Week 7 – An Introduction To Art Direction For Games
The Art Director is the keeper and champion of the vision of the game. Establishing aesthetic and interactive standards for the game, stretching technical and artistic capabilities (As you can see, you instantly become the daddy if you got a job). I mean an art director could get a job in almost all entertainment businesses i.e. films and T.V etc. but with whatever role they undertake there jobs are very hard and there is a lot of pressure on there shoulders. There actual role itself is very creative, they would be the ones telling the other what the need to produce and what kinds of criteria need to be met, with also them contributing the project as well.
There role in the games industry is a lot similar to the films industry purely because like the films industry the film will always start off as just a story, then using art, foundations are created to them so that they can progress onto other parts. Just like in games they would start of with the story and progress from there creating concept art etc and progress onto other parts.
Then essential qualities to be an art director, is to be extremely talented. Only a handful can get the jobs, but with natural talent along with extensive practice and research you can become one of the best. Being able to judge art would a huge quality, to able to see the difference in what’s good or bad. Ultimately being and art director is one on the most exciting but also one of the hardest.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Week 6 – An Introduction to Game Design
When it comes to game design, it’s the most important thing a designer should first think of is genre, console and game play etc. game play is something that most people don’t really understand, some people may interpret is as what the see on screen whilst playing a game or what you can do on the actual game itself. For me it’s most definitely what I can do on the in the game. Game play is something I would almost always look at before buying a game, without a decent games engine and interface a game is basically rubbish. Take for instance Tomb Raider, the game itself was popular throughout the world but when I played that game I found that it was almost impossible to control the character and to execute any of her action, and found the game itself very boring, purely because the gaming experience was completely off, down to the fact the game play was crap.
But when I look at games such as Devil May Cry or Pro Evolution, the games are amazing in terms of game play. The interface being very simple and the overall control and experience being very enjoyable. So effectively game play is the most important addition in a game, but to make good game play you need a good game engine or mechanic. Games developers now tend to make there own games engines such as Unreal 3 and Crytek etc. These then become unique tools within their company and then ultimately become hot assets.
But there many constraints on game designers in terms of hardware that is available to them. With past generation they were only limited lets say a 16 – bit limit. Making a game that would be amazing would not take time to produce but also challenge the mind of the designer. And years went on we now come to the present generation on gaming, which would be the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3. With processing power that designers could absolutely go crazy with, games have now become a lot better. In terms of creativity and depicting games as if the were almost real, engaging in epic storylines and beautiful graphics.
If I were to compare game play from past generation console to a next generation console I would say there is difference at all. I mean take Streets Of Rage from the Sega Mega Drive that in my eyes is the greatest ever; in terms of game play and experience it was amazing. But If I were to compare to Gears Of War (I know this game rocks but I need to hit it home), this game being the ultimate in game play and experience, I would still pick Streets Of Rage, just purely still to this day I love playing that game. But ultimately there isn’t much difference in terms of game play to an old console to a next generation console, its that now next generation console have to get there consumers to feel a new kind of experience when playing game. And this is what exciting about the world of gaming.
Game play does play a significant role in the different genre of games. Game play or game mechanics are purposely created for particular genres. For instance a FPS game, game play tends to be very action orientated, so designers tend to keep to that trend but there are such games now that have new qualities that allow the gamer to make moral choices i.e. Bioshock, itself being a FPS game, there are parts in the game that will make think morally, to make decisions to help throughout the game but doing so you would either have to do something terrible or make do without. So most definitely genre and game play a significant role in a game to be successful.
When it comes to game design, it’s the most important thing a designer should first think of is genre, console and game play etc. game play is something that most people don’t really understand, some people may interpret is as what the see on screen whilst playing a game or what you can do on the actual game itself. For me it’s most definitely what I can do on the in the game. Game play is something I would almost always look at before buying a game, without a decent games engine and interface a game is basically rubbish. Take for instance Tomb Raider, the game itself was popular throughout the world but when I played that game I found that it was almost impossible to control the character and to execute any of her action, and found the game itself very boring, purely because the gaming experience was completely off, down to the fact the game play was crap.
But when I look at games such as Devil May Cry or Pro Evolution, the games are amazing in terms of game play. The interface being very simple and the overall control and experience being very enjoyable. So effectively game play is the most important addition in a game, but to make good game play you need a good game engine or mechanic. Games developers now tend to make there own games engines such as Unreal 3 and Crytek etc. These then become unique tools within their company and then ultimately become hot assets.
