Got game

Short update and praise for Scott Siegler - the gore'master of podcasting and podiobooks.
Just started listening to The Rookie;
a story that combines the intense football action of “Any Given Sunday” with the space opera style of “Star Wars” and the criminal underworld of “The Godfather.”

Based on listening to his previous novels (Earthcore, Ancestor and Infection), I've waited for a while before starting to tune in - which is a good thing because I tore through five chapters and a bonus episode on the train today. And I know that I have many more episodes loaded up and ready to play, up to 19 actually so almost all up (he usually does 22). I can imagine the frustration for those who actually listen along and then have to wait for seven days... the story is a true page-turner, the mix of alien species interesting and vivid, and the football a nice frame for his usual "violence and lots of violence" disclaimer. Not for the faint of heart.

There is even an official site for the league - so check out how things are going over at the GFL
, or get your own customized jersey (g.drn customs rules make too much of a hassle right now. shame really, would have been fun to wear one come spring)

Now, if only there was a tie-in for the next Bioware game, Mass Effect... that would be truly a marriage made in a twisted mind of story and action. Mayhap as a Xbox Live download down the road? Even if it seems unlikely now that there is a book deal with Del Ray

...and the sun .is hidden by clouds bringing more snow to a late winter..

New gen - or just fun games?

The sales figures from the US (NPD via Gamespot) is starting to come in after the pre-holiday launch of Wii and PS3, perhaps giving an indication of how things will fare over here in Europe when the PS3 is set to arrive closer to Easter;

• Wii top of the crop with some 435,503 units
• X360 gained another 294,000 conscripts
• with PS3 snaring in 243,554
• 
  
• BUT - the old king is not all that dead; 299,352 Playstation2 units were sold
  

So, ideas and impressions?
Seems like the Wii fun-factor is gaining ground, combined with a low price tag making it a nice January bargain for the much-needed post-holidays chill out. The "new gen" rather than "next gen" moniker is quite fitting, since the Wii is all about making it easy here and now, building on the connected base from the DS and the willingness to play for fun.
The fact that the PS2 actually out-sold both the 3 and 360 should speak volumes to that same effect. Here in Norway the top selling games are the Sing Star franchise (75 weeks and counting!) and the Buzz Quiz - "casual" games, suitable for everyone regardless of weekly hours spent mashing buttons, and most of all: a key part in having a good time with other people in the same room. Social interaction taken to a new level... we still have a lot of fun introducing new people to Donkey Conga on their first visit - more laughter than rhythm, but a great time for all.
...and the sun ...

Quote

"A cult is a religion with no political power" - Tom Wolfe [src]

sunrise to sunset, add 2.5 hrs

EarthTools - sunrise/sunset (and a host of other utilities) is a great Google maps mashup, and a reminder that since work started up on January second, the "day" has gotten a hour longer in the morning - and an hour and a half in the afternoon! Or from 09:22 to 08:15 for sunrise and from 15:20 to 16:48 for sunset... and counting. So spring is one the way, even if winter has/had finally taken hold over the last two weeks - bringing a tranquil cover of white, broken up by rather cold winds whipping around corners and down empty streets

Joost another channel

As you might have noticed over on the right I've added up a small "ad" for Joost - seeing as the beta is by invitation only, but the number of invites trickling around for regular testers is close to -1 at the moment (ie. 0 by most accounts), it seems sort of strange to blog about it and link there. BUT - hopefully the next release is just around the corner and they will be ready for another batch of lucky hopefuls to join the fray by then.

"combines the best of full-screen television entertainment with online interactive and community benefits to bring an unprecedented selection of video content to viewers anytime, anywhere" [Official launch of Joost brand]

Big words. Huge actually. But in many ways justified so far.
The number of content channels in what is basically a technical and back-end focused beta, supersedes my local cable company's basic offering. The shows look good, they are interesting to watch and sound good. And most importantly; they are making leaps and bounds forward with every incremental release - in terms of resources used, usability and stability.

I'm really looking forward to the day when the plug-in or widget API is opened up - and all the tweakers and hackers out there (perhaps myself included) can start making mash-ups bringing in interactivity of a whole different level than what you see even on dtv today. With "content aware overlays" there is hardly any limit to the potential - just look at all the variations on Google Maps. Then substitute rather static maps with full blown moving images and both big and huge words seem to fit.


In other news two new mash'ing options I came across today;
Yahoo Pipes - with capacity not quite up to the task; "Our Pipes are Clogged!" Earlier you got the frontpage with basic info, but now that is down as well.
Cuts - "create and share your take of online video" - so say goodbye to your official directors cut, and hello to everybody and his dogs' versions. Launching soon, so perhaps a bit more down the road.

...and the sun visit just long enough to keep the tulips alive - yellows, reds, and mixed...