Space Giraffe creator and Llamasoft founder Jeff Minter poses with what we can only assume is some sort of space giraffe at the 2010 R3play retro gaming show in England over the weekend, as seen on Gemz_photography's Flickr stream.
Gameface is a photographic celebration of the people who make, play and love video games.
There are more things to do in New York City than go to the Nintendo store to watch speedruns. Starting tomorrow, you can go to the revamped PlayStation store. All we need after that is a Dreamcast store, right?
The official PlayStation blog teases the following stuff in this new PlayStation lounge which opens on Tuesday:
you will finally be able to get your hands on game demos never before available to the public including Killzone 3 and Motorstorm: Apocalypse, play portions of Gran Turismo 5 first previewed at E3, check out the SingStar and EyePet showcases and, on opening day, have your picture taken with Sackboy from the award-winning LittleBigPlanet franchise.
That's the GT5 set-up pictured up top.
Plus, tomorrow they will have giveaways, including raffles for free PS3s starting at noon tomorrow.
Location: PlayStation lounge at the Sony Style Store, 550 Madison Avenue - Google map of the location
When: Starting Tuesday, November 9
PlayStation Moving into Manhattan [PlayStation Blog]
What's the sweetest meat of Mario's eternal rival, Bowser? Artist Jude Buffum breaks down the choicest cuts of Nintendo villains Bowser, Ganon, Blooper and more in a new series of meat diagrams that video game butchers would swear by.
Buffum answers the questions we never really wanted answers to, like "What's the best way to prepare Yoshi tongue?" and "Where do Chocobo nuggets come from?" in a new series of 8-bit paintings. They'll be available at the upcoming Pixel Pushers show in Culver City, CA, the same event curated by Scion and Giant Robot that boasts that NES-style Scion car.
Hit up Buffum's blog to see the rest of the series.
Koopa, It's What's For Supper [The Jude Abides]
The battle for the future of humanity is joined, as MMO developer Bigpoint reveals the launch of the closed beta test for browser-based MMO Battlestar Galactica Online. Get a peek at what fashionable humans and Cylons will be wearing this fall.
Players from across Europe and the U.S. are now flying the unfriendly space lanes of Battlestar Galactica Online. During this early phase of testing, players can create human or Cylon characters and engage in a training mission, after which they are free to roam the galaxy, engaging in battles against AI opponents and other players in between exciting bouts of mining.
Bigpoint will be allowing more players into the closed beta in the coming weeks, leading up to the open beta tentatively scheduled for December. For your chance at a piece of the action (wrong show), visit the official Battlestar Galactica Online website.
The Sunday celebration in New York City for Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary included cake, Super Mario cake.
At the Nintendo World Store near Rockefeller Center, Nintendo's lead game designer and Super Mario creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, cut the cake alongside Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime (pictured left in the photo below.)
Let's look at this cake more closely via the magic of the moving image.
Did the cake taste good? Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto lets us know. Either that or he really is answering the question shouted by some attendee about whether the cake tastes like mushrooms.
Using the television or video game console to babysit your child might be more detrimental than you think. The results of a two decade study show that actively participating in your child's life could save them from severe personality disorder.
While psychologists have pinpointed many of the adverse elements that go into a child growing up afflicted severe personality disorder, not much has been done to research the factors that could go into helping prevent them from occurring. until now. A study in the current issue of the Development and Psychopathology journal reports that spending quality time in close proximity to an important adult figure can be fundamental in helping children better handle to world around them and how it changes in relation to them as they grow.
"The strong interpersonal connectedness and social skills that children learn from having active, healthy engagements with adults fosters positive psychological development," said lead study author Mark F. Lenzenweger. "With it, a child develops his or her affiliation system – their connection to the world of people. Without it, the way a child connects with other human beings can be severely impaired. And as I found out, it is this impairment that predicts the appearance of schizoid personality disorder symptoms in emerging adulthood and beyond."
A deep and fulfilling bond with an adult helps establish a child's willingness to communicate and connect with others. IA lack of this willingness to communicate is found in many patients suffering from personality disorders.
"Through a rich degree of proximal processes, or more simply put, interactions generally associated with a caring and strong interpersonal relationship, a significant adult - typically a parent but who could also be a caregiver or role model – can help a child to progress to a richer, more differentiated, and fuller psychological experience," said Lenzenweger.
The study indicates that even the most difficult of children saw a benefit from strong parental relationships, showing that the willingness of the parent is a core factor in developing these strong relationships; the child's overall likeability isn't much of a factor.
A professor of clinical science, neuroscience and cognitive psychology at Binghamton University, State University of New York, Mark F. Lenzenweger is in a unique position to comment and speculate on the mental development of children. He began his Longitudinal Study of Personality Disorders in 1991, and has spent the better part of two decades keeping up with the research in that study.
Time is a key factor in Lenzenweger's study. Many long-term psychological studios focus on two points in time. Subjects are measured once at point A, then again at point B, and the results are compared. Lenzenweger instead performed a multiwave analysis, tracking various stages of development over an extended period of time.
As the Longitudinal Study of Personality Disorders progresses it will give psychologists unprecedented insight into how the problems common to adult life aid in the development and prevention of personality disorders. Lenzenweger is spending his lifetime studying lifetimes to give the world a better idea of how to maintain a healthy mind.
"This new approach, which would include genetics, will give us a much better idea of how subjects are doing as they encounter the complex things that happen further along in the course of life," said Lenzenweger. "This includes marriage, divorce, sickness, health, childbearing, career, unemployment, and economic challenges. A focus on these factors, both biological and social, will provide a clearer window on how personality and personality disorder changes across the lifespan, and give us a clearer insight into territory that remains largely unexplored."
even though his study has a long way to go, Lenzenweger and his colleagues have already given us an invaluable piece of information. Don't just let your children play. Play with them. It'll better equip them to deal with all of the craziness adult life has waiting for them.
Play with your kid, for their mental health's sake [Physorg.com]
You spent enough money on that shiny new iPad. You shouldn't have to pay for games as well. Here's a selection of the finest free iPad gaming has to offer.
There's a tremendous amount of free video game content available for the iPad some seven months after launch, but how do you weed through all of the low quality fluff and crippled Lite versions of more expensive titles to find those hidden gems? We'll help get you started. Once we're done, the comments section is there to share your own top picks for free iPad gaming.
Developer: USA Today
Genre: Word Puzzle
The next evolution of the newspaper crossword puzzle appears every day (except for Sunday) inside the USA Today iPad app. It's all the joy of sitting on the toilet doing the daily crossword without needing something to write on, and with hints available for players not quite as informed as your average hardcore crossword player, it's super accessible as well.
Extras: USA Today's iPad app is ad supported, so you'll have to deal with tiny bar advertisements at the bottom of the page, but you'll hardly notice them. As an added plus, the app also features news.
Alternate: NY Times Crossword Puzzles - The NY Times puzzle app has a larger selection of puzzles, but you eventually have to pay for a subscription.
Developer: Craig Smith
Genre:Text-based Adventure
Return to the glory days of text-based adventure games, where going north meant typing "go north." Featuring a wide selection of Interactive Fiction in the Z-Machine format including the Infocom classic Zork, and the ability to import more games from the Interactive Fiction Database, you'll be going north for a good long time. As an added plus, it looks like you're working.
Extras: Nothing here but a labor of love; no hidden charges, advertising, or anything of that sort.
Developer: Spacetime Studios
Genre: Action MMO
Pocket Legends is a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game with the action of a Diablo clone. Select from one of three anthropomorphic animal character classes and venture online to seek your fortunes with countless other players.
Extras: Players can buy in-game platinum coins for real money to upgrade their equipment and purchase special items to aid them in their adventures.
Developer : Tapulous
Genre: Rhythm
Tap Tap Radiation is the iPad installment of the popular Tap Tap series of music rhythm games. Three targets appear on the screen, and the player must tap them in time with the beat of the music in order to score points. The main game comes with five songs for free, with an additional 33 free tunes available for download in the in-game store.
Extras: Players can purchase additional premium music at modest prices. Recently a six-song Lady Gaga set was made available for only $2.99.
