Ellen Juniper Kaplan

@juniper.ellen.zone

🤖 DevRel Enjoyer [Open for work!] ⭐ Theme parks, coffee, and retro games are my jam 📝 Author, "Coping with Gender Dysphoria"; bylines in Vice, @pcgamer.com, etc. 🗺 Boston, MA 🌐 ellen.zone

got to play galaxian 3: attack of the zolgear at fun world today! i didn’t even have to ask a tech to turn it on for me, it was just running. it’s one of four left in the whole world, and the only one left in the US. feeling grateful i got to play it.

a large scale arcade installation labeled “GALAXIAN3” in an exciting font, with a craggy sign under it detailing the “ATTACK OF THE ZOLGEAR” update. it has blue and yellow trim, and there is a dedicated “ENTRANCE” and “EXIT”. the interior has a large theater like projection display, and six different player stations with seating and gun controllers. a closer look inside the unit. the worn out looking projection display shows the game’s title (GALAXIAN 3, stylized as if it were “Galaxian Cubed”) and INSERT COINS text. there are various spaceship-like details surrounding the projection surface, including a CAUTION light. another look inside. the “cockpit” type controllers are visible, white boxy things with red lights and handle like buttons. they are motion controllers which a player must manipulate to move their aiming reticle across the screen. 

the display is very washed out, and poorly color balanced. it’s clearly two projectors, with a demarcated line where one projection surface ends and the other begins. a space sky is spread across both of them, with a health bar across the top. the color balance is wildly off, leaving one projection surface blue where the other is green.

After 8 incredible years I’m sad to share that I’ve been laid off from Discord. I can’t describe how grateful I am for the chance to work with so many great folks, both inside the company and the developer community I served. Taking some time to rest before looking for my next DevRel adventure.

After 8 incredible years I’m sad to share that I’ve been laid off from Discord. I can’t describe how grateful I am for the chance to work with so many great folks, both inside the company and the developer community I served. Taking some time to rest before looking for my next DevRel adventure.

meowdy! figured i'd create a professional account in advance of GDC so i had a space to put my thoughts on the state of the industry and follow folks that make things i care about. if you've got questions about getting your game integrated with discord, feel free to reach out, i'm happy to answer!