Wonderland http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/ ... Alice's place. en-GB Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:09:12 +0100 http://www.typepad.com/ This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site. Lovely things going on at the AnimeBoston Con http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/NmKoLLZJy1Y/lovely-things-going-on-at-the-animeboston-con.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/lovely-things-going-on-at-the-animeboston-con.html Judith Stephens has some fantastic pictures from the Anime Boston con. Here's a thumbnail - see them all here. Judith Stephens has some fantastic pictures from the Anime Boston con.

3641512119_95e7cac329

Here's a thumbnail - see them all here.

Boxtoncon

]]> Alice Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:09:12 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/lovely-things-going-on-at-the-animeboston-con.html The 99: comic superheroes inspired by Islam http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/LczIQLlMXiU/the-99-comic-superheroes-inspired-by-islam.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/the-99-comic-superheroes-inspired-by-islam.html Says the Guardian: They are superheroes battling injustice and fighting evil the Islamic way, and they are teaming up with some of the west's biggest comic book icons. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are among those joining forces with The... The99

Says the Guardian:

They are superheroes battling injustice and fighting evil the Islamic way, and they are teaming up with some of the west's biggest comic book icons. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are among those joining forces with The 99, who personify the 99 attributes of Allah, according to Islamic tradition.

What will unfold on the pages of the collaboration between DC Comics in the US and Teshkeel Comics in Kuwait is yet to be seen, but the appearance of The 99 – who already appear in comics in the Muslim world – alongside archetypal American heroes would have been unlikely during the Bush years.

]]> Alice Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:33:04 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/the-99-comic-superheroes-inspired-by-islam.html Educational & Family games "most popular genre" (UK) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/mXp8Xqovjkc/educational-family-games-most-popular-genre-uk.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/educational-family-games-most-popular-genre-uk.html Brits are apparently very into self-improvement and wholesome family pastimes. Says MCV: Half-year sales figures show success of mass market and educational titles. ELSPA and GfK-ChartTrack have this morning released UK video game sales results for the first half of... Brits are apparently very into self-improvement and wholesome family pastimes.
Says MCV:

Half-year sales figures show success of mass market and educational titles.

ELSPA and GfK-ChartTrack have this morning released UK video game sales results for the first half of 2009.

And thanks to Nintendo the numbers show that family games and educational titles are currently the most popular genre in the country.

Wiifit

Don't worry too much though, Killzone's at number 5.

]]> Alice Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:29:25 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/educational-family-games-most-popular-genre-uk.html Links for 2009-07-05 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/WofkFnahAPg/crystaltipsMon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-05<ul> <li><a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article6638496.ece">Channel 4 casts net for Andy Duncan successor</a><br/> Someone &quot;strong on digital&quot;.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/WofkFnahAPg" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-05Links for 2009-07-04 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/RLOcMq_s_bw/crystaltipsSun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-04<ul> <li><a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24205">Sony: PSP Open To Non-Gaming Apps</a><br/> &quot;The goal... is to enable all sorts of developers to be able to develop content for the PSP,&quot;... I wonder if they&#039;re learning the &#039;open is better&#039; rule yet?</li> <li><a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24157">Mastertronic Launches 'Great Indie Games' Retail Label</a><br/> UK distrib going for the indie kudos</li> <li><a href="http://phuce.com/uploads/queens/release/">queens - a game about domestic violence</a><br/> The controls/challenges are tediously hard, so I gave up on screen 1. Didn&#039;t get the full impact of the message. But it&#039;s an indie game made in 48 hours,so, impressive. Wish it were expanded.</li> <li><a href="http://kotaku.com/5307185/japanese-games-market-down-a-whopping-25">Kotaku - Japanese Games Market Down A Whopping 25% - Sales</a><br/> First signs of real cracks &amp; fails in the revered industry? Or just a warm summer?</li> <li><a href="http://gigaom.com/2009/06/23/fou-things-to-know-about-social-games-today/">4 Takeaways From the Social Gaming Summit</a><br/> Very interesting stuff about games on SNSes.</li> <li><a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2009/06/goatse.html">Crafty Crafty: Food Craft: Goatse cookies</a><br/> eheheh!</li> <li><a href="http://www.zynga.com/games/index.php?network=facebook">Zynga.Inc - Games on Facebook</a><br/> Mafia Wars has 4 million players.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/RLOcMq_s_bw" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-04 Sarlacc pit cushion http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/x8O55uQjn9s/sarlacc-pit-cushion.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/sarlacc-pit-cushion.html Ahh the Sarlacc pit. Recreated as a cushion! (via tb) I spotted a Sarlacc once, it was living in Las Vegas. Ahh the Sarlacc pit. Recreated as a cushion!

