A 1988 take on Mario

I was there, but not aware.

Favorite line:
"Have you heard of Nintendo?"
"No, who is he?"

Good thing I'm not studying crack

My most recent research project is focused on the MMORPG Everquest 2, hence I have begun playing the game. If I'm going analyze data from the game, I should know the game well. This seems to be a fairly standard practice for most scientific endeavors. However, I realized yesterday that if I really want to understand the players of the game, I need to experience it as real players do. Unfortunately, according to some research and popular press, many of these real players are addicted to playing. So, I have made a conscious decision become addicted to Everquest 2.

I told my fiancee about this decision and she understood my motivation, but seemed a little concerned about my ability to cut myself off at the end of the research project. She is certainly justified in her concern. As an undergrad, I would often come home from a night of partying and play Counterstrike until the sunrise. Scratch that. Sometimes I would skip a night of partying to stay home and play Counterstrike until the sunrise. Luckily, as an undergrad I could afford to sleep through half of my classes. I have a feeling that my professors these days would not be so forgiving. But perhaps they will understand that I am just very dedicated to my research. Fat chance.

The downward spiral has already begun. Last night after working on a paper I had planned to play EQ2 before I went to sleep. Unfortunately, after finishing my work I realized that EQ2 had 2 hours of updates to download. So, I hit the hay, woke up at 3am and played until 5am. Is that normal?

Burger King video games - yummy!

Obese American kids really need to be playing video games sponsored by Burger King (that feature the regal BK mascot) while muchin on a whoppers and sippin on soda.

I wonder if Nintendo would have let BK put these games out for the wii.

http://www.bkgamer.com/

Apparently, the fat kids love 'em. Over 2 million sold so far.


http://www.gamespot.com/news/6163522.html


I am currently working on a research project on serious games. Here are some links to some healthier alternatives that are currently available.


http://www.archimageonline.com

http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html

http://www.overtimefitness.com (not a game, but a gym in Mountain View CA for teens where exercise and gaming are combined).

Hella Sand at 4:14 am

I return home from a rare night and early morning of unrelenting indulgence in the present.

When I used to stay up this late as an undergrad I would play games that were much more violent. Tonight, I settled for some sand (can't wait to upgrade from dial-up). Hella it, in fact.

http://www.addictinggames.com/hellofsandfallinggame.html
/

oh man - it's 4:56 now. too much fun