Steam Powered Games

[epoch]

Earlier today, we had an insightful and forward thinking individual on Teamspeak by the name of 'spicyawp'.

He advised us to look into playing 'steam powered games'. This is an entirely new concept to us. In the UK, we've been using electricity for some time. It has many uses - lighting, making the TV work, and suicide (hairdrier/bathful of water required) to name a few.

But, we don't wish to be left behind, so on behalf of Tactics & Teamwork I've been doing some research! Read, and learn!

Steam

Steam is basically vapourised water. You need to heat the water to it's boiling point - normally 100C. At this temperature, the molecules in the water move around really really quickly, and bang into each other. The water 'boils', and steam is generated. Whilst we'll be using the steam for our gaming, this boiling water need not go to waste! It can be used for bathing (allow time to cool) and making beverages such as tea and coffee (add milk/sugar to taste). No waste - so looks like this steam powered gaming could be good for the environment too!

Indeed, steam's non-computer related uses are endless. For example, it's used in:



Trains (particularly of interest to unmarried 30-somethings):


http://www.tacteam.org/epoch/loco.jpg



Weird tents


http://www.tacteam.org/epoch/steamspa.jpg




and hiding coy gorgeous naked ladies

http://www.tacteam.org/epoch/hel_steam_girl.jpg


However, we did have some concerns. Mixing boiling water and your computer is potentially hazardous, so best be on your guard. Wear a pair of sturdy rubber boots to protect yourself against electric shock.

More info on steam can be found here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam).


Steam powered gaming

Information in this field was quite scare - we may need 'spicyawp' to elaborate. However, I assume you'll need a suitable computer to engage in 'steam powered gaming'.

I've searched the web and found this 'steam rig':

http://www.tacteam.org/epoch/steampc.jpg



Quite smart isn't it? However, beware of those cables. Oh - and you may wish to leave a window open, to combat condensation, and perhaps take off your jumper if it gets too hot.


Are there any games available?

Well yes, apparently there are.

Our insightful American friend mentioned a game called "Half Life". Now, I can't actually find reference to this, but there is something called Second Life (http://secondlife.com/). I think Half Life must be a shorter version, and on floppy disk.


Conclusion

Well, here at [T&T] we're always eager to move into new things, explore new possibilities, and try the bizarre and unusual. Heck - some of us even play Deer Hunter.

However, I'm not sure about this steam thing.

The risks involved in hot water-based gaming can't be ignored. Not only is the sheer temperature a cause for concern (I mean - 100C - that nearly killed Princess Margeret), but fighting limescale will be such a chore.

For now, we're going to stick with Tetris 4D. Multiplayer.

Enjoy!

[Katash]

Interesting - I shall be conducting experiments in the near future, however I think it's probably best I bring a bucket of 'industrial' steam home from our boiler house at work, I'm sure I can find a sutable container with a tight fitting (obviously) lid somewhere.

Still a little concerned about the content of these 'steam powered games' - as I explained to spicy earlier games involving 'guns' are banned by my religion so perhaps there will be a few nice sim based games, hopefuly something along the lines of "Virtual Milkman"

[Hanniz]

You guys should consider yourself as lucky! Since I live relatively close to the North pole and its very cold all year around, steam is very hard to get around here.

As if not my problems with renegade penguins and ice bears was bad enough....

That said; thanks for the useful Information Epoch. I'll will look into more "steam games" when I go back to the main land to sell my furs and buy supplies.

Now I only wish I had a computer with a 36 Kb phone modem...

[Sadist_Cain]

is it possible that this "Steam" can help combat against T&T's carbon footprint?

[HeXeY]

You guys should consider yourself as lucky! Since I live relatively close to the North pole and its very cold all year around, steam is very hard to get around here.

As if not my problems with renegade penguins and ice bears was bad enough....

That said; thanks for the useful Information Epoch. I'll will look into more "steam games" when I go back to the main land to sell my furs and buy supplies.

Now I only wish I had a computer with a 36 Kb phone modem...

Ahh yes, steam is very hard to get here.

And don't forget the Murderous Reindeers, those are a pain in the ass... literally (spelled correctly?)

[MadTommy]

wow,

Just been looking into this steam thing.. it seams you can almost do anything with steam. Exciting times are afoot.

[Gunwitch]

Interesting Steam usage. I particularly like the "Steam Powered PC" although, like Epoch, i can see the problem with condensation forming about the windows.
Maybe a foot pedal connected to a pair of winscreen wipers would combat the problem?

[SqnLdr]

Interesting Steam usage. I particularly like the "Steam Powered PC" although, like Epoch, i can see the problem with condensation forming about the windows.
Maybe a foot pedal connected to a pair of winscreen wipers would combat the problem?
Or connect the wipers to the GPU for use as a display!
Crikey, the uses are endless!

