pixel’d

December 17th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I can safely say that I’m glad that school is over for now. It began with me really enjoying it, I fell into a funk midway through and near the end I really dug it again. I’m also glad to say I just barely passed the courses I hated, and I did anywhere from reasonably well to awesome in the classes I liked. I’m stoked for the winter break, though. It’ll be nice to just sit around and do nothing for a while.

Speaking of which, our intro to Flash class finished today and our little shmup along with it. I’ll send it out to those interested, but it’s very, very basic. For a week and a half’s worth of work and barely knowing flash I’m reasonably impressed with us. It was interesting to see the little bit of dynamic, or lack there of, we had going. A lot of things in it I’m unhappy with, but I wasn’t in charge of the coding at all, so it wasn’t my place to give orders there. I’m incredibly pleased with my pixel-bubbles though. It’s awesome.

Random inspiration of the day? Look Up At The Sky from Celarent.

It’s days like these that I just want to lay back and watch the stars.

drained

Tags: deadbryanday, school = done

just like you

December 8th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

I’ve been a bit of a funk, recently.  Unable to really give anything my full effort and as such everything I contribute to seems to be suffering.  Bleeding Pixels is almost a month late again, not to mention all the stuff in school I had let pile up around me.  BUT.  I’m getting over it and sucking it up.  School’s looking more appealing now that three of my completely useless classes are over and we’re actually getting into some meat into my favourite classes.  Why must the good classes end?  Maybe I’ll have a touch of aflash game to put on here in a few weeks.  I’m really looking forward to finishing that project.  c:

Gaming has been a bit of weird state for me, as well.  I played and fell in love with Fallout 3, but am not really sure how much more I want to play it.  I love it, but I’m not feeling compelled to pick up the controller for it anymore.  And LittleBigPlanet has not been getting the love it deserves at all, however that’ll change this week.  I’ll be setting up the first competition for the LBP Creator’s Club for VGEvo, so I’ll be forced into creating something aesthetic and publishing it.  Maybe Eva’ll sit down and help me create it.

Other than that?  It’s been World of Warcraft.

I’ve played WoW before for about a month in the spring, but that was on a free trial and once my trial was over I had just lost interest and stopped playing.  It wasn’t worth paying for then. However, sir Jamie recently sent me a Scroll of Resurrection and I installed it onto my new iPander and started rolling Vinneas again.  Then, we went out and bought a copy for Eva and both rolled new characters.  She’s a Blood Elf Paladin and I’m a Tauren Druid.  I couldn’t imagine how I was going to play that game without all my Rogue-ness, but because our accounts are linked and we get unholy experience bonuses we’ve been partying together the whole time which completely changes the way the game plays.  For the better, of course.  Playing with Vinneas and Jamie’s Mage was also neat.  I need to play with other people more often.  On that note, I leave you with my current inspiration.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

guilty

Tags: bryan + updates = DIVIDE BY ZERO, whut?

Yellow Plaid

November 24th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

I’ve been in a “no one on the internet cares, Bryan” mind set, and as such have been avoiding the social side of the internet.  I do want to get something out, at the moment though.

I’ve just recently finished playing Jonathan Blow’s Braid.  This is interesting for a few reasons.  First, it means I now have an X360 (8D), but more importantly Blow also spoke at the Montreal Game Summit that I just got home from, and some of the things he said there struck a chord with me.

Blow is a very interesting figure in the industry right now because he had outright chosen not to work for larger companies but to instead independently develop his games.  It became glaringly apparent as soon as he started to state his views about game development and even gaming in general.  The current industry would simply not allow him to make the game he wanted to make.  Which is odd, considering that in the end that game he made is the highest rated XBLA game on meta-critic and has been very critically acclaimed.  It’s just an interesting point, considering his views and ideals.

He feels very strongly about gaming being an art form, but it’s not quite there yet.  I can see where he’s coming from and I kind of agree, but I’m not in the same boat as him, per se.  He feels if gaming is to affect people on a profound level the need to be approached differently.  Their “dynamical meaning” must match the narrative meaning.  It’s all very interesting stuff that I strongly suggest you listen to directly from Blow in his Montréal International Games Summit keynote, which you can find here.  It’s an Incredibly interesting listen even if you’re not too much into gaming.

