Once upon a time (in early June actually) I read a rather special piece written by "863", or Gudmund Hernes [Wp] a former minister currently working at FAFO ("critical and action-oriented research on working life and social policy") and at the time contributing to Morgenbladet (the piece is only available in Norwegian, and for subscribers to the paper)
Two trains of thought related to this - first off the power of the net for finding all kinds of information. The excellent site of SSB (Norwegian bureau of statistics) has the search form, and it tells me that I'm one of 4417 - and the chart indicates that something like 1/3 are younger (sorry, no direct link - staying in online nick mode - have a look at 863 instead) making me perhaps 2996.
Looking back through the ages - it is quite clear that tradition has ruled, with Arne from 1911 to 1935 and Jan from 1940 until 1973 - so even at 4417 I still feel almost unique. Which brings us around to the actual topic of the piece; "why am I on first name terms with you?"
863 lists several possible reasons, from the US ways, passing by teens, celebrities and Alzheimer then coming to the tail and intimacy. Have we lost the necessary authority and respect to actually think in terms of private and public, near and far?
Are we all so close and open with the net and 24 hour news, that erecting barriers and formalities is outmoded? Or is it a way to escape the burdens of moving forward, just tackling the close and imminent agenda - rather than having a vision and a grand goal?
Or is it 863 that is turning into an old man, unable to adapt and therefore setting my ideas off on a path not suitable for progress? Perhaps both - it is the rumblings of the times, but at the same time we all seem lost for traction - the faith of decades past of a golden future coming closer seems to be almost forgotten. As we bicker about who is to blame for raising interest rates and lack of interest in science in the next generation, the future is moving away, leaving us behind in a polluted, segregated and divided world. Democracy doesn't mean happiness, nor does capitalism mean riches for all.
...time to snap out of it? Or to do something about it?
...and the sun is heating up even more, making the cold morning and nights of fall seem far far away, almost surreal...
//listening to Live - The Distance to here
Friday, September 28
Biggest game?
"Halo 3, the third and final episode in the hugely popular franchise, netted $170 million in sales in the U.S. in its first day" (CNet)
That is a pretty amazing number for a single day (at $60 each it's close to 3 million copies), considering that a large part of the "mass market" will probably begin picking it up from now and closer to the holidays passing 10 million copies in circulation seems likely, thereby outpacing Halo 2.
(Final Fantasy X hit around 5 million, while GTA III and both of the two first sequels topped 10 million each - also interesting to note that while the original Xbox only has seven million+ sellers, the 360 had already passed ten games before Halo 3)
Personally, I won't be getting a 360 for Halo 3, but if (when) I get around to getting one, I'll certainly pick it up as well. As a Bioware fanboy, it is no surprise that the big decider for my most likely near future purchase is Mass Effect. The latest hype-build up is an article on MTV about the use of Machinima, or more to the point people with a machinima background working on the team
"In their effort to create the most cinematic title gamers have ever seen, the "Mass Effect" development studio, BioWare, has hired people who make movies out of video games" (MTV !)
There is also another installment (in three parts) of the so-called podcast out - and for those wanting to get their toes wet the Dummies guide for machinima might be a nice starting point. It is written by some of the Bloodspell creators, and also gives you a dvd packed with tools and video to get you started playing. Or, to take this full circle; grab Halo 3 and try out the new tools included there for capturing gameplay as well as the editor
...and the sun is creating some screen glare here down south, and it is a wonderful feeling of warmth and relaxation...
Update (4.10): week-one sales have clocked in at a rather reasonable $300 million worldwide - Forty million hours of online games, which adds up to 4,500 years, have been played in the first week [Cnet]
That is a pretty amazing number for a single day (at $60 each it's close to 3 million copies), considering that a large part of the "mass market" will probably begin picking it up from now and closer to the holidays passing 10 million copies in circulation seems likely, thereby outpacing Halo 2.
(Final Fantasy X hit around 5 million, while GTA III and both of the two first sequels topped 10 million each - also interesting to note that while the original Xbox only has seven million+ sellers, the 360 had already passed ten games before Halo 3)
Personally, I won't be getting a 360 for Halo 3, but if (when) I get around to getting one, I'll certainly pick it up as well. As a Bioware fanboy, it is no surprise that the big decider for my most likely near future purchase is Mass Effect. The latest hype-build up is an article on MTV about the use of Machinima, or more to the point people with a machinima background working on the team
"In their effort to create the most cinematic title gamers have ever seen, the "Mass Effect" development studio, BioWare, has hired people who make movies out of video games" (MTV !)
