[Having just scraped enough nickels and dimes to cash in at an internet cafe proper]
In recent weeks, any evidence of level design development has been severely lacking. Although I’d like to say that while I haven’t been posting any progress I have been working diligently to craft a tangible, digital world, this is sadly not [entirely] the case.
Sketch number one: basic gameplay in a side scroller perspective. Also defined as, platforming fun with moving platforms. Woo!
Look, you have to start somewhere! Despite the seeming simplicity of the elements we are using, their is still the possibility of a very complex and engaging experience, we at least hope. That is what we tell our investors.
The concept behind this single level focuses on transition and creation. I believe that an unchanging “world” would be very uninteresting to the player, thus as the player progresses they will find themselves playing a role in the metamorphosis from a stark “schematic” level to a thriving world.
This is where you come in. We are very interested in seeing how other visual artists might imagine this second “world.” Steph and I had visions of a gritty city, laced with paint splatter and subtle suggestions. We are not going for ultra realism, rather the more stylistic the better.
This will then be implemented it into the final stages of the level. The world you have designed will be created around the player, slowly building itself out of individual elements to completely replace the first world all together.
If you are interested, email myself at peteralt at umich dot edu. I hope to have this entire project completed in a couple weeks. (LIES!!!!)
(more…)
I’m back. Over break I avoided people and played quite a lot of video games. My toppers were: Knytt, Façade, and Age of Empires III (with the natives!). That’s right. I, the Sioux chief sent my cougar army to invade the russian ninja facility in the delicate lands of Orinoco.
The screenshot here is from the devilishly cute game of Knytt. I’ll let other people review it because I’m a little sick right now. Download it on the link! Also, check out
But here’s what this post is really about:
What do you guys suggest to use to make videogames? I’m no programmer that much, I know a tiny bit of java. I don’t have a copy of Unreal so I’m not sure I can mod it (nor do I know how). I found 3Drad again, and the new version is real user friendly and costs $30. It has lots of built in ai to make quick games in one night that could be made into something pretty neat. I’ve used Games Factory 2, and made a cute little game where you try to not die.
Simple question, simple post.. but I’m antsy and would like to make something already.
-ronen.
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
Relevant Game Design Epidsode 2
Hey there,
This is my idea for a game concept inspired by an every day situation. It’s kinda random and purposely simplistic. Hope you like it!
From Laura (http://mouseecstasy.wordpress.com/)
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
*this image is not of Japan, duh
Relevant Game Design Episode 2
words +peter
inspiration
Living abroad has given me a multitude of challenges that I must solve on a daily basis. While I consider myself fortunate to living in a country that is as advanced, and often more so than my home land of the United States, many barriers remain in my way that will suddenly turn the most basic of tasks into a oninous puzzle of differing and culture and misunderstanding.
As time has passed, I have become more aware of the subtle signals that aid in illumating my path in daily Japanese ritual. What I once percieved as chaotic, I now see as orderly. Trivial tasks have transformed into their name sake and no longer present me with a confounding riddle.
Aiding in this progression is my slowly buidling knowledge of the Japanese language. I am not be able to speak with the confidence of one who has studied many years, but key words have recenly revealed themselves to me, allowing me to piece together the meaning from the abstract sounds that are being poured out by those who speak them.
Being aware of what is going on around me has also been a very crucial tool to assimilating into society. Many times I have been approached with a problem where my current understanding gave me no hints into how it is solved. Instead of attempting a trial and error approach to the solution, I waited for someone who frequents the same situation to come and solve the problem for themselves. I would then learn from what they did and reproduce their actions.
This tactic has proved to be useful in situations of not only basic procedure (such as getting on a train, paying on the bus) but also cultural expectations (when to bow politely, how to greet a stranger, how to ask for forgiveness when you have made a mistake). Here in Japan, almost every detail of every day living is slightly different. Being aware of how others around you handle the same situation will function as a guide and allow one to adapt quickly and become comfortable in their new setting.
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
Relevant Game Design Episode 2
Instead of typical “power-ups” or items that unlock new and more difficult levels of a game, this game focuses on progressively stripping the player of their skills and modes of interaction.
