PC Mechanic, New Article

BREAKING: First NASA Meeting With Mars Delegation A Complete Success

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:00 AM PDT

After many months of planning, the first intergalactic summit was held at Kennedy Space Center with the Mars Delegation; our first contact with alien species from another planet.

Upon the Mars Delegation’s arrival, which comprised of two individuals, senior space delegation official Burton Mercer noted that the two were well dressed for the occasion in black suits, white shirts, black ties and proper hats.

The first order of business was of course the food. When asked what the aliens would like to eat, the first replied:

"Four whole fried chickens, and a Coke."

The second replied:

"White toast. Dry."

They were served immediately.

bluesmobile After the meal, it was asked of the delegation why their spaceship looked exactly like a 1974 Dodge Monaco.

They replied, "We found it for sale at a Mount Prospect auction. They were practically giving them away."

Shrewd businessmen, to be sure.

When asked why they chose now to meet with us, they replied, "We’re on a mission from God."

See the full report here for the complete discussion with the Mars Delegation.

Post from: PCMech. Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On And Live The Digital Lifestyle.

BREAKING: First NASA Meeting With Mars Delegation A Complete Success

A Quick List Of All-Audience-Friendly Good Games

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 07:00 AM PDT

There’s been some really good commentary on this article concerning games for the over-30 crowd, so I figured it would be good to actually list off some decent games not only for them but also for everyone else.

Vector Tanks

For: Apple iPhone/iPod Touch
Where?: Search for it in the App Store

If you own an iPhone, I consider this a mandatory app to have installed. See video below. ‘Nuff said.

Braid

For: PC, Mac, Xbox LIVE
Where?: http://store.steampowered.com/app/26800/

Braid is one of the highest-rated games in the Steam store. It is a "puzzle platformer" that not only has great puzzles but is also just plain beautiful throughout. Even the music is great. This puzzle game has both form and function down to a science, but you won’t notice that as you’ll be too busy enjoying the gameplay.

Entanglement

For: Any computer with a modern browser
Where?: http://gopherwoodstudios.com/entanglement/

This is a 100% free browser-based casual game. The goal is to make the longest path possible from the blocks you’re given.

Zork-like

For: Many different types of computers

Zork is a text adventure game, otherwise known as interactive fiction or IF for short.

One of the be-all/end-all places for IF is The Interactive Fiction Archive.

There are a million and one ways to do IF, so it’s suggested that in addition to the link above, look at these search results for interactive fiction. You’ll find there’s a ton of stuff out there on the subject – including annual IF competitions.

An important thing to know about independent IF is that not every story is a masterpiece. Periodically you’ll come across a stinker or two, but that’s okay because obviously not everyone can write a Zork. You can read reviews here to get an idea of what to expect.

If you’ve never delved into the world of IF before, start here. It’s all in-browser and doesn’t get any easier concerning the IF genre. For those that remember, at the very bottom of that page is Adventure. Yes, the original from 1976.

Post from: PCMech. Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On And Live The Digital Lifestyle.

A Quick List Of All-Audience-Friendly Good Games