Nostalgic for computer games?

Well I was after talking about Speedball 2 on the iphone yesterday, and I wasn't feeling 100% today (thanks to M for the dodgy tummy, it's great fun...) so I was looking around on wikipedia and the web and came across "Cannon Fodder" - from the guys at Sensible Software. This was a great game, another one I was very fond of on the Amiga.

It's downloadable, and according to this link, it's freeware*. Great fun, really, as you lead a small squad of small-looking soldiers through a map, throwing grenades and dodging rockets - planning for one squad to cover while another moves. It's all very simple really, and that's what makes it such fun. Infuriating too, at times, as it can take many attempts to get a level finished off if you're impatient, or no good at driving jeeps full of your squad.

So take it for a download it's only 1 Mb and great fun. Nostalgia is free and enjoyable!


*(if it's not, I apologise and will remove the link).

Trying to blur the lines betwen reality and silicon based lifeforms...

I came across a news story yesterday, which mentions the case of a young man who has been sentenced to death in Alabama in the US after murdering 3 policemen. Almost unthinkably, the defendant attempted to use a defence based on influence exerted on him by playing computer games, apparently Grand Theft Auto 3 chiefly among them.

Aside: Grand Theft Auto is a game wherein the player takes part in criminal activity generally involving homicide, gun crime and vehicular rampage in order to further his position within the gang system inherent in the game.

Of course, as an occasional and one-time frequent computer game player, I have never killed anyone nor considered it right to do so based on what I'd seen on the monitor in front of me. (no doubt many of you are relieved....) Nor indeed on things seen on the television, or even read (heavens forbid) in books, and the books can be worse than the computer games and telly.

I'm glad (but also gladly unaffected) by the decision of the court in this case not to accept that defence. Naturally I'm saddened at the sentence (it being capital in this case) but if a defence like that were to become legal precedent we'd be in awful trouble.

Interestingly, the family of the defendant in this case is pursuing the creators and vendors of the game in a civil action. We should watch that space.

More Chess!

This victory was satisfying because firstly it took a while to win, and secondly the opponent irritatingly asked me to play quicker, a number of times. Some books must be mentioned soon, I have quite a stack since I last noted them!

Play chess online!

Scribble - A game like lemmings. I find this fun.

Prey.

I've just finished a game called "Prey," which is a First Person Shooter with a twist - literally. Manipulate gravity as you battle against, yes you've guessed it, nasty aliens. Kill them all, and you win. And it's fun, too! Some interesting weapons, excellent graphics, and the gravity thing mucking with your head throughout the game add up to a very atmospheric game, and a real feeling of achievement finishing it. Recommended by both of my thumbs.

In other news, I'm happy today. For some reason.