Google Wave

Google Wave is a new tool for communication and collaboration on the web, coming later this year.

http://wave.google.com

The demo for Google Wave is pretty amazing. in HTML 5 it offers the ability to collaboratively communicate in real time and in a way that will supplant email and instant messaging while allowing users to broadcast the results. I'm a bit concerned about how backward compatible it is with existing email programs. The API is exciting as it allows easy extension. I think that once Orkut full integrates Google Wave Facebook should be afraid.

The new spell check is freakin amazing. It takes context into account. That imeediately makes me think about game design. Well, honestly, my first reaction is that this whole thing is already a game, but they've written some gadgets that are specifically games. Soduko, chess... these yurn in competitive experiences. But I think Wave could be the tool that jumpstarts a massive expansion in collaborative social gaming.

Five for Friday: iPhones, Kindles and internet safety programs for kids

Hey there-

Momcentral.com just recommended PaddyWhack!

"If this is something you do, check out the iPhone app Tic Tac Paddywhack, a cute take on the classic tic tac toe game for kids. Made with families in mind, you need two players so a child and their parent, friend or sibling can play together."

http://technology.momcentral.com/2009/05/five-for-friday-iphone-kindle-internet-safety-for-kids.html

Tic Tac Paddywhack review!

If you needed any more reason to download our new iphone game, the iPhoneMom.com has posted a glowing review of Tic Tac Paddywhack! Take a gander and read for yourself

http://www.theiphonemom.com/tic-tac-paddywhack

A Paddywhack LITE version will be on itunes soon!

Gamelab shuts it's doors

More sobering recession news - Gamelab closes it's main NYC office:

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23588

Here's a blast from the past: Moleculous

Continuing our 'Road To The IGF' feature, profiling and interviewing each of the
finalists in the 2006 Independent Games
Festival main competition, today's profile takes a look at SMERC, the
developers for the scientific puzzle game Moleculous, which is a finalist
for the Best Web Browser Game award at the 2006 IGF. The developers' description
of this educational puzzle quest to discover cold fusion explains:
"Strap on
your lab goggles and get your daily dose of science with Moleculous. Those messy
fossil fuels that everyone depends on are running out, and now it's up to you to
discover Cold Fusion before the world's energy supply disappears!"

The Gamasutra Article

Analyst: 8,450 Game Biz Workers Lost Jobs Since July 2008

Well this is sobering news:

8450 game industry professionals have lost their jobs since July 2008, says
independent market analyst Wanda Meloni.

In an article in Gamasutra's blogs section, Meloni says that 75 percent of
these, about 6300 employees, are
from North America, and the rest are from Asia and the UK.

Read more: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060309/hong_01.shtml

Petpet Park!!!!

Our MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online game) for Neopets is online and in open Beta testing! Sign up, or if you already have a Neopets account (and shouldn't everyone by now?) login to take a stroll around Petpet Park! Adopt a Petpet, play exciting multiplayer mini-games, challenge friends to a dance-off and whole lot more!

http://www.petpetpark.com/

Club Penguin Missed Multi-Million Dollar Earnout In 2008

Disney-owned virtual world Club Penguin fell short of earnings targets for 2008, meaning the three founders of the company will miss out on half of a $350 million earnout.But founders Lane Merrifield, Dave Krysko and Lance Priebe will wipe away their tears with the $350 million that Disney had already agreed to paid upfront when it bought kid-friendly Club Penguin in August 2007.

But founders Lane Merrifield, Dave Krysko and Lance Priebe will wipe away their tears with the $350 million that Disney had already agreed to paid upfront when it bought kid-friendly Club Penguin in August 2007.

Read more: http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23512