Balasko-Mastersreport-2020
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Alive Dead Media 2020: Tracker and Chip Music
Alive Dead Media 2020: Tracker and Chip Music 1st day introduction, Markku Reunanen Pics gracefully provided by Wikimedia Commons Arrangements See MyCourses for more details, but for now: ● Whoami, who’s here? ● Schedule of this week: history, MilkyTracker with Yzi, LSDJ with Miranda Kastemaa, holiday, final concert ● 80% attendance, two tunes for the final concert and a little jingle today ● Questions about the practicalities? History of Home Computer and Game Console Audio ● This is a vast subject: hundreds of different devices and chips starting from the late 1970s ● In the 1990s starts to become increasingly standardized (or boring, if you may :) so we’ll focus on earlier technology ● Not just hardware: how did you compose music with contemporary tools? ● Let’s hear a lot of examples – not using Zoom audio The Home Computer Boom ● At its peak in the 1980s, but started somewhat earlier with Apple II (1977), TRS-80 (1977) and Commodore PET (1977) ● Affordable microprocessors, such as Zilog Z80, MOS 6502 and the Motorola 6800 series ● In the 1980s the market grew rapidly with Commodore VIC-20 (1980) and C-64 (1982), Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1982), MSX compatibles (1983) … and many more! ● From enthusiast gadgets to game machines Enter the 16-bits ● Improving processors: Motorola 68000 series, Intel 8088/8086/80286 ● More colors, more speed, more memory, from tapes to floppies, mouse(!) ● Atari ST (1984), Commodore Amiga (1985), Apple Macintosh (1984) ● IBM PC and compatibles (1981) popular in the US, improving game capability Not Just Computers ● The same technology powered game consoles of the time ● Notable early ones: Fairchild Channel F (1976), Atari VCS aka. -
Us Shuts Down
WAR ON TERRORISM MOVIES LIFESTYLE Officials: US troops have Controversial Pandemic, the game, left bases in Helmand, ‘The Hunt’ has become all too Laghman provinces hits theaters real, says its creator Page 3 Page 11 Page 12 Commentary: What will fans talk about without sports? » Back page Volume 78, No. 235A ©SS 2020 CONTINGENCY EDITION SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 stripes.com Free to Deployed Areas US carries out VIRUS OUTBREAK retaliatory raid on Iran-backed fighters in Iraq US SHUTS DOWN BY CHAD GARLAND Americans adjust to new life, hunker down amid pandemic AND COREY DICKSTEIN Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — An Ameri- can air raid early Friday morn- ing on an Iranian-backed militia group in Iraq was precise, propor- tionate and defensive — designed to deter the group from launch- ing more rockets at American and anti-ISIS coalition forces, the top general for U.S. Central Com- mand said. U.S. fighter jets struck five weapons caches south of Bagh- dad held by the Kataeb Hezbollah militia at about 1 a.m. in retalia- tion for an attack blamed on the group that killed two Ameri- can troops and a British service member Wednesday, Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said. He also blamed the militia for at least a dozen rocket attacks during the last six months, at least two of which killed Americans. “We believe this is going to have an effect on deterring future strikes of this nature,” McKenzie told reporters Friday at the Penta- gon. “We’ve seen in the past what happens if you don’t respond [to attacks.] Now people know that we are not going to tolerate these direct attacks on American or co- alition service members, and we are willing and able to respond.” McKenzie stopped short of im- plicating Iran in ordering the at- tack, which came on what would have been the 63rd birthday of BY MICHELLE R. -
14 Apple Arcade Games to Play on Launch Day from Strategy to Action to Puzzle Games, Here’S Where You Should Head First
APPLE MOBILE GAMING 11 14 Apple Arcade games to play on launch day From strategy to action to puzzle games, here’s where you should head first By Russ Frushtick @RussFrushtick Sep 19, 2019, 9:40am EDT Simogo Games Today’s launch of Apple Arcade might be overwhelming to some players. Subscribers who drop $4.99 a month get unlimited access to a large swath of games, and scrolling through the list can feel a bit like trying to find something good to watch on Netflix. The initial launch line-up includes over 50 games, but we’ve gone ahead and narrowed them down to 14 titles you’d do well to check out first. WHAT THE GOLF? Triband/The Label While there are plenty of thoughtful, story-driven games in the Apple Arcade collection, What the Golf? goes another way. What starts as a simple miniature golf game quickly evolves into a bizarre blend of physics-based chaos. One level might have you sliding an office chair around the course while another has you knocking full-sized buildings into the pin. The pick-up-and-play nature makes it an easy recommendation for your first dive into Apple Arcade. ASSEMBLE WITH CARE It makes sense that Apple would work with usTwo on an Apple Arcade release title. After all, the developer is known as one of the most successful mobile game makers ever, thanks to Monument Valley and its sequel. usTwo’s latest title, Assemble with Care, taps into humans’ love of taking things apart and putting them back together. -
