The game industry has recently been in almost main stream news as of late. This is due to the heads of Infinity Ward (makers of COD modern warfare) realised that they wanted a bigger slice of the pie than what they were getting. And rightly so in my opinion as Infinity Ward are the guys who make the biggest selling game in history MW2. Basically Activision pulled a police state move and just fired the two guys responsible and said FU. But in America the land of dreams, you can put together a pretty tasty law suit.
I have been lucky enough to hear people’s views on the industry via guest lecturers on my Uni course. Both reiterated the amount of the time and patience needed in the industry. You are expected to be unemployed as much if not more than you are actually working throughout your career. Whilst living on peanuts and working ridiculous hours. Will this ever change? I don’t think so. Everyday there are more and more people learning the skills required to work in the industry. This will only lead to more work being done by freelancers working for less than Mr Salary.
I hope I’m wrong and as per usual have no idea what I’m talking about; otherwise I’ll go back to stripping.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Christmas break?
I think creativity can be shown in any form of day to day life and isn’t necessarily artistically or scientifically based. Creativity is defined as the creation on original ideas that have value. I don’t think creativity is hindered by technical constraints. Leonardo Da Vinci designed the hang glider during his lifetime 1452-1519. His drawings were not made into reality as no material light and strong enough existed at the time. But in recent years as we have discovered new materials people have constructed the hang glider and found that it does indeed work. The same applies for his submarine he designed.
Creativity in the computer game industry can be seen in all elements of a games construction. The initial idea for the game requires creativity. Making the ideas come to life on via drawing requires creativity. Creating something that represents the ideas on a computer program requires creativity. Anyway my point is in an industry that requires new ground breaking ideas to make money. It would seem silly to employ people who had no original ideas and no way of portraying them. If this was so this would have left the gaming world with pong to play for the next 5 billion years until the sun burns out.
Creativity in a game I feel is measured in the overall product. A game that has the same story but changes the artwork is still essentially the same game (Dynasty Warriors). You could argue that a game with new game mechanics redefines the game. So moving a game to Wii from Xbox 360 changes the game. However the underlying foundations remain the same and not making it an original idea. I may contradict myself now by saying that Assassins creed 2 is creative response to the first game but I’ll try and explain myself. As a sequel the game can’t share the same story as it would then be classed as a remake (Dynasty warriors). With the change in story comes a new character set in a different time to the original. The appearance of the character is new whilst keeping certain traits. Problems and actions missing from the original have been added to improve the gaming experience making for original ways to act in game. Sorry if it seems I’m working for Ubisoft promoting this game. I just wanted to show that creativity can come from previous ideas and be developed as a separate product.
I see myself as more of and artist at this moment in time as it is what I am most familiar with, I think I haven’t shown much of my creativity as such so far on the course. I’m trying to improve my skills so I can portray my ideas better in a style and manner I consider to be representational of my myself, otherwise I’m just going to be using someone else’s style and ideas that have already been used and won’t be wanted or that have no interest to the gaming world.
So yeah, creativity in a entry hopefully
Creativity in the computer game industry can be seen in all elements of a games construction. The initial idea for the game requires creativity. Making the ideas come to life on via drawing requires creativity. Creating something that represents the ideas on a computer program requires creativity. Anyway my point is in an industry that requires new ground breaking ideas to make money. It would seem silly to employ people who had no original ideas and no way of portraying them. If this was so this would have left the gaming world with pong to play for the next 5 billion years until the sun burns out.
Creativity in a game I feel is measured in the overall product. A game that has the same story but changes the artwork is still essentially the same game (Dynasty Warriors). You could argue that a game with new game mechanics redefines the game. So moving a game to Wii from Xbox 360 changes the game. However the underlying foundations remain the same and not making it an original idea. I may contradict myself now by saying that Assassins creed 2 is creative response to the first game but I’ll try and explain myself. As a sequel the game can’t share the same story as it would then be classed as a remake (Dynasty warriors). With the change in story comes a new character set in a different time to the original. The appearance of the character is new whilst keeping certain traits. Problems and actions missing from the original have been added to improve the gaming experience making for original ways to act in game. Sorry if it seems I’m working for Ubisoft promoting this game. I just wanted to show that creativity can come from previous ideas and be developed as a separate product.
I see myself as more of and artist at this moment in time as it is what I am most familiar with, I think I haven’t shown much of my creativity as such so far on the course. I’m trying to improve my skills so I can portray my ideas better in a style and manner I consider to be representational of my myself, otherwise I’m just going to be using someone else’s style and ideas that have already been used and won’t be wanted or that have no interest to the gaming world.
So yeah, creativity in a entry hopefully
week 11
Hello, hello. This week I’ll be sharing my views on game play and what it is too me. I had feeling that I had already written something on this subject before but I could find anything to copy from so here I am (smiley face).
My thoughts are that game play is the choice and role the player has within the game. So, game play can almost be classed as the genre of the game in question. If the player is interacting with the game in a first person perspective, then the game is a first person game. If the player acting out a role in a story, then the game is a role playing game (RPG). Now I’m not saying I’m right and I’m most probably wrong. I’m going on the idea that if you can class a game as a genre you can probably assume, what sort of interactions between gamer and game are possible. For example if you where playing a first person shooter. You wouldn’t expect to perform action to replicate the art of clothes ironing? Same for solving puzzles and riddles in a Farm simulator?
Game play is something that is determined in the story of the game and role of the player. Interactions and game mechanics don’t make the game play, they merely set the boundaries at what is relevant to the genre…. I think.
My thoughts are that game play is the choice and role the player has within the game. So, game play can almost be classed as the genre of the game in question. If the player is interacting with the game in a first person perspective, then the game is a first person game. If the player acting out a role in a story, then the game is a role playing game (RPG). Now I’m not saying I’m right and I’m most probably wrong. I’m going on the idea that if you can class a game as a genre you can probably assume, what sort of interactions between gamer and game are possible. For example if you where playing a first person shooter. You wouldn’t expect to perform action to replicate the art of clothes ironing? Same for solving puzzles and riddles in a Farm simulator?
Game play is something that is determined in the story of the game and role of the player. Interactions and game mechanics don’t make the game play, they merely set the boundaries at what is relevant to the genre…. I think.
week 10
Going to cut the poop and just jump into this discussion this week. I’ve never been a big reader, I tend to get bored or annoyed at the amount of effort I have to put in. For these reasons I find most of my character and story experiences have come from film and games. One of my favourite films (like many other people) is Forest Gump. I don’t share any of the experiences that the character has experienced in the story but I can relate to the humanity that faces him. The way he is treated by people in his younger years makes you very empathetic to his character. When Forest starts to have some results in life, you as the viewer can’t but feel pleased and relieved for the guy. So creating a successful character is about creating someone that people can have genuine emotions for. If no one cared for Forest Gump the story itself would fail.
The Story in Forest Gump In my opinion is a near perfect story. It is full of twists and turns with some great highs and lows for character and viewer alike. The story intertwines with iconic moments in the mid 20th century. As far fetched as it maybe that a single man could have been involved in so much in his life; the story is believable due to the age and manner of the character. As for games, I think the best story I have come across in a game is Mass Effect or Assassins Creed, both easily capable of being films or books in their own rights. I wouldn’t say I was into Science fiction but there is something about the events in these games that border closely on the lines of being possible. These stories appeal to our (humans) natural curiosity of our world and how we got here.
I don’t know how to articulate further my ideas on what makes a good character and story, all I know is that I know a good Film or game when I see it. Since starting this course I have found it comforting in finding others who can appreciate good Films and games.
The Story in Forest Gump In my opinion is a near perfect story. It is full of twists and turns with some great highs and lows for character and viewer alike. The story intertwines with iconic moments in the mid 20th century. As far fetched as it maybe that a single man could have been involved in so much in his life; the story is believable due to the age and manner of the character. As for games, I think the best story I have come across in a game is Mass Effect or Assassins Creed, both easily capable of being films or books in their own rights. I wouldn’t say I was into Science fiction but there is something about the events in these games that border closely on the lines of being possible. These stories appeal to our (humans) natural curiosity of our world and how we got here.
I don’t know how to articulate further my ideas on what makes a good character and story, all I know is that I know a good Film or game when I see it. Since starting this course I have found it comforting in finding others who can appreciate good Films and games.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
week 9
I haven’t really though about ergonomics in games console before now. I’ve always thought I was more concerned with graphics and game play. I’ve played on and Amstrad (not sure what series) so I have had the joy of experience the device that has kick started this mini revolution. The classic D-pad and A and B buttons of the NES and Mega Drive are classics and were the first step to making games easier to interact with. These controllers compared to a modern day consoles is like sending G.I’s into a peasant village. There is far more possibilities and combinations that can be deployed that intensifies game play and game content.
I remember seeing the Playstation for the first time and thinking “that’s the coolest looking thing ever.” Compared to PS3 slim it looks like it should be being chased by TIE fighter. In such as small period in time, consoles have changed almost unrecognizably compared to there early forefathers. I can see in the future computers being either accessible through thought alone and a race of Virtual Reality junkies being born. And personally I can’t wait to see that as it will hopefully get rid of the gaming pros that are the lil’ kids on Xbox live
I remember seeing the Playstation for the first time and thinking “that’s the coolest looking thing ever.” Compared to PS3 slim it looks like it should be being chased by TIE fighter. In such as small period in time, consoles have changed almost unrecognizably compared to there early forefathers. I can see in the future computers being either accessible through thought alone and a race of Virtual Reality junkies being born. And personally I can’t wait to see that as it will hopefully get rid of the gaming pros that are the lil’ kids on Xbox live
week 8
Story, is it needed? What ever game you play there is always an underlying point to actions you do in the game. In Mortal Kombat the story is to kill everyone else to save the mortal realm where Mass effect has rough storyline planned out that the player can vary on. An RPG with no story would be as entertaining as channel 5 programming. If the player is to play out a story or play out a role, a story is essential. An interesting game is the SIMS; there is not a story at all. The player can completely control their SIMS lives and build and destroy endless possibilities in the character’s surroundings. The SIMS still needs a slight story though, which is written by the player through their interaction.
I think in all games story is present, it is just more obvious in some more than others. I’ve come to this thought by thinking about my own life. I’ve always seen my life as the present and recently I’ve found myself reminiscing past years and realising how interesting my life is. There was no plan at the point of creation of these great events but the effects are evident. I conclude all games have a story. Some games are more obvious in what you should be doing when writing your story. Others appear to have no story but through interaction allow the user to produce their own.
Probably nonsense as always but its posted now.
I think in all games story is present, it is just more obvious in some more than others. I’ve come to this thought by thinking about my own life. I’ve always seen my life as the present and recently I’ve found myself reminiscing past years and realising how interesting my life is. There was no plan at the point of creation of these great events but the effects are evident. I conclude all games have a story. Some games are more obvious in what you should be doing when writing your story. Others appear to have no story but through interaction allow the user to produce their own.
Probably nonsense as always but its posted now.
week 7
Welcome back to another exciting week of blogging where today I will be poorly communicating the role of an art director to you. So what is an art director? I hear you cry. These are the people who are essentially in charge of making sure a game looks like the same game throughout. If you were playing Gears of war (a visually stunning game) and were sitting through a cut scene, on return to game play you found yourself in a land of purple trees and elves you would think you were narcoleptic and had the games swapped whilst you were unconscious.
The role is very similar to a Film director hence the director part. A game, much like a film has a story or script that needs to be portrayed in a manner suitable to its content and history. I’ll use the example of a Star trek MMO game. You could not as an art director make the setting (space) blue in colour and give the spacecraft fluffy dice. An art director must stay within the certain guidelines given to him or her. I feel a difference between an art director in game to one in film is that a director in game could afford to be lazier and let the game play pick up the pieces for a visually poor game.
I feel you must be able to put a twist on a classic as a director in film or game. This means that you must be incredibly creative to re-invent a product whilst maintaining its original foundations. I believe an art director must be able to put his/her finger in all artist pies (3D, sculpture, sketching) but most importantly able to communicate their ideas and visions clearly to those around them to create a product worthy of being called art.
The role is very similar to a Film director hence the director part. A game, much like a film has a story or script that needs to be portrayed in a manner suitable to its content and history. I’ll use the example of a Star trek MMO game. You could not as an art director make the setting (space) blue in colour and give the spacecraft fluffy dice. An art director must stay within the certain guidelines given to him or her. I feel a difference between an art director in game to one in film is that a director in game could afford to be lazier and let the game play pick up the pieces for a visually poor game.
I feel you must be able to put a twist on a classic as a director in film or game. This means that you must be incredibly creative to re-invent a product whilst maintaining its original foundations. I believe an art director must be able to put his/her finger in all artist pies (3D, sculpture, sketching) but most importantly able to communicate their ideas and visions clearly to those around them to create a product worthy of being called art.
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