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Video game news, reviews, and commentary.

  1. May12

    PodSession: Broadband and console gaming

    Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony are showing off their latest gaming consoles this week at E3 in Los Angeles. Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 each feature an ethernet jack and online gaming experiences built-in. These new devices are increasing demand for HDTV, broadband, and networking gear in the home. Game developers are able to push out new content after the game has shipped, or introduce smaller, more niche games through a console maker's online marketplace. The connected console is changing the way games are made and causing consumers to rethink their living rooms.

    Om and I cover these topics and more in this week's PodSession, Video games gunning for bandwidth. The podcast is 21 minutes in length, a 10 MB download

    Big Pun Capital Punishment cover

    I slipped in some lyrics from rapper Big Pun towards the beginning if you want a good laugh.

  2. Sep25

    Talking Second Life with Beth Goza

    I had the opportunity to talk with Beth Goza yesterday about multiplayer online worlds such as Second Life. Beth worked for Microsoft for seven years but just accepted a new job with Linden Lab, the company behind the virtual world of Second Life. I have read economics papers on virtual worlds such as Everquest or World of Warcraft but last night was my first tour from a fan.

    Second Life is a user-created world. Linden Lab has its own scripting language, soon to be compatible with C# I hear. Users create scripts and virtual worlds, and even actions within those worlds. Beth showed me a tree house, a mansion, and even a beach with user-programmed waves. There are craft-makers and home builders and all sorts of specialized roles. Some people make their entire living buying and selling goods within this virtual world.

    There are interpersonal relationships inside the online fantasy world complete with flirting, gifts, guest mansions, and sexual encounters. Last night Beth was chatting with a craftswoman about her latest shoe designs and received a free pair of platform shoes.

    Second Life is free for basic accounts that allow people to explore and socialize, and a $10 a month premium account that allows you to own a piece of virtual land up to 512 virtual square meters. There is an entire economy inside the game that boggles the mind. Islands are hot items, usually costing over $1000 Beth said.

    As I write this blog entry there are 54,607 members of Second Life with about 3,000 online right now (5.5% of total members). Over $50,000 worth of transactions has already changed hands today, and that's just counting what Linden Labs tracks.

    Beth started playing Second Life in early August, was addicted right away, and met the Linden Lab team while at Foo Camp. She had a new job at Linden within a month of playing Second Life for the first time! She now gets to help other people discover her online world and encourage premium upgrades.

    Linden Lab is located in the Barbary Coast area of San Francisco and it sounds like they are having a lot of fun.

    Tags: ,

  3. Apr25

    Redefined Nintendo a cappella medley

    It recently came to my attention that some people have not seen the video of a cappella group Redefined of the University of Wisconsin performing a Nintendo medley. The group's original enhanced CD recently sold for $81 on eBay after a lot of publicity.

    The movie features the following songs:

    1. Mario Bros. "Flag/Stage Clear"
    2. Super Mario Bros. Main Theme
    3. Dr. Mario
    4. Mario Bros. 3
    5. Mario Bros. "Star"
    6. Tetris
    7. Mortal Kombat
    8. Mario Bros. "Dungeon"
    9. The Legend of Zelda
    10. Mario Bros. "Game Over"

    The acting and singing is a hilarious combination. Zelda seems to be the crowd favorite. I love it!

    Adding an 11 megabyte video object to my post is a new experiment for me. The video loads every time you view my feed in NetNewsWire or view a page containing the post in a web browser such as Safari or Opera. I'll be watching the bandwidth and appreciate any comments about objects such as audio or video included in post text.

    Technorati Tags:

  4. Jan26

    Take 2 Games acquires Civilization franchise

    Take 2 Interactive Software announced that it has purchased the Civilization game franchise from FIRAXIS. Civilization IV will be released in late 2005 with 3D graphics and support for XML and Python user-created add-ons.

    I have spent many days over the years playing Civilization and its expansion packs. I'm looking forward to being able to code for the next version and bringing the Irish closer to virtual world domaination!

  5. Jan03

    Halo 2 rankings reset

    All Halo 2 Rumble Pit statistics -- the statistics used to rank match players on Xbox Live -- were reset on January 1, 2005. Bungie acknowledges the problem, but I now have to fight my way back to the top. No word yet from Microsoft on what caused the reset.

    • Posted on January 3, 2005 at 4:32PM
    • Updated at 10:57PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States
  6. Aug18

    Halo on the big screen

    Cinefour theaters in Logan, Utah has put together midnight Xbox tournaments on Friday nights at their movie theaters. Teams of four play against each other on the theater's huge screens. The theater charges $60 for the team of four and $3 for each spectator.
    • Posted on August 18, 2004 at 10:32AM
    • Updated at 10:56PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States
  7. May23

    Exercise on your Xbox

    ResponDesign plans to release Yourself!Fitnesss, a virtual personal trainer for your Xbox. Choose a backdrop and music track while Maya, your personal trainer, works through some of her 600 exercies. Eric Taub of the New York Times profiles Yourself!Fitness in today's New York Times.
    • Posted on May 23, 2004 at 11:21PM
    • Updated at 10:56PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States
  8. Apr15

    First person shooter in 96k!

    .theprodukkt produced a first person shooter, .kkrieger, with the entire code under fitting into 96k! Impressive. (via Slashdot)

    • Posted on April 15, 2004 at 9:51AM
    • Updated at 10:56PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States
  9. Dec18

    My new Xbox

    I am now the proud owner of an Xbox. Halo is a great game, and so far my only complaint is that I cannot add in my own music tracks to the carnage. I would love to see EA release FIFA for Xbox, but until then I still question selling my PlayStation 2. I think the hot gifts this holiday season will be entertainment related, such as game systems, DVD players, and home theater systems. These items seem like an investment for people spending a lot more time at home, and with their families. A lot of home theater systems offer better sound than my local movie theater. I saw Vanilla Sky in Dolby Stereo last night.
    • Posted on December 18, 2001 at 8:00PM
    • Updated at 10:56PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States
  10. Oct26

    PlayStation 2

    I just got my PlayStation 2!!! I was soo lucky, just happened to be in Best Buy when a new shipment came in. I also bought Tekken Tag Tournament, a dual shock controller, and an 8MB memory card. I ordered FIFA 2001 from Amazon.com, but it does not come out until November 21. I can't believe Ben Olsen is a poster boy now. Too bad he never won an NCAA title. hahaha...that's right, 2-0 in Richmond.
    • Posted on October 26, 2000 at 2:00PM
    • Updated at 10:56PM
    • By Niall Kennedy, a web technologist from
      San Francisco, California, United States

Niall Kennedy Niall Kennedy is a web technologist in San Francisco, California in the United States. I am very interested in the world of... MORE »

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