ScatteredGenius.com

Some interesting articles to read…

Vol 1, No 1 (2007)

Because you asked, here is a brief list of the “Eight Kinds of Fun.”

This particular author has come to the conclusion that there are ‘eight kinds of fun’ when dealing with making games.

The collected game design rants of Marc LeBlanc

The Association of Virtual Worlds has just released its new title The Blue Book: A Consumer Guide to Virtual Worlds listing over 250 virtual worlds and is pleased to offer it free to anyone who is interested in the rapidly growing field of virtual worlds.

Basically a book listing of lots of virtual worlds. It’s interesting because it includes the bigger social networking sites.

Association of Virtual Worlds

So I’ve been trying to write some scripts for various projects, but have been procrastinating because I have to dig up my copy of Final Draft. If you’re not familiar, Final Draft is basically just a simple word processing software but explicitly for writing screenplays. It does all the movie formatting for you. I love, love, writing scripts and formatting them and all that, it’s such a stupid simple pleasure.

I kept saying, why the hell hasn’t Google Docs made formatting template stuff, where you can format screenplays in it and collaborate. The issue being I can write in my Final Draft formats but the file format can only be opened with a Final Draft program or viewer.

Well I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this, but:

Scripped Writer is a free web-based script writing software application you can use right in your web browser. Unlike other screenwriting software, Scripped Writer is built specifically with the needs of the writer in mind. That means it has all the functionality you need without the clutter of features you’ll never use.

Scripped Writer is a Free Screenwriting Software

I showed this to my friends in shock, and one actually replied saying this one was better:

Zhura provides the most advanced online screenwriting tool in the industry, plus the ability to connect with writers around the globe. On Zhura you can work on your own projects, work with friends in private groups, or collaborate with other writers in the public community.

Zhura - Make it together

Because it has collaboration! So it’s basically google screenplays :3

I can’t wait to try it. Anyone else use these or have any experience with them?

As readers of this site know all too well, there have been many, many, many attempts to meld interactive video games with hardcore porn, and despite the occasional interesting result it’s been pretty much a total failure. Why is this such an impossible task? (Besides a lack of money, creativity and raw computing power?) It has to do with a little rule of animation and robotics known as the “Uncanny Valley.” What is that exactly? Well, last week’s episode of “30 Rock” provided the clearest, most succinct explanation of the concept that we’ve heard yet—by breaking it down into a “Star Wars” metaphor, of course. See why your dream of fighting off an alien invasion while boning 3-D Hillary Scott clones is never meant to be.

“The Uncanny Valley”: Why Porn Video Games Suck