Editor's Note: Great photos by Brett Bates from a nerdriffic event. Fellow Bitmob staffer Michael Donahoe actually asked if I wanted to go to this, but I had other (and in hindsight, lamer) plans. Looking at these photos, I wish I would've gone. -Shoe
The Maker Faire -- held yearly at the San Mateo fairgrounds and sponsored by the folks at Make magazine -- is a veritable geektopia of gadgets, gizmos, and other goodies. This year, I saw a remote-controlled giraffe carrying a squealing group of kids down the main boulevard. I witnessed a man-sized version of the game Mouse Trap. I noticed a woman walk by on robotic satyr legs, then marveled at a ridiculous metal contraption that spun tight cylinders of fire. And, yes, I saw plenty of weird and cool things related to gaming.
Click the Read More link for some pictorial goodness.
I hope this is in BioShock 2.
Children can't resist Space Invaders mini golf.
We caught this kid doing his best Fred Savage impression.
This skull appeared to be made from old iMacs. Its eyes were video screens showing the show floor.
Building a better man-sized mousetrap.
Activision promoting its newest property, Guitar Hero: Windmill Edition.
"If we start 'em young enough, they'll think crunch time is play time!"
A snailmobile.
A sharkmobile.
I bet Bowser would like this for this next birthday party.
He looks cute, but he'll bite your finger off if you're not careful.
What one of Mario's fire flowers would look like on 360.
Kids being ferried about in style on the remote-controlled robo-giraffe.
The Lil Ju Ju Mobile Pinball Museum -- yep, the mobile branch of the place profiled in episode 2 of A Life Well Wasted.
This pinball machine disrobed so you could peek inside.
Pinball's mechanical innards.
Inside the Mobile Pinball Museum.
Totally tubular!
For whatever reason, all the machines were water-themed.
Detail.
I dig the 1950s art style.
Jumbo jumbalaya.
What geekfest would be complete without Legos?
The scenes absolutely popped with detail.
These boaters seem oddly nonchalant about the giant robot octopus behind them.
If you're curious to see more photos from Maker Faire, check out my Picasa web album.
