11/10/2009
Making Celebrity Mii's
The Nintendo Wii is a great console. It's family friendly, fun and allows you to customize your characters, called Mii's, used in many of the games.The "Mii" is a brilliant concept. Instead of being some generic character in a game, you can be yourself. You can also make a celebrity look alike Mii. So the next time you are playing Baseball on Wii Sports, you might end up with a celebrity Mii on your team like Oprah, Tom Cruise or Dwight from the NBC TV show The Office.
This tutorial will guide you through making a Mii and sharing it on the Internet as well as give you plenty of celebrity Mii ideas.
Tutorial: How to Make and Share Celebrity Mii's for the Nintendo Wii
methodshop
11/07/2009
Nintendo and Sony Suffer Losses
Looks like the bad economy is now eating into the traditionally resilient home video game industry. So far this month, both Nintendo and Sony have announced losses.Sales of Nintendo's popular Wii console dropped down 43% during the 2nd and 3rd quarter this year. In an effort to help boost holiday sales, Nintendo has reduced the cost of the Wii from $249 to $199.
Nintendo's rival, Sony, is also feeling the bite of a bad economy. Sony reported a Q2 net loss of $292 million and their overall sales are down by 20%. However, Sony feels that sales of movies and TV shows on their new PSP Go personal WiFi gaming device will help grow revenues from both content and hardware sales.
methodshop
10/29/2009
Virtual Pumpkin Carving [game]
Like carving Halloween pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns but don't want to get your hands all dirty with goopy pumpkin innards? This virtual pumpkin carving game won't only keep your hands clean, but it's fun too.
Play: Virtual Pumpkin Carving
methodshop
7/29/2009
Twitter Client for the C64 [video]
Get ready for some 1980's computing to meet Web 2.0. A guy named Johan Van den Brande has made a Twitter client for Commodore 64 (C64).The C64 was first introduced by Commodore in August 1982. It was a revolutionary computer and boosted the best graphics and sound capabilities of its time. The C64 had 64KB of RAM, a 985Khz processor and could display screen resolutions as high as 320×256. Compared to computers today, the processing power in your bedroom alarm clock could dance circles around the C64.
You don't see too many Commodore computers these days. After 25 years, most people have either thrown them away or they are buried in an attic or garage. So if you want to try using Breadbox, your best bet will probably be to install a C64 emulator on your Mac or PC. We have a methodshop.com tutorial that will walk you through the installation of a C64 emulator if you are interested.
In the video below, Johan Van den Brande shows off his Breadbox software and loads a screen from Twitter. Skip to 2:45 if you don't want to see the camera setup and the application loading from diskette.
If you're curious, Johan posted a more technical description on his website.
"It's a Commodore 128D running in C64 mode. All Commodore 128 and 128D systems could either run in C128, CP/M or C64 mode, so it's like having 3 computers in one. This isn't emulation as the C128 has the same core hardware as a C64. Whether you're running in 128 or 64 mode is just a matter of how fast the 8502 CPU is running, which ROM is active, and whether you have 128K or 64K of RAM available."
After watching the video you may be scratching your head wondering why someone would even bother making a C64 Twitter client. It's all just nerdy thrills ladies.
If you're still not sure what all this Twitter talk is all about, then this article might help: How to Explain Twitter to Your Grandma.
methodshop
Labels: games, social networking, tech news, tutorial
6/30/2009
Teen Throws Temper Tantrum After Mom Cancels World Of Warcraft Account [video]
What's the worst part about being a teenager? Acne? Bullies? Awkward growth spurts? What about having your mom cancel your World of Warcraft account? Then what if your little brother secretly records your resulting teenage temper tantrum and posts it on YouTube?We're not kidding. After learning his account was canceled, the teenager writhes around in such angry fury that his clothes come off. He also proceeds to beat himself in the face with his own shoe and aimlessly walk in and out of a closet. If you checkout wafflepwn's YouTube channel, you'll see his brother has a tendency to overreact and they've been discretely filming his teen tantrums for years.
Enjoy your summer kid. The Warcraft Temper Tantrum video is a huge viral hit. Your first day back at school in September is going to be a little Besharded.
methodshop
6/25/2009
Geeky Tattoos [pics]
Marriages, fame, and fortune... everything comes and goes. That is, everything except a tattoo. Tattoos are permanently inked onto your body. So when someone gets a geeky tattoo, it just makes it all the more special.Can you tell what video game tattoo is on the lower back of the woman above? What about the image to the right? Have you seen that coding language before?
PICTS: Geeky Tatoos
methodshop
5/27/2009
Tutorial: Making Celebrity Miis for the Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is a great console. It's family friendly, fun and allows you to customize your characters, called Miis, used in many of the games.The "Mii" is a brilliant concept. Instead of being some generic character in a game, you can be yourself. You can also make a celebrity look alike Mii. That way the next time you are playing Baseball on Wii Sports, you might end up with a celebrity Mii on your team like Oprah, Borat (pictured below), Charlie Brown (pictured on right) or even Dwight Schrute from the American TV show The Office.
This tutorial will guide you through making a Mii and sharing it on the Internet as well as give you plenty of celebrity Mii ideas.
Tutorial: How to Make and Share Celebrity Miis for the Nintendo Wii
methodshop
5/13/2009
How Russians Play Pac-Man [pic]
Pac-Man really is a timeless cultural icon. The 1980's classic arcade game continues to inspire people around the world from stop motion animators and sculpters to Russian explorers.The photo above of Pac-Man and Inky (the ghost) was taken outside of Moscow. This wasn't a Pac-Man gorilla marketing campaign or publicity stunt. It's just two Russian guys doing some exploring. Maybe they'll explore the local Moscow bar scene. Who knows, after a couple bottles of Vodka, they might look like the real thing.
In case all this Pac-Man talk makes you feel like gobbling up some ghosts yourself, here's a web browser based version of Pac-Mac. Have fun.
methodshop
4/29/2009
QWERTY Drums - Game
Ever dream of transforming your computer's QWERTY keyboard into a synthesized drum machine? Maybe not, but doesn't it sound like fun? Just press any letter on your keyboard and QWERTY Drums will play a drum sound or sound effect.QWERTY Drums might be the most fun you've had in your cubicle since your company's last holiday party. What are you waiting for? Go serenade your cubemates... but this time try to keep your pants on. And don't press the "v" key over and over again you dirty bastard.
[hat tip Holiday Matinee]
methodshop
4/23/2009
Duck Hunt Science
If you grew up during the 1980's, then perhaps you might remember playing an 8-bit shooter called Duck Hunt. Released for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1985, Duck Hunt was one of the first games to use the "NES Zapper" or light gun.
At the time, my little brother and I didn't care how the gun worked, we just didn't want the dog to laugh at us. Sometimes we would hold the light gun against the glass of the TV and try to cheat. 20 years later I'm more interested in learning how the game worked than preventing the dog from laughing at me.
