influence
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FTC complaint blasts Disney, Google over child influencer videos
It's sketchy enough when companies send free products to YouTube stars in return for positive coverage, but it's worse when those videos are explicitly aimed at kids. How is a young child supposed to tell the difference between genuine enthusiasm and someone compelled to say good things in return for gifts? That's what a handful of consumer watchdog groups plan to solve. Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Center for Digital Democracy and Public Citizen have filed a complaint asking the FTC to stop the practice of aiming influencer videos at kids. Companies like Disney and DreamWorks (via Maker Studios and AwesomenessTV) are allegedly being "unfair and deceptive" by targeting these pseudo-ads at the preteen crowd. Google, meanwhile, purportedly "encourages and benefits" from distributing these videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids.
System helps spot bias in algorithms
There's no question that algorithms can be biased, producing results that reflect the creator's preconceived opinions. But how do you reliably detect signs of that bias? Carnegie Mellon researchers can help. They've developed a system that tests algorithms to see how much influence a given variable has over the outcome, giving you a sense of where bias exists. It could reveal when a credit score system is giving any weight to racial discrimination, or catch simple mistakes that put too much emphasis on a particular factor.
Guild Wars 2 to focus on improving systems, aiding small guilds
Has Guild Wars 2 become overly complicated since its launch last year? This is the question that Forbes posed to ArenaNet Lead Designer Isaiah Cartwright, who admits that the team debates the question regularly. "Because we've been adding a lot of reward systems, we've seen an increase in the number of currencies out there," Cartwright explained. "But we're getting toward the tail end of the number of systems we feel that we can put in the game. We'll be really working on improving the current systems we have and making them more robust." Cartwright also addressed how the team is catering to guild content, saying that ArenaNet wants to give more of a boost to smaller guilds: "We know there was an initial influence cost that was very high that a lot of smaller guilds weren't able to get into it, so we're looking at ways that we can improve that, make smaller guilds more able to compete on the influence gathering area."
Klout adds Passbook support and perks
The social app Klout has updated its iPhone app, with a few surprising features. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Klout. It's gotten a little bit of a reputation for being spammy, and I think the way it rates influence is more or less meaningless. However, there's one feature of the new app that I think is very interesting, and that's Passbook integration. Yes, the Klout app will now show up in Passbook, and contains a "Klout card" that shows off the user's name, photo and Klout score. Klout says that showing this card to various people or businesses could have benefits down the road. Klout isn't an app that I would have expected to use Apple's Passbook feature. In the same way that we've seen apps make interesting uses of features such as in-app purchases and push notifications, it looks like some apps will use Passbook in ways that maybe weren't necessarily intended by Apple. We'll have to keep an eye out for more interesting Passbook-fueled ideas. Klout has also added support for the iPhone 5 and "perks," which are a feature of Klout's web service but are only just now showing up in the app. If you do want to make use of Klout and its features on your iPhone, the app is a free download. [via VentureBeat]
Reddit community launches Game Dev Bundle
Members of the social news site Reddit have launched their own indie game bundle, offering a selection of six titles created by some in the community. Like other indie game bundles, the Game Dev Bundle from Reddit is available as a "pay-what-you-want" set with some proceeds going to charity.The six-game bundle includes Cardinal Quest, Girl With the Heart Of, Pitman, Influence, Auralux, and Astroslugs. Purchasing the bundle enables a direct download of the DRM-free game along with a code for use on PC platform Desura. (A Reddit user said the group tried to get Steam keys, but was unsuccessful.)According to the bundle's site, 12.5 percent of all revenue will go to the digital rights advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation.Purchasing the bundle for $6 and more gives users access to a playable prototype, Astroslugs Adventures, and a full game, The Sun is Deadly, along with soundtracks and art from games available in the bundle (though it's unclear if you'll receive bonus content from all six or eight titles).
Gravity Rush started life as a PS3 title, inspired by Crackdown
When Sony's internal Japan Studio set out to work on Gravity Rush (Gravity Daze in Japan), the game was positioned as a PlayStation 3 title. According to an interview with the US PlayStation Blog, the team "came across PS Vita along the way" and realized it was "perfect for the game."That's not the weird part, though. The game's primary influence is cited as Realtime Worlds' 2007 Xbox 360 game, Crackdown. "I really like the aspect of unlocking skills and becoming more powerful, and achieving a higher level of freedom as you become more powerful," one team member said. "I enjoyed moving in that game." Given that Gravity Rush is an open world game in a third-person view with an upgradable character, the comparison makes sense. Both games feature unrealistic art styles accentuating the fantastical gameplay, making their crossover even clearer.While Gravity Daze has been out for a bit in Japan, Gravity Rush won't float to US shores for another few months.[Image credit: PlayStation Blog]
Time readers rank Penny Arcade co-creators as more influential than President Obama
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/04/time-readers-rank-penny-arcade-co-creators-as-more-influential-t/'; Happy final Easter everyone! Wait, what? You didn't get the memo about this being the last Easter? Yeah, apparently the recent 2010 Time 100 Poll, which ranks the most influential people on the planet, is actually a sign of the impending end of days. Yeah, that was the only explanation scholars could come up with when they saw that Lady Gaga was in the lead (with approximately 150k votes), ranking above global humanitarians and, you know, world leaders. Carving out their own little slice of notoriety are Penny Arcade co-creators Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins, whose 9th place position (at the time of this writing) has pinned them as more influential human beings than Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and Oprah Winfrey. Hey, as nutty as that sounds, we've never bought a video game based solely on recommendations from the latter three. [Via Kotaku]
An interview with the most influential women in MMO development: Part 5
Throughout this entire week, we've presented one question a day from an interview we did with the top women in MMO development. We asked them how they got into the industry, how public opinion on women gamers is evolving and what advice they have for female MMO players who want to make that leap into development. Today is the finale to that interview where we ask our last two questions: "Do you see a change in attitude towards women developers, both from co-workers and the MMO community?" and "What words of advice would you have for women looking to make that leap from player to developer?". Keep reading below for their answers.
