// constants
        const numPegs = 5;
        const numColors = 5;
        const maxTries = 10;
        const horizOffset = 30;
        const vertOffset = 60;
        const pegSpacing = 30;
        const rowSpacing = 30;
 
        // game play variables
        var solution = new Array();
		var solutionButtonArray;
        var turnNum;
 
        // references to display objects
		var buttonImages = new Array("img/cbBlack.png","img/cbGreen.png","img/cbYellow.png","img/cbPurple.png","img/cbRed.png", "img/cbBlue.png" );
        var currentRow = new Array();
        var currentText;
		var currentButton;
	    var mainIds = 0;
		var myButton;
		function startGame() {
			for(var i =0;i<numPegs;i++) {
				// random, from 0 to 4
				var r = Math.floor(Math.random()*numColors) + 1;
				solution.push(r);
			}
			turnNum = 0;
			createPegRow();
		}
 
	   function createPegRow(start) {
		   solutionButtonArray = new Array();
		   if(start == undefined){
		   $('#cbMainGame').html("");
		   }
		   var cbButton1 = '<div class="divCButton" id="div';
		   var cbButton2 = '" onclick="clickButton(this)"><img id="img';
		   var cbButton3 = '" alt="0" src="img/cbBlack.png" /></div>';
		   var mainWrapper1 = '<div class="mainWrapper">';
		   var mainWrapper2 = '</div>';
		   $('#cbMainGame').append(mainWrapper1);
		   var btnFinished = '<div class="imgButton" id="divButtonFinished';
		   var btnFinished2= '"><center><div class="mainButton" id="divButtonDone';
		   var btnFinished3= '" onclick="executeGameQuery(this)"><span id="spnMainButton">Done</span></div></center></div>';
	   	   currentRow = new Array();
		   for(i=0;i<numPegs;i++) {
				$('#cbMainGame').append(cbButton1+mainIds+cbButton2+mainIds+cbButton3);
				solutionButtonArray.push("img"+mainIds);
				mainIds++;
			}
			$('#cbMainGame').append(btnFinished+mainIds+btnFinished2+mainIds+btnFinished3+mainWrapper2);
	   }
 
	   function clickButton(clicked){
		   var myButton = clicked;
		   var img = $(clicked).find('img');
		   var imageToChange = img[0].alt.toString();
		   if(imageToChange == 6){
			imageToChange = 0;   
		   }
		   //console.log(imageToChange);
		   $("#"+img[0].id).attr("src",buttonImages[parseInt(imageToChange) + 1]);
		   $("#"+img[0].id).attr("alt", parseInt(imageToChange) + 1);
	   }
 
	   function executeGameQuery(mainButton){
		   var buttonClicked = mainButton;
		   var changeThis = buttonClicked.id;
		   var currentColorList = new Array();
		   var colorList = new Array(0,0,0,0,0);
		   var soltionList = new Array(0,0,0,0,0);
		   changeThis = $("#"+changeThis).parent().parent();
		   //console.log(changeThis);
		   var numberCorrect = 0;
		   var numberColorsCorrect = 0;
		   turnNum++;
		   for(i=0; i<numPegs; i++){
			   currentColorList.push($("#"+solutionButtonArray[i]).attr("alt"));
			   $("#"+solutionButtonArray[i]).parent().removeAttr("onclick");
		   }
		   for(i=0; i<numPegs; i++){
			  if(currentColorList[i] == solution[i] ){
				  numberCorrect++;
			  }else{
				  soltionList[solution[i]]++;
				  colorList[parseInt(currentColorList[i])]++;
			  }
		   }
		   for(i=0; i<numColors; i++){
			   var test = Math.min(soltionList[i],colorList[i]);
				numberColorsCorrect = numberColorsCorrect + Math.min(soltionList[i],colorList[i]);
			}
		   $("#"+buttonClicked.id).remove();
		   if(numberCorrect == numPegs){
		   $(changeThis).html('You Got It!<br/><div class="imgButton"><center><div onclick="startGame()" id="divButtonDone5" class="mainButton"><span id="spnMainButton">Play Again</span></div></center></div>');
		   }else if(turnNum == maxTries){
			   $(changeThis).html('I regret to infrom you just lost next time do it quicker! <br/><div class="imgButton"><center><div onclick="startGame()" id="divButtonDone5" class="mainButton"><span id="spnMainButton">Play Again</span></div></center></div>');
 
		   }
		   else{
		   $(changeThis).html("Correct Spot: "+numberCorrect+", Correct Color: "+numberColorsCorrect);
		   var start = true;
		   createPegRow(start);
		   }
	   }
$(document).ready(function() { 
$('#cbMainGame').append(startGameHTML);						   
});

