Podcasts

Benheck.com Podcast Episode 19

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Again, sorry for the delay. One of these weeks I’ll get back releasing podcasts on a Wednesday! The fates have simply been against it lately.

In this episode we talk about society’s love affair and dependence on cell phones, gaming news items, Spider-Man 3 and then do a listener mailbag, with slightly better answers than usual. We also plan a Vista re-visist, probably in the next podcast. Enjoy…

Disclaimer: This episode contains more profanity than usual, both during the main content and intro. Not recommended for younger listeners.

Benheckpodcast.com – official site

Direct download link to Episode 19

(You’re the new Minesweeper!)

Video Games

VCSp Rev 5.1’s starting to roll off “the line”

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Well I’ve finally started getting the first batch of VCSp Rev 5.1’s made. These are the finalized versions compared to the prototypes shown about a month ago. They include more features and actual PCB’s designed by myself for the support circuits.

And Todd Frye so loved the world he programmed his only begotten game for it
One of the first production-style VCSp Rev 5.1 to be built (not including the prototypes)

For more information and photos see the rest of this article. If you’d like to buy one of these please shoot me an email. Cost is $350+trade of an Atari 2600 4-switch. I’ve got to build the first batch of about 10 orders first, but it’s good to keep adding people to the list.

Continue reading VCSp Rev 5.1’s starting to roll off “the line” →

Articles, Video Games

Be sure to attend the Midwest Gaming Classic!

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Every summer there’s a swell classic gaming expo here in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin called the Midwest Gaming Classic. Taking place on the weekend of June 9th and 10th, it has become quite the show and, in my opinion, surpasses the Classic Gaming Expo out west. Here’s a handy visual reference of the location:


The heart of the Midwest, as seen from space.

The show is a lot of fun with many great vendors, a museum, food area, demonstrations and – last year at least – cheap beer! As an added bonus I will be speaking and doing a panel at the show, so if for some strange reason you’d like to see me “live, in person, one night only!” here’s your chance.

If you’re anywhere remotely close and like videogames you should think about coming. Did I mention the loads of arcade machines and pinballs, all set to free play? Check out their site for more details, and we’ll see ya there!

http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

Movies

Amazing Spider-Man 3 review!

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Sony has a track record of making very good products with “2” in the title but then having the “3”‘s be subject to critical lashing. The trend continues with Spider-Man 3, which is storming into theatres this weekend. What did I think of it, myself being a person who considers Spider-Man 2 the best comic book hero movie ever and Batman Begins good but quite overrated? Read on! Continue reading Amazing Spider-Man 3 review! →

Articles, Video Games

How To Build Your Own PS360 Controller

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Yes that’s right – no longer will a person need to send me an email asking for this mod, only to have it unanswered! For I have now written a How-To on the process:

Click here for the Engadget How-To Article

I documented the process while I was building the second one of these and now the juicy info can be yours! (Includes copious amounts of photographs and arrows pointing at things.) Again I would like to be able to build these for any and everyone who asks, but time will not allow.

Video Games

“What the Heck?” contest – guess my retail product!

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As many of you don’t know I have been working with eDimensional, Inc. on a new gaming accessory. I’m pretty excited as this will be my first retail boxed product – yes I know my book was retail but it didn’t have a box now did it? They gave me a wide latitude on the design and the final product is very benheck – beyond the item itself I ended up doing all the box artwork and advertising items too. Everything is in line with my design aesthetic.


Never do a contest photo without your dial caliper.

Anyway there’s currently a contest running in which you can guess what we’ve cooked up and have a chance to win one, whatever it is. Go ahead and check it out! The tips I will give out is that it’s a gaming accessory (as mentioned) and the cost is under $100.

DISCLAIMER: Any real-life friends of Benjamin J Heckendorn, AKA “benheck”, who have possibly seen what the item is already should not enter because that would be pretty weak.