Celestial Bodies, an experiment in Parametric game design.

I love Thingiverse. I love being able to download stuff and then actually make something from a downloaded file.  I especially love the parametric designs that people come up with.  Just by changing a few number around you can end up with something that is drastically different from what you started with.   Maybe even different from what the designer thought of.   It was this emergent design property that got me thinking, "What if I applied the principal idea behind parametric objects to game design?"  Game Developers are always looking for ways to create emergent behavior in their games. Why not? Creating emergent behaviors in a game lends to the verisimilitude of the game word, it adds depth to play mechanics, and allows the player to become more engaged in a game.  All of this while not requiring that lazy developer to lift a finger.  In fact separation from the developer is what makes emergent game behaviors... emergent.  Games like Little Big Planet, Mod Nation Racers, Minecraft, and Line Rider all thrive on the idea of emergent behavior as a cornerstone of their game design.  This is something that we commonly see in videogames especially online games, which leads me to Celestial Bodies.  One of my goals with Celestial Bodies was to leverage the internet connectivity of the 3D printing process, to create an emergent behavior ecosystem similar to the ecosystem that games like Little Big Planet and Minecraft enjoy.    By using the awesome power of thingiverse I am able to allow people to create their own game assets.  By creating their own game assets people create new ways to play,  keep themselves involved in the game, and offer free advertising when they show people their creations.   But most important of all it keeps the game fresh and fun.

Prediction Time!

I have been thinking about this and I think I may be onto something here. I think the iPad 2 will have 3d capabilities. Either via glasses or without.  Why would I think such a thing? Allow me to bring out my friend  "The Bullet"

• Apple is already rumored to be working on a 3d iPod.
• The rumored resolution on the new iPad is 2 times that of the original iPad. 
• There is no content for such a high resolution.
• 3DS

If I'm right you have to bookmark me. That's how the internet works right?

Related articles

• More iPad 2 rumors - SD slot and dual GSM/CDMA chipset (edibleapple.com)
• Apple rumor mill: The iPad2 getting a dual-core GPU, Retina Display (zdnet.com)
• Latest iPad 2 case has new hole suggesting Mini DisplayPort slot (geek.com)
• Apple iPad 2 to Come with a Costly Display & Vibrating Motor? (devicemag.com)
• iPad 2 specs starting to take shape (tuaw.com)
• iPad 2 rumored to have high-res screen, two cameras (teleread.com)

Rock Band instruments on the iPad

Video of how to connect your Rock Band 3 Pro instruments to the iPad using Korg i-MS. If you like this flattr it. Just click the button below.

Wearable 3d Print Contest!

I have been on the 3d printing bandwagon for about 6 months now. It's been a wild ride and it's about to get wilder.  I have come across a few articles about 3d printed fabrics and FDM high fashion but none of them seem to share files.   This places 3d printed fashion out of reach.

Until now. (Imagine that in the voice of the guy who announces for the movies)

Announcing the first Wearable 3d Print contest.
The contest runs till the end of February.
The winner will get 50$ from Linkreincarnate(Money Order)
50$ from  Makerbot.  (Yay Zach!)
50$ from trebuchet03 (in the PP3DP forums)
plus anything else that gets added to the prize pool. 
Feel free to Flattr this contest. All proceeds will be given away as prize money.

If we have enough people donate to the pool we may add a second and third place prizes depending on what the people who donate want.  People who donate to the prize pool can vote for a winner (or  waive that vote for the right to enter the contest yourself).  I would rather people donated money but gift cards or actual stuff is fine too.   To ensure no one calls foul the people who donate will be responsible for shipping the prize that they donated themselves.  I will never have any prize other than the 50$ money order in my possession.

The rules are simple,

• Make something wearable.
• Post your designs on Thingiverse as a Public Domain license with the word Wearable somewhere in the title. Also tag it with wearable so it's easy to find.
• Post your design files.
• Only post stuff that works.  (Ie you know it prints and the files are tidy.)
• Also entries must be wearable by a normal person, gnomes and lolcats need not apply.
• Enter as often as you like. 
• Feel free to enter past works so long as design files are shared and it is Public Domain.

Guidelines for winners...(you can still win while ignoring the following...)

• The bigger the better.
• Bonus points for 3d printable fabric or snap together type designs.
• Minimal vitamins (including cut filament because not everyone uses 3mm filament now)
• Avoid rings, earrings, and pendants unless it is truly EPIC (There are a lot of them already)
• Try to make something you would actually wear in public. (or a runway)  Scale mail is nice but you'll never have a girlfriend while choosing to wear it... not to say that scale mail couldn't win depending on who's doing the voting...

Something awesome

Please, everyone, take a moment to click on this link  www.http://kck.st/ibv3iQ.  It’s the most Earth-shatteringly awesome noun to happen to gaming since the 1980s.  It’s something new.  It’s something cool.  It’s a bunch of really cool things masterfully put together into one super-cool device.  If you’re a gamer, you will want this.  If you’re not a gamer, a gamer you know will want this.  This is the most perfect Christmas present ever.  If you love technology, you will salivate, but that’s completely okay and normal.