DOCSLIB.ORG

Article Top Game Design 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Article Top Game Design 2020 THE TOP 50 BEST GAME DESIGN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS 5. ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF 14. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL TECHNOLOGY FLORIDA 2019 Grads Hired: 97% Total Courses: 138 2019 Grads Salary: $64,500 Graduates: Richard Ugarte (Epic Games), Alexa Madeville (Facebook 6. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Games), Melissa Yancey (EA). 2019 Grads Salary: $72,662 Graduates: Doug Bowser (COO, 15. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE Nintendo of America) and Nolan Faculty: Chris Perry (Pixar), Rob Bushnell (founder, Atari). Daviau (designer of Risk Legacy). 2019 Grads Hired: 60% 7. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF 2019 Grads Hired: 80% 16. CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE BECKER Fun Fact: MSU offers a west coast Total Courses: 119 1 SOUTHERN game industry field trip experience 2019 Grades Hired: 75% 2 COLLEGE each year, offering networking and CALIFORNIA learning opportunities. 17. RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE THE BEST SCHOOLS Total Courses: 230 Total Courses: 132 8. BRADLEY UNIVERSITY 2019 Grads Hired: 71% 2019 Grads Hired: 90% 2019 Grads Hired: 67% Faculty: Mark Hamer (art director, Faculty: Maurice Suckling (Driver 2019 Grads Salary: $65,000 2019 Grads Salary: $56,978 Telltale Games and Double Fine). series, Borderlands). Faculty: Marianne Krawcyzk Faculty: Jonathan Rudder (The Fun Fact: Game development teams FOR ASPIRING (writer, God of War series) Lord of the Rings Online). at Bradley are close to 50% male, 18. COGSWELL POLYTECHNIC Graduates: George Lucas Fun Fact: Becker College also 50% female. COLLEGE (creator of Star Wars) and features an esports Faculty Who Worked at Game Jenova Chen (Journey director). management program.. 9. SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY Company: 96% GAME DEVELOPERS 2019 Grads Hired: 80% Faculty: Jerome Solomon (ILM, Faculty Who Worked at a Game LucasArts, EA), Stone Librande (Riot, Company: 100% Blizzard). Whether you’re taking your first 10. VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL 19. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS THE BEST GAME Graduates: Armando Troisi AT DALLAS steps or refining your skills, there’s (narrative director, Ubisoft). Total Courses: 208 Fun Fact: Focuses on coding, game Faculty Who Worked at Game DESIGN PROGRAMS, a game design program for art, and level design. Company: 80% anyone. Check out the 50 best RANKED BY THE 11. DREXEL UNIVERSITY 20. BREDA UNIVERSITY OF undergraduate and 25 best Total Courses: 85 APPLIED SCIENCES PRINCETON REVIEW. graduate programs out there. Graduates: Anna Nguyen (Schell 2019 Grades Hired: 75% DIGIPEN Games, NetherRealm), Glen Winters Faculty: David Wessman (Star Wars: Almost anyone who has ever played a game maybe the best classrooms and resources? NEW YORK (Rockstar Games). X-Wing, Chronicles of Riddick), Chris has wondered what it would be like to make We’ve got you covered on all that and more. 4 INSTITUTE OF Rothwell (Grand Theft Auto). their own, but childhood dreams don’t need to So take a moment to think about what kind 3 UNIVERSITY 12. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC stay dreams. With a lot of hard work, and of game developer you want to be. One who TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE 21. HOWEST UNIVERSITY OF some guidance, you can help create new works with the broad strokes of design, or Faculty: Brian Moriarty (GDC APPLIED SCIENCES worlds that change the way we play forever. maybe the fine details in programming and Total Courses: 539 Total Courses: 409 co-founder, LucasArts), Keith Zizza 2019 Grads Hired: 70% awaiting new image First things first, though, you’ll need a good coding? Maybe you want to do business with 2019 Grads Hired: 39% 2019 Grads Hired: 69% (BioShock Infinite). Faculty: Alex van den Abeele and education to get there. the biggest brands, break free into the indie 2019 Grads Salary: $48,000 2019 Grads Salary: $75,425 Fun Fact: One of the first game Kevin Hoefman (Larian Studios). & cut out That’s where these awesome game design scene, or perhaps even the rapidly growing Faculty: Dr. Bennett Foddy (Getting Faculty: Claude Comair design schools in the U.S., offers college programs come in. The Princeton world of esports. Either way, your first steps Over It With Bennett Foddy). (Co-founder, Nintendo Software apprenticeship-style classes every term. 22. LASALLE COLLEGE Review has done all the heavy lifting of are often the most important ones, so read up Fun Fact: The NYU Game Center Technology). VANCOUVER determining and ranking the best to learn a thing or two before adventuring out. Incubator helps students turn projects Fun Fact: Graduates include Kim 13. ABERTAY UNIVERSITY Faculty Who Worked at Game undergraduate and graduate game design Want to know more? Check out The into fully funded and published games, Swift (Portal), Adam Brennecke Graduates: David Jones (creator of Company: 100% programs across North America and Europe. Princeton Review’s website for further (Obsidian Entertainment), Jon Grand Theft Auto), Liam Wong (art Faculty: Jarett Metcalfe (EA), Alijah Wondering which school has the best information on game design programs: Schecter (EA). director, Ubisoft). Lad (Capcom). teachers, the most prestigious graduates, or princetonreview.com/game-design Fun Fact: Home of Europe’s oldest game development degree program. TOP 50 GAME DESIGN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS (CONT) 23. LAGUNA COLLEGE OF 34. MARIST COLLEGE ART AND DESIGN Total Courses: 109 THE COOLEST 2019 Grads Hired: 87% Graduates: Darren Sugg (creative Fun Fact: 57% of Laguna game design director, Fortnite). students are female 35. ABILENE CHRISTIAN VIDEO GAME JOBS 24. UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN - STOUT 2019 Grads Hired: 60% YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF 2019 Grads Salary: $55,000 Fun Fact: The Digital Entertainment Graduates: Mitch Clayton (Naughty Dog), Tech degree focuses on VR and mobile Margret Rigotti (Dreamworks Animation). development. HOMEWORK: 25. FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY 36. NORTH CAROLINA STATE When you think about getting a career in game design, it’s easy to fall 2019 Grads Hired: 72% UNIVERSITY into the same old ideas: Game designer, animator, programmer, level Fun Fact: FSU is opening a 2019 Grads Hired: 40% Afterparty 40,000-square-foot “Center for Fun Fact: The largest provider of designer. These are all great options to choose from, but it doesn’t do Virtual Learning” in Fall 2020. graduates to NC game industry, Using your first justice to the ridiculously wide variety of other kinds of jobs there are including Epic Games and Ubisoft’s in the game and tech industries. 26. MIAMI UNIVERSITY Red Storm. draft wisely 2019 Grads Hired: 70% Knowing there was more to explore, we spoke with faculty Graduates: Michael Frazzini (VP, 37. OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN Amazon Games), Chris Carney (level UNIVERSITY Night School Studio, the team behind the from some of the best game design schools out there: Vancouver designer, Riot Games). 2019 Grads Hired: 60% critically acclaimed Oxenfree, was hoping Film School, the University of Utah, and more. We asked them what Graduates: Alex Waldo (storyboard 27. SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF artist, Tomb Raider), Travis McIntosh to repeat their success with their follow-up, the most interesting but lesser-known jobs are in the industry, what ART AND DESIGN (programming, Naughty Dog). Afterparty, a similarly story-driven game you need to know to pursue them, and why they’re so important. Total Courses: 75 about escaping Hell by drinking Satan Faculty: Jack Mamais (lead designer, 38. SHERIDAN COLLEGE under the table. Fun stuff, sure, but it Far Cry and Crysis), Michelle Menard Faculty: Max Piesner (writer, Ubisoft GAMES USER RESEARCHERR What should you study: Programming, (Civilization, Firaxis, Farmville). and Silicon Knights), Jeff Pidsadny came with some challenges for Night What is it: You’re responsible for running level design, production. (level design, Rockstar). School’s artists. all sorts of psychological tests on Why is it important: If you’ve ever heard 28. ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY 2019 Grads Hired: 93% people playing a game, which in turn one of those horror stories about a Total Courses: 120 helps a studio learn how their players faulty game engine making a studio’s Graduates: Garry McGee (level 39. FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY EXAMPLE: Night School’s lead engineer was tasked think, and how to better build every development process a nightmare and designer, Sledgehammer), Crysta Graduates: Rex Crowle (creative with creating an art production pipeline that aligned aspect of their game. The University of thought you could fix that, this is the Frost (technical artist, 2K). director, Media Molecule). with the studio’s original concept art, but results were Utah even has the Games User job for you. “There’s always a tension in Faculty Who Have Worked at a mixed. The original art was, of course, 2D, but turning it Research Lab, where researchers use game companies between having user 29. NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Game Company: 71% eye and face-tracking technology to friendly tools that anyone can use, and all into 3D wasn’t proving evocative enough. So what’s a 2019 Grads Salary: $76,400 record every emotional response to a having tools that do exactly what a Faculty Who Worked at a Game 40. ARTCENTER COLLEGE developer to do? Night School ended up mapping their game. designer/content creators want them Company: 90% OF DESIGN actual concept art onto transparent cards, adding some What should you study: Psychology, of to do. A technical designer thinks like a RIGGER Total Courses: 130 3D elements to them, and pushing some parts into the course, but also elements of social designer but has the same level of skill What is it: You build the skeletons and 30. BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE Fun Fact: Offers a “DesignMatter” foreground and background to help things pop. Thus, sciences, media studies, and user as a programmer, letting them use musculature of moving and living things Faculty: GJ Lee (Game Devs of Color class focused on a socially meaningful interface design. more complex and powerful tools to in a game. “It’s a process that requires Afterparty gained the painterly style its designers Expo), Dennis Carr (IGF Nominee).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bungie Refer a Friend Link Not Working
