Sharon's Muse

Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 12/12/2008 11:42:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Dream Day Wedding: Married in Manhattan Game

Well, at least one online game producer has finally gotten a clue that the world is not some monoracial microcosm where everyone is the same race and culture. BigFish has come out with its latest version of the Dream Day hidden-object series entitled Dream Day Wedding: Married in Manhattan. This latest edition features two couples who are planning elaborate weddings in Manhattan, and, surprisingly, one of the couples is interracial (BW/WM). The reason I was surprised is because I rarely encounter people of color, let alone mixed-race couples, in the online games I play. And as I've posted before, when some games do feature people of color, the stereotypes are often blatant and offensive. The original Diner Dash comes to mind with its depiction of the irrationally angry black women diners.

That's why this game is a breath of fresh air. In addition to the game's object, which is to help your couple orchestrate their wedding by choosing a variety of flowers, cakes and gowns while searching for hidden objects in various New York backdrops, you also get to pick their back story. Each diary proffers three options as to how you want the their story to go; my couple, Rachel and Micah, met when she was running late for a presentation at her architectural firm. They hailed the same cab and decided to share, after which he asked to see her again. Their romance came to a culmination when she met his Jewish grandmother. A nervous Rachel wasn't sure how the grandmother would receive her, but Micah's grandmother told Rachel that love should always prevail and offered her own story about how her relatives didn't want her to marry someone Catholic. Instead of listening to the voices without, she listened to the voice within, which told her to marry the man she loved. After the meeting, Micah proposed to Rachel, offering his grandmother's ring. I'm not ashamed to say, I sorta misted up at that point.

I also had fun choosing the wedding items, which included an art deco cake, a traditional bouquet of white roses and baby's breath, and a beautiful ivory wedding gown. A series of mini games determined where the couple would spend their honeymoon, which, in this case, was Tahiti.

At the end of each game, you get to see your choices featured in a wedding album. Above are pictures from my couple's wedding, including the proud mother and father of the bride (so you know there's no racial ambiguity).

Even the makers of Diner Dash have come out with their own wedding game called Wedding Dash, and lo and behold, a few of the couples happen to be I/R featuring BW/WM. In the hour trial I played, I didn't see a BM/WW, so obviously the game isn't as progressive as it could be. Still, there's hope that future game producers will get a clue to the wide array of colors and cultures that are out there.

Update: I did find some screenshots of a BM/WW featured in Wedding Dash, so I sit corrected.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 7/26/2008 05:27:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

New Game - "Home Sweet Home"

For those of you who love HGTV, especially the room remodels like Divine Design and Designed to Sell, and who are looking for an interesting computer game, well I have found the perfect game for you. "Home Sweet Home" by Oberon Media gives the interior designer in you a chance to flex some design muscle. The premise is simple: you are a new designer signed on with an interior design firm owned by Dee Ziner (yeah, cute right?). She needs help with a list of new clients, each of whom has varied tastes and quirks about how they want their homes furnished. Some of your new clients will be straightforward in their requests while others will couch their wishes in puzzling language, including acrostics, anagrams, and pidgin languages.

You earn more money when you reach 100% customer satisfaction; as a matter of fact, you want be allowed to submit your plan until you reach the minimum level of satisfaction and the minimum number of furnishings needed. You're allotted different budgets for the various clients. Their are a variety of paints, wallpapers, carpets, floorings, furniture, accessories to choose from. Once you submit your plan, you are then introduced to the three workers (two men and a woman) who will build a room based on your specs.

The building phase will be your most frustrating point of the game because through a flurry of clicks and drags, you have to make sure your builders are equipped by dragging necessary tools to their avatars. Otherwise they will stop working on the projects and time is of the essence as you're given only a matter of days to finish. Other impediments are their rapidly decreasing energy levels which you can boost by dragging a coffee pot over their avatar. If you don't give them coffee in time, they will take a long coffee break and leave their projects. And projects become "undone" in a matter of seconds. To complicate matters further, each worker has a color assigned to them (pink, green and blue) and assigned furnitures will be outlined in their respective colors. The workers tend not to tire as fast when working on pieces assigned with their color.

However, you will soon notice that the color prompts quickly change even as the worker is building an item. What was once pink, green or blue can quickly change to another color. Workers tend to get injured when they are working on another worker's project. And thus the most irritating aspect of the game - you have to drag a first aid kit over the avatar in order to heal them, which should be simple except the screaming idiots are running around, making it that much harder to click on them and costing you valuable time. If you run out of the allotted days, you have to start the build phase over again.

