Archive for April, 2008

Imagine A Degree In Animation And Game Design

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

A career in animation and game design means having one of the hottest careers around. Thanks to the leaps and bounds in technology and their applications for animation, the renewed popularity of video game and cartoons has exploded into the type of profession that combines limitless imagination with the best of technology. This exciting career is perfect for the type of person with an imagination that knows no bounds to set their mind totally free.

Since their introduction, video games have become a regular part of every day life spanning between the generations; and as technology has improved, so have the games and their graphics. Beyond graphics, storylines improve and characters develop until they are almost legends. Video game design is a modern way of creating a part of culture that is an aspect of folklore with fantasy worlds and valiant heroes.

Much goes into the world of animation and game design. Before any one game sees the light of day, issues of concept and design must be hammered out as well as copyright laws, demographics, funding and management issues. Those who love video games and are interested in game design can be put to the test when they find gaming skills have very little to do with the design of games in general. However, it is still a draw for bright minds that have an instinct for knowing what makes a game great.

Learning what makes a game playable versus sellable is a formula for success. To do this, attaining a strong foundation in the knowledge of video games; starting with their history and moving through other topics such as artistic terminology and theory, video game genres and some other aspects is what allows one to build up to concepts, animation and modeling and then on up to prototypes.

Among other things, strong fundamentals in design, content creation, story development and project management must also be learned. Even classes in entertainment law are a must so that finding out about copyright laws that protect a person’s work do not come about the hard way. Creating a portfolio and learning other marketing skills for the purpose of generating a presence as a legitimate professional is also an important aspect of animation and game design.

When the time comes to finally design the game, all the learned elements and concepts will be combined with knowledge of 3D modeling and animation, CAD drawing and a host of other types of technology and software. In the end, the collaboration on the parts of many will result in a product that must then be successfully packaged and marketed to the public.

Those who earn their degree in animation and game design will be able to not only design the games that people want but also be able to see which way the winds of the industry are blowing. Although this multi-billion dollar industry only seems to be growing stronger, there are a number of outside elements that can have quite an affect on the success of certain video games. A talented individual in this field always has the ability to stay flexible and meet challenges effectively.

As technology grows and changes so will animation and game design, meaning there will always be a demand for professionals in this field. Because that technology is so vast and because there are many aspects that go into creating video games, there are various career choices when it comes to animation and game design, from programming to marketing. A degree in this field can open the door to an all-encompassing career path that is solid and reliable.

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Board game reviews: Clue

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

Clue, the classic murder mytsery detective game has been given a face lift.

An actress with a shady past, an aging athlete turned pundit, and former child star and a billionaire video-game designer. There are just a few of the suspects in Hasbro’s updated version of the family favourite Clue.

In the board game where everybody’s a suspect, everything has been given a much needed makeover. The new game takes place at a modern mansion, during a party for the rich and famous. New weapons and new rooms add modern touches to the game, while a second deck of cards adds a bit more pressure to the players. Now, not only to they have to figure out Who Done It?’ they have to track down the murderer before they strike again!

Players can now choose from nine weapons instead of six weapons. The lead pipe is gone and so it the wrench, and the revolver’s a pistol. New weapons include poison, an axe, a bat, a dumbbell, and an Oscar award trophy.

New murder locations include a patio, a theatre, a spa and a guest house. And the characters have changed as well. The former Miss Scarlet is now Cassandra Scarlet, an actress with a knack for landing in the tabloids. Victor Plum, AKA the Professor, is now a dot com billionaire who’s always known as the smartest man in the room. Colonel Mustard is now Jack Mustard, a former Football star with “all the ins”.

Hasbro has also added more intrigue to the game play as each suspect has their own special skill such as looking at other people’s cards or starting a wicked rumor. There are also chances for players to avoid questioning and send some snooping opponents right back to the beginning of the game.

In this version of Clue, it’s all about looking after number 1.