Alternate: Rhythm Racer HD There's less music but more action in Rhythm Racer, where a futuristic vehicle travels a three lane track, picking up globes in time to the music.
Developer: MobilityWare
Genre: Cards
There is always time for a quick game of Solitaire, and you'll find plenty of different versions for the iPad, but none quite as simple as MobilityWare's Solitaire. You loved it on the PC. Now love it on the iPad.
Extras: No ads or paid upgrades; just good clean Solitaire fun.
Developer: Metaversal Studios
Genre: Board Game
The iPad is perfect for multiplayer board games, and GameRoom delivers. More than just a series of popular board game classics like Checkers, Reversi, and Go, GameRoom gives you the pieces to create your own board games as well.
Extras: No hidden costs here, and the developer regularly updates with new game types.
Developer: Aurora Feint
Genre: Puzzle Role-Playing
It's almost like a lite version of Puzzle Quest with social aspects. Aurora Feint is a puzzle game where you connect three or more symbols to either heal your character or damage foes. Using the Open Feint system, players can recruit friends and then call on them to help battle enemies during times of need. It's a quick match-puzzle game with a purpose.
Extras: Nothing extra here, though you'll have to join the free Open Feint network to get the full effect.
Developer: Newtoy Inc.
Genre: Multiplayer Word Puzzle
Wait, isn't Words with Friends Free HD a Lite version of the full-priced online multiplayer Scrabble game? Not at all! It's an ad-supported version of Words with Friends, and as long as you don't mind a little product placement with your word puzzle games you can join the millions of players a day who log on to challenge each other's vocabulary and spelling prowess.
Extras: There's nothing more to buy, unless you ind Words with Friends ads so appealing that you simply must partake of whatever they're selling.
Developer: Zynga
Genre: Social Farming
This is the popular FaceBook game FarmVille, only much easier to navigate thanks to the iPad's touchpad. The app was rocky when first released, but thanks to strong support and updates it's possibly the best way to play FarmVille out there.
Extras: As with the Facebook version, FarmVille HD players can purchase Zynga money in order to buy special items to improve their farm.
Developer: Imangi Studios
Genre: Traffic Control
Imangi Studios delivers a watery take on the incredibly popular Flight Control series, with players tracing routes for boats to take into harbor. As an added twist, once the boats are in harbor, others have to wait while the current ship's cargo is unloading, adding an additional layer of strategy to an already winning formula.
Extras: Harbor Control HD comes with one map included. Additional maps are purchasable for $.99, and players can also purchase Rewind Packs that allow them to turn back time after a crash.
We've shown you our picks for some of the best free iPad games available today. Now it's your turn. What free gems have you found lurking in the iTunes App Store?
You spent enough money on that shiny new iPad. You shouldn't have to pay for games as well. Here's a selection of the finest free gaming the iPad has to offer.
There's a tremendous amount of free video game content available for the iPad some seven months after launch, but how do you weed through all of the low quality fluff and crippled Lite versions of more expensive titles to find those hidden gems? We'll help get you started. Once we're done, the comments section is there to share your own top picks for free iPad gaming.
Developer: USA Today
Genre: Word Puzzle
The next evolution of the newspaper crossword puzzle appears every day (except for Sunday) inside the USA Today iPad app. It's all the joy of sitting on the toilet doing the daily crossword without needing something to write on, and with hints available for players not quite as informed as your average hardcore crossword player, it's super accessible as well.
Extras: USA Today's iPad app is ad supported, so you'll have to deal with tiny bar advertisements at the bottom of the page, but you'll hardly notice them. As an added plus, the app also features news.
Alternate: NY Times Crossword Puzzles - The NY Times puzzle app has a larger selection of puzzles, but you eventually have to pay for a subscription.
Developer: Craig Smith
Genre:Text-based Adventure
Return to the glory days of text-based adventure games, where going north meant typing "go north." Featuring a wide selection of Interactive Fiction in the Z-Machine format including the Infocom classic Zork, and the ability to import more games from the Interactive Fiction Database, you'll be going north for a good long time. As an added plus, it looks like you're working.
