Video game that can add 10 years to your life ~ Jane McGonigal ~ TED
Game designer Jane McGonigal gives a fascinating TED talk on how video games can have a real, positive impact on people’s lives as she compares deathbed regrets to the reported benefits of playing a simple game. In the talk, McGonigal reveals that she suffered a severe concussion or traumatic brain injury and used a simple game she designed (SuperBetter) to help cope with her symptoms while healing.
I was quite inspired by McGonigal’s enthusiasm and confidence that video games can be a source for good in our lives. I’ve gotta check out her book Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World
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The Last of Us ~ Bill’s Safe House ~ Comic-Con 2012
Naughty Dog’s post Uncharted franchise hopeful The Last of Us received enormous buzz at the 2012 E3 convention. During Comic-Con 2012, they released another teaser video for the game. This is looking good. NSFW due to language. …
Frog plays “Ant Smasher”
Ant Smasher Frog ~ This is a very popular video of an actual frog playing the “Ant Smasher’ game app (for android). As a long-ago biology major who frequently worked with frogs (xenopus laevis), I would have done a research project on frogs playing Ant Smasher if I had the chance.
Playing video games can improve brain function
Guild Wars 2 beta ~ Impressions ~ Videos & Links
Guild Wars 2 beta – Some videos and links of beta testers’ first impressions. I hope to add more as I find them.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning ~ Looks great!
I found this IGN review of the new RPG Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning quite compelling. Conclusion:
- Gameplay combat is fantastic
- Story a little obtuse
- Character animation for cut scenes not of highest quality
- Background settings quite good and beautiful
- Attack or gameplay animation is wonderful
Mass Effect 3 ~ Female Shepard Trailer
Mass Effect 2 was one of my favorite video game experiences. Except for the grinding for minerals, totally a killer ride. I played a female Shepard in my full run through, so this new, “enhanced” version of the female Shepard in Mass Effect 3 caught my interest. She looks bad ass, and the voice work by Jennifer Hale sounds excellent. …
Adam Adamowicz ~ visual designer Skyrim & Fallout 3 ~ dies of lung cancer
Visual designer Adam Adamowicz, who contributed/led the visual/concept design of Skyrim and Fallout 3 among other video games, passed away from lung cancer on February 8, 2012. His work was inspired, and the world of visual design has a huge hole to fill. Adam was 43 years old and died way, way too young.
Zynga’s strategy ~ “Don’t f***ing innovate!”
“I don’t f***ing want innovation…You’re not smarter than your competitor. Just copy what they do and do it until you get their numbers.”
~ Zynga CEO Mark Pincus
