Brian Chiu

In terms of how you experience the story, how is playing HL2 different than reading a book or watching a movie?

I would have to say that playing Half Life 2 is an experience that takes and audience on an adventure. While this could be said about reading a book or watching a movie, the linear path created for the user by a videogame is completely user dependent, whereas, in a movie it would continue playing without an audience or in a book the text would never change. This unique videogame experience causes the audience to think about their actions and do things completely out of character because there are practically no restrictions. Half Life 2 is a window into another dimension where you are in the mind of another person without having any repercussions on your actions.

Click Here to view an in game graphic image on a well designed scene that is not normally seen in the real world.

This image is a screenshot of a videogame mod that's based off the very popular super mario game. This is called Super Mario Clouds made in 2002 by Cory Arcangel, who hacked the game and left all but the blue sky and clouds left in the background.

Do I consider this "game" is now considered art?

Well, to simply put it yes...and no. I can see how Cory Arcangel created such a nice piece of artwork, however I do not see how this can still be considered a game. For super mario, the clouds were not a focal point in the game but there for more of an aesthetic value, one that would be fine with or without. But now that he has made re-look at something we once considered trivial in a new light,, we can see how it is Art and no longer a game.

Here is a practice exercise using XSI. Trying to make a cat's face.

Download file
Requires XSI Mod Tool Program

Today, while working on the Pixar Lamp assignment, I experienced some difficulty in making the lamp joints work perfectly though I believe I did all the parts correct. Though I asked Andy what is wrong, we were unable to fix the problem. Sadly, I'll have to put this assignment aside and work on the next assignment. If I get the time, I will retry the Lamp assignment and upon completion will upload unto this blog.

After reading Games: The Extensions of Man...I could not be more confused. So far I was able to understand the part about how the games played by people heightened their reactions for war but most of everything else was kind of dry and didn't appeal to me. Perhaps it was just me though, i can't wait until next class to see what other people think also.

maybe i'll read it again later...

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/superman-vs.htm

I thought this was interesting and funny at the same time, which is why I'm sharing it with those who would read my blog.

Okay, I think I got it now, but you can totally shoot it down with any kind of firearm if I'm wrong.

McLuhan writes that games are "social reactions to the main drive or action of any culture". Describe at least one "social reaction" that might be activated by video games. Include at least one game as an example. We will discuss in class on Friday.

One "social reaction" that I feel is activated by video games is competitiveness. It is through conditioning and nature, anyone has the need to be better. Video games amplify this need of competition through dueling matches and offers no buffers on it. What I mean is, in life, one feels gratification through success. How can one feel success if one has not felt failure? Through failure we strive for success once more. Thus, in the end, there must only be one! (Highlander, Movie) One 'Winner'. Though he may be a winner today, there will always be competition for one to beat or meet that 'winner'. Sure, some may give up along the way, doesn't mean they like winning. It just simply means that they'd rather win at something else.

I feel as though I'm being a little vague.

I would like to take any Mmorpg(WoW) or multiplayer(halo, RTS games) games for my example. Through this need to be better at this one game, does their best at winning/humiliate another. In fact, some feel good about it. The satisfaction they derive from a game, knowing they are better than someone, keeps them going on. It fuels their need to play more. On the other end of the spectrum, some play mind games to irritate rather than to beat. The anonymity that a person has, allows them to say or do whatever they please that they otherwise would not face-to-face. This humiliation/irritation factor also is what I consider to be a bit sadistic, however, people face-to-face would even go out of their way to rub it in one's face.

This would be a good example...View image

What I'm slowing getting at is, our culture has always been competitive with bars/buffers but the video games created a social reaction, that allowed people to be 'childish' and wear their head high in arrogance because of their meaningless accomplishments.

(p.s. I still love games)

Clancy: The X-Com Story

"The X-Com Story is a singleplayer mod for Half-Life 2 that is currently under development. It is an original story set in the X-Com universe that will be available for free download once it is completed. The game will follow the story of Clancy, a police officer who later becomes an X-Com soldier."

Excerpt taken from:
http://www.hl2mods.co.uk/modsdetail.php?id=256

Yet to be released but I'm looking forward to seeing it (and playing it) considering it takes an old game idea/concept that was originally strategic and turns it into a first person. While it is not yet released, I still wanted to submit a post on this idea under development because not many people know what X-com is and why it would make for a great single player (or even multiplayer co-op). Here is wikipedia's best compilation on X-com.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_com

To me this would be similar to making Contra from the NES into a First person shooter.
The only problem I have with these creations, is how closely are they going to make it like the original game and is it going to be a huge cliche in terms of the aliens genre. So many have been done, and they have either failed or be a slight success.

lastly, on something not relevant to the assignment; Why are there not many (good) multiplayer co-op games that consists of 2, 4, or more players involved in a campaign story rather than a deathmatch? One game I'd like to point out is Star Wars: Repulic Commando, in which the player controls the main character that issues orders to 3 squad members. I believe that this game would have worked equally well if those 3 squad members were available to multiplayer co-op.

This is all.

Six main points to be taken from "The Game Design Sequence" from Chris Crawford's "The Art of Game Design".

1. Design on an ultimate goal that you want to attain, then choose an appropriate topic in order to make it happen.
2. Preparation through research and brainstorm: Take the time to research the topic and think thoroughly about the goal, research, and topics; and how they will weave together into an awesome game.
3. The design process consists of three sub-structures: I/O structures (User interface), Game Stucture (level designs and gameplay), and Program Stucture (Putting it all together).
4. Evaluate the entire design to see if its a desirable game, and thus deciding its future (Proceed or abort)
5. Pre-programming to programming. As always prepare yourself to program. In the end, it will save you more time than you now and take the time to program every bit well. (Check by play testing it!)
6. Publishing. Brace yourself as you are putting yourself out there naked. Take the comments from an objective stand point because they're all not worth reading. Be proud you made it thus far.

My note: Thought the reading was great. Send me to more like this.