This middleware solution for procedural city generation (which we were talking about a few weeks ago here) looks spectacular! Thanks, Jabir, for the tip on this amazing development. It will be very interesting to see what games pick up on this technology, and if any of them choose to open up any of this to users by way of mod tools.

Or - file this under crazy dreams - but maybe the creators of the tech will release some kind of “Personal Learning Edition” for non-commercial use?

Miss the overcast? Yeah, me too.

If you’ve been looking for a radio show to help fill the void, check out these promising endeavors:

• The ViewZ - Digital Phil (former host of Machinima Live!) and Dave Tyner have teamed up in this brand new podcast devoted to machinima reviews. An idea whose time has come. Check out their debut episode here: http://www.tekbreeze.com/
• iClone Radio - The Wolf & Dulci Hour - Starring (you guessed it) Wolf and Dulci, this iClone-centered podcast is highly informative and entertaining, and features live interactive chat with the hosts and fellow audience members. You can download previous episodes here or catch the live show here on Monday nights. (This is one of several regular machinima-themed shows over on TMOA Radio, you might find some others of interest at their site.)
  
  Tags: overcast, the viewz, wolf and dulci hour
  
  
    

This video gives a preview of upcoming indie game Machinarium, a beautifully designed puzzle adventure of the same kind of spirit as Full Pipe… but with quite a bit more to it, it would seem. Check out the game’s home page for some hi-res stills of the game’s gorgeous artwork. Projected release date is Fall of 2009.

(Click through for higher res playback options, well worthwhile)

See also:

• Machinarium Preview (#1) on Vimeo

1. CGW: Unreal Tech and Chadam - Excellent in-depth article on the use of Unreal Engine technology for the series Chadam.
2. Kloseup - Intriguing new indie machinima engine. Still very young, but has some interesting features.
3. Machiniplex Premiere: Clear Skies 2 on Sunday, June 28th - I’ll be leading a roundtable discussion with the film’s crew after we watch the film. Hope to see you there!
4. Klipper re: Getting Animata Working - An interesting behind the scenes look at Lars Fuch’s ongoing project to get MIDI-controlled puppeteering working using Animata, Processing, etc.
5. Trent Reznor Quits Social Media - I rarely find myself disagreeing with Trent Reznor (other than, you know, just about everything about his politics, lol), but I think his reasons for quitting Twitter - and the fatalistic view of the Internet behind that decision (”Idiots rule”) - are bunk.
6. CrazyTalk 6.0 launches multi-head facial animation - An awesome feature that will greatly improve efficiency on complex CrazyTalk projects. CrazyTalk 6, overall, is a really fantastic upgrade. I’ll do a full post on it once I have a copy.
7. The Sims 3 EA’s Best PC Launch Ever - Congratulations, ladies and gents of EA Sims Division!!
8. Torley: Animoto is way better than slideshows, with a catch - It’s lacking in the level control I think I’d really want, but Animoto does indeed create some beautiful results.

Click here for archive of OverByte posts.

A fun little gag reel from the production of Clear Skies 2. Speaking of which, Machiniplex is preparing to do a premiere and roundtable discussion for Clear Skies 2. Look for an announcement of the date/time for that very soon.

See Also:

• Clear Skies
• Clear Skies 2

Xan has a titillating first conversation with his secret admirer.

(Treat yourself to a viewing in HD by clicking through, if you like.)

Created with ZenCub3d

Written, Directed and Scored by Phil “Overman” Rice

Special Thanks to the Team at ThinkingCactus, creators of ZenCub3d and Voovees.com

Also available at:

• YouTube
• Z-Studios