11/29   http://patorjk.com/software/taag/#p=display&f=3D%20Diagonal&t=CSUA

5/27    Fascinating article on Jon Blow, Braid, and The Witness.
        http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/the-most-dangerous-gamer/8928

12/3    So my little sister is asking for an Xbox 360 for Christmas. I
        sked her if she meant the new Kinect controller one and she said
        no, just the regular controllers. What exactly is she asking for
        here? -not really a gaming geek anymore
        \_ She's asking for an Xbox 360. Is there anything complicated about
           that? Don't bother getting the Kinect, but ideally don't go cheapo
           on the console and get the shitty 4GB model.
           \_ Yeah, that is the info I am looking for, thanks.

4/15    Remind you of your younger self perhaps?
        http://www.tinhouse.com/mag/issue_current/current_feature.htm

12/8    Best and worst jobs:
        http://oddee.com/item_96855.aspx (Director of Fun, Brothel QA)
        http://oddee.com/item_96873.aspx (Animal masterbator, sewage, etc)
        \_ The Brothel QA job is not for everyone.  "The applicants are
           whittled down to a final six, who are then fXXXed one after the
           other ***in a single day*** by Jaime."  Not everyone can meet the
           job requirement.
           \_ But all Persian men can do it. They're descendants of
              very "prolific" Persian kings.
           \_ 70 a year? Pshaw, I could test one every day easily, probably
              two, and I am in my mid-40s.
              \_ All I hear is the sound of envy.
              \_ Yeah, and I can do 1095 a year if they are hot.  But can you
                 do 6 in the same day as required?  I can't.  I'm almost 40.
                 -- PP
                 \_ Probably not, though I fail to see why they all need to
                    be tested on the same day.
        \_ The Guard at Buckingham Palace job is a "hard" job also.  (See pic.)

9/21    Pretty fun game to play:
        http://www.kongregate.com/games/TheGameHomepage/red-remover
        \_ I like:   http://www.maxgames.com/play/starbaron.html
                http://www.casualcollective.com/#games/TSG_Missions
                        --brain
           \_ yeah but these are a separate class of games. They're
              much more involved, have much higher level of entry
              and are not as quick and clever as the Red Remover.
              \_ you didn't even try either of them did you...
                 \_ Yes I did. It took more than 5 seconds to load. The
                    music is annoying. I'm looking for a simple game
                    that is easy to get started, with simple rules,
                    that combined makes the game intellectually
                    engaging. Checker, Reversi, etc all fall into
                    that category. What you listed is more like a
                    long term, more complex game that actually requires
                    a TUTORIAL that lasts over a minute? Like
                    I said what you listed are very different games.
                    I'm sure it's fun and all, but it's not the same
                    category of games that I listed above. Apple and
                    orange my friend. I'm not sure why you even listed
                    your fav oranges when I was talking about my apple.
                    \_ this may come as a shock to you but the world
                        does not revolve around you.  "My friend."
        \_ I solved 40 levels, with PAR. Bonus round is VERY annoying.

9/2     http://graphjam.com/2009/09/02/song-chart-memes-rock-band
        Replace sister with "women in general." I can't believe how
        true this is.

8/3     The 9-yr-old PS2 is selling better than the PS3.
        link:www.yahoo.com/s/1109604
        \_ no duh! PS3 is over-priced for the average consumer. While PS2 was
           like the affordable Wii it is today, the PS3 is for hardcore
           gamers who are much older (hence want more hardcore stuff).
        \_ my 9 yr old IBM thinkpad is better than the new lenovos.