So how does the light gun work? How exactly does Duck Hunt know what you were pointing at when you pull the trigger? According to an article on The Straight Dope, the gun isn't shooting the TV, it's the other way around. When you pull the light gun trigger, the entire screen blackens briefly and a white duck flashes on the screen where the duck(s) are located. If the photo sensor in the light gun detects a quick flash from dark to light, then you have a dead duck (and a non-laughing dog). Basically the TV shoots a light pulse and the "gun detects it, not the other way around."PLAY: Duck Hunt
Finding a working NES, light gun and original Duck Hunt cartridge can be a little tricky and require some time searching around on eBay. If you're looking for a quick fix, you can play an online Shockwave version of Duck Hunt here. You'll have to settle for a mouse instead of a light gun, but you'll probably have fun anyway.
methodshop
Labels: games
4/22/2009
Oregon Trail for iPhone
Mobile games developer Gameloft has released an updated version of The Oregon Trail. The game costs $5.99 in the iTunes App Store and introduces several new gameplay elements to the elementary school classic.The game now includes 5 skill-based mini-games, side-missions and random events like bandits. Of course, everyone's favorite gameplay elements like hunting and random outbreaks of disease are still included.
iTunes Download: Oregon Trail for iPhone & iPod Touch
For you youngsters out there who don't know about the original Oregon Trail game, it was an educational computer game about American pioneer life that has a long history in North American school districts and homes. The game was inspired by the real-life Oregon Trail and was designed to teach school children about the realities of 19th century pioneer life on the trail. The player takes the role of a party of people, of a selected profession, traveling across the Oregon Trail in a Conestoga wagon.
The original Oregon Trail game was developed by John Hoffmann, Anthony Stone and Pablo Jara Meza in 1971 and produced by MECC in 1974. The game was inspired by the real-life Oregon Trail and was designed to teach school children about the realities of 19th century pioneer life on the trail.
Oregon Trail was very popular among American elementary school students in the mid 1980s to early 1990s. Many students in the United States had access to the game at school in computer labs full of Apple II computers. 20-30 years later the game has become culturally iconic and there remains an aspect of nostalgia for those who grew up playing the game. The game is also ridiculed for featuring incessant dysentery and dysentery-caused deaths.
methodshop
4/15/2009
iPod Click Wheel Games
Don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch? As long as you have a "click wheel" model iPod, you can still play games from the iTunes Store. Unfortunately your selection is dramatically reduced compared to the App Store, but there are still some good games available like Bejeweled, Sims Bowling and Texas Hold'em.REVIEW: iPod Click Wheel Games
Here's the complete list of iPod Click Wheel Games available in the iTunes Store (as of April 2009):
- Asphalt 4: Elite Racing
- Bejeweled
- Block Breaker Deluxe
- Bomberman
- Brain Challenge
- Bubble Bash
- Cake Mania 3
- Chalkboard Sports Baseball
- Chess
- Backgammon
- Chinese Checkers
- Crystal Defenders
- CSI: Miami
- Cubis 2
- iQuiz
- Lode Runner
- Lost
- Mahjong
- Mini Golf
- Monopoly
- Ms. PAC-MAN
- Musika
- Mystery Mansion Pinball
- Naval Battle
- PAC-MAN
- Peggle
- Phase
- Pirates: Aegir’s Fire
- Pole Position: Remix
- Real Soccer 2009
- Reversi
- Royal Solitaire
- Scrabble
- The Sims Bowling
- The Sims DJ
- The Sims Pool
- Slyder Adventures
- Song Summoner
- Sonic The Hedgehog
- SPORE Origins
- Star Trigon
- Sudoku
- Tamagotchi: ‘Round the World
- Tetris
- Texas Hold ’em
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour
- Trivial Pursuit
- UNO
- Vortex
- Wonder Blocks
- Yahtzee
- Zuma
methodshop
4/06/2009
Bloody Penguinz - Game
What happens when you drown a penguin in gunpowder, add a heavy dose of Rambo and throw it all into a video game? Say hello to Penguinz - the goriest penguin Flash game since Yeti Bloody.Play: Penguinz
With 15 enemies, 4 bosses, 9 weapons, and 39 upgrades... this might be the most mayhem your office cubicle has seen in months.
methodshop
Labels: games
3/26/2009
Bloody Fun Day - Game
What would Death himself do if he were surrounded by ultra-cute critters? Kill them, of course! In the game Bloody Fun Day, you play the reaper, who needs to kill red cuties in order to stay alive. Killing other cuties will help charge super powers that make it easier to get to the red cuties. Click an adjacent hexagon to attack it. Use the buttons along the bottom of the screen to activate your any special power ups. Your health decreases every time you make an attack, but killing red cuties will give you back health. Your health is in the top left of the screen. Don't let it reach zero!How long can you survive before the dwindling cutie population stifles your life? You can’t help but have a bloody fun day in this addictive puzzler. Good luck!
methodshop
Labels: games
3/17/2009
Four Leaf Clover - St. Patrick's Day Game
Four Leaf Clover is pretty mindless and easy enough to play while your still a little hungover from the St. Patrick's Day Parade. The goal of Four Leaf Clover is very easy: you have to find all 7 four leaf clovers in the field. But hurry. You are being timed. And guess carefully. You lose points each time you make a wrong guess. Have fun and may the luck of the Irish be with you!
Play: Four Leaf Clover
methodshop
2/11/2009
Christian Bale Soundboard
An actor's instruments are his emotions. There are tricks to it, but it is more alchemy than science. And there are times, like when a Director of Photography crosses your eyeline during a scene, when you just have to let 'er rip.Should this ever happen to you, you'll be prepared, as we've got a handy Christian Bale soundboard to aid in your efforts. Now you can terrorize the crew and tell them they are nice guys at the same time. Enjoy!
methodshop
1/22/2009
Duck Hunt for iPhone
If you grew up during the 1980's, then perhaps you might remember playing an 8-bit shooter called Duck Hunt. Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Duck Hunt was one of the first games to use the "NES Zapper" or light gun.Finding a working NES, light gun and original Duck Hunt cartridge 25 years later can be a little tricky and require some time searching around on eBay. But if you're looking for a quick Duck Hunt fix, you can play an online version of Duck Hunt here, or buy an iPhone version from the iTunes Store.
The iPhone version of Duck Hunt isn't exactly legit, so buy it while you can. It's clearly a quick port of the original game. Because the iPhone version of Duck Hunt was done without Nintendo's blessing, it's missing some of the core elements that made the NES version such a classic. For example, 1) the iPhone version is missing the dog that picks up the ducks or laughs at you when you miss, 2) the Zapper gun and 3) sound.
A lawyer from Nintendo will probably pull the game from the iTunes App Store before the end of the month. And don't expect Nintendo to make an iPhone version of Duck Hunt anytime soon. Remember, Nintendo has their own portable gaming system, the Nintendo DS.
So if you really want to play Duck Hunt on your iPhone, buy it soon. The unofficial version of Duck Hunt sells for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store.
methodshop
1/01/2009
Bubble Shooter - Game
Happy New Year!!! Shhhh. That was loud. Too hungover to even read status updates on Facebook? Then play some games. Bubble Shooter is pretty mindless and easy enough to play while your still a little crispy this morning.
The goal of Bubble Shooter is very easy: you have to clean off the field by matching 3 or more bubbles of the same color. But hurry. More bubbles will appear on the field in timed increments. In order advance to the next level you must detonate every ball on the board. Master your skills and have fun! (Stop yelling already!)
Play: Bubble Shooter
methodshop
Labels: games
12/25/2008
A Very Yeti Christmas
Here's a fun little Christmas day treat for the whole family. MethodShop has a series of Yeti themed games to keep the in laws busy while you make Christmas dinner.If you aren't yet familiar with Yeti Sports, then prepare yourself for one of the most humorous and addictive games on the Internet. Below you will find several variations of the Yeti game Pingu-Throw as well as some newer Yeti offerings. One of the more violent variants of Pingu-Throw, named "Bloody," features decapitation, spikes, a big spiky club and mines.
If Yeti isn't your thing, there are plenty of other games in the MethodShop.com Arcade including Pac-Man, N, Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong, and many more...