Creating Accessibility in VR with Reused Motion Input
Replay to Play: Creating Accessibility in VR with Reused Motion Input A Technical Report presented to the faculty of the School of Engineering and Applied Science University of Virginia by Cody Robertson May 8, 2020 On my honor as a University student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment as defined by the Honor Guidelines for Thesis-Related Assignments. Signed: ___________________________________________________ Approved: ______________________________________ Date _______________________ Seongkook Heo, Department of Computer Science Replay to Play: Creating Accessibility in VR with Reused Motion Input Abstract Existing virtual reality (VR) games and applications tend not to factor in accommodations for varied levels of user ability. To enable users to better engage with this technology, a tool was developed to record and replay captured user motion to reduce the strain of complicated gross motor motions to a simple button press. This tool allows VR users with any level of motor impairment to create custom recordings of the motions they need to play VR games that have not designed for such accessibility. Examples of similar projects as well as recommendations for improvements are given to help round out the design space of accessible VR design. Introduction In many instances, high-end in-home virtual reality is synonymous with a head-mounted display (HMD) on the user’s face and motion-tracked controllers, simulating the hand’s ability to grip and hold objects, in a user’s hands. This is the case with all forms of consumer available HMD that is driven by a traditional computer rather than an integrated computer, including the Oculus Rift, Valve Index, HTC Vive, the variously produced Windows Mixed Reality HMDs, and Playstation VR with the Move Controllers. -
OPERATIONAL EBIT INCREASED 217% to SEK 396 MILLION
THQ NORDIC AB (PUBL) REG NO.: 556582-6558 EXTENDED FINANCIAL YEAR REPORT • 1 JAN 2018 – 31 MAR 2019 OPERATIONAL EBIT INCREASED 217% to SEK 396 MILLION JANUARY–MARCH 2019 JANUARY 2018–MARCH 2019, 15 MONTHS (Compared to January–March 2018) (Compared to full year 2017) > Net sales increased 158% to SEK 1,630.5 m > Net sales increased to SEK 5,754.1 m (507.5). (632.9). > EBITDA increased to SEK 1,592.6 m (272.6), > EBITDA increased 174% to SEK 618.6 m (225.9), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 28%. corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 38%. > Operational EBIT increased to SEK 897.1 m > Operational EBIT increased 217% to SEK 395.9 m (202.3) corresponding to an Operational EBIT (124.9) corresponding to an Operational EBIT margin of 16%. margin of 24%. > Cash flow from operating activities amounted > Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 1,356.4 m (179.1). to SEK 777.2 m (699.8). > Earnings per share was SEK 4.68 (1.88). > Earnings per share was SEK 1.10 (1.02). > As of 31 March 2019, cash and cash equivalents were SEK 2,929.1 m. Available cash including credit facilities was SEK 4,521.1 m. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, Jan-Mar Jan-Mar Jan 2018- Jan-Dec GROUP 2019 2018 Mar 2019 2017 Net sales, SEK m 1,630.5 632.9 5,754.1 507.5 EBITDA, SEK m 618.6 225.9 1,592.6 272.6 Operational EBIT, SEK m 395.9 124.9 897.1 202.3 EBIT, SEK m 172.0 107.3 574.6 188.2 Profit after tax , SEK m 103.0 81.1 396.8 139.2 Cash flow from operating activities, SEK m 777.2 699.8 1,356.4 179.1 Sales growth, % 158 673 1,034 68 EBITDA margin, % 38 36 28 54 Operational EBIT margin, % 24 20 16 40 Throughout this report, the extended financial year 1 January 2018 – 31 March 2019 is compared with the financial year 1 January – 31 December 2017. -
Nicole Vickery Thesis (PDF 10MB)
ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES: THE FLOW EXPERIENCE OF GAMEPLAY Nicole E. M. Vickery Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment, Bachelor of Information Technology (First Class Honours) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Science and Engineering Faculty Queensland University of Technology 2019 Keywords Videogames; Challenge; Activities; Gameplay; Play; Activity Theory; Dynamics; Flow; Immersion; Game design; Conflict; Narrative. i Abstract Creating better player experience (PX) is dependent upon understanding the act of gameplay. The aim of this thesis is to develop an understanding of enjoyment in dynamics actions in-game. There are few descriptive works that capture the actions of players while engaging in playing videogames. Emerging from this gap is our concept of activities, which aims to help describe how players engage in both game-directed (ludic), and playful (paidic) actions in videogames. Enjoyment is central to the player experience of videogames. This thesis utilises flow as a model of enjoyment in games. Flow has been used previously to explore enjoyment in videogames. However, flow has rarely been used to explore enjoyment of nuanced gameplay behaviours that emerge from in-game activities. Most research that investigates flow in videogames is quantitative; there is little qualitative research that describes ‘how’ or ‘why’ players experience flow. This thesis aims to fill this gap by firstly understanding how players engage in activities in games, and then investigating how flow is experience based on these activities. In order to address these broad objectives, this thesis includes three qualitative studies that were designed to create an understanding of the relationship between activities and flow in games. -
Hi-Bit Pixel Graphics – the New Era of Pixel Art
Hi-Bit Pixel Graphics – The New Era of Pixel Art Olli Heikkinen Thesis May 2021 Degree Programme in Information Business Systems Game Production 2 ABSTRACT Tampere University of Applied Sciences Information Business Systems Game Production Olli Heikkinen Hi-Bit Pixel Graphics – New Era of Pixel Art Bachelor's thesis 35 pages May 2021 This bachelor’s thesis studies how pixel graphics in video games are seen today, and what current trends make classic pixel graphics hi-bit. This thesis briefly covers the beginnings of pixel graphics, how pixel graphics in video games have changed over the years, as well as a few key techniques that make hi-bit pixel art. To further demonstrate the elements of hi-bit pixel graphics, a short game demo “Mr. Skullerton’s Vault” was created in the Unity game engine. In this demonstration a variety of different hi-bit pixel art techniques were tested, including pixel perfect settings, normal mapping, skeletal animation. The techniques tested in this demonstration proved to be significant elements, which distinguish classic pixel graphics from hi-bit pixel art Key words: pixel graphics, pixel art, video game graphics 3 CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................ 5 1 Pixel art in general ................................................................................ 7 1.1 Pixel art in video games today ....................................................... 8 1.2 Why Hi bit-pixel art? .................................................................... -
Text of the German Application of Art of Coding
This is the Text of the German application of Art of Coding (www.http://demoscene-the-art-of-coding.net) with the purpose of bringing the demoscene onto the list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The application was submitted in Oct 2019 and has been written in an collaborative community effort led by Tobias Kopka supported by Andre Kudra, Stephan Maienhöfer, Gleb Albert, Christian Brandt, Andreas Lange and many more who gave their hands at Digitale Kultur und Tastatur und Maus e.V. The structure depends on the form, which is given by the German UNESCO. In spite the structure differs from forms used in other countries text modules can be used for application in other countries. The texts in square brackets are part of the German form. Also every kind of feedback is welcome, which could be taken into account for future use. Use ‘team (at) demoscene-the-art-of-coding.net’ 1. Type of Immaterial Cultural Heritage [Please tick the applicable sections and elaborate in keywords (multi-selection possible, but not mandatory)] Section A) verbally passed on traditions and expressions [keywords]: own technical vocabulary, own idiom with specialized terminology, English is lingua franca Section B) performing arts (music, theatre, dance) [keywords]: composition, performant, live, public presentation, animation Section C) social tradition, (seasonal) celebration and ritual [keywords]: demoparties, competitions, visitor voting, price ceremonies Section D) Knowledge and customs, related to nature or the universe [keywords]: digitalized living environment, cyberspace, virtual reality Section E) traditional craftsmanship [keywords]: coding, composition, animation, adoption, do-it-yourself Section F) other 2. -
Videojuego De Aventura Gráfica 3D. Diseño Y Uso De Los Diálogos
Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Informàtica Universitat Politècnica de València "Frozen Out", videojuego de aventura gráfica 3D. Diseño y uso de los diálogos Trabajo Fin de Grado Grado en Ingeniería Informática Autor: Vicent Pla Madrid Tutor: Manuel Agustí Melchor 2019-2020 "Frozen Out", videojuego de aventura gráfica 3D. Diseño y uso de los diálogos 2 Resumen Esta memoria trata el desarrollo de un proyecto de emprendimiento, un videojuego de aventuras y puzles en tres dimensiones, dentro del marco de la universidad, así como la implementación de los sistemas de juego que posibilitaron las funcionalidades del diálogo. El producto se realizó dentro de un equipo multidisciplinar de cinco estudiantes y utilizando el motor de videojuegos Unity. La propuesta original se analizó y se desarrollaron un conjunto de características para evaluar su viabilidad en dos experimentos frente a público objetivo, los cuales resultaron tener una recepción positiva. Por otro lado, en cuanto al apartado técnico se indagaron e integraron herramientas existentes centradas en el control de conversaciones y se implementación extensiones a este para acomodarse a las necesidades del proyecto en cuestión, resultando en la creación de un gestor de diálogos flexible y personalizable para otros proyectos. Palabras clave: videojuego, diálogo, emprendimiento, Unity. Resum Aquesta memòria tracta el desenvolupament d’un projecte d’emprenedoria, un videojoc d’aventures i puzles en tres dimensions, dins del marc de la universitat, així com la implementació dels sistemes de joc que possibiliten les funcions del diàleg. El projecte es va realitzar dins d’un equip multidisciplinar de cinc estudiants i utilitzant el motor de videojocs Unity. -
