Game Feature: Student Experiences - Video Games Design

Many of us love playing games so why not make them?

Ever sat their playing a classic video game, and had the desire to make your own game? The follow article is a in-depth look into the starter year for studying a Games Design course in Scotland.

University: Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Course: Games Design and Production Management

Abertay University is one of Scotland's leading universities for computer game related courses. It offers a wide-range of degrees including: Computer Arts; Computer Game Technology (CGT); and Games Design and Production Management (GDPM).

Dare to be Digital 2011-Created by Abertay University

I am currently in my second year at Abertay studying GDPM.
The course is designed to turn young talented students into a Designer or a Producer by the end of the 4 (or possibly 5) years that the course runs.

This article is an explanation of what the first year GDPM course entails along with my personal views and how I found it.

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Game Review: Game Dev Story - iOS/Android

Ever wondered what it was like to run your own games company?

Developer: KAIROSOFT CO.,LTD.

         Platforms: iOS Devices/Android phones

Genres: Simulation/Strategy/Casual

Release Date: April 21st 2011

Price: £2.49/£1.60 (Android)

Game Dev Story appeared on digital shelves out of nowhere, there was very little coverage about it; a surprise hit. Once it was released however, it quickly gathered steam through word of mouth keyboard online and received mostly positive reviews from purchasers on the mobile markets. 

The premise of Game Dev Story is straightforward: You start off with a brand new games development studio and have to produce games and work your way up the market. Just like any developer or publisher around today did, even the likes of Electronic Arts or Activision, whom are now giants within the games industry.

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Feature: Stereotypes - The Crazy Cat Lady

Worst Superhero-name... ever!

 Those of you who regularly watch the popular American sitcom 'The Simpsons' will be well acquainted with the rather alarming character of Eleanor Abernathy - more affectionately known as 'The Crazy Cat Lady'. Most commonly seen screaming indecipherable nonsense and throwing her beloved pets at passersby, it's fair to say that she's a shining example of stereotyping. Elderly spinster with no friends or hobbies, but a startling number of cats... She must be wrong in the head, right? This is an assumption that is just as poignant in reality as in the world of yellow cartoon-people.

Increasing Number of Cats ≠ Decreasing Mental stability? 

When someone sees a woman over the age of forty in possession of more than four cats, they instantly assign them to the 'Crazy Cat Lady' stereotype.

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Feature: Urban Explorers

 Urban Exploration: A City Adventure

An Old Observation Tower 

We've all had our own experiences relating to urban exploration which is the exploring of abandoned or derelict buildings, structures and facilities in an urban environment. Though some people's experiences may be from more rural areas they're still under a similar kind of exposure to an architect's nightmare: Decayed buildings.

 

What lurks inside here?

I remember an eventful day, years ago when Freddos were still 10p, I was visiting a friend (We both lived in the countryside) and our curious mischievous selves decided it would be a good idea to look in this old abandoned farm house that was just up the road.

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Game Feature: Localisation Company - Carpe Fulgur

Carpe Fulgur LLC: A war against Engrish

What is the problem with the general English speaking population when it comes to Japanese games? More often than not, it seems to be the language barrier.

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Game of the Day: Terraria

Terraria - Minecraft in one less dimension

Most gamers don't need an introduction to Minecraft, it's one of the most popular sandbox/building games on PC. Terraria is a similar game that plays in two dimensions instead of three. Though it does differ in some key areas.

The graphics are a throwback to the 16 Bit generation with games like Mario, Sonic and Bomberman.

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Feature: Life in the countryside

 Country Living

The Countryside. Tractors trundling through fields of wheat, bales of hay piled high in barns and gruff-voiced farmers toiling away happily amid the muck and mess. Perhaps you imagine picturesque villages encircled by winding rivers, or a quaint village shop selling only local produce. Round, rosy-cheeked people in wellies and dungarees, smiling and waving to each other in merry greeting as they go about their business.

Photo by Michael Palmer

What a delightful image. Is that how you imagine life in the country?

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Music Review: Will Leatherbarrow - Songs For Sleepless Nights Album

Will Leatherbarrow: Songs For Sleepless Nights Review

Released: October 2011

Genre: Acoustic/Alternative/Folk

Tracks: 16

Price: £6

Contributing Artist: Amy Brain
Facebook page  
Bandcamp page 
Youtube Page

Songs For Sleepless Nights is the first album published by artist Will Leatherbarrow, which features many acoustic style songs, performed and written by Will himself, with the exception of 'Cold Water' in which he sings alongside Amy Brain. Though he does prefer to sing his own songs, Will has done a few cover songs in his live performances.

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Tip of the day: Snake on Youtube

Internet Tip of the Day

Ah Youtube, where would we be without it, and what would we watch?
Youtube is the number one (non-pornographic) video streaming and sharing website in the world, probably...
Today's tip is a little Easter egg that some of the employees of Youtube embedded (Get it?) into their video player:

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Game Review: Resident Evil 4 HD - PSN/XBL

Resident Evil Retrospective & RE4 HD Review

Publisher: Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Platforms: PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 (3.6GB Download)

Genres: Third-person-shooter, Survival horror

Release Date: September 20th 2011

Price: £15.99/$19.99 or 1840 MS points

'Whatddya buyin', Stranger?'

Retrospective

The Resident Evil series is one of Capcom's most well known and cherished franchises originating from the PlayStation era. A series that has creepily stumbled right into the current generation...

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Music Review: Opeth - Heritage Album

Opeth: Heritage Music Review

Released: 14/09/2011

Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal, Jazz Fusion

Label: RoadRunner

Songs: 10 (2 Bonus)

Heritage is the tenth album to be released by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth, and the follow up to the simply fantastic 'Watershed' album from 2008.
This album shows straight from the beginning, the departure from their death metal roots and a journey into the prog-rock, pyschedelic musical sounds that have apparently influenced the band, or at least lead vocalist and guitarist, Mikael Akerfeldt.

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