But there many constraints on game designers in terms of hardware that is available to them. With past generation they were only limited lets say a 16 – bit limit. Making a game that would be amazing would not take time to produce but also challenge the mind of the designer. And years went on we now come to the present generation on gaming, which would be the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3. With processing power that designers could absolutely go crazy with, games have now become a lot better. In terms of creativity and depicting games as if the were almost real, engaging in epic storylines and beautiful graphics.
If I were to compare game play from past generation console to a next generation console I would say there is difference at all. I mean take Streets Of Rage from the Sega Mega Drive that in my eyes is the greatest ever; in terms of game play and experience it was amazing. But If I were to compare to Gears Of War (I know this game rocks but I need to hit it home), this game being the ultimate in game play and experience, I would still pick Streets Of Rage, just purely still to this day I love playing that game. But ultimately there isn’t much difference in terms of game play to an old console to a next generation console, its that now next generation console have to get there consumers to feel a new kind of experience when playing game. And this is what exciting about the world of gaming.
Game play does play a significant role in the different genre of games. Game play or game mechanics are purposely created for particular genres. For instance a FPS game, game play tends to be very action orientated, so designers tend to keep to that trend but there are such games now that have new qualities that allow the gamer to make moral choices i.e. Bioshock, itself being a FPS game, there are parts in the game that will make think morally, to make decisions to help throughout the game but doing so you would either have to do something terrible or make do without. So most definitely genre and game play a significant role in a game to be successful.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Week 5 – Writing About Games
Why do people review games?
Because gamers want to know if the game is good or if it was a complete waste of time. An actual games journalist or NGJ (News Games Journalists), give us this information. But for me to review a NGJ I would have to look at the likes of Kieron Gallon. He works for Zero Tolerance, and has a good reputation in the games industry in terms of journalism. I mean this guy can write, he has a view on games is not only unique but it also very interesting. I read his review called Saving Private Donny and it was amusing to read, although he does tend to go on and not get to the point as fast as one would like but his views are unique.
As for myself I never read reviews, but I am not going lie and say that I have never read one. I believe reading a review can spoil a gamers excitement for a game. With some games journalist just completely destroying the game before people have actually played it. Or giving a game 10/10 rating which I know isn’t true in most games. But I feel most people should look at trailers for the game or check in game footage of the game to get an insight and to get there own interpretation of the game. That’s how I feel a gamer should review the situation instead of reading someone else’s view, which could be absolute bull crap. But there are some good reviews in which game are being reviewed in all aspects i.e. game play, graphics, interface and presentation etc. These are the kinds reviews I probably would read because would be able to access information that would divert my attention to a certain game. In my personal view gamers should review the games themselves instead listening to someone else.
As for myself to write a review of a game, again I would prefer gamers to actually play the game and review it themselves or check out trailers and in game footage. But I would most definitely focus on the basics such as life span, game play, storyline and graphics. These would be the things I would want to know and I am sure other gamers would. I guess It could ultimately become a very boring review but all I can say is that reviewing game is probably the most difficult because there are so many aspects to a game that are far to difficult to explain i.e. if I wanted to go into further detail such as the genre of the game, interface, accessibility and regulations etc. this kind of information would just ultimately bore me. Not that I don’t respect there view and there jobs (I mean they get money by the tons), it just something I don’t access on a daily basis.
Why do people review games?
Because gamers want to know if the game is good or if it was a complete waste of time. An actual games journalist or NGJ (News Games Journalists), give us this information. But for me to review a NGJ I would have to look at the likes of Kieron Gallon. He works for Zero Tolerance, and has a good reputation in the games industry in terms of journalism. I mean this guy can write, he has a view on games is not only unique but it also very interesting. I read his review called Saving Private Donny and it was amusing to read, although he does tend to go on and not get to the point as fast as one would like but his views are unique.
As for myself I never read reviews, but I am not going lie and say that I have never read one. I believe reading a review can spoil a gamers excitement for a game. With some games journalist just completely destroying the game before people have actually played it. Or giving a game 10/10 rating which I know isn’t true in most games. But I feel most people should look at trailers for the game or check in game footage of the game to get an insight and to get there own interpretation of the game. That’s how I feel a gamer should review the situation instead of reading someone else’s view, which could be absolute bull crap. But there are some good reviews in which game are being reviewed in all aspects i.e. game play, graphics, interface and presentation etc. These are the kinds reviews I probably would read because would be able to access information that would divert my attention to a certain game. In my personal view gamers should review the games themselves instead listening to someone else.
