Approaching the End of Flash Games.

It will be the end of Flash Games tomorrow for me after tomorrow. We will be presenting our games. We will have presentations of our games, and the process of which we worked on it.

Overall, I think the whole process was a great learning experience. I have learned a lot about Flash. The only problem is, it is ending right when I am really getting the hang of it! I will hopefully be getting a Mac this summer with Creative Suite on it, so my experience will not end with Flash.

I have really enjoyed the possibilities that arise from flash. I am always excited to find new ways to do things in my game, and it has been fun figuring out new ways to code things. It sounds pretty nerdy, but it has been neat being able to figure things out on my own. I look forward to making more things in Flash on my own time.

The Learning Process.

I have been learning Flash in a process. I wish I had more time to work on it. I will work on the game Final Forecast for a while in class and figure something out, and then hit a wall with something. Then I will pick up where I left off the next class. Ups and Downs, but I am really beginning to get the code. It is starting to make sense. I am not just copying and pasting code, but I am learning what each command does. It is a long process, but one that is very intriguing to me. I look forward to buckling down the last couple weeks of this semester and getting this game down.

Make a Difference.

Shooting games, destruction, violence, or meaningless play. Sometimes I go on the internet, and see so many games that are just for fun's sake. I am all for the entertainment value of games, and think that it's a wonderful thing, but sometimes I wish the potential of games will be unlocked to help.

When I looked up "educational game" on creative commons, this picture is what came up. Sometimes the games that are produced are really simple like this. Innovation is what is needed to make a difference.

It's refreshing to see more and more games that are trying to make a change. Sometimes its making changes socially or maybe economically. That is what I found from the two articles that I found. A game for social game, and one for economic change.

"Game designer Jane McGonigal sees 'superheroes' with untapped potential that can be used to fix vexing real-world problems."

'"Gamers are willing to work hard all the time if they're given the right work," she said. She calls them "super-empowered, hopeful individuals," and includes herself among the bunch.'

Jane McGonigal wants to use her game "Urgent Evoke" to help people in Africa solve problems in the real world.

Players can "earn points and power-ups by completing real-world tasks like volunteering, making business contacts or researching an issue, then submitting evidence of their work online." Her idea is that if people use this game to be motivated to make a real world change. She hopes that the drive they have to play the game will transfer to making a change in their lives around them.

Changing gears a little bit to a game that was developed as a partnership between T. Rowe Price and Disney, called "The Great Piggybank Adventure."

The Great Piggybank Adventure, "focuses on four main elements of personal finance: goal setting, saving and spending wisely, the basics of inflation, and diversifying funds. Throughout the game, players must make choices that will affect their financial plans, use different investment strategies, and choose personal dream goals."

This is a game that is not only fun and exciting, but innovative and beneficial. It allows kids to enjoy it, and still learn how to manage their money and look to the future. So many times kids will see a game and immediately know it is an educational game because of the lack of colors or fun game play, and want nothing to do with it. But with this game it might just change their perspective a little bit.

I hope that more games for social change and education will become free to all on the internet. These online games can really be used for change and can help improve or world.

Online game seeks to empower Africa

Free online game promotes piggybank prowess

Movement, Yeah it's Random.

Recently, I have had a number of break throughs, but then I hit some restrictions. I was able to have two random movement codes work properly, but not exactly how I want them. I wish I could combine the two codes. I am working on getting the codes to work to the full potential and be able to get the movement to be smooth. The movement of one of the codes is basically the way I want it, but the hit test does not respond while using it, because the code adheres to movie clips, not instance names. The other code's hit test works, but the movement of the code does not move in a good pattern.

I will be watching some more tutorials to see if I can find some more effective code. I will also be testing out different variables to see if I can get the movement correct. It is a long process of trial and error, but I am continually learning new things.

Social Games? Your mom does that.

Social games are a quickly growing fad. Everyone and their mother, literarily, have heard about or played played some type of social game. FarmVille, Bejeweled, Mafia Wars and Cafe World are just a few of the major social games that are available. Whether its spending a few minutes here or there, or constantly playing the games, many people have started playing social games on a regular basis.