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Yeti Games
- Yeti Pingu-Throw
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Bloody)
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Long Shot)
- Yeti Orca Slap
- Yeti Seal Bounce
methodshop
12/23/2008
5 Addictive Flash Games
Flash games are extremely popular and even the most novice Internet user has probably wasted countless hours playing online. Consider yourself warned. The list of Flash games below are basically the online equivalent of Crystal Meth. They aren't just great games, they are evil addictive time wasters that will make hours feel like minutes.But sometimes that's a good thing - especially if you're stuck at grandma's house all weekend. Happy holidays!
Game #1
Onslaught 2 Tower Defense
Addiction Factor: [
]The award winning tower defense game that just keeps on coming. Pit your wits against a never ending stream of bad guys. Area 51 is under attack and it's up to you to build defenses and stop them dead in their tracks! There's a cash bounty on the head of each attacker, and each wave is tougher than the last. Spend your winnings on upgrades to your defenses to keep the attackers at bay.
Game #2
Yeti Sports: Flamingo Drive
Addiction Factor: [
]Using a flamingo to smack penguins around in a game of golf may sound disturbing, but it's actually a ton of fun. You only have 5 shots so use them wisely. Your goal is to drive your penguins as far as possible. Snakes will help you by bouncing your penguin up like a spring. Giraffes will also help and throw your penguin if you hit it near their mouth. But watch out for the tress and elephants.
Game #3
Bubble Shooter
Addiction Factor: [
]Bubble Shooter is pretty mindless and easy enough to play while your still a little hungover. The goal Bubble Shooter is very easy: you have to clean off the field by matching three or more bubbles of the same color. But hurry. More bubbles will appear on the field in timed increments. In order advance to the next level you must detonate every ball on the board.
Game #4
Castle Defense
Addiction Factor: [
]Defend the castle by buying cannons to shoot the enemy caravans. Pay attention to the range and power of your weapons as well as your budget!
Game #5
The Bloody Penguin Toss
Addiction Factor: [
]If you aren't yet familiar with Yeti Sports, then prepare yourself for one of the most humorous and addictive games on the Internet.
There are several variations of the Yeti game Pingu-Throw as well as some newer Yeti offerings. One of the more violent variants of Pingu-Throw, named "Bloody", features decapitation, spikes, a big spiky club and mines.
methodshop
Labels: games
12/19/2008
Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller
Is a weak arm or physical stamina keeping you from taking your Nintendo Wii gaming experience to the next level? Perhaps you should look into getting the Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller. This accessory adds even more innovation to the next generation of gaming and does it all with less physical movement.Contoured to perfectly fit a players hand, the Nunchuck controller builds on the simplicity of the Wii Remote.
The Nunchuck contains the same motion-sensing technology enabled in the Wii Remote but also includes an analog stick to help assist in character movement. This analog stick can be a godsend if you feel like physical motion is keeping you from your optimum gaming performance (see video called Crazy Girl on Wii).
Review: Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller
The Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller is part of the MethodShop.com Gadget Gift Guide. We've rounded up the best gadget gifts money can buy. There's something for everyone. From tiny stocking stuffers to a personal mini tank. We've hand-selected some of the most popular gadgets this holiday season and organized them into a little interactive shopping list.methodshop
12/18/2008
Classic Computer Ads [pics]
BoingBoing put together a complication of classic computer print ads from the 1970s and 1980s. If you've ever owned a classic computer or gaming system like a Commodore 64 or Atari, then you'll probably get a kick out of it.
PICS: Classic Computer Ads
methodshop
11/26/2008
High-Tech Thanksgiving Turkey Help
If you’re reading this from a computer somewhere inside the US, you’re likely either already stuffed with Turkey or drooling in anticipation. If you’re outside the US, you’re probably wondering why half the blogs you read have gone to sleep–it’s the effects of the Turkey! 
For Americans, cooking Thanksgiving dinner was a way to celebrate our new home away from the British and give thanks for the harvest. But anytime you are cooking a big meal for lots of people... unfortunately something is bound to get messed up.
When things go wrong in the kitchen, sometimes you probably feel like running down to the closest restaurant and asking for some professional advice. Actually physically busting into a restaurant kitchen may be a little extreme, but thanks to a few websites like ChefsLine.com, Butterball.com and Chefs.com, experienced chefs are connecting with home cooks online.
This year, Butterball has made a commendable effort to transition into a Web 2.0 world. Butterball customers can now sign up for thawing reminder text messages, read turkey related blogs, watch cooking tutorial videos and participate in live chats on Butterball.com.
This high-tech cooking assistance fills a growing need that has boomed due to the popularity of hobby cooking. Food TV shows, podcasts like Stump The Chef, and web sites are inspiring more and more people to try their hand in the kitchen. The only problem is... the average person doesn't really know how to cook anymore.So the next time you are wondering how to cook a frozen turkey in one afternoon or why your flourless cake never cooked all the way through, professional help might be just one IM, website or email away. But before you start chatting with chefs online, you might want to brush up on your chatroom and IM lingo. Think I'm overreacting? Well, ROTFL TAFN NRN L8R! AAB!
And if you're completely computer impaired, there's always the Butterball help line, 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372).
VIDEO: How to carve a turkey
When you're done chomping down your Thanksgiving turkey, try playing a game of Turkey Bowl.
methodshop
11/23/2008
Heidi Klum Strips for Guitar Hero
Everyone wants to be a Guitar Hero, even supermodel Heidi Klum. But some people like Bill O'Reilly from Fox News have a problem with that.Klum is the latest celebrity to strip down and dance for a Guitar Hero commercial. In a parody of Tom Cruise's tighty-whitie dance from "Risky Business," Klum strums a guitar controller to the song "Old Time Rock and Roll" while sliding around in socks and squirming on a couch. Brett Ratner from the Rush Hour films directed the commercial.
What has Bill O'Reilly so miffed? Take a look. Here's the director's cut of the controversial Heidi Klum Guitar Hero commercial where she strips down to her underwear:
VIDEO: Director's Cut - GHWT Risky Business Heidi Klum
Bill O'Reilly thinks the ad is too sexy and doesn't think kids should watch it. But during the segment of his TV show where he's calling for it to be pulled from the airwaves, he plays the "controversial" commercial not once, but twice. There's another version of the "Risky Business" parody commercial featuring Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps and A-Rod in their underwear. So far, Bill O'Reilly has yet to lodge a protest against this all male underwear threesome.
VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly Whines About Heidi Klum's Guitar Hero Commercial
The latest version of Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero World Tour is available now... just in time for Christmas.
methodshop
11/12/2008
US Election '08: The NES Game
Love classic video games and American politics? Relive all the drama of the 2008 political campaigns in 8-bits courtesy of the people at BarelyPolitical.com. Everyone including Obama, McCain, The Clintons and even O'Reily makes an appearence in this remixed version of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros.
