UAT Happenings

Heading Towards Extinction or Dying Video Game Genres

By Dabney Loving Jr.

For some of us, as future game designers, staying current with design-related trends is imperative in order to stay relevant in a highly competitive job market. While crafting works in tried and true game genres is always rewarding, in one way or another, it is still important to stay current on those genres which may be more popular than others and which are on their way out the door. Sometimes, this loss of interest is due to over-saturation of a particular genre or brand, while other times it can be blamed on the newer technologies offering more immersive experiences. More often than not, however, it is due to stagnation and failure to innovate within the genre. Here is a brief list of some once popular genres suffering from decline. Music Games Considered a staple genre until only a couple of years ago, music games have quickly lost their appeal to the public at large. This is due to a number of combined factors including overly expensive peripherals required to play the games and stagnant designs which saw little innovation over the course of many game releases. While this genre may be nearing its end, it should be noted that the dance game genre is still enjoying some success and could be considered the spiritual successor to the music game genre – just without all of those pesky and pricey guitar controllers. Racing Games Racing games are yet another example of a genre that has seen too many releases in a short amount of time with little to no innovation being introduced in the process. This lack of innovation has lead to a decline in sales for racing games across all platforms. Plugged-In writer Chris Morris feels this slump in sales only leads the genre faster towards its death. “…In general, the titles don’t sell as well as they used to. And in a hit-driven industry, that’s scaring most publishers away.” Even with publishers becoming a bit shy when it comes to racing games, there are still examples of the genre out there that are sure bets with the publishers and fans, including Nintendo’s ever popular Mario Kart series and Sony’s Gran Turismo titles, so don’t expect the racing game experience to go away completely. Point and Click/Adventure Games Once considered a very popular PC game genre, the adventure game has largely been replaced by more immersive story telling experiences provided by more current genres such as Western RPGs and third-person action titles. While the potential for a rich storytelling experience provided by these types of games appeals to some, most find the puzzles found within too difficult or time consuming to manage and the lack of freedom to explore too restrictive to be truly entertaining. Some would consider this genre long dead and gone, until the recent announcement from Double Fine Studios that their next Kickstarter-funded project would be an adventure game. As such, interest in the genre has started to rise once again. While this may not be enough to save to genre forever, this new title from Double Fine could lead to a revival of sorts. Extreme Sports Games As our society moves from a “go extreme!” outlook on life to a more “go green!” view, it stands to reason that our slight obsession with extreme sports may fade as well. This, coupled with little innovation over many iterations, and sometimes just poor design in general, have placed this genre in danger of extinction. Yes, we are looking at you, Tony Hawk: Ride. Once again, however, there are shining examples of the genre available now or coming soon which may yet be able to help games in this genre save face. These include a re-release of the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater titles, complete with HD face lift and a new SSX title, recently released on most major platforms.

Why You Need To Participate in Game Jams

By Maureen Perzan

When I enrolled at the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), I knew nothing about Game Jams. Since then I’ve learned a few things.

Game Jams are unique experiences coordinated by the efforts of our fellow students at UAT that occur approximately once a semester. This event is a 48-hour challenge for game developers to test their skills by creating a playable game that includes an interpretation of a predetermined theme. The challenge is not just to create a game within 48 hours, but to start without any prior assets being created. The topic is a secret until the kick-off time, at which point participants can develop on or off campus. Many times participants will work in the computer labs or in the commons, to be respectful to roommates and family members. These events typically span one weekend, starting on a Friday night, and concluding on a Sunday night when all who participated gather and show the progress they were able to make within the time limit. Each field of the industry is represented with artists, programmers and designers eager to work. While some attendees come to participate independently, many come to create a team and network. You can also create a team prior to the event and be able to push each other further than ever before to develop a great game.

So, while it is definitely exciting, it is also a very stressful experience. But don’t let that scare you away! Here are some excellent reasons to subject yourself to these tortuous weekends that happen at least once a semester:

1. This is a great opportunity to network. Not only will students participate, but so will local and independent developers. If you are unable to attend the Independent Game Developer Association meetings for the Phoenix division, or unable to afford going to the several yearly conferences, this will give you a starting point to meet those working in the industry. They will have stories and wisdom to share. It’s never a guarantee you will be able to work alongside others that are in the industry, but you will have an excellent opportunity to work with other students that are more advanced in their schooling. They will still have tips and tricks to help you along the way.

2. This experience is gold for interview material. You experience development from concept to execution in a whirlwind. During an interview, you can display how you were able to successfully, or unsuccessfully, determine the priorities of your development process. Even if you were unable to be effective throughout the process or unable to complete a game, this is an experience that will open your eyes to the full process in which every team member is integral. You can then explain to the interviewer what you have further refined as a result of the difficulties you encountered.

