Posted by Greg Walsh on Feb 15, 2008 in
Games I found this the other day and think it would be perfect for the Game Distribution network for my non-existing open console. It is called OpenCDS and it is being used for the open-source game OpenFrag.
From OpenFrag’s website (http://wiki.openfrag.org/wiki/OpenCDS_About):
OpenCDS is a Valve© Steam® inspired application, where you are able to easily browse, download, manage, update, run games. OpenCDS is completely written in Java and therefore a very cross-platform application. With the ability to customize your OpenCDS, using skins and plugins, you are able to receive the application in your language. With a sophisticated download and manage system, you are able to keep your enlisted games up to date, and therefore opt-in for optimal game experience.
I’m not sure if this is the same project as on the Java OpenCDS site (https://opencds.dev.java.net/).
I think this could definitely meet one of my open system’s requirements.
Posted by Greg Walsh on Jan 31, 2008 in
Games,
Random,
Welcome to the Future As I’ve been playing with MythTV, Ubuntu and the like for a year now, I keep coming up with the idea of an open source game console. I’ve figured that someone would have thought of this before, but, I can never find anything on the interweb about it.
My idea is (relatively) simple: come up with a list of hardware and a Linux OS that can play games out to a TV/HDTV/Monitor. The kind of games I’m talking about are the quick arcade games (Extreme Tux Racer), RPG (Westnoth), fighting (Paintown), etc. I’m not sure exactly what games, but, the eventual goal would be for teams and indies to make games that run on the console. Maybe even a way to buy games via digital distribution.
Here’s my guess at what it should have to keep it affordable:
2GHz Processor
256 MB Video card with TV/component/DVI out
Wireless internet
160GB Hard drive
Wireless joysticks-up to four (GUI is controlled by joysticks)
DVD-ROM drive
The OS would need to support all of that and be driven by the joystick.
What am I missing? Again, the point is to create a reference design for people to build it themselves and be able to run certain games. I’m not looking for an MP3 playing, divx-serving PVR set top box. Just a fun way to play some good games while building a computer.
Posted by Greg Walsh on Jan 23, 2008 in
Creative,
Games,
Welcome to the Future This looks like the best use of a Nintendo DS until Final Fantasy Tactics DS comes out. As Susan Arendt wrote on Wired’s Game|Life:
Disney is currently field-testing the use of DS Lites as an interactive tour guide and map for its Magic Kingdom resorts. Most brilliant idea ever? Quite possibly.
Having just come from Disney World, I know how helpful it would have been at the park. A small screen to tell you how to get from Laugh Floor to PotC as quick as possible or where to buy a Rice Krispy treat would have been awesome.
Use Your DS As An Interactive DisneyWorld Tour Guide | Game | Life from Wired.com
Posted by Greg Walsh on Apr 26, 2007 in
Games,
Media When the media comes out from last night, I plan on putting my presentation up here.
Some things I mentioned last night:
Papervision 3d - [Link]
RPG Storyteller - [Link]
Blender 3D - [Link]
Posted by Greg Walsh on Apr 26, 2007 in
Creative,
Games,
Travels I’ve been away from my blog for a while now. In the last 60 days, I’ve given four different presentations across the country (6 in the last 90 days). Fortunately, two were pretty similar so I didn’t need to re-work the content too much.
A recap of my presentations for the year:
January 17th - I was at the Baltimore chapter of the Society of Technical Communicators (STC) and presented on new technologies and their use in communication. The topics included blogs, wikis and podcasts.
January 19th - Presented to Danya International about Creative Uses of New Technologies. Topics included Squeak, blogs, wikis, podcasts, One Laptop Per Child Initiative, and games in learning. They’re a great company and are doing really exciting things.
March 10th - I was at the DC chapter of STC. My topics were the same as Baltimore but because it was a progression, I gave the workshop/talk three times in a row!
March 14th - I presented a lecture on using games for learning at the Vuepoint Live conference in Las Vegas. This was a fun talk because most of the audience members worked in corporate training and were very excited about games they could use in their projects.
April 18th - Last week, I went to Bloomsburg University’s Institute for Interactive Technologies’ Corporate Advisory Council. I gave a quick 45 minute talk about the experiences I’ve had switching from a resource (internal) model to an out-source model to create online learning at my current employer. [link]
April 25th - I presented at the 7th Annual Training Forum entitled “The Power of Play: Effective Training Through Games and Simulations.” My co-speakers were Karl Kapp [link] and Steve Sugar [link] My biggest audience yet…I think there were more than 200!
Posted by Greg Walsh on Feb 16, 2007 in
Fam,
Games This is why my wife and I both have sore wrists and shoulders.
Wii!
LinkÂ
Posted by Greg Walsh on Dec 20, 2006 in
Flash,
Games Wow. This was a Flash Game and now it’s for a console?!?!? Rad.
Game|Life
Posted by Greg Walsh on Oct 13, 2006 in
Games 
This store in Towson, MD said they had 14 Wiis for pre-order. Yes, there’s one dude there (lower right corner). That must be his car because at 8AM on Oct 13, 2006, he was the only one in the shopping center. Did I mention it was 41 F out?
Originally uploaded by gregwalsh.
Posted by Greg Walsh on Oct 2, 2006 in
Games This is going to be a great video game system. Why? Because I’ll be able to play:
- California Games (C64)
- Adventure Park /Cabbage Patch Kids in the USÂ (Coleco Vision)
- SuperMario RPG (SNES)
Plus all the new WII games and tons of NES games.
My wife will be happy because I’ll be able to put the NES, Genesis, SNES and GameCube away.
Gamasutra - Report: Commodore 64 Titles To Join Virtual Console?
Posted by Greg Walsh on Jul 19, 2006 in
Creative,
Games,
Welcome to the Future This game looks like it will break the stereotype of same-as-the-last-big-seller games. You shoot a “portal” instead of a gun. It looks like your weapon can shoot twice, one for each side of the portal…It sounds confusing so here’s a video:
Video
Portal PC Preview on 1up.com