another place for you to wear spandex and elf ears
Google has just launched Lively, which looks to have some massive potential. Lively is a 3D application that allows users to create avatars, place them into virtual environments, and communicate with others in that environment. Yes - just like SecondLife.
But this is a Google product. And there are a few things that look enticing in comparison to Second Life or MMORPG's. With Lively, "rooms" have real-world urls - that can be embedded into web pages, blogs, etc. You can pull in photographs and YouTube videos. And you'll eventually be able to port in friends from other social media tools.
Adverlab and Mashable have excellent rundowns of what's possible, along with screen shots.
For now, Lively is a PC only application. :( But a Mac version is promised soon.
Labels: 3d, gaming, google, mmorpg, secondlife, social media, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
1 comments
world of warcraft: so yesterday
World of Warcraft, the world's most popular MMORPG is about to lose its number one status to Habbo.
Habbo boasts 9.5 million active monthly users, compared to World of Warcraft’s most recently reported 10 million subscribers. Habbo says they'll pass WOW in the next 30 days. That's a lot of kids that won't see their backyards this summer.
We're not players in Habbo yet, but love the fact that they have a tiki area. We don't ask for much. Just tiki mugs and torches.
Labels: gaming, mmorpg, trends, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
0 comments
surprise your wife and redecorate the living room
You know that she's totally going to love these Mario Bros and Donkey Kong wall decals. Don't even ask. Just take down all that Restoration Hardware crap, and put these stickers up. And then proclaim that you plan on redecorating the entire house, with each room devoted to another video game.
Don't forget to remind her that you once held the record for Donkey Kong at the machine in the snack bar, in college. From urlgreyhot.
Labels: gaming, interior design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 AM
0 comments
drive anywhere and everywhere with google maps
Coworker Rob found Geoquake. A mashup game where you can drive a car over Google Maps. Almost like Grand Theft Auto, only on a real map. And without all of the killing, hookers, 3D graphics, cool cars, etc.
This is an awesome mashup with loads of promotional opportunities. What about a version that encourages users to explore your campus? Or a scavenger hunt, where you photo your car over certain objects? Or as an automobile promo showing that your vehicle can drive over anything. (Even buildings.) So many cool ideas. Ready to ride.
But for now, I'm driving over pedestrians in New York. Cuz that's how I roll.
Labels: gaming, google, mashup
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
2 comments
world of wifecraft: marriage counseling 2.0
What if you could use games like World of Warcraft to help you through real life? World of Wifecraft is a guide on how guys addicted to MMORPG's can get along in life. By treating life just like a quest in the game.
Send this clip to the person in your life that's obsessed with World of Warcraft, or other MMORPG's. So funny.
Labels: gaming, pop culture, video, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
2 comments
turn hate into love
Producers of video game On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness are using a very bad review of the game to promote the release.
Snakes on a game? Awesome.
Labels: ads, gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:12 AM
0 comments
katie sent me porn.
Just when you think you know someone. Intern Katie sent me this naked image. It's an ad for PS3. (Full version probably wouldn't be considered safe by your uber conservative IT department.)
Two comments:
1. It's insane that an ad like this would never be safe in the U.S., but we're allowed to show killing, dismemberment, and other murderlicious imagery.
2. I don't get it. It's meant to appeal to men, to promote a Playboy PS3 game. But are men who are interested in Playboy also interested in nearly naked man pics? I don't think so.
Thanks, Katie. I think.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:17 AM
3 comments
liberty city versus new york city
Mathew Johnston has put together an awesome collection of images that compare Liberty City (from Grand Theft Auto IV, for you older people), to real images from New York City. Pretty cool.
Labels: gaming, newyork, photography, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
0 comments
make your wii mii into the real you
Now you can get your personal Wii character made into an actual sculpture. These are going to make wiilicious gifts. For the right people. Other people might just stare at you, and say things like "you got me a stupid statue? For our wedding anniversary??"
Labels: gaming, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:09 AM
0 comments
packaging saves the day
The special edition of Grand Theft Auto comes with some pretty sweet packaging that even includes a GTA safety deposit box.
And the new NineInchNails release is available in special packaging, too. You can download the release for free - or spend more dough on NIN goodies. This gives a real reason for fans to spend money on something they can't download or trade for free. Sweet packaging. The $300 version even comes packed with a Trent Reznor autograph. Cool.
Who says package design for content is dead??
Labels: design, gaming, music, package design, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:22 AM
0 comments
the most annoying and relevant game
This is the most annoyingly stupid yet totally relevant and complete waste of time game ever. ForumWarz is an interactive game that plays off of everything current and past and relevant or annoying on the internet. It's as awesome as it is annoying. A perfect picture of internet pop culture.
