Archive for the ·
· Category...
You might remember earlier this month when I posted a MMD video that was created from a someone calling themselves Masataka. Apparently they’ve been doing a few of these on YouTube.
The one I’m posting above is called “Changing Intention” and was done early last year. I highly recommend you check out the rest of the videos here
Source: YouTube (masatakaP)
Eight years ago Jerry Koudelik (a.k.a. Sprite Monkey) created a parody of the video game “Secret of Mana”. Then in early 2008 he unexpectedly took a hiatus that would last over two years. Then last month he revived his site and has started posting new flash file episodes!
While it’s a bit old school in technology, I’d like to think that this comic along with comics such as 8-bit theater helped pave the way to abridged titles of today.
To visit this site of fine sprite animation (and pancakes) go to manatheater.com.
I stumbled onto this channel while posting the last entry. Like the Sakuya video, it was done with software called MikuMikuDance.
What I really like about this video is how clean the movement of the character is, not to mention the quality of the video overall. They have another character dancing to the same song on their channel (PatunStudio). It’s um… NSFW.
Banner removed to prevent malware infection. =(
I first found the trailer on Apple a few days after it began playing in theaters. The billboard scene always cracks me up.
I’ve posted one of their ads which not only features their trailer, but three clips from the movie, and locations where the movie is (and will be) playing.
A few weeks ago a friend showed me this skit on a famous website where people played an FPS and talked about the economy. As I sat there watching the whole thing I swear I could hear my brain screaming out loud from fear of exploding. While I understand that everyone (myself included) is trying their best to stand out amongst the crowd, I began to wonder if this was really the best the web could offer in reporting about the industry. Fortunately I got my answer today in the form of no. I got that answer from the (pasty) bad boy of video game reviews Yahtzee in a new show he’s trying to promote called Game Damage.
For all the bells and whistles that people are trying to pull, the concept is very simple. Three guys sit down in front of a camera and have a creative and constructive discussion about the industry. They throw in a witty skit from time to time to break things up. They’re also not afraid to not hold back any punches, and give their honest opinions about a subject.
Unlike other shows where people just jabber away while playing games, I actually felt like my brain was being fed. The show has a very clean look to it, and it doesn’t look like a bunch of guys just threw it together. For now the trio is looking for sponsorship and hopes of being picked up by network. You can check out their pilot video at the top, or for more information go to gamedamage.net.
As much as I enjoy promoting unknown companies that are starting or branching out, this next post actually hits closer to home than before. Today, IROIROMODE announced that they will be releasing a new magazine called Now Loading. This is an independently published magazine that explore the video game industry and the faces behind its grand success today. The magazine also promises to cover Asian pop-culture trends, gadgets, conventions, and music, making this the all-around gamer lifestyle magazine. Here are two excepts from the press release:
The initial January issue will be available mid-December to kickoff the new 2009 year. The digital copies will be available online at a retail price of $2.99, while offering annual subscriptions at $9.95 – 72% off the cover price. Gamers looking to obtain hard copies can get single issues delivered at the cover price of $5.99 and $19.95 for annual subscription – also 72% off the cover price.
“We recognize that online media, such as blogs and their real-time processing of information, are proving to be the surpassing media over print,†says Cameron Sampson, Editor of Now Loading, “however, the combination of quality editorial and design still can’t be matched. Why not offer the best of both worlds?â€
To find out more about the magazine, go to nowloadingmagazine.com
Source: IROIROMODE
While I was roaming around in the Dealer’s Room, I had a brief conversation with Kaila Yu, who was there promoting her fledgling company “Hello DRAMA!!” Based in West Hollywood, the online beauty started her line of jewelry less than a year ago, making this convention her first stop.
Her designs can be summed up in four words, cute, dark, sexy and pink. A combination that has its roots stemmed from the streets of Harajuku and has grown throughout the world. Although it is less than a year old, she already had a modest amount of jewelry available, ranging from frilly bows with skulls to purple hearts laced like lingerie.