Despite all the changes, in many ways, it is still the same game. Players must gather clues from the nine rooms of the house and interrogate theier fellow guests to try and slove the murder. The facts of the case are deduced through observation, careful note taking, and strategy; systematically removing known cards from a player’s list. However, if you’re not careful, you may end up being more Clouseau than Pirot. Game play leaves plenty of room for bumbling errors, especially if you’re not careful to keep track of the cards you’ve already been shown.

One of the biggest improvements in the new layout of the board making all the rooms fairly equal in accessibility. And the new “intrigue” and “clock” cards up the game play by adding clues or eliminating players.

On the downside, the cards are not the best quality and the pictures they used are tacky. But this does not affect game play. All in all, I find the updates a welcome change to an old favourite. It’s essentially the same game; it’s just as if it had been designed in this century instead of the last one.

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Creating your own video game – Part 2

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Creating your own video game is no simple task. These days, it takes a massive studio millions of dollars and years of effort to crank out the next blockbuster game. Given this daunting effort required, how can the inexperienced, fledgeling designer “break in” to the game industry?

It’s easier than you think to craft a meaningful, exciting video game, though it may not be entirely your own creation. Many game deigners, in an effort to promote player-created content and extend the life of their games, offer their own design software, bundled with their games. These range from extremely complicated to rather basic, depending on your skill level.

Easily the most accessible world-builder would have to be Neverwinter Nights’ creation software. Bundled with the game and accessable directly from the start-up screen, the editor provides you with everything you need to craft your own fantasy world, including wizards that walk you through creating everything from quests to the weapons and armours your players wear, even the other characters and creatures that they interact with. A fanciful castle populated with faeries, a dragons lair, an abandoned dwarven gold mine…all of this and more can be created with the NWN editor.

The ease of this module builder is apparent in the large number of modules available for the original Neverwinter Nights. Even a brief visit to the Neverwinter Vault will tell you that Neverwinter Nights is one of the best ways to get started creating your own game worlds.

Another game that provides it’s players with a module creation system is Half-Life 2. Half-Life 2 is a completely different genre from NWN, and is also geared towards a completely different skill level. There are few wizards in Valves “Hammer” world editor. In fact, the only things provided for you are the models and wireframes, just about. Any scripting, dialogue, or world building has to be done, peice by peice, by you or your team.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind also offer content creation software. The good thing about the Elder Scrolls construction kit is that your created content can merge seamlessly with the existing game if you so choose, making your work look even more professional. The ability to build on someone else’s previous work is something that all game designers should learn, as in the industry you will be doing it quite a bit.

There are many, many more game creation tools out there for the beginning designer. These are just a couple of the more well-known ones. Anything from a text adventure to a full-blown 3D first person shooter can be created if you put time and effort into it, and don’t give up when the going gets rough. Good luck!

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A Blueprint For Success With Animation And Game Design

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

One look and it’s not hard to tell how much animation and game design play a role in the world of media arts. The number of new technologies all rolling around together in the same pot is what ends up creating the stunning visual effects that leave people wanting more. The only limits there are seem to come with the boundaries of the imagination.

The soaring popularity of video games has a great deal to do with the lifelike animation. Great animation and other elements of game design work together to make the player feel as if he or she is actually in the middle of it all. When this happens, a game is considered to be truly successful.

Rarely does anyone stop and think about all the elements that go into animation and game design. The sleek and finished end product disguises months, if not years, of ground floor concept development all the way to marketing and public relations. Without the individuals behind the project working in cooperation, most concepts would never even get off the floor.

Those who enter the world of animation and gaming often do so because it is their passion. They not only love video games but the many facets of which they can consist. Luckily, there are now many educational options that allow the complete study of this type of media.

As technology continues to evolve, it takes the venues of animation and game design with it. Those who study in this area will not only learn the aspects of such things as CAD and 3D applications, they will continuously update their certifications in the field. A career in gaming and design means being at the forefront, and staying at the forefront, of all the latest technological developments.

Because of the need for high-level skills in 3D modeling or the concepts of game development, entry-level positions to this type of career will require at least a Bachelor’s degree. Prospective employers of the gaming world are looking to be the best and want employees who walk in the door with phenomenal skills. Exceptional skills coupled with passion make for the most winning combination.

A Bachelor’s degree is what gives students a foundation in the basic elements of both gaming and design along with their practical applications. From developing a story to character design and modeling, this is where many students begin to develop their portfolios. In no time, many find they are able to branch out into various areas of the career path that suits them best.

A Master’s degree allows an individual to combine their experience and education to handle the responsibilities of running entire departments. Ensuring the collaboration of different departments is always a necessary aspect of game development. From visual concept development to public relations, each plays a very necessary role in ensuring a game’s success.

Those who choose this vocation often do well because their job brings them such a high level of personal fulfillment. It is also a field that is growing by leaps and bounds and has a very solid future. A career that has such a strong foundation in technology can also mean a higher starting salary than other careers.

Animation and game design is an area that is catching on like wildfire. A laid-back field, rarely will one be required to wear a shirt and tie to work. At the same time, it is one of the most competitive occupations, requiring the best in high tech skills. In this vocation, individuals combine their passion and their career and that is the very recipe to their inevitable success.

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Online video game reviews: Doppelganger

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Doppelganger, published by pumpkin games, is at first glance an interesting take on the side-shooter genre. The play area allows free movement with a wrap-around map if an enemy leaves one side, it reappears on the other. Add to this the ability of the enemies to spawn more enemies from the little astronauts scattered across the landscape and the game quickly lives up to the developer’s description as “a frantic 2d side scrolling blaster .”

Then the gimmick comes in, provided you realize it exists. By default controls, the arrow keys determine your movement, and the x key fires; the z key, however, switches you to the other “world.” See, Doppelganger’s map is split horizontally, giving sort of the impression initially that you are flying over a lake. There’s a reflection of your ship on the other side, with different enemies who are chasing it. When “z” is pressed, you flip out of whatever danger you are in up top and into whatever danger you are in on the bottom. Particularly useful if a cloud of kamikaze enemies are sitting on top of your corpse after you crash and burn.

You might ask why I’m telling you this in such great detail. The answer, quite simply, is, “because the game doesn’t.” Even getting the demo started proved a chore, as I had to mash keys until I discovered that “x” would enter a menu option. I guess Pumpkin Games’ designers didn’t want to waste time recognizing that bourgeois “Enter” key. Forgivable, if you’re playing the game on an Xbox 360, the developers’ obvious intent sadly, I was not. Or maybe that’s not to sad, because I can’t imagine playing this game with either the analog or d-pad controls on my 360; I’m certain trading my fast, responsive arrow keys for either option would result in some sort of damage, likely to my controller as I slammed it down in rage.

The graphics for Doppelganger are really pretty, on the same level as the Xbox Arcade title “Mutant Storm.” There is a really nice fire effect representing your ship’s thrusters when you move. Unfortunately it is always on, which caused me early on to wonder why I would light on fire if I stopped moving. There is also a catchy techno tune playing that lasts about 30 seconds and then repeats. As I write I’m trying to drive it out of my head.

Bottom line: Doppelganger is a demo I enjoyed playing but will probably not play again. It was an interesting diversion, but the difficulty curve will turn off casual gamers, and hardcore gamers already own Halo and Tetris. This just feels like yet another mediocre Live Arcade release trying to grab a piece of that ever-shrinking market pie.

The Rawk: Innovative design and pretty graphics.

The Phail: Difficulty curve makes the demo nigh unbeatable. No tutorials. No obvious reason not to kill all the astronauts to prevent their assimilation into the collective.

Final Score: 2/5

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How to Become a Game Designer Game Designer Career Beginnings Start and End with Love for the Game

Sunday, April 6th, 2008

Game designers are in demand. The gaming industry is growing faster than colleges and schools can churn out students. The hours are long, and the work is addictive – but if you can learn to program as well as you play, a game designer career could become a reality for you.

