Simulation & Game Development

Following two years of research and development and extensive collaboration with industry leaders and sister colleges in the North Carolina system, Farhad Javidi has developed the first AAS degree program in "Simulation and Game Development" in nation. The Program was approved by North Carolina Community College System on October 24, 2005.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Nintendo Rube Goldberg Animation

Click here to watch a 3D Rude Goldberg Animation that includes themes from NES games.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Jolie Returning For Third Tomb Raider Flick

Lara Croft creator Ian Livingston told the Daily Express: “Paramount has optioned it and Angelina has agreed to star in the third.”

A source added: “Angelina is already in training to make sure she gets rid of her post-pregnancy bulge. She wants to be in tip-top shape and look better in Lara’s outfit than ever.”

Ange Gears Up For Action

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

History of Game Making

Click to watch this 45 minute documentary.

Audio Games

AudioGames.net is a site dedicated to audio games (games based on sound) and blind-accessible games. Originally this site started out as a database of audio games only, but due to the massive response of the blind community, they've broadened the scope of the website.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Wired: You Play World of Warcraft? You're Hired!

John Seely Brown and Douglas Thomas write in their article for Wired magazine Issue 14.04 (April 2006):

"In late 2004, Stephen Gillett was in the running for a choice job at Yahoo! - a senior management position in engineering. He was a strong contender. Gillett had been responsible for CNET's backend, and he had helped launch a number of successful startups. But he had an additional qualification his prospective employer wasn't aware of, one that gave him a decisive edge: He was one of the top guild masters in the online role-playing game World of Warcraft..."

Read the complete story...

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Machinima

Using Games to Change Filmaking and Instructional Video

Paul MarinoLength - 57:13 Machinima (muh-sheen-eh-mah) is filmmaking within a real-time, 3D virtual environment, often using 3D video-game technologies. In an expanded definition, it is the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. Machinima is real-world filmmaking techniques applied within an interactive virtual space where characters and events can be either controlled by humans, scripts or artificial intelligence. By combining the techniques of filmmaking, animation production and the technology of real-time 3D game engines, Machinima makes for a very cost and time efficient way to produce films, with a large amount of creative control. This session discusses how games are changing the nature of animation and filmmaking, and how machinima techniques can be useful for instructional environments, serious game development, and education of next-generation filmakers.

Watch the video

GDC: Experimental Gameplay 2006

As in past years, Wednesday's Experimental Gameplay session attracted a throng. Beyond standing-room only, the lecture hall was crowded enough to concern and irritate the local fire marshal. Ultimately, the session went on around fifteen minutes longer than expected – and even then, the presenters had more material than they were able to show.

Comprised as it was of enthusiastic young developers, eager to show off their new toys that (in several cases) nobody else is allowed to play with, the energy level was high, keeping the audience clapping and cheering when appropriate, and vocalizing when not.

Read more ...

The Hollywood and Games Summit 6.27.06

Beverly Hills Hotel Beverly Hills, CA
Eager to capture ever-fickle consumers, Hollywood studios and videogame publishers are increasingly looking to each other for new creative ideas and business models. Today’s savvy Hollywood players are tapping into the booming $11 billion games market, lending their clout and expertise to create breakthrough entertainment experiences.

The Hollywood and Games Summit celebrates the collaboration between the two most compelling modern art forms — film and videogames. The Summit features business and creative visionaries from both industries addressing synchronized production, who and how to pitch to the other side, capturing the movie feel in gameplay, sharing marketing buzz, and cross-pollinating production techniques (such as pre-visualization). The event closes with a reception, enabling both sides to network.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Apple Introduces Boot Camp

Public Beta Software Enables Intel-based Macs to Run Windows XP
CUPERTINO, California—April 5, 2006—Apple® today introduced Boot Camp, public beta software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP. Available as a download beginning today, Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac®, and once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS® X or Windows XP. Boot Camp will be a feature in “Leopard,” Apple’s next major release of Mac OS X, that will be previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in August.
Read more...

Monday, April 03, 2006

Haptek

Haptek leads the next generation of computer interactivity with its patented Automated Personalities software, which creates highly realistic, 3-D artificial human characters that emote, respond to and interact with users in real time. The company's newest product, PeoplePutty, introduces the radically improved generation4 Automated Personality software, the most compelling, advanced, and engaging artificial emotion engine ever seen.

http://www.haptek.com/