7/24    So I bought into the hype after being in San Diego during Comicon
        last year (but not attending) and decided to go this year. I can't
        say I really enjoyed myself. It was $40 for a 1 day ticket and
        \_ so don't go next year.  I liked Comic Con the times I went; it's
           a blast.  No one is begging you to go to a convention!
           \_ I doubt I will. I bet when you went it was much less crowded.
              I heard it is worse and worse each year.
              \_ supposedly so is Burning Man.  But that is a lie.
                 \_ like you've ever gone.
                 \_ hey nerds.  I've been to Burning Man 3 years, had a camp,
                    went to Comic Con and partied with artists, drank with
                    celebrities.  I hung out with Avi Arad.
                    I'm not sure where you're all getting these
                    weird ideas about who goes to each thing, but your
                    narrow world view and judgemental nature is definitely
                    doing you a disservice and outing you as a jerk.  Maybe
                    I've just been trolled, I dunno.  But your nay-saying
                    makes you a poisonous person and ultimately only
                    cheats yourself.   --brain
                    \_ And I bet you stopped going to burning man because it
                       got too big and is not fun like it used to be, right?
              \_ Comic Con is for... people who like comics.  All the rest
                 of you yahoos can be my guest and stay away.  Yes that
                 includes the hot girls, unfortunately.  I want my comics.
                 \_ I have Asperger's Syndrome and I enjoy colouring, playing
                    Playstation games and watching Rugrats, and I'm 21 years old\
. Don't be ashamed about who you are or what you like.
                    \_ You both should get that Asperger's looked into then.
                       Get some professional help.
        what that entitled me to was to stand in line for hours (literally) if
        I wanted to see any of the cool stuff/people like Tim Burton, the
        ability to buy overpriced clutter, er, collectibles, and the
        ability to buy autographs from has-beens like Richard Hatch. I
        would have far preferred to spend $$$ to get into the interesting
        programs without standing in line. The freaks wearing costumes
        were interesting, but overall I wouldn't go back. Example of why
        Comicon sucks: You could win a drawing to be one of 10 lucky
        people who could get your photo taken and get an autograph with
        Stan Lee. Not a year ago I was able to do both things for free at
        a Barnes and Noble without standing in lines, paying $40 entry,
        and entering a raffle. I felt like cattle at Comicon. I saw Buzz
        fucking Aldrin yesterday for $20 and Comicon wants $40 for me to
        be able to enter the show to buy stuff?
        \_ I can't believe anyone on soda would actually want to go to stupid
           comic conventions. I mean, how old are you?
           \_ waaaah I wanna be peter pan and live out my infantile fantasies
           \_ insecure much?
              \_ quite secure in my belief that comic books are for my kids
                 not for me, thank you.
        \_ Grow up.
           \_ I did, which is why I didn't enjoy myself.
              \_ wow you are so mature for not having a good time.
                 \_ Just beyond the age where I want to wait in line for
                    4 hours for anything. It would have been great had I
                    been able to see what I wanted to see without that hassle.
        \_ In the roadmap of life, 'Adolescent Phase' is back the other way.
        \_ You're immature!  No, You're immature!  No, YOU'RE immature!
           When did 12 year old girls get motd access?
           \_ since we let pussified infantile nerd types access to it

5/31    I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I do play games sometimes. Is the
        80G Sony PS3 sufficient for say, 2-3 years? I'll use it 80% for
        BlueRay movies and 15% game (I play 3-4 games a year max), and
        possibly 5% something else. I'm just trying to figure out how
        long a 80G will last based on my usage, and whether I can get
        away with a 40G version, or if the 160G is a must have or not. Thanks.
        \_ I'm not a gamer but it looks like the PS3 will be around for at
           least another 5 years. Quick web search supports my theory.
        \_ the primary use of the HD on the PS3 is for saving of game
           data and downloadable content from the Playstation Network
           store. It can also be used for storing BD-Live stuff but
           thus far, nobody has put out anything compelling at all
           on BD-Live. Given what you say about your use patterns,
           the 80GB should be way more than enough for you. Since
           80% will be spent watching BluRay, I'd also recommend
           getting the BluRay remote control which is about $25.
           \_ Isn't the PS3 a regular SATA connection?  You can upgrade
              the drive yourself.
              \_ Yes that too. An 80GB SATA laptop drive can be had for
                 much less than the $100 difference between the 80GB
                 and 160GB.

5/26    Finished Braid; beautiful game. Good job, blojo. Looking forward to
        the Next Thing; will be more than happy to kick out another $15
        for quality like this. --erikred
        \_ I hate this game. I've been up until 1AM the last two nights.
           Normally I go to bed around 11:30PM. Sooo tired. But it is
           beautiful. First PC game I've purchased in 9 years.
           \_ Is there a mac version?  And how is the gameplay with just a
              mouse and keyboard?
              \_ I downloaded and played the Mac version on my PowerMac G5
                 tower; gameplay was perfectly fine. But then again, I prefer
                 the keyboard to a controller. I'd imagine you could use a
                 USB game controller just as easily. --erikred
        \_ Finally finished it, but I had to cheat and get help on 3 of
           the puzzles. Have you found any of the hidden "stars"? Those seem
           pretty ridiculous to get.

