Blips: A Dwarf Fortress Surprise

Source: The Minds Behind Dwarf Fortress
Author: Patrick Klepek
Site: Giant Bomb

I've only watched videos of ASCII fantasy-sim Dwarf Fortress in action; I've never played it myself. It's one of those games that I greatly admire, and am glad exists, but have very little interest in playing. That said, I was eager to hear what the minds behind the game, Tarn and Zach Adams, had to say about their interminable development process (10+ years and counting) and what it's like to have Dwarf Fortress acquired and on exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Giant Bomb's Patrick Klepek caught up with the brothers at EVE Fanfest a couple weeks ago in Iceland where they proceeded to shed some light on Dwarf Fortresses dark corners. It's cool to hear opinions on contemporary game design from developers that have been so dedicated to one game for so long.

If you like that video, you'll probably also enjoy some other videos and write-ups on Giant Bomb from this year's EVE Fanfest. I particularly got a kick out of their travelogue video where they document their week in Iceland, highlighting some very unique local cuisine. Iceland wasn't on my must-visit list, but it is now.

Blips: A Diplomat Through and Through

Source: "The Amazing Life of Sean Smith, the Masterful EVE Gamer Slain in Libya"
Author: Stephen Totilo
Site: Kotaku

If you're familiar at all with EVE Online, the game of outer space mining corporate intrigue whose player count is in the tens of thousands, then you already know about Vile Rat, one of the games most notorious players. Sean Smith, the man behind the Vile Rat alias was a key diplomatic player in negotiating and influencing some of the largest power shifts in EVE history. Smith did so while also holding a position as Information Management Officer in various dangerous locations with the US State Department, another institution that prides itself on effective diplomacy.

Tragically, Sean Smith was killed in the deadly attacks on the US embassy in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. Stephen Totilo's touching feature for Kotaku tells the personal story of Sean Smith, his life in the line of duty and his legendary accolades in the EVE community. EVE Fanfest is taking place this week in Iceland for the first time since Smith's passing.