Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

October 16, 2009

Showcasing incredible turnaround time, a browser-based game based on the exploits of Balloon Boy has already hit the Internet, a mere day after the tale of an apparent soaring child dominated network airwaves and Twitter hashtags.

The game was developed by three 25-year olds— Immad Akhund, Jude Gomila, James Smith—inspired by the events that unfolded in Colorado yesterday. A counter at the top of the website asks “How Many $$$ of Tax Payer Money Can You Waste?” and tracks scores. Players dodge seagulls and gather rainbows while floating through the sky in their dirigible.

No word yet if the developers are working on a follow up game entitled Attic Boy.

Comments

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by Ashkihyena on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 22:46.

Bet the people at the airport that this little stunt shut down were pissed off.

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by chadachada321 on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 16:00.

I'm not even entirely clear on what the story IS exactly...I see some pics of that thing on 4chan, then turn on the tv and see something about the kid being *thought* to be in there...then apparently he was in the attic? And this is somehow a big deal?

-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-

-Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis-It is best to endure what you cannot change-

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by 1AgainstTheWorld on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 16:08.

Apparently the parents thought the kid went up in the balloon, but then they found him hiding in the attic because he had a fight with his brother.  But then, when being interviewed on CNN, the kid let it slip that the parents had instructed him to do that "for the show", leading lots of people to question whether the whole thing was a hoax to garner publicity.

It's not real news, but that hasn't stopped every media outlet from obsessing over it.

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by JustChris on Sat, 10/17/2009 - 18:34.

But why use a BLACK HAWK helicopter to find a kid?


GameSnooper

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by mentor07825 on Sun, 10/18/2009 - 10:09.

Because you got to do it the awesome way.

 

"God, is that you?"

"No! It's a me, Mario!"

"God, is that you?" "No! It's a me, Mario!"

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 16:07.

Considering they had the news media and search and rescue opperations all tied up for 10+ hours for reasons that turned out to be less than 100% legit, I would say it was a pretty big deal.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by chadachada321 on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 17:53.

...Meh. Seems like a big waste of time/money to me. On something that isn't a big deal. The only big deal is the big waste of money that it is, heh.

-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-

-Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis-It is best to endure what you cannot change-

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by OmegaWarrior on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 15:15.

As impressed as I am with their swiftness, I still can't bring myself to give a shit about this balloon-boy story in any aspect.

Re: Balloon Boy: Meme to Game in a Day

Submitted by mentor07825 on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 16:08.

I would have to agree with you on this. I really don't much care for the story as it begs to question what the parents were doing and where the hell are they.

The whole thing also sounds like it came straight out of a tabloid. Like OmegaWarrior, I just can't give a shit.

"God, is that you?"                                                                                                                                            "No! It's a me, Mario!"

"God, is that you?" "No! It's a me, Mario!"
 
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Poll

Will there be any female presenters at the unveiling of Microsoft’s new console?:

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
PHX Corp: http://kotaku.com/ea-sports-developer-calls-wii-u-crap-and-nintendo-wa-508481261 EA Sports Canada Moron calls Wii U 'Crap' and Nintendo 'Walking Dead'05/18/2013 - 11:42am
E. Zachary Knight: If the videos are of sufficient quality that people subscribe and watch regularly, then those let's players are providing a service that people want. That is the heart of capitalism. That is not something that should be shamed.05/17/2013 - 8:06am
E. Zachary Knight: I have no idea who either of those people are. However, I still don't see why making a business out of creating let's play videos is somehow evil or wrong.05/17/2013 - 8:04am
MaskedPixelante: It sure is if you're just doing it for the money. See Tobuscus and/or Pewdiepie for what happens when people get into it just for the money.05/17/2013 - 7:30am
E. Zachary Knight: Why is it wrong to make money doing LPs? Why should that be something that should be shamed?05/17/2013 - 6:20am
MaskedPixelante: https://twitter.com/PsychedelicSA/status/335183893214924801 Now here's an interesting, glass half full thought about the Nintendo LP thing. It outs the people who are just doing LPs to make money.05/17/2013 - 5:56am
E. Zachary Knight: I responded in writing to all this "let's play" stuff Nintendo Started. No need for my permission, I won't give it. It's not mine to give. http://divineknightgaming.com/?p=29205/16/2013 - 2:21pm
E. Zachary Knight: Lars Doucet of Levelup Labs has a Reddit going on game companies that allow monetization of Let's Play videos. http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1egayn/lets_build_a_list_of_game_studios_that_allow/05/16/2013 - 1:04pm
Sleaker: @Imautobot - yah I wouldn't use an emulator as a good first run test of how stable the console is, haha.05/16/2013 - 11:47am
E. Zachary Knight: The 50th person to jump off a bridge is just as dumb if not dumber than the 1st.05/16/2013 - 10:03am
MaskedPixelante: Yeah, let's all jump on Nintendo for doing this, even though they're hardly the first company to do this...05/16/2013 - 9:47am
E. Zachary Knight: Wow Nintendo, this is wrong. http://kotaku.com/nintendo-forcing-ads-on-some-youtube-lets-play-video-50709238305/16/2013 - 8:44am
Imautobot: @Sleaker, further gameplay has revealed that the controller button do stick under the faceplate. Also, The NES emulator (Emuya)keeps crashing on me, though I think a bad ROM is causing it.05/16/2013 - 7:10am
Papa Midnight: AE: I wonder if any other publishers will follow suit.05/15/2013 - 8:12pm
Andrew Eisen: EA is ditching Online Pass. http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/15/ea-kills-its-controversial-online-pass-program/05/15/2013 - 7:20pm
Avalongod: @Zach and quicnkold...I've read the bill and the intent of it is to fear-monger. It's not a balanced message. I don't recall the ESRB being mentioned at all. It's more "keeps your kids away from these movies/games or they'll become violent"05/15/2013 - 4:35pm
E. Zachary Knight: quiknkold, The big problem with that legislation is the amount of misinformation out there. Who is going to ensure that the information in the pamphlet is accurate?05/15/2013 - 3:25pm
quiknkold: REBeardogg : I'm on the fence about this. on one side, I want parents to be aware of the ESRB, and even Movie Ratings. On the other hand, I feel this will be used for nothing but Propaganda. The ESRB does a good job.05/15/2013 - 3:07pm
IanC: Frostbite is coming out on iOS devices. Yet the Wii U cant handle it? *coughbullshitcough*05/15/2013 - 2:31pm
BearDogg-X: http://www.politickernj.com/65515/lesniak-ruiz-bill-limit-children-s-exposure-media-violence-clears-senate - Bill requiring schools to publish pamphlets with anti-fake media "violence" propaganda clears NJ Senate05/15/2013 - 2:03pm
All shouts
 

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician