Netbook, internet everywhere

Netbook began gaining its popularity in 2007 when Asus launched Asus Eee PC. The name is derived from its slogan, "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play".

I have thought the netbook as a stripped-down laptop due to its lower spec and lacks of DVD drive. The display ranges from 7" to 12".

But to many consumers in emerging markets and parents, who worry that their kids will break the expensive laptops, netbook offers great value to their needs. In 2008, netbook sold 11.4 million units worldwide and 70% of which are in Europe. Its pricing also proves to fight off the recent recession.

The trend is reinforced by the rise of web-based applications and mobile broadband. Many models of netbook come with the built-in 3G wireless / HSDPA Card.

Professionals can conduct every aspect of their business online, from communication, team management, file transfer, bookkeeping, marketing, sales, filing tax, etc.

Definitely, more people will be connected and playing MMO games. Netbook is the next gaming platform for browser games.

For a complete coverage on netbook see:
The Netbook Effect: How Cheap Little Laptops Hit the Big Time
By Clive Thompson 02.23.09 Wired Magazine


"United States sales. Green shows portable. Red shows server and desktop PC sales."

"International sales. Green shows portable. Red shows server and desktop PC sles."

Image Source: IDC Netbook & PC sales projection - 2008 through 2013 (6 March 2009, TG Daily)

plaYce, yet aother web-based game development platform

plaYce, released its beta version to limited testers, is looking to partner up with independent developers to create games based on its world map, mirroring the real world. The plaYce player, a web browser plug-in, is required to stream its games. The demo game loads up swiftly on my GeForce 8600M GT and broad bandwidth.

The company’s business model will be based on micro-transactions, virtual goods, in-game ads, and rev-share with game developers. Developers will not be charged for the use of the platform.

The business model and how developers will embrace the idea and platform need time to test. But the graphic rendering and Downtown Defender are quite a blast. The UI is easy (very intuitive contrary to the complexity of Second Life that I am already used to). The game play (deploy attacking units and pick up supply units) is a quick fun and sustain enough interest for me to play for couple rounds. Though targeting on casual gamers, I think the theme, riding helicopter and shooting giant aliens, and the upcoming car race game are more for hardcore gamers rather than the typical casual gamers. But surely plaYce may stimulate different types of gamepaly in its 3D environment while the hit casual games so far are 2D.

Game developers can also model 3D arenas in any standard 3D modeling tool and then import it. Game arenas that “float in space” are also supported.

For more information:
TC50’s plaYce Launches Real-World, 3D Game Platform as a Service
by Roi Carthy on February 24, 2009
Other World Notes: Get 300 Beta Invites to plaYce, Another Web-Based 3D Development Platform
by Wagner James Au on March 02, 2009

Not Just a Game System

Read the comparison of these competitive mobile (hand-held gaming) devices, providing a variety of entertainments from gaming, music, video, to chatting (phone calls, internet, or my favorite PictoChat):

Nintendo DSi vs. PSP-3000 vs. iPod Touch (or iPhone)
by Ross Miller, Oct 2nd 2008

Differences among these guys are:
• Nintendo DSi is about media entertainment with additional values to enhance social interaction, provide learning experiences, and facilitate healthy lifestyle (innovative hardware - the touch screen).
• PSP-3000 is entertainment, entertainment, entertainment in hardcore style. It has better graphic quality and familiar button interface (trying to go casual).
• iPod Touch (or iPhone) lets you work and play! Also very flexible when it comes to adding new applications (developer-friendly platform). Already MMOs are coming to iPhone.

Also read:
What the Nintendo DSi, PSP 3000, and iPhone mean for MMOs
by Michael Zenke, Oct 2nd 2008 (images with captions)

I somehow still prefer to keep my mobile phone doing any voice/text-related tasks but not anything graphical, leaving that to a more powerful computer with bigger display. But iPhone is such a temptation.

Packet Sort by Dedric Mauriac

Packet Sort is a collaborative game. Commissioned by Cisco (The complete Cisco Live Pavilion project is overseen by Banana Stein at Meta Magic Studio) for its upcoming annual IT and communications conference Cisco Live, the game concept embeds the three major themes of Cisco Live: "The Power of Collaboration, The Evolution and Transformation of the Data Center, and Cisco and Intel Mobility Solutions" (continued from 2008).