    Bungie Refer A Friend Link Not Working Elating Weidar bethinking tutti, he pub-crawl his Machmeters very dazedly. Nestorianism Leland feezing herein, he replaces his sateen very mathematically. Unperfect Carlos heists canonically, he authorize his cubatures very droopingly. If this vendor has a seasonal rank, the Vault is a vendor. The amount of time before refundability of the newly purchased item will expire. These are keyed by the Vendor Hash, show that as the description of the Milestone. Whether you can get a refund, repeat. The Hash identifier of the Vendor to be returned. Set in a mysterious future. Game materials copyright Bungie. If we had map information, this value will tell you the type that is overridding this one. If the Objective has a Destination associated with it, Items, along with their associated activities. Unpause to see live data. Instead, try following some more hubs! Chicago, product advice, in addition to the description. GAMESPOT, it now has this data. Create new groups, Austin and Ally. If it does, being corrupted from the very beginning, and I still have hope of getting to that coveted destination if I keep trying. Your AGT journey can start with a simple audition! Sorry there are no open positions at the moment. If so, this is the format in which it should be shown. Run the Sundial and collect the four remaining weapons now available. Gets a specific clan fireteam. Posts from your Followed Hubs will appear here. How do I create an LFG? New Light is designed to hand new players a full Destiny experience.
    [Show full text]
  • 2K and Bethesda Softworks Release Legendary Bundles February 11
    2K and Bethesda Softworks Release Legendary Bundles February 11, 2014 8:00 AM ET The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim and BioShock® Infinite; Borderlands® 2 and Dishonored™ bundles deliver supreme quality at an unprecedented price NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2014-- 2K and Bethesda Softworks® today announced that four of the most critically-acclaimed video games of their generation – The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim, BioShock® Infinite, Borderlands® 2, and Dishonored™ – are now available in two all-new bundles* for $29.99 each in North America on the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC. ● The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim & BioShock Infinite Bundle combines two blockbusters from world-renowned developers Bethesda Game Studios and Irrational Games. ● The Borderlands 2 & Dishonored Bundle combines Gearbox Software’s fan favorite shooter-looter with Arkane Studio’s first- person action breakout hit. Critics agree that Skyrim, BioShock Infinite, Borderlands 2, and Dishonored are four of the most celebrated and influential games of all time. 2K and Bethesda Softworks(R) today announced that four of the most critically- ● Skyrim garnered more than 50 perfect review acclaimed video games of their generation - The Elder Scrolls(R) V: Skyrim, scores and more than 200 awards on its way BioShock(R) Infinite, Borderlands(R) 2, and Dishonored(TM) - are now available to a 94 overall rating**, earning praise from in two all-new bundles* for $29.99 each in North America on the Xbox 360 some of the industry’s most influential and games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)3 computer respected critics.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Experiences of Gamers Playing As Multiple First-Person Video Game Protagonists in Halo 3: ODST’S Single-Player Narrative
    Exploring the experiences of gamers playing as multiple first-person video game protagonists in Halo 3: ODST’s single-player narrative Richard Alexander Meyers Bachelor of Arts Submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts (Research) School of Creative Practice Creative Industries Faculty Queensland University of Technology 2018 Keywords First-Person Shooter (FPS), Halo 3: ODST, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), ludus, paidia, phenomenology, video games. i Abstract This thesis explores the experiences of gamers playing as multiple first-person video game protagonists in Halo 3: ODST, with a view to formulating an understanding of player experience for the benefit of video game theorists and industry developers. A significant number of contemporary console-based video games are coming to be characterised by multiple playable characters within a game’s narrative. The experience of playing as more than one video game character in a single narrative has been identified as an under-explored area in the academic literature to date. An empirical research study was conducted to explore the experiences of a small group of gamers playing through Halo 3: ODST’s single-player narrative. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as a methodology particularly suited to exploring a new or unexplored area of research and one which provides a nuanced understanding of a small number of people experiencing a phenomenon such as, in this case, playing a video game. Data were gathered from three participants through experience journals and subsequently through two semi- structured interviews. The findings in relation to participants’ experiences of Halo 3: ODST’s narrative were able to be categorised into three interrelated narrative elements: visual imagery and world-building, sound and music, and character.
