Denuology: The Observation and Observations of Denuo.

REMEMBER THE FUN

Eric Bee — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:40:06 +0000

Forget badges, achievements, connections, engagement, and all those other gaming mechanics you’ve seen across countless media blogs and marketing presentations. Today, we’re going to talk about the most important part of the gaming toolbox. The one thing that you cannot forget about when appropriating the gaming space and all the tools and tricks that lay within.

You can never, ever forget about The Fun.

The difficult part of this is that The Fun is not a tangible metric, nor is it a universal THING that can be stuck into a program, like a catchy jingle or a logo the size of your face. It’s a completely mysterious aspect that bubbles up if you’ve done something right or drags your whole idea straight to heck. What you thought was fun ends up being the anchor tied around your waist.

However, when discussing anything revolving around game mechanics, like awards, competition, social connections, and all the other terms we attach to people we want as PLAYER ONE and PLAYER TWO, The Fun often gets ignored entirely as a goal. Lately, it seems okay to have someone play something once, shrug, then move on to the next deal. Sure, they’ll share it on the wall, send a message to their pals, and maybe opt in for something more, but despite the end result telling you you’ve earned 3 billion eyeballs on a game-centric program, the engagement is still somewhat underwhelming. (To that point, gaming program metrics shouldn’t be based on initial impressions, they should be based on returning users and continued engagement, but that’s another post for another day).

By ignoring The Fun, you run the risk of being ignored yourself and, sometimes, slapped on the digital hand for your ignorance. Case in point: Toyota’s YARIS game for Xbox Live Arcade was available for free, meaning it probably saw a healthy portion of the service’s 12 million consumers at least give it a cursory glance in between Halo 3 matches. It hit all the brand’s touchpoints, with the car as the focus and a cast of characters from their other marketing efforts. However, a severe lack of The Fun made for a forgettable experience, save for the reviews that called out the game for being a “waste of time.”

So what does The Fun look like? It’s easy to find your carrot at the end of your brand’s stick, or the spot in a game that you decide the logo looks prettiest. But for that extra effort, the real prize where you not only create something that boldens your brand, but brings genuine FUN into a person’s day, where do you turn for that? For some, it’s the squashing of an anthropomorphic mushroom. For others, its the repetitive clicking on a virtual chicken until, BOOM, out pops a golden horseshoe for their virtual barn. Both are crazy, but also crazy-successful. But how?

This weekend, we’ll be heading to the Penny Arcade Expo, not only to revel in the sheer joy that gaming brings as disciples of The Fun, but to also find out what that is to gamers. We’ll be asking showgoers, developers, marketers, venue security just exactly why they love the games they do and, more importantly, how they see The Fun in everything because of games.

THE TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF STARTING MY OWN (SOCIAL) MAGAZINE

mstory — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:32:14 +0000

The latest must have app on the iPad has to be Flipboard. It is equal parts content aggregator and magazine for those that haven’t had hands-on time yet which doesn’t sound too groundbreaking. It becomes very interesting because it integrates content from your social networks into other pre-selected news/content sources (e.g. Wired, Fast Company, etc.).

My relationship with this new app darling got off to a rocky start. As with most initial courtings, Flipboard was playing hard to get. While the early access to those general sources was cool, the real attractive feature (the social integration customized to my virtual circle) was hidden in a walled off garden. Unfortunately, the overwhelming demand for access meant I would be forced to wait on a list, which is the digital equivalent of a line. I hate lines. Needless to say, my first impression was not off to a good start despite the obvious potential of the app.

A lengthy ten days later (240 hours in online time) I received an email notifying me that I now had the proper access to skip the “velvet rope” but that access was short lived as an accompanying email informed me that I actually didn’t have access yet. Can you say Strike #2?

The very next day a notification laced with apologies for the previous day’s false alarm and an official approval greeted me. Playing the role of cool guy, I decided to wait a few hours before actually checking it out. I didn’t want to look anxious, right?

After eventually giving in, I soon found out that it was actually more than worth the effort and patience involved so far. The magazine representation of my social graph in short is brilliant. It not only visually represents links, photos, and other content from facebook in relevant ways but more importantly makes mundane updates from my friends look interesting. Also, Flipboard removes the need to click through the links cluttering my twitter timeline by providing useful recaps of linked material. It actually makes sense of the mixed bag of information found in Twitter. As the company states, “it always has articles you care about because it knows who your friends are.” And they are right.