If you're an internet worker, you'll get this. If not, you may look puzzled at your screen and wonder what all of the fuss is about. From BuzzFeed
Labels: creativeinspiration, gaming, pop culture, social media, technology, trends, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:23 AM
0 comments
the next round of mac parodies is here
Someone's produced a Nintendo version of the Macbook Air spot. The Apple copyfight attorneys keep taking it down from YouTube, but for now, you can see it here. Found on Engadget.
Labels: ads, apple, gaming, parody
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
0 comments
gamers: leave us alone...
Psychologist Cooper Lawrence went on a Fox News program, and ranted about the “full digital nudity and sex” featured in the Mass Effect video game, for the Xbox 360. Turns out that there isn’t any full digital nudity and sex in the game.
Sounds like Cooper didn't actually play the video game she was denouncing - or at least check her facts beforehand. And gamers went wild. Her book soon saw more than 500 one star reviews on Amazon. It got so out of hand, that Amazon had to intervene. Gamer's revenge. Sweet.
Labels: gaming, tv, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:44 AM
4 comments
how to play video games with your building
Dorm room Tetris. Wow. Unbelievable. Nuff said. Thanks Rob!
Labels: gaming, hacks, streetart, technology, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:34 AM
0 comments
i'm mr T and i'm a night elf mohawk.
Sweet.
Labels: ads, gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
1 comments
throw a lamb out of a plane
The dudes over at Koko Digital have created a cute game for the Make a Wish Foundation, called Lamb Chop Drop. I thought it might be a game where a lamb gets dropped into a meat grinder - but it turns out that it's actually a really cute game with a lamb that parachutes.
The "Donate your final score" feature at the end of the game is a nice touch.
Rob and Ryan from our office may especially appreciate this one.
Labels: Flash, gaming, nonprofit
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:15 AM
0 comments
virtual ouija board, just in time for halloween
Ask The Spirits lets you play with a Ouija board, without having to open a portal to darkness in your own home. Because ghosts can't get you, through the internet, you see. Ask The Spirits is a fun (if talking to a spirit-bot through the internet is your idea of fun) self promotional piece for TAMBA.
Labels: gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:36 AM
15 comments
"there's no trucks in world of warcraft!"
This gets funnier every time I see it. Great piece for Toyota. Found on Ad Goodness.
Labels: ads, automotive, gaming, social media, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
1 comments
i need these pants to teach matt a lesson
We've been spending quality time with Guitar Hero in our office lately, and it's pretty obvious that I suck. Bad. We got to discussing that other game - the one that comes with the full drum set, and I'm convinced I'd rock at it.
Matt swears he's a better drummer. Sure, he's in a really cool band, lives the lifestyle of a rockstar and everything, but I'm old and wise. A
So, I need these drum pants to walk around the office and constantly remind him of my rhythmic superiority.
Labels: fashion, gaming, plaid, technology, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:43 AM
0 comments
xbox = blockheads + video conferencing x therapy.
Adverganza is right. This spot is totally confusing. I feel like we need to setup discussion groups, and ponder its meaning.
Labels: ads, gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
0 comments
i am not the bionic woman
To promote the upcoming premier of Bionic Woman (yes!), NBC just launched a Bionic Assessment Test, where you can test your bionic skills. If you score high enough, you'll unlock "exclusive content."
The test results pictured above prove that I am indeed only 27% bionic. I am not the bionic woman. Which I'm pretty stoked about, since I'm a man. But I would like to know how I can put my 27% bionics to better use. I'm thinking Badminton.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:21 AM
3 comments
sweet claymation for xbox
Terrific claymation spot for Xbox. And here's an even more awesome, making of the Xbox 360 spot. From JJ Projects, via Twitter.
Labels: ads, gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
0 comments
financial people are here. it's real.
There's been speculation for some time now that credit card companies would someday offer cards that provided rewards in the virtual world. Places like World of Warcraft, or Second Life. That time has come.
VISA just announced their World of Warcraft credit card. Earn World of Warcraft rewards while you spend dough in meatspace. Thanks Devon!
Labels: future, gaming, marketing, secondlife, social media, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:13 AM
0 comments
baseball in the real world
TBWA just completed two new spots for PlayStation. I really like Fish Market. If baseball were this exciting, I'd watch it AND buy the PS3 game. ;)
Labels: ads, gaming, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
1 comments
wii art, gamer photographs
Wired Magazine reports on two cool art pieces:
First - something you can do on your own (if you have a Wii.) People are creating celebrity Mii characters, using their Wii's. Rocky, is pictured above. One artist has posted quite a few of them on Flickr.
