BOOK GIVEAWAYS!

Yes, Technometry readers, the book giveaway is still alive and kicking!

Image by ruminatrix via Flickr

Im aching to give away a free copy, completely new and pristine of:

• Critical Cyber Culture Studies; edited by David Silver and Adrienne Massanari, New York University Press
• River of Gods by well known sci-fi writer, Ian McDonald

If you are keen to have these books and reside in Singapore AND have the time to retrieve it from me, drop me an email (kingDOTavatarATgmailDOTcom) or leave a comment below to tell me why you deserve it. I’ll pick the best email and put the response on technometry. I’ll let you know when this giveaway has been “given”.

Image by tankgrrl via Flickr

Image via Wikipedia

TGS – Tokyo Game Show Episode II

TGS

The message delivered at the TGS last week by many of the top Game Executives was that its not the hardware that will be ruling the industry – but in fact the software. The Big Three (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) console makers now find themselves competing with mobile smart phones and the ever evolving Apple iPhone. Content as always, is KING. The threat of applications being developed and hosted on the Appstore for a mere 99 cents bites into the console gaming market.

Announcements were made by heads of Sega, Sony to name a few were that diversification was on its way. Software development for all platforms and for all markets – not just Japan but the greater Western world would be in the pipeline.

More notable themes of the TGS were:

• Economic Recession = less exhibitors and less attendees – approx. 27000 in 2009 vs 105,000 in 2008 on the first day of opening.
• More Mobile gaming exhibits were present at the TGS compared to last year.
• Content will become downloadable in future.
• Strength is relying on the internet and social media networks to capture gamers.
• Console prices dropped.
• Game Publishers now develop content for ALL consoles…Where does your loyalty live with?

Main Game Titles on Display -

• Assassins Creed II
• Call of Duty II
• Gran Turismo 5
• The Last Guardian
• Ninokuni: The Another World
• MetalGear Solid Peace Walker
• Final Fantasy XIII
• End of Eternity
• Lunar
• Last Ranker
• White Knight Chronicles 2
• Phantasy Star 2 Portable

Other Areas of Interest

1. Game Schools – Universities showcasing their courses to future game developers
2. Business Solutions – Solutions to help Gaming Publishers – Payment, Music, Font, Delivery.
3. Mobile – Games developed specifically for Mobile Phones.
4. International Area – developers and Publishers from Specific Countries housed under one roof – EG: China, Canada, Taiwan, Holland.
5. Kids – Yes, even an area just for children’s games.

Official Attendance TGS

Day 1 – 27,435 Visitors (2008: 27,305 Visitors)
Day 2 – 24,605 Visitors (2008: 24,178 Visitors)
Day 3 – 61,138 Visitors (2008: 71,639 Visitors)
Day 4 – 71,852 Visitors (2008: 71,166 Visitors)
Total: 185,030 Visitors (2008: 194,288 Visitors)

Beware of Facebook Worm

Just a quick update-

Beware of clicking links from wall posts and status updates in Facebook.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

It seems malware is making its way through various social media like Twitter and now Facebook.

You may already know, but just to drive the message home – never, never click on anything unless you are very sure. Be aware of generic messages and monitor the tone of the message. If it doesnt seem quite right, dont click.

See http://mashable.com/2009/09/25/warning-facebook-worm-spreading-via-news-feed/

Tokyo Game Show – Game, it’s so energetic Episode I

Game On! Tokyo Style

The Tokyo Game Show opened yesterday and as it’s my first time attending as an Exhibitor, I find myself much like a consumer having a first hand perspective of both Japanese culture and industry. I find myself truly immersed in perhaps the most influential electronic gaming culture of the world.

The key players of note are obviously – Sony Playstation, Konami, Sega, Capcom, Square Enix, Techmo, Namco, Ubisoft and Level 5.
This is the Hollywood of the Gaming industry and nobody does it like they do. Except for Nintendo…

The exhibits are complete full scale game zones that give you the look, feel and experience in real time of the game title. There are the legendary franchise games of Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. It really is an arcade come to life!

The first two days is devoted to business and media while the weekend is open to consumers. In day one 27,435 people from media and business attended the show to see and review the launch of the next generation of games. This show is all about the games and software available to consoles, handhelds and computers.

Tecmo Game Girls

What show would be complete without Game Girls. And they weren’t just pretty faces with long legs and skimpy outfits handing out brochures. In fact they ushered eager gamers to console stations, disinfected equipment after use, instructed users how the game is played and took wonderful photos! Game Heaven.

Thoughts on Singapore Property Websites – Pt II

The  next and final sponsored result was:

Image via Wikipedia

iProperty.Com.Sg Over 35,000 Properties For Rent With Maps & Photos! Sign-Up Now

Seemed immediately more relevant as its a site oriented towards rental searches only and the additional search criteria was more intuitive as the district number was also accompanied by the areas that the number covered. I knew then, that the areas selected were either somerset or orchard in central singapore rather than just  District 9. Interestingly, another added criteria was the number of bathrooms. I hoped for at least one.  Website was also clean and looked professional. Annoying bit, had to type in the criteria for the price, size of place, rooms and baths.

Now, on to the results which werent paid to appear at the top of the results page…

1.www.singaporepropertyexchange.com Properties for Sale – Properties for Rent – Foreign Listings

This website gave an immediate poor impression, with strangely selected font and placement of information. Left it straight away. .5 out of 5!

2. www.singaporeexpats.com Singapore Expats – Expat relocation, Singapore property, housing …