Game designers are passionate self-learners with addictive personalities. They are addicted to games, and they must be in order to be a game designer. Game designers are under pressure to meet deadlines, but deadlines crush creativity. They are in a constant battle on the screen, and within themselves. When passionate gaming mixes with creativity, programming, endurance and addiction, a game designer is born.

Gaming isn’t child’s play anymore, it’s big business. In 2008 the US pulled in a hefty 22 billion dollars from the gaming industry, despite economic woes. Globally, the gaming industry was a winner in 2007 with over 41 billion dollars worth of gaming hardware and software filling the living rooms of gamers everywhere. There are job titles that future game designers aren’t even aware exist. Of course there’s a chief technical officer, a senior programmer, and an art director – but now the entertainment and media want ads are looking for lead scenario designers, battle designers, combat designers and level designers. There are game designer careers within game designer jobs. Some other titles for game designer careers are scenario designer, concept author, conceptual designer, level planner and camera designer. Then of course there’s the textual artist, background modeler, environment designer and character designer. But it all starts with a computer and an education – and lots of game playing.

A game designer education needs to include courses in programming, graphic design, media, art, communication, marketing, algebra and geometry. Self-learning, by taking advantage of game creating software (game engine tools) and 3D modeling tools can give you a head start. Going back to play some of the historical games and reviewing the history of video games can also put you a level over the competition. If you are addicted enough and have the perseverance to pursue your career, getting a college education is the fastest and easiest way to get your foot in the door. Your portfolio should include courses in digital media, communication, graphic design and computer programming at the minimum. Try to get courses in animation, cinematics, creative writing or storytelling. The majority of game designers have a degree, and common majors are computer science, art and English.

Game designer positions will be growing with technology. Your talent and on-the-job experience in game designing will carry you up the levels in your career, but your college education will get you in the door. Investing in an education in game designing will give you the career potential to make well over $50,000 and do something you love. Design a plan for your future, and take the path to your game design career. A game designer that loves to game will always win.

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Which video game console is better: PlayStation 3 or Wii?

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

First of all I should say that I have been almost a lifelong Nintendo fan. I was introduced to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) at the age of 5 and have owed every console since (unless you include the Virtual Boy which I did play and enjoy, but never owned). Even though I have this history and seem to be biased, I did also own a Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2), and Microsoft XBOX and have enjoyed many games and many hours of fun with those systems. The problem with these other companies is their shortsightedness and failure to truly innovate, but to properly understand this trend you will need a bit of video game history.

Nintendo suffered a fall after the Super NES(SNES) back in 1995 when the original PlayStation was introduced by Sony, their formal partners on the vaporware SNES CD. Sony took what they had learned from Nintendo, as much of the original PlayStation’s design borrowed heavily from the SNES from the gray casing with two horizontal control ports and controllers that followed the layout of the SNES almost exactly. Sony’s sole advantage was the CD-ROM format and they marketed hard to 3rd part game publishers and marketed to the public in a way that left Nintendo in the dust for many years to come. Nintendo seemed unaffected by Sony’s success however, and continued to innovate and make games as they have always done. They came up with analog control, and showed the world what a 3D game could be with Super Mario 64, then introduced force feedback with the rumble pak, and brought about 4 player support right out of the box with the Nintendo 64 (N64). Even though 3rd parties jumped ship or severely decreased support Nintendo did what they thought was best for games, they made controversial decisions (such as sticking with cartridges when everyone went to CDs and launching the Gamecube with a handle and in purple), but were looking for a way to expand the audience.

Fast forward to the Wii, again a controversial decision in even the name of the console and of course the controller. The Nintendo DS (NDS) led the way for their Revolution (a code name for the Wii while in development) and brought game design back to formula. President of Nintendo Satoru Iwata could see how games were losing touch with most people and all but the most hard core of game player had become overwhelmed with how complicated games had become. Every game had become a sequel of a sequel and each iteration upped the learning curve and added more complex

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