WHEN IT SNOWS, THE WORLD IS MUTE
You are visually, aurally, emotionally and intuitively hyper-aware of every trivial action in your world. And its going to kill you. Every one of the millions of passersby’s heartbeats weakens your own. Blinded by the entire light spectrum, the conundrum of everyday life threatens to deafen you. You no longer have control over you own waif-like feeble voice.
And then something happens. Something that causes everything you have always prayed for but have never quite contemplated to commence.
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
It’s 2 am. The air is wet and cold yet you persist, crawling down the back alley towards that single lantern. A simple light illuminating a worn, metal door brings you forward out of the darkness. To that beacon of hope you slither till your body crashes into the door that is unforgiving and seemingly unwilling to allow you to indulge in your painful addictions.
Your fist pounds upon the barrier and it responds with a dull echo, and then silence. Your addiction is forcing your limbs to move, forcing you out into a cold night that might otherwise kill any lesser man. It eats away at your body and denies you the rest and peace you acutely desire. You need more.
And who am I to deny you of “more”? Your addiction is your problem, but you bring me business and public approval. I am here to give you what you want, what you cannot live without.
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
The following are game design concepts developed by myself along with the enigmatic yet lovable Stephanie. Using some form of periodical as our source, we chose an article and then designed a core game concept based upon what was being written.
You might notice that this challenge was published about two weeks ago. At that time we claimed we would have our resulting labors published, a paltry seven days later. Those finely edited works would then be ready for all you in blogoland to consume, digest and worship.
Your cries have been heard! We apologize for causing you to hold your breath longer than physically possible. To those faithful readers who have survived that whole suffocating thing, may we present to you: Relevant Game Design episode ONE!
Note: we publish the following so that these concepts may be discussed, debated, applauded, whatever. Public opinion is always appreciated. These projects are not closed off to anyone who would like to join in. When we announce our second design project, we hope that those who wish to join in will do so!
JUMP IN!
Filed under: Game design, Glitch Feed, Glitch Feed Game Development, Relevant Game Design
Stephanie and I always seem to line our conversations with some sort of commentary on the interactive digital medium more commonly known as video games. These thoughts go far beyond the typical trolling of “man, games today suck, why do they suck?” “I dunno, we should make a cool one.” “Yeah, a wicked cool one, man! With guns and wicked awesome graphics.”
Such statements are impossible because Stephanie would never say ‘wicked’ during casual conversation, and secondly because we each have sworn an oath to never use “awesome graphics” as a means to a successful gaming project. I consider there to be a chasm sized distinction between awesome (ultra realistic) graphics and exceptional art direction, but those truths are for another post.
We had a moment of clarity, Stephanie and I. The tumult of graphics and erroneous plot gave way and we re-discovered one of the factors responsible for holding the medium back from being a recognized and significant art form. Cultural relevance is a facet that is needed to legitimatize any artistic medium. The inability or unwillingness to comment on, question or analyze society by any critical method is what forces video games into cultural obscurity.
Suddenly, any fictional narrative we were considering felt devalued. In our haste to spin an epic tale, we had lost sight of what made Glitch Feed’s perspective different from everyones else’s. The core of the gaming experience must be transfigured by focusing upon the base concept. Graphics, sound, game-play, even story all suffer if the concept is poor.
In an effort to focus ourselves onto what we consider to be important in game design, Stephanie suggested a series of projects focusing on developing the concept and core game-play before anything else.
Hit the jump to see how we (and you) will make this manifesto a reality!
Here is an interesting little gem that has just come through the tubes.
The game is called Limbo, and I want it.
I find the aesthetic quality of this game to be inspiring and sublime. Join that with the aged to perfection, side scrolling genre, you will find your computer wrapped in an indescribable super nova of god like brilliance. There is also a short trailer, but it only summons more questions that cannot be answered.
Digging around the interweb, I have found the masterwork is being created by an industry veteran, Arnt Jensen, a Danish artist and game designer who is/was looking to hire some C++ coders (Steph! Its your calling!)
Check it out! Now lets all hold our breath together and maybe it will come faster, than the second coming.
Limbo Game
-roos
