Darwinia – a great independent god game

Darwina

Darwinia is a fast paced and unique 3D action/ god game/ real time strategy hybrid. “Darwinia is populated by a sentient evolving life form called the Darwinians… Unfortunately, the systems of Darwinia have been overrun by an evil red Viral Infection. This Virus has multiplied out of control and must be stopped.”

It was developed by a small independent game company and is getting some good buzz. It was awarded the People’s Choice award at the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival 05, and has been getting some seriously good reviews. It has some innovative elements like a mouse gesture interface, a creature AI system based on genetic algorithms and an intuitive camera system. Also it’s a lot of fun to play.

Download the free demo (for mac, pc or linux) here.

Semapedia – the physical wikipedia

Semapedia is the latest project from my good buddy Stan Wiechers. Semapedia enables physical hotlinks to wikipedia articles, by using printed semacode tags. A semacode is an optical barcode that contains a URL internet address. Certain camera phones have built in semacode readers and web browsers.

An example usage might be that you are walking past Katz’s Deli in New York and see the semapedia tag. You snap it with your cameraphone and are taken to a wikipedia article describing how Meg Ryan’s famous orgasm scene in ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ took place there.

The problem I see is that semapedia tags are easily ripped down. Maybe they should try using some more durable medium, such as spray paint stencils.

Checkershadow Illusion

This is a very powerful optical illusion. The squares marked A and B are the same shade of gray.
Checkershadow Illusion
Don’t believe it? Check the image in Photoshop, or click for proof and an explanation, as well as more illusions by Edward H. Adelson.

Nice 3D Flash Video Site

This site for the Casio G’zOne phone is super nice. Beautiful 3D rendered video mixed with flash animation.

Nike Running – Training Log

Developed RIA allowing users to log, schedule and graph training data. Application handled dynamic skinning and multiple languages.

R/GA is Hiring Flash Programmers

R/GA, a Manhattan based web agency, is looking to hire top-quality Flash programmers. R/GA is a world-class web agency, and has clients such as Nike, Nokia, Target and Avaya. Candidates should be fluent in ActionScript, and have experience with OOP, XML and server-side communication. Some design skills are a plus.

If you would like to work with a talented, creative team building some cutting edge Flash sites, e-mail Jarret Summers, and mention my name (Felix Turner).