The clip below is a segment from MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
US Election '08: The NES Game [video]
Politics makes so much more sense in 8-bits. You can see the full game clip at BarelyPolitical.com. Hopefully they will make a playable version of Duck Hunt next.
methodshop
The clip below is a segment from MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
US Election '08: The NES Game [video]
Politics makes so much more sense in 8-bits. You can see the full game clip at BarelyPolitical.com. Hopefully they will make a playable version of Duck Hunt next.
methodshop
Labels: games
10/02/2008
Bejeweled add-on coming to World of Warcraft
Michael Fromwiller, an admitted World of Warcraft (Twitter tag #WoW) addict, was bored. The San Jose State undergrad student and amateur game programmer loves the massive multipler online game World of Warcraft, but hates the downtime before and during long battles. For example, sometimes it will take other players in your team up to an hour to trade weapons and decide on a strategy before going into battle.So in an effort to relieve his own bordom, Fromwiller created a clone of the popular puzzle game Bejeweled called Besharded that can be played within the World of Warcraft game interface. Fromwiller shared his Bejeweled clone with a few friends, then they shared it with a few friends and the next thing he knew, Besharded was the talk of the World of Warcraft community. What started as a personal pet project became a huge hit.
A screen shot of Besharded
PopCap Games, the company that publishes Bejeweled eventually found out about Besharded. But thier reaction has surprised a lot of people. Instead of acting like the RIAA and gathering hordes of lawyers to write a barrage of cease and desist letters and prepare billions of lawsuits, PopCap Games gave Fromwiller a job.
The official Bejeweled version
On Thursday, October 2nd, Bejeweled will appear as a free downloadable add-on for World of Warcraft. PopCap Games has even made a few improvements to Fromwiller's Besharded version. The World of Warcraft version of Bejeweled has a high score list and if you happen to stumble into combat while playing Bejeweled, mini game screen will disappear and let you return to the battle.
So how does Blizzard, the makers of World of Warcraft feel about this? Not much. They haven't enthusiastically endorced the Bejeweled add-on. Doing so would be an admission that World of Warcraft is boring. But they aren't trying to stop it either.
methodshop
9/24/2008
Line Rider for iPhone
Line Rider, the popular drawing game, is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.The game allows you to draw a landscape with a simple pencil tool, creating ramps, hills and jumps. Then you test out your landscape by sending a boy on a sled down the hill, until he wipes out.
The web version of Line Rider has attracted million of players and created a cult following since its debut in September 2006.
According to game developer inXile, the iPhone/iPod Touch version of Line Rider also includes a "movie" mode for players to record tracks, and an upload feature so you can share tracks online.
"In just the first day Line Rider is in the top 10 of paid applications on iTunes," said Brian Fargo, chief executive officer of inXile. "Our strong and vocal audience has been asking for an iPhone/iPod Touch version of Line Rider ever since the touch interface was introduced... Line Rider is a natural fit for the iPhone as mobile users will be able to share their tracks and ride the lines almost anywhere now."
iTunes App Store: Line Rider ($2.99)
methodshop
7/23/2008
Sci Fi Trion Game
Sci Fi Channel and video game publisher Trion World Networks are developing an entertainment franchise targeted for release in 2010 designed to "play" on both online and TV platforms. Think World of Warcraft meets Battlestar Galactica.The still unnamed show on Sci Fi channel and the multiplayer Trion World game will share the same fictional characters and setting, driving viewers back and forth between the platforms to satisfy their thirst for the mythology of the world. G4 claims the show/game will revolve around the Stargate franchise but exact details are still unknown.
It's an ambitious undertaking but one worth going after considering Blizzard's Warcraft has over 10 million online users and has inspired a feature film slated for release in 2009.
methodshop
6/24/2008
Sci Fi Trion Game
Sci Fi Channel and video game publisher Trion World Networks are developing an entertainment franchise targeted for release in 2010 designed to "play" on both online and TV platforms. Think World of Warcraft meets Battlestar Galactica.The still unnamed show on Sci Fi channel and the multiplayer Trion World game will share the same fictional characters and setting, driving viewers back and forth between the platforms to satisfy their thirst for the mythology of the world. G4 claims the show/game will revolve around the Stargate franchise but exact details are still unknown.
It's an ambitious undertaking but one worth going after considering Blizzard's Warcraft has over 10 million online users and has inspired a feature film slated for release in 2009.
methodshop
6/23/2008
Grandma Got Game - AARP Launches Casual Game Portal for Seniors
That's right! Grandma's got game. Grandpa too!Earlier this month, the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) launched a new casual gaming portal on their website. The casual games are mostly variations of popular card and puzzle games like solitaire, poker, Hexxagon and Bejeweled. The most popular game on games.AARP.org right now is Mahjongg Toy Chest with over 12 million game plays.
The new AARP games were made by a company called Arkadium. Kenny Rosenblatt, CEO of Arkadium had this to say in a June 19th AARP press release:
"Casual games are not just for teenagers who like video games. A significant portion of online game players are actually over 30, and it’s making organizations like AARP realize the value of adding a Game Arena to their site to encourage engagement."
Why is the AARP getting into the casual gaming business? Three reasons:
- Video games are a great way to keep seniors mentally sharp and help them exercise their minds.
- A study cited by Sami Hassanyeh, Vice President of AARP Web Strategy and Operations in the above mentioned press release, shows that "boomers" spend about 100 minutes playing games online. The AARP needs to adapt and follow their audience as they evolve and become more online savvy.
- And while seniors are playing games online, the AARP can push marketing messages to them. For example, when I tried to play a game of AARP Skeeball this morning, I had to suffer through an assload of Nurisytem ads. Why Nurisytem? A lot of old people are overweight. According to the Canadian National Population Health Survey, 32% of seniors are considered overweight.
The only thing AARP is missing in their new game lounge is a full screen and large text mode for seniors with poor eyesight.
methodshop
6/17/2008
Distracted Kid in Call of Duty 4 [video]
A player in the video game Call of Duty 4 apparently got a little distracted while playing a multiplayer deathmatch online. Unfortunately another player recorded the incident and posted it on YouTube. The clip has quickly become popular with gamers and even made the frontpage of Digg.com this morning.In the clip, a player named "ELGuerrer0" is seen closely examining a semi-nude wall poster while an opponent walks up behind him and shoots him in the back of the head with a shotgun.
If ELGuerrer0 is reading this... Dude, that's what single player is for.
methodshop
5/19/2008
How to Make and Share Celebrity Miis for the Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is a great console. It's family friendly, fun and allows you to customize your characters, called Miis, used in many of the games.The "Mii" is a brilliant concept. Instead of being some generic character in a game, you can be yourself. You can also make a celebrity look alike Mii. That way the next time you are playing Baseball on Wii Sports, you might end up with a celebrity Mii on your team like Oprah, Borat (pictured below), Charlie Brown (pictured on right) or even Dwight Schrute from the American TV show The Office.
This tutorial will guide you through making a Mii and sharing it on the Internet as well as give you plenty of celebrity Mii ideas.
Tutorial: How to Make and Share Celebrity Miis for the Nintendo Wii
methodshop
5/01/2008
Pac-Man Sculpture Made Out of Tin Cans [pic]
You might notice the uncanny resemblance in the image below to one of the most recognizable video game mascots of all time... Pac-Man.
This giant Pac-Man sculpture was just one of the displays created for a charitable art show called Canstruction Vancouver. If you look closely, you might notice that the sculpture is made almost entirely out out of tin cans. Actually thousands of cans. After the show, the cans of food used in these displays were donated to the Vancouver food bank. Donations were also collected at the exhibit entrance.
Flickr user eyesplash Mikul attended the show and posted this image of Pac-Man and the blue ghost online. I forget which ghost was the blue ghost but their names were Blinky, Pinky, Inkey, and Clyde.
In case all this Pac-Man talk makes you feel like gobbling up some ghosts, here's a web browser based version of Pac-Mac.
methodshop
This giant Pac-Man sculpture was just one of the displays created for a charitable art show called Canstruction Vancouver. If you look closely, you might notice that the sculpture is made almost entirely out out of tin cans. Actually thousands of cans. After the show, the cans of food used in these displays were donated to the Vancouver food bank. Donations were also collected at the exhibit entrance.