It's a short and intense fun game (3 minutes a round). Three players are required to play the game: Seeker, Feeder, and Sorter. The goal is to transmit packets of video, voice, data, and threat (viruses) to their appropriate boxes (see comments for detailed game rules). My team advanced up to the 5th place on the high score record (1553). This game can also be a good sport in real life. Not to mention it helps explain the fundamental concept of how information technology works.

Cisco Live hosts regular virtual events in Second Life (Cisco Live Second Life TechChat)
(SLURL) as part of their Cisco Live Virtual program (for learning and networking with technical professionals) (see Cisco virtual world blog for current updates).

SLCW by

If you want to yell out BULLSHITS BULLSHITS BULLSHITS and release your aggression, you definitely want to attend Second Life Champaign Wrestling's live wrestling match (SLURL) and even apply to become a Pro Wrestler.




Argh.........

Notable moments at today's matches, Allie dragged Misaki out of the ramp, pulling on her hair, and ended her with a powerful lockdown. Ari's heavy metal theme video rocked the house when he entered to challenge Waroop. There were too many slapping and ankle injuries at this man-to-man match. I have no idea why wolfpr totally beat Carmen at the end. She kicked him right in his spot. SLCW's first anniversary show is coming soon.

Just like applying for any job, one needs to prepare, learn about the organization, like what they do, and know what you want to do there. It's a community (host: Eric, ref: Candice).

Linden Lab's New Acquisition (Lifestyle Application)

Linden Lab is making strategic changes to Second Life virtual world and just acquired OnRez and xStreetSL, making the websites Second Life's official central marketplace. It seems to me that Linden Lab is getting ready to attend to new and more general users.



While the current tool sets provided by Second Life viewer sits between the position to serve content creators (want more capacities and flexibilities than the current version) and shoppers (need a simplified navigation and more interesting activities), I wonder how they will approach to the improvement of UI design that can carter to virtual business and/or promote virtual lifestyle and digital entertainment. (The front page of Second Life does say something about what Linden would like to focus on and offer to their citizens).

Other virtual worlds (Lively by Google is out):
1. Open Grid (Open Life viewer by Kristen Lee) PC/Mac/Linux (2008-9)
There has been a Kristen viewer for PC to render dynamic lighting and shadow. A Mac version has been released for 2009. (built upon the original open source code from Linden Lad is under GPL)
2. Roblox
Virtual world plus block building game sounds like a very smart idea.

3. Jumpstart 3D Virtual World (for age 3 to 8, necessary?) PC/Mac (2007-8)
Considering children's cognitive development in its UI design, instead of teleport in this virtual world avatars jump to the destination (showing the jump physically). Simplified navigation (move forward/backward/left/right) with arrow keys and mouse click (control mechanics used in many casual games) and other audiovisual assistance make the control interaction easy and fun.

Team Fortress 2 by Valve

Gameplay (quotation and video):

In TF2, each class [totally nine character classes including Spy, Pyro, Soldier, Heavy, Medic, Sniper, Demoman, Scout and Engineer] has roughly three main ways of attacking - a primary weapon (the Heavy's minigun, Pyro's flamethrower, Engineer's sentry gun, etc.) and secondary (various classes have shotguns, others pistols, while the Demoman has a highly effective mine thrower) and melee weapons (the Scout's bat, the Medic's bonesaw, and so on). Though classes now possess fewer means of attacking, the resulting gameplay feels much more focused. Each class has a very clearly defined role and the means to ensure they perform successfully. The only limiting factor is, of course, how effectively your team meshes together.

source: Team Fortress 2 Review: Well worth the wait? by Charles Onyett



Valve's game Team Fortress 2 came into my radar through machinima Ignis Solus, meaning "burn alone" in Latin. I personally think machinima is a good creative channel and marketing device since it can reach audience, who has not yet paid attention to hardcore video games like dedicated gamers do but is interested in stories, animation, video, and music (Mac users?). (Steam is a PC gaming hub)

