For tonight's homework it's time to do a little listening to The Journeys Of Jay Ziebarth Podcast, where NinjaVsPirates interview Jay Ziebart of Journeys Of Reemus fame about game design. I'll expect a 400 word summary, explaining your conclusions, and citing some references, on my desk in the morning [subbed by Mitch (who did not reveal whether he was a ninja or a pirate)].

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News just coming in on my earpiece that Level 20 of MOTAS is out now... although I assume MOTAS addicts are already too busy puzzling and/or dancing in the streets to be reading this [subbed by PhoeNixe, sorrowless_joe & anon].

As this is the 21st Century it's probably been a long time since you've had need to use something so lo-tech as a Blank Sheet Of Paper, you're probably busy emailing, IM'ing, Facebooking & Twittering people, but should you need to go Old Skool and actually, you know, write something, the question is where can you get one of those Blank Sheet Of Paper thingies that people used to use in the 'good' old days? Well fortunately there is a web site with a totally logical (and not at all ridiculous) solution that will hook you up with a piece of paper in about the same time it takes you to click print (and walk to the printer). The only question now is... where can I find a pen? [via dump trumpet].

Happy 9th Birthday Google, it seems like it's been much longer, and of course you're so mature, but I guess you're still just a young little whipper-snapper really. If you give us some advanced warning of your 10th next year we'll make sure we've baked you a cake...

Due to some technical snafu somewhere along the line I don't seem to be able to post pictures right now, so you'll have to forgo the screenshot, but Warbears fans should check out the revamped warbears.com. No new games unfortunately, there is some "coming soon"news though, but it's got a whole virtual world community upgrade thing. Register and make your own little character, then wonder around and talk to folk. Lovely, if that kind of thing floats your boat [subbed by Calvin].

UPDATE: Yeh - sorted the picture problem.

It's a long way off yet (the second half of '08), but it's great news to hear that the creators of Samorost have a new game in production, and the screenshots of Machinarium make it look like something that is well worth waiting for. It's billed as a "full scale adventure game" so there should be plenty to play, I just hope it isn't only "pay-to-play", and at least some of it goes on-line. That said I'll probably be digging the wallet out for this one if I have to [via nordinho].

Patrick writes to tell me that surrealist thing/game "Feed The Head" has been updated with an extra large dose of weird. I, however, am struggling to work out what is new, and what I just didn't find first time round.... anyway it's still a nice thing to distract you between games, just let me know what's new. I don't remember being able to open the head, and I never changed the nose before, but it's perfectly possible I just missed these before... [subbed and created by Patrick].

UPDATE: Oh goodness. Keep pulling noses! I ended up playing a weird game of keepy-uppy, and then got the head to run! Surreal magic.

Word on the street is that 2D Depot (originally featured back in May) has released an update. It's still far from complete (perhaps it never will be) but if you enjoyed it last time, and played as far as you could, there's more there for you to tinker with now [subbed by Greame (no relation) & Mantari].