As for myself to write a review of a game, again I would prefer gamers to actually play the game and review it themselves or check out trailers and in game footage. But I would most definitely focus on the basics such as life span, game play, storyline and graphics. These would be the things I would want to know and I am sure other gamers would. I guess It could ultimately become a very boring review but all I can say is that reviewing game is probably the most difficult because there are so many aspects to a game that are far to difficult to explain i.e. if I wanted to go into further detail such as the genre of the game, interface, accessibility and regulations etc. this kind of information would just ultimately bore me. Not that I don’t respect there view and there jobs (I mean they get money by the tons), it just something I don’t access on a daily basis.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Week 4 – The History Of Computer Games 2000 To Present
We began in the 1950’s where the great man Ralph Bear had an idea to put a video game inside of a television set and marvelled at coin operated arcade machines. Then came the NES, Atari and Sega Master System, bringing entertainment on a next generation level. Then into the 90’s bringing the second generation of gaming, SNES, Sega Mega Drive, Dreamcast, N64 and Playstation. This is what you called major league gaming consoles (at the time). It brought gaming to another level with storylines, game play and music, then with 3d graphics, even more dramatic storyline and enhanced game play.
Now where at the 21st century of gaming, I mean this is where the gaming industry has become force to be reckoned with in terms revenue, creators, designer and celebrity status among the gaming community. At the start of 2000 there are three major video game consoles, Playstation 2(the daddy) Xbox(I didn’t like) and Nintendo Gamecube(quality but underrated). These companies began to compete with one and other for popularity and money, this was come to known as the console war. Which was previously Sega vs. Nintendo, is now Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
Sony came into the gaming market with a bang with its quality Playstation. Then releasing on March and November 2000 in both Japan and Europe was the mighty Playstation 2, with its new design and gaming capabilities. Games such as Metal Gear Solid – Sons Of Liberty, Shadow Of The Colossus and Final Fantasy Series (to name a few) gave the gaming community a huge sugar rush in terms of wanting more.
We began in the 1950’s where the great man Ralph Bear had an idea to put a video game inside of a television set and marvelled at coin operated arcade machines. Then came the NES, Atari and Sega Master System, bringing entertainment on a next generation level. Then into the 90’s bringing the second generation of gaming, SNES, Sega Mega Drive, Dreamcast, N64 and Playstation. This is what you called major league gaming consoles (at the time). It brought gaming to another level with storylines, game play and music, then with 3d graphics, even more dramatic storyline and enhanced game play.
Now where at the 21st century of gaming, I mean this is where the gaming industry has become force to be reckoned with in terms revenue, creators, designer and celebrity status among the gaming community. At the start of 2000 there are three major video game consoles, Playstation 2(the daddy) Xbox(I didn’t like) and Nintendo Gamecube(quality but underrated). These companies began to compete with one and other for popularity and money, this was come to known as the console war. Which was previously Sega vs. Nintendo, is now Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
Sony came into the gaming market with a bang with its quality Playstation. Then releasing on March and November 2000 in both Japan and Europe was the mighty Playstation 2, with its new design and gaming capabilities. Games such as Metal Gear Solid – Sons Of Liberty, Shadow Of The Colossus and Final Fantasy Series (to name a few) gave the gaming community a huge sugar rush in terms of wanting more.
Then came the Nintendo Gamecube (I honestly thought this console was amazing and should challenged the Playstation 2 with more of a fight) in May 2001, with its new design, which resembled a cube hence Gamecube, and new interface, which was completely different from its predecessor the N64. With games such as Super Smash Bros Melee, Zelda series, Mario and Mario Kart gave the Nintendo fans their fix that they were waiting for. Graphically the console was amazing if anyone has played Resident Evil on the Gamecube then you will know what I am talking about.
Then came the infamous Xbox(I hated that console so much) with its massively large design and crappy rip of a Dreamcast controller. The console didn’t seem to click with the audience simply because of its late release and Playstation 2 and Gamecube doing so well at the time. They did have exclusive games to that console which was quiet impressive but still didn’t seem to win the hearts of the gamers. They did slash the price of the console dramatically but didn’t succeed. Games such a Forza, Ninja Gaiden and Halo (don’t even get me started with that game) did give the people at Microsoft some hope for the future.