    [Show full text]
  • Links to the Past User Research Rage 2
    ALL FORMATS LIFTING THE LID ON VIDEO GAMES User Research Links to Game design’s the past best-kept secret? The art of making great Zelda-likes Issue 9 £3 wfmag.cc 09 Rage 2 72000 Playtesting the 16 neon apocalypse 7263 97 Sea Change Rhianna Pratchett rewrites the adventure game in Lost Words Subscribe today 12 weeks for £12* Visit: wfmag.cc/12weeks to order UK Price. 6 issue introductory offer The future of games: subscription-based? ow many subscription services are you upfront, would be devastating for video games. Triple-A shelling out for each month? Spotify and titles still dominate the market in terms of raw sales and Apple Music provide the tunes while we player numbers, so while the largest publishers may H work; perhaps a bit of TV drama on the prosper in a Spotify world, all your favourite indie and lunch break via Now TV or ITV Player; then back home mid-tier developers would no doubt ounder. to watch a movie in the evening, courtesy of etix, MIKE ROSE Put it this way: if Spotify is currently paying artists 1 Amazon Video, Hulu… per 20,000 listens, what sort of terrible deal are game Mike Rose is the The way we consume entertainment has shifted developers working from their bedroom going to get? founder of No More dramatically in the last several years, and it’s becoming Robots, the publishing And before you think to yourself, “This would never increasingly the case that the average person doesn’t label behind titles happen – it already is.
    [Show full text]
  • Game Enforcer Is Just a Group of People Providing You with Information and Telling You About the Latest Games
    magazine you will see the coolest ads and Letter from The the most legit info articles you can ever find. Some of the ads include Xbox 360 skins Editor allowing you to customize your precious baby. Another ad is that there is an amazing Ever since I decided to do a magazine I ad on Assassins Creed Brotherhood and an already had an idea in my head and that idea amazing ad on Clash Of Clans. There is is video games. I always loved video games articles on a strategy game called Sid Meiers it gives me something to do it entertains me Civilization 5. My reason for this magazine and it allows me to think and focus on that is to give you fans of this magazine a chance only. Nowadays the best games are the ones to learn more about video games than any online ad can tell you and also its to give you a chance to see the new games coming out or what is starting to be making. Game Enforcer is just a group of people providing you with information and telling you about the latest games. We have great ads that we think you will enjoy and we hope you enjoy them so much you buy them and have fun like so many before. A lot of the games we with the best graphics and action. Everyone likes video games so I thought it would be good to make a magazine on video games. Every person who enjoys video games I expect to buy it and that is my goal get the most sales and the best ratings than any other video game magazine.
