan anyway. Still working on details, but if it happens, I'll try liveblogging the event.

Also, we've got a pretty funny spot that is going to air on the Jumbotron. I'm working on figuring out rights, but once I have them, I'll post the video. I laughed.

[UPDATE] I got pwned. Big briefing has come up that I can't miss, so I'm staying back in Richmond. But hopefully I'll still get some pictures and inside info from others who attend.

Hi. I'm Rye

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on August 7, 2008 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hi, I'm Rye. In the past I have worked on gaming campaigns for GameStop and Walmart. I've stood in line for midnight releases, and waited hours for system launches. So I know a little bit about the things I'm talking about. To keep me sharp, I'm also working with Dave Gibson who used to write for some gaming mags, Patrick Meeley who has worked on Konami, Ubisoft, and Sega, Doug Evans who has made some incredible video reviews, and Bruce Fougere who keeps coming up with impossible ideas AND finding ways to bring them to life... And a gaggle of other smart people who have the same unhealthy passion for gaming.

Getting started

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on August 7, 2008 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So... We're starting over. You may have read my short-lived blog a year ago, but I'm starting over with a new focus: gaming and advertising. I've got a great team of people on board to help out, and might even have some guest writers from around the country from time to time. I'll be posting some new gaming related articles from The Martin Agency, as well as interesting applications and examples from around the globe. So join in the conversation.

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