Friday Links: Surprise Edition
Chatroulette trolling is so April 2010 but this one at least has some creativity. Keep reading for Welsh State of Mind, Bee Dancing and the Fresh Prince of the Matrix.
Videogame Links
Interesting
Blizzard should be in the filmmaking business, not the game design business. Actually, I take that back. They should be in every business. I’m sure if they made a breakfast cereal that would be delicious.
The ultimate showdown demonstrates once and for all that PC controls are better. I love the way the console apologizers say ‘too much control isn’t fun, headshots don’t count when you get to double click them.’ Yeah … a bit of a stretch?
What is Daigo’s day job? It’s not what you might think from the ultimate fighter.
Interviews with Warren Spector, especially when they’re done in The Escapist, are always worth a look.
This Friday Links seems to have a Starcraft II theme (not surprising, considering it’s released in a few days). Continuing on that track, then, is a Starcraft II Collector’s Edition unboxing.
The Starcraft II Collector's Edition has a heroic amount of crap. Just the game, thanks
Funny
Starcraft II’s Dominion has a great entrance exam. Don’t say Blizzard is without a sense of humor.
Sunday Night Starcraft – I would totally watch this film. Actually it must have been hilarious to film these scenes in some public locations given they’re all around my apartment – or at least embarrassing. Maybe not hilarious.
There are Pokemon in the long grass. If this was actually how you leveled up in Pokemon, I might play the game.
Kevin Butler tells New Zealand that they’re on thin ice. Rightfully so.
I have brought great shame to my family
Dutch gamers break the world record by playing for 50 hours straight. I don’t want to come off as racist or anything, but from all the articles I’ve read if this were South Koreans or Chinese they’d all be dead by hour 40. Dutch are made of some tough stuff.
There is still one gaming related record for the Dutch to break. Godspeed, gentlemen
I don’t really know what’s going on here. Some Japanese girl is dancing in a surgical mask (?) in perfect time with some anime character. All I know is this is the perfect summation of Japanese culture, and that this required a substantial amount of practice.
I knew there were some good things about Cambodia. For example – The Legend of Zelda took place there.
Non-Videogame Links
Interesting
Titanic’s alternate ending. My god it’s awful. Using the ‘original ending’ was a billion dollar decision for Mr. Cameron. I wish there was a third alternate ending where Bill Paxton goes berserk and bludgeons Rose to death.
Yet one more development for Holograms that suggests they’re going to be super awesome some time in the near future. I just want that Star Wars battle chess set.
I don’t know why everybody isn’t using this physics engine but its quality and breadth is absurd.
This web site has a small sampling of some of my hyperrealistic paintings. You’re good, Mr. Polaroid, but as long as I’m around you’ll always be second best.
Wired gives a lesson on how to walk through crowds. I’m going to go everywhere with the fin from now on.
Tarp surfing. I’ve been tarp surfing since 1965. You might call me the original tarp surfer.
Tarp surfing? The penguin is unimpressed
The melting glaciers of Mt. Everest are interesting, especially when you see the size comparison image. When I saw the first picture I have to admit I grossly midjudged the scale.
Great guide to improving your writing. This is a practical one. Unfortunately, I’m a robot and only have three phrases that I repeat over and over. Blame the programming.
I, for one, welcome our new robot pancake flipping overlords.
Ecstasy may help trauma victims recover. See, Doc, this is what I’ve been saying for years. Just take a few Mitsubishis and everything will be fine.
Mike Tyson continues to be a fascinating figure. I think he’s very self aware, or possibly crazy. Maybe both.
Mike Tyson, no longer a force in the ring, has to get his knockouts where he can
I’ve always wondered why Germany is crazy about board games. Fortunately the FT is there to help out.
Funny
New York State of Mind for the Welsh crowd. Well played.
The bee mascot dancing is hypnotic. And far harder than regular dancing considering he has to keep closing the eyes.
Bill Murray gives a rare interview. These are always worth a read. Especially the way he answers the last question – gold.
Possibly the best example of the Xzhibit meme. This marks the peak, and we will now get to watch the decline as increasingly boring forced attempts surface on the internet.
Sometimes random text messages are the best ones. How come I never get any of these?
The Fresh Prince of the Matrix. These two songs go incredibly well together. Will Smith clubbed to death.
They should have worn this in the Matrix instead of that ragged cotton crap they all wore. What's the point of survival if you lack style?
I have brought great shame to my family
This bear sighting news story could have really used a little more effort. That’s the best they could come up with?
A nation of imbeciles thinks an Onion story is the real deal. This is why we can’t have nice things.
It’s kind of sad that MIT professors are sitting around thinking about how you can travel back in time without paradoxes. Are there really more education dollars needed? Sounds to me like we’ve hit quota.
A couple of suitcase stickers you don’t really want to use. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that airport employees have no sense of humor.
That’s all for this week. Did I miss anything? Hit up the comments!
Physics engine win. Oh, and gravity, which orchestrated all of those motions.
You’re lucky that your random avatar has a monocle Alison. They’re generated by your email address, which essentially means your email address is awesome.