An interview with the most influential women in MMO development: Part 4
Throughout this entire week, we're presenting one question a day from an interview we did with the top women in MMO development. We asked them how they got into the industry, how public opinion on women gamers is evolving and what advice they have for female MMO players who want to make that leap into development. So starting last Friday and continuing throughout all of this week, we'll present one article a day with one of the questions we asked these key developers. Look for each post to drop at 5pm EST every day until Friday. Keep reading below for today's question.
An interview with the most influential women in MMO development: Part 3
Throughout this entire week, we're presenting one question a day from an interview we did with the top women in MMO development. We asked them how they got into the industry, how public opinion on women gamers is evolving and what advice they have for female MMO players who want to make that leap into development. So starting last Friday and continuing throughout all of this week, we'll present one article a day with one of the questions we asked these key developers. Look for each post to drop at 5pm EST every day until Friday. Keep reading below for today's questions.
New Issue 17 details for City of Heroes
If you play City of Heroes, you're looking forward to the upcoming Issue 17. We've heard some of what can be expected from the big pre-expansion drop, but much of it was cloaked in vague terms -- improvements that didn't have any hard data attached to them, like the promise of new missions and UI revisions. But the official site has put up a page on the coming features for the update, and it helps clarify some things we didn't know about, as well as offering some excellent news besides. And it promises the end of Positron's dreaded unending task force! (It'll still be there, but it will be split into two parts and improved all around.)
An interview with the most influential women in MMO development: Part 2
Throughout this entire week, we're presenting one question a day from an interview we did with the top women in MMO development. We asked them how they got into the industry, how public opinion on women gamers is evolving and what advice they have for female MMO players who want to make that leap into development. So starting last Friday and continuing throughout all of this week, we'll present one article a day with one of the questions we asked these key developers. Look for each post to drop at 5pm EST every day until Friday. Keep reading below for today's question.
An interview with the most influential women in MMO development
It's not often that we get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of an MMO, but when we do, we can appreciate the real people seen creating our favorite games. Included in this pool of development talent are more than just the stereotypes you would see on TV or film, depicting nerdy men with thick glasses and severe hygiene problems. There are nerdy women making these games too! Ok, maybe not all so nerdy, but the fact is, there are many women in the MMO development industry as well. To showcase and celebrate this, we at Massively interviewed 12 of the most influential women in MMO gaming development. We asked them how they got into the industry, how public opinion on women gamers is evolving and what advice they have for female MMO players who want to make that leap into development. Starting today and continuing throughout all of next week, we'll present one article a day with one of the questions we asked these developers. Look for each post to drop at 5pm EST this coming Monday through Friday. But first, we'll kick it all off by getting to know these fine developers. Keep reading after the jump for a brief introduction to each participant and a bit more about their time in the industry.
The Daily Grind: Hey big spender!
Gil. Gold. Adeena. ISK. Influence. Infamy. Chips. Crowns. Whatever the game calls it (and there are a lot more words aside from those) money is an important part of most MMOs. Much like money in the real world, it generally follows three simple rules: you need it, you don't have enough of it, and you can't get it fast enough. And we all deal with it in our own way. But when the time comes, almost every one of us will pony up seemingly astronomical sums for that one thing. It might be a mount, maybe weapons or armor, perhaps a piece of furniture in a game with player housing. Whatever the item is, the cost of obtaining it becomes a non-obstacle, and your cash display turns into a new experience bar that you need to fill for your precious treasure. So, what was your biggest purchase? Was it something that was once expensive but now cheap, or is it still pricey as ever? Were you happy to have it or regretful at blowing your bankroll? And perhaps most importantly, do you still have it and use it, or has it long since been replaced?