Launch Game / Download Code

I have also been spending some time playing around with Alchemy last post I displayed some examples of RayCasters the old style 3d of Games like Wolfenstien and Doom.  In short most of the raycasters out their follow this example this example is a c++ example and Adobe has a project in their labs called Alchemy.  Alchemy allows you to port existing C/C++ to ActionScript.  Which is really cool but also extremely difficult to do:)  Right now I need to rewrite a chunk of it that uses SDL lib an old library that was used to create most video games years ago.  I searched to see if someone was doing something similar and sure enough someone is Bruce Jawn.  He informed me that instead of using SDL I need to pass it to the screen buffer as a byte array.  So that is currently what I am trying to do he also mentioned posting his Make file under Google code in the near future.  Hopefully he does I have also noticed haXe has an SDL wrapper.  This might also be useful to study RayFaster2 this is a RayCaster built with haXe that is super fast.  Their are numerous examples of RayCasters written in ActionScript but I am looking for speed.  I might think about also just writing one from scratch and implementing a JavaScript version of it as well.  I could have spent this weekend working on my new portfolio but unfortunately I didn’t do that:(  I will have to extend it deadline beyond the 4 days time limit once again:(

As technology progresses we will see more and more people using thin-client systems again.  They will store data in the cloud and mobile devices will proliferate and rapidly change the landscape of personal computing small is the new big.  Our cell phones will morph into powerful desktop like devices(oh and this is predictable just study Moore’s_law) only they fit in our hand and can go with us.  Our input devices will all change we will have small projectors on our cellphones they will project screens and pusedo keyboards that we can place on any surface.  Competition will drive new innovations and the consumer will win.  It won’t be just Microsoft vs. Apple it will be all out war for Microsoft, Google, Apple, IBM, and Oracle all competing creating new products and new markets.  Social Networks are the new email the way we think of email has already changed most people communicate on a variety of social networks email etc..  Print is dead stick a fork in it already.  Mobile books will only be improved and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Apple actually does come out with a revolutionary tablet in the next year and utilize iTunes to also sell subscriptions this will kill magazines, I don’t know about you but I think they take up too much space.  I want one device clean smooth organized (my wife will like that too because my books/magazines take up more than one room).  The world of broadcasting will drastically change when Youtube comes up with a subscription service your TV area all ready on their way to being big thin clients.  Check out what adobe is working on with their Digital TV – Flash initiatives.  The mobile internet is the future people won’t need these stogy old big machines!  Everyone has a cellphone think of the traffic that will generate on the web.  Traffic on the web will go through the roof in the next few years.  When you speed up communication you speed up innovation and the next few years will be exciting!  If you think the internet has caused some disruptive changes for business models you haven’t seen anything yet.  Our audience is not even born yet.

While were on the subject matter of making small the new big why not throw in old is the new new?  Yes I too love oxymoron’s and non-sequitur’s. I would also like to point out a trend here the big players like Adobe, Microsoft, and Google are making it easier for developers to port existing code over to their run-time environments.  Adobe has a project called Alchemy and if you haven’t played around with it I would recommend doing so.  Alchemy will allow you to take existing C/C++ code and convert it to swc (compiled ActionScript libraries).  It is wickedly powerful you will notice below I actually have a compiled version of Doom running in flash.  This was made possible by Mike at New Grounds he ported over the code and currently has it hosted on GitHub for download.  The only thing you have to do to build it is install and configure Alchemy!  Ok well who cares your porting old stuff and placing it on the web, so what.  That’s just it!  Its on the web and running on a website where anyone anywhere with an internet connection can take advantage of it.  If it is not blantely obvious let me point out the fact that in 10 years most people will not work on a desktop all of their applications will be cloud based and available to mobile devices the glue that holds everything together will be the internet, not the operating system.

BabbelFish for Code? I think the future fracturing of mobile devices and operating systems will lead to the need for more tools that allow developers to choose their language of choice and then simply export to the specific platform this makes more sense.  Developers and Businesses will want one code base and they want they will want the ability to target whatever platform they want in the mobile area without having to hire tons of highly specialized people for one project.  Developers will also like being able to port their projects to different platforms!  I believe the compiler gurus will open things up for the rest of the developers.  Check out projects like haXe and jsc.  Their are other projects similar popping up all over on Code Run you can convert C# to JavaScript.  I also find it interesting that both ActionScipt3 and C# will be able to compile directly to the iPhone.

As things move forward we will do all our work in the cloud.  If you scan the web you will start to see web IDE being created here are a few ingesting projects Code Run, WonderFL,Appcelerator, and Bespin.  I really like the idea of social coding it is definitely an idea that intrigues me.  Just think if the IDE was in the cloud you wouldn’t need to download all those pesky code libraries they would all be there already.  Projects would update at a much quicker rate than they currently do. 