Video Gaming and Death
Untitled. Photographer: Pawel Kadysz (https://stocksnap.io/photo/OZ4IBMDS8E). Special Issue Video Gaming and Death edited by John W. Borchert Issue 09 (2018) articles Introduction to a Special Issue on Video Gaming and Death by John W. Borchert, 1 Death Narratives: A Typology of Narratological Embeddings of Player's Death in Digital Games by Frank G. Bosman, 12 No Sympathy for Devils: What Christian Video Games Can Teach Us About Violence in Family-Friendly Entertainment by Vincent Gonzalez, 53 Perilous and Peril-Less Gaming: Representations of Death with Nintendo’s Wolf Link Amiibo by Rex Barnes, 107 “You Shouldn’t Have Done That”: “Ben Drowned” and the Uncanny Horror of the Haunted Cartridge by John Sanders, 135 Win to Exit: Perma-Death and Resurrection in Sword Art Online and Log Horizon by David McConeghy, 170 Death, Fabulation, and Virtual Reality Gaming by Jordan Brady Loewen, 202 The Self Across the Gap of Death: Some Christian Constructions of Continued Identity from Athenagoras to Ratzinger and Their Relevance to Digital Reconstitutions by Joshua Wise, 222 reviews Graveyard Keeper. A Review by Kathrin Trattner, 250 interviews Interview with Dr. Beverley Foulks McGuire on Video-Gaming, Buddhism, and Death by John W. Borchert, 259 reports Dying in the Game: A Perceptive of Life, Death and Rebirth Through World of Warcraft by Wanda Gregory, 265 Perilous and Peril-Less Gaming: Representations of Death with Nintendo’s Wolf Link Amiibo Rex Barnes Abstract This article examines the motif of death in popular electronic games and its imaginative applications when employing the Wolf Link Amiibo in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017). -
AWS Is How Game Tech Volume 2
Behind great games, there’s game tech. AWS is How Game Tech Volume 2 AWS IS HOW GAME TECH EDITION Volume 2 2 Player profile Player Player ID: Eric Morales Classification: Reconnecting through tech Head of AWS Game Tech EMEA Player history Stockholm Joined Gamer since 59°32′N 18°06′E July 2015 1995 Over the past year, many of us have felt compelled to escape into a game, even if only for a few hours. Technology has been our salvation and our solace. When we’ve been forced to stay apart, tech has helped us to feel connected, whether by racing strangers through virtual cities or teaming up to battle awesome foes in Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. There has, perhaps, never been a greater keep pushing forward on a bumpy road and instead of sticking to a plan that no longer Perhaps one of the key things we can need for the escape that gaming gives when to somersaulto a ne ont w one. fits. New ideas come through all the time learn from these studios is that adversity us. So I’d like to say an extra thank you to and you have to embrace them.” can spark the creativity we need to build Building on AWS gives studios the chance the studios we’re featuring in this issue. something truly spectacular. In many to experiment, innovate, and make For some of the developers we spoke Without you, lockdown would have been games, your character levels up and gets mistakes in order to keep forging ahead. to, the pandemic has been just one of just a little bit harder for so many millions stronger regardless of your own skill, which I’m 100 percent with Roberta Lucca many hurdles they’ve overcome. -
Cole, Tom. 2021. ”Moments to Talk About”: Designing for the Eudaimonic Gameplay Experience
Cole, Tom. 2021. ”Moments to Talk About”: Designing for the Eudaimonic Gameplay Experience. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis] https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/29689/ The version presented here may differ from the published, performed or presented work. Please go to the persistent GRO record above for more information. If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Goldsmiths, University of London via the following email address: [email protected]. The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated. For more information, please contact the GRO team: [email protected] “Moments to Talk About”: Designing for the Eudaimonic Gameplay Experience Thomas Cole Department of Computing Goldsmiths, University of London April 2020 (corrections December 2020) Thesis submitted in requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Abstract This thesis investigates the mixed-affect emotional experience of playing videogames. Its contribution is by way of a set of grounded theories that help us understand the game players’ mixed-affect emotional experience, and that support ana- lysts and designers in seeking to broaden and deepen emotional engagement in videogames. This was the product of three studies: First — An analysis of magazine reviews for a selection of videogames sug- gested there were two kinds of challenge being presented. Functional challenge — the commonly accepted notion of challenge, where dexterity and skill with the controls or strategy is used to overcome challenges, and emotional chal- lenge — where resolution of tension within the narrative, emotional exploration of ambiguities within the diegesis, or identification with characters is overcome with cognitive and affective effort.