And, some cool photography of players' game faces. Photographer Phillip Toledano points out that during a video game, people "drop their public face, and all you see is this really raw emotion." Interesting work.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, gaming, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
advertising battle in france
Sony PS3 sets up a huge launch party in front of the Eiffel Tower. They're looking to make lots of hoopla. Or whatever they call hoopla in France. And what should float by? How about a big, giant barge that Xbox rented for the event - complete with a huge lit billboard, proclaiming "Xbox 360 loves you."
Labels: adindustry, gaming, outdoor, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
0 comments
got milk debuts game with 1998 download speed
If you've got nothing better to do than to spend half a day watching a download progress bar, this new game from Got Milk is worthy.
Absolutely stunning production value for an internet game. But loads, and loads of waiting. I mean it. Get a glass of milk while you wait. From Adrants.
Labels: beverage, Flash, gaming
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:18 AM
1 comments
how to get coffee like you're in a video game
If you play World of Warcraft, the world's most popular video game, you'll really appreciate this. This is what it might be like, if you lived in WOW, and needed to get a cup of coffee.
Second Lifers and other MMO players will also get a laugh. For those of you too busy working, with no time for games, I'm not sure what you'll think. Just get back to work. Thanks Devon!
Labels: art, gaming, parody, secondlife, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:51 AM
1 comments
sony announces home
Sony made a big announcement yesterday at GDC. A new product made for PS3, called Home.
Basically, it's an expensive version of Second Life, only open to PS3 owners. By the looks of the video trailer, it's pretty cool. And longer term, there are definitely some possibilities for marketers.
Things that look cooler than Second Life:
+ Fluid movement (although, who knows - it's just a trailer right now)
+ You don't need to hire a developer to decorate your virtual loft.
+ There's a purpose related to gaming. Strategize with your friends prior to jumping into an MMORPG.
Where Second Life has it beat:
+ You'll need to buy a very expensive PS3 player to be included.
+ You can't play it wherever you go. (Unless you travel with a PS3)
+ It's likely not open source, so you can't build your own worlds
This will be interesting to watch, as it develops. Thanks Brent!
Labels: gaming, technology, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:09 AM
0 comments
good stuff to keep you unproductive
Two really impressive Flash productions have come to my attention in the last couple of days.
The first, Roxic, allows users to create their own animated character, who immediately comes to life, replicates into a cast of thousands and dances. Your character dances live, until he's replaced by the next user's character. It's social. Pretty cool.
Next is Hedgehog, which I guess works a little like Sonic the Hedgehog (hence the name), but I'm really not sure, not having been a hedgehog fan. I've got a pretty short attention span for video games, especially Flash games. Everything has been done before. But Hedgehog is pretty cool. The game play isn't anything you haven't seen before - but the fluid, smooth Flash work is awesome.
Careful, it's Monday. Your boss will expect some work to be done today.
Labels: creativeinspiration, Flash, gaming, webdev
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:18 AM
0 comments
second life, half life - some uses in real life
There's been a lot of debate about any actual marketing value for Second Life. Many of the complaints we hear are related to "but what do you do in Second Life?" And I've posted before about how some brands are wasting their users time.
It sounds like Universal Pictures is on the right track. They've created an "in life" contest, where a participant can win one million Linden dollars. They've duplicated a hotel from the film Smokin' Aces in Second Life, and users can hunt down other people. Or something like that - we haven't checked it out yet. We're very busy in our first life.
Which, btw - you have to check out the hilarious Second Life parody, Get a First Life. Pretty funny.
Meanwhile, some zany architects have come up with a unique use for the Half Life game engine. Half Life is a pc game, evolved from an older PC game Quake. The gamers really dig it. So anyway - some developers/architects/people with a lot of time created a walk through of Frank Lloyd Wright's infamous Kaufmann House. The video clip is above.
Some architects are contemplating the game engine's use for client presentations. Cool, but I actually think that one might be better in Second Life.
Confused about life yet?
Labels: architecture, gaming, parody, secondlife, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:16 AM
0 comments
grand theft coke
I wanted to hate this spot. Thinking nothing could spoof Grand Theft Auto, and come off well. But I love it. Really, really love it.
I wonder how it was pitched. "A spoof of Grand Theft Auto, but we'll twist it into a positive message, with an uplifting inspirational soundtrack." Yeck. Can't see that getting out of the boardroom. Or the brainstorm at the agency. A testament to Wieden + Kennedy's ability to be brilliant, and recognize great ideas. Sweet.
Labels: ads, gaming, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:31 AM
1 comments
eighties festival of games. and cheese.
Adverblog points to a fun promotional site Good Game Good Game. To promote online seller Argos. And classic games. Cute.
Labels: gaming
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:13 AM
0 comments
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