We are trying our very best to implement scrum here at Power Challenge, and we’re actually doing ok. Scrum is an agile development method that we like for several reasons.

scrum goodies:

• allows the team to work undisturbed during the sprint = focus and peace of mind
• short iterations = increased production control and shorter feedback loops
• self-organizing teams = the people working on the tasks are committed and care about their work

…among other things.

I like the idea of all software produced is being tested and that we try to never increase our technical debt. (we don’t make our code base sick by not testing properly or developing to hastily) But to me people are still number one.

If they’re not happy and love coming to work I have failed. But you don’t see that in your burndown chart

Look - it’s our whiteboard!

That’s where the racing team get together for daily scrum every morning at 9 a.m. sharp. Not 9.03 or 8.56. 9.00. We’re usually done in about 5-10 minutes and then we’re updated, in control (or keeping up appearances) and know what everyone’s doing. Knowledge is bliss.

The board tells us if a slice - or task - is currently being worked on, by who, how much time is left, what’s ready for testing and what’s done altogether. The cards tell us the story - why are we building this feature? Who will benefit from this?

…and this is one of the soccer team’s board:

Well - is that enough post-its and whiteboards for you?

Just take a look at these two merry lads! See how happy game developers are?

Per just received a lunch gift from Tomas and Emil. And never has a t-shirt fitted anyone better! (proud former member of the racing team)

And what is Tomas doing? What is that?

It’s art!

People are different and do things for different reasons. Some people buy clothes in order to stay warm when winter comes. Some do it to be accepted by their friends or protest in some way.

We read books, listen to music and play games for different reasons.

Why do you play Power Soccer - or whatever games you fancy the most? I guess it could be for a few reasons, like pastime, friends online = community, for the love of the sport (soccer), relaxation…

I’m curious - enlighten me!

// L

(”good times” should be pronounced with emphasis, as quoted by Enid Wexler in Legally Blonde)

Well, it’s Monday morning and times are great. There’s no other way to put it. I was a nice and kind mother all morning, waved and smiled as the kids got on the school bus. Didn’t say anything even slightly annoyed to anyone. Didn’t drive to fast going to work and very much looking forward to this new working week.

I’m going to read some more on agile development. Play some (casual?) games. Look through the preliminary road map for Power Racing.

We have a well planned, completely focused sprint ahead of us (or at least so I’d like to think). The sun is shining. People in the office seem to be cheerful. I remembered to bring my lunch box. And I read a post in the PS forum about a guy who’s in love and wanted some input on how he could get the girl to fall in love with him… oh, the youth. The sweet emotions.

Seriously though, isn’t that cool? The Power Soccer forum is the meeting place for so many people, for so many reason. What better way to use the “off topic” section then to talk about love?

I like Hugh Grant’s character in Love Actually. He sets the tone of the movie by opening with these lines:

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.

And somehow I find that approach a bit unusual. Most of the times we seem to focus on everything that goes wrong. Un-tweaked gameplay, car engines that need fixing, worn out shoes, red lights or broken hearts. Are we getting so used to focusing on the bad things that we miss out on all the beauty? Where are all the messages of love?

While watching the evening news - peace & love is rarely what comes to mind. Buildings on fire, people shouting messages of hate and world finances going down down down. I think maybe it’s time to start turning things around. What if we just stop talking about and showing everything that’s wrong with this world and start focusing on the good stuff? I bet some of you can’t even come up with one single good thing - but plenty of things that suck. But please try.

A funny post in the forum. The feeling of scoring that beautiful goal. The smell of coffee in the morning. Ice cream on a sunny day. Hanging out with friends that really know you. Finally solving that configuration issue that’s been bugging you for ages. An unexpected postcard.

There are some pretty cool things happening all the time, all around. We just have to start seeing them.

But what I really was gonna write about today has nothing to do with games or technology. Very non-Power Challenge altogether. Stewie! The one year old villain that never cease to amaze us with his wit and evil mind. Family Guy is the number one tv show at home right now, we all get together at 8.30 p.m. for some fine family entertainment. And toddler Stewie is just brilliant. So weird, so filled with conflicting emotions.

There’s always been a lot of tension between Lois and me, and it’s not so much that I want to kill her, it’s just I want her …not to be alive, anymore. Ah, I sometimes wonder if all women are this difficult, and then I think to myself: My God, wouldn’t it be marvelous if I turned out to be a homosexual?