[Harrod200]

I got some of these convos recorded. I'll edit them a bit and upload them shortly.

-EDIT-

Here ya go, a bit condensed & the Basrah related stuff cut :)

http://www.orbital-one.co.uk/PR/SteamGames.mp3

[cyberzomby]

haha nice one :P

[MadTommy]

there's a new community faction for PR in the pipe line, pun intended.

The Luddites

Stock Rifle [WIP]

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/04/29/steamnerf-1.jpg

[LeChuck]

<;'Ö lol lol lol
<;'Ö lol lol :salute:
<;'Ö lol lol lol lol lol :salute:
<;'Ö lol
<;'Ö lol lol lol lol :salute:

:salute:

[Gunwitch]

i want one now!!!
Giv

there's a new community faction for pr in the pipe line, pun intended.

The luddites

stock rifle [wip]

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/04/29/steamnerf-1.jpg

[Katash]

One of my favorite Mythbusters ep's

[wardlemjw]

lol - why do I have an image of Jimmy Krankie in my head !!!!!!!

[thedoombringer0]

Harrods recording priceless made me smile :D

[Sarge]

Wait for it....Wait for it... *EPIC..Facepalm*

[CareBear]

'are all these games cloudy?'


this whole convo is made of pure win :D

[Masaq]

My fellow T&T,

I am very worried that you all seem so interested in the development of Steam-Powered Gaming. Whilst several of you have commented that it may be a greener solution than the boring old "electricity" that most of us have been using to power our PCs up until now (Gunwitch's 'Coal-Fired Broiler' and Epoch's 'Quantum Calculator' aside), you are utterly, utterly wrong.

So wrong in fact, that if all of T&T switched to Steam-Powered Gaming tomorrow, every renegade penguin and icebear so beloved of Hanniz's homeland would be dead within the week.

You see, although much of the world media's attention has been focused on the effect of carbon dioxide on the enviroment's temperature - blaming those crude, oil-powered 'cars' for much of the balmly weather we had this winter (the snow only came up to my cat's nipples this year, instead of his anus as we customarily observe each January) - in fact, there are two other causes of extreme global temperature rise.

As some of you may be aware, the first of these is pirate cows. These vilanious creatures are intent on raising the sealevel so severely that the entire planet is awash with water, forcing all other inhabitants to float around in giant Arcs to stay alive. At this point, the cows will show their true colours - white skull over crossed bone motif on a black field - and begin their menacing ways. (Somalia is currently a cowed state, for those of you unawares). They raise global temperatures by exceting copious quantities of methane - a hideous process that involves the capture, imprisonment and torture of grass through a progression of four acid-filled stomaches. Once it surrenders, it is farted into the air as methane. Once in the atmosphere, it steals heat from the sun and makes everything hotter, melting the snowcaps and thus, progressing the cows' evil plans.

However, that is completely irrelevant here. Kinda. Almost. Actually, well. Read on and judge for yourselves.

What is important is that the third most well-known 'greenhouse gas' is water vapour... anyways, I got in touch with some friends who know People and such, and it turns out that 'water vapour' is steam. What's more, there's pretty compelling evidence that the government have known this for some time, but are covering up the link between steam and potential cow-led genocide because they are taking backhanders from the beef industry.

If you use steam to power your computers, the cows will drown us all in melted ice (it turns out that ice is also water, or something), killing peguins and icebears and other things that like the cold, and we'll be awash on a sea of crap trying to fight off angry piratecows with rusty cutlasses.

Members of the Community, I beg you. Forsake steam, use watermills powered by exploding beercans to power your computers. Blueprints to come.


Regards,

The Rt Honourable Member for 'Ull, Masaq.

[HeXeY]

Members of the Community, I beg you. Forsake steam, use watermills powered by exploding beercans to power your computers. Blueprints to come.


Regards,

The Rt Honourable Member for 'Ull, Masaq.

Interesting, might try it... but I'll probably stick with my pressure powered computer.

It's quite simple, when it snows, I live in Norway so that's about, uhm... 26/7, it pushes a piston in my yard, well, it's practicaly THE yard, which generates power :)

[Hanniz]

Masaq... what you got there is dynamite dude! You have really awakened me. Tomorrow me and my family are going to grab our survival kits (have been lying ready just for this sorts of events) and head for the safe house we have prepared up in the mountains.

Man, Im not going to stay around when the shit hits the fan. Im gonna fight them cows in a true "michigan militia" (http://www.michiganmilitia.com/) style!

Good thing both my wife and 4 year old son have gun practise. The weak link might be my youngest at 1,5 years... He just have to learn really fast!:salute:

[Masaq]

Weak link? Not at all! Simply sharpen his teeth; he will be able to provide point-blank anti-cow action by kneecapping them.

[nk87]

"Hamsterpowered computers are the best" - that cracked me properly