The best point of the game is that you're given your own room to design for yourself and as you earn more money, you get to buy pricier furnishings which you can arrange and re-arrange to your liking. Also, take a pic for your album as you re-do a living room into a dining room into a media room, or whatever you want. (This version doesn't have bathroom, kitchen or bedroom furnishings; those are offered in a sequel game.) Check out my living room/media room pics:

Despite the minor frustrations, I really like this game. Ironically, I had wondered if a game existed where I could get in touch with my inner designer, and I just happened to find this on the MSN game page. I'm not one to give too many reviews, but if I were to assign "Home Sweet Home" a rating on a 5-star grid, I would have to give it a 3.5 or even a 4. It would have been a straight-up 5 if the designers had just allowed the player to design and build without trying to turn the game into an arcade game, because this game isn't geared toward the kiddies and adults have low frustration thresholds. Well, I know I do anyway.

You can download a trial version of the game at GameZebo.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 1/13/2008 10:58:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Tagged again

Danielle of Vagabond Dreams tagged me to offer 7 random facts about myself. Although I'm supposed to pass it on, I've already used up my goodwill with my last meme, so I'll just repost some of my quirks from an earlier meme. Hope that's sufficient. Here they go:

1. Love traveling, although do it rarely; have been to Vegas, Orlando, Waikiki, Dallas; would like to travel to Hong Kong, maybe Beijing, Paris and London

2. Have a quirky love for the smell of markers, paint and gasoline (don't ask)

3. Also quirky love of scratching materials (good nail massage)

4. Liked the following television shows: Buffy, X-Files, Roswell, Carnivale, Dead Like Me, Amazing Race, Six Feet Under, Eureka, Charmed, Cold Case, CSI (Vegas), Twilight Zone, Monk, most of the shows on Home Garden TV, almost every incarnation of Star Trek (unfortunately, a lot of these shows are kaput)

5. I am a major procrastinator, but when under the wire, can get stuff done

6. Love coffee ice cream, used to be a Mountain Due fiend (now Squirt fan), am definitely a carnivore (have hardly encountered a meat I didn't like)

7. Fav authors include Octavia Butler, Tananarive Due, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Childs, Guy Gavriel-Kay, Gary Braunbeck

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 11/06/2007 08:03:00 AM Permanent Link | | Home

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Saturday, August 11, 2007

Another fun quiz

Just to let you know, I for one have never thought of "feminist" as a dirty word. Damn proud to call myself that as well as a womanist.

You Are 92% Feminist

You are a total feminist. This doesn't mean you're a man hater (in fact, you may be a man).
You just think that men and women should be treated equally. It's a simple idea but somehow complicated for the world to put into action.

Are You a Feminist?

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 8/11/2007 01:51:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Monday, July 02, 2007

I'm back...

And no, I haven't been on vacation (can't even think of going on one of those anytime soon). I've been "away" taking care of business. Second Life business, specifically. For those of you who haven't read my previous entries, Second Life is a virtual community (not a game) where avatars meet, hang, do business and yes, sometimes fall in love, or at least lust.

Inspired by recent articles like this one, I've decided to test my entrepreneurial skills in the virtual world. I am also taking a page from author Kassia Kroszer of Booksquare, who recently wrote a post for RTB about her experiences in SL and how she uses it to promote her books. So, I've already set up a shop (there are primitives - "prims" - and textures to create anything and instructions onsite and on the web to guide you) where I have my book covers, which, when touched, gives a notecard with steamy excerpts. (It may be my imagination, but I've seen some spiking on Amazon for both books since I set up; previously, they had been seriously lagging). And another bit of good luck: I sought out author Diana Hunter who had commented on Kassia's post about her own experience in SL. Diana's online avi is named Diana Allandale, and has five bookstores, one of which will now be featuring my books also.

I initially joined SL as a "reporter" for a new publication about MMOG worlds. The ongoing assignment required that I familiarize myself with "the world" and find new and interesting topics to post. But the more I became acclimated, the longer I wanted to stay. And since I was hanging around anyway, why not buy land and open a store? Not only will I be promoting my books, but I hope to use my 3D art skills to parlay into selling articles like art and jewelry.

As for the other businesses on Second Life, I'm talking about the kind that generates real income. The online currency is called a linden; 268 lindens is equivalent to one U. S. dollar - and yes, that money can be moved into real life. The exchange may seem paltry, but if you read the linked article above, one woman who designs hair, clothes and skin textures for SL avatars began making about four times her salary (which was probably modest) within months, enough for her to quit her job. The opportunities in SL have brought in real life businesses, including Toyota, Wells Fargo, IBM and many more.

In SL, you'll find a little bit of everything. I found some churches, tabernacles even, where real services are broadcast. There are clubs looking for singers. Yes, online businesses are looking to hire real folk. Musicians and singers have given SL concerts, their avatars (modeled to look just like them) jumping around on real-looking stages. And authors like Dean Koontz have given readings.

Which leads me to this article. Authors are looking for new venues to market their books. For you authors out there looking to promote and find new readers, why not give it a try. If you just want to hang out, you don't have to be a member. In order to own land though, you can have a membership for about $9.90 plus $5.00 (land fees) monthly. Within hours, you can be up and running a new SL business where you can set up readings or talk to curious customers. There are ads you can place, and forums where you can advertise, too. And then, this world is all about networking. Hanging out in clubs (u can dance the night away), you can talk up your books with new friends.

