Link Roundup 9/19/2013 – Video Game Edition

Lots of gaming Links!

The power of failure in creating The Last Of Us. An interesting and inspirational look at the game, its themes, and how it came about over a long period.  Worth reading for gaming and media pros.

Speaking of failure, here’s an insightful look at sexist problems in video games beyond the use of sleazy sex appeal.  There’s actually some rather interesting issues of infantilization I hadn’t thought of.  Also shame and wonder that more and more we here at MuseHack to to Cracked for insight.  Food for thought for game developers and culture commentators.

The Tokyo Gameshow is in decline, and there’s a huge chasm in titles and representation that is part of a larger game industry change.  Maybe Cracked has some thoughts.

Amazon is working on it’s game console and his going to go full ecosystem – they’re courting developers and moving forward.  What intrigues me (beyond the level of awareness) is that they’re really more competing with the X-Box.  Might need to watch out for them, developers . .

Speaking of alternate consoles, Ouya is changing it’s rules on free games and development.  I’ll say . . . they didn’t do as well as I expected.  And I had low expectations.

Small, obscure title Grand Theft Auto V manages to net $800 million dollars.  Remember, game, not movie, and people will spend more time with this game.  Of course games-as-causing-violence is back in the news at about the same time – and the fact that torture is part of the game is not going over well.

– Steven Savage

Link Roundup 9/18/2013

Career

Personal Branding for Introverts.  Some advice if you’re introverted that’s rather nice, straightforward, and smart.

Psychology

Do our children have a play deficit?  An interesting thought.  I think fandom often plays a role in being, well, play for people.

Technology

Goldbely – A startup will mail you famous local food for a big markup.  I’ll be honest in that sounds kinda weird/pretentious/icky-when-it-unthaws.  But presented there for sheer weird.

– Steven Savage

Link Roundup 9/17/2013

Culture:

Amazon reports . . . increased sale in Vinyl Records?  It’s more than just some hip trend, but seems to be part of deeper elements of Amazon’s cross-marketing and product association – an advantage they have that few others do.  I’m sure there’s other places they and competitors can innovate, but they seem to have the edge . . .

Economics

How much did we pay for the 2007-2009 meltdown?  A look at costs versus losses that’s worth reading if you’re heavily econogeek.

Psychology/Technology

US Military scientists discover how to identify notes that make things go viral in social media.  You can bet this is going to get used like crazy.  I’m also glad it wad discovered publicly so it won’t be hidden.

Technology

Forget Facebook, Google should be a model for your startup.  Google makes stuff and builds goodwill, nuff said.  Well worth reading.

Food for thought: Is Microsoft going to the right strategy at the wrong time?  Makes me slightly less bullish on Microsoft, the upshot being that they’re sort of “speaking last cycle’s language.”

Finally one of Bonnie’s interviews gets mentioned at Lady Geek Girl!