Sarlacc

(via tb)

I spotted a Sarlacc once, it was living in Las Vegas.

]]> Alice Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:44:43 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/sarlacc-pit-cushion.html Links for 2009-07-03 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/b3bUY2Rsbo0/crystaltipsSat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-03<ul> <li><a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/alt-escape/6231-Alt-Escape-1066-The-Game">The Escapist : Alt+Escape: 1066: The Game</a><br/> The Escapist reviews 1066! 750,000 players and counting...</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/b3bUY2Rsbo0" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-03 A week of silence http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/obZhKVCV4jk/a-week-of-silence.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/a-week-of-silence.html It's been a hell of a week. It's going to be a hell of a weekend, and I kick off next week with another talk at another venue for another large bunch of people. I've barely had time to kill... It's been a hell of a week. It's going to be a hell of a weekend, and I kick off next week with another talk at another venue for another large bunch of people. I've barely had time to kill a few zombies, my RSS feeds are all at max unread, and the house is a pit.

On the upside, I'm posting this from my hammock ;-) It's like the south of France out here!

Upcoming: other than the corporate stuff on Monday, I'm going to be at Develop for both Games:Edu and the main conference. I'll be talking about the games we've commissioned at C4 (since Bow Street Runner, Routes and 1066), and also what developing for public service is actually like.

But in the meanwhile:

Gundam goes pink!

Pinkgundam

... and a gameboy sleeve for the iPhone.

Gameboyphonesleeve

Aah that's better.

]]> Alice Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:07:16 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/07/a-week-of-silence.html Links for 2009-07-01 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/5yZIkAfkwaw/crystaltipsThu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-01<ul> <li><a href="http://schulzeandwebb.com/2009/scope/slides/?p=01">Slide 1 of 44 (Scope at reboot11, Matt Webb, S&amp;W)</a><br/> Hmm, commit to 100 hours. It&#039;s either powerplate or painting. Maybe both at the same time.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/5yZIkAfkwaw" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-07-01Links for 2009-06-30 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/zwstGfc7scg/crystaltipsWed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-30<ul> <li><a href="http://thepiratebay.org/blog/164">The Pirate Bay - for sale</a><br/> &quot;The profits from the sale will go into a foundation that is going to help with projects about freedom of speech, freedom of information and the openess of the nets. I hope everybody will help out in that and realize that this is the best option for all. Don&#039;t worry - be happy!&quot;</li> <li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/30/uk-gdp-record-fall-revision">UK economy shrinking at fastest rate in 50 years</a><br/> Don&#039;t believe the hype that it&#039;s over?</li> <li><a href="http://derrenbrownart.com/blog/2009/06/dawkins-funds-atheist-summer-camp/">Dawkins funds atheist summer camp (Derren Brown Blog)</a><br/> Atheist summer camp! In the UK! And why not, as most teens are atheists...</li> <li><a href="http://rewiredstate.org/">Rewired State Projects</a><br/> WOW.</li> <li><a href="http://moodle.org/">Moodle.org: open-source community-based tools for learning</a><br/> Free VLE. Need to investigate.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/zwstGfc7scg" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-30Links for 2009-06-26 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/rpdRjSpNAok/crystaltipsSat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-26<ul> <li><a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/06/benefits-classical-education.html">The Benefits of a Classical Education - Tim O'Reilly</a><br/> Tim on Ancient Greece &amp; Rome and the lessons he still learns from it. Fascinating.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/rpdRjSpNAok" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-26 L4D custom bead sprites http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/qwlQ1ot-LM8/l4d-custom-bead-sprites.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/l4d-custom-bead-sprites.html Willya look at the Francis on that. He would hate it. I however, do not. Willya look at the Francis on that.

