The Future. December 2, 2007
Posted by adrenjarvi in Philosophy.Tags: Future, ImagineCup, JBJ, Microsoft, Music, Philosophy, SBJ, Tech, Zune
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This is technically my 100th post. I decided I was going to look into the future, and touch on some interesting things that I think will change the way we live. This is a very Steven B. Johnson post, but that is probably because I (finally) sat down and read “Emergence” all the way through.
Lets start.
MUSIC
Lets face it, folks. Music is essentially done- as a corporation. The proliferation of… “Piracy” allows for essentially any music to be downloaded for free.
But there is another fact: People will pay for music. Lets look at the recent Radiohead experiment- where radiohead released their new album , “In Rainbows”, on a pay-what-you-want digital download scheme. At first, this seems like a moronic and truly irresponsible move. How can they make money for giving something away for free? Well, apparently a lot. The cost of the album is only in pre-production; actual recording of content and such. There is no cost for the production of the album as it is digital (maybe peanuts for hosting, webdesign, etc). Now, lets say you are a radiohead fan. Maybe you pay 12 dollars for it. Now here I am, someone who is only loosely affiliated with radiohead. I don’t want to put down any money for it, so I download it. and there are a whole slew of people who paid in-between (the rumored average was 5 dollars). Now, if Radiohead released their new album in a physical form, I would have paid what I paid the first time; Nothing. Here, I got to hear their music, and I’ll tell you, I liked what I saw. So I marched my (virtual) ass back to the website (here) and promptly gave them 5 dollars. That 5 will most likely get a lot less chopped up then the ‘physical 12′, and hopefully the majority will go to the artists. Shocking, I know.
Radiohead’s management ( in a move which undercuts the spirit of this post) said it was only to bolster sales for the real physical album. This doesn’t make sense. But what Radiohead did does; lets imagine a future where physical records are obsolete (save for vinyl, which in a totally odd discordian context is making a comeback). Now, where as the label of yesteryear was a device required to spread music, now we have internet radio shows. The vastness of social networking sites allows users to post music, that music gets shared and viewed. People interested can download at the artists site. This means that big-name artists are famous because, steady your breath: People listen to them.
Brave new world.
Games
In a similar move, they are going to go independent. Big-name studios are not going anywhere, but I envision an open platform coming; Something like an XNA portable. Microsoft announces a portable platform with a big screen, Custom OS, and the use of “XCards” as a proprietary Cartridge system.
Quick note on this; I have noticed that we, as a people, constantly move from circles to squares to circles when it comes to our media. Giant spools of video , move to VHS, move to DVD, move to HDD recording. Music is even more dramatic: Records, Cassettes, Discs, Mp3’s. Meh, whetever. I am weird.
Anyway, this platform uses a proprietary system (integrated with windows) to let users build games in a similar way that their XNA system does now. Users can both build and test games on this platform (slide out qwerty?) and then send them in for certification to Microsoft. Add some brief media functions, an internet browser, an Xbox Originals integration…. you have an interesting evolution.
Me
Really, why else are you here?
I think my little evolution might be over with for now. For those close to me, ever since something happened, I have been on this odd maturity tip. I feel different, and my lifestyles have changed somewhat to address these. Well, this is premature, but I am going to make these creeds now before new years, and do my damndest to stick by them.
I want a game, be it chalkboard warrior or otherwise, under my name before I become a junior.
I need CCSU to recognize my whims, for better or worse.
I will make an impassioned speech in front of a group of individuals, and they will cheer. This will be important.
I will travel.
I will record some ‘rhymes’.
I will go to the imagine cup.
Lofty, yes. But by posting it here, I get to keep all you bastards on my case .
-F9
A Casual loop October 11, 2007
Posted by adrenjarvi in Event.Tags: Blogging, Events, Halo, Humor, jerry, Microsoft
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I Purchased the Orange Box today, and Jeebus is it a value. But that is for later. What I bring you Now is nothing short of magic.
People by now are used to the idea of Liveblogging- as the event occurs, the resourceful blogger writes a minute-by-minute testimony of the actions. However, through the power of Science®, I can now break free from this reality- reliant and soon-archaic form of blogging, and move on to what I know usher in: “FutureBlogging.”
Thats right, using ‘certain technologies‘, I can now peer through the curvature of space and see exactly what will occur at tonights event- the Halo 3 Party at CCSU, hosted by Microsoft (I.E., me). I will be too busy tonight, so Futureblogging is my only respite. So now, allow me to take blogging in this brave new direction: I present to you, The Future Blogging of tonight’s event!
