The Mark Inman's Blog - Gaming, storytelling

theatlantic: Memes Are People Too: Meet the Viral-Video Stars...

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:58:30 -0400

Memes Are People Too: Meet the Viral-Video Stars of ROFLcon

The “ROFL” in “ROFLCon” is an outdated web acronym — Rolling on the Floor Laughing — basically an old-timey way of saying “LOL.” ROFLCon uses it ironically. The vintage webspeak is characteristic of the event — a conference that is equally concerned with the past, present, and future of Internet culture. The two-day event, held at MIT last weekend, combined the best elements of a fan convention with a truly academic conference. Don’t let the goofy names of panels, like “Adventures in Aca-meme-ia,” fool you; the featured panelists and giddy audience members were all too eager to dive into serious discussion.

Christina Xu and Tim Hwang, who co-founded the conference in 2008 as Harvard undergrads, curated a lively mix of panels, bringing together speakers from around the world. Topics ranged from how people in China use visual humor to evade censorship (“Global Lulzes”), to what to do when a YouTube video of your kid suddenly goes viral (“Honey I Memed the Kids!”). Amid the chaos, a central issue took shape; web video is radically reshaping pop culture. […]

In this eight-minute documentary, produced and edited by Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg, we discovered that even though their lives have been turned upside down, and in some cases totally transformed, by Internet fame, they’re people too. They’re pretty awesome people, actually.

Featuring: Antoine Dodson, Double Rainbow guy, David (of “David After Dentist” fame), the maker of Nyan Cat, and many more of the Internet’s favorite people.

Watch. It’s excellent.

Fulgore was Tony Little all along. Damn, Killer Instinct, you...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:28:09 -0400

Fulgore was Tony Little all along. Damn, Killer Instinct, you sure knew great character design.

Clickthrough to go to the placeholder for supremevictory.com. I google “Supreme Victory” for no reason sometimes and this gem popped up!

How old are you?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:58:57 -0500

28, Anon. That explains my 80’s retro-game trappings.

What every fighting game needs: THE MIGHTY THOR! Skip to 14:31...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:26:46 -0500

What every fighting game needs: THE MIGHTY THOR!

Skip to 14:31 for the best part! From the arcade game Avengers In Galactic Storm.

Does anyone outside New England not want this to happen? Man, I...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:01:48 -0500

Does anyone outside New England not want this to happen?

Man, I need to stop caring about sports.

Photo

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:51:51 -0500

Happy 7 Billion Day/Halloween! Are you scared?

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:12:23 -0400

Happy 7 Billion Day/Halloween! Are you scared?

It’s a less ridiculous LARP

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:11:56 -0400

It’s a less ridiculous LARP

I always say this when I score a free Taco Supreme.

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:00:05 -0400

I always say this when I score a free Taco Supreme.

I’ll cry when I’m done killin’.

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:09:05 -0400

I’ll cry when I’m done killin’.

“Hey, Krang! Bring that statue back, you bloated...

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:50 -0400

“Hey, Krang! Bring that statue back, you bloated beanbag!”

justinrampage: The Dodongo, a popular Zelda boss type, is...

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:55:41 -0400

justinrampage:

The Dodongo, a popular Zelda boss type, is really not amused in this hilarious comic style animation by Zac Gorman. You can now follow him on Tumblr!

Related Rampages: Zelda Motion Comic | Zelda Motion Comic 2

Dodongo Dislikes Smoke by Zac Gorman (Tumblr) (Twitter)

Via: idrawnintendo

Who needs sleep? Gaming adrenaline rush may keep teens up at night

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:31:17 -0400

Who needs sleep? Gaming adrenaline rush may keep teens up at night:

I think any gamer from the past 20 years could tell you that.

The greater level of “adrenergic stimulation seen with gaming” could explain the difference, they say.

Via Medscape Today.

Effects of active video games on body composition: a randomized controlled trial

Wed, 18 May 2011 13:06:05 -0400

Effects of active video games on body composition: a randomized controlled trial:

The effects?

An active video game intervention has a small but deﬁnite effect on BMI and body composition in overweight and obese children.

I can’t wait until I can hook up a treadmill to campaign though a Zelda game.

Video Game Theatre: “an interactive theatre experience...

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:38:06 -0400

Video Game Theatre: “an interactive theatre experience played as a tribute to the games we all grew up with.”

Created by Aaron Willoughby, a grad student at Virginia Commonwealth, “who wished to mix the power of theatre and the interest of video games.”

Looks pretty cool. You can also read Aaron’s thesis on this project for a more detailed look at his fusion of games and the stage.

I can tell Video Game Theatre has promise because “theatre” is spelled with the “r” before “e,” as it should be.

:)

ianbrooks: Video Games Get Arty by Guillaume Colomb A selection...

Mon, 16 May 2011 21:56:15 -0400

ianbrooks:

Video Games Get Arty by Guillaume Colomb

A selection of vidya games mashed up with classic paintings. Check out the rest of the series at videogamesgetarty.com and try to tell me it wasnt originally meant to be this way.

Artist: website / flickr

"Substantial subset" of youth with psychiatric disorders impaired by addictive games

Mon, 16 May 2011 20:29:16 -0400

"Substantial subset" of youth with psychiatric disorders impaired by addictive games:

Games are addictive? I had no idea!

Hey. I just wanted to thank you for following me. I like your Tumbelog, too! :D

Mon, 16 May 2011 20:21:33 -0400

Likewise. Thanks!

Wii and the Kid - Love for the Art of Gaming: Growing Up In Arcades: 1979-1989

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:04:37 -0400

Wii and the Kid - Love for the Art of Gaming: Growing Up In Arcades: 1979-1989:

wiiandthekid:

In their heyday, arcades weren’t just about the games. They were about the experience of leaving the house and going to a public space to play games, hanging out with friends and meeting new people who would then kick your ass.

It’s a scene that today is sadly long gone. All we’ve…

Video Games as Change Agents – The Case of Homeless: It’s No Game

Wed, 04 May 2011 23:55:59 -0400

Video Games as Change Agents – The Case of Homeless: It’s No Game:

Study finds “that games can help reinforce a social activist message, especially if their audiences consider them realistic.” In this study, that’s empathy towards homeless people.

Play as a homeless person yourself in Homeless: It’s No Game by clicking the link.