WAR Grab Bag No. 6: oRvR, Easy PQs, and dungeons
The latest edition of Warhammer Online's Grab Bag feature is up, and as well as a question-and-answer segment, we are treated to the first part of a feature on PvE dungeons, written by content developer Gary Astelford. A couple of the questions are directed at Open RvR; we're told to keep an eye out for some changes that will "make zone control more intuitive and rewarding" in the future. The new Easy PQ system is also asked about, and we learn that although the influence bonus for getting to the next stage of a PQ will be less (past Stage 2), all other influence gains are the same as a normal PQ. Oh, and those fancy statues that the top players have built in their honor to reflect the leaderboards? Expect enemies to be able to smash them down if the city becomes contested.The dungeon feature looks at four different instances, two for lower levels and two for the level 40s. The dungeon entrances are pointed out, and their theme and lore are discussed -- it's in no way spoilerific, and is meant merely to entice players to visit and discover more for themselves. Part 1 of the feature includes the Altdorf Sewers, the Sacellum, Bilerot Burrows and Sigmar's Crypt.
Making/Money: Double the XP, Double the Funds
A few of weeks ago, there was another double XP weekend in City of Heroes and City of Villains. In fact, not only was it double experience from each "arrest," but it also provided twice the Influence (or Infamy for you villainous folks out there) such that you got double of most everything you might want in the game. And so it was that, after stocking up on caffeinated beverages and microwaveable snacks, we in my house hunkered down in front of our computers for a three day marathon of leveling. I must say that, while I do flit about from game to game, there is something about the additional reward incentive that draws me in for these events. Yet, in all the bustle of leveling, I got to thinking about the economic dynamic in these games and the ways in which they are different from our now-classic MMORPG systems.
Making/Money: Virtual Red Paperclips
A few years ago now, I heard a news story about a man who traded one red paperclip for a house. There were several intermediate trades, but the basic gist of it was that he started with a paperclip and traded up from there until, eventually, he was offered a house in Saskatchewan in exchange for a movie role. I remember thinking then what an interesting concept it was (and wishing I had thought of it first). He really did not need any particular skills except maybe negotiation. He did not need any money. In the early stages, he probably didn't even need a lot of buzz. Just some connections and a dream. In more recent times, I have seen similar things done in games. Using the auction house and connections with guildies, friends, or just willing participants in the streets, it is entirely possible to trade your way to fame and fortune without ever picking up a trade or completing a quest.
Convergence of the Real and the Virtual May 9-11
MMORPGs and other online communities have been fascinating scientists since their inception. The social world has vastly changed in recent years and many are studying their impacts on people, the economy, and the outside world. Several researchers will be presenting their findings at the "Convergence of the Real and the Virtual," proposed by John Bohannon, contributor to American Association for the Advancement of Science's online Science publication. The conference will be held on Earthen Ring, US May 9-11, Horde side. The conference consists of three planned sessions. For any of you who have had the pleasure of attendance at traditional academic conferences, rest assured that the creators promise a more entertaining experience. The conference will include presenters from the National Science Foundation, The National Cancer Institute, The Minnesota Department of National Resources, and many universities and research institutes. Attendees will be granted a virtual goodie bag and invited to in-game events such as a photo-opportunity with the Supreme Leader of Azeroth. For more information contact conference organizer William Sims Bainbridge or check out the conference's information page.
Miyamoto nominated again for Time 100
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Help_Make_it_Happen_Miyamoto_Nominated_Again_for_Time_100'; It's that time of year again, folks -- the point at which we implore you to help us shamelessly rig an internet poll so that Nintendo design guru and all-round hero Shigeru Miyamoto can climb as high as possible in Time magazine's list of the year's most influential people.The Shigster is amongst 207 names to be shortlisted for the final Time 100, and currently lies in 25th spot, after coming ninth last year. At the time of writing he's sandwiched between Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (who, as a self-made billionaire of 24, we find eminently punchable) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of the assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto.On his profile page, the magazine mentions the usual Miyamoto achievements (Donkey Kong, Mario, father of modern videogaming, etc.), but also refers to Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Fit, and ponders whether the latter will help "reverse gravity for all the obese, video game–playing kids out there." If it does, we'd say that's worthy of a top five spot next year![Via Eurogamer]
Eidos and Gamespot forums exploding over Gerstmann incident
Although Gamespot and publisher Eidos have not yet made public statements over what led to the firing of Gamespot's Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann, the accusation of publisher pressure is exploding all over the companies' forums. Gamespot currently has numerous threads on the incident, with one thread in particular having thousands of posts. Eidos has taken a different approach, locking down all threads on their site after apparently purging derogatory posts from thousands of angry gamers reacting to the rumor yesterday night.More sources are now confirming that Gerstmann's firing was indeed over his Kane & Lynch review. The situation will likely continue to escalate among the gaming community until somebody either tells the truth or gives some reasonable spin to what's going on. At this point the reputations of Eidos, Gamespot and Gerstmann actually do hang in the balance within the industry. In the wake of Sony's stumbles attacking Kotaku, we just can't imagine that the Gamespot executives didn't expect this to explode as it has. Are they so out of touch? The simple fact of the matter is until someone talks, this isn't going away.