Il_430xN.75941021

He would hate it. I however, do not.

]]> Alice Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:42:29 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/l4d-custom-bead-sprites.html Battle of the Planets (band) shirt http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/23igakmGDl4/battle-of-the-planets-band-shirt.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/battle-of-the-planets-band-shirt.html Band shirts. The quickest way to salute your tribe... my favourites: the original 'tendos, the L4D team, and now, Battle of the Planets from our Matt, who also produced the fantastic getexcitedandmakethings tee. Dial your nerd-hipster meter to 11: Also,... Band shirts. The quickest way to salute your tribe... my favourites: the original 'tendos, the L4D team, and now, Battle of the Planets from our Matt, who also produced the fantastic getexcitedandmakethings tee. Dial your nerd-hipster meter to 11:
Botptee

Also, way cheaper at 16 euro, whereas the L4D ones were coming in at like 30+ dollars.

]]> Alice Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:22:42 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/battle-of-the-planets-band-shirt.html Harvey Nicks' streetfighter-esque ads http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/u91cjp_t9TE/harvey-nicks-streetfighteresque-ads.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/harvey-nicks-streetfighteresque-ads.html Harvey Nichols, for you non-UK residents, is a very chi-chi department store selling expensive designer gear. And yet, they've turned to Street Fighter and pals for inspiration for their latest sale ads: That's just freaky. And it kind of works.... Harvey Nichols, for you non-UK residents, is a very chi-chi department store selling expensive designer gear. And yet, they've turned to Street Fighter and pals for inspiration for their latest sale ads:

Streetfighternichols

That's just freaky. And it kind of works.

(Thanks Lee!)

]]> Alice Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:57:16 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/harvey-nicks-streetfighteresque-ads.html Another Perfect World http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/9mSg3yURsjQ/another-perfect-world.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/another-perfect-world.html More4 (Channel 4's deep-thinking digital channel) did a documentary on virtual worlds, featuring no less than Raph Koster and pals. True Stories presents: Jorien van Nes and Femke Wolting's fascinating insight into online virtual worlds. Second Life, World of Warcraft,... More4 (Channel 4's deep-thinking digital channel) did a documentary on virtual worlds, featuring no less than Raph Koster and pals.

True Stories presents: Jorien van Nes and Femke Wolting's fascinating insight into online virtual worlds. Second Life, World of Warcraft, Metaplace, U World - all virtual worlds where the user can create their own paradise, far removed from real life. People can create societies that range from the democratic to the dictatorial, have avatars that resemble their ideal and can engage in actions that their real life personality would never dream of doing, from cyber-sex to virtual crime. But who creates these worlds and are they the right people to be crafting idealised societies that pretend to address and solve the inadequacies of the real world?

You can watch it on Channel 4.com although apparently that's only to UK users? If you're not one of those, well, you don't need me to tell you how to use Pirate Google or YouTube. I welcome the day when global release rights are negotiated at the point of commission...

Anotherperfect

]]> Alice Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:49:44 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/another-perfect-world.html Cogs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/DYiUfFHDb9Y/cogs.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/cogs.html I'm reviewing some indie games at the moment, and one of them is Cogs. I thought you might like to see it: it's one of those anti-dementia, hangover-fixing games, and The Escapist loves everything about it (except the price). Seeing... I'm reviewing some indie games at the moment, and one of them is Cogs. I thought you might like to see it: it's one of those anti-dementia, hangover-fixing games, and The Escapist loves everything about it (except the price).

Seeing as I have a hangover right now (we went to see Derren Brown last night, and it was good), Cogs is very welcome.