Now that it is all said and done, I have my own custom magazine thanks to Flipboard.

REMINDER: Technology is Magic

btorres — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:16:44 +0000

I recently upgraded to the iPhone 4. I was waiting for the white one but I could wait no longer. Especially after this rather curt press release outlining that the white iPhone was delayed again and would be available “later this year.”

So I hopped over to the Apple Store last week, waited in line (!!), and got my new phone. I was expecting to love it. I mean I’m a sucker for all Apple design (especially in the Jon Ives era) and I loved my 3GS. What I wasn’t expecting was to be reminded, ever so humbly, of Clarke’s third law.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

But first, an aside. I’m an avid Futurama fan – and one of my favorite gags appears in the episode “A Fist Full of Dollars.” One of the characters makes reference to the fact that on primitive low-def 20th Century televisions you couldn’t see her obscene tattoo. The gag is that the tattoo IS actually blurry on our “primitive” televisions. We can’t see it.

The joke hinges on the assumption that in the future our definition of “resolution” will be completely different. An obvious assumption, but one that Futurama (and myself) thought wouldn’t happen for centuries.

But it has happened. In this century. Hell in this decade. On what Apple calls the Retina Display in the iPhone 4.

For those living under a rock the display is basically a super high resolution display. It’s supposedly high enough that your retina can’t distinguish the individual pixels. While this has been debated, it doesn’t actually matter.

Regardless of the actual science and truth behind it, to my (admittedly horrible) eyes this thing is astounding. I can’t even begin to see the pixels. On applications that take full advantage of the resolution – its an astounding difference. Everything on the screen seems more… real.

My mind no longer says “you’re looking at a screen displaying something,” it just says “you’re looking at a pane of flat glass that happens to have moving images on it.” Even this fails to describe the process my mind goes through looking at the thing.

Apologies for my effusiveness – but I can’t get over it. Every time I open the phone to do ANYTHING – I gasp a little. My brain still hasn’t equalized to this resolution as it normally does with pieces of tech.

I kind of hope it never does. It’s like the glass is… alive. It’s like what I imagine the (nerd alert) newspapers and pictures in Harry Potter to be like.

In a word: Impossible. And thus, to my puny human brain: Magical.

So while I love the iPhone 4 and all it does – the thing I’m most thankful for is that screen. It’s humbled me. It’s reminded me that we DO indeed live in the technology-driven future that’s being created almost daily. I should be grateful to live in the era I do.

But most importantly – it reminds me, multiple times a day, of the power of human invention.

Of a simple truth. Clarke was right. Magic does exist.

Humans are the ones that make it a reality.

REFLECTEUR – Issue 65

Eric Bee — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:00:01 +0000

Reflecteur 65 looks into new and exciting ways digital culture brings us together and sets us apart, whether its the data from social media sites mapping our mood and location, markets catering to a specific person’s need online, or separating our social feeds by friends and ex-significant others. Also, fingerpainting with an iPad and Denuo’s foray into social gaming, via FarmVille and organic foods.

Download the latest issue here.

Lollapalooza Day One

Dan Buczaczer — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:55:29 +0000

Unfortuntately, I only made it to the first day this year so let’s hope my concert-going colleagues will follow up with their take on the other two days. Here’s my take on Friday – the day you couldn’t throw a glo-stick without hitting someone dressed in oversized sunglasses and lace stockings.

THE LISTS

DAY ONE, RANKED

Jamie Lidell
Raphael Saadiq
The Walkmen
Drive-By Truckers
The Black Keys
Matt & Kim
Devo
Lady Gaga

COACHELLA VS. LOLLAPALOOZA SMACKDOWN

Category: Weather. Winner: Tie (Coachella has dryer heat but Lolla had merciful clouds)

Category: Field condition. Winner: Coachella by a Grant Park mudslide

Category: Surroundings. Winner: Lolla (Coachella has palm trees and mountains but Lolla has a postcard Chicago skyline)

Category: Accessability/Convenience. Winner: Lolla. So easy to get in. When exiting, you walk right out and take over Michigan Avenue vs. waiting for two confused cops from Palm Springs to try and control things.

Category: Layout. Winner: Coachella. Takes far far less time to get to stages.

Category: Crowd control Winner: Coachella. No bottlenecks at stairs and could people walk around Buckingham Fountain any slower?

Category: Party atmosphere Winner: Lolla. Beer every twenty paces (much like the rest of Chicago) and you run into everyone you know.

