I just don’t get it: why spend all that time, effort, and energy when you can just walk into a store and purchase the thing a week later?

Until I saw this, I was under the impression that game development could only be achieved using C++ or a “beginning game programmer language” such as Dark Basic.

Looks like I was wrong! If I decide to get into computer game development again, I’ll definitely consider using Visual Basic or Visual C# as a balance between the power of C++ and the ease of use of Dark Basic.

Round 2 features a number of new stocks, including Google Earth, iRobot Scooba, the decidedly droolworthy Kaleidescape, and a mini-concentration in open source technologies, including open source databases, licensing, and GUI toolkits.

If you’re not familiar with the Tech Buzz Game, it’s a fantasy prediction market for technology. Your goal is to predict what technologies people will be searching the web for in the future. You put your (fantasy) money where your mouth is by buying stock in the technologies you believe will be popular and selling stock in the technologies you think will flop.

I played in the first round this summer when they were giving Apple prizes (iPod, iMac, etc.) to the top placers (no, I didn’t win anything). This round, however, seems to be “play for fun” only. Sign up at the Buzz Game website if you’re interested in playing.

[Correction (10/13/05): The first place prize was a Mac mini, not an iMac...]