I love it when people share learnings that are truly actionable and applicable right now. This is an awesome post that can be applied to so many disciplines, and real wisdom you don't need to wait twenty years to uncover! Read on...

Irrational Games have made a selection of pages from the original BioShock pitch document available for public consumption. For me, presentation is everything... especially when it comes to winning the support of publishers on a multi-million dollar title for an unproven IP.

Check out the pages here

Can games change the world? Jane McGonigal believes they can, and her latest Alternate Reality Game (ARG)  'EVOKE: A Crash Course in Saving the World' aims to do just that. 

In her recent TED talk, McGonigal discusses the concept of using regular gaming time for a greater purpose - rather than decreasing our online gameplay, we should actually be playing more. but rather than slogging it out to 'level up' or obtain an item that has no real world use, the concept is that we use this time as a tool to solve real world issues. People I know scoffed at this talk, believing that she lives in some fantasy world where this could never realistically work.

I'm not so sure. 

I play online games almost everyday. It's mixed in between reading news, talking to friends and writing for this blog - but I would estimate I play for around an hour on average. I am compelled to play, even though there is no tangible reward, and in some instances it even costs me real money.

So to put the concept to the test, I've decided to actively participate in EVOKE - a game designed to get people thinking about real world change and real world issues - using game mechanics and online tools to give players a sense of achievement.

I imagine we have some way to go before this type of gaming rivals the traffic of WoW or Second Life, but its always fun to be part of something new.

You can follow my progress, or better still, you can play too.

Now I'm not one for a 'scary' game, but I'm certainly looking forward to the opportunity to play 2D platformer LIMBO coming to Xbox Live Arcade later this year. The game is created by Denmark company PLAYDEAD, and won this years 12th Annual IGF Awards for Technical Excellence and Excellence in Visual Art.

LIMBO appears to be the only major title in the works for PLAYDEAD, but it has already left lasting impressions on those able to play it. The entire palette is black & white, and the concept art has an eerie and haunting feel to it. 

The reception so far indicates LIMBO could be a runaway success.

Watch the trailer

Due to open in February 2010, this new dedicated next gen gaming bar could be a very awesome or totally scary experience. I am very excited to test the waters, and looking forward to a night out in what is slated to be one of Brisbane's most 'funky drinking venues'.

With a maximum capacity of only 50 people, I'd imagine the pricing will be through the roof, but this is the Valley, so no surprises expected there... stay tuned for first impressions.

Visit the Mana Bar Website