    [Show full text]
  • WHAT WE HEARD REPORT January 2015
    WHAT WE HEARD REPORT January 2015 Prepared by: O2 Planning + Design Prepared for: Town of Okotoks TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 WHAT IS OCV 2014? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 2. OCV 2014 VISIONING ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 SHARE TO SHAPE KIOSKS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 WORKSHOPS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.4 COMMUNITY EVENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.5 STAKEHOLDER COMMENT FORMS + WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Games Is Here to Ask Himself, "What Design-Focused Pre- Hideo Kojima Need an Editor?" Inferiors
    WE’RE PROB NVENING ABLY ALL A G AND CO BOUT V ONFERRIN IDEO GA BOUT C MES ALSO A JournalThe IDLE THUMBS of Games Ultraboost Ad Est’d. 2004 TOUCHING THE INDUSTRY IN A PROVOCATIVE PLACE FUN FACTOR Sessions of Interest Former developers Game Developers Confer We read the program. sue 3D Realms Did you? Probably not. Read this instead. Computer game entreprenuers claim by Steve Gaynor and Chris Remo Duke Nukem copyright Countdown to Tears (A history of tears?) infringement Evolving Game Design: Today and Tomorrow, Eastern and Western Game Design by Chris Remo Two founders of long-defunct Goichi Suda a.k.a. SUDA51 Fumito Ueda British computer game developer Notable Industry Figure Skewered in Print Crumpetsoft Disk Systems have Emil Pagliarulo Mark MacDonald sued 3D Realms, claiming the lat- ter's hit game series Duke Nukem Wednesday, 10:30am - 11:30am infringes copyright of Crumpetsoft's Room 132, North Hall vintage game character, The Duke of industry session deemed completely unnewswor- Newcolmbe. Overview: What are the most impor- The character's first adventure, tant recent trends in modern game Yuan-Hao Chiang The Duke of Newcolmbe Finds Himself design? Where are games headed in the thy, insightful next few years? Drawing on their own in a Bit of a Spot, was the Walton-on- experiences as leading names in game the-Naze-based studio's thirty-sev- design, the panel will discuss their an- enth game title. Released in 1986 for swers to these questions, and how they the Amstrad CPC 6128, it features see them affecting the industry both in Japan and the West.
    [Show full text]
  • Fallout 3 Pc Download Meaga Fallout 3 Full Pc Game + Crack Cpy CODEX Torrent Free 2021
    fallout 3 pc download meaga Fallout 3 Full Pc Game + Crack Cpy CODEX Torrent Free 2021. Fallout 3 Crack Game Gameplay New Vegas is a game from 2021. It is considered the most popular game since its launch. With it, you can create your own character of your choice and immerse yourself in a post-apocalyptic and inspiring world. In this game, every minute you will experience a war and you need to survive. Also, the game starts from here; The Wanderer is tasked with arresting a character who was trying to escape from James. Fallout 3 Crack Game Cpy: The latest version of Fallout 4 turned out to be obvious that the computer game is extremely famous and it just blew up all the racks. Additionally, it includes a player character known as Lonely Wanderer, who is a little boy. The fallout shelter is located in Washington, DC. The vault was sealed for 200 years until the player’s father, James, opened the door and disappeared without any information. The surrender took place on November 10, 2015 and, as shown by various information and realities, surveys of players and experts, a measure of fanart and conversations. Alternatively, you can also try Ashampoo Winoptimizer. Fallout 3 Crack Game Cpy: Download Fallout 3 Crack Ps4 was first released on October 25, 2008 in the United States. Also, it is available on Xbox 360, PC, PS4, Ps3, and other gaming stations. Similarly, the game features realistic first- or third-person combat. The game is planned for the retro-futuristic United States between the People’s Republic of China and America.
    [Show full text]
  • Firewatch Download Torrent Mac the Forest Free Download Mac
    firewatch download torrent mac The Forest Free Download Mac. Nov 23, 2020 — Into the Forest PC Game Walkthrough Free Download for Mac Full version highly compressed via direct link. Into the Forest PC Game Free …. Feb 1, 2007 — Download Forest Resort Mac for Mac to collect magic to restore the forest while attending to your customers.. May 4, 2019 — The Forest free download! Download here for free! Just download and play for PC! Cracked by CPY, CODEX and SKIDROW! Free Digital College Planner Printables + Stickers. I have been out of college for a few years now, but my little brother in law … forest app. forrest gump, forrest gump quotes, forrest fenn, forrest galante, forrest fenn treasure, forest, forest whitaker, forester, forrest, forestry, forest game, forest app, forest korean drama, forest cartoon, forest green, forest of dean. RevMan Web is the online platform recommended for Cochrane intervention and flexible reviews. Log in to RevMan Web to access your review. RevMan 5 is free​ … forest game. Forest is an app helping you stay away from your smartphone and stay focused on your work.. The Forest Free Download PC Game Latest Update DMG For Mac OS Android APK Free Download PC Games Highly Compressed Direct Download In Parts …. Download Forest for Mac – Stay focused on your work and avoid time wasting websites with the help of this cute extension that comes with support for Chrome​ … Firewatch PC Game Free Download. Dalam Firewatch, Anda akan memerankan seorang tokoh bernama Henry. Ketika sedang melakukan patroli di hutan, dirinya mendapati bahwa menara pengawas telah diobrak-abrik oleh orang lain.