4:00 P.M.- Looks like the tables are all set up. I put in a call to Jerry, he’ll be along soon.
4:15 P.M.- tech guys were cool. The Xbox Looks damn sexy on the projector. Damn sexy.
4:30 P.M.- Jerry Showed, and we put in a few rounds on Team Fortress 2. I know, Odd.
5:00 P.M. Some people came in looking for a different event- official lookin’ people. Jerry told them they where wrong, but I was smiling as I saw the crowd Gathering outside.
5:15 P.M.- We turn up the Volume on team fortress to stir the crowds outside.
5:20 P.M.-Jesus! Got our televisions, with no warning. Not a bad suprise, but me and jerry set up the remaining Xboxen.
5:37 P.M.- Call from Dad. Pizza’s are all ready, He’ll be here soon.
5:40 P.M.- The Nucleic crew is all here! this is awesome, they had to fight through a gathering crowd.
5:55 P.M.- laptops are all set, I even noticed the Microsoft Evangelist outside, gave them a wave.
6:00 P.M.- Doors Open. Oh. My. God, lotsa people.
6:12 P.M. Jesus. Popular.
6:40 P.M. This is just ridiculous. We just hit 75 registered people. this will require more time.
7:00 P.M We’re out of cups.
7:12 P.M.- Official tournament begins, first round ends in a shotgun-melee victory. Loser throws
controller at me. It Hurt pretty bad.
7:35 P.M.- I have noticed several central-peoples looking in on us, getting an odd combination of shame and pride in my action. I am fairly certain the governor is supposed to come here tommorow. Hmm.
8:00 P.M.-Tournament continues. We are low on pizza.
8:14 P.M.-I am calling the police to declare Jerry Official dead… I have not seen him for hours.
8:23 P.M.-It smells like…. well, it smells.
8:34 P.M.- Many more hostile gamers are confused an outraged as a woman, reportedly named “KATE-LINN,”, has made it to the semi-finals.
8:45 P.M. Riots have broken out as both the pizza and cardboard pizza boxes have been consumed. I believe I saw a gnawed finger on the ground, it may have been Tina’s. My Condolences to the Janerio family.
9:00 P.M.-We have officially moved on to sectarian violence, as our angry mob has now left the confines of alumni Hall and overtaken the student center. I think I saw someone setting up a defensive turret.
9:29 P.M.- I can safely say we have overtaken the campus. I have counted at least one Orgy.
9:35 P.M.- Two, two orgies.
9:47 P.M. -The Police have responded, but apparently they have fashioned several destroyed car parts into effective melee weaponry. I am horrified, but frankly, proud.
9:58 P.M.- I get a call from Doc that our warband has grown to cover most of Hartford county.
10:04 P.M.- I Finally saw Jerry, Nude, massacring what appeared to be a group of Marching band kids. We locked eyes, nodded, and continued on our ways.
10:22 P.M.- I have commandeered a tank, and I believe I am making a march on washington. My face has been on a flag, and I am proud.
10:33 P.M.- Somehow my warband has stretched to the coast, igniting many into revolution. Bush Agrees to terms with me at the Connecticut border. I meet at the beach, because I like the beach.
10:45 P.M.- After ten minutes of deliberation, culminating in a very short slayer game, Bush Surrenders the country over to my revolution. I re-dub it “Jarvisland”, Make marijuana Legal, and outlaw the sale of all sony products. I am the new President, And on My cabinet, I install Penn and Teller, (the still nude) Jerry, Joshua delaney and Doc’s Son, little man. I install a constitutional Democratic Socalist government, and I slap Bush on my way out.
10:47 P.M.- World Peace.
11:05 P.M.- Matthew Davidson is crowned as winner of the Halo 3 Tournament.
11:40 P.M.- The night ends quietly as we spend some time cleaning up.
This is Nigh!
-F9
The Fight Comes to the Central State… October 9, 2007
Posted by adrenjarvi in Event.Tags: CCSU, Event, Halo, Microsoft
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Everyone, awesome event happening that I am lucky to be a part of!
October eleventh, that is this thursday, Will be CCSU’s First Official Halo 3 Tournament, Sponsored by the Imagine Cup, And none other than MICROSOFT!!!!!!!
Here are the luscious deets:
Thursday, October 11th, 6 p.m.- whenever oclock.
