Generation upon generation We’ve had some stunning innovations come via the progression of console generations including; the change from 2d to 3d games, dual analogue sticks, controller rumble packs, HD graphics, internet connectivity for online play, motion controllers, cameras with player detection, video sharing to social media and streaming, etc. Hardcore consoles such as Playstation…
Month: October 2016
GTA RPG: the joy of roleplaying as a normal person
What’s in an RPG? Grand Theft Auto is a series best known for its controversial content and game mechanics typically focused on causing mischief and mayhem within a realistic game world. However, players are not limited to this behavior it is just one way to play the game. The same button that will cause a…
Nightcrawler: challenge
I wrote about the fun of Nightcrawling in GTA 5, in my article Nightcrawling: a reason to call the police in GTA. In this article I am presenting you all with a Nightcrawling challenge. It’s great entertainment for pass-and-play GTA sessions with your friends. Let me know if you tried it out. Did you modify the rules to better suit…
Turn based resurrection: how the classic combat system is getting a second chance on mobile
The rise and fall of turn based strategy Video games are a space for innovation, and within them we explore the limits of what technology can bring to the experience of games. The controller is one such innovation that revolutionized the way we generate inputs for games, with greater fidelity allowing for extremely dynamic gameplay…
Nightcrawling: a reason to call the police in GTA
AI vs AI The game worlds the Grand Theft Auto franchise create are incredible, but not because of the experiences the player gets from their big selling point mechanics like shooting, driving, and exploration. These have been mimicked ad infinitum by other open world adventure / sandbox games within the genre, the thing that distinguishes…
Good Morning Los Santos!: Trevor in the morning
Back to you, Trevor! With Grand Theft Auto V’s system of alternating between three distinct protagonists, the developers encountered an interesting design problem, how would the player change between characters? The simplest solution would be to switch to a character and start with them in their home, to allow the player to have a consistent starting point…
The anticipation game: the cycle of hype, pre-orders, and release dates
Working on and waiting for a game The timeline of video games from when they are announced to the point when they are released is a special period for gamers and developers alike. Game developers start by focusing on inspiring excitement for their upcoming releases. Pre-orders allow the developer to tap into the money their customers are willing…
First person mountain biking: challenge
I wrote about the fun of riding a bike in the first person camera in GTA 5, in my article First person mountain biking: the go pro experience. In this article I am presenting you all with a mountain biking challenge with a twist. It’s great entertainment for pass-and-play GTA sessions with your friends. Let me know if…
The world that he wants: the aftermath of siding with Shaun
*Spoiler alert, this article contains descriptions of the events after completing the main story line in Fallout 4.* A wandering lab coat My time in the Commonwealth took me in many directions. To complete my first playthrough I focused on roleplaying as a scientist, curious about the science behind the things I encountered in…
First person mountain biking: the go pro experience
First person mode at first glance When Rockstar Games made the announcement that their remastered version of Grand Theft Auto 5 for the next generation of consoles would include a first person camera view, it seemed like gimmick. The power of GTA thus far had come from its focus on being a solid third person action adventure…
Binge gaming part 5: Stasis pod
How binge gaming can help a player In truth, binging on a game when life is at a low can be a saving grace; it can help you to continue feeling like you are growing as a person even though the world around you has forced you to feel small or powerless. Since games are active pastimes, the…
On the run: challenge
I wrote about the motivation and reasons why it is so fun to evade the police in GTA in my article On the run: what GTA an hide & seek tag have in common. In this article I am presenting you all with two escape challenges. They’re great entertainment for pass-and-play GTA sessions with your friends. Let…
Play Professor 