Inevitably the three would go to war with one and other to become the best in the games industry, but during the third generation Playstation 2 eventually (when I say eventually I mean inevitably) came out on top. But the war wasn’t over because then came the fourth generation of gaming with release of Xbox 360 in 2005, Playstation 3 in 2007 and Nintendo Wii also in 2007 gave the gaming community another shock.
Inevitably the three would go to war with one and other to become the best in the games industry, but during the third generation Playstation 2 eventually (when I say eventually I mean inevitably) came out on top. But the war wasn’t over because then came the fourth generation of gaming with release of Xbox 360 in 2005, Playstation 3 in 2007 and Nintendo Wii also in 2007 gave the gaming community another shock.
All I can see for the future of games is that its just going to get better and better. Designers are going to be a lot more fresh with new and crazy idea, interactivity will one of the main things that will be worked on in the future, in terms of allowing people to become more involved in games i.e. actually being in then game. But there will be an argument to say that it’s an extreme form of escapism and that people would eventually lose touch on reality, but I personally think that’s the only way the gaming can become a lot better. Technologies will be a lot more advanced, polygon counts will not even exist and that it will just keep improving.
Monday, 5 November 2007
Week 3 - The History Of Games 1980's - 1990's
The History Of Computer Game 1980’s – 1990’s
By the mid-1970's cartridges had returned with the move to CPU based consoles. With games now consisting of microprocessor based code, these games were burned onto ROM chips that were mounted inside plastic cartridge casings that could be plugged into slots on the console. When the cartridges were plugged in, the general-purpose microprocessors in the consoles read the cartridge memory and ran whatever program was stored there. Rather than being confined to a small selection of games included in the box, consumers could now amass libraries of game cartridges.
The next major entry was Intellivision, introduced by Mattel in 1980. Though chronologically coming long before the "16-bit era", the Intellivision had a unique processor with instructions that were 10 bits wide (allowing more instruction variety and potential speed), and registers 16 bits wide. The system rocketed to popularity alongside the 2600.
Though not the first system to challenge Atari, it was the first to pose a serious threat to Atari's dominance. A series of Intellivision TV ads featuring George Plimpton mercilessly attacked the Atari VCS's lesser capabilities with side-by-side game comparisons. Nevertheless, Atari held exclusive rights to most of the popular arcade game conversions.
During the early 80’s the was a crash in the US video games industry, companies went bankrupt that produce home computers and video games consoles, due high prices on computers and video games console. This lasted for about 2 years, then the famouse NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and restored the industry with its success with release in 1985 and then carried on gaining popularity into 1987.
Then during the mid 80’s the introduction of the Sega Master System, Atari 7800 and Nintendo Entertainment System became another turning point for the industry. This was come known as the console wars. With quality games such as Pac Man, Donkey Kong and Alex The Kid etc. These companies would then battle it out to become the game console.
There was one particular game I didn’t mention Tetris. One of the best games ever made. With its game being released on the Nintendo Gameboy, Sega Genesis, Turbografx – 16 and Atari handheld Lynx. It became the most successful game on those consoles and also generating a lot of revenue.
Then came the legendary Sega Mega Drive (my favourite console of course), with its 16 bit capabilities and exclusive games such (I could go for days) Golden axe 1,2 and 3, Streets Of Rage 1.2 and 3 and Shinobi (to name a few), became one of the most popular consoles along with NES. As usual Nintendo saw this a threat and released SNES, which also had some amazing exclusives such as Final Fantasy, Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda and Killer Instinct. The reasons being that game where not just pick up and play. There were skills that you would have to learn, choices needing to be made and allowing the consumer to get emotionally involved.
Coming towards the mid 90’s, and new company decided stick there noses where didn’t belong. This company is called Sony, with release of the mighty Playstation, with its new CD – ROM with excellent audio. It came as a surprise to people that games could be now played in 3d or virtual environment. This console basically made me into the hardcore gamer that I am now, with games such as Final Fantasy, Tekken, Resident Evil and you know all the rest, just sold the brilliance that was the Playstation. This then basically put Sega out of console frame.
