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Friday, September 19, 2014

"Zelda" Game

So... I was going to try and make him walk, but that was disastrous. It was an epileptic seizure waiting to happen. But! Try this (very) simple game! :)



Do It In Ten Challenge

http://www.showmetheanimation.com/index.php/do-it-in-ten/

Instead of a 20-30 second animation, if you would rather make a really killer 10 second film and enter this contest, fine by me.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Learning can be fun!

...As long as it's done right.

This video goes through 10 of the more popular educational games of the past. Although there are newer games out, this video really captures why some games work and others don't. I would be hard pressed to believe that no one in the class will remember at least a few of the games mentioned. I myself played at least four of the ten games listed and at least had heard of two others when I was younger. A majority of them were actually legitimately enjoyed as a kid, and I know loads of people who still love the memories of some of them, especially Oregon Trail. Games just need to be games that require whatever is desired to learn as the means to win. The guy mentions a Zombie typing game at one point that I know as a kid would have been an awesome way to learn to type. We had some somewhat fun typing games, but that is something a lot of kids might actually get addicted to. The key is, just like education films, etc, the main theme can't be learning, simply require learning for an awesome game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OSl4MT8mmA

Animation: Can be surprisingly simple

My dad's an animator, so I know animation (2D or 3D) is no joke, but it's incredible how (VERY) relatively simple amazing animation can be if you have the right tools and know how to start small. Here's an awesome video from Lightwave (family favorite 3D software) making a very sophisticated model from a relatively simple one.

https://www.lightwave3d.com/news/article/modeling-a-lifelike-creature/

Sharker

Toward a Theory of the Evolution of the Turkey

Norman McLaren

Norman McLaren on the NFB Site.









Georges Melies

If you haven't seen Hugo, rent it tonight. The flashback scenes of Georges Melies at work are breathtaking. Here are a couple of his shorts. You should check out more on your own.


The Black Imp

The Four Troublesome Heads

Bug on Halloween

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/26857231/#editor

Fulton computer club introduces girls to coding

Fulton computer club introduces girls to coding

What Most Schools Don't Teach

Articles on Programming from Begininner to Professional

Here's an article (quite short) on Coding Schools in Europe. It's a pretty interesting idea, replacing a math class with programming. What do you guys think? In today's tech world, is that more beneficial, or should it be an optional thing? I've got some thoughts, maybe we can discuss them.

Also, this next article is just on being a programmer in general, however, I would admonish you to read it, because, not only is it hilarious and well written, but it's one of the best things I've read in a long time. If you've even programmed (even the tiniest bit, as we have), or know a programmer, this will both give you insight, and make you nod knowingly:

http://stilldrinking.org/programming-sucks

Nate's Game - (Star Trek themed!)

If you dare (or care) to try it out for yourself, here is the link to my Scratch game:

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/26924900/


Animation--It's All in the Details

Okay, so if you've ever been to YouTube to watch anything other than a viral video, you have probably at least heard of Tobuscus. If not, go educate yourself, heathen!

This is one of my, and my friends', favourite songs of his. Pay attention to the detail in the animation--always something moving, even if it's only barely. Also, notice how well the animation 'flow's for transitions. This is really great:

Lindsay's Scratch Game

Hey e'r'rbody!

So here's the link to my game "Kitty Goes For A Stroll". I'm pretty pleased with it. I think it has a lot of potential for extra stuff, and future levels, but this is just the first. Just be sure to press the green flag after you loose before playing again. ^.^

Friday, September 12, 2014

Cyriak!

One of my favourite (with the British spelling) animators on YouTube is Cyriak Harris, whose bizarre, cycling creations are truly works of mad genius.  He uses the same tools I profess to know, namely Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, and his mastery of both tools leaves me pulling my hair as I try to figure out how he does what he does.

Here is a link to a sort-of-long but oddly inspirational interview with Cyriak.


The following are some of my favourite examples of his work.



"Cycles"



"cows & cows & cows"

  


Music video commissioned for the band "Bonobo"



Great Gatsby Game

Here is the link to the Great Gatsby game we played in class.  It's addicting.

http://greatgatsbygame.com/

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Jane McGonigal Ted Talk on SuperBetter

https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life?language=en

Book Review Ideas

A few book titles that may or may not be of interest to you:

  • reality is broken by Jane McGonigal
  • the multiplayer classroom by Lee Sheldon
  • who owns the future by jaron lanier
  • the culture of connectivity by Jose van Dijck
  • a social history of the media by asa briggs
  • digital disconnect: how capitalism is turning the internet against democracy by robert w. mcchesney
  • the new digital storytelling by bryan alexander
  • spreadable media: creating value and meaning in a networked culture by Henry Jenkins
  • networks of outrage and hope: social movements in the internet age by Manual Castells
  • a creator’s guide to transmedia storytelling by andrea phillips

Fairly Basic Game

In general, most games and pretty complex, and take a lot to put together. However, I though that CLOP was a pretty good example of a more basic game that falls a liitle closer to what we are working with.
Check it out--it's entirely maddening!

http://www.foddy.net/CLOP.html

Leap Motion - A new form of user input


In early 2013 a friend at work showed me the introductory video to the "Leap Motion" controller, which is a motion sensor that detects your fingers and uses that information to control apps.

I bought a Leap Motion, but it has sat unused on my desk since the day it arrived for me.  Now it looks like there are more apps available that utilize this little peripheral.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58mK55mEls

Monday, September 8, 2014

Sword and Sworcery

This game is legit. And also a great example of independent game design. Not something any of us would be able to accomplish on our own, but it was made by a fairly small group of high-minded individuals. And Jim Guthrie's soundtrack for it is amazing.


Audience Calibration Procedure from Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery on Vimeo.

Friday, September 5, 2014