Category: Crowd. Winner: Coachella. Far fewer obnoxious drunks and people who want to listen to music instead of try to talk over it.

Category: Food. Winner: Lolla. Much shorter lines and having Graham Elliott curate who serves is a genius idea.

Category: Perry Farrell sightings. Winner: Tie. Zero at either festival this year. Hooray!

Category: Scheduling. Winner: Coachella. More staggered sets vs. Lolla who puts too many big acts directly opposite each other.

Category: Cell reception. Winner: Coachella. Which is surprising.

Category: The music. Winner: Too close to call!

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE MESSAGES I’D LIKE TO DELIVER

To the guy in the flip-flops: You can’t really get upset if someone gives you a flat tire while 80,000 people are trying to move from one side of Grant Park to the other. You chose to wear those. Deal with it.

To the couple whose 2 year-old was totally sunburned: If I had cell service, I might have called Child Protection Services

To the Director of Sponsorships: I’m sure Sony offered up good money to name both a stage and tent after the same product. But it’s frustrating as hell to show up thinking you’re about to watch The Constellations and instead end up in a tent of video cameras with your real destination now a 15 minute walk in the other direction.

To the guy at The Black Keys talking about when he’ll make Partner: Take your buddy out to a bar. I’ll be happy to even pick up the tab. But don’t push all the way up only to loudly express your career ambitions while Dan Auerbach is singing mournfully of his troubled soul.

To the guy shouting out requests to play “Paparazzi” after every song of Lady Gaga’s set: She can’t really hear you from back here. Also, it’s one of her biggest hits. Relax. The odds are good she’ll play it.

To everyone at Lady Gaga who tried squeezing by me by explaining their friend is “just right up there”: No they’re not.

To Lady Gaga: We get it. You played here two years ago and people didn’t like you and now you’re headlining. It really is a great story. Just not in-between every other song.

To myself: Music festivals charge money for things like food and water. Don’t forget your wallet next time. Your wallet for crissakes! Also, stop complaining.

WHAT YOU MISSED (IN THE ORDER YOU MISSED IT)

SCALE
5 An all time classic that will be talked about for years to come

4 Absolutely incredible

3 Really quite good

2 I mean, not bad

1 Awful

The Walkmen

3.5

I’m actually not a huge fan but they just sounded excellent. The lead singer sings his heart out and the horn section gave some songs an almost Mariachi feel. Plus I always have heart for bands that grind it out in the midday heat. Great set.

Raphael Saadiq

I fall for the “soul ensemble in matching suits” thing every single time but Saadiq backed it up with solid tunes and a ridiculous amount of charisma. Completely owned the main stage early in the day – an incredibly hard thing to do.

Drive-By Truckers

They never disappoint. Only regret was that the crowd didn’t seem very in to it.

DEVO

2.5

Fun to recognize almost every song. Just wish they breathed a bit more life into them (I know, they aren’t men. They are Devo.) “Uncontrollable Urge” was a highlight though.

Matt & Kim

2.5

They have a ton of energy and, man, are they happy. They make The Polyphonic Spree seem goth by comparison. Just not crazy about the tunes (minus the excellent “Daylight”) and playing hip hop covers just because you know you’ll get the applause feels a bit exploitive, doesn’t it?

The Black Keys

Always sound excellent and it’s great to see their success grow, getting an evening slot on a big stage. But they don’t really have the stage presence to pull that off. Get them back onto the smaller stages where they shine and we’ll pack the joint.

Jamie Lidell

4.5

I was worried at the start with almost no crowd and sound issues. But Lidell never seemed fazed, instead singing his heart out and turning in the day’s best set. The backing band was tight but watching Lidell helm a sound board, adding effects, beats, and tweak that amazing voice was the highlight. In no time, the crowd had arrived and not one person was standing still.

Lady Gaga

Poor Gaga. She was trying sooo hard to please. And when she just settled in and did the songs it was as much fun as it should have been. “Speechless” was great, new song “You and I” was a highlight, and “Bad Romance” was a dance party. But the rest was like a summer blockbuster: all flash and no substance. Part Tony Robbins self-help class (“I was a loser and look now! You too can be just like me!”), part terribly acted church play, part Rocky Horror Picture show rip-off (“We’re all freaks at the Monster’s Ball!”). This was 45 minutes of material stretched into a 2 hour set that lost all momentum and had even the faithful around me begging her to get on with it.