Videogames Archives - Page 81 of 185

Coffee Talk #310: Do You Care to Understand Game Development?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Intelligentsia’s Kenya Gichathaini, a special visit from BB, or the NY Knicks’ overrated win over the Miami Heat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m off to San Francisco in a few hours for Game Developers Conference 2011. In addition to mingling with some amazing talent and old friends, I’ll be hitting up some preview events and meeting with a really cool company I can’t wait to tell you more about. Before I left for GDC 2010, I asked if you understood game development. This year I’d like to hear if you care about understanding game development.

A lot of game journalists (and verbal entertainers) would love for gamers to have a rudimentary understanding of what goes into creating a game. For my part, I want to highlight the incredible people that work so hard at making incredible games. I also think that understanding a bit about the development process helps you appreciate this excellent form of entertainment on a different level. It also helps you understand why some games don’t live up to their potential.

Having said that, I totally understand if you don’t care to learn more about the process. Most people that enjoy music have no idea how many people it takes to record an album. Most moviegoers have no idea what the director of photography does or why the technical lighting director is so important. You don’t need a behind-the-scenes understanding of something to have fun with it. These are, after all, forms of entertainment. Sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy the ride.

So fire away (please)! Let me know if you’re interested in learning more about how games are made or not.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I have a ton to do before I head up to San Francisco for GDC 2011 on Monday. I’ve been missing DC Universe Online, but I don’t think I’ll be heading back to Gotham or Metropolis this weekend. My copy of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together finally arrived yesterday. This would have come in handy during my crazy Orlando trip. I shouldn’t play too much of it over the weekend…but I know that I won’t be able to resist. It’s my favorite genre and made by one of my favorite developers (Yasumi Matsuno).

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

Junichi Masuda Reveals How New Pokemon Are Born

Eurogamer posted an excellent interview with Game Freak director Junichi Masuda, who has been working on the Pokemon series since the very beginning. Masuda covers many topics, including how new Pokemon are created. Here’s an excerpt:

At first I think of ideas about what kind of play I can include. I consider playing content at first, and then what kinds of new elements I can bring in, and the world and communication aspects.

I bring up all the ideas at first. Then I start to think about what the world will be like. Which region? What town should we have? What type of gym should we have? I start to map the world next.

Once those are fixed I can start to think, so, this gym should have this type of trainer, so we should have this type of Pokemon. Then we start to think about the Pokemon characters.

You might think we always start to think from the Pokemon first, but actually we don’t. We do it in this order.

Now you know how new Pokemon are “born”! Seriously though, Masuda is a very cool guy and I highly recommend checking out this interview.

Source

Chris Taylor Talks Mobile and Social Games

It’s always great catching up with Gas Powered Games founder and CEO Chris Taylor. He’s hilarious, fun, smart, and interesting. Although he wasn’t able to talk about his upcoming games just yet, it was fascinating to get his take on mobile, social, and casual games. He seems truly excited by that segment of the gaming industry, comparing it to old-school PC game development.

Check out my chat with the excellent Chris Taylor and let me know what you think (please)!

Coffee Talk #307: The RPad.tv Videogame Book Club

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, MacBook Pro refresh rumors, the NY Knicks finally landing Carmelo Anthony, or the myth that the Knicks are now a playoff threat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I need to read more. That is to say, I need to read more books. I devour thousands of Internet words every day, with comic-book sessions thrown in a few times a week. Reading some books would be good for my writing and sanity. I have a bunch of biographies, political books, and sports books on my Kindle, but I feel like reading a videogame book. That’s where you come in! I’d love to hear your videogame book recommendations, as well as any videogame books that you’re interested in.

As a BioWare and R.A. Salvatore nerd, I really enjoyed the Dragon Age books. I’ve heard good things about the Halo books and Mass Effect books too, but I’m not in a sci-fi mood at the moment.

Have you enjoyed any videogame books? Are you even interested in videogame books? Do you find it odd that there are works of linear entertainment based off of interactive entertainment? I’m looking forward to any book recommendations you have!

Bing Gordon Receives the AIAS Lifetime Achievement Award

Here’s a video of gaming industry legend Bing Gordon talking about being honored with the lifetime achievement award by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Gordon worked at Electronic Arts from 1982 to 2008 — including 10 years as chief creative officer — helping grow the company to the juggernaut that it is today. He’s currently on the board of directors for Amazon, Ngmoco, and Zynga. Although he’s on the business side of games, he has helped the business grow creatively as well as financially — an exceedingly rare thing with executives these days.

Cerny Games Mark Cerny, Blizzard’s Paul Sams and Frank Pearce, the AIAS’ Martin Rae, and Microsoft’s Don Mattrick share their thoughts on Gordon.

Thanks RPadholics N8R (filming, editing) and Big Blak (music) for their help with this one!

King of Kong Arcade (Orlando) Video Tour

During a break on my Orlando work trip, I shot some quick footage of Billy Mitchell’s King of Kong Arcade, nestled in Orlando International Airport (MCO). It’s a small arcade with some games and a merchandise stand…and not a single Donkey Kong cabinet in sight. Despite its size, I’m thrilled that there’s an arcade in a major airport. I miss them.

Anyway, check out the clip and let me know what you think (please!).

Nintendo Reveals American 3DS Launch Lineup

Getting more specific than its generously broad “launch window”, Nintendo of America has announced the day-one launch-lineup for the American release of the Nintendo 3DS. The games include…

Getting more specific than its generously broad “launch window”, Nintendo of America has announced the day-one launch-lineup for the American release of the Nintendo 3DS. The games include:

For those of you that were planning to by the system, which of these games are on your 3DS wish list? For those that are on the fence, do you see any of these games pushing you to buy a 3DS? Those of you not interested in the 3DS, please tell me why you’re reading this story.

What’s Your Favorite Zelda Moment?

25 years ago yesterday, The Legend of Zelda was released in Japan. The game was an instant classic and spawned numerous sequels that have sold millions of copies. It’s arguably the most popular and influential series in adventure games. Similar to how we all discussed our favorite Mario moments for his 25th anniversary, I’d love to hear about your favorite Zelda moments.

As for me, I’m going to go with The Wind Waker knocking it out of the park. So many jaded videogame journalists hated the game’s graphics and unfairly dismissed it based off of its art style. I thought that the art was charming and had no doubt that The Wind Waker would contain classic Zelda gameplay. It also gave me one of my favorite videogame tracks ever (embedded below). I enjoyed watching several of my peers eat crow on this game.

Now it’s your turn. What was your favorite Zelda moment?

Pokemon Black/White Mall Tour Photos

RPadholic bsukenyan was kind enough to send over some photos from the Indianapolis leg of the Pokemon Black/White mall tour. There’s some fun stuff here. Check ’em out, enjoy, and give props to bsukenyan (please)!

RPadholic bsukenyan was kind enough to send over some photos from the Indianapolis leg of the Pokemon Black/White mall tour. There’s some fun stuff here. Check ’em out, enjoy, and give props to bsukenyan (please)!

[nggallery id=50]