There is also another installment (in three parts) of the so-called podcast out - and for those wanting to get their toes wet the Dummies guide for machinima might be a nice starting point. It is written by some of the Bloodspell creators, and also gives you a dvd packed with tools and video to get you started playing. Or, to take this full circle; grab Halo 3 and try out the new tools included there for capturing gameplay as well as the editor
...and the sun is creating some screen glare here down south, and it is a wonderful feeling of warmth and relaxation...
Update (4.10): week-one sales have clocked in at a rather reasonable $300 million worldwide - Forty million hours of online games, which adds up to 4,500 years, have been played in the first week [Cnet]
Tuesday, September 25
Escape Pod hits another high
With EP122 – narrated by Jack ”flat voice” Mangan – Transcendence Express, written by Jetse de Vries.
Fascinating story and wonderful concept, how one little steps leads to a great leap – and the effect of Moores Law condensed into a log scale, or perhaps more fitting; on a quantum scale. While it does seem a bit of a mouthful; I’d put this on par with Nightfall (the episode 100 Asimov great) in terms of lifting the veil a little bit. Guess it is time to get that donation sent off over the weekend. With the once mighty US dollar hitting new lows it makes all kinds of sense.
The reactions over at the comments for the show are rather mixed, with quite a few seeing it as a "good tech fix all, money bad" kind of blunt hammer story. Personally, I'd disagree - mostly based on the simple fact that the AI does not really "fix" the problems, it helps the children think about tomorrow and how they want that to be - by highlighting some possible outcomes rather than just saying; "great, let's license this or use it to rake it in on the NYSE"
Now I can hardly wait for the launch of Pod Caste dedicated to fantasy, rounding out the trio along with horror from Pseudopod even if we miss Mur – I promise you it is true) – and perhaps opening for even more frequent gems like this one.
...and the sun does not shine here during the night - it is busy playing with all the other children ...
Fascinating story and wonderful concept, how one little steps leads to a great leap – and the effect of Moores Law condensed into a log scale, or perhaps more fitting; on a quantum scale. While it does seem a bit of a mouthful; I’d put this on par with Nightfall (the episode 100 Asimov great) in terms of lifting the veil a little bit. Guess it is time to get that donation sent off over the weekend. With the once mighty US dollar hitting new lows it makes all kinds of sense.
The reactions over at the comments for the show are rather mixed, with quite a few seeing it as a "good tech fix all, money bad" kind of blunt hammer story. Personally, I'd disagree - mostly based on the simple fact that the AI does not really "fix" the problems, it helps the children think about tomorrow and how they want that to be - by highlighting some possible outcomes rather than just saying; "great, let's license this or use it to rake it in on the NYSE"
Now I can hardly wait for the launch of Pod Caste dedicated to fantasy, rounding out the trio along with horror from Pseudopod even if we miss Mur – I promise you it is true) – and perhaps opening for even more frequent gems like this one.
...and the sun does not shine here during the night - it is busy playing with all the other children ...
Monday, September 10
5 novels to a game
On writing for Bioware games, Drew K. put it in context; "Anyone who has played a BioWare game knows they're big. They're very big. 500,000 words, average" -so with your average fantasy novel coming in around 80 - 100 thousand words, that makes the game the size of five novels. Certainly looking forward to the game, will make for some wonderful escapism over xmas if past performance is any indication.
No wonder he could easily write the prequel Revelations at the same time (it is next in my reading queue, having just finished the paperback verison of his Star Wars almost-game tie-in Darth Bane - a different take on the SW universe, tackling motivation and the line between right and wrong in a different light than the movies. Working on KOTOR and possibly some of the more evil options in the other games gives him a broader perspective - and perhaps also a bit more "leash" in terms of the license owners and their view of what proper SW is all about.
...and the sun makes for an intense blue sky, offsetting the fall color on the leaves nicely...
No wonder he could easily write the prequel Revelations at the same time (it is next in my reading queue, having just finished the paperback verison of his Star Wars almost-game tie-in Darth Bane - a different take on the SW universe, tackling motivation and the line between right and wrong in a different light than the movies. Working on KOTOR and possibly some of the more evil options in the other games gives him a broader perspective - and perhaps also a bit more "leash" in terms of the license owners and their view of what proper SW is all about.
...and the sun makes for an intense blue sky, offsetting the fall color on the leaves nicely...
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