The Funware Blog @ rmbr

Made an appearance on Donny Deutsch’s The Big Idea on CNBC 6/16/08 to talk about Generation G, Funware and games. Though a short visit, it was a good one. Take a look:

There’s also an interesting blog post that I wrote for the CNBC folks on the future of winning that you can read here if you’re so inclined.

All in all, it was a great experience, and a big shout out goes to the CNBC production team for their foresight, the makeup crew for not making me orange, and my fellow panelists for being hilarious and genuine.

We’ll be shooting a segment for Monday’s (6/16/08) “Big Idea with Donny Deutsch” on CNBC that should air the same day. The show’s title is Getting the Winning DNA, and Gabe will specifically talk about The Future of Winning. Set your Tivos to stun and record the show!

I wrote a special editorial for Gamezebo on the topic of how Facebook  is the Napster of the games industry. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy - but just hear me out. Social Networks are super-extra-mega-major transformative technology platform that really do threaten traditional (online and offline) games. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting, so hop over to Gamezebo and check it out.

Mary Jane Irwin, reigning doyenne of the game business press takes a deep dive into the Funware space with this breathtaking article about the future of games. It’s a very interesting article and I think you’ll especially appreciate the slideshow. W00T, MJ!

Dean Takahashi, well-respected and insightful reporter at Venture Beat just wrote a fascinating article on Funware, its threat to traditional videogames, and the opportunities for the industry. It also talks a little bit about rmbr and a number of other game industry luminaries who have strong opinons on the subject.

Please to enjoy!

Well, response to our launch of rmbrME has been fantastic! Lots of awesome bloggers have covered it, and most people think the concept is cool. Check out a quick smattering of our media coverage:

http://mashable.com/2008/05/06/rmbrme/
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9938491-2.html
http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/05/frankie_do_you_rmbrme.html
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/05/07/rmbrme-share-social-network-info-via-sms/
http://www.killerstartups.com/Social-Networking/rmbrMEcom—Social-Networking-from-Your-Cell-Phone/

I’ll update this post periodically to keep it updated.

Well, the Web2.0 conference was super interesting, even though I couldn’t stay past Wednesday evening. Our session, ably moderated by Justin Hall with Rajat Paharia and Chris Chapman, was fairly well attended and became a bit of a sensation after this article in Computerworld (posted just minutes after we finished). And after the session I was the recipient of nearly a dozen (!!) amazing Funware ideas from the audience. It was really extraordinary and very heartening to see all the creative energy flowing through the attendees. To whit, some of those ideas are really good - I hope we get to work on them at some point.

If you want to read the musings of another blogger - LaSandra Brill - she has an interesting perspective on the session as well.

Hey - are you working on some cool applications that feel like Funware? Are you using game design/mechanics in a non-game context - say, for example, publishing a leaderboard and challenges where they wouldn’t normally be seen?

If so, drop me a line. Here are the opportunities that may open up to you:

1. Some reporters at major publications are working on covering cool, new Funware apps
2. I am going to write a series of profiles for this blog about great applications of game design outside of games
3. I have been asked to write a Funware series at another major site, and I’d love to include you
4. You get to be my friend. Ok, you can be my friend regardless.

Anyway, if you’d like to let me know about a project you’re working on - confidentially, of course - drop me a line at gabe at rmbr, or friend me on:

Facebook
LinkedIn

At the Game Developers Conference this week, we’ve been fortunate to attract a fair amount of interesting attention. Here are a few, select items from the press and blogs so far:

VentureBeat
The Industry Standard on our Unveil
Gamasutra on my Casual Game Talk
Gamasutra on my Virtual Worlds Talk

I’ll keep updating you with interesting new items as they emerge.

Susan Wu of Charles River Ventures and the GDC have selected rmbr as a finalist for the first annual “Startup Launchpad” at GDC. We’re super excited to be in the illustrious company of the other finalists (there are only 4-5 of us), and we’ll be sharing our product vision on Friday, Feb 22 at the GDC. If you’re interested in attending, the session info can be located here.

We’d love to see you if you’re going to be at GDC.