I looked up some information on these online social games, and found two surveys that talked about who plays these games, and how often, and I found some interesting information that might surprise you. From survey findings, the average age of the "social gamer" is 43, and they are female. The ages of gamers have been changing lately. Games are being designed to be adhere to the interests of more broad age ranges.

According to Bizreport.com, "For many, social gaming is not only a fun pastime but a means to keep in touch with their network. It's also a way of bonding between generations with younger generations able to play with their parents and grandparents regardless of geographical location or time restrictions." People are using these games as a way to reconnect with their past, as well as connect with their current social rings.

It seems that people are playing games a lot, and they are. According to the survey, "Most gamers (95%) play social games several times a week, with 64% playing daily. The average game session lasts more than half an hour (that how long 61% play), while 10% say they may play more than 3 hours at a time. While one-fourth of players (26%) are new to social games, more than half (56%) have been playing for more than a year. One-third (35%) say they are playing more games over the last three months, compared to 10% who say they are playing less." Instead of just casual game play every few days, people are gaming almost every day, or even multiple times a day.

This just shows how innovative the online gaming industry is getting. They are constantly changing to adhere to their market, and it is working. They are getting the response they want. With all of the invites to play games on facebook from friends, it is hard not to play games all of the time.

Social games: news and survey findings

PopCap Games: Typical social game is female and forty-three

A Slow, but steady Progression

When I looked up the word "progress" on Creative Commons, this was an image that came up. Some times while working in flash I feel like a random satelite floating out in space. I feel like I get so far in something, and then I just kind of float around for a bit.

My progress as of late has been slow, but mostly steady. I figure out something new every time I sit down to work on the game. This week I worked some on the variables of the random motion patterns in the game, and figured out some ways to change the velocity. I am now working on figuring out how to set boundaries for the objects on the screen. This is necessary so that the objects won't move right off the screen, but will keep their random movements within the playable game screen.

I look forward to figuring it all out, and to be able to finally get all of the game objects moving properly. Should be a challenge, but I am up to it.

This week while doing research on my Flash Games weekly topic, I stumbled upon a new online game that intrigued me.



( Photo Credit: Tiny Speck)

The game is called "Glitch." It was started by a group called Tiny Speck. Tiny speck was founded by Stewart Butterfield and his partners, Cal Henderson, Eric Costello, and Serguei Mourachov. Butterfield is the Flickr co-founder. Glitch has been in the works since last March, and has been continually changing.

CNet News says, "Glitch is a social online game that takes place in the imaginations of 11 ancient giants and tasks players with essentially growing an optimistic future from the ground up through complex questing, resource development, and interactions with others." There are some really cool innovations that this game is taking. It just isn't a mindless game. Butterfield admitted, "There's not a better way to say [who we're targeting] than people with above average intelligence and sophisticated tastes, in their 20s or early 30s...The intersection of NPR listeners and game players."

Gamers get to choose their path, and choices effect in-game reactions. Your choices change how things are in the game, making it an ever changing gaming experience. You gain levels and do quests to be able to accomplish certain goals all within a 2D Flash world. You can interact with other players making it a "social sim." It will be an interesting mix for this "Web Based Social MMO(Massively Multiplayer Online game)." As of now it will be free-to-play.

Forms of the game will be available in many ways, web based such as Facebook, and mobile on the iPhone or Android phones. A player can buy mini-quests from their phones that will allow them to upgrade their accounts and manage things in game from their phone that will help them get an edge on the competition. Butterfield said, Tiny Speck would like to make Glitch available, in some form or another, on as many platforms as possible, up to and including Xbox Live or PlayStation Network.

This seems like a very interesting concept, and I am looking forward to seeing how this develops. Will it be the next online hit? Who knows, but I will be watching to see how it develops either way.

Here is a mini-trailer as a "teaser" that was released:


(Credit: Tiny Speck)

Sources from CNET News:

The technology and platforms of Tiny Speck's Glitch

In depth with Tiny Speck's Glitch

Kid's Credit?