Click here to launch Doom in Flash!

Here is the skinny you will be able to purchase a Wii November 19 for only $250! The Wii comes with a sleek interface that will supply channels the channels will allow you to interact with other nintendo fans, display photos, surf the web (with Opera that has flash enabled), create and avatar etc..

Detail of Channels

Mii Channel

Fun 3-D caricatured portraits of users, or Miis, created in this channel can be used on characters across a variety of Wii software. In addition to storing Miis on the Wii, several Miis can be stored in a user’s Wii Remote and taken to a friend’s house to play on another Wii console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote personalized with their own Mii.

Photo Channel

This channel allows users to retrieve digital pictures from an SD memory card inserted into the Wii console and display them on their television screen. Users also can manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as zooming into details or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. Users can even add an MP3 tune from their SD memory card to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for people to edit and show off their digital pictures.
Users can access free local weather forecasts after turning on the Wii console. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates local weather information.

News Channel

Users can access the most up-to-date breaking news from around the world, organized into a variety of topical categories. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free channel.

Wii Shop Channel

This is where users go to download video game content, including classic video games originally played on the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and NEC TurboGrafx platforms. Here the users may buy Wii Points with a credit card or redeem a Wii Points Card purchased at retail to add points to their account, then redeem points to download these Virtual Console games. Users also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.

Virtual Console Channel

After users download Virtual Console games from the Wii Shop Channel, each game will appear in the Wii Channel Menu as its own Virtual Console Channel. To play the game, users simply select the game’s channel.
Internet Channel

This channel dramatically changes the relationship between a user’s home, the television and the Internet. Users download the Opera browser with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television program ("What was that actor’s name again?"), or book travel plans and shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia Flash and also runs AJAX software.

Wii Message Board

Forget hand-scrawled notes tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.

Disc Channel

This channel allows users to play either Wii game discs or any of the entire library of Nintendo GameCube discs.

Wii also has an excellent lineup!

Just look @ this video from Marvel Universe Ultimate Alliance just one of many titles to be released!

There is still some unanswered questions for example what are all the details on Connect24 other than it will be free? Nintendo has also left out the details of the Nintendo DS connectivity features! So you still have a great deal of information you still do not yet know.

If you are into creating indie video games in your spare time either because you are bored or into suffering in general OS X does have some great tools for 3d video game creation! To start off with you don’t have to start from scratch. Anyone who can probably needs to get out more.. You can use tools like Unity and Torque. These tools are both professional quality and produce quality work on a low budget. You can also use the open source modeler Blender with either of these programs. Both engines allow you to create web multiplayer games to an extent so it might be worth a small investment to at least play around with them also keep in mind you can always download the quake engine or the unreal engines to use as well. So the developer/artiest does have decent tools that are readily available to suit your creative thoughts!

Useful Links:
OSX Game Engines
Torque Engine Specs
Torque Book
Unity Specs
Blender

Let me begin with Moore’s Law “is the empirical observation that the complexity of integrated circuits, with respect to minimum component cost, doubles every 24 months[1]. It is attributed to Gordon E. Moore[2], a co-founder of Intel.” So what exactly does that mean? Well let me relate it to my life personally; When I was between 8-9 I can specifically remember wondering through my great grand ma’s cabin. I ran across some extremely old Dick Tracy Comic books that were very, very, old. I was immediately intrigued by the vision of the writers and contributing artist vision. A cell phone watch and TV? I received my first computer at the age of 13. I can remember my Aunt Mary giving me my first BBS Yellow Page Book at the age of 14! I can remember using the web well before Al Gore took credit for creating it.

So what is next in short it is what is mobile, agile, multi-faceted. Generation X is X-tremly technologically savvy! We can’t rope the range so we evidently needed to create our on version of the Wild Wild West hence “www.”.

The next big thing is actually small just look around you samsung is already able to develop a cell phone with up to 8gb in it! The point is not to long from now you will have a pentium 3 in a cell phone. You already have film makers making movies with cell phones. When you combine all the features and place everything on the web you have a paradigm shift. Look at the popularity of My-Space and keep in mind Nokia is out to install an Apache server on all cell phones. I also like the fact that major cell phone companies are converging on Linux! So think different and work smart! Just look around you and don’t ever be too complacent, because disruptive change is around the bend…

Useful Links:

Mods
Compare Cell Phones

Apple Nintendo rumors kind of cool and definitely worth discussing. Kind of a cool combo. I do think Apple could benefit after-all Sony is touting their Play Station 3 as an apple replacement if you can believe that. Sony does have to go after Apple especially with their wild success with the iPOD. Sony has to succeed with it’s Play Station 3 if it fails it could seal Sony’s fate and it can not afford a Beta Max Replay. Their are of course many other things to consider. Disney is signed on with Blue Ray and many other movie studios have as well. But Steve Jobs is a media guru and with his ties to Disney and many other companies would of course come into his favor. If Apple did purchase Nintendo it would be an interesting combination! Apple I do believe by acquiring Nintendo could go head to head with the XBOX and Play Station. I would see this as a move to sell more computers after all think about it the Mac Mini is a powerhouse imagine if you could combine that with Nintendo? The Mac Mini retails for about $500 did I mention that is $100 cheaper than the Play-Station 3? I think an apple and Nintendo team-up would benefit both companies but I really don’t think it will happen. It would help spread an apple dominated home media/entertainment system. Well log in and let me know what you think??

You have to love the under dog! I grew up with Nintendo and I have always been intrigued with the company! They have repeadily taken risks on dreams. They have always pushed “disruptive change”. Children learn quickly they have always pitched to young minds. They have also abstained from cheap and classless behavior (i.e. Grand Theft Auto). You do have to harbor a special love for the company! I have watched and studied all the news from E3 and they were the only company that had a 4 ½ hour wait to play games! Their new controller is truly Revolutionary. I also love the fact that the Nintendo DS has out sold the PSP three times over. So I agree Wii Will Innovate! It is about time someone created new game concepts after all didn't Wolfenstein 3d come out in 1992??

Well it is about time someone made a browser for the DS. What a novel idea it does come with built in wifi I will be looking forward to putting it to good use. I am also happy it is opera that is creating the browser. Opera is an excellent cross platform browser and I know they will make a browser that has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Opera 9 is going to have widget support. They have also been working on a bittorrent client for the browser! They also plan on having a built in keyboard, and stylus functionality. You can bet that Opera will take full advantage of all of the DS capabilities. I think this is a wonderful step in the right direction from Nintendo. The DS does have the ability to do more than just games.

“

As you can see by the article below Nintendo finally announced what’s the deal about the Nintendo Revolution controller at the Tokyo Game Show 2005. I waited several months to find out what’s the deal with their new system since they had almost nothing to say at the big E3 conference. Turns out the new controller is shaped just like a remote control and works using motion detection much like the old Power Glove. Now when I first heard this I was like …WHAT THE HECK!!!! A friggin remote control? Nintendo’s next big thing is a channel flipper???

I guess the point is that they want to attract new users to the video game industry by having a device that’s easy to use and familiar. Sounds good doesn’t it? Well personally I thought Nintendo would have something better than a remote control up its sleeve. What’s stopping another system from coming out with a better controller? You can already pick from a million different 1st and 3rd party controllers that cover every device from a fishing pole to a gun all the way up to a full cockpit for a mech.

A friend of mine has a GameCube. Most of the games on the cube are for kids or remakes of an early Nintendo game like Metroid or Mario Bro’s. The next system sounds like its going to be even worse as far as games go.. In the Movie industry they generally only try to make flicks that are for everyone. As a result most movies end up a big suck fest full of ads. They offend no one and aren’t entertaining.

I don’t want to play games that are for everyone like some dumb summer movie. I want to shoot someone’s head off and see their brains slowly ooze down the wall. I want to hear the crys of pain ‘n terror as innocent people get burnt to a crisp, when I use a my laser beam eyebrows to burn down their stupid hick town. I want games that are challenging. It’s totally lame when your 5 year old nephew can beat you at a game because the game consists of nothing more than button mashing. Hardcore gamers need a learning curve and Nintendo wants to take that away as much as possible for 90% of its games. Seeing who can make their cute Pokemon eat the cake first by pressing the A button the fastest makes my stomach turn. I’ll throw a fireball at that cute Pokemon fur ball.. ( half circle forward, high punch ) then follow that with a dragon punch .. (forward, half circle forward, high punch ) and see his blood and guts splatter all over the crowd of large breasted females who are cheering me on as I eat his soul….. Maybe its just me. Newbies feel free to go get yourself a lil pansy Nintendo. I’m sure the new controller will be fun. Just don’t cry when I whoop your butt in a real game full of violence n blood shed on a better system. Nintendo come back when you have games that I can control with my mind and better specs on your hardware. Until then I’m sure will see your new controller in the same place my Power Glove ended up. That is at a garage sale!!!

ps …i’m sure Nintendo will sell millions of consoles…but Sony is sure to sell more…will see won’t we…

anyways nintendo makes some good games…..loved Resident Evil and Wario Ware stuff…