3. You will be a better developer from completing this weekend by being exposed to a limited development time. This time-crunch will force you to prioritize your tasks. If mistakes are made you will have immediate repercussions. The nurturing learning environment that is provided to us as students is rarely shattered until we land our first job, which will be a shock to those that are not prepared. Participating will provide valuable experience that will equip you for when there are other stressors, including paying back student loans, making rent payments on time and building your reputation as a valuable developer.

4. You will be able to branch out of your comfort zone. Even if you didn’t find a group at kickoff, there will ALWAYS be a need for extra hands. Are you an artist with availability to work on multiple projects? Are you a designer that knows some art? Are you a programmer on a team with too many programmers? Make sure to ask around as you may be a better fit in a different group. If you can manage the workload, there is no reason not to work on multiple teams as well. Or try working as an artist and learn some scripting if you’re able to dedicate the time. The bottom line is you will learn skills that you have never needed to learn before or you’ll be able to try your hand at a different area of development. If you are able to help someone in need, you will earn a welcomed opportunity for options to work in future Game Jams or outside projects.

5. And here’s something I wouldn’t have guessed until I participated: Everyone there is supportive. Everyone there is energized. Everyone there is passionate. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to go and be invigorated by the drive of everyone around you. You will make a friend by simply offering to go on a coffee run or offering to pick up a requested item. The camaraderie will amaze you, and being able to go the next room over to ask a question also makes this experience much less intimidating.

I mentioned this is a stressful and intimidating event, but you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to work during as many of these events as possible.

There’s no such thing as “too new” or “too inexperienced.” No one will laugh at you for not finishing; they will applaud your attempt and offer friendly advice to have a better development experience the next time. If you feel like you are not good enough, think again. You are interested, and passionate, and, at the very least, capable of making coffee runs to the gas station or food runs across the street. There’s no reason not to be a spectator as long as you ask permission from the team you want to shadow.

If you are unsure about participating in the event, come in on Friday and challenge yourself to stay throughout the entire process. You can participate even if you are majoring in a different field and are curious about trying to develop a game. Just make sure to communicate to your peers about what level of interaction you anticipate you can provide. Especially if you can draw, please lend your talent as artists are always needed, which is followed up by a need for programmers.

A special thanks to Tyler Coleman who has dedicated so much of his time to coordinating these events during his collegiate career.

If you have an interest in helping to coordinate these events, reach out to Student Government Project Chair Terry “Joe” Gohn at tergohn@uat.edu.

Gameverse Talks about Red Sand

Black Hat Conference Volunteers

It’s that time of year again, when UAT and Black Hat partner to
choose the very best from UAT’s network security, forensics, and
other security/internet related majors to volunteer at this
illustrious conference. For 2012, students that are chosen to help
at the conference will have the opportunity to meet some of the very
biggest names in the information security realm, in research,
training, development, and other areas. This is an incredible
opportunity to begin building your professional network, increase
your knowledge base, and connect with potential employers.

This opportunity is available to UAT’s young women and men alike. No
other college or University can offer you this unique opportunity.
Every volunteer must be able to attend for the full duration of the schedule.
Attendance to Black Hat, your hotel room at Caesar’s Palace, and your
breakfast and lunches are included. Travel to Las Vegas is NOT included.
Hotel, food, and other expenses associated with DEF CON 20 (directly
after Black Hat) are not included. Volunteers may be granted free
access to the DEF CON conference, but this option has not been
finalized. The cost for DEF CON 20, if you decide to stay, is $200.

As in previous years, students will be required to submit an
application to volunteer, and to write a 1 page paper on Why I
should be selected for Black Hat which enumerates how you will
benefit from working this premiere security conference. Please
include a description of any extra-curricular activities you’re
involved with at the school, how long you’ve been at the school, and
when you expect to graduate from UAT. At the top of each paper, please include the following information:

Full Name:
Nickname (for shirt):
Cell Number:
Gender (for room sharing):
Shirt Size:
Cumulative GPA:
Whether you’ve worked Black Hat Before:

Most volunteers will be required onsite July 20th, at 8am.
Recommended travel to Las Vegas would be July 19th. Black Hat
training begins on the 21st, and will run through July 24th. The
Black Hat conference runs from July 25th-26th.

*** THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 31st. THIS IS DUE TO THE
NEED TO ORDER CUSTOMIZED SHIRTS. ***

Rickroll dead?

UAT on Raptr

Did you know that UAT is on Raptr? Take a look at the university’s profile and add UAT as a friend if you are interested

http://raptr.com/UnivAdvTech/

Game Jam this Friday!

Game Jam starts tomorrow! Check out the event page for more information and also, look at the event page or leave a post on the event page if you are still looking for a team. Let me know if you are planning on attending the event in the comments

https://www.facebook.com/events/235182956583486/

Real Life Enterprise!

From David Wells:

“The main site crashed because of how many people geeked out, but here is an article on how one man, and many people’s idea, will truly come to life. To be able to fly aboard the USS Enterprise”

http://news.yahoo.com/ambitious-plan-build-star-treks-uss-enterprise-074000244.html