GeekSugar

Play This Video Game to Find a Job

Emily Co — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:11:44 PDT

Soon, we'll be resorting to the gaming world to find jobs thanks to Brayden Olson, 23, who started the company Novel, Inc. with the aim of changing the way employers and job seekers find each other.

Novel Inc.'s brainchild, a virtual reality game, is scheduled for release later this year and will have workplace simulations that will test the skills of candidates to see if the gamers suit the company. In fact, his idea has already won over big firms like Nike, Starbucks, and Alaska Airlines - Brayden is working with human resource executives from those companies.

I know the interviewing and filtering through resumes process isn't always perfect, so this simulation might give employers a better sense of who they are hiring. Sometimes, a person can be really skilled at interviewing, that a company can't sense the person is an unsuitable fit for the firm. It'll also work to the job hunter's advantage in that, he may realize ahead of time that the firm is not what he expected it to be and his abilities and background will be better suited elsewhere. What do you think of this idea?

Would You Ever Take a Geek-Themed Vacation?

GeekSugar — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:15:55 PST

Have plans for Halloween this year? Feel like taking a cruise? This October, the National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers is behind a cruise to the Bermuda triangle for gamers and video game fans. Packages start at just under $700 per person and include five days of cruising, costume contests, video game voting, and more.

I don't think I'd rule out a geek-themed vacation. After all, if John Mayer can sponsor a cruise for fans, why not gamers, too? Would you do it?

Microsoft Introducing Browser-Based Store For PC Gaming

Kristen Hawley — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:09 PDT

Starting Nov. 15, Windows users will be treated to a brand-new version of Microsoft's Games For Windows Marketplace, a browser-based store for purchasing digital copies of video games.

Over 100 game titles will be available at launch including popular favorites like Fable III, Gears of War, and Halo. Windows users can access the store from any PC and enjoy fast transfer and fewer clicks to purchase a game. Plus, the improved store features easier navigation and search and dedicated publisher pages for finding new titles.

Access the store via your Xbox Live gamertag, Zune tag, or Windows Live ID, and also use it to make new purchases and access prior purchases. Users should also keep an eye out for special "Deals of the Week," heavily discounting and promoting popular titles.

Geek Out: Would You Pay $130 For This Keyboard?

GeekSugar — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:00:06 PDT

There are some gadgets that have a justifiably high price, and there are some that, well, don't. Here's an example of one I'm torn over: Razer's Black Widow Gaming Keyboard, a mechanical keyboard that took three years to develop and comes in two models, an $80 standard mechanical keyboard, and a $130 Ultimate Version.

Find out more details about each and share your thoughts after the break.

Flash App Lets You Tattoo Message on Faceless Set of Boobs

TresSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:40:00 PDT

Racing game Dirt 2 launched yesterday, and to promote it, the creators decided to create a Flash app called Dirty Tats that allows you to tattoo a message - on the image of a faceless, nameless woman's breasts.

For the sake of experimentation only, I tried it out, and it was alternately creepy, infuriating, and pathetic. As I decided how I wanted to scrawl my message on a pair of boobs (lettering, text, or script), I was admonished for taking too long by the faceless torso ("I hope you're handy with a tattoo gun. I thought you were fast!") as her bosom undulated in a disconcerting way.

It may seem so obvious to call out objectification, but what else could it be when parts of a woman's body accompanied by a disembodied voice are used to promote a product that has nothing at all to do with the product itself? Well, what else besides lame, I mean.

"Noob" May Be Added to the Dictionary: PWN to Follow?

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:45:17 PDT

Once used to describe new recruits during WWII, the word "noob" (aka n00b) has emerged from the gaming community and into the Internet and beyond (beyond includes jewelry), to describe anyone who is new or green somewhere, often with negative connotations.

It's become more and more well-known to the general public, rather than just the provenance of the MMORPG community, and it's possible its usage is about to skyrocket: the word noob may be the next word to be added to the English dictionary.

If this news from the Global Language Monitor is true, noob will not just be a legitimate word, it'll also be the one millionth - quite a feat for a word that's usually spelled with two zeroes.

Daily Tech: Google's Quick Search Box Comes to IE

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:32:50 PST

Windows users can now access Google's Quick Search Box by installing the Google Toolbar in Internet Explorer. - Lifehacker
Here's a helpful list of 10 reasons to buy a Kindle 2 and 10 reasons not to. - CrunchGear
With the current economic situation and global environmental issues, primary focus is now on renewable energy, especially geothermal energy. - Forecast Earth
Here's a new one. Some people who have been playing PlayStation for three or more hours a day are getting a skin disorder which consists of blisters on their hands and feet. - Switched
Designer Harold Terosier has created this Product Red MP3 Player concept device, which features recycled plastic, Bluetooth, a dock station, and a USB port. - Yanko Design

The Tokyo Game Show Kicks Off Tomorrow!

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:01:05 PDT

Fall is the best time of year for games, not only because it's crunch time for holiday releases, but because of all the yearly gaming conferences! And the biggest one of the year is about to start - the Tokyo Game Show!

Although I couldn't travel to the Land of the Rising Sun for the annual game blowout, I'll still be doing my best impression of being there to round up all the hot and juicy gaming news this expo has to offer. From Capcom to Konami, from games to music, everyone is showing their stuff this week. I can't wait to see what's in store.

What are you looking forward to in gaming this year? Tell us in the comments below!

Do You Play Games on Your iPod/Media Player?

GeekSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:30:34 PDT

With all the ways I could keep myself occupied on the train to and from work – like playing games on my DS, my iPhone, and my PSP – I guess I just plain forgot that I had games on my iPod!

I found myself stuck on the train the other morning after just realizing that I forgot not only my DS, but my iPhone too! It was like I was missing an arm I tell you. To add to the pain, our subway system here is known to run pretty slow during rush hour, and this was one of those days. While I was standing there fidgeting, I realized I still had my iPod, and then remembered that I had a few games on there that could occupy my time while the train was making its way to the station. Granted it wasn't as fancy and involved as Lego Indiana Jones, or Lost, but Solitaire did the job well.

Do you still play games on your iPod or media player?

Source

My Coveted WipEout HD Delayed Due to Failed Epilepsy Tests

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:01:01 PDT

I was looking forward to seeing WipEout HD at this year's E3 Summit (since I have had this futuristic racer on my wish list for months), and was kinda bummed when it wasn't shown during Sony's panel discussions. We were told it's because the sleek game was being "packed with extra features," and while that may be true, what might be more true is that the title is failing epileptic seizure tests left, right and center!

The game, which is packed with flashy neon lights and fast moving tracks, has had troubles making it past "go" with testers saying that Wipeout HD "fails the epilepsy tests so much that it has to be re-engineered." No final date was set for WipEout HD's release on the Playstation Network, but Sony Europe's CEO David Reeves says he "thinks" it will hit the market by the end of the year. Bummer!

Source