Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.
The stories for this week:
- Andre Vrignaud (Ozymandias) Leaves Microsoft for Amazon
- Fate of Carmine Raises $150,000 for Child's Play
- RIP Brian Wood, a True Hero
- Study Finds People Not Keen on 3D Glasses (No Duh!)
- Halo Reach, Layton 3 and Playstation Move This Week
Andre Vrignaud (Ozymandias) Leaves Microsoft for Amazon
Some of you may or may not know Andre (Ozymandias). He was the Game Platform Strategist for Microsoft. The role may be confusing, but he was instrumental in many of the mechanisms used in Xbox Live today. He announced this week he was leaving Microsoft to take a position at Amazon. This of course sparked rumors about Amazon moving into the gaming or digital distribution spaces. He basically noted that this job was too good to pass up and that he was very intrigued. Good luck Andre and we hope to see whatever you’re working on soon.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Fate of Carmine Raises $150,000 for Child's Play
Were the results ever given out? I know keeping Carmine alive in Gears of War 3 was ahead for at least a while there. Anyway, Epic announced that $150,000 had been raised for Child’s Play through the “Fate of Carmine” drive. Good job people and I hope you enjoy your shirts!
Source: Colony of Gamers
RIP Brian K. Wood, a True Hero
Word came that Company of Heroes designer Brian K. Wood was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday. Then further word came with more details about the accident and how self-sacrificing Brian was. A Blazer driven by some allegedly repeat drug offenders were bearing down on Woods and his pregnant wife’s Subaru Outback. Knowing they were going to hit the Blazer no matter what, Woods had the wherewithal to brake slightly and turn the car to the right so he would take the full-on impact, saving his wife and unborn child. The police would later say had he not done that, all three occupants, including the baby, would have most likely died. Two people in the rear of the Blazer also died, but the driver and front passenger did not.
I think it is amazing he could make that determination in a short amount of time to save his wife and unborn child, sacrificing himself in the process. If you feel like helping Brian’s wife Erin and their family, please donate to the Brian K. Woods Memorial Trust. You can pay by Paypal or send money to the bank in Vancouver.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Study Finds People Not Keen on 3D Glasses (No Duh!)
Nielsen did a study on 3D televisions and found out a lot of people don’t like the idea of needing 3D glasses to watch them. This goes firmly in the “no duh!” category in my book.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Halo Reach, Layton 3 and Playstation Move This Week
A little game called Halo Reach comes out this week. I have no clue what that game is about at all! Also on the docket is Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the third DS game in the fantastic series. Then there is the little motion controlled system called the Playstation Move coming out. I’m interested in it, but I also wish Sony would send me a copy so I could review it and play some games. Not sure I want to blow $150 or whatever it is to get two wands and the Eyetoy (don’t own one) though.
Source: me