I won’t even try to remember when I last blogged. Well I know this - it’s been too long!

Feel the urge to write something, reconnect with all of you. The marvelous PS community…

Maybe this first in a million years blog post ought to be something extraordinary. Well, guess what. It won’t. If I don’t just post s-o-m-e-t-h-i-n-g today, now, I might never ever get around to do it. So here it goes.

Funny thing number one: Courage Wolf. Self explanatory. Hilarious. Not always tasteful, but always powerful.

Funny thing number two: discussing computer games with 30 + something mothers with no interest whatsoever in technology and games. Spent my lunch hour yesterday doing just that, and … it’s just the best. Talking, debating, questioning… love it! And I think I might have talked her into at least trying to sit down with her daughter when she plays, and she might think twice next time she’s on the verge of saying “no, you can’t play anymore. why don’t you sit down and read a book or watch a movie instead?”

So, that was all for today. I’m going to leave you now, with a touch of courage…

Peace & fangs

// Shaolinda

WAPCP. Not as cool as WASP, I know, but still.

Thorbjörn a.k.a. Powdersnow - or Powsterboy - came up with the brilliant idea of a Power Challenge crew presentation thred!

Because let’s face it. Not all crew members are as hooked on going on and on and on about themselves as I am. Well, noone, actually, except maybe Powdersnow himself. (and Sipwell, but although he’s our prime time all star philosopher, he’s still not “crew” as such. plus everyone already know who he is)

So for those of you who have been reading the blog and desperately wanted me to shut up, and let the others speak - today is your lucky day! An entire thread filled with PC crew information and personal details…

Enjoy!

p.s. if anyone manages to solve the 2 cats-mystery…please let me know!

It strikes me ever so often: I love my job. I feel genuinly happy coming in to the office, seeing the people, the weird drawings, pictures, messages everywhere (we sort of collect those and tape them to walls and desks), my best friend: the coffee machine, the small talk, the news, the community, the games. It feels like home.

Today’s release made me feel more proud than ever working at Power Challenge. And it’s not so much to do with the graphics or AI, goalkeeper improvements or career mode.

It’s all about the people.

The ones I work with every day, as well as the ones out there: our fabulous community.

I think it’s safe to say this was our best update and most spectacular release so far - and that’s great. But even greater is how unbelievably fantastic I feel when I’m surrounded by the Power Challenge People, all helping out, pulling together. Friends and colleagues, as Patrick would have put it.

Do I sound religious? That’s ok. Who wouldn’t be a believer on a day like this?

/ Linda - more coffee heading her way

People. If you’re trying to log on to the site right about now, you’ll see something completely different - and need I point out fabulous/gleaming/fresh/stunning/beautiful/superb - from what you’ve ever seen on Power Soccer before.

The biggest update ever is taking place at this very moment. If you were here, at the office, you’d feel the excitement in the air. Exhausted but optimistic game developers everywhere, whos bodies are filled with  Management by Milkshake milkshakes, code around the clock coffee and please-stay-awake-cake. Everyone has done everything within their power to make this a successful release, to make this the biggest day yet in the history of Power Soccer.

So stay tuned. It’s going to be a great day.

/ shaolinda, heading for another cup of coffee

So, this is sort of an official statement, regarding Power Racing. I know for a fact that Pow is getting the same news out on the site as well.

Here we go:

Power Soccer and ManagerZone are growing fast, and we’re working hard to develop them in the right direction, with the right focus and engagement. Our games are in many aspects community driven, and lately we’ve been more and more aware that we need to improve the relations with our users as well as the quality of our games to meet your expectations. It’s important that we remain true to our core values. This means we need to back things up a bit, refocus, reassess our already existing games and make them as stunning and enjoyable as we all want them to be. Before building, releasing, maintaining, supporting yet another game we want to make sure the ones we already have stand on a solid ground.

In order to achieve that, we’ve had to take a second look at our priorities. We have reached the conclusion to put Power Racing on hold and to move all our resources over to ManagerZone and Power Soccer. This does not mean we’re not going to develop Power Racing, it just means that we have other things to do first. Power Racing is still very much alive for us, and it is our every intention to release it when the time comes.

What will happen now? All our efforts will go towards developing our already existing games until they match the visions we have for them. Some brand new features that will bring the different elements of the games together, improving the gaming experience even more. Improvements that we hope will take Power Challenge as a company, and its games, to the next level.

Not the kind of news I’d like to post, but then again, it’s all about making the best decisions and games we possibly can. I guess good gamedevelopers sometimes have to be the bringer of bad news

See you out there.

/ Linda, still in the office

I think I’ll have to make this into a series, giving you daily updates regarding our favourite temporary Tech Op’s dude, Jake.

I’d say Frogodo has settled in pretty nicely. As much as can be expected in a couple of days any way. He doesn’t look the slightest bit lost or afraid - that must be a good sign? I mean, the PC HQ can be a rather spooky place. But we’re trying to play nicely, and to make him feel even more welcome we ordered - especially for him of course - super fine weather! Blue skies and that special Nordic light.

(…well that’s another kind of light, but never mind…still Nordic!)

On days like this, not only does everyone you meet outside look rather cool and interesting thanks to the sunglasses they wear, the sunshine actually make you happier. Something to do with…hormones? Endorphins?

Look, a few pics of Linköping in the summer:

the park “Trädgårdsföreningen” (= “The Garden Association” if translated in a Babelfish kind of way)

you know what they say: when in doubt - go swimming!

One place you actually HAVE to visit when in Linköping, Bosses glassbar (Bosse = the name of the owner, glassbar = ice cream bar).

Curious about what Frogodo might get up to for the next couple of weeks? Besides the obvious Jolt drinking and programming of course.  Have a look, check out Linköping from a tourist guide perspective.

All of you somewhat familiar with Power Soccer know that there is a guy called Frogodo. We’ve all heard his name but not all of us actually knew HIM. Well that’s about to change. Cause as of today, and for the next ten weeks, he’ll be part of the development team here in Linköping.

Frogodo - or Jake as he also may be referred to - will join forces with Magnus and Krzysztof, performing some heavy technical operations stuff.

So, let’s give Frogodo a warm welcome to Linköping and the magnificent headquarters of Power Challenge. And, of course, a big congrats to the contributor account on this blog…

/ L

Shortbread. Plain and simple, and preferably lots of them. David Nicholson, the latest addition to the Power Challenge crew, brings them every time he comes over from England (he can’t help living there, poor guy). And we absolutely adore him for it. (and hope he never feels “at home” enough here to stop bringing us biscuits)

So, I spoke to Sipwell earlier and he asked me about Dodo (Powdersnow) and we ranted for a while as always and anyway, here’s the short but accurate Skype conversation:

[11:31:05] Linda Wallin: we’re pow and shao
[11:31:12] Linda Wallin: hilarious, isn’t it`?
[11:31:27] sipwell: that you both are Japanese kittens?

I guess this means that this —>  is really me, just trapped inside this human-looking flesh onesie…

…I totally forgot what I was really going to post as funny friday thingie… Huggy Bear’s “I know more about grass”! Classic!

Watch the video and pay attention somewhere around 1.50… I must say, Snoop sure knows how to play the part.