Extras: Nothing here but a labor of love; no hidden charges, advertising, or anything of that sort.
Developer: Spacetime Studios
Genre: Action MMO
Pocket Legends is a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game with the action of a Diablo clone. Select from one of three anthropomorphic animal character classes and venture online to seek your fortunes with countless other players.
Extras: Players can buy in-game platinum coins for real money to upgrade their equipment and purchase special items to aid them in their adventures.
Developer : Tapulous
Genre: Rhythm
Tap Tap Radiation is the iPad installment of the popular Tap Tap series of music rhythm games. Three targets appear on the screen, and the player must tap them in time with the beat of the music in order to score points. The main game comes with five songs for free, with an additional 33 free tunes available for download in the in-game store.
Extras: Players can purchase additional premium music at modest prices. Recently a six-song Lady Gaga set was made available for only $2.99.
Alternate: Rhythm Racer HD There's less music but more action in Rhythm Racer, where a futuristic vehicle travels a three lane track, picking up globes in time to the music.
Developer: MobilityWare
Genre: Cards
There is always time for a quick game of Solitaire, and you'll find plenty of different versions for the iPad, but none quite as simple as MobilityWare's Solitaire. You loved it on the PC. Now love it on the iPad.
Extras: No ads or paid upgrades; just good clean Solitaire fun.
Developer: Metaversal Studios
Genre: Board Game
The iPad is perfect for multiplayer board games, and GameRoom delivers. More than just a series of popular board game classics like Checkers, Reversi, and Go, GameRoom gives you the pieces to create your own board games as well.
Extras: No hidden costs here, and the developer regularly updates with new game types.
Developer: Aurora Feint
Genre: Puzzle Role-Playing
It's almost like a lite version of Puzzle Quest with social aspects. Aurora Feint is a puzzle game where you connect three or more symbols to either heal your character or damage foes. Using the Open Feint system, players can recruit friends and then call on them to help battle enemies during times of need. It's a quick match-puzzle game with a purpose.
Extras: Nothing extra here, though you'll have to join the free Open Feint network to get the full effect.
Developer: Newtoy Inc.
Genre: Multiplayer Word Puzzle
Wait, isn't Words with Friends HD Free a Lite version of the full-priced online multiplayer Scrabble game? Not at all! It's an ad-supported version of Words with Friends, and as long as you don't mind a little product placement with your word puzzle games you can join the millions of players a day who log on to challenge each other's vocabulary and spelling prowess.
Extras: There's nothing more to buy, unless you find Words with Friends ads so appealing that you simply must partake of whatever they're selling.
Developer: Zynga
Genre: Social Farming
This is the popular FaceBook game FarmVille, only much easier to navigate thanks to the iPad's touchpad. The app was rocky when first released, but thanks to strong support and updates it's possibly the best way to play FarmVille out there.
Extras: As with the Facebook version, FarmVille HD players can purchase Zynga money in order to buy special items to improve their farm.
Developer: Imangi Studios
Genre: Traffic Control
Imangi Studios delivers a watery take on the incredibly popular Flight Control series, with players tracing routes for boats to take into harbor. As an added twist, once the boats are in harbor, others have to wait while the current ship's cargo is unloading, adding an additional layer of strategy to an already winning formula.
Extras: Harbor Control HD comes with one map included. Additional maps are purchasable for $.99, and players can also purchase Rewind Packs that allow them to turn back time after a crash.
We've shown you our picks for some of the best free iPad games available today. Now it's your turn. What free gems have you found lurking in the iTunes App Store?
With the Xbox 360 Kinect selling like gangbusters, Sony releases this infographic to demonstrate how its take on motion gaming is picking up speed. Are you convinced?
The infographic uses up a lot of real estate discussing people interested in buying a PlayStation Move controller. Intending to buy and purchase intent weigh heavily, but those shipping numbers seem a trifle low. One million shipped in both North and Latin America since launch, and no concrete sales numbers? Taking into consideration the one million units shipped is the same number we got back on October 21, and I'm not sure I'm seeing the same momentum that Sony is.