Cut for spoiler territory~

Although, I’m weird.   You’ll probably hear me more from me on this, as I’m a lame and boring kid.
If you haven’t played Braid and you own an X360, then I strongly, STRONGLY suggest picking it up.  It’s very worth it in my opinion.  For all you PC kids, hold strong.  It’ll be here soon~

thoughtful

Tags: braid, jonathan blow, Montreal internation games summit

a post in which bryan “whoa”s

November 4th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I have to admit, I’ve always been a keen fan of Lego and Minifigs, but I felt this was necessary of a post all of it’s own.

Source.

’nuff said.

amused

Tags: nerdgasm, whoa

a post in which bryan weeps

October 26th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

While I don’t have LittleBigPlanet yet, and I personally chose to avoid the beta when it was around, it seems everyone and their dog is playing this game right now.  Unfortunately, it’s not available where I am, yet. Joy. Won’t be here until Tuesday.  :\  Either or, the ever wonderful Tony Bowe has decided to compile an Unofficial LittleBigPlanet soundtrack, which I offer to you here.  It took me ages to actually get that damn MP3 player to work the way I wanted it to, and I doubt any of you really care.. but you never know.  I code because I care.  You can stream all twelve songs directly from here, or if you so please, download it directly.  ♥

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In other news?  Trusty Bell is fucking phenomenal.  I really want Eva to want to play it more so I can actually put some more time into it, but I have to admit.. it’s way better than I was expecting.  And I had really high expectations.  The art is SO DAMN GOOD.

Oh!  And there’s a possibility of collaboration between Bleeding Pixels and one of my professor’s online endeavours that could end up being very neat.  AND, episode 5 of Bleeding Pixels is FINALLY AVAILABLE.  It’s good to be back;  sorry for the ear-rape with the audio quality.  It won’t happen again.

sleepy

Tags: littlebigplanet, the almighty tony bowe, trusty bell

whut?

October 24th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Aroo? I’ve been busy busy indeed. School got a little crazy, podcasting, Eternal Sonata and awesome professors, ahoy. Also, I now have a media player for my Wordpress, and as such will subject you to my musical wraith more often! 8D

pleased

Tags: whut?

you have to set yourself on fire

October 8th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

The Stars continue to be one of the bands that I never go out of my way to listen to but when I hear them, I just melt.  It’s a really bizarre relationship because I totally dig them.. but I just can never think of that when I want music to listen to.  I’ll have to try and find some of their CDs, or at least remember them when I’m shopping.  Or I could yar it up and find it online.  Such wonderful songs that evoke so much feeling.  They’re just so.. eclectic.  A mixture between Bright Eyes, Imogen Heap and a band like the Shins.  A very interesting middle point in my musical tastes.  I loves me the string instruments.  It’s weird, but I totally agree with Imogen Heap’s lyrics;  “Music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry.”  It’s a blatant mis-representation of  music in general, but there’s so much music out there that is just so evocative and wonderful.  Weird moods just take over me sometimes.

EDIT: Apparently, imeem doesn’t have a license with whoever owns The Stars doesn’t want us to listen to more than 30 seconds unless you go to their site. :( No embedding for Bryan.

enthralled

Tags: whut?

dear..

October 7th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Dear Arkensis,

I don’t really know how to tell you this, but you’re a pervert. I think I realized it that night in your camping car and I saw you carve your initials into Donald Duck. I’m sure you’re man enough to understand that there is no solution to this. I’m returning the pictures from LA to you, but I’ll keep your photo as a memory. You should also know that I always will try to forget eggplant-fetishism.

Go burn,
Bryan.

Explanation.

surprised

Tags: memememememe

sweet toaster i want it

October 2nd, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Nintendo began their TGS presser today and I have to admit, while still proving themselves to be Nintendo (DSi, whut?), there were a WHOLE BUNCH of games that totally blew me away. Not only is there a new Sin and Punishment on the way, there’s many other games for both the DS and the Wii that look really good. There’s a slasher/rpg/cel-shaded game for the Wii called Dynamic Shin (Zan?) that looked really neat, as well as a bunch of other rpgs. Totally not expected by me. I’d honestly not expected much from Nintendo this TGS, but they’ve surprised me. I’d really like to hear about the new Kirby game, though. Kirby is probably one of the most lush and creative world Nintendo has that’s totally underrated. It just feels like no one cares, which is so sad!

