All posts by benheck

Video Games

Sneak peak at the THQ laptop prize

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Usually I don’t show works-in-progress, but THQ wanted me to keep people in the loop so here’s a quick look at the Darksiders laptop.

It’s similar in size to my previous Xbox 360 laptops but a little bigger.

  • A little more room allows a lot more features as this one includes a slot to insert a full-sized Xbox 360 hard drive.
  • Also both memory card slots are available, so taking your home profile “on the road” will be a piece of cake.
  • The Xbox Live camera is included, as well as Wi-Fi.
  • The 2 circles on either side will be the speakers. Also note all buttons are front-mounted, sync, eject and the remaining USB port.

Continue reading Sneak peak at the THQ laptop prize →

Video Games

Guitar Hero pedal controller in action

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Aside from the 2 I built for a show back in May, the 3rd pedal demonstrated below is the first I’ve actually built by request for a customer. He knew the secret to getting a Ben project – diligent (yet not annoying) emails and patience! Plus he can play Guitar Hero on Hard, something I cannot. (Rock Band, yes)

Click here to check it out on YouTube…

In other related news the Access Controller should be arriving for shipment sometime next week… more details to come.

Podcasts

Benheck.com Podcast Episode 49

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In this thrilling episode we have 2 main topics:

Topic 1 regards the balance between video game difficulty/length/price. 18 years ago (has it been that long?) we were paying $50 for a game that could be beat in half an hour. Now people think $15 for Castle Crashers or Braid is too much. New games now run $60, but cost 10 times as much to produce as $50 games did during the 16-bit era. At what point did the perception change?

"From the creators of SHAQ FU comes Steel Begins!"
It’ll happen. Just wait.

Topic 2 involves movies once again, specifically how the success of revived franchise Indiana Jones and rebooted franchise Batman will probably kill all creativity (what little there was left) in Hollywood for the next 10 years. Just this morning I read Fox is considering a “Daredevil” reboot, so it’s already begun. By 2010 every summer movie will probably involve superheroes, just watch. This of course brings us to a familiar topic of what old movies Hollywood should remake.

Enjoy!

Listen to Benheck.com Podcast Episode 49

www.benheckpodcast.com

Movies

Filming on Possumus Woman wraps

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After getting the final shot of the movie, this completely candid photo was taken.

This last weekend we filmed the remaining bits of Possumus Man 2: Possumus Woman. Specifically a lot of fire effects and a few closing moments for the characters.

In a drastic turn from Port Washington, we shot this movie in 2 months and 3 weeks (having started on June 14th). For more final weekend photos and some “Possum Movie Facts”, check the rest of the article.

Release date to be announced soon. More than likely I won’t make a trailer due to time constraints, would rather just finish editing the movie.

Continue reading Filming on Possumus Woman wraps →

Podcasts

Benheck.com Podcast #48

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We’re back at last! In this episode we talk about the reason for the dearth of podcasts lately, namely the filming of Possumus Man 2: Possumus Woman (drinking game: swig every time Jones reminds me to simply call it “Possumus Woman”)

Includes some sneak-peak (or rather sneak-listen) insight into the process and commentary on indy filmmaking in general. We also discuss Xbox Live Achievements, which games are super-stingy with them, which are ridiculously easy and those that simply dole them out as you go along without requiring any magical super-jumping abilities.

Finally we talk about Braid, which, while a bit pricey (kind of like my products) is still worth checking out on Xbox Live Arcade.

Enjoy, and hopefully we’ll get back to having intros again soon!

Listen to Benheck.com Podcast Episode 48

www.benheckpodcast.com