Categories
Enjoyed Reflected

The Baron Breaks Free

A week from today marks the day I officially left Freeverse Software and moved into my current position at Weill Medical College.

During my tenure at Freeverse (which somehow lasted nearly five years), I had the chance to work on a [lot](http://www.freeverse.com/bms/) [of](http://www.freeverse.com/tsg/) [games](http://www.freeverse.com/squabble/) that I was proud to say I took part in the production of, even if my roles were nebulous and ill-defined.

But the one game I always held dearest to my heart was Wingnuts 2. The sequel to the first really notable commercial game Freeverse ever did, Wingnuts 2 was mandated to be bigger and better in practically every way.

More importantly (to me, anyway), I was tasked with game design. It’s the only game that I worked on that I sat down and worked out new gameplay elements, level progression, characters, enemies, and so on. Mark Anderson’s engine was amazing, and I couldn’t wait to explore the possibilities.

Of course, six months later I ended up leaving.

After I left Freeverse, I didn’t hear much about the game. They were busy, and justifiably so. I had always held out hope that someday, Wingnuts 2 would finally reach completion.

That day is today: [Wingnuts 2: Raina’s Revenge](http://www.freeverse.com/wn2/) is finally available.

It is, for all intents and purposes, the very last Mac game I have ever – or likely will ever – work on. So if you have a Mac, give the trial a download. And look for my name in the credits.

Categories
Enjoyed Happened

Work Anecdote 1: Speedy Delivery

Yesterday, I was told that one of the 250GB drive modules in one of our Xserve RAIDs had apparently gone kaput. While this is the first time I’ve seen this happen in two years, and it doesn’t affect production (horrah for hot spares!), we did need to get it replaced.
Today, at 2:45, I called Applecare Enterprise Support. 10 minutes later, I had a case number and a dispatch number.

At about 3:15, I got a call from the service courier, who wanted to confirm that I had the dispatch number, give me their number, and told me they’d be in touch Monday about scheduling a pickup for the dead drive.

I took a few minutes to run up to the unit in question and swap out the dead 250GB for a spare 400GB, just as a temporary lest we have another failure over the weekend.

At 4:40, I got a call from our front desk, saying that there was someone here with a package. I scratched my head, not putting two and two together (for reasons to be detailed in the next anecdote), and told the desk where to send them.
Five minutes later, a courier appeared with the drive module.

Literally two hours from when I called, I had my replacement hardware in hand.

I realize this is not typical, but man oh man, that was lightning quick. Kudos to Applecare Enterprise.

Categories
Created Enjoyed Recommended

Eugene Mirman Protest

Homemade Signs

And There He Is!

Scanlan Gets A Sign

Even At An Event Full Of Hate, There's Room For Love

Eugene Mirman Protests Himself

That's Not Safe!

Tonight was the Eugene Mirman protest, put together by [Eugene Mirman](http://www.eugenemirman.com). While the actual handing-out of signs didn’t start until maybe 3 minutes before the event was supposed to start, it was quite comical and silly and confusing to those not in on it.

For all of my pictures, just check my photoset: [Eugene Mirman Protest @ Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/remydwd/sets/72057594129662059/)

Buy Eugene’s new CD/DVD, **En Garde, Society!** [from Subpop](http://www.subpop.com/scripts/main/catalog.php?cat=true&display_type=merch&title=En+Garde%2C+Society%21&PHPSESSID=af80c323a3aa4bed530b6a634e4045a2). It’s only $12, and comes with a nifty DVD! Alternately, [buy it off iTunes](http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=151534007&s=143441) for $9.99 and lose out on the DVD.