Thu
May
13
The future is rushing at us faster than ever…
Today in Nature, a group of researchers announced they’d successfully operated the first assembly line populated entirely by nanobots.
A release from Nature explains:
Nadrian Seeman and colleagues create a nanoscale ‘assembly line’, in which DNA walkers move past programmable DNA machines that can deliver ‘cargo’ (gold nanoparticles) to the walkers. In addition to four ‘legs’, the DNA walkers have three ‘hands’ that accept the cargo. The assembly line has three DNA machines, each of which holds a different type of cargo, and can be set either to transfer its cargo to the walker, or to withhold it. In this way, the nano-assembler can be programmed to produce eight (23) different ‘products’, all with usefully high yields.
[University of Wisconsin chemist] Lloyd Smith notes that the assembly line of Seeman and colleagues marks a milestone in DNA nanotechnology, in using ‘systems of nanomachines, rather than individual devices’ to perform an operation.
Full scientific article in Nature (via io9)
reblogged from 8-bithero:
Contents include:
-“Lucky 7” poker chips (from an in-game casino)
-Custom deck of cards
-Platinum “Lucky 38” poker chip
-“Making Of” DVD for the game
-“All Roads,” a hardcover graphic novel written by the games’ creative director with Dark Horse
-A totally awesome box
-The game (yes, this is an important one)
Three word summary: I need it.
Me too!
Tue
May
4
The Humble Indie Bundle
Five of the best Indie Games of recent years, any platform and name your price? All to raise money for charities…
Here’s how the Indie Games blog described it:
Is this the greatest indie gaming bundle ever? The Humble Indie Bundle contains five big indie releases, DRM-free, choose how much you pay for them, part of your payment goes to charity… yep, sounds like the real deal to me.
The five games in question are World of Goo, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD and Penumbra Overture. Altogether they cost a total of $80, but for the next 7 days they can be yours for any price you like. Part of your donation also goes to the Child’s Play and Electronic Frontier Foundation charities.
Get Yours Now!
Or, Why DSiware Pricing Sometimes Makes Me Go Whhaaatttt?
Or Also, You Should Be Playing AlphaBounce
Today’s DSiware releases for North America are pretty bland. But the one that stands out, and not due to its desirability mind you, is an Arkanoid-clone called “Bounce & Break”. Let me confuse you with its official description from a Nintendo press release…
In this Zen world, you will play in four different universes. Each universe is divided into four seasons. The best two scores are saved in the Top Ranking table. Be the best player to enter this Hall of Fame. There are two different game modes: classical and orientation. Depending on which mode that has been selected, the game’s rules will change slightly. There are many different bonuses that can be collected during the game.
Bounce & Break is a very standard Breakout game. If you’re so inclined, you can watch a video of it on the game’s official page at Nintendo. It’s essentially a mobile phone version of the genre, scaled across the two DS screens. Its also $5.00. Which is not a lot, but yet, in this case, its far too much. If I have decoded the press release correctly, there are only 16 levels! 16. Four worlds (universes), four seasons for each universe (levels).
The real issue here is that this game comes on the heels of another Arkanoid-clone which provides millions of levels and unique play for… $5.00. Released a month ago, AlphaBounce is a curious blend of block-breaking and simple RPG elements. Oh, and did I mention millions of levels? Yes, it’s kind of mind-boggling. You should be playing it.
The real curiosity is how these games are priced. I don’t want to dismiss Bounce & Break out of hand. It is what it is, and I’m sure there are DSi owners who wouldn’t mind having a little Breakout on their device. But AlphaBounce provides the gameplay of a retail release and might even be the best value to be had on the DSiware Store. For the record, I’m a little obsessed with AlphaBounce right now. I’ve already put a dozen hours into the game and am even working on a resource page.
Have you played AlphaBounce?
