Eating Bees

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…

9 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

The First Law Of the MMO Industry…

March 30, 2009 at 7:07 pm (Tales)

…is “we all know each other.”

No matter how many studios rise and fall and rise again, the MMO industry remains remarkably small. Let me illustrate:

I was working on an article a little while ago when my IM blooped at me. It was an old friend, pinging to ask for an unofficial reference.

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30 Comments

I Love All Seven Of You

March 18, 2009 at 10:15 am (Links Of Interest, Related To Work I'm Doing)

Enough of you clicked on my Examiner page that they decided I was overpowered for Baltimore. I am now the national MMORPG Examiner thanks to you people, so the link has changed. It’s now http://www.examiner.com/x-5353-MMORPG-Examiner

The elderly beagle you’re helping to support expressed her appreciation by horking up a wad of hair and carpet fuzz in the fireplace this morning. I do not know what this means.

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14 Comments