Into the late 90’s though Nintendo were resilient from their loss and released the 64-bit N64. I mean this console was the daddy as well. With games such as Killer Instinct Gold, Zelda Ocarina Of Time, Mario 64 and last but not least the legendary Golden Eye. With Sega out of the picture a mini war began between Sony and Nintendo. Although Sega did release the Sega Saturn, which was poor, and the Sega Dreamcast, which I thought, was an amazing console (but was ahead of it time) didn’t seem to enter the frame of the Nintendo and Playstation. (God Bless you Sega!!!!!)
If you compare the computer games that were made 20 years ago to the ones made during the 80’s and 90’s, evolution was in affect. It was good that games got better and better in that space of time, as it left people wanting more and they were getting there entertainment fast. While people were writing off the games industry, it was then that people started to fully respect it, for it creative and new approach to the development of games.
Playing games during the mid 90’s was amazing, because the simple fact was that I wasn’t the only who had this amazement. Though no one else in my family like computer game apart form brother (briefly) I always had my friends. Having friends that had the same interests or should I say console, It strengthened not only my love for games but my curiosity into how they were, being only 10 or 11 at the time, I was always amazed why games were so good.
Playing game such Fifa and ISS etc with my friends but the games such as Resident Evil (naughty, naughty) and Final Fantasy, games that took you to your limits in term moral and intelligent choices. This is what interested me, to learn whilst I was playing games. Then came the renowned button bashing fighting game such as (iv never ever button bashed playing a fighting game, I just don’t know how?), Tekken, Soul Blade, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct etc, games from the fighting genre became more of skill then your usual button bashing, being able to combine a flurry of attacks known as combos, this refined the genre as one of the most difficult to master.
By the mid-1970's cartridges had returned with the move to CPU based consoles. With games now consisting of microprocessor based code, these games were burned onto ROM chips that were mounted inside plastic cartridge casings that could be plugged into slots on the console. When the cartridges were plugged in, the general-purpose microprocessors in the consoles read the cartridge memory and ran whatever program was stored there. Rather than being confined to a small selection of games included in the box, consumers could now amass libraries of game cartridges.
The next major entry was Intellivision, introduced by Mattel in 1980. Though chronologically coming long before the "16-bit era", the Intellivision had a unique processor with instructions that were 10 bits wide (allowing more instruction variety and potential speed), and registers 16 bits wide. The system rocketed to popularity alongside the 2600.
Though not the first system to challenge Atari, it was the first to pose a serious threat to Atari's dominance. A series of Intellivision TV ads featuring George Plimpton mercilessly attacked the Atari VCS's lesser capabilities with side-by-side game comparisons. Nevertheless, Atari held exclusive rights to most of the popular arcade game conversions.
During the early 80’s the was a crash in the US video games industry, companies went bankrupt that produce home computers and video games consoles, due high prices on computers and video games console. This lasted for about 2 years, then the famouse NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and restored the industry with its success with release in 1985 and then carried on gaining popularity into 1987.
Then during the mid 80’s the introduction of the Sega Master System, Atari 7800 and Nintendo Entertainment System became another turning point for the industry. This was come known as the console wars. With quality games such as Pac Man, Donkey Kong and Alex The Kid etc. These companies would then battle it out to become the game console.
There was one particular game I didn’t mention Tetris. One of the best games ever made. With its game being released on the Nintendo Gameboy, Sega Genesis, Turbografx – 16 and Atari handheld Lynx. It became the most successful game on those consoles and also generating a lot of revenue.
Then came the legendary Sega Mega Drive (my favourite console of course), with its 16 bit capabilities and exclusive games such (I could go for days) Golden axe 1,2 and 3, Streets Of Rage 1.2 and 3 and Shinobi (to name a few), became one of the most popular consoles along with NES. As usual Nintendo saw this a threat and released SNES, which also had some amazing exclusives such as Final Fantasy, Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda and Killer Instinct. The reasons being that game where not just pick up and play. There were skills that you would have to learn, choices needing to be made and allowing the consumer to get emotionally involved.
Coming towards the mid 90’s, and new company decided stick there noses where didn’t belong. This company is called Sony, with release of the mighty Playstation, with its new CD – ROM with excellent audio. It came as a surprise to people that games could be now played in 3d or virtual environment. This console basically made me into the hardcore gamer that I am now, with games such as Final Fantasy, Tekken, Resident Evil and you know all the rest, just sold the brilliance that was the Playstation. This then basically put Sega out of console frame.
