jealousy
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Real-world Pac-Man maze is what dreams, Super Bowl ads are made of
It appears someone on the Bud Light marketing team has shared our daydreams about emulating video game moments in real life. As you can see above, the difference between us is a substantial, dream-fueling marketing budget – according to Game Informer's take on a Chicago Tribune report, this life-sized Pac-Man maze was built in LA's Fashion District to be used in a 60-second Super Bowl commercial called "coin." In the ad, a man will reportedly find a message in a beer bottle that instructs him to go outside, where he will be given a giant coin for use toward a round of real life Pac-Man. We've taken the liberty of mailing a revised script to Budweiser, in which the man graciously gives up his chance to sprint through a glowing, Ghost-plagued maze so that all of us can have a shot instead. The script also notes that we will all run the maze perfectly, thereby forcing Budweiser to build six-foot-tall Ms. Pac-Man-themed mazes in our backyards. For free. We'll be sure to alert you all once our revision is cleared. [Image: LA Fashion District]
Breakfast Topic: Your most jealous WoW moment
I have a guildmate who is thoroughly dedicated to collecting in WoW, and he is very good at it. Every week on reset, he farms the instances that drop mounts he has yet to see. And this past Tuesday, I was one of only two of us (besides him!) logged into guild chat when the Ashes of Al'ar Feat of Strength popped up for him. Oh my Titan, people! I was thrilled to death for my guildie, of course! He has diligently killed Kael'thas for ages looking for this mount, and it is certainly a reward well-earned. But I am also jealous as heck, because, man... I love that mount! Maybe someday, I too will have such luck! One can only hope. And keep on killing Kael. He's pretty used to it by now, I imagine. Congrats again, Zable! What moments have there been like that for you, readers? When have you seen someone get something and thought, "Congratulations! ...I'm so jealous!" Come on, we know it's happened!
Digital New Super Mario Bros. 2 customers get Donkey Kong in Japan
You might think it's neat that North American Club Nintendo members will net extra coins for downloading the digital version of New Super Mario Bros. 2, but Japanese fans get an even sweeter bonus: An entire game. Specifically, Japanese downloaders will get Donkey Kong: Original Edition, which features a factory level not found in the original NES release (pictured).As Wired notes, Donkey Kong: Original Edition has never been sold, though it was included as a pre-installed Virtual Console game on the Mario 25th Anniversary Red Wii bundle in Europe.
iPads complement primary computers, threaten secondary ones
Here's a bit of news that you might have already figured out for yourself. Your primary computer doesn't need to feel threatened by your iPad. Sure, your Mac (or PC) probably felt a little uneasy when you brought that slim, trim, shiny, and lets not forget - magical - little number into your home, but it knew, oh yes it did, that you would come crawling back sooner or later. And you did, didn't you? In fact, you came crawling back straight away because you needed your primary computer to get your iPad up and running, didn't you? As noted by Macsimum News, according to market research firm Technology Business Research (TBR), the iPad will displace many consumers' secondary computers, but not their primary ones, creating a third category for personal computing and connectivity (laptop, smartphone, and tablet). TBR's study points to Apple's success with the iPad, noting that consumers want quick, easy access to their email and the Web in a device that's more portable than a laptop while providing instant-on and more usability than a smartphone. In light of this, TBR believes the market will support all three device styles with only some ground lost by laptops to tablets. To illustrate this point, Macsimum News reports that analyst Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros. has informed clients that the iPad is "slightly cannibalizing" the entry level MacBook, but otherwise Mac sales for the September quarter could hit a record 3.8 million. So, there's no sign of Mac sales slowing down despite the introduction of the iPad. And, for now, your primary computer can hold onto its rightful place in your digital life / family. Photo by mapgoblin. Flickr : cc
We Have a Tabard: The green-eyed monster
Congratulations! You've bested the bosses in 25-man Naxx and Kel'Thuzad is dead. You have one last trial to deal with: distributing loot. He drops Cape of the Unworthy Wizard, Betrayer of Humanity, Crown of the Lost Protector, and Crown of the Lost Vanquisher- and everybody wants a piece. There's something "Lord of the Flies"-esque about the way that Blizzard drops loot and then allows players to decide who gets it. DKP, Loot Council, Biggest Upgrade, Two Token, simple rolls. Every system is flawed. Someone is going to walk away unhappy. For GMs/RLs I give you this advice: be fair, be consistent, and brace yourselves. Odds are good, someone is going to be unhappy and you're going to have to deal with it.But this column isn't for GMs/RLs. Jealousy, the green eyed monster is one of the worst adversaries in WoW. Guilds have fallen apart over loot decisions and overall loot practices. In most cases leadership tries to be fair- with an eye on progression. A good GM doesn't play favorites when it comes to loot. With good leadership, you can count on decisions that strengthen the team as a whole.
The DS Life: Console envy
"Haven't had a dream in a long time. See, the life I've had can make a good [woman] bad. So, for once in my life, let me get what I want. Lord knows, it would be the first time." - The Smiths, "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want"
