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“We’ve decided as a society that it’s too expensive to modify the kid’s environment. So we have to modify the kid” Some experts see little harm in a responsible physician using A.D.H.D. medications to help a struggling student. Others — even among the many like Dr. Rappaport who praise the use of stimulants as treatment … Continue reading “We’ve decided as a society that it’s too expensive to modify the kid’s environment. So we have to modify the kid”
Some experts see little harm in a responsible physician using A.D.H.D. medications to help a struggling student. Others — even among the many like Dr. Rappaport who praise the use of stimulants as treatment for classic A.D.H.D. — fear that doctors are exposing children to unwarranted physical and psychological risks. Reported side effects of the drugs have included growth suppression, increased blood pressure and, in rare cases, psychotic episodes.
Absolutely chilling.
Some beautiful thoughts on the development of gameplay: Games have been largely about collision for the past 30 or so years — collision-based games where you have to dodge something to survive, or pass the finish line before somebody else. … Now they’re getting a little more emotional, more psychological. The games are more conduits … Continue reading “Beautiful thoughts on Gameplay from Gamasutra”
Some beautiful thoughts on the development of gameplay:
Games have been largely about collision for the past 30 or so years — collision-based games where you have to dodge something to survive, or pass the finish line before somebody else.
…
Now they’re getting a little more emotional, more psychological. The games are more conduits to interact with each other, rather than to tell them a story.
Of course, because making games more like movies is actually a step backwards. It’s old-media-think rather than new-media-think. It’s like when someone spots a new way to display information (augmented reality) and the first thing they think of is how to use this to advertise cars. Games should depend on their differences, not their similarities to old media. That is their real strength.
That changes