Interesting C|Net article on the growing numbers of Game Design undergraduate degrees. Some interesting points were the conflict between the technical, hands-on side and the academic observational side (tbh, what comes to mind are a bunch of professors who want to play, but can’t for fear they’ll ruin their credentials!). And the “burn-out” issue was also interesting. That brought to mind the whole Electronic Art’s “sweatshop” thing from a few months back when a worker’s spouse blogged about how bad the working conditions were… here in the U.S. of A. It also reminded me of my visit to the Polycount site yesterday. What was once a forum bustling with activity has been relatively quiet for some time now (the new, higher game design standards seem to be taking their toll on casual modders). Looks like the industry really is growing up.
Monthly Archives: May 2005
Not So Fast Company
Via Core77 comes word that Fast Company magazine’s June 2005 offering is an “all-design” issue. I have to admit, from what I’ve read online I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean, any publicity is good publicity… right? But with articles like “How to Act Like a Designer” and “ … Or Just Look Like One”, is this the right message when the biggest problem in the professional design world is the general perception that Design is superficial? and something you can farm out overseas for free (the cost of design being wrapped up in other, higher-cost program items like tooling)?
I know. Some of the articles address that problem. Let’s just hope the guy who rushes out to buy his black turtleneck and tre’ cool specs gets that far before he starts using those articles for toilet paper.
[Note: I’ve fixed/updated the links to the two articles. Fast Company apparently updated the headline on that second article a few weeks after it was originally posted; the two articles originally came as a pair. And as you can see via their time stamp versus when this post was published, they were updated as a pair.]
Where’s My Mood Ring?
There’s really nothing in this article, “Digital Fashions On The Horizon“, over on CNN that’s news to some of us, but posting the link here because it’s being covered by mainstream media… and that’s still of interest. I’m wondering how long before some journalist does a real interview with someone that makes a living doing virtual fashions (a couple candidates come to mind). Just wait til XBox 360 makes micro-transactions for player-created content a reality (assuming that the currently discussed, limited capability is breached; gamers are plenty resourceful). Or Sony’s new System Exchange comes online. There’s going to be an interesting little hiccup in the Real world when that happens.
PayPal Plastic?
BusinessWeek online has an article on PayPal that’s worth reading if you’re watching virtual economics. For those who aren’t aware, PayPal is owned by eBay. And of course the bulk of virtual transactions (for now) are apparently conducted over eBay. So as virtual currency becomes increasingly tied to real life, it’s interesting to read how PayPal is potentially in a position to extend its online presence into the real world.
Tony Price At The United Nations
Bruce Sterling has [edit: had] a nice entry on “Atomic Artist” Tony Price. There’s currently a show at the U.N. titled:
SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES
Tony Price : Atomic Art
May 2, June 10, 2005
For more information visit the website. And check out some more of the work.