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This was my first time out to the Game Developers Conference and with my trusty Expo Pass I was able to see enough to get hooked. I believe that the networking and educational aspects of the conference are enough to warrant more expensive passes. Next time I will consider a pass with more access.

Traveling with my crew from Full Sail University was a blast and a great way to experience San Francisco. We stayed in the same hotel, but when we went to the Career Expo we would often split up and avoided "wolf-packing". This was advice given to us from Rob Coble, a wise man. I was fortunate to meet quite a few cool people and even a couple who appeared tired, drained, and a bit mean. I'm sure they were just jaded by having to talk to students. On the other hand, I made some great contacts and hopefully will develop them into long lasting friendships.

I can't wait for next year. I also took the leap and joined the IGDA, sitting in on a Production SIG was also a great experience. I met Heather Maxwell Chandler who wrote one of my textbooks, she was a peach and I enjoyed her panel.

See you next year GDC!

Labels: gaming

This is one of the first events I'll have a chance to attend at the lecture hall. Should be interesting and hopefully there will be some meaningful information. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a canned advert for how cool Blizzard is.

I should probably write this down somewhere.

Event: Guest Speaker: Sumer Ortiz of Blizzard Entertainment
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: FS3B Auditorium

Guest Speakers:
Sumer Ortiz, University Relations Manager

Blizzard Entertainment is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. After establishing the Blizzard Entertainment label in 1994, the company quickly became one of the most popular and well-respected makers of computer games. By focusing on creating well-designed, highly enjoyable entertainment experiences, Blizzard Entertainment has maintained an unparalleled reputation for quality since its inception.

Blizzard Entertainment's track record of back-to-back #1-selling games spans more than a decade, and with blockbuster hits such as World of Warcraft, Warcraft® III: Reign of Chaos, Diablo II, and StarCraft, the company has earned several consecutive Game of the Year awards. In addition, Blizzard Entertainment's online-game service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users.

Labels: fullsail, gaming

I often read the Washington Post and today I came across an interesting article, Researchers Explore Mental Health Benefits of Video Games. It is a worthwhile read as it indicates how one video game company is researching alternate sales models for some of its casual games. At the same time the article displays an alternate view point to the effects of video gaming.

Typically you hear and read stories on how video games led someone to suicide or have caused an individual's alienation from a their family. Some studies would also indicate that video games can lead to obesity, depression, and addiction. While all these outcomes may have merit, it should probably be noted that the individual person afflicted by these types of diseases may have deeper medical conditions. It is possible that their video gaming habits are merely fueling problems that have not been diagnosed.

This article attempts to discuss the benefits of video gaming to reduce stress and possibly relax the mind. Check it out if you have a few minutes.

Researchers Explore Mental Health Benefits of Video Games

Labels: gaming

A friend of mine turned me unto this clip of an upcoming Warhammer 40k game. From what I can gather it was shown at E3 and it made an impression. I would almost bet my bolter that this game is re-hashed from Dawn of War II, but with more of an FPS feel.

It's still not the info I crave on the W40k MMO being developed at Vigil Games, but it looks like a great game nonetheless. Check out the video below from G4tv. You can also roll over the video and click the link to watch in HD.

Labels: gaming, w40k

I am a huge fan of the Warhammer 40k universe and science fiction. I also enjoy occasional battles against green hordes. They do taste like chikin don't they? Aside from proclaiming yet more Geek-iness I wanted to share some serious music with you.

If you enjoy a good death march, and who doesn't, then you may enjoy some of the tracks that have been made public by the Dawn of War II team.

You may also get the music as a .zip file from my server, click here.

My custom DoW squad.

Labels: gaming

Sometimes I like it when a title does indeed say it all. The title of this post is about as blunt as can be. This week seemed a bit busier than most for me, not sure why. Although I would be willing to bet that it may have had something to do with dmak leaving Westat. Argh, this is not a Westat post! I did get more done on this web site this week and I was able to scan some drawings to post. Soooo.....

A day after the new Warhammer40k video game came out I went to pick it up. It's hard to believe that PS3s are selling out again. With that in mind I didn't want to risk waiting for this game. Luckily there were two copies at the store when I showed up.

I've only installed it and painted some armies, but I have yet to fully sink my teeth into Soulstorm. So tonight is the night! I hope I don't get my ass handed to me too badly online. Then again if those developers are on, sigh...

I'm off to the battle fields, for victory!

Labels: gaming