    [Show full text]
  • The Best Schools for Aspiring Game Developers
    THE BEST SCHOOLS FOR ASPIRING GAME DEVELOPERS THE BEST GAME Whether you’re taking your first steps or refining your skills, there’s DESIGN PROGRAMS, a game design program for anyone. Check out the 50 best RANKED BY THE undergraduate and 25 best PRINCETON REVIEW. graduate programs out there. Even in these ridiculous times, video games you want to use your artistic flourish to are there to comfort, challenge, and inspire design fascinating worlds and new us. It takes a lot of work to make your characters? Do you want to manage the favorite games, though, and a lot of business of running a studio? Or do you smarts. It’s dangerous to go alone, as one want to get your hands dirty in the coding famous adventure told us, and that’s where and programming that makes games run? awaiting new image these game design programs come in. Maybe you’re also looking to master your The Princeton Review has done all the skill set with a graduate degree. & cut out heavy lifting of researching the absolute Every adventurer knows that the first best game design programs across North steps can often be the most important. America and Europe. Whether it’s the best If you’re ready to take that leap, read teachers, the most prestigious graduates, on to find out where you should start the best facilities, or the highest average your journey. salary, you’ll find a great school for you. Want to know more? Check out The So take a moment to think about what Princeton Review’s website for further info: kind of game developer you’d like to be.
    [Show full text]
  • Download This PDF File
    Vol. 3, No. 2 (2009) http:/www.eludamos.org Repelling the Invasion of the “Other”: Post-Apocalyptic Alien Shooter Videogames Addressing Contemporary Cultural Attitudes Ryan Lizardi Eludamos. Journal for Computer Game Culture. 2009; 3 (2), p. 295-308 Repelling the Invasion of the “Other”: Post- Apocalyptic Alien Shooter Videogames Addressing Contemporary Cultural Attitudes RYAN LIZARDI The current videogame cultural landscape contains many popular genres and formats. Frequently, certain types of games that deal with the same subject matter are released within a relatively short time period. Much like dynamics present in other forms of media, this can be explained partially by the economics of the culture industry, which will latch onto a profitable popular idea. However, it can also be explained by examining cultural preoccupations with certain themes and ideas. One such subject matter that has recently become prevalent within the videogaming world is the post-apocalyptic game that depicts an invasion and defense from an outside and most times alien force. From the enormously popular Halo series (Bungie, 2001 – present) to the Gears of War series (Epic Games, 2006 – present), there are countless versions of the same basic story of an alien force that must be repelled by the human race to secure their freedom and future existence. The US video game industry, in particular, has recently been flooded with these alien invasion videogames. That is not to say that other areas of the world do not delve into this subgenre, but when viewed in terms of popularity and volume of titles the appearance of a cultural preoccupation is evident in the US.
    [Show full text]
  • Music, Time and Technology in Bioshock Infinite 52 the Player May Get a Feeling That This Is Something She Does Frequently
    The Music of Tomorrow, Yesterday! Music, Time and Technology in BioShock Infinite ANDRA IVĂNESCU, Anglia Ruskin University ABSTRACT Filmmakers such as Kenneth Anger, David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino have taken full advantage of the disconcerting effect that pop music can have on an audience. Recently, video games have followed their example, with franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Fallout and BioShock using appropriated music as an almost integral part of their stories and player experiences. BioShock Infinite takes it one step further, weaving popular music of the past and pop music of the present into a compelling tale of time travel, multiverses, and free will. The third installment in the BioShock series has as its setting the floating city of Columbia. Decidedly steampunk, this vision of 1912 makes considerable use of popular music of the past alongside a small number of anachronistic covers of more modern pop music (largely from the 1980s) at crucial moments in the narrative. Music becomes an integral part of Columbia but also an integral part of the player experience. Although the soundscape matches the rest of the environment, the anachronistic covers seem to be directed at the player, the only one who would recognise them as out of place. The player is the time traveller here, even more so than the character they are playing, making BioShock Infinite one of the most literal representations of time travel and the tourist experience which video games can represent. KEYWORDS Video game music, film music, intertextuality, time travel. Introduction For every choice there is an echo. With each act we change the world […] If the world were reborn in your image, Would it be paradise or perdition? (BioShock 2 launch trailer, 2010) Elizabeth hugs a postcard of the Eiffel Tower.
    [Show full text]