Eating Bees

Work Stuff

June 29, 2009 at 8:57 pm (Links Of Interest, Related To Work I'm Doing)

If you don’t stalk me on Examiner, I posted the news about Mark, and then I did a followup post to explain some nuances missed by people who read the strangely written announcement boilerplate and emerged confused.

A slightly more nuanced take on the general topic, if not specifics, appeared ten written drafts later at MMORPG.com. Gonna be my final word for awhile. My feelings are… mixed.

As soon as preorders are available for the tell all, I’ll let you know.

But I don’t just navel gaze, no sir. I’m still working on the football game. To that end!

If you are/were a Steelers fan, and if you ever wanted to ask Coach Cowher anything, my Quick Hit friends are doing a podcast with the illustrious coach as a guest. If you want to submit a question, send it to askacoach AT quickhit DOT com. Send your real name and address too - the chosen questions will get the asker’s name read out on the air, and you’ll get a thank you t-shirt. The contact information will go on a spam list over my dead body, so please send your real address.

Finally, if any of my team leads or guild leaders are reading this, and you think your various groups of players would like to take a break from elves and beta test a browser based football game, give me a buzz, please. Each “game” is 20 minutes long, maybe a half hour with the various extra bits.

Thanks!

6 Comments

Back In the Saddle

June 10, 2009 at 4:55 pm (Related To Work I'm Doing)

So, I’ve been waiting until there was something I could actually, you know, show you. And at last there is!

Read the rest of this entry »

23 Comments

The Columns, and My Photo Collection

June 1, 2009 at 12:07 pm (Links Of Interest, Tales)

I meant to throw this link out there earlier, but I was too busy hitting deadlines

I have a column series at MMORPG.com called the MMO Underbelly, where I try to show the seamy, dirty, behind the scenes stuff of MMO production. The latest one is here, and you can find links to all the older ones under my cartoon picture. I love that picture, by the way. That’s how I wear my hair as a civilian, yes, and go ahead, make fun.

Read the rest of this entry »

4 Comments

Haiku contest

May 8, 2009 at 10:41 am (Related To Work I'm Doing)

I’m running a Haiku contest at my Examiner page: Go here to enter.

Why? Because I can’t post any more about Darkfall without overdosing on popcorn.

9 Comments

Achoo!

May 5, 2009 at 12:04 pm (Links Of Interest)

This is sick fun.

I do not actually have swine flu.

I have some other kind of flu. The kind where you don’t want the details. Really.

Actually, it’s more like past tense, now. I’m upright, writing for some deadlines. I’m just not hungry and will never be hungry again.

Meanwhile, enjoy the game.

4 Comments

Survey Results Posted

April 20, 2009 at 3:56 pm (Links Of Interest, Related To Work I'm Doing)

Article is here!

Basically… the kids are all right.

There was an article in one of the major dailies on how most people are actually fine, but all the gloom and doom in the papers is (are?) making us pull in our belts. That seems proven out by the people who say they’re fine, but are still cutting out discretionary spending items. I mean, 10% of the people self-described as “fine” are still not going out to dinner.

Thanks for your contributions, guys. I worked some of your themes into the article itself, so as usual, you guys make me sound smarter…

8 Comments

Truth! He Nailed It!

April 13, 2009 at 9:11 pm (Links Of Interest)

Just read this. Can’t comment, too busy laughing and forwarding to everyone I know.

Okay, one little comment.

Do you know how depressing it is to listen to a bunch of guys in their mid-thirties talking about how they’re pretty sure they’re next on the layoff merry go round, because they simply can’t sleep at the office and still function the next day? You don’t? Go work at a game company.

14 Comments

Take My Survey, Please

April 9, 2009 at 5:42 pm (Related To Work I'm Doing)

It’s here: http://www.freesurveysonline.com/fso/AskSurvey.fso?Survey=16615&CheckID=14286

It will take you less than a minute unless you are a really slow reader, in which case it will take you two minutes.

Yes, it’s ugly, because I’m too lazy to make a logo for it. See, it’s free, with unlimited responses as an option.

I’m writing a couple articles for a couple different places about this topic, mainly because I grow weary of people who don’t play MMOs writing the articles.

Thanks in advance for humoring me!

23 Comments

LFG: Gamers With Disabilities

April 1, 2009 at 9:41 pm (Related To Work I'm Doing)

MMOs have always been a great level playing field for people that are different in some way. For those of us with social disorders ranging from “simple” social anxiety to Asperger’s, MMOs offered an incredibly social outlet. For those of us who type faster than we dance or run or throw punches, MMOs gave us a place to shine. And for those of us who are limited in movement by time, money, or our bodies, MMOs offered connection to a world of friends and family.

That warm and fuzzy article has been written. What I want to do is an Examiner column on the things the next generation of MMOs need to do to ensure access for the widest possible group of gamers.

If there are modifications you’ve found in some games, and you need them in all games, let me know. (*cough*text resizing*cough* - some of us have been reading faded pages in bad light for decades now, and can’t see teeny print anymore.) Tell me what tools, UI mods, and options you need to make the most of your gaming experience. And hey, dream big. I always thought it would be cool if I could hold down one key and trigger voice commands - run, open, use, accept, decline, wave.

Finally, if you’re willing to be quoted in this column, or willing to send me a photo of yourself seated at your gaming rig, please email me at my first name at brokentoys dot ORG. It’s not dot com.

17 Comments