More Hard Drive Woes
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes
It seems that yet another 500GB hard drive failed on me, which prompted me to install Windows 7 on a new drive.
It seems like this same thing happened a few months ago. I have several 500GB drives, and it seems like Windows was going slow, and then files get “read errors”. I have to do [...]
Tags: Microsoft Windows, SATA controller, Windows 7
Windows 7 Programs not launching
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Guides
So, I finally installed Windows 7 (after yet another hard drive crash… more on that later) and it looks pretty good.
One problem that I ran into was that certain programs would not launch at all. After Firefox 3.51 ran once it would not run again. The task appears in Task Manager, but cannot be brought [...]
Tags: but cannot be brought up, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Vista, Task Manager, Windows 7
Making a tech site profitable
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes, General Life
I have been working on ideas for the new OCMS 3.0 for a while. Not only will the ideas I want to implement make for a better user experience, but they will also make the site more profitable, which realizes the dream of profitability like a “real” company.
The biggest step a webmaster can take in [...]
Tags: automatic affiliate keyword tool, banner advertising, cent;, dedicated programmer, professional web design, straight banner advertising, USD;, web programming, webmaster
OCModShop Full Time?
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes
One of the big dreams of many tech website owners is the ability to make a living from their site. Like many people, I have a day job and work on the site in my spare time.
After consulting with John Chow and other successful web entrepreneurs, I have constructed a plan to make a real [...]
Tags: John Chow, living from their site, web entrepreneurs
Batman Arkham Asylum Game of the Year?
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Gaming, General Life
So I’ve been playing Batman: Arkham Asylum lately for the PC, and I must say it is an absolutely brilliant game.
I’ve overheard several people claiming that it should be Game of the Year, but I’ve felt that it was too soon to say such as thing, as Arkham is a relatively early contender for 2009. [...]
Tags: arkham, asylum, Batman, engine, game, joker, pc, playstation, riddler, unreal, xbox
Adam Sessler and OCModShop
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Gaming
While walking around the PAX 09 show floor, I came upon Adam Sessler. He wasn’t surrounded by the G4 entourage or the usual body guards: he was just in the middle of the EA booth talking with vendors and other gamers.
I waited patiently until Mr. Sessler had finished his conversation, as I didn’t want to [...]
Elpato at PAX and Street Fighter IV
Posted by El Pato | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Editorials
Word of warning to those of you going to PAX from the north (North Seattle, Canada, etc) the directions offered on the website are accurate, but they have Sennaca closed off due to construction. Nothing bad, head to the next street ahead and turn right, you can hit 8th from there. I found that out [...]
Getting Ready for PAX!
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes
For those who don’t know, PAX (the Penny Arcade eXpo) starts tomorrow!
We have lots of coverage planned, from interviews with software vendors, photos, booth babes, and news and previews on the latest PC and console games.
Since we’re so awesome, the OCMS crew gets to hit the show floor before it is open to the public, [...]
Tags: fire marshal, Penny Arcade, software vendors
First OCMS Video Review
Posted by alan | Filed under Behind the Scenes
Trisha took her camera on a camping trip to test out the Otterbox 8000 Series Waterproof Case.
We’ve been meaning to do product review videos for a while, but just never got around to it. Thanks to Trisha for getting the ball rolling, and we hope to do a lot more videos in the future.
So, here’s [...]
PAX 2009 Schedule
Posted by Trisha | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Gaming
FRIDAY PANELS
Friday, 10:00am - 11:00am, Raven Theatre
“Bonus Round” LIVE
You’ve watched it every week on GameTrailers.com, and now you get to come to a historic live taping of The Bonus Round at PAX! Featuring host Geoff Keighley, N’Gai Croal, Brian Jarrard from Bungie and another surprise guest, The Bonus Round always raises the questions that matter [...]
The Aesthetics of Play Control: The Role of User Interfaces in the Ongoing Discussion of Video Games as Art
While most panels at PAX are designed to give attendees a look behind the scenes of video game development, this panel is a little more academic in nature. Gamers love to talk about how video games can be “art” in the same way as books or movies. The problem is, video games are a very different medium from either of those, and talking about artistry in games while only referring to visuals and story misses out on the most important thing video games have that other media don’t - interactive control. This panel takes a look at how play control has progressed over the course of several console generations, and examines the ways in which the control itself can be said to have artistic value.
The Brodeo Reunion “LIVE!” at PAX ‘09
The first weekly podcast of CGW/GFW Radio (or The Brodeo, as fans came to call the podcast) debuted on February 16, 2006 as part of the 1UP Radio Network on 1UP.com. Over the course of its two-and-a-half year run, the weekly podcast’s format changed from a concise 30-minute roundtable focusing solely on PC games to a meandering bull session about the magazine business, griefing, Internet culture, comics, and PC games. The cast frequently took every opportunity to follow tangents far away from proposed topics – a trend that afforded followers a great number of laughs as well as a look at the preferences and personalities of each cast member. Today, people from around the world still listen to and enjoy the podcast, even though a new episode has not been released since September 17, 2008.”
