Max Engel - the 8BitKid » 8BitKid

Presentation On Social Ties and How We Form and Structure Friend Groups

8BitKid — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:34:38 +0000

While I try not to venture off-theme when blogging, sometimes there is something so amazing that I just want to share it. This is one of those times. Paul Adams, a user experience researcher at Google, gave the presentation embedded below. It provides an illuminating look into how we tend to naturally organize our groups of friends into buckets and offers insight into the levels of friendship we tend to have.

This should be required reading for anyone who works on the internet, since he outlines the influencing factors that should guide any web product being built. However, much of this will be fascinating to anyone interested in sociology and wants to learn more about how we structure our social lives, online or off.

Trailer: Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

8BitKid — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:08:24 +0000

I’ve personally been getting back into PC gaming, and so I’m excited to see an increasing number of games on the horizon that I actually want to play. The Marvel Super Hero Squad line is definitely the kind of thing I would be into if I were of the toy-buying age. I’ve always been a fan of the Marvel comic universe, and this game looks like it might be the right mix of casual action-RPG elements and fun characters to be a great game.

Check out this trailer to see some footage of what we have to look forward to in 2011.

More Details Emerge About Mega Man Universe

8BitKid — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:32:17 +0000

Comic-Con is now under way in San Diego, and with it comes more information about the upcoming Mega Man Universe. Capcom’s Keiji Inafune revealed on a panel that they game will allow players to create and play as “the Mega Man of your dreams”. He also noted that the game will retain an 8-bit aesthetic. While there is still a great deal unknown about the title, I’m hopeful that this game will bring the formula that has made DIY titles like ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet so much fun to the world of Mega Man.

You can find more details about the panel here.

Video of Pixel Qi’s Netbook Screen

8BitKid — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:49:24 +0000

Pixel Qi has developed an amazing screen technology that allows it to function as a regular display under normal conditions but also as an e-paper-like monitor you can use outside. This allows a netbook equipped with this display to gain a level of portability and versatility that regular laptops don’t provide.

Currently, Pixel Qi is only selling this to modders who want to install it on their own netbooks, but hopefully some vendors will start offering it as an optional component. If you’re interested in buying it, you can find it via Make Magazine’s store for $275.

Panasonic Note Headphones’ Beautiful Packaging

8BitKid — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:45:13 +0000

Panasonic is using a gorgeous and simple design for the packaging of these headphones. I found this on Lovely Package, which you should definitely check if you are into these sorts of things.

Optimus Prime Made From Junk

8BitKid — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:47:25 +0000

Check out this amazing statue built in Beijing’s Olympic park entire from junked cars. You can see more photos of this scap-metal Optimus here.

Capcom Announces Mega Man Universe

8BitKid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:32:35 +0000

While there had been whispers about this game before, Mega Man Universe was just officially announced, and this trailer was released. While we do know that the game will be available on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, there aren’t many other details available. After watching the trailer, my guess is that it will allow players to create their own robot hero, in a vein similar to Little Big Planet or ModNation Racers, where the parts and skills are taken from various characters in the Capcom family.

More information will be revealed at a variety of events at this weekend’s Comic-Con, where some lucky few will receive foam Mega-busters, which is almost reason enough for me to go.

Fatal Bazooka: Ce Matin va Etre Une Pure Soirée

8BitKid — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:17:30 +0000

While I was on vacation in Paris, our hotel had very few non-French stations. So when I was sick of watching the news, I watched one of the French music video channels, and came across this ridiculous gem by “Fatal Bazooka”.

Video of BlackBerry’s Upcoming OS 6

8BitKid — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:48:54 +0000

Check out this footage of BlackBerry OS 6. I actually am currently a BlackBerry user, and stick with the platform because of the amazing keyboard and BlackBerry Messenger. If Android ever were to release a QWERTY Candybar handset I would seriously consider switching. While this video does demonstrate some cool features, it still looks woefully behind other mobile platforms and lacking in true innovation.

Gamepark Introduces Their Next Hacker-Friendly Handheld Console: the “Caanoo”

8BitKid — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:20:10 +0000

Gamepark just released this video of their next handheld, the “Caanoo”. Terrible name aside, I have always been interested in their homebrew and ROM-focused devices through the years, but have never been able to justify having a third portable gaming system to sit alongside my PSP and DS. While this new model is enticing, the need to use a dongle to get WiFi seems like a ridiculous decision.