Gahhh

How does one go from relaxed and happy to be back at work to completely overwhelmed and stressed within a 24-hour time span? Crap. Well, that was fun while it lasted.

Ahhh

So I just got back from a very relaxing week on the beach, and even though it sucks when vacation is over, I'm pretty psyched to be back in the office today. My job is pretty awesome, I think!

Anyway, you need to check out the new "Gadget Game" called Loco Motion, which uses your webcam as an input device (not unlike the PS2 EyeToy). Nice work, Brad and games team!

We're On It

Cartoon Network has posted a bunch of information about its 2007 upfront presentation here. The new shows look great, although I must admit that I'm most excited for the MMOG!

Ubi to Make Movies

I get a lot of PR updates from game publishers, but most of them are boring game announcements. This one from Ubisoft, however, was really interesting!

Today at a press conference in Montreal, Canada, Ubisoft is announcing that it will create a new CGI movie production house within its Montreal studio and it will significantly expand its video game development operations in the region. In partnership with the local government, Ubisoft will create 1,000 additional positions by 2013, 500 of those positions will be within the new CGI studio.

The new CGI studio's mission will be to produce short digital films based on Ubisoft's video game properties. Work on an eight-minute short film inspired by Assassin's Creed is already underway.

This takes game makers right into the realm of film makers. Though it is similar to what we've seen from the CGI Final Fantasy flicks, this seems on a much grander scale. Wow! It will be cool to see what comes out of this studio. Assassin's Creed looks like dynamite on a plate.

Virtual Coinage

In the words of Cyndi Lauper, "Money changes everything." If you have any interest at all in virtual economies or world design, check out this great column on GameSetWatch.

Yes, buying virtual goods is big business, but how big seems rather nebulous. From a designer perspective, it's annoying to think that people want to simply use cash to get higher level characters and loot as opposed to playing your game. From the column:

I know a lot of folks are rushing through Burning Crusade to get to 70 ... but aren't these games supposed to be about having fun? Isn't the time and hard work of these developers something to be enjoyed rather than circumvented?

Ultimately, for me it's about third parties (who had nothing to do with your game) making hay off of your hard work. Why can't game publishers set up their own RMT businesses and undercut the gold farmers? From what I've been reading, some companies might be gearing up to do just that.

Voice Actors <3 Video Games

Check out the super talented voice cast from Billy & Mandy discuss making the game. Actually pretty interesting if you like the show!

Doesn't Really Manage

Steve Jobs says that DRM doesn't solve music piracy. Well, duh!

Ukulele!

Check out this cool profile of pal Flynn DeMarco, creator of the fab-u-lous Gay Gamer website.

(And no, I'm not gay...but I play one on teh internets.)

ZOMG

This is truly unreal! What a country!