HALO 3 TOURNAMENT in Alumni Hall
Hosted by The Nucleus Game Development group
Sponsored by Microsoft and the Imagine Cup
We will have prizes of all kinds, games, chances to appear in games- tons of cool shindig.
Also, there will be FOOD!
Just go to www.iammasterchief.com and click the ‘Rsvp’ link. Use the RSVP code ‘CCSUH3P’ ( no quotes).
It’s gonna be a blast!-f9
Believe. September 23, 2007
Posted by adrenjarvi in Event.Tags: CCSU, Event, Halo, Master Cheif, Microsoft, Photos, Picasa
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Alright guys, something big has happened that will change a lot of the goings on about the Nucleus, upcoming events, and all sorts of fun. I have told some, and I will tell you all soon enough, but here is not yet the place. Understand- this is really cool.
I will give you three hints, however:
1. Keep playing Halo 3. You are going to need it come 10/11/07.
2. Those apple vs. Microsoft arguments we always have? Yeah, the stakes just done got raised.
3. These photos, chronicling what was the last twelve hours.
Believe.
-f9
Petty Morality, or: Why I chose to Harvest Little Girls. August 23, 2007
Posted by adrenjarvi in Ludology, Morality.Tags: Bioshock, Choice, Evil, Ludology, Microsoft, Morality, Narratology, Narratology vs. Ludology, Xbox
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Bioshock is really everything I wanted it to be. The creators have crafted a true masterpiece, and my god I give them all the credit in the world.
Expansive, interesting weapon system? Endless (but simple!) customization? A death system that rewards persistence and strategy? Yum. However, the shining jewel is the sense of morality in the game- I will do my best not to spoil it, but what I am going to say is nothing you don’t learn within the first five minutes, or the Demo, so please continue to read.
In the game, they have genetically altered little girls to harvest ADAM ( a sort of stem- cell cocktail) from dead bodies- the little girls can navigate the various tunnels of the city, Rapture. The Little Sisters are guarded by Big Daddies- the quintessential ‘badasses’ of the game- they are basically giant bastards in old-school scuba tanks. Using a combination of firepower, and fire powers (along with Ice, Tornadoes, Anger, Electricity, fucking bee’s…. I mean, seriously) you can take down the giant bastards. What happens next is really the terrible part.
There is a moment in the game where you learn the fate of these little girls. They are just plain ole’ stuffed with ADAM. You can extract the ADAM in one of two ways- you can ‘rescue’ them- it removes the parasite from them, and you recieve a bit of ADAM in the process. Or, you can Harvest them- a painful procedure that forcibly removes the parasite from them, gaining an abundance of ADAM. ADAM allows you to further edit your genetic code, allowing for more powers, tonics, etc. Fun Fun Fun.
So, what do I choose?
I was sitting in my room with a good friend of mine ( some would say my ‘best’) and we where watching the scene in front of us; a little girl, easily no older than 8 or 9, crying, scurrying away from us. A man on the radio was telling us to ignore the physical appearence- “These aren’t little girls anymore!” – while the very creator of these little bastards is telling us to save them. On either side of the Little Sister, there is a button, with a label underneath. X for harvest, Y for Save.
And we waited there.
I discussed it with my friend- the game had drawn us in, and I took a moment to think as my friend spoke.
My plane had crashed in the middle of the ocean.
I descend a random sea-bound lighthouse, looking for a phone.
I end up in a submarine, a Bathysphere, and find a fucking mutant killing someone in front of me.
Some guy tells me it is up to me to save his family, and that I should trust him.
And now, the very thing that will give me the edge in this battle is wriggling around in front of me.
My eyes grew dim, and my brow furrowed profusely.
I held down X very hard, and my friend stopped speaking.
“Whoa, can you go back?”
I could.
“I won’t.”
As the little girl writhed in my arms, the screen went green with a muted scream. As it cleared up, the ADAM meter clicked upwards, and the game continued.*
“You wouldn’t really do that, dude?” My friend asked, not looking at me.
It’s a really good thing, too.
Because he would have seen me nodding.
This game has put me into this state of mind, one where my normally lofty morality is replaced by cold, hard, truth. Besides, my Savior is telling me to kill them, whereas the crazy bitch who spawned the demons is telling me to listen to her? No thank you.
Bioshock is a really good game.
Here’s to hoping you are braver than I am.
-F9
*Some of you might be a little disgusted; well, fuck you. I am playing the game for the first time, all the way through, on hard mode. So there.