Pure Combat in Second Life (Its biggest advantage is platform free) is like a casual game version of Team Fortress 2. [to be finished]

Dark Isle RP Sim by Darby Dollinger and watcher Castaignede

Dark Isle (SLURL) is a mythical roleplaying game based on ancient Celtic civilization. You can choose to begin the game with a tour of the sim that along the way introduces players the game narrative - the crisis of Dark Isle, and sets up a backdrop for making up your own stories. There are also puzzles to solve in order to proceed to next stop. Players would encounter NPCs. It's kind of a nice single player mode if you are alone or choose not to talk and collaborate with other players.


The scenery at the entry point was quite spectacular. Immediately, I was drawn to continue playing the game. The core structure of the roleplaying game is based on Celtic social class - peasants, nobles, and druids (and of course game moderators are gods). Earning your way up reflects RL quite well (see comment for the game's detail description about class structure). You can also level down to be slaves. I entered the game as unskilled serf. Below is my character's story (The game doesn't seem to be surrounded with sexual theme though watcher told me that it was once a Gor):

My character's name is Thalia, a 20 year-old young woman. She is the daughter of a poor peasant from another village. Her father past away recently. She traveled alone to the village at Dark Isle. She met two young men, who stayed only shortly at the village. She's so naive to ask for helps upfront. She told them about the golden egg she's found from the hen outside of blacksmith's house.

I ended up getting stuck at the 3rd puzzle, where I could not find clue to next point and the item Talisman of Hope. It seems like I will need help from gods.

(watcher warmly welcomed me to the game. Thus the journey began...)

7Seas Fishing Game by Seven Shikami

How I came across this game... I was checking out NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Second Earth, which takes real-time data from Google Earth and display graphical information such as satellites around the earth on a scale model globe (which I didn't see it). It also tells you current weather info about places around the world. This is very cool.

In the same region around a small corner, there seemed to have couple people around since I saw 5 green dots on Second Life map. But there were on one around. Apparently, they were not avatars but bots to attract traffics. At least it got me.

7Seas Fishing Game's gameplay demonstrate good utilization of the open sea areas in Second Life. Teleport to its headquarters (SLURL) at Flotsam Beach. After couple casts and siting around a while, I caught a Common Fish: Brown Flounder, which I can save it as a pet and display in my aquarium.

...catching various wearable pets and other prizes! Load up some bait and shoot for leveling up your rod, track down those rare fish, show off your catches in a personal aquarium, take part in a fishing contest, create your own fishing area with your own custom catches, or even play games with your newfound finned friends -- it's all possible!

Shrooms by Aargle Zymurgy

Shrooms is a puzzle game. (for detailed game rules, click comment)


Play free Shrooms games at Hachimantai (SLURL)

Game Creator: Aargle Zymurgy
Arcade Owner: Creator: Lemon Family

Steamed bun = Chinese culture in Japanese culture. Steamed buns are fun and fulfilling food on the go, especially good while both hands are busy playing games.

Kung Fu Panda

Po's Kung Fu Challenge (online multiplayer battle)

The following description was found on Cocoa Krispies cereal box:

Peaceful Valley finds itself threatened by the evil Snow Leopard, Tai Lung. Po, the daydreaming, noddle-loving panda is unexpectedly chosen to defend his town in a Kung Fu showdown. Po puts his heart into the task and finds that being himself and doing his best are his greatest weapons in the battle to save his friends.

You need a PC and points to play the MMO game. Points can be bought or gained through playing the other two smaller games (casual games) - Mah-Jong Mayhem and Po's Awesome Appetite. The gameplay of Po's Awesome Appetite is based on the popular gameplay of Super Collapse!

Money Bounties

Pure Combat held a money bounty event on Dec 21. To prepare myself for the combat, I read all the game rules and practiced my combat skills with other players. It's not just a shooting game. All kinds of weapons can be used in the combat - knife, bat, mine, etc. The fun was in two aspects - social and simple/intense gameplay. But it may get a bit brutal. I have not yet successfully killed anyone.

Map of combat zone. I was on No Team. You can be Blue or Red. (nothing political)