We were told to form a small group for a presentation that we would have to deliver in front of a few tutors. We had to choose our own topic to talk about, we decided as a group to speak about the change from indie games to 'AAA' and the future of gaming and history with some extras, this is themed on the horror genre of games. This is just the research and areas that I covered with my notes below.
What is
Steam Greenlight?
Steam
Greenlight is a system that engages the community's help in selecting some new
games that are being released on steam. The developers can post screenshots,
videos and information of their game that they have created which can receive a
critical mass of support from the community to gain foundation in order for the
creator to gain publication of their game. Steam greenlight also helps
developers obtain feedback from potential customers, this is a brilliant way of
getting yourself out into the gaming industry, and this can be the first steps
to landing a job role in games.
Consoles
Incorporating Indie
PlayStation
develop works the same way as Steam Greenlight, you publicize your playable
game hoping people will buy, download and enjoy your game, there is just some
differences, no need for voting and no fees to become a licensed e- publisher.
With the PlayStation develop you have the ability to self-publish to the
PlayStation Network.
ID@Xbox is a
program created by Microsoft that allows independent game developers to
self-publish their own playable games to the more recent platform the ‘Xbox
one’ console and for Windows PC.
The Last of
Us, release date 2013/2014 (Remastered), Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation
4, Xbox 360, Xbox one, PC
With a
similar concept as Dead Space that has an outbreak of plague that affects the
planet and its inhabitants, the last of us has its own approach using a modern
day parasitic plague. This is a survival apocalypse game that focuses on two
main characters called ‘Joel’ and ‘Ellie’. The horror of this game is
that the parasite that is a form of fungus is a real parasite that latches onto
ants that takes control of their brains, their body is then a host for the
fungus to mature and spread to other creatures. In game this fungus attaches
itself to humans, changing them into zombie like monsters. ‘Neil Druckmann’ who
is an American writer, creative director and programmer for Naughty Dog who
created this game says, “Nature is way scarier than anything we could ever
imagine”. He once watched an episode of Planet earth (2006) documentary that
featured about this fungus, thus creating the idea of the game.
Alien
Isolation, release date 2014, Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox
360, Xbox one, PC.
Alien
Isolation is an action adventure game based on the science fiction horror film
series. The story takes place 15 years after the events of Alien. Ellen
Ripley’s daughter called Amanda is the playable character in this game, she is
on a mission to find the truth of what happen to her mother’s disappearance. In
this game you find yourself confronted by all sides, by a desperate population
and an unpredictable dangerous alien that can appear anytime. You need to stay
alive to succeed in your mission.
Immersion
in video game events (Eurogamer, Alien Isolation)
Eurogamer in
2014, the game being promoted to the audience is Alien Isolation, I had the
chance to experience this game first hand at the event. As I was waiting in the
queue to play Alien I noticed how the organizers and the teams engaged us
players. First I noticed that a young woman who was involved in the event was
dressed as the main protagonist ‘Amanda Ripley’ she was entertaining the
audience by posing for photographs and modelling the replica jacket that the
character wears in game. The jacket was a prize whoever survived in the game
longest. When I got to go into the room with a small group it was dark barely
lit only by some light it seem to resemble a similar design of the environment
of the spacecraft corridors in the game, it really did set a scene of pure
fright also the impelling sense of wanting to play. I and the group next had to
walk through dark curtains to get to the next room which was very similar to
the other room but it was very quiet, it welcomed us to a demo of the game and
headphones. It was a set level in the game I had a choice of obtaining the
flamethrower weapon, but the alien will be lurking. Playing this game in a
darkened environment and wearing the headphones easily made me experience
anxiety. This was the first horror suspension game that I have played at an
event were the organizers have made the actual playing area a creative
environment to make the audience fully embrace in the horror of their
game.
PlayStation
VR
PlayStation
VR is a virtual reality headset, this is currently in development by Sony
computer entertainment. This headset fully emerges you into the centre of the
new world. PlayStation move controllers can be used with the PlayStation VR, in
my opinion I think they will be a little dated in design compare to other
competitors. New games will be released as soon as the PlayStation VR hits the
shelves later this year, some being: The London Heist, Dreams and a horror game
called ‘Whiteday’ at the moment it only has a Korean release date, it is
unknown if it will have a western release.
Oculus
Rift
Oculus Rift
is also a virtual reality headset. This device lets you hear details around you
with impressive clarity thanks to 3D audio technology. With the constellation
tracking system this enable the sensation of presence. You will feel fully
emerged inside a game like you have never felt before. Just like the
PlayStation VR, the Oculus rift has it very on controllers called ‘Oculus
touch’ which seems to be a very comfortable design, I believe these controllers
will do well. New games will also be release this year some being: The climb,
P.O.L.L.E.N and a horror game called ‘Alone’.
Virtuix
Omni and Cyberift
The Virtuix
Omni and Cyberift are very similar in what they do, they are treadmills that
fully immerge you into the gaming experience by you acting movements in the
real world then them actions will then be copied by the first person navigation
in game, if you run, jump or crouch the avatar will mimic you. To gain the full
experience of these VR platforms, using a PlayStation VR or Oculus Rift will be
very beneficial. Both move 360 degrees. I believe using a VR headset combined
with a VR platform while playing a horror game that being indie or AAA would
absolutely increase the effect of the players level of fear. Will VR headsets
and VR Platforms be the next new thing in gaming in the near future? Maybe,
maybe not, but I think it is a big step and just wonder what the next 10 years
will bring to the future of gaming.