When I saw this, it kind of blew my mind. I can just see the developer's mind working. "Hmm, so we got these kids, eh. And they have money, But no credit card.... What will we ever do? I got it! Kid's credit...Kwedit! Genius! Then we can get their money!"

Kwedit is essentially a credit company for kids. They can easily use this service to buy online games, virtual goods, or other digital content. Kids don't even have to buy pre-paid cards anymore. Now all they need to do is agree to the fee, print out a slip, and take it to their local 7-Eleven store to pay for the fee. This is called, "Kwedit Direct." There is also a feature where you can ask someone else to pay the price for you such as a friend or parent, this is called Pass the Duck.

"Teens can buy prepaid cards for games at the stores now. But in the middle of the night, that doesn’t really help them if they want to make a purchase in an online game so they can join with their friends, said Danny Shader, chief executive of Kwedit and a longtime veteran of the payment industry." I guess it wasn't easy enough buy the pre-paid cards, no they can build up a bill at anytime, without their parents even knowing it.

The idea behind this goes back to an previous post I made. Virtual goods are expected to generate a staggering $1.6 Billion in the U.S. alone this year. What Kwedit is seeing is that teens are being left out of this number, because "95 percent of them pay for goods with cash."

One of the features that is scary to me is the "Kwedit Promise" which allows kids to "play now, pay later." In my opinion this is just asking for problems. The kids will gain debt before they are even in highschool. "Kwedit gives you a Kwedit Score that is a measure of your reliability in making payments. The higher your score, the more you can bill under Kwedit Promise." At least they give some kind of learning experience to the mix, helping kids learn about credit scores.

Kwedit is up and running on 100 popular online sites, and will soon be working on 1,000 online games. This could get big really quick. I am not saying that this is the worst thing in the world, I am just saying that this could be too much convenience for younger consumers. Kids don't have credit cards for a reason, they aren't reliable. It seems as if the market is going for "ease of purchase," while to me they are just trying to get more money.

I'll leave you with this final statement:
"But the good thing is that with virtual goods, the actual loss if someone defaults is zero, as it costs nothing to produce another virtual good."

Quotes and Article from http://games.venturebeat.com/:

Kwedit lets kids use cash to pay for online games, buy virtual goods

Lear, Learn, Learn!

I put this photo on here because I kinda think it is how I am in this class right now. The little girl is flying in the air, but has an almost apprehensive look on her face. I am learning how to fly, but kinda apprehensive at the same time. I get something really cool accomplished, then totally mess something else up. The cool thing is, the more I work with flash the less apprehensive I become. I am learning by trial and error.

Flash games has been a process. I have learning new things that expound upon the knowledge that I gained from Game Design last semester. Most recently, I am working on a random movement generator. Now I think that Monica has shown me a flash file that should really help in what I am trying to accomplish in the game.

I am ready to get back to work on the game, and hopefully get the movement and gameplay of the game working properly so that someone can actually play it!

Innovation

The gaming industry has been making more and more innovations every day. The online gaming industry is beginning to infiltrate many aspects of our daily lives and using it for progress. This week I want to look at some a market innovation that is catching on fast

Most industries would not first think about playing games to gain business, but the gaming industry is moving on the opportunity to advance sales in other departments. Recently the restaurant industry moved onto the online gaming industry to help sales.

Nrn.com says, "Del Taco and Qdoba Mexican Grill are two of the latest chains using proprietary or licensed games to hook consumers and their dollars. The respective online games and the menu promotions they support have associated Facebook.com and Twitter.com social networking pages and activities, as well." They are using gaming online games as incentives for buying their food. This gives the gamer incentive to eat their products by giving them extra objects and playing time in the game itself.

Nrn.com states, "At 500-plus-unit Del Taco, the chain has partnered with game producer Atari to offer patrons free playing time on the beta test site for the new Star Trek Online game. The personal computer version of that so-called massively multiplayer online, or MMO, game developed by Cryptic Studios is set to formally launch on Feb. 2."

"Del Taco has linked the game with its extra large, 44-ounce Macho soft drink, which typically sells for $1.89, and its combo-meals. Customers who make a qualifying purchase from through Feb. 16 receive a plastic collectible Star Trek cup with a peel-off activation code that can be entered at the chain’s www.startrekonline.com/deltaco microsite to receive 48 hours of free online game play."