Flickr user eyesplash Mikul attended the show and posted this image of Pac-Man and the blue ghost online. I forget which ghost was the blue ghost but their names were Blinky, Pinky, Inkey, and Clyde.
In case all this Pac-Man talk makes you feel like gobbling up some ghosts, here's a web browser based version of Pac-Mac.
methodshop
3/10/2008
Anagrams are Fun
anagram (an-uh-gram)
noun
A word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
For example, Elvis to Lives.
To rearrange letters in such a way. To anagrammatize.
[From New Latin anagramma, from Greek anagrammatismos, ana- (up, again, back, new) + -gram (letter).]
Did you know that parliament is an anagram of partial men? Or, Clint Eastwood an anagram of Old West Action? Someone once said, "All the life's wisdom can be found in anagrams. Anagrams never lie." Here is your chance to discover the wisdom of anagrams.
[Play: Wordsmith]
methodshop
noun
A word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
For example, Elvis to Lives.
To rearrange letters in such a way. To anagrammatize.
[From New Latin anagramma, from Greek anagrammatismos, ana- (up, again, back, new) + -gram (letter).]
Did you know that parliament is an anagram of partial men? Or, Clint Eastwood an anagram of Old West Action? Someone once said, "All the life's wisdom can be found in anagrams. Anagrams never lie." Here is your chance to discover the wisdom of anagrams.
[Play: Wordsmith]
methodshop
3/02/2008
Recap of This Past Week’s Gadgets from Gizmos for Geeks
If you're a gamer (particularly one with some history or if you just like retro items), take a look at the Classic Nintendo Themed TV Remote. It's actually a TV remote control. If you want some exercise than pressing buttons while seated on your couch, the Nerf Maverick is is next-gen Nerf gun (hit the link for a funny vid game-inspired video).Onto the multimedia scene, there are at least two cool gadgets to check out – the Credit Card Size Digital Video Player and the return of M&K Sound. The former is a mini video player that has a 2.8-inch high resolution LCD multimedia player that lets you play video continuously for 4 hours or audio for 8 hours. M&K Sound is back! This is great news to all audiophile geeks, as this professional speaker manufacturer has bounced back into the market complete with new owners.
We also featured a coupple of reviews this week. First up is the Honestech's VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe which sounds just like its name, but essentially lets you take a video/audio signal from your VCR/camcorder/turntable/whatever and capture it on your computer for storage there or eventual burn to CD/DVD. No Starch press has put out a new edition of the book Hacking, The Art of Exploitation.
Are you a camper or a world traveler? Then the iStraw Emergency Water Filter is perfect when you need instant potable water on the go. The straw is created with several special micro-filters that can clean water and eliminate harmful organisms in it.
Lastly, in case you haven't seen the news regarding the slew of unlimited cell phone plans, everyone including Sprint is in on it now too and Sprint may just have the best deal out there.
Source: Gizmos for Geeks
2/23/2008
Recap of Last Week's Gadgets on Gizmos for Geeks
Notable this past week was the release of the latest Mvix Media Center, the Mvix MX-780HD. The MX-780HD has HDMI out, supports up to 1080p and can now take either an IDE or SATA drive in its case. Still in the multi-media world, the Kaossilator Touchpad Synthesizer doesn't need keys or buttons to play musical notes.A peppermill gadget? Yup. And get this, it's modeled on Star Wars' R2-D2. If you're into toys, check out the Mini Rubber Band Artillery. Take your basic rubber band finger gun to the next level!
USB has really revolutionized computer accessories; there's a USB gadget that does everything. Here's one for aromatherapy fans – the USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner. Now, you can get aromatherapy-relaxed while computing. Just plug this device into your USB port, add some oil and you're good to go.
For you retro-gamers, MAMEUI, the latest MAME for Windows was announced last week. Still in gaming, it appears that Mac gaming is making a comeback. Windows and console games have dominated the gaming world for years, after Macs showed how great games could look on a computer. Let's hope
Of course, arguably the biggest tech news this week was that Toshiba has dropped out of the DVD format war, with the HD-DVD format being pronounced dead. Sony's Blu-Ray format is what you'll be getting used to for the next 5 years at least.
Source: Gizmos for Geeks.2/21/2008
Classic Nintendo Themed TV Remote
Need some help rounding out your classic Nintendo collection?
Old NES somewhere in the basement... CHECK. Purchased every Classic Console game on the Nintendo Wii... CHECK. But do you have a cool universal TV remote that looks just like a NES controller? No? ThinkGeek.com does and it's ready for immediate delivery via winged turtle shell.
This NES style remote controls most TVs allowing critical gaming functions like power on/off, changing the channel and even volume adjustment. Now you can amaze your friends by pretending to play classic NES games while watching old Thundercats re-runs.
These controllers are limited editions from Japan. Once they are gone, they are gone.
The Nintendo Controller Universal Remote works with the following brands of TVs:
By the way, this remote does not control cable boxes, DVD players or anything else. Strictly TV sets. Also the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote may not work if your TV is super ancient.
You can pick up the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote for $12.99 from ThinkGeek.com.
methodshop
Old NES somewhere in the basement... CHECK. Purchased every Classic Console game on the Nintendo Wii... CHECK. But do you have a cool universal TV remote that looks just like a NES controller? No? ThinkGeek.com does and it's ready for immediate delivery via winged turtle shell.This NES style remote controls most TVs allowing critical gaming functions like power on/off, changing the channel and even volume adjustment. Now you can amaze your friends by pretending to play classic NES games while watching old Thundercats re-runs.
These controllers are limited editions from Japan. Once they are gone, they are gone.
The Nintendo Controller Universal Remote works with the following brands of TVs:
Sony- Panasonic
- Sharp
- Sylvania
- Sanyo
- Aiwa
- Hitachi
- Philips
- NEC
- JVC
- Toshiba
- Mitsubishi
- Fujitsu
By the way, this remote does not control cable boxes, DVD players or anything else. Strictly TV sets. Also the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote may not work if your TV is super ancient.
You can pick up the Nintendo Controller Universal Remote for $12.99 from ThinkGeek.com.
methodshop
1/03/2008
Elaborate Halo 3 Suicide
This has to be the most elaborate Halo 3 suicide ever. I can't even imagine how much trial and error this must have taken.The guy who performed this suicide won $400 in a contest.
Here's the clip.
An Even More Elaborate Halo Suicide - Watch more free videos
methodshop
Labels: games
12/28/2007
5 Free Blu-ray Movies with Purchase of Player
Did you get a Sony PlayStation 3 or a Blu-ray DVD player for Christmas?The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is giving away 5 free Blu-ray DVDs to anyone who purchases a Blu-ray DVD player. The following companies are participating in the offer: Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp.
Just download this form and choose 5 discs from a selection of 20. The discs are split into 5 categories, and you can only choose one from each.
Honestly, there are a lot of stinkers on the list but I did find a diamond in the rough... The Band's concert DVD 'The Last Waltz' directed by Martin Scorsese.
Here’s the list of 20 DVDs that you can pick from:
Category 1:- The Prestige
- Wild Hogs
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Black Pearl
Category 2:- Swordfish
- Superman: The Movie
- Full Metal Jacket
Category 3:- Stir of Echoes
- American Psycho
- The Devil's Rejects
Category 4:- The Patriot
- S.W.A.T.
