Monthly Archives: January 2011
My Dream Bed
Why is this my dream bed? Because it does two things: elevates to the ceiling, freeing up some room. And it also makes itself.
I will probably do a 3D version of this one day, because I’d also like to include two possible attachments: a workstation that folds up from the floor and from underneath the bed frame, and an entertainment unit that rests against one side of the bed by the wall.
This is sort of like a Murphy Bed, the ones that fold up into a wall. But I like having it elevate to the ceiling instead…much easier to manage methinks.
How The Death Of NBA Elite 2011 Will Help Sports Video Games
When EA decided to bench their NBA Elite 11 game a few months ago when it was deemed the game’s quality was sub-par and could potentially sink the franchise in the long run, there was a lot of media coverage, some schadenfreude, and a whole lot of gossip.
In the fallout, EA decided to extend the life of the previous year’s release - NBA Live 10 - with continued roster updates and online supprt. They also made the reboot NBA Jam a full-fledged console release for the 360 and PS3, as sort of a consolation prize (it was originally slated to be a download bonus that came with Elite 11).
I’ve often said that in the age of Down-Loadable Content (DLC), there was really no reason to keep releasing yearly iterations of Sports games. Ideally, you could release one game in 2011, and support it for 2-3 years with updates and expansion content you could purchase, much like many other genres of games enjoy currently.
What EA inadvertently demonstrated was that the lifespan of a sports game can be extended for 2 years, but they also accidentally ushered in a new business model: Alternating releases of sports games.
This means the full-on simulations like NBA Elite, NHL, Madden, FIFA, Tiger Woods, etc. could alternate a biennial release schedule with an arcade-flavored variant, like NBA Jam.
With Sports sims getting 2 years between major releases, they’d have more production and planning time to take the game to the next step. The same could be said for their arcade counterparts, which would also get two years to improve upon their last release.
And with an extended lifespan for both kinds of games, people would be willing to make that $60 investment if they know they’ll get 2 years out of it. And by alternating the release schedule, you won’t be flooding the market with multiple sports games every year, but focusing on a single high-quality title every year.
I really hope EA adopts this kind of model and soon - the yearly iteration of sports games is starting to wear out it’s welcome in the age of DLC. Plus it’s getting harder and harder to advance the game on a yearly basis. Even if there is a plethora of new features, many gamers just dismiss the game as providing only a roster update. A 2-year absence may help to highlight the advances in a more evident manner.
One thing I’d like to see, is a big departure for the arcade games that clearly separate them from the sims. NBA Jam is a great example of this, being very arcade-y and having a lot of personality.
One such example is using the Lego license. I think releasing a Lego variant of a sports game every other year would be huge. I’m already quite surprised no one has done this yet.
With alternating releases. the Publisher will not be left with a gaping hole in their release schedule. And with DLC content, there is actually more money to be made over the course of a 2-year lifespan.
In the long run, NBA Elite’s death may have started a few new trends that will benefit the sports genre and the consumer as well.
Talisman Media Players
As much as it pains me to say it, packaged media only has a few years left of mileage. All music, video games, and movies will be downloaded digitally, and stored on media devices. All the discs will become extinct.
That means we’ll all have a black box beside the TV with all our movies and shows stored within - eventually giving way to TV’s storing all the media internally (we’re close to that happening!).
So I thought I’d look at a few interesting ways of managing our libraries of movies, music and TV shows, and came up with one interesting idea that not only makes it worthwhile to hold onto all of our current packaged media, but would also be fun to interact with.
I call this the ‘Talisman’ media player, where you would use everyday objects that are not enveloped with magical powers, but rather are linked to files in your library.
How it works is you’d scan an object with the scanner/reader on the player, and then link that object to any number of files in your media library. So anytime you place that object on the reader, those linked media files would become immediately accessible. No seeking or browsing, just triggering media files with an object.
This would be extremely handy if you have thousands of files in your library. You could also use objects to represent genres or playlists.
For the example above, I used a toy Lego Darth Vader to trigger the original Star Wars trilogy.
How would this be awesome? You could program this thing to automatically play Sesame Street when your toddler places a stuffed Elmo on the reader. You could place your Lost Season 3 DVD box set on the reader to watch the show (Yay! You don’t have to throw out your old DVD’s). You a Boston Red Sox fan? Place a baseball or bobblehead figure on the reader for the cable guide to find your favorite team on the dial. You could also lock racy content with an object too.
For people who are used to packaged media, this would be a very fun interface. You’d essentially have your own personal library of packaged media, made up of whatever objects you choose.
For geeks, this would be very cool. We already have a few mementos representing our favorite shows/movies, so enabling them to trigger their related media would be a nice touch.
NOTE: The media player above just has a largish LCD screen to show the menu and poster/cover art. This isn’t the TV. This device would be comparable in size to a DVD player/HD recorder. I designed it in this fashion because I am a big believer of flat electronics.
The examples I gave show objects similar/related to their linked media. You can use whatever object you want to be linked to whatever media you want.
Back To The Future Wrist Watch
Again this is one of those products I am shocked to find does not exist. The iconic clock face from Back to the Future is not a wrist watch. I can’t even find a desktop clock or wall clock for it even.
Despite this glaring oversight, I threw this watch together, which features Doc Brown struggling to connect the wires for the incoming Delorean (which I included in a cheeky way).
I’m sure a professional watch designer/crafter can create something much nicer than this. Just wanted to present the general idea.
Originally the stitching was yellow to indicate a road stripe. I also think I could have shown a wire leading from Doc to a contraption on the lower strap.
There is a lot that could have been done, so maybe one day I will revisit this and make it look really nice. For now you get the basic idea.
As for Universal Studios…you have another fortune here! Correct this oversight.
Credit Card With Redundant Strip and Microchips
A reader who goes by Bobby commented in this post that he had an idea for a card reader that had dual mag readers so you can swipe your card either way. I responded that I thought the mag readers would interfere with another, possibly canceling each other out.
I then offered an idea that would feature a card with additional microchips and data strip. I decided to feature it here.
Originally I made the plastic clear with the intention of having the data strip embedded and protected. But then looking at it here I realized the clear plastic would get scratched anyways! It does look cool, but many cards have already done this - though for purely cosmetic purposes.
The data strip is double-sided, so you can swipe either way. Also, the card has 4 chips (though 2 could be done if inserted to be readable from both sides), so you can insert the card in any direction you’d like.
The redundant strips and chip would be so handy if you are using your card regularly. I often get stuck in line behind someone with a card that just doesn’t want to be read.
I’d like to thank Bobby for offering his idea, it completely inspired this one.
Transformers Blu-Ray Update #3
UPDATE: The Transforming Blu-Ray case is done. Check it out here.
Yikes this is becoming extremely ambitious, even by my standards. I’ll have to make a few adjustments before I can finish Roller and the overall Blu-Ray case package to declare it complete.
His lower wheels clash with his legs, so those will be swiveled to the back. His feet are also too small to support the figure. This is a bit of a challenge, because he has to be flat in his alt mode (mounted on the trailer), and his flat shape will also enable him to be stowed in the container.
He’ll also have a ‘car’ mode, where a panel on his back folds up to reveal a seating area, and his feet fold back to double as seats. His weapon gets mounted on top.
I have to say I have an extreme appreciation for Toy designers - especially those who design these Transformers. Impressive stuff.
I also thought I’d take a look back at what prompted me to work on my first Blu-Ray case design, which was for the impending 25th Anniversary of the Transformers animated movie (its this year). It was my response to a series of case designs that were unleashed onto the public. I am of course talking about those Transforming DVD Cases:
Aw SICK - GROSS!
These packages ‘transformed’ by having the legs, arms, and head slide from the main body. It is always flat, and in DVD mode, roughly the size of a DVD jewel case.The first film in 2007 saw Megatron and Optimus Prime cases hit the shelves.
Aw nasty YUCK!
I don’t know who bought these - maybe people who liked their Transformers flattened by a steamroller? Apparently they were popular enough to get a third variant, Bumblebee:
AW SICK! GROSS! YUCK!