But! Nintendo made up for it! How, you ask? With this!

EDIT: Now with video! 8D

Punch-Out!! Wii 'Debut' trailer

surprised

Tags: go little mac you bastard, punch-out baby!

i’m no superman

October 2nd, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

School’s getting into full swing and it’s really getting me stoked.  Is it weird that I’m making far more work for myself out of the extraordinarily simple assignments we’ve received so far?  I just.. I want to get into the habit of staying late, going early and doing far more than the professors ask, as that’s the only way I’m going to stay ahead of the class.  Or the only way I’ll get above an eighty in programming;  weird.  I’ve never been the kid who does extra work, who stayed late, studied or put his all into it.  High marks have always just come naturally to me (excluding NSCAD, but that doesn’t count).. but I don’t want that anymore.  I want to be the kid that tries his hardest and everyone likes and actually succeeds and has a foot in-front of everyone else.  I’ll be in a graduating class of maybe.. ten or eleven, depending on how many people actually make it that far, and I really want to be able to tell studios that I’m worth hiring over them.  It’s weird because Alex isn’t feeling that at all, but I’m finding it easier to break away from him to go do my own thing recently.  I can see him being a bad influence at some points, though.

Overall, though?  My program kicks ass.  I think I’m really going to dig doing a lot of what we’re going to be doing.  My Intro Design class has already spawned some great discussions and Darren (read: prof) is a co-founder of Northern Geeks and (I believe) is on a podcast.  I may invite him as a guest onto one of ours sometime, as he’s by far my favourite guy at the school.  And the people in my class are not as bad as I had originally thought.  A couple of them are pretty cool and whatnot;  one is even totally keen on helping set up the Smash Bros. tournament.  Keen, keen, keen.  Also?  I have to go paint-balling with my “Interpersonal Communications” class tomorrow.  That’ll be.. interesting.

Also?  Scrubs is still absolutely hilarious.

And this;

excited

Tags: art!, i'm worried about paint-ball, school = :3

i am bryan’s sad!

September 25th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

So, tonight I’ll be packing iPanda away for his seemingly common trip to the doctor.  This is the fourth time he’ll have gone in for repairs and I’m getting really tired of it.  Having really thought it through, I really feel I want something more powerful, even if it means losing my laptop-capabilities.  I’m thinking about investing in a new iMac, but I’m really not sure yet.  I totally dig the aesthetics, they’ve got a lot of power and I could easily bootcamp it.  I’m just not sure if I have the money.

I’m too tired to be fully coherent, and I’ve still got to package this guy up.  Busy busy.

crappy

Tags: ipanda = :(

Power Supply!

September 16th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

First and foremost, sleeping soundly every night is so damn nice.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to go to sleep and not wake up until morning;  probably not since grade nine or so.  But the last three or four nights?  Bryan’s been sleeping the whole night through.  It’s incredibly refreshing.  I don’t feel the need to pass out in the afternoons, I don’t feel completely exhausted when I wake up and I’ve even been able to get out of bed at a reasonable time when I don’t need to.  Overall, it’s a nice feeling.

Anywhore.  Anyone who has never visted 8bitPeoples really, really should.  They are a record label (essentially) that has a whole boat load of bitpop artists.  Some of the music is of incredibly quality, particularly these guys.  Their music is so completely inspiring for me.  Anytime I hear it I just can’t help but wanting to create something.  Anything.  :b  As I said, I strongly recommend checking them out.

awake

Tags: 8bitpeoples, anamanaguchi, sleep!

dead bryan

September 16th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

indescribable

Tags: ded bryan day

colon cee

August 23rd, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I know all it seems like I do recently is plug other shit, but this is something that I really feel people should see and know about.  I had intended to write a post about this earlier, but I guess it’s kind of fortunate that I didn’t, seeing how the situation has been fucked over.  Either or.

This is an installation at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany titled “Invaders!”.  My honest first impressions?  I loved it.  It’s a brilliant, shocking piece that, when experienced, apparently “delivers complex messages via simple means.”  I really dug it, and I dug that it was in a place that was extremely populated by not only public, but a lot of press as well.  As such, the piece has been the source of a lot of international controversy.  It’s popped up on every gaming news site around, and even on several international “real” news sites as well.

