John August

Videogames

Making the original Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia, Videogames

Jordan Mechner, my friend and collaborator on several projects, has a [terrific post-mortem](http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014634/Classic-Game-Postmortem-PRINCE-OF) on his original Prince of Persia videogame over at the GDC Vault. If you’re interested in game design, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The videogame world is still so young that the study and analysis of its history is largely in the hands of its creators. I wonder how long that will last.

Here’s the test, I guess: Who will be the first person to make a living as a full-time videogame theorist? Not a reviewer or industry pundit, but the guy who creates context in articles entitled, “The Side-Scroller and the Dissolution of Self.”

Videogames are certainly a legitimate field of critical study. But I wouldn’t want to lose the primacy of hearing pioneers talking about what they did and why.

Netflix streaming to PlayStation 3

The Nines, Videogames

Sony and Netflix [announced today](http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/netflix-coming-soon-to-playstation-3/) that starting next month, you’ll be able to use Netflix’s “watch instantly” feature through the PlayStation 3. After spending its life banished to the garage office, this change might finally get my PS3 a place in the main house.

Netflix streaming is already available on XBox (Gold), Roku, and a few other devices. I’ve read interviews with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings talking about his goal of making it ubiquitous, and this seems like part of that plan.

[The Nines](http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Nines/70066350) has been streaming for a few months now through Netflix. While I don’t get viewer numbers, a scan of Twitter shows that a lot of people are watching it this way. It’s legal, legit, and actually lets filmmakers get paid.

The Nines on Amazon VOD

Projects, The Nines, Videogames

The Nines is [now available](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012F23TS/sr=8-1/qid=1231002131) through Amazon’s video-on-demand, with options for download or streaming within the browser window. It’s very straightforward, and I’m always happy for another outlet.

But it costs $14.99. That’s simply too much.

Amazon sells the physical DVD with all the special features for the same price, at considerably more cost to the retailer. They have used copies for as little as $2.04.

Obviously, the advantage of online viewing is that you can watch the movie immediately. For that purpose, iTunes has it priced at $9.99, which not only suits the title but feels like a more appropriate price. ([iTunes link](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=274169170&s=143441))

I don’t get any advance notice when the movie will be showing up in different venues, so if you spot it somewhere else, let me know. I’m particularly curious what the options are outside the U.S.

Trifecta

News, Projects, Shazam, Videogames

The combination of family travel, lingering illness and Fallout 3 has kept me away from the blog this week, but I should be back to a normal schedule beginning Sunday.

There’s actual news, including my next writing project and an update (post-mortem?) on Shazam!. Plus, I really want to write something about [this misguided memo from Thomas Kinkade](http://www.vanityfair.com/online/culture/2008/11/14/thomas-kincades-16-guidelines-for-making-stuff-suck.html) reprinted in Vanity Fair. It’s a good cautionary tale.

(Update: Fixed spelling of Kinkade’s name. Thanks Matt Redd.)