(Stewie in “Fifteen minutes of shame”)

Ok Sipwell is really bugging me about being to slow with getting this post out, so instead of proof-reading this I’m just gonna press “publish” and hope for the best.

This is a great Monday and I couldn’t be happier if I was twins. (sorry for quoting so much, I understand it makes me look like someone who can’t think for themselves…but I really don’t care)

This one’s for you Sipwell.

// L

My great graphical artists finished another location today. “Finished” as in most things are in place, not much left to tweak and it feels sort of …complete when you drive through it. It’s ready enough to show people outside the office without making excuses Totally exciting of course, it’s so cool to be able to testdrive the cars in a brand new environment.

Also making some minor UI tweaks, polishing bits and pieces.

Haven’t got any hot screenshots to show you today, will of course post ASAP.

We have some rather major stuff going on as well. My über-clever programming guys are doing some severe physics changes, being wizards as usual. This will make a whole lot of difference to how the car handles collisions, for example.

What else…

Well. The Friday “fika” (Swedish word for getting together, drinking coffee, eating cinnamon buns and gossiping) is only 15 minutes away! Very much looking forward to that.

Have a great weekend everyone. Stay sharp. Play games, feed ducks, drink water, go for walks and give someone you like a phone call and say hi. Or get a radical hair cut! I did yesterday. Added some rather illuminous colour to it and I feel all fresh and sharp. I think having sparkling hair makes me use my brain more efficiently. Don’t ask me how it works.

Anyway. Signing out now, time for weekly coffebreak with colleagues and some “what happens next week-news” from Tomas.

See ya!

…but interesting all the same! There’s a movie I just love called Azumi. I came across a review of it that had some interesting points. (guess you have to see the movie to understand what they are going on about, but still worth mentioning) Azumi is a girl, with a sword, fighting her way through a mans world. And she’s doing a great job at it. The point made was that the movie actually was somewhat emasculating to men. Azumi is by far the best fighter, always cool and calm. Her (male) friends are rather dorky - no hunky superheros what so ever. And the über bad guy is extremely feminine in his appearance. A very non typical male character.

Interesting. Strange how I never though of that myself.

I just love girls with swords. It’s such a cool combo. I know, I’m easily dazzled… but still.

Check the review out here, if you’re interested.

So, dark clouds are rising, swords are sharpened and the warriors are getting ready. You know what I’m talking about…the clash of the giants. The battle between the two clans: The Marx Brothers and Surreal, with proud leaders Sipwell and Powdersnow.

Expect the worst; gossip, evil rumours and top secret information on the loose. The insults have already begun to take place.

Is this the end of the PS community as we know it? Or is it just a PR stunt? Are they all really friends? Can anyone be trusted? Is the truth really out there?

Tune in for the latest news on the Power Soccer site. Pick a side. Join a clan. Start your own clan!

Whatever you do - don’t miss out…

// Linda, from the trenches

Had quite a slow Monday so far. Been going through some translations, making sure the language is ok. Talked to Powdersnow about the FAQ and help section we’re working on at the moment. Spent some time reading and writing in the forums. And by chance I came across a post where the topic was “Shaolindo” (yes - that’s me, slighly mis-spelled).

Someone was very upset about the fact that I’m just a lvl 3 in Power Soccer, going on about how he expected the crew to be lvl 99 etc etc. Quite amusing, I never thought I would cause so much emotions! Anyhow, had to reply just to put things straight and explain my view on the matter.

Today I also came across some rather amusing sites. Take a look if you’re boored…

At yearbookyourself you make yourself look like you’re in an Amercan yearbook… Best idea in a long time!

…and iDailyDiary is a neat little online diary application that sort of looks like Wordpad but somehow is a more creative environment for writing than Word…

At makebeliefscomix you can make your own comics! My kids are gonna love that.

And of course - the Blackadder quotes generator. What would the world be like without some clever, cynical quotes to brighten up our day?
See you next time!

// Linda

Greetings from Nice, France:

Drive safely!

So, I thought you might wanna take a look at two of the cars you haven’t seen yet? Rest your eyes on these two beauties…

Let me introduce: our second model (with basic body kit) within the Asian style!

And the second within the European style (upgraded body kit):

Don’t you just wanna take them out for a spin..?