Into the late 90’s though Nintendo were resilient from their loss and released the 64-bit N64. I mean this console was the daddy as well. With games such as Killer Instinct Gold, Zelda Ocarina Of Time, Mario 64 and last but not least the legendary Golden Eye. With Sega out of the picture a mini war began between Sony and Nintendo. Although Sega did release the Sega Saturn, which was poor, and the Sega Dreamcast, which I thought, was an amazing console (but was ahead of it time) didn’t seem to enter the frame of the Nintendo and Playstation. (God Bless you Sega!!!!!)
If you compare the computer games that were made 20 years ago to the ones made during the 80’s and 90’s, evolution was in affect. It was good that games got better and better in that space of time, as it left people wanting more and they were getting there entertainment fast. While people were writing off the games industry, it was then that people started to fully respect it, for it creative and new approach to the development of games.
Playing games during the mid 90’s was amazing, because the simple fact was that I wasn’t the only who had this amazement. Though no one else in my family like computer game apart form brother (briefly) I always had my friends. Having friends that had the same interests or should I say console, It strengthened not only my love for games but my curiosity into how they were, being only 10 or 11 at the time, I was always amazed why games were so good.
Playing game such Fifa and ISS etc with my friends but the games such as Resident Evil (naughty, naughty) and Final Fantasy, games that took you to your limits in term moral and intelligent choices. This is what interested me, to learn whilst I was playing games. Then came the renowned button bashing fighting game such as (iv never ever button bashed playing a fighting game, I just don’t know how?), Tekken, Soul Blade, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct etc, games from the fighting genre became more of skill then your usual button bashing, being able to combine a flurry of attacks known as combos, this refined the genre as one of the most difficult to master.
Week 2 - The History Of Games 1950's - 1970's
The History of computer games 1950’s – 1970’s
For me to explain the history of games during the 1950’s to the 1970’s is like telling me to explain when I was born, I don’t know because I don’t remember???
But for me to get a better understanding of the history of computer games or video games I must research on how this magnificent innovation was created. The history of computer game/video games is a subject riddled with many inconsistencies (referring to my hand out) and partiality.
But from my research it has come to my attention that during the 1950’s a man by the name of Ralph Baer a T.V engineer who worked for Loral, was asked by his chief engineer to create the best television set in the world. This was a task that was easy for Ralph, as he wanted to add new thing to this project that his hierarchy wouldn’t understand. Like for instance introducing a game onto the television set. Thus the video game concept was born. But the concept was just only a concept as his idea was removed from the project.
But during the mid 1960’s, the idea of a video game inside a television set was still fresh inside of Baer’s head, as he began creating the first T.V with a built in game. It could be argued that he was the man who started the gaming entertainment. Began by experimenting with a ‘‘Chase’’ game. The concept was to capture the other squares on the screen. But this would lead further experimentation and then he created pong, a very simple tennis like game, where you would have move stick or cursor to deflect back the ball into the opposition’s goal.
During the early 1950’s following the Korean War, a man named David Rosen an American veteran was an photo booth importer in 1954 and a manger of arcade in 1956. Rosen was the main instigator in merging both SEGA and Rosen enterprises to form Sega Enterprises. Which began creating its own game 1966 with a submarine simulator called Periscope. The company would the eventually take on the SEGA name and then would dominate the gaming industry into the 1990’s.
For me to explain the history of games during the 1950’s to the 1970’s is like telling me to explain when I was born, I don’t know because I don’t remember???
But for me to get a better understanding of the history of computer games or video games I must research on how this magnificent innovation was created. The history of computer game/video games is a subject riddled with many inconsistencies (referring to my hand out) and partiality.
But from my research it has come to my attention that during the 1950’s a man by the name of Ralph Baer a T.V engineer who worked for Loral, was asked by his chief engineer to create the best television set in the world. This was a task that was easy for Ralph, as he wanted to add new thing to this project that his hierarchy wouldn’t understand. Like for instance introducing a game onto the television set. Thus the video game concept was born. But the concept was just only a concept as his idea was removed from the project.
But during the mid 1960’s, the idea of a video game inside a television set was still fresh inside of Baer’s head, as he began creating the first T.V with a built in game. It could be argued that he was the man who started the gaming entertainment. Began by experimenting with a ‘‘Chase’’ game. The concept was to capture the other squares on the screen. But this would lead further experimentation and then he created pong, a very simple tennis like game, where you would have move stick or cursor to deflect back the ball into the opposition’s goal.