]]> Alice Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:28:22 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/cogs.html Links for 2009-06-25 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/JbT1_189Kn0/crystaltipsFri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-25<ul> <li><a href="http://notallpoppies.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/australia-to-ban-second-life/">Australia To Ban Second Life</a><br/> Wowzas.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Wonderland/~4/JbT1_189Kn0" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/crystaltips#2009-06-25 Huge set of 56 needlepointed Space Invaders fridge magnets http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/F5ugyKsoih0/huge-set-of-56-needlepointed-space-invaders-fridge-magnets.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/huge-set-of-56-needlepointed-space-invaders-fridge-magnets.html Look at these beauties: Here is a huge set of fridge magnets modeled after the popular retro video game, Space Invaders. You get 56 fridge magnets in total, including: - 50 aliens (that you shoot at in the game) -... Look at these beauties:

Needlevaders

Here is a huge set of fridge magnets modeled after the popular retro video game, Space Invaders. You get 56 fridge magnets in total, including:

- 50 aliens (that you shoot at in the game)
- 1 UFO (flies across top of screen in game)
- 1 Laser Cannon (that you control in the game)
- 4 Stationary Defense Bunkers

The fridge magnets are all completely handmade in needlepoint and are fully stitched by hand. They measure approximately 1" across in length.

Now these you can buy. Assuming you get there first...! RUN!!

Il_430xN.76578435

]]> Alice Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:15:25 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/huge-set-of-56-needlepointed-space-invaders-fridge-magnets.html Video game compact mirror http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/H5jvTR-dDw4/video-game-compact-mirror.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/video-game-compact-mirror.html Hand-made, natch. And completely unavailable to buy. Bah! I think Matthew just sent me this link to make me jealous :-) (Thanks Matthew!) Hand-made, natch. And completely unavailable to buy. Bah!

YAKMALA1

Compack2

I think Matthew just sent me this link to make me jealous :-)

(Thanks Matthew!)

]]> Alice Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:11:32 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/video-game-compact-mirror.html Why give away game currency at all? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/VB-DKQvtIT4/why-give-away-game-currency-at-all.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/why-give-away-game-currency-at-all.html Dungeons & Dragons Online reckon you can just buy your in-game stuff with real money from the off. How is this different from other games with microtransactions? Not so much - you can just buy more infrastructural things here, including... Dungeons & Dragons Online reckon you can just buy your in-game stuff with real money from the off. How is this different from other games with microtransactions? Not so much - you can just buy more infrastructural things here, including player classes, and even quests - but it feels really different to me. Can't put my finger on it.

504x_DDO_Store-Premium_Items

Feels.. more like real life, somehow: expensive!

]]> Alice Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:35:35 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/why-give-away-game-currency-at-all.html Sociable television (as it should be) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/CLhybABZAjg/sociable-television.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/sociable-television.html I find television really boring if I'm on my own watching it. With pals it's good; as background fodder to other things (like WoW) it's good. On its own, no good. So this fixes things somewhat: Is this an exclusive... I find television really boring if I'm on my own watching it. With pals it's good; as background fodder to other things (like WoW) it's good. On its own, no good.

So this fixes things somewhat:

Sociable teevee
Is this an exclusive thing to Sky Sports? Because stick an HBO drama in there (mmm True Blood) and I'm in. That would get me "watching TV" again.

]]> Alice Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:25:20 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/sociable-television.html Kev and Alice, the homeless Sims http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wonderland/~3/ETLf38KZ410/kev-and-alice-the-homeless-sims.html http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/kev-and-alice-the-homeless-sims.html Kev and Alice are two Sims - father and daughter - created by Robin, a UK-based games design student. Kev and Alice are homeless. Welcome to the tale of Alice and Kev. This is an experiment in playing a homeless... Kev and Alice are two Sims - father and daughter - created by Robin, a UK-based games design student.

Kev and Alice are homeless.

Kevandalice

Welcome to the tale of Alice and Kev.

This is an experiment in playing a homeless family in The Sims 3. I created two Sims, moved them in to a place made to look like an abandoned park, removed all of their remaining money, and then attempted to help them survive without taking any job promotions or easy cash routes. [...]

I have attempted to tell my experiences with the minimum of embellishment. Everything I describe in here is something that happened in the game. What’s more, a surprising amount of the interesting things in this story were generated by just letting go and watching the Sims’ free will and personality traits take over.

Start the story here... it's really sad. And completely compelling.

(thanks Harry!)

]]> Alice Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:21:53 +0100 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2009/06/kev-and-alice-the-homeless-sims.html