Friday Links: Gestural Interface Edition
This man does something incredibly interesting: he makes the fake User Interfaces for crazy film technology. Second to … I don’t know, cake tester … this is probably the greatest job ever.
That’s not all in this week’s links, however. While the videogame offering was fairly weak, there are some great Epson commercials, car rental advertisements and psychotic cardboard cutout lovers below. Read on!
Videogame Links
Interesting
Jim Rossignol, on form as usual, writes a great piece for the Escapist about ruining some Chinese gold farmer’s Christmas. Sorry, we’re going to have to sell the Children this year, the space fleet was destroyed.
Another Escapist article by the venerable Rob Zacny which demonstrates why all children should work the sale mines until they’re 15. Builds character.
Those Alliance Dogs have no pride!
6th Graders draw comics representing their favorite videogames. What have we learned from this? 6th Graders have no fucking idea what’s going on in videogames and shouldn’t be allowed to interact with them.
The military has been purchasing PS3 consoles to crunch data, no doubt to guide missiles or something. I guess videogames really do cause violence.
What are those PS3 arrays really up to?
Great discussion between Borderlands senior designers about the theory and inspirations behind the game.
Fall of the Lich King trailer. Is there anybody better than Blizzard at cinematic set pieces, even in their ageing crappy engine?
The US Government has spent $33 million developing their free to play America’s Army game which is really a recruitment tool. I suppose $33 million isn’t that much for an effective recruitment tool considering that’s like one missile, but you’d think for $33 million it would be a better game.
Funny
Nintendo might be experiencing freefalling Wii sales. They might be unable to create a new game franchise in the past two decades. At least they’re still making funny advertisements.
Chunk, attorney at law (from the Goonies), addresses your videogame legal questions.
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and Chunk, Attorney at Law, who prosecutes the offenders. These are their stories.
I have brought great shame to my family
Pokemon: corrupting your children from a young age. REPENT, SINNERS!
The TF2 Pyro candle. My fiancee and I are looking for centerpiece candles for our wedding reception. Coincidence?
Non-Videogame Links
Interesting
Yes I realize it’s viral marketing. That doesn’t change the fact that this Epson projector video is fantastic. New Halloween costume?
Everything is better in Japan: suicide, flavored sodas and of course, barcodes.
I admit, not EVERYTHING is better in Japan.
Man trying to be the first to traverse the entire Amazon river on foot. At what point do we venture into the ‘doing useless stuff for the hell of it’ is stupid range. Hey Daily Mail, I haven’t showered in 18 months, where’s my feature?
Super high definition image of Cape Town. It’s like being there without the getting shot at a red light factor.
Foreign Diplomat guide to US social/business customs. It’s amazing how many little cultural rules you just take for granted when it’s actually extremely complicated.
80% of viewers will disconnect from a video if it buffers once?! Ridiculous how impatient you all are. I live for buffering.
Funny
Jimmy Fallon moves straight to the top of my ‘late night show host’ list. Not only does he treat videogames seriously, but he does a mean Neil Young impression.
Fallon does a mean impression. Fresh Prince would still be on TV if they had used this as their theme song.
Two bears race a Ferrari and an Audi R8. Need I say more?
A Capella version of Poker Face. Sorry Neutra Face, but you just got served.
Yet another in a series of posts that may or may not be funny. A for effort, though. A little not to my tastes.
Crazy robot animal posters. I don’t even know where these are from, but like all good children’s toys, if there’s a checkbox that says ‘no pants’ … sold.
The Onion strikes again with ‘Bring your Daughter to war day.’ The military could really use more bonding events like these, especially given the safety performance is up from last year.
I have brought great shame to my family
Woman dines with cardboard cutout man in San Fran. Is this better / worse than the guy that married his Nintendo DS girlfriend? I say better, at least this is a type of odd performance art.
Robot dance competition. You know how I can tell this is a Japanese designed robot? Because it looks like a creepy robot schoolgirl. Also it shouldn’t count if you have to occasionally prevent your robot from tipping over.
Which robot dance is better? The jury is still out
Cleverbot submits one of his finest performances and sings Bohemian Rhapsody with a user. Is Cleverbot a he? Maybe we should ask.
Here’s that Christmas cheer I’ve been hearing about, I suppose.
Larry Flynt sues his son over the quality of the son’s porn and how it focuses too much on ‘the boob element.’ I would like to believe there’s some sort of conflicting schools of thought in the industry like in early 20th century modern art.
I can’t tell if this is clever or ridiculous. Spoon death? Goes on about 90% too long but I suppose it’s an original idea.
Crazy man tries (successfully) to infect his wife with HIV after he learns he is positive.
That’s it for this week. But tune in next week for two firsts: the first award recap of the year, and also the first post by a guest blogger. Who is it going to be? ONLY TIME WILL TELL!
I wish I could have seen the Fallon clip. It buffered and lost me.