Posted inGames / Rant n' Rave / WTF?

It’s just a game!

by Deck

I read a very interesting article earlier tonight on the upcoming video game Spore, which was already featured in a previous blog posting. It gives more details about the mechanics of the game, which unfortunately isn’t due to be released for another year (or probably more)…

The game will let players create a custom-built microscopic germ that can evolve into a macroscopic critter that can walk on land, build its own cities, and eventually discover the secret of space travel. One of the most intriguing features of this open-ended game is how it will focus on “procedurally generated content” — that is, content that’s created on the fly by the game in response to a few key decisions that players make, such as how they make their creatures look, walk, eat, and fight.

Sounds very cool.

However, this particular entry was inspired not by the article itself, but by the six pages (at current count) of reader comments following the article. Even that’s not all that note-worthy given the hype and anticipation surrounding this game. What surprised me is that, because the game models an evolutionary process, a majority of this commentary is an argument of evolutionism vs. creationism, or more accurately an argument between a few anti-creation zealots vs. a few anti-evolution zealots.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I absolutely agree that everyone has a right to believe whatever they damn well want to. One of my favorite quotes, attributed to Voltaire (or is it?) is, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. I think this is the epitome of the American ideal.

However, when a limited number of extremists on either side of an issue, any issue, control the dialog about that issue, that dialog can get loud and rancorous enough to interfere with my right not to give a shit.

For the record, do I believe in evolution? Yep. Do I believe it’s the absolute answer to this particular question and that it precludes any and all other alternatives? Nope, I’m not that smart… I don’t have those kinds of answers.

Do I have opinions on other issues that divide our towns, our states, our countries, our planet? Yep. Am I going to rant and rave in the vain hope that you will end up believing the exact same thing that I do? Definitely not. I simply ask that you extend me the same courtesy.

OK, I think I’ve gotten it out of my system now. I’ll step off my soapbox and get you back to your regularly scheduled blog… ;-)

Posted inComics / On The Web

Seduction of the Innocent

by Deck

Seduction of the InnocentIf you’re a fan of comic books and unintentional sexual innuendo (and who isn’t?), I have just the place for you (virtually speaking)…

Superdickery.com is a site created by a comic book fan to showcase some of the more ridiculous, humorous, and/or offensive comic book covers, storylines, and superpowers that have appeared throughout the years. For example, the section titled Seduction of the Innocent collects a great number of comic images featuring some of the funniest unintentional sexual references ever commited to paper.

All I can say is that the golden age of comics must’ve been a much more innocent (and politically incorrect) time. Enjoy! ;-)

Posted inTechnology

Star Trek Technology Today!

by Deck

This video hosted by Yikers.com is a demonstration of some cool new touch screen technology that immediately reminded me of the way that the characters on Star Trek (the new shows anyway) would interact with their computers (aside from speaking).


I’ve had some experience designing an application for touch screen use, and it’s quite a bit different from a mouse and keyboard interface. I hope the R&D departments at places like Microsoft and Google are working on next generation user interfaces that use touch and speech.

I predict that the keyboard and mouse will go the way of vinyl records and electric typewriters in 15 years or less (possibly much less). Your children’s children will grow up in a world without these archaic devices. ;-)

Posted inWTF?

Square Melons?!?

by Deck

Square WatermelonsNo, I’m not talking about cosmetic surgery gone wrong.

Leave it to the Japanese to solve a problem that no one even realized they had. This story from the BBC tells how 20 years ago, a Japanese farmer came up with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon which could easily be packed and stored. The farmer grows the melons in glass boxes, which then assume the shape of the box as they grow. Today the cuboid watermelons are hand-picked and shipped all over Japan.

However, unnaturally shaped melons don’t come cheap. Each melonoid (my word :-)) sells for around 85 bucks, equivalently speaking. For that kind on money, you should get a Geisha girl as part of the package to hand-feed it to you. :-P

Posted inTelevision

EUReKA!

by Deck

EUReKAEureka! We may be deep in the dog days of summer, but a new TV show just started that’s worthy of a spot in the fall lineup.

EUReKA follows a U.S. marshal who gets stranded in a small town called Eureka, which he discovers is actually a top-secret brain trust where the government has various scientists working on potentially world-altering experiments.

It’s smart, funny, and inventive. Definitely TiVo material!

Posted inMusic

I got Hammered last night!

by Deck

Lovehammers LogoRelax, it’s not what you think…

Last night, I went to see Marty Casey and the Lovehammers play at Blueberry Hill, a “St. Louis Landmark”. The Duck Room in the basement of Blueberry Hill was a great place to watch Marty and the band perform. The room is named in honor of Chuck Berry, who performs his signature duck-walk there regularly. I think he might also sing and play a little guitar too. ;-)

And perform they did! In addition to Lovehammers tunes like “Hold On“, “The Tunnel“, and the soon-to-be-classic “Trees“, they also played amazing covers of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and “Paint It Black” from the Rolling Stones. Overall, they were on-stage for at least an hour-and-a-half and were called back for three encores. It was a terrific show for a great price (15 bucks).

For those of you in the shallow end of the pop culture pool (i.e. those of you with real lives), Marty Casey was the runner-up from last season’s Rock Star: INXS on CBS. Personally, I was pleased that he didn’t win the INXS gig outright because I think he’s much better with the Lovehammers. They haven’t hit the bigtime yet, but I can’t help but think it’s just a matter of time.

I’m going to go see them again in just a few weeks when they play at the Canopy Club in Urbana over by my alma mater, U of I. Tickets are available for purchase here. Hope to see y’all there!

Posted inGames

Please Sir, I want Spore…

by Deck

Spore Creature DesignerNo, this won’t be an article about porn… :-P

Spore is the highly anticipated new game from acclaimed game designer Will Wright, creator of a number of classics including SimCity and The Sims. In Spore, you start out as a single celled microorganism, which you can grow and evolve as a species until eventually you are fighting other civilizations for control of the entire galaxy! Cool, huh? :-)

Spore is played in phases…

  • Tide Pool Phase – Fight with other creatures and consume them to adjust the form and abilities of your creature. ItÂ’s survival of the fittest at the most microscopic level.
  • Creature Phase – Venture onto land and help your creature learn and evolve with forays away from your nest. The only way to grow is by taking chances!
  • Tribal Phase– Instead of controlling an individual creature, you are now caring for an entire tribe. Give them tools and guide their interactions as you upgrade their state of existence.
  • City Phase – Bring your creaturesÂ’ race into a new golden era by building up the technology, architecture, and infrastructure of their city.
  • Civilization Phase – Once your city is established, your creatures begin seeking out and interacting with other cultures. Make contact with an olive branch or a war cry. The goal for your creatures is to conquer the planet.
  • Space Phase – The time has come to move on to other worlds in your solar system. Make contact, colonize, or terraform, then venture further to find other solar systems. A ‘missionÂ’ structure provides new goals in your quest for galactic dominance.

Unfortunately, the game isn’t due to be released until early next year, but it’s already generating lots of buzz, even in mainstream media. Spore articles have recently appeared online at BusinessWeek, Forbes, and New York Times (registration required), as well as on major gamer sites such as IGN, GameSpy, and Yahoo Games.

Can’t wait! ;-)