To check out Kaila Yu’s store, go to hellodrama.net
When I arrived early to a panel this weekend, I came across this group calling themselves “Just Kidding Films”. They are an all Asian group that makes fun of narrow minded thinking in hopes of bringing people together. They also pride themselves on their improvisation, as most of their material comes to them while they are filming. In the video below the two co-stars take a deep and hilarious stab at gangsters and their way of thinking. Their level of humor can be a little coarse so consider this NSFW.
This next company I happened to stumble onto this company while I was in the back of the Dealer’s room. It’s called WizardArmor.net. They originally started a few years ago and are currently based in Mission Viejo, just south of Los Angeles County.
For now, the company’s sole product is an small assortment of T-shirts with their theme based on Video Game and Internet references. Knowing the risks involved in the venture, the young group spent their first year selling their shirts along side several well known t-shirts like “O RLY” owl. However, when they started noticing that their own line began to outsell before the more commonly known ones they, knew they had a good thing going.
After a brief discussion with one of the staff members, I learned that their biggest challenge seemed to be finding affordable fabric to begin with, especially when it came to the girl’s baby doll tees. Still it doesn’t look like their search was in vain as their prices are competitively low, ranging from $12.99 to $14.99 – personally my favorite is the one with the wizard with a casting bar below him saying “Don’t interrupt Me… I’m Casting!”. You have no idea how often I’ve said that to my own screen.
There are a few issues I spotted on the web here and there. For one I noticed that in order to see their catalog, you must indirectly go to there by selecting one of the shirts on the front page and then slightly backtrack into the catalog using the link in the upper left hand corner. I was also having trouble finding a size that I could fit into (I’m a 2XL). I managed to get a hold of the staff one more time before posting this article. They said even though they don’t have any shirts in those sizes right now, they do plan to have most of the styles available in the near future. They continued their statement saying that because the larger sizes are more expensive and smaller demand, they will be sold at a higher price, around three dollars more. Despite the increase in cost, the price of the shirts will still be less than some bigger companies. On a surprising note, they added that they are also in the middle of a site revamp. Well see how that goes. Overall, the people behind WizardArmor.net have a modest amount of shirts that any gamer would relate to and be want to wear. It should be interesting to see where their efforts will place them amongst their competitors.
I’ve posted a link in the picture above that will send you directly to their catalog page, or you can follow the link below to view their front page. In the event that the revamp affects either link, OmoshiroiBlog will do its best to keep you informed.
Source: WizardArmor.net
During my visit to the Dealer’s Hall last weekend, I happened to come across a company called BeKyoot Inc.. Originally founded in 2005, it is the mind child of one Christy Sanderson. Much like the cute and simplified characters Sanrio (Hello Kitty), she uses her own positive yet witty imagination to create characters based on the world around her. Supporting this endeavor with his business know how is Steve Houck, who first saw the potential in her artwork and has been backing it up with a high rate of success. Last but not least in this venture is the company’s product designer, seamstress and “resident Sypro Champ”, known to the world as Kendra.
Christy’s creativity is matched by her standards in high quality material. She told me that when she first started, she began by rummaging through her own closet, and looking at her own clothes. After narrowing down what she liked, she tracked down the original manufacturers, and began talking to them. At this point her shop carries an assortment of clothing and accessories such as shirts, aprons, hats, bags, hoodies and girls undies (o^__^o). The store also has a modest amount of apparel aimed towards guys, by taking into consideration features ranging from the color of the shirt to the way it’s cut.
What I liked about the company the most is, as it slowly expands beyond apparel, nothing feels half done or over rushed; no better example can be found than in the website. Going through each page, everything has a very uniform look, making it appear clean and easy to navigate, for the most part. The site also has a more casual feeling to it as a result of adding several wallpapers, the characters’ bios, a modded game of pong, forums, and gallery. Finally there is a webcomic called “Where the Cute Things Go“, that features some of the characters. Although the updates can be intermittent, the majority of the comics are stand alone and independent. Furthermore, when a continuation is in order, there is a conclusion shortly after it begins.
Although they do not have an official physical store open to the public, you are welcome to visit them at their office. If Houston seems like too much of a walk, you will be happy to know that most of their sales come from visiting anime conventions across the country. To look at their schedule, just click the image above, or go to their site at http://www.bekyoot.com to just start shopping.
- Pedro Rodriguez
Sources & Links: BeKyoot, Where the Cute Things Go