I was worried about the reaction this piece was going to get.  A lot of “too soons” were passed around when it first hit the net, but that was just from gamers.  What would the general, god-fearing American family think?  Apparently, it’s not their favourite piece of art.  The artist, Douglas Edric Stanley, has since received hate mail, threats of legal action and even death threats.  It kind of makes me sick.  In the end, the guy decided to take the piece down, contrary to what the Computerspiele Museum had wanted, as it was simply becoming something he didn’t want it to be.  He was quoted stating;

While I take full responsibility for the uncomfortable ambiguity of certain aspects of this work, it was never created to merely provoke controversy for controversy’s sake, and unfortunately, this is what the piece has now become.  The American response to this work has been, frankly, immature, and lacking the sophistication and consideration that other parts of the world have so far shown the work.

I completely understand why he would want the piece turned off.  The goal was not what has been achieved, and to let it go on would simply belittle his original intent.  And seriously; fuck off, world.  It just makes me sick to my stomach to see this bullshit reaction to something meaningful, even if that meaning hits just one person.  Art is fucking art, regardless.  While I feel that this really shouldn’t have happened and that this piece should have been protected, I can’t help but empathize with how the artist must feel.  Knowing that this piece is being strewn in completely the wrong light.

Then again, what makes art is the audience.  Once a piece is completed, it’s the audience that truly finishes the piece, and what they think of it is usually not even close to what was intended.  So, who am I to complain that this shit-storm was started.

I really wish I could have experienced the piece myself.

aggravated

Tags: art!, fuck off world

Turn off your mind, unwind

August 18th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Went to Miramichi and back again.  I’m left feeling in a little like I’m in limbo.  I really have no idea what’s going on for me financially for this year, although I’ve been assured that it’s going to work out.   I just have this feeling that I’m going to have to get a job and work my ass off, and in turn I’m going to get a lot less out of my program at school.  I’m also frustrated right now at the amount of time we’re going to have to move and get settled in before everything starts.  After going over and getting our dining room table set up and unpacking some boxes I feel a whole lot better about the place.  It’ll be a really nice place to live, and I really hope I’ll get to enjoy the next year or two.

I’ve decided that I’m a rather large fan of Boom Boom Satellites.  They’ve got that punchy awesome techno feel that I really can’t help but jive to.  Their single “Shut Up and Explode” was featured as the opening for Xam’d: Lost Memories which is the PSN exclusive anime series (that I’m really, really intrigued by) and since I heard that song I’ve been downloading and digging up some more of their music.  I really dig it.

Speaking of Xam’d, I really want to see some of it, but two things are holding me back.  The first of which, and main reason, is that the PSN Video store is US only.  That means that Canada-Lanada doesn’t get to enjoy the benefits of the wonderful service yet.  The other reason is that Sony kind of botched the distribution of it. You can rent it in HD (which looks amazing), but you can’t buy it.  It’s a few bucks to rent each episodes and then you have 14 days to watch it, and 24 hours once you start watching it to finish it; after that it’s deleted from your system.  It’s the way digital distribution renting has pretty much always worked.  BUT! the inability to buy the damn show really makes me sad.  I really like to own the shows I like, digitally or not.  I assume that I’ll still rent it all some day, but I may end up looking for HD quality versions of it online.  Maybe they’ll fix it and allow people to buy the HD content on the store.  I’d be so down with that.

Also?  I totally miss playing online on my PS3.  I’ve been doing next to nothing in terms of playing games because of it, and it’s getting to me.  I just updated my firmware and I’m attempting to download Bionic Commando: Rearmed right now, as that game looks like win, and I’m trying to get in something in terms of online play with Lost Planet.  I miss my games.

I can’t wait to move.

EDIT: I hate my internet with a firey passion.

pessimistic

Tags: bryan - gaming = husk, miramichi, SHUT UP AND EXPLODE~

happy birthday, darling

August 11th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

At The Bottom Of Everything - Bright Eyes

It’s a very strange and wonderful song.  I know I’m late to the Bright Eyes party, but I am starting to really dig some of his music.  I’m also getting back into Damien Rice (who I had no idea was from Ireland!), and Bright Eyes is very much in the same vein.  Either or, I’m listening to music almost all the time right now.   It’s been a while since I’ve been so into music.