American Grifball League of America
American Grifball League of America Heard of the contagion that’s sweeping the nation? No, not Swine Flu, it’s Grifball! Created in late 2007 by Burnie Burns–writer and director of the hit internet series RedvsBlue (RoosterTeeth)–the concept for the game came from a line in a four-minute episode. This panel will discuss the history of Grifball, from concept to inception, show you how Grifball has developed, and how it’s played today. We’ll tell you about the official Grifball league, and how you can join the Grifball community. There is a reason why Grifball’s popularity has skyrocketed, and why it’s featured as a Bungie Double-Experience Weekend Playlist–to quote our slogan, “IT’S CONTAGIOUS!” Come listen to creator Burnie Burns as current AGLA administration and friends share their experiences and field questions on Halo 3’s greatest spin-off game!
The Legend of Neil Season 2 Screening and Panel
The Legend of Neil, the story of a regular dude who gets sucked into Zelda and has to fight his way out, returns with an action-and-nostalgia packed second season. Neil stars Tony Janning, Mike Rose and Felicia Day (of Guild and Dr. Horrible fame) and is created by Sandeep Parikh (of The Guild)
Touching a New Generation: How the iPhone has Changed Portable Gaming
While Sony and Nintendo square off in a battle over handheld supremacy, Apple has subverted them in revolutionizing portable gaming with the iPhone. What does it mean for hardcore games, casual newcomers, and the future of handheld gaming? Developers discuss the way forward, outlining challenges and opportunities in a new, broader handheld gaming environment.
Saturday Night Concerts!
We offer not one, but TWO nerdcore-filled nights for your auditory pleasure. Rock out with Freezepop, Paul and Storm, and Jonathan Coulton for our second night of geek concerts. The first 4,000 attendees at PAX on Saturday morning will receive a wristband for guaranteed entry, with the remaining seats being given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.
I Got Next - Screening and Panel
I Got Next is a documentary on the fighting video game scene created by Ian Cofino. It originally started as his senior project at Purchase College, School of Art and Design, and has grown into something much bigger thanks to the dedicated and passionate players in the community.
Beyond Dungeons and Dragons
D&D is a great way to get into tabletop role playing games, and for most of us, it was our first foray into that world. As classic and dear to us as it is, however, it has certain limitations. If D&D was your first step, then we’re here to give you your next. You’ve probably never heard of Dogs in the Vineyard, InSpectres, The Burning Wheel, or a whole host of other amazing games. Broaden your gaming horizons, flex your role-playing muscles, and learn what comes after.
The Future of Gaming: You Don’t Know What You’re Going to Get
The success of the Wii, the iPhone, and the rise of social gaming are already turning the entire video game industry on its head. Are you ready? Following up on last year’s standing-room-only talk on how developers really see their gamer audience, Andrew Mayer will explain to you why the next five years in gaming are going to bring massive changes to the industry, including what games we play, where we play them, and how we play. He’ll also take a look at the big issues: Is this really the last console generation? Why are your favorite developers already making games for Facebook and the iPhone? And he’ll show you how you’ll end up paying more to play your favorite games once everything is free. In this fast and furious look at the near future, Andrew will cover where things are going, how we’re going to get there, and what that’s going to mean to you as a gamer, whether you like it or not.
Game Localization: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
The localization team of Alexander O. Smith and Joseph Reeder, known for their work on Final Fantasy XII, present a behind-the-scenes look at the game localization process. How long does it take to localize a mega-RPG? How does ADR (writing for lip sync) work and not work? What makes a localization not suck? Actual scripts, video clips, and Q&A session to follow.
Star Wars: The Old Republic live demonstration
BioWare and LucasArts present their second live public demo of The Old Republic at PAX. Make sure to get in line early because there will be exclusives galore for attendees only.
Dawn of War II: Last Stand – Discover a game mode where it’s fun to lose.
To date, Dawn of War II’s core offerings have been its epic progression-based Campaign and fast-paced multiplayer that let you get straight to the action. In this panel, Relic developers will unveil a brand new game mode called The Last Stand that will expand the game to include co-operative based arcade gameplay. We will discuss the design intent and some of the obstacles we overcame while developing The Last Stand as well as the gameplay mechanics we used to ensure no one ever feels like a loser.
Red Steel 2
Nintendo now has the first game built exclusively for Wii MotionPlus: Red Steel 2. Mysterious swordfighter – check. A desert-bound metropolis featuring a revolutionary swinging and shooting experience – check. IGN Wii’s Best Shooting Game E3 2009 – check. The Red Steel 2 team is coming from Paris to PAX: come take a look at the game and then get a chance to ask embarrassing questions to Jason Vandenberghe, the game’s creative director, and Roman Campos Oriola, lead game designer. And bring a friend or two … or your entire clan!
LoadingReadyRun Panel
The crew of LoadingReadyRun.com, the Desert Bus for Hope Charity Drive and The Escapist’s Unskippable will listen attentively to your questions, and respond by telling you things that may or may not actually be related to said questions. LoadingReadyRun, Desert Bus and Unskippable: All in one place!
Game Culture: How Gamers Impact Society & How Policy Affects Gamer Culture
This panel will discuss the large scope of issues impacting gamers and gamer culture’s impact on the world.
The Second Penny Arcade Panel!
For their return tour of PAX 2009 they’re back for another Q&A! Live! On stage! Like never before! Except for that time on Friday! Line up for your questions and they’ll do their best to answer them. Anyone who starts with “who would win in a fight…” will be escorted out of the main theatre.