And another perk: you can look like a million bucks. The clothes are slamming and always fit your perfect body. Also, you can get hair textures that mimic dreads and other Af-Am styles. Furnishings rival anything you'll find in real life. There are museums, art galleries, amusement parks. And yes, sex clubs (but I'll talk about those later - and note, there's much more going on than mere adventurous chat).

In other words, there is much to do in this second life, the least of which is earning some bucks. Not a bad thing, nosiree.

UPDATE: My latest look:

Labels: Fun and Games, Second Life

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 7/02/2007 06:38:00 AM Permanent Link | | Home

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Meet Elayne Janus

I finally gave in and joined Second Life, mainly for a possible freelance assignment. I have to report on the happenings in the online world, so I went ahead and created an avatar (pictured left). Elayne Janus is sassy, fun and having a ball (whenever the daggone game isn't crashing around her). The one thing I've found in this game as with my other alters from Entropia and Runescape is the level of aggressive flirting from the male players, something to discuss here on a later post.

As with Entropia, the money earned here can be transferred into the real world, which is why the IRS is scrutinizing these transfers closely. Also, avatars can own land and earn thousands of dollars through rents and leases. Profitable businesses have been created by citizens and real-life businesse

s like Cisco, IBM, Toyota as well as news services like Reuters have taken the plunge and joined SL. Authors Dean Koontz and George R. R. Martin have given virtual readings while musicians have performed live concerts; if these types of events provide successful returns, SLers can expect more of the same. Singer, Suzanne Vega, performed last August. (This SL Showcase shows the creation of her customized online guitar. Pretty neat.)

And even Jay-Z has been to SL along as a guest of avatar Jimmy Kimmel.

As for me, so far, all I've done is have fun dancing and shopping. Although SL provides other particular recreations that are even more popular. This particular world takes cybersex to a new level. On some of the islands are sex clubs where people can literally hook up. We're talking animated porn here. And there are sex workers now who perform for money - money that can be translated into real world currency. The sex life of Second Lifers has caught the attention of national publications like InformationWeek.

People have also found true romance on these sites and have married in real life as well as thrown virtual weddings.

Since ordinary citizens can do their own thing and run their own contests, I am seriously thinking about doing a book reading.

I tell you, virtual life is becoming a profitable fantasy. The one thing that really stings, though, is how much better-looking my avatars are than I am. Doesn't seem fair.

Below is a snippet from Vega's concert featured on YouTube:

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 6/12/2007 04:27:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Fun game

Play this memory game featuring art masterpieces.

MASTERCARDS

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 4/18/2007 06:44:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Cruel game...

...but kind of fun in a sick sorta way. Big metropolis + bigger magnifying glass = havoc. By the way, don't do this with ants.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 4/08/2007 09:35:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Monday, March 12, 2007

What Tarot Card Are You?

Another fun quiz.

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 3/12/2007 09:29:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Another fun quiz

What kind of jewel are you?

Pearl

Classic and lovely, you are exquisitely feminine.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 2/20/2007 08:18:00 AM Permanent Link | | Home

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Thursday, February 01, 2007

This is funny...

...until the police arrests your behind. My friend sent me this email and I thought I'd share:

If you are sitting next to someone who irritates you on a plane or train..

1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.
2. Remove your laptop.
3. Turn it on.
4. Make sure the guy who won't leave you alone can see the screen.
5. Close your eyes and tilt your head up to the sky.
6. Then hit this link:

http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf

I would recommend that no one really try this. Just look what happen with that Turner Cartoon Channel fiasco.

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 2/01/2007 11:12:00 AM Permanent Link | | Home

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Thursday, January 25, 2007

Revisiting MyHeritage

Last year (or maybe 2005), I found this site, MyHeritage, which features a facial recognition program that allows you to upload a photo of yourself and see which celebrities you resemble the most (at least according to whatever algorithm the site has set up). The results are tiered by percentages based on the strongest resemblance. Coming in at 73% my first time was Sharon Tate and my re-test shows the same results, including Natalie Wood (60%), Beyonce (54%) and Alyssa Milano (54%). Some new faces include Rosario Dawson (62%), Jennifer Beals (58%), and Patricia Velasquez (58%). The only two males I look like are Jukka Nevalainen (58%) and Dirk Nowitzki (55%); never heard of either one of them.

I had almost forgotten about this site until I spotted a MySpace page which featured a collage of the celebrity results. The site now lets you collage up to 4 celebrities from your results list. In the future, the site plans a face morphing feature which looks way cool.

Check out my collage. And you know I just had to include Beyonce even though I don't look a thing like her (or any of these lovely women). Basically, I look like my mother.

http://www.myheritage.com

Labels: Fun and Games

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Sharon Cullars Coffee Talk at 1/25/2007 04:51:00 PM Permanent Link | | Home

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