They all look bloated. and have weird posture about them. Bumblebee’s hands seem to indicate he is in the middle of a rapping freestyle session. Yo yo yo!
You have to hand it to Paramount for trying something different, but the end result is a cheesy misfire. Garbage-compacted robots that transform into flat robots. Blech.
I’ll finish my case next weekend. Stay tuned!
Cleaning The Outside Of The Window From The Inside
Just to prove that I’ll post an idea about anything, I give you this elaborate means to wash windows. I know you’re completely riveted about the prospect of reading all about cleaning. In fact, you are probably procrastinating right now, avoiding that stack of dishes or pile laundry! That lecture will have to wait. After the jump, I break this image down. Read the rest of this entry
Transformers Trilogy Blu-Ray Update #2
UPDATE: The case is done. Check it out here.
As I mentioned in the previous update, I was making that weird bulbous thing at the front of Optimus Prime’s trailer into a full-fledged Transformer figure.
And while he looks okay, I’m going to make several adjustments. I want those shoulder panels to be flared out in front, like a Space Marine. I will also beef up the torso, and make his vehicle mode more interesting.
I do like how the wheels sit in his chest. Don’t think I have ever seen a TF look like that. He also looks like a mini Optimus.
The hitch below the front of the trailer will transform into a bow weapon Optimus can wield.
Awesome Concussion-Fighting Helmet Design Faces Uphill Battle
This reminded so much of my helmet design from several months ago (except mine exploded and had an air-mattress inside!), I thought I’d pass this along.
This Michael Princip was thinking along the lines that I was: a one-piece fully encompassing helmet was like wearing a bell casing on your head. You get hammered, your brain will just rattle inside.
He broke up the helmet into 3 layers, some layers broken into separate panels (such as the outer-most shell). This allows one panel to bear the brunt of the force, instead of the whole helmet absorbing the impact.
I think it’s brilliant. It just looks a million times safer than those brain buckets players currently wear.
Unfortunately Michael Princip is an independent developer, not a big huge company like Riddell which has major partnerships with just about every football league. You’d think it be as simple as collaborating with Riddell to make this a reality, but I doubt Riddell - who has spent millions and millions on safety and concussion research - will let a one-man operation waltz in with a superior design. They would look incompetent.
I’m hoping the NFLPA or CFLPA will opt to give these helmets a trial, simply for the potential benefit in increased safety for their player membership. I think that’s more important than a marketing deal.
Read all about Micheal and his cool helmet here in this unusually well-written Deadspin article.
USB 3.0 - A Missed Opportunity
USB 3.0 is here. And while it is a technical marvel that will become the standard, I have to ask: Why didn’t they fix the most annoying flaw that plagued USB 2.0??
That flaw being the need to check the orientation of the USB plug as well the USB socket itself prior to plugging in. Because USB only plugs in one correct way.
With so many devices enlisting USB 2.0, we are constantly plugging-in. And each time we have to inspect the cord and socket to ensure it will connect, or we endure some trial-and-error.
I would have designed 3.0 to be symmetrical and able to plug-in both ways, so you don’t have to check. Just plug it in effortlessly. It would look something like this:
I don’t want to insult the gurus behind the 3.0 design, but this should have been addressed.
We already have precedent with the USB 2.0 mini, which has a distinct shape which really takes the guesswork out of plugging-in. The same approach should have been taken with 3.0.
Guess we’ll have to wait for 4.0 or the USB successor.
EDIT: Some people were confused by this idea, and I apologize, I thought I was being pretty straight-forward. First off, ignore the Pentagon shape. I was just being stylish. But for the sake of continuity I will enlist it here:
Basically my design was to enable the USB 3.0 plug to be plugged in either of the two possible directions, and operate normally. Think of the two-pronged plug from your vacuum. You can plug it in either way in the wall without thinking and the vacuum will operate. That is what I am striving for here.
To drive the point home, I made this diagram above. The port would have two sets of contacts (laid out in a mirrored fashion) so the USB can plug in either way.
I don’t mind elaborating on my idea if you don’t understand, feel free to e-mail me and I will do my best to update my post.