The players by buying the food from the restaurant will gain playing time, and unlockables in the game. This is a great way to advertise the game, while getting business for the restaurant. Both Atari and Del Taco gain from the agreement, and so do gamers if they are interested in the game it will allow them to have a more interesting gaming experience. Many other restaurants have recently tested out online games for promotion as well.

These innovations change how we even eat fast food. I will be watching to see if other restaurants move on the gaming industry and begin to incorporate game into their promotional advertising.

Online games part of menu promos
http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=378742&menuid=1368

Coding, Coding, Coding.

Today in class I actually got to start coding. I really didn't have that much time to really dive into the game, but got a few things accomplished. Got some more movement, and some hit recognition with vegetables that peep hit.

I am looking forward to actually seeing some results in the game, and I don't think it will be long before it comes. The thing I am not looking forward to is some of the more difficult coding problems. I am not looking forward to coding each of the vegetables and foods to be able to move independently around the screen. Creating a movement pattern for all of the objects will be difficult for me. Having a way for them to move around, and then move close as you approach.

I also am not sure how to transition between levels, and adding in info screens. Transitions will be difficult to do. Making all of the buttons go to the right thing. I hope to be able to make it run smoothly as to not hinder the gaming experience.

Local Music, Fo Realz!

I have always enjoyed music. Music is a passion of mine. Whether playing or listening, I love music. So that is why it was a natural topic for my website for Computer Mediated. Not only will I have music in my topic, but local music. I want to have a website that consolidates information about bands in the area. This will be a way for people to find out where the next shows are, find out the latest updates on local bands.

I want to be able to get in touch with the bands, and give them a way to get the word out. A way for people to find all the information in one place.

Gaming to The Masses

In today's society, just about everyone can play an online game. Kids start at a very early age to play games. Online games make it even more accessible for the masses to play games.

That is why I want to have my topic for the semester be online games. Over the years I have played numerous online games. Whether they are complicated problem solving games, or just simple point and click shooters. There are numerous online games that are free as very easy to access so that just about anyone can can play.


Online games allow people to interact together at any time. They are fun, involving, and dynamic. The games are ever changing, always giving the gamer something to play. The online gaming industry has changed how people play games. Gaming just isn't after school with little Jimmy from down the street anymore, now it can be with any number of people all over the world, whenever you want to play.

Online gaming revenue is only going up these days. Usa Today said "Last year, online players in the USA spent more than $1 billion on virtual goods, and they're expected to spend $1.6 billion this year, according to market research firm Inside Network." They say a growing trend with games is to have free play, but then online upgrades that are just one time fees. You can buy extra items that will in turn make the game play more enjoyable.

Not only is the United States spending more, so is China. China Daily states, "The market scale of online games in China reached 25.8 billion yuan ($3.7 billion) in 2009, a 39.5 percent increase over the previous year, a white paper on online game development released by the Ministry of Culture (MOC) said on Monday." Jumping 39.5% in a year is no small amount! The article also mentions that China produces 361 major online games, which 115 of those were new to 2009.

As you can see, online games aren't just something middle school boys do after school, but a tremendous industry that is only growing. New jobs are continually being formed. It is exciting to be able to learn the framework by which a lot of these games are made.

'Microtransactions' add up for free online games:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-01-19-games19_ST_N.htm

Online Game market expands to 25.8b yuan in China:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-01/19/content_9341668.htm

Flash Games

I am pretty excited about this new semester. I quite enjoyed the game design class, and wanted to jump more into the Flash aspects of the class. When I heard about this class, I added it as fast as I can. It will give me more of an opportunity to work more with Adobe Flash.

For this class, I expect to be able to be more competent with flash. I want to be able to work with the software, and be confident with it. It will be cool to learn new things about flash, and to be able to figure things out more readily by myself. To know the software enough to solve problems with the code on my own.

I want to be able to create a fully functional game, that is enjoyable and innovative. It will be a lot of work, but I know that it can be done. I look forward to what I can learn, and what can be accomplished.