5/21    http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/8/indie-game-developer-finds-success-on-xbox-360-est-825k-sales-in-first-week
        "[blojo] should be able to make game developing a full-time gig."
        What else does he do with his time? This sounds like really crappy
        journalism. Now we just need an iPhone release and he can retire.
   \_ Making a living writing console games by yourself is a huge
      accomplishment these days.  Most games are made by giving a huge
      team millions of dollars for years... and then the game still sucks,
        \_ Btw, just picked up Braid for the Mac, and the game is a joy.
           Also, I keep trying to hit the shift key in real life situations.
           Hm. Maybe I'm playing too much. --erikred

2/20    Has anyone played Braid?
        \_ My roommate the vid game progrmamer loves it, and worships
           blojo for being the one independent game developer in the world
           who appears to be doing ok.
        \_ I've played the demo on Xbox.  I enjoyed it, and will probably buy
           it when I have more time to play it.  Actually, the only reason
           I haven't bought it is that I'm such a cheap skate.  For $15 I can
           get the Orange Box now.... (I pretty much never buy new.)

1/19    Mirror's Edge review:  meh
        Great tech demo, not a very good game.
        \_ Agreed. Graphics and visual style were really, really good, but the
           plot was utter shit. The parkour was pretty fun, but in the end, all
           it really was was Parkour: The Game. --t

12/15   Anyone have opinions on media streamers that connect to your tv and
        let you play all those bittorrented movies?  I'm getting sick of
        my xbox refusing to play every other video.
        \_ My current solution is an old pc with a cheap video card, using
           Synergy on my laptop.  This plus every episode of MST3K has provided
           much entertainment.
        \_ the leet hacker types use mythtv.  http://www.mythtv.org
         \_ The goal is to have a dedicated box.  A full computer is such
            a waste of electricy, and if I want it to be quiet it costs far
            too much.

12/4    "Threat of Punishment Works, Study Suggests" - Yahoo! News:
        http://www.csua.org/u/n1k
        It says punishment works even after taking into consideration the cost
        of carrying out the punishment.

12/4    Anyone got a Wii fit?  How do you like it?
        Also, please weigh in on the etiquette of giving your fat brother
        a Wii fit for X-mas?
        \_ I used it for about a month but right now I've lent it to my fat
           brother-in-law (275lb) and his kids. I'm going to get it back
           after Christmas. How fat is he?

12/3    Anyone want to buy an AppleTV or Wii (w/ Rockband) from me? Unopened
        and I'm willing to negotiate price. --toulouse

11/21   big. hmm. game. ?
        \_ Bigger than usual this year. Stanford's bowl game hopes are
           pinned on it and Cal's hopes for a half-way decent season.
           Both teams are competitive, which hasn't happened too often
           in the last 30 years.
           \_ and apparently not this year, either.  -tom

11/12   Should I have another kid or get an Xbox live subscription?
        \_ you want to spend in the face of a downturn economy?

10/31   If you like survival horror and Sci Fi, you owe it to yourself to play
        Dead Space.  Awesome game.  (Only drawback is non-skippable death
        animations, but at least those are all pretty amazing.)
        \_ xbox 360 or pc?
           \_ I played it on PC.  Played through in a single sitting (about 20
              hours).

                     __/~*##$%@@@******~\-__
                   /f=r/~_-~ _-_ --_.^-~--\=b\
                 4fF / */  .o  ._-__.__/~-. \*R\
                /fF./  . /- /'~` -  \_  * *\ *\R\
               (iC.I+ '| - *- -@  )\  \  )  ) )|RB
               (I| (  [  / \-__ .   ) )  /_/ | *)B
               (I(. \ `` \   \_-/~~/__/ )_ .-~ F/
                \b\\=_.\_b`-+-~x-_/ .. ,._/ , F/
                 ~\_\= =  =-*###%#x==-#  *=- =/
                    ~\**U/~  | i i | ~~~\===~
                            | I I \\
                           / // i\ \\
                      (   [ (( I@) )))  )
                           \_\_VYVU_/
                             || * |
                             | *  *\
                            /* /I\ *~~\
                          /~-/*  / \ \ ~~M~\
                ____----=~ // /WVW\* \|\ ***===--___

                \_ have you tried Fallout 3 yet?

10/12   Any recommedations on budget Xbox 360 games?  Here's mine:
        Crackdown is a lot of fun for $15 at Gamestop.
        I can get Sneak King for $1, is that worth it?

