News and Analysis

Games, Persistence, The Cloud, The Future

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If you play MMOs, if you're using cloud storage for games (as we're moving towards), think for a moment how long a "game" will survive.  Your collection of memory sticks and outdated save cards is nothing compared to the way gaming is going.  I see it entirely possible that game data will survive for years, for more than a decade, in some situations.

This likely possibility is something those of us who play and make games and media should be seriously considering.

  • MMO's will have to decide what to do with old data – and also the fact that each inactive account may yet become income producing.
  • If anyone remembers the way some Metal Gear games used save files, those old save files could be used in so many ways in other games – or sequels.
  • What happens when a game gets re-released?  What do you do with save files floating around in the cloud?
  • When a game gets a sequel/spinoff years later after whatever legal/ethical/company fooaraw delays it save files that can be used for extras, bonuses, etc. may still be out there.
  • With all the ways to use old save and game information, what are the legal limits of what data you can use?
  • * What legal rights does a company have to use data saved under previous games?

If you're a programmer or producer in gaming, a lot of potential opportunities and challenges are coming just due to sheer persistence of data.  Some of these could be trouble – and many could be opportunities.

– Steven Savage

 

If You Want To Know Why News Is Dying, Here’s Why

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The New York times want's readers feedback on if it should challenge "facts" stated by politicians and the like.

Yes, basically it's "should we still be stenographers with some separate fact checking" versus "should we report when people are lying."  The comments are RICHLY satisfying.

And if you wondered why some news is dying and much of the rest of it (at least in the US) is utter crap, let me show this as an example.  It's stenography.  Just writing stuff down, occasionally with fake "balance" so you don't annoy people and end up in a storm of false publicity – as opposed to actually doing news (and enjoying the fact controversy might bring subscriptions).

Hell, there's a magazine basically making itself out of user generated content.

When we discuss journalism -or any form of media – our ideas of it are often calcified, years out of date, etc.  When we deal with the culture behind media and information, sometimes it's its own little clique, now ignorant of the world or even it's role in it.

This is where the internet has seriously changed things.  Among the B.S., gated mental communities, porn, and ads is the ability to communicate and get things out more than anyone could imagine.  This is not just challenging the status quo – it's making people aware there is one.

I gave up on "mainstream" news years ago.  Now with a mix of aggregators, sites, blogs, and other resources I keep up on things.  This guy here is one of the examples of why I easily made that move.

I think there's a future for smarter, more truthful, more hard-hitting, and more useful news.  If anyone will deliver it is the question -and who is capable of thinking out of their comfortable little boxes and doing it.

Maybe it's you.

– Steven Savage

How Much Is That Kinect On Windows?

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Kinect is coming to windows on February 1st.

Well, what can I say? THis is me, so a lot:

  • Microsoft is actually letting people mess with a product now interfaced with Windows. This is a huge move for Microsoft, and frankly, pretty smart. It builds relations, pushes technology, and gives them ideas. It's also something their competitor, Apple, is loathe to do (and I use Apple)
  • It's obvious that Microsoft is seeking a far more unified series of platforms among Windows, XBox, and Windows Phone.
  • This is a distinguisher for Microsoft (remember the Wii Controller?). It sets them apart – though it may also limit them if they get too obsessed with it.
  • If you develop for Windows or XBox, at least mess around with the SDK so you're informed – it'll be good for your career.
  • Watching what other competitors do should be done closely.
  • No Gates, no problem. Microsoft seems to be on the ball.

– Steven Savage