Stephen E. Dinehart's IMD Blog

I’ve been cracking out on Starcraft for a little more than a week now. I’ve had many nights where my REM sleep was nothing more than an RTS mirror world; interfacing my subconscious with an RTS mentality. I’ve only had this experience a few times before, always when I immerse myself in fictitious digital spaces, be it a modeling program or Halo2.

What does it mean? Could a program be created that allows you to conduct a lucid dream theatre? I’ve asked these questions before and alas have no answers.

The purpose of my RTS mission was analysis, is Starcraft the best RTS of all time? I’m still not sold, but it is an awesome game. The epic nature of it’s space opera story is incredible. The storyline is full of exposition, like several hundred man-hours of it. It’s too much for me, and I love epic sci-fi; but I don’t play games centered on micromanagement to read a novel.

The balance, which is much praised, is awesome, but I can’t help but wonder if it is all an illusion. I believe the balance is on part of the level design, not so much the 3 races. Although in tales I’ve heard from expert players of Battle.net, the forces are very balanced despite their innate differences.

I have to admit I only made it through the 10 Terran missions, and a couple of the Zerg and Protoss. I got pretty sick of it. Every new level you have start the whole process of resource management over, as if the last 30 minutes of building and management didn’t happen. It’s kind like an RPG letting you buy a new sword and taking it from you on the next mission, as if to say “ha-ha, try again”.

What this leads me to is my favorite idea from a future RTS feature, a consistent world.
Why rebuild every time? Why not have a world where you are required to build say 3 armies in different terrains, and the have latter missions dedicated to combining your forces to overcome a great force.

When it is all said and done, I’m glad I now understand Starcraft; it is essential for any aspiring RTS buff.

My Class PPT Pres:
Download file
Unit Spread sheet I created for balance comparisions:
Download file

"Information Operations Roadmap" a wonderful classified document has been leaked, and thanks to the BBC it's easily available. Reality is stranger than fiction; I've heard of communication bombs, but Intelligent Network Viruses, and Internet Psyops is new to me, it's a 78 page PDF available on the BBC website.

"The "roadmap" calls for a far-reaching overhaul of the military's ability to conduct information operations and electronic warfare. And, in some detail, it makes recommendations for how the US armed forces should think about this new, virtual warfare."

"Psyops, is finding its way onto the computer and television screens of ordinary Americans."

"US forces should be able to "disrupt or destroy the full spectrum of globally emerging communications systems, sensors, and weapons systems dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4655196.stm

Games for Women, Games by Women
February 18, San Francisco

The half-day conference includes an opening keynote address, a post-conference networking reception and a recruiter Q&A with resume and portfolio reviews. Program topics include:
Keynote speaker Robin Harper, SVP of Community and Support for Linden Lab,will present "From the Virtual to the Real: How Second Life created an online world and community that strongly appeals to women, and how the virtual world has changed the real life of women participants."

Conference is 12 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, February 18
Fort Mason Conference Center, Landmark Building A
Attendance is $45 and space is limited.

www.WomenInGamesInternational.org