10/12   Any recommednations on budget Xbox 360 games?  Here's mine:
        Crackdown is a lot of fun for $15 at Gamestop.

8/28    Yahtzee reviews Braid
        http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/203-Braid
        \_ 100% right on.  Great game, with amazing art direction, but a
           frustrating mix of total awesome mixed with occasional meh.  The
           story was far too pretentious but the"boss" level at the end was
           well done.  Anyone who really cares about games should play it,
           and will love it, but recognize that it is a flawed masterpiece.

8/5     Hey blojo got a game up on xbox live:
        http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/braidxboxlivearcade/default.htm
        Guess he finally finished something!!!
        \_ Braid looks beautiful. I hope they port it to other platforms.
        \_ It totally sucks that, while the game costs 15 dollars, you can
           have to spend 25 dollars to buy enough points to buy the damn
           game.  Microsoft is a bunch of fuckers.
           \_ What are you talking about?  I bought a $20 card the other day...
            \_ The only way you can buy points online at least are in
               bunches of $12.50.

6/30    Hey, this is it!  One of my first memories is of this game on the
        TI 99/4A! I've been trying to figure out what game this was forever.
        http://guyintheback.ws/09-Biggest/BG-Annie-K.html
        \_ Was it really necessary to post a pretty-girl link in reference to
           a game?
           \_ Obviusly, someone changed this link.  Fixed.
        \_ Update: This emulator legally has this ROM and a bunch of others.
           It's actually still pretty fun.  And hard.
           http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?search=Classic99
        \_ Oh, wow, that brings back tons of memories!

6/27    I have a bunch of books I want to sell. Should I sell on http://Half.com
        or http://Amazon.com?
        \_ I haven't had any problems with Amazon.

6/19    If you have the Debian/Linux skills to be the system administrator
        for a video game company in Marina Del Rey, California. Please
        send your resume to alpo@soda.
        \_ If you want to work yourself to death, work for a video game
           company.
        \_ From my one interview at a very well known video game company,
           "I know we're paying a little below industry but it's so cool to
            work at a video game company!"  Their offer was 30% less than I
            was already making.  And it didn't look all that cool, either.

6/18    http://www.box.net/shared/dguu2bfy88
        One day we got tired of being serious about the situation and came
        up with Googolopoly, a game where you can take part of ruling the
        internet even if you don't work in Mountain View. The goal of the
        game is to use Google shares to buy as many properties as you can
        without landing in the deadpool and losing your stock.
        \_ Wow, that's lame even by the already low standards of people
           bitching about google lamitude.

6/13    NSFW: best Wii ad ever
        http://www.picsaway.com/uploads/fai_small-b156ff92bd.jpg
        \_ She can do my wii......lly.
        \_ 32G natural, hot!  http://www.inbedwithfaith.com

6/3     Super Pii Pii Brothers.
        A new Wii game brought to you from Japan. A great birthday gift idea
        for your female friends.  Yours for only $34.99.
        http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html?cpg=70H
        http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/super_piipii_brothers.jpg
        \_ April 1 was a long time ago.
           \_ April 1 is only 10 months from now! :-)  -- !OP

5/28    I got an Xbox 360 a while back, and I didn't have a system last
        generation, so I've been buying old Xbox games from the bargain bin.
        Does anyone have any recommendations?  At $4 a pop, it doesn't have to
        be amazing.
        \_ At $4 per 1/2 box, you can shoot a bunch of 9mm's from
           a nice Beretta and have more fun than being a geek.

4/26    Are there correlations between people who enjoy playing RPGs
        (roleplaying games) and people who have Asperger's Syndrome?
        I'm trying to diagnose my roomate who spends hours and hours
        at night playing RPGs with his uber shy geek weirdo friends.
        I don't really get why people actually have fun playing RPGs.
        \_ maybe because you have no imagination
        \_ Is this a serious question?
        \_ Yeah its pretty much 1:1.

4/2     In depth review of the classic MMOG 'Outside'
        http://csua.org/u/l6o

3/5     http://laughingsquid.com/10-awesome-things-about-dungeons-dragons
        "1 hp halfing mage with a dart"
        \_ I remember the module Castle Greyhawk, with Vicious
           SOB's and root beer elementals.
        \_ "Going to the game store and staring at the dice."
        \_ anyone have a scan of that old daily cal kao cartoon about
           a party of people playing D&D and a meteor strikes them and
           they all die?