I’ve also been thinking a lot, lately.  Certain circumstances have brought me to thinking of my ideals, but I’m going to put them under the cut.  I’m sure not everyone wants to hear them.

It was a wonderful splash

Sorry about the little rant. Talking about it earlier made me want to hammer some thoughts out. I’ve been thinking a lot about the higher ideas in life. Like why we’re here or whatever. I have a feeling I’ll be writing about that soon, as well.

In other news, The Club is great fun. It’s looking like another definite buy for me, as I really feel like I can get into it.

thoughtful

Tags: bright eyes, deadbryanday, rant

i am bryan’s need for shoes

August 10th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Got my first shipment of clothes in for the new girl, and a couple of things for myuute’s Julien. One of the most exciting things in the shipment? Shoes that actually fit a DoT. Like, really nifty shoes. These shoes to be exact. I’m going to be making another dollmore order sometime soon, I think to order something similar for Dominick, as they’re so much cooler than his shoes that he has now. My one regret? If I get Meryl with only what I have now, she won’t have a full outfit. The pants I got won’t go with the the top I got, so I have to hope that I’ll get another order in before I get her.

I’m very stoked. The wig turned out really nice, I dig the eyes and a lot of the clothes are super nice~ 8D All I need are some normal clothes now. I’m really wanting some nice jeans, but brennin only takes orders “sometimes”. :( I’m haunting her site for now, but I think I’m going to have to start looking elsewhere. I couldn’t find anything on Dollmore that I liked, and it’s proving hard to find jeans of the right style outside of Mio. Either or, we’ll see.

Army of Two is a great experience, probably one I’ll buy so I can play it in co-op some more. It was damn fun with Alex.

In other news, sleeping in makes me feel like junk.

drained

Tags: deadbryanday, domdomdom, meryl, ugh

a post in which bryan prepares

August 5th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I have to admit, the butterflies in my tummy have left their cocoons. Today I woke up and got an email from Dollmore letting me know that my (massive) order had shipped, meaning it’ll probably be here by Monday, if not a touch earlier. I also got paid. So my plan is now to go into town tomorrow, deposit my cheque and find out how much money I actually have. I’ll put a chunk of it aside, pay a bunch on to my credit card and then tomorrow night I’ll send hushed a chunk of money for Meryl~~! Which is so exciting. I’m really happy to be in a situation where I’m getting an awesome doll that I’ve wanted for a while, I’m helping out a friend and it’s not going to cost me several internal organs. I’ve been only thinking about this new doll, pretty much. I bring it up randomly to people who really don’t care and get weird looks. But! I can’t help it. I’m a weird kid.

I’m so stoked. Although, I’m wondering now how long it will take the package to make it from Alaska to east coast, Canada. Either or, it’s not like I have much right to complain. myuute has kind of been waiting for Julien for years. Haha. Either or! Meryl will be here before too long, and I will be happy! (I guess I should let you know what kind of face-up I want, eh? :b I’ll fire you an email later tonight or tomorrow and hopefully a payment.) And I’m really worried that all the money I’ve sent to Ajumapama is going to go to waste as there was a bit of a mix up in me sending my payments. I also have a few things coming from CheeryDoll. I’ve spent too much money. Ugh.

Also, episode 3.5 went up early tonight, and this episode? we’re in ur manger killing ur savior!

excited

Tags: bleeding pixels, doll!clothes, i should swallow pesticide, meryl

I am bryan’s nothing

August 1st, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

This update is pointless, except for the fact that I FINALLY found this;

Ordered some clothes for the girl, but I’m just not going to post them here. Maybe some other day.

weird

Tags: meryl, random, the simlish version is better than the original!

FINALLY.

July 30th, 2008 by industria | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Episode 003 is finally up, albeit late. Either way, it’s definitely our best episode yet. You can find it, as always, here or on iTunes. Go listen and bask in it’s late glory. 8D

Also, I’m ordering some clothes today for Meryl, along with going into Adrenalan to mess around in Garry’s Mod again. Today sounds like a damn good day. I’ll update this post again later today with some clothes-full-ness.

EDIT: Well, I won’t be updating any time soon with clothes I’ve bought, as I apparently have atrocious taste. I’m having a horrible day off. :\

chipper

Tags: bleeding pixels, doll clothes are expensive, meryl