UNIT 10

hey there, for Unit 10 our assignment is our own brief. There's several options that I'm thinking of exploring. In one i pose the question 'Are games becoming little more than interactive films?'. I believe this would be an intresting topic to explore and relevant to the growing trend of developing games to me more film like concentrating on story and cinematics over game play and immersion. with games like Metal Gear Solid 4 having overly extended cut scenes and Heavy Rain with its 'cinematic quality' game play and heavily laden QTE's. I'd also explore ways that developers are blending the two schools such companies as Bioware when they created Mass Effect which employs immersive game play and interactive cut scenes in which the player selects what the character says. By examining the different methods and mechanics along with how popular each I will be able to better understand what the future of games development could potentially become.

Steampunk Willie

Sometimes you come across some information that just makes you go 'HOLY FUCK'. I'd like you to now experience one of those moments now....

Disney is set to release a new game as of yet we only know by the codename 'Epic Mickey' for this game the following concept art was released:

<"Transport">
<"Mickey">
<"Mad">
<"Goofy">

sadly the bad news is the game is to be released for Wii and this (http://kotaku.com) is what theyve done to that beautiful concept art. *weep*

Assassins Creed 2

Well if you read my last review you'll know that I attended this years Eurogamer Expo in Leeds. At the event i was able to get my hands on the new Assassins Creed 2 GDC demo. The new game had dramatically improved graphics the textures and lighting were realistic yet remained stylistic to the theme of the game. AC2 had the wealth of new features we've all been waiting for. Of course the hidden blade returns along with a twin brother, handy for double assassinations. Other new items in your arsenal are smoke bombs and poison your also able to perform assassinations from almost anywhere.

There's also a new weapon system that allows you to use any weapon on the game and your not short of choice. You now have the ability to disarm and use a weapon against your enemy using the much improved fight system sporting a whole variety of deadly moves. No longer will you revert to blocking and countering when fighting large groups of enemies you could even throw a smoke bomb and escape in a flurry of confusion.

A new economy system works using monetary awards for completing assassinations for clients. This of course means you can buy things such as upgrades and supplies, extra smoke bombs and poison but also weapon and costume upgrades including dyes and armor. The game has a new weapon selection menu that pauses the game as it displays a wheel bases menu reminiscent of the Mass Effect. Overall the the gameplay has been improved, feels faster and more natural and promises to be an entertaining game.

Eurogamer Leeds

This week i embarked on a trip to Eurogamer Expo at Leeds, this is the first time a Eurogamer Expo has been at Leeds. The event was more of a demo event of recent and upcoming games than your traditional expo with developer booths. The event was small but got quite packed in the mornings. There were a few games that have been out for a while (Need For Speed: Shift, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Uncharted 2 and Wet to name a few) but many of the games there were still unfinished. Some highlights of the event were the GDC Assassins Creed 2 demo which exceeded in expectation, the inventively controlled Heavy Rain which used QTE's effectively to portray multiple story lines and Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Ultimate All Stars which although only available on the wii shows that 2D can be transferred to 3D/2.5D effectively and without loss of gameplay. A few points about the event though, the size of the of the TVs where inconsistent and uncalibrated. lode to the guy on the 32" uncalibrated Samsung sat next to a spot on 50" 1080p Sony. And then there's the "career fair" that resided in a small area of cubicles inhabited by 3 universities, Ubisoft and Team 17. Overall the event was, i feel was well worth the £6-a-day entry fee. It was enjoyable and there were some good games on show although the career fair was a bit of a wet biscuit it didn't spoil the day.

Top Ten List

I thought this was quite funny and strangly accurate :p

You know your a student when:

1.You'd rather clean than study especially if an essay is due.
2.You schedule your classes around sleep habits.
3.Looking out the window is a form of entertainment.
4.Rearranging your room is your favourite pastime.
5.You wear dirty socks three times in a row and think nothing of it.
6."Oh shit how did it get so late!" comes out of your mouth at least once a night.
7.4:00 AM is still an early night on the weekends
8.Anything before 12:00 is early morning
9.You know the pizza boy by name and don't even need to read the menu.
10.You live for getting e-mail/Facebook

Top 10 reasons that university is like playschool:

1. You want your mother.
2. You cross the street without looking for cars.
3. Snack time is a necessity.
4. You get dressed for the outdoors without caring what you look like (because everyone else looks as stupid as you do).
5. You stay at home and play games with your friends.
6. You wear your backpack on both shoulders.
7. You like cuddles ^_^
8. Playing in the snow is a legitimate activity. (hell yeah!!)
9. You take naps.
10. You look forward to cheese toasties.

SNOW DAY!

The day it snowed in Oldham.