During the early 1950’s following the Korean War, a man named David Rosen an American veteran was an photo booth importer in 1954 and a manger of arcade in 1956. Rosen was the main instigator in merging both SEGA and Rosen enterprises to form Sega Enterprises. Which began creating its own game 1966 with a submarine simulator called Periscope. The company would the eventually take on the SEGA name and then would dominate the gaming industry into the 1990’s.
For my own personal gaming history, I mean I could go on for ages but I wont for your sake. I was introduced to games from a young a age, playing on such consoles as the BBC and Sega Master System, but that didn’t really set it off for me up until I played the SEGA Mega Drive a couple odd so years later.
I mean this was console that opened my eyes to the shear brilliance of gaming. The first actual game I played properly was the legendary Golden Axe; I mean this game had it all, brilliant animation, graphics (at the time) and most of all game play. This was the tuning point as from then I turned into an annoying brat, begging for the console and game. Through time from all that begging I just lost interest because they just kept saying no. Until that one morning I was going to school and my dad pull out a box from out a bag and revealed that he had bout me a 16 bit Sega Mega Drive, I felt like the luckiest kid the in the world. But this was the reason for me getting into the whole gaming culture, not what I saw on the T.V but what I could do on the T.V that’s what appealed to me.
I mean this was console that opened my eyes to the shear brilliance of gaming. The first actual game I played properly was the legendary Golden Axe; I mean this game had it all, brilliant animation, graphics (at the time) and most of all game play. This was the tuning point as from then I turned into an annoying brat, begging for the console and game. Through time from all that begging I just lost interest because they just kept saying no. Until that one morning I was going to school and my dad pull out a box from out a bag and revealed that he had bout me a 16 bit Sega Mega Drive, I felt like the luckiest kid the in the world. But this was the reason for me getting into the whole gaming culture, not what I saw on the T.V but what I could do on the T.V that’s what appealed to me.
Week 1 - -Blogging
Week 1 – Blogging
I’ve decided to look at a second year game, art and designs students blog. He goes by the name of John. A, from what I have seen form his blog, I was blown away with his writing techniques. He comes across funny but also getting the point across. He also doesn’t seem to hold back with what he wants to say, that’s a sign of a good writer.
It’s as almost instead of carry out the allotted task at hand, he would make the task his own and write it in his own unique style i.e.
‘This is probably quite a psychologically unhealthy thing to do, and has led to many situations where I'm playing a game I'm no longer enjoying or, at worst, that I don't even want to be playing anymore, simply because I've been “set a challenge” and I need to beat it. It's like a game of chess where the designer has moved his Queen and left me staring at a board that looks like checkmate, but he didn't say “checkmate”, he said “check”, which means he knows there's a way out of it but I just can't see it. It's an interesting kind of “social relationship” and once I'd realised it was there I wanted to have a go at it from the other side of the table’.
In terms of personalising his blog, he has certainly done that purely through his writing. His blog is almost updated everyday from how much content that is on there, running back into early 2006. In terms of content, it’s mainly based on his personality of a game artist, although task have been obviously completed but it almost seems as if you are reading a dairy.
I’ve decided to look at a second year game, art and designs students blog. He goes by the name of John. A, from what I have seen form his blog, I was blown away with his writing techniques. He comes across funny but also getting the point across. He also doesn’t seem to hold back with what he wants to say, that’s a sign of a good writer.
It’s as almost instead of carry out the allotted task at hand, he would make the task his own and write it in his own unique style i.e.
‘This is probably quite a psychologically unhealthy thing to do, and has led to many situations where I'm playing a game I'm no longer enjoying or, at worst, that I don't even want to be playing anymore, simply because I've been “set a challenge” and I need to beat it. It's like a game of chess where the designer has moved his Queen and left me staring at a board that looks like checkmate, but he didn't say “checkmate”, he said “check”, which means he knows there's a way out of it but I just can't see it. It's an interesting kind of “social relationship” and once I'd realised it was there I wanted to have a go at it from the other side of the table’.
In terms of personalising his blog, he has certainly done that purely through his writing. His blog is almost updated everyday from how much content that is on there, running back into early 2006. In terms of content, it’s mainly based on his personality of a game artist, although task have been obviously completed but it almost seems as if you are reading a dairy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)