gewgaw

As per earlier discussion on pulling reference art, here is actual proof that you can Google Images *anything* and get photos of people removing their pants.

Happy Thursday!

PS: Will is going to be on the Colbert Report!

I had no idea that people camp Wikipedia pages and edit out changes you attempt to make (which shows you how much I get around these days). I was looking something up and found that The Sims (over 54 million) and Madden (over 50 million) games are missing from the “Top Franchise Sellers” list on the site. But no amount of amending seems to stick.

That is just *sad*. Good people worked on those games and they deserve credit!

My trip photos are up here, Nintendoworld here.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this my best visit to Tokyo so far!!

Stateside 9am tomorrow!

Why was I smiling so big yesterday? Because we’re announcing our game and doing some hands-on with the press here in Japan!

It’s been a crazy few months, getting all ramped up, and sometimes it felt like I was in a dream. Seeing screenshots in this week’s Famitsu was so thrilling – I can’t believe it’s really happening!

And when that happens, I always try to stop and count my blessings. Many of you are in that list – friends, family, co-workers, academic colleagues. Thanks so much for your support, friendship, hard work, mentoring and kindness. The joy you give me goes striaght into the game – and I hope, right back out to each individual player. Only magnfied by 100 zillion! Pow!!

:)

Look for more posts here as we continue to release info on the game, and roll out to the other territories. For now, just being able to share a tiny bit with you is such a treat! Arigato!!

What a delight to be back in Japan, with the weather a bit colder and the leaves of Shinjuku-Chuo park turning and falling. It is such a beautiful city to begin with, and with the holiday lights and trees full of color, it’s hard to beat.

I posted these pics partly as a reminder that I am really here… it’s been a delerious few days. I was in Orlando on Monday, San Francisco on Tuesday and then here… and to top it off, I had little sleep. After a good night’s rest, this morning felt like Christmas!

The park was the first thing I investigated today – it is full of strays, and beautiful, giant spiders. There is also a lovely shrine, surrounded by many beautiful trees. Walk in the park, coffee and a danish, a warm scarf and hat – it was just like being in graduate school!

:)

I am very excited to see the Tokyo Nintendo World show, and to share tomorrow’s news with all of you. Stay tuned!!!

It’s time to send a big congratulations to my brother Brian and his new wife Jeanne – who tied the knot over the weekend in Orlando, Florida.

The ceremony was beautiful (as was everyone involved) and a great time was had by all. Icing on the cake: I now have a sister!

Big tournament coming up for Jeanne soon – she’s made the last round for the LPGA tour again this year!

Michael has posted about this year’s AIIDE conference which will be at Stanford (Yay! No flying necessary for me to attend!!).

I hope this year’s published game track helps elevate the dialog about techniques used in the field – that would be very cool. Several folks from the EA/Sims/Maxis vortex are involved, which should make for interesting talks! Working on something you think might make a good talk? The deadline is January 22nd, so you still have time to get it submitted!

Clint posted a really nice piece on Gears of War over on his blog. I have to confess that I had the same thoughts when I saw the commercial – that it was brilliant, but in some ways, a false hope. Then I realized that I was being dour, and said to myself “Someday, it will happen.” So I suppose it inspired me. Thanks for that, Epic!

PS: Shout out to my man for the MDA philosophy plug – even I forget to relate observations back to mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics from time to time. Speaking of which – I am starting to get excited about this year’s workshop – hopefully I will have enough time to teach an elective as well as the traditional coursework!

PPS: Kieron posted something about this on the 22nd – hilarious!

… is a bit of a puzzle to me! I played it this week (both with young ones and work friends) and enjoyed it quite a bit… but I’m still processing the overall gameplay experience. I feel confused by it.

On the one hand – it’s really beautiful. And there really is a ton to do – so you are always having that Insanaquarium, WOW-esque feeling in the pit of your stomach. “If I could just get a little more money…”, or “If I could just get one more rabbit into the hutch”… which is all very compelling. It’s fun to feel like you are making progress… realizing your plans, exploring the game’s echosystem.

Downsides: interface (very frustrating for me, personally), the constant presence of the mini-games (oh oh, you want to breed but YOU WILL PAY WITH TIME… and eventually your very ENTHUSIASM!), and just the general chaos of it all. I’m fine with losing pinatas to the boogymen (because they are sick), and to other pinatas (because they are hungry)… but the soundtrack of that chaos is particularly irritating after a while. So many warning drumbeats! So much tension. And then… trumpets when “A pinata is ill”???

One friend had a particularly trying experience: “I worked so hard to get those bunnies in that hutch, and I even named them and bought them hats. And then one of my “Helpers” opened the gate to their area, let them out, and in a few minutes they were all gone. ALL GONE!”

In a way, there’s a tradeoff in this game between the joy of progress (breeding them successfully, feeding them to bigger, rarer pinatas) and a mercenary-like detatchment from all but the “best” of these adorable, animated creatures. I’m still not sure how I feel about that part, just yet.

*giggle*

Kutaragi-san handed out the 1st commercial PS3 in Japan.

Even better than giant mechs!