...the relationship between making a TV pilot and making a level

Saw the movie The TV Set on dvd last night. Interesting, well-done movie. There are definite analogues in making a TV pilot and making a level. The amount and usefulness of feedback and the repercussions to quality are the main similarities. I cringed a couple times watching it...

...frustrations with the Simpsons game demo

Well just played the Simpsons demo at work. It has potential, but I don't think I'd buy it...too many frustrating issues - such as:

- walking in a straight line is hard! The camera starts turning with any rotation off directly forward.
- demo level is too hectic...too many krustys running around saying the same thing over and over.
- "lard lad" boss's pattern could be much better. One of the 2 spots he goes between is almost impossible to get onto his back from.
- ...and Homer is practically useless against him. I would like it better if Bart had to do one thing, then Homer had to do the next etc...
- too unforgiving in general...I'm talking about glide decent rate, double jump success rate, amount of time Lard Lad stays stunned, frequency of Krustys...
- camera is odd...R-stick can be used to look around, but pressing L1 to actually aim at things often has you pointing away from your intended target

A good focus test could really help...unfortunately I know sometimes even with well-run focus tests, it is all in how management reacts and fixes the problems that come up that make the difference...