[clop clop whinny]
KNIGHT: They're nervous, sire.
ARTHUR: Then we'd best leave them here and carry on on foot. Dis-mount!
I’ve started a little review web app using Grails, a framework building upon proven Java libraries like Hibernate and Swing, providing out-of-the-box functionality without any configuration hassle – similar to the mindset of RubyOnRails, from which Grails borrows quite a few concepts.
I haven’t been involved too much in J2EE development for some time, at least on code level – partly because of the overwhelming number of libraries and frameworks “needed” for your typical n-tier application, and the related configuration and setup of each one.
Grails tries to solve exactly that, while leaving it open whether you want to start from scratch (like I do now) and have an application with your own domain info working in a couple of minutes, or reuse existing libraries, database schemes etc.
It uses Groovy as dynamic language – again, easy to use, if you are used to the Java syntax and standard libraries.
Oh, and the best thing about Groovy – you’ve got GStrings…
Mac vs. PC – as always, but this time online on two (connected) flash banners. It’s the first time that I’ve come across such cross-referenced ads on a single page. Have a look!
Whether you are following Game industry related news or not, chances are you have heard about the never-ending controversy around the “Manhunt” franchise of Rockstar Games, one of my former employers.
Jurie, an ex-coworker at Rockstar Vienna blogged about the latest unfortunate “chapter” – the fact that Rockstar Vienna employees who worked for over 2 years on Manhunt 2, the sequel to the game developed by Rockstar North, were not mentioned in the game’s credits. For the record, having worked there myself, I fully agree and support Jurie’s statements.
A lot of online media jumped onto it and quoted his post, but only some of them (like Austrian national broadcaster ORF) actually raised an issue that I find interesting: The game industry keeps comparing itself with the film industry, and Rockstar in particular never got tired telling everybody that they are the ones pushing the envelope, getting games accepted as a form of contempary art, etc. I vividly remember one evening with Sam Houser in a New York City Restaurant, where he explained me (and the others on our table) his view on how to change this society to take notice and respect “us”. Ahem.
But at the same time, most companies in that field fail to accept responsibility and the standards coming from other creative industries, see no priority in providing professional working conditions, and serious project management. Oh, and taking financial and social responsibility. I have yet to see so many instances of incompetence, ego, mismanagement, burned cash and burned-out employees in multi million dollar budget projects in other industries.