- Ultraviolet
Category 5:- Chain Reaction
- Hart's War
- Omen 666
- The Last Waltz
- Flight of the Phoenix
- Species
I picked The Prestige, Superman: The Movie, American Psycho, Ultraviolet and The Last Waltz. I'm excited to watch Superman and The Last Waltz in HD with surround sound. The other DVDs will probably get re-gifted.
You can find more info at http://www.bluraysavings.com/
methodshop
12/25/2007
A Very Yeti Christmas 2007
Like to smack penguins with baseball bats? Yes? Then here's a nice Christmas morning treat for the whole family. MethodShop has a series of Yeti winter games for your entertainment.If you aren't yet familiar with Yeti Sports, then prepare yourself for one of the most humorous and addictive games on the Internet. Below you will find several variations of the Yeti game Pingu-Throw as well as some newer Yeti offerings. One of the more violent variants of Pingu-Throw, named "Bloody", features decapitation, spikes, a big spiky club and mines.
Should your Yeti catch the penguin at the right moment and angle, you might just hit one out of the park, or arctic continent. Good luck and Merry Christmas.
Yeti Games
- Yeti Pingu-Throw
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Bloody)
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Long Shot)
- Yeti Orca Slap
- Yeti Seal Bounce
methodshop
12/18/2007
WIRED's Top 10 Games of 2007 -- Halo 3 not included
2007 will be remembered as the year next-generation gaming came into its own. A veritable avalanche of quality software kept the Xbox 360 in stiff competition with Nintendo's upstart Wii, which is still in great part riding on the mammoth mindshare of Wii Sports.Last year, WIRED's top 10 list was dominated by the swan songs of PlayStation 2. This year, next-gen platforms finally started to get games of similar polish and quality. WIRED's panel of gaming experts engaged in a vicious e-mail fight to narrow 2007 down to this top 10 list.
There are some questionable omissions from WIRED's, list like Metroid Prime 3 and Halo 3, but it looks like innovation and fun carried more weight than hype and sales numbers.
Here are their picks: WIRED's Top 10 Games of 2007
digg story | methodshop
Labels: games
11/08/2007
Google Game Ads
Google is getting ready to start beta testing a new in-game advertising system involving pre-roll and mid-roll inserts placed within Bunchball Games releases, reports GigaOM. Later in December Google will also begin to embed video-type ads in the cult game Psychonauts, available for PC, Xbox and PS2.
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Labels: games
11/02/2007
The Real Forest Gump
On the week of November 5th NBC Nightly News is airing a series profiling recipients of the Medal of Honor including Sammt Davis, the man the movie Forest Gump is based on.The recipients are from the most difficult and recent conflicts the US has faced—from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq—and each branch of service. Sammy Davis is the real Forest Gump. He’s receiving this award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty. Similarly, Jason Dunham is receiving his medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004.
There’s also Vernon Baker who already received this medal while serving as a POW, and was the only African American still alive when Medals were presented to blacks from WWII. And Tibor "Ted" Rubin (Army - Korea - Medal for action in Korea from 1950-1953) who distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism by serving as a rifleman with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Korea.The program is outlining their stories by collecting interviews with them, their families, and comrades. Their stories will also be complimented by the interviews with personal photographs, newsreel and archival footage and stills.
Source: The Daily Nightly
methodshop
9/27/2007
Halo 3 Sales Smash Records
Microsoft is reporting that sales for its much hyped game, Halo 3, generated $170 million during the first 20 hours of its release. Not only does this top the $125 million sales record set by Halo 2, but it also surpasses the opening-day US box office record of $59.8 million set by Sony's "Spider-Man 3" in May. In fact, Halo 3 made more money in 24 hours than Spider-Man 3 made during its three-day opening-weekend ($151 million).So far, more than 1 million players have logged on the play the networked Xbox Live version of Halo 3.
The game is expected to give a huge boost to the Xbox 360. Lately, the runaway success of the Nintendo Wii has been a thorn in the side of both Microsoft and Sony.
You can read our review of Halo 3 here.
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Labels: games
9/25/2007
Halo 3 Sickness Feared
The 3rd and final edition in the Halo video game trilogy got released Monday night at midnight. Microsoft expects to sell an estimated 4 million copies of Halo 3 (read MethodShop.com review) in the U.S. during the next 30 days according to Gamesindustry.biz. Think 4 million seems a lot for a video game? Keep in mind that "Halo" (2001) and "Halo 2" (2004) sold 14.5 million copies worldwide.
But because there is so much anticipation and hype around Halo 3, corporate employers and school systems are fearing that their staff and students will spontaneously be calling in sick this week.
Here are a couple quotes I found on USA Today.com:
Corporate sponsors are also helping fuel the hype around Halo 3. Even if the last video game you played was Pong in the 1980's, Microsoft still wants you to know about Halo 3. Everyone from Burger King, NASCAR, Pontiac and even Mountain Dew have promotional deals with Microsoft for Halo 3 that rival such theatrical franchises as Harry Potter. Last night I even saw a 'limited edition' Halo 3 Mountain Dew 12-pack labeled as "Game Fuel." I guess there's probably enough sugar and caffeine in a 12-pack of Mountain Dew to even keep a Polar Bear up all night.
Beyond the corporate sponsors, promotional advertising blitz and the Internet buzz, Halo 3 is special to gamers because it's the final chapter in the Halo series. It's the last time fans will get to see their beloved Master Chief in action. Halo 3 is equivalent of how important "Return of the Jedi" or "The Return of the King" was Star Wars and Lord of the Rings fans. It's the end of a saga.
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But because there is so much anticipation and hype around Halo 3, corporate employers and school systems are fearing that their staff and students will spontaneously be calling in sick this week.
Here are a couple quotes I found on USA Today.com:
"I've already talked to my teachers and got my assignments for Tuesday. I don't plan on going to class," says Dane Mitchell, 20, a Cincinnati State and Community College sophomore. "I'm going to pick up the game at midnight from GameStop, go to a friend's house, and play it for 36 hours," he says.
Like Mitchell, Neil Godwin, 21, of Milford, Ohio, reserved his copy more than a year ago. He's taking a vacation day Tuesday from his job as a Kroger computer help desk analyst to play Halo 3 all day with his brother.
Corporate sponsors are also helping fuel the hype around Halo 3. Even if the last video game you played was Pong in the 1980's, Microsoft still wants you to know about Halo 3. Everyone from Burger King, NASCAR, Pontiac and even Mountain Dew have promotional deals with Microsoft for Halo 3 that rival such theatrical franchises as Harry Potter. Last night I even saw a 'limited edition' Halo 3 Mountain Dew 12-pack labeled as "Game Fuel." I guess there's probably enough sugar and caffeine in a 12-pack of Mountain Dew to even keep a Polar Bear up all night.
Beyond the corporate sponsors, promotional advertising blitz and the Internet buzz, Halo 3 is special to gamers because it's the final chapter in the Halo series. It's the last time fans will get to see their beloved Master Chief in action. Halo 3 is equivalent of how important "Return of the Jedi" or "The Return of the King" was Star Wars and Lord of the Rings fans. It's the end of a saga.
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9/13/2007
New Guitar Hero has 4 Port USB Hub
Talk about awkward. The first time I played Guitar Hero I felt like a fool - well, for about 15 seconds, then I feel in love. If you haven't tried it - play it - and oh how Guitar Hero has grown. One of the most popular video games on the market the Guitar Hero franchise is now stretching out to Rock Band. And if you haven't heard of Rock Band, this will explain the Guitar Hero sporting a 4 port USB hub.
Rock Band is an unreleased music video game being developed by Harmonix Music, the creators of Guitar Hero. The idea is expanding the air guitar concept of Guitar Hero to a full rock band. Rock Band will offer players the ability to function in a virtual band by providing up to four players with the ability to utilize four different instruments (guitar, bass guitar, drum set and microphone).
The 4 port USB hub gives the ability for these players to sync together in the off-line, or same room, player setting. Although Rock Band will include an on-line sync capability.
The Guitar Hero controller sports the USB ready version for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The product isn't available yet, but is due out in late October.
BeSocial: methodshop | GetUSBinfo
Rock Band is an unreleased music video game being developed by Harmonix Music, the creators of Guitar Hero. The idea is expanding the air guitar concept of Guitar Hero to a full rock band. Rock Band will offer players the ability to function in a virtual band by providing up to four players with the ability to utilize four different instruments (guitar, bass guitar, drum set and microphone).
The 4 port USB hub gives the ability for these players to sync together in the off-line, or same room, player setting. Although Rock Band will include an on-line sync capability.
The Guitar Hero controller sports the USB ready version for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The product isn't available yet, but is due out in late October.
BeSocial: methodshop | GetUSBinfo
5/18/2007
Mario Brothers USB Mouse
Are you stuck in the past? Still listening to Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth on cassette and trying to beat your high score on Donkey Kong? These stylish Mario Brothers and Golden Star mice I found on GetUSB.info might get you that retro mojo you need to actually do it!
Both offer a retro 8-bit appeal and feature the original mechanical mouse ball mechanism that you probably forgot existed. Push one of these beauties across your desk and imagine that you are playing Super Mario Brothers… rather than filling out those boring TPS reports.
[Via GetUSB.info]
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Labels: games
5/16/2007
Human Joysticks - NewsBreaker Live
Tired of the boring movie trivia slide shows that theaters play before the movie? How about an interactive game that the entire theater can play at the same time?MSNBC.com has this live video game experience called NewsBreaker Live that has entire theaters acting like Human Joysticks.
NewsBreaker Live is modeled after the classic video games like BrickBreaker and Arkanoid. The game combines live msnbc.com RSS newsfeeds, the movement of the audience as a human joystick, and the big screen as a game board. Groundbreaking motion-sensor technology dubbed "CrowdGaming" tracks the entire audience’s collective movement (watch video clip). Audience members control the game by moving in sync to smash up msnbc.com’s colorful brick spectrum of news with a bouncing ball and paddle.
As far as I know, this is the first in-theater, audience participatory video game. And honestly, I think it's pretty cool. Way better than being forced to stare at slides of movie trivia and ads for local used car dealerships. You can play an online version of NewsBreaker Live at newsbreakergame.com.
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Labels: games
5/14/2007
Nintendo Wii Owners Making CelebriMiis
One of the new features of the Nintendo Wii, is the ability to create avatars (a virtual representation of a person) using the platform's "Mii Channel." The avatars can be used in various Nintendo games and even shared with other players. But creative Nintendo Wii users aren't just creating Miis of themselves. They've started making avatars that resemble famous people. Wii users have dubbed the celebrity avatars "CelebriMiis."Many Mii creators share their CelebriMii techniques online so others can duplicate the effect and use their avatars in games and Mii parades.
The image below is Hiro Nakamura from the NBC TV series Heroes.
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5/01/2007
How Does Duck Hunt Work
If you grew up during the 1980's, then perhaps you might remember playing an 8-bit shooter called Duck Hunt. Released for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1985, Duck Hunt was one of the first games to use the "NES Zapper" or light gun.
At the time, my little brother and I didn't care how the gun worked, we just didn't want the dog to laugh at us. Sometimes we would hold the light gun against the glass of the TV and try to cheat. 20 years later I'm more interested in learning how the game worked than preventing the dog from laughing at me.
So how does the light gun work? How exactly does Duck Hunt know what you were pointing at when you pull the trigger? According to an article on The Straight Dope, the gun isn't shooting the TV, it's the other way around. When you pull the light gun trigger, the entire screen blackens briefly and a white duck flashes on the screen where the duck(s) are located. If the photo sensor in the light gun detects a quick flash from dark to light, then you have a dead duck (and a non-laughing dog). Basically the TV shoots a light pulse and the "gun detects it, not the other way around."PLAY: Duck Hunt
Finding a working NES, light gun and original Duck Hunt cartridge can be a little tricky and require some time searching around on eBay. If you're looking for a quick fix, you can play an online Shockwave version of Duck Hunt here. You'll have to settle for a mouse instead of a light gun, but you'll probably have fun anyway.
methodshop
Labels: games
4/11/2007
Follow Matt Lauer Web Game
In 1998, the "Today" show started sending co-host Matt Lauer to far off locations like Mt. Everest and Machu Picchu, for a feature on the show called Where in the World Is Matt Lauer? But this week, American broadcasting network NBC decided to send Matt Lauer somewhere he'd never been before... a microsite. In a clever mashup of entertainment and promotion, Matt Lauer now has his own interactive Flash gaming site (followmatt.com). I blog for a site called Brand Appeal and thought this Matt Lauer microsite deserved a closer look.
Using a fun object-based interface, the site encourages users to explore Matt's possessions on his desk. You can watch clips on his video iPod, check out his car keys (sponsored by by Hyundai), download themed ringtones from his mobile phone, and see all of the places Matt has traveled to by opening up his passport. Visitors can even use his digital camera to upload a brief video clip explaining why they deserve a vacation. Apparently the best sob story wins a free vacation.
By far, the best part of the microsite is the "Where's Matt?" game. It's like an interactive version of the children's book "Where's Waldo?" Matt randomly gets inserted into different exotic locations and you have to find him. Do it fast enough and you'll get your name listed in the top 10. When I last played the game someone named "Imus Sucks" was in 10th place. Obviously a reference to the radio host who recently made racist comments about the Reuters University women's basketball team. Imus does suck by the way.
Overall, the online experience is great. However, the execution of this site's design feels a little disjointed. Several components of the site launch in separate windows making the experience feel less contained. Even though I feel a more controlled experience for visitors is needed (like on my blog called Brand Appeal), the site really does a nice job of pushing Matt Lauer's celebrity brand and attracting more interest in the Today show. Don't give a crap about a free vacation or ring tones? Me either. But at the very least check out the "Where's Matt?" game and try to get your name in the top 10. I did. Just once.
by CAM
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Labels: games
3/21/2007
Retro Games In Stop Motion
Pes from EatPES.com frequently makes stop motion short films and commercials, but their latest work titled "Game Over" is a masterpiece.
"Game Over" is a medley of several 1980s arcade games including a stop motion version of Centipede done with cup cakes and a pizza and pillow case version of Pac-Man. Seriously, it's great stuff and will be one of the easiest 5 star ratings you've ever given to a YouTube video.
If you get a chance, head over to Pes' site and watch some of the other stuff. I recommend the Bacardi commercial. Amazing work.
In case all this Pac-Man talk makes you feel like gobbling up some ghosts, here's a web browser based version of Pac-Mac.
methodshop
"Game Over" is a medley of several 1980s arcade games including a stop motion version of Centipede done with cup cakes and a pizza and pillow case version of Pac-Man. Seriously, it's great stuff and will be one of the easiest 5 star ratings you've ever given to a YouTube video.
If you get a chance, head over to Pes' site and watch some of the other stuff. I recommend the Bacardi commercial. Amazing work.
In case all this Pac-Man talk makes you feel like gobbling up some ghosts, here's a web browser based version of Pac-Mac.
methodshop
2/13/2007
Battlestar Galactica Mini Game
Feel like climbing inside a Viper and fraking a Cylon? According to a Sierra Online press release, this fall you'll get your chance.Looking to capitalize on the series' current popularity, NBC Universal and Sierra Online (Space Quest, King's Quest, Homeworld) are developing a mini Battlestar Galactica high-definition video game that will be available this fall as a digital download.
The Battlestar Galactica mini game is just a way to wet fans appetites. NBC U is talking to several publishers about making a full size Battlestar game for consoles that would be much broader in scope and encompass the show's political, military and religious themes. But console games take two or three years to develop.
"The show is really hot right now and the fans want content so we had a lot of discussion to figure out something we could do this year," said Universal interactive licensing VP Bill Kispert.Sierra's Battlestar game will focus on spaceship fighting, allowing fans to play as either humans or Cylons in missions culled from the series. There will also be an extensive multi-player combat element.
Kispert also said that Sierra Online has spent time on the show's set in Vancouver to incorporate elements from the show into the new game, including everything from actual ships to the computer monitors aboard the Galactica. The game will feature sound effects from the show, including weapons firing, and Kispert said they're talking about incorporating radio chatter from the show that could feature cast voices.
Because it's online, Sierra may also offer downloadable updates to keep the game fresh after it's released.
"Battlestar Galactica" game will be distributed via the Xbox Live Arcade service to download to Xbox 360, as well as for PCs.Unfortunately, it looks like PlayStation and Macintosh users are being left out on this release. Hopefully that will change before the fall.
For more information about the Battlestar Galactica mini game, visit the official web site at http://www.BSGarcade.com
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Labels: games
1/25/2007
DIY Nintendo Wii Steering Wheel
You might remember hearing about a wave of wounded people when the Nintendo Wii first came out last November. A combination of physically unfit Wii owners and a weak Wiimote strap was causing people to accidentally do things like punch their dogs or dislocate knees. Well apparently everyone’s wounds have healed and they’re starting to experiment with their new gaming systems.
One ambitious Wii owner even decided to make his own steering wheel and upload a picture of it to GoNintendo.com. The official Wii steering wheel is included with most racing games like GT Pro Series and Monster 4X4: World Circuit; but why pay extra for a game bundled with a wheel when you can just make your own?
While this particular DIY wheel leaves a lot to be desired (especially when it comes to style points), I'll give this lumpy homemade masterpiece an A+ for effort.
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One ambitious Wii owner even decided to make his own steering wheel and upload a picture of it to GoNintendo.com. The official Wii steering wheel is included with most racing games like GT Pro Series and Monster 4X4: World Circuit; but why pay extra for a game bundled with a wheel when you can just make your own?
While this particular DIY wheel leaves a lot to be desired (especially when it comes to style points), I'll give this lumpy homemade masterpiece an A+ for effort.
Be Social: digg story | methodshop
12/25/2006
A Very Yeti Christmas 2006
Like to smack penguins with baseball bats? Yes? Then here's a nice Christmas morning treat for the whole family. MethodShop has a series of Yeti winter games for your entertainment.If you aren't yet familiar with Yeti Sports, then prepare yourself for one of the most humorous and addictive games on the Internet. Below you will find several variations of the Yeti game Pingu-Throw as well as some newer Yeti offerings. One of the more violent variants of Pingu-Throw, named "Bloody", features decapitation, spikes, a big spiky club and mines.
Should your Yeti catch the penguin at the right moment and angle, you might just hit one out of the park, or arctic continent. Good luck and Merry Christmas.
Yeti Games
- Yeti Pingu-Throw
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Bloody)
- Yeti Pingu-Throw (Long Shot)
- Yeti Orca Slap
- Yeti Seal Bounce
11/27/2006
A Pain in the Wii
You will probably either sympathize or laugh at this latest story coming from the console gaming community. According to last Saturday's Wall Street Journal (subscription required), gamers are finding that the new Nintendo Wii can be a real pain in the neck... back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.In case you are unfamiliar with the Nintendo Wii, the controller it comes with is a wireless, motion-sensitive wand-like device. Gamers wave the controller around in the air and depending on the type of game you are playing, the controller can be anything from a sword, gun, tennis racket, or even a steering wheel. However, since the console debuted in mid-November, Nintendo Wii owners are complaining of aching backs, sore shoulders, and even something now called "Wii elbow."
Here are a couple WSJ quotes from Nintendo Wii owners:
Blaine Stuart of Rochester, New York, mistakenly whacked his fiancee, Shelly Haefele, while playing tennis and also accidentally hit his dog while bowling despite the message Nintendo flashes up on the screen before each game which says: "Make sure there are no people or objects around you that you might bump into while playing."
Ryan Mercer, a customs broker in Indianapolis, lifts weights several times a week. But that hasn't helped much with the Wii. After playing the boxing game for an hour and a half, his arms, shoulders and torso were aching. "I was soaking wet with sweat, head to toe -- I had to go take a shower," he says. And the next morning? "I had trouble putting my shirt on," says the 21-year-old avid gamer.
So what do the doctors think about all this? Lana Kang, an orthopedic hand surgeon, had this piece of advice, "It's just like athletic play.... Stretch out and be sure to take care of any injuries afterwards."With the rate of obese children skyrocketing worldwide, you'd think people would be congratulating Nintendo for combining gaming and exercise, not complaining. Oh well. Grab another Big Mac and wait for the next generation of gaming consoles to come out. Maybe they'll feature 'mind control ' so you don't even have to lift a finger to play.
Review: Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller
methodshop
11/07/2006
Amazing Power of Makeup
Are there any natural beauties in Hollywood? Maybe not.Perhaps celebrities just rely on good stylists with the Amazing Power of Makeup.
Photo Exposé: The Power of Makeup
"It makes me wonder about that part of our brains that sees beauty in people and how gullible and flawed it is. Why is there such a wildly different visceral reaction to each image? And isn’t it striking how these “pretty people” are all very normal looking people, just with good stylists." Lee.org
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Labels: games
10/27/2005
Biggest PSP on Earth
Compared to most portable video players, the Sony PSP may be a little on the larger size. But at least it's not visible by satellite... or is it?
Here's an interesting Google Maps find by a website called Scavengeroogle. Is that a swimming pool or a PSP?
You can access the above location on Google Maps [here].
methodshop
12/14/2004
The Weirdest Palm Software
These are the most sexy, twisted, bizarre, uselessly useful palm programs I have ever seen... Don't know if I would consider these stocking stuffers but definitely fodder for a long bus ride or to annoy any coworker.Find all available Palm Games and software here.
Labels: games
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Turkey Bowl is a 3D perspective target game where you celebrate the fall harvest by knocking over turkeys with bowling apples. Here's a hint, the turkeys further away are worth more points. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Has a virus or hard
drive crash wiped out your entire music collection on your computer? No
problem. Here's how to copy music off your iPod or iPhone and back onto your computer.
Bugs tend to freak us out. Mosquitoes, spiders, wasps, centipedes... you name it. If it crawls, bites or buzzes anywhere near our faces, then we squirm, swat and run. But what's worse than a little bug crawling on or biting you? How about a really, really big one? Here are some of the biggest bugs on Earth. Enjoy!. 
Need
something to watch on your iPod or iPhone? Here's a tutorial that
explains how to use a program called Handbrake to rip DVD's
into iPod compatible MPEG-4 video files.
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