Clive Thompson on Super Columbine RPG

 

I've been meaning to do this, but Clive beat me to the punch -- he sat down and played Super Columbine Massacre RPG. If you haven't played it yourself (or even if you have), check out his analysis of how the game is far more than the in-poor-taste murder simulator its detractors want it to be:

It's a neat stab at the mindset of the killers, who, for all their bombast about being objectified by their tormentors, did precisely the same thing to their victims. They didn't see them as individuals: They were just metaphoric targets for their hatred. Indeed, in the game, as the killers did in real life, you don't target any particular kids. You just wander around killing randomly. And Ledonne's aesthetic decision to make Super Columbine so retro-looking enhances this effect: The game's style evokes the killer's pared-down, simplistic, self-serving view of the world.

I, Columbine Killer [Wired]

Source: Clive Thompson on Super Columbine RPG
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:39:36 GMT

Brian Eno Doing Generative Music For Spore

 

Reports to this effect have been floating around for a while (ever since the joint Brian Eno/Will Wright lecture for the Long Now foundation last year), but a recent Berlin lecture by ambient music maestro Eno, written up at WWMNA, seems to have confirmed that Eno is curating the Spore soundtrack, a very neat revelation.

The write-up of the Berlin lecture explains: "Generativity plays a role in many fields now, with gaming being no exception. Also built around this notion and probably one of the currently most eagerly awaited games is Will Wright's Spore, for which Brian Eno, as he revealed, will be making the soundtrack! He was asked to do it, because the designers wanted sound that is just a procedural as the game itself, instead of the loops which are tied to certain stages or areas which we are used to experience in games."

What's more, Eno "...went on to demonstrate a simple software called "The Shuffler" which he uses to create fragments for the soundtrack of Spore and which even with a simple combination of samples possibly would never create the same composition twice within a lifetime." So basically, it's a bit like Koan Pro only crazily wired into a game? Of course, one might ask what Eno is doing if the music is infinitely different every time, but I guess he's the... DJ? [Via The-Inbetween.]

Source: Brian Eno Doing Generative Music For Spore
Originally published on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:02:33 GMT

Blizzard hints at new StarCraft by 2008

 

At a WoW: TheBurning Crusade launch event, Blizzard's VP of Business Development hints at the next instalment in the StarCraft series.

Source: Blizzard hints at new StarCraft by 2008
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:29:11 GMT

New ForceWare NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Drivers Released

 

New ForceWare NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Drivers Released

NVIDIA has released new ForceWare drivers for cards that use their new GeForce 8800 graphics chips. The new 97.92 version of the drivers can be downloaded at NVIDIA's web site and fixes issues in games like Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Halo, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This is just for the 8800 chip; no other NVIDIA cards support this driver release.

Frag Dolls Win Rainbow Six Vegas Tournament

 

Make a comment to them about "being in the kitchen." I dare you.

Source: Frag Dolls Win Rainbow Six Vegas Tournament
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:08:08 GMT

QuakeCon 2007 Details

 

12th annual event proving to be the largest yet

Source: QuakeCon 2007 Details
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:08:04 GMT

Ever wonder why BF2142 process is named "pace2142?"

 

Apparently, the EA Downloader version of Battlefield 2142 has an anti-piracy wrapper around it that installs a kernel-level driver.

Source: Ever wonder why BF2142 process is named "pace2142?"
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 03:00:02 GMT

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Pins Down Release Date

 

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. provides a dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, where you oppose smart & dangerous enemies, a large set of diverse weaponry, possibility to control machinery, detailed and interactive game world, story-driven single player with original team gameplay, and multiplayer with numerous modes. A THQ release schedule reveals that STALKER, 5 years after its announcement, will launch March 16, 2007.
News source: Worth Playing
View: Official website
Read full story...

Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Pins Down Release Date
Originally published on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:46:25 GMT

iBuypower Dream 2006 CrossFire Gaming System

 

When Comparing GeForce Quad SLI and Radeon X1900 in CrossFire, Radeon is the DX9 King: Part 2
 

Source: iBuypower Dream 2006 CrossFire Gaming System
Originally published on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:32:39 GMT

EA Announces C&C 3: Kane Edition

Electronic Arts today announced Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars: Kane Edition, a numbered collector's edition of the PC game set to hit in March. Kane Edition will come packed with a DVD featuring a behind the scenes documentary, deleted scenes and a blooper reel from the live action video shoots, a series of gameplay strategy videos from the game designers, five wallpapers and exclusive in-game content including five new multiplayer maps and three unique unit skins--one for each of the three factions in the game. "The Command & Conquer fans are among the most dedicated in the world. It's very exciting to be able to create a special bonus edition of C&C 3 with our fans in mind," said Mike Verdu, Vice President and Executive Producer at EALA. "The exclusive maps, strategy tutorials, special unit skins and 'making of' video provide hours of enjoyment to anyone who loves Command & Conquer. The 'blooper reel' is just flat out funny. I can't wait for Command & Conquer fans to get their hands on this game." more @ source. Source: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/command-%26-conquer-3...

 

Source: EA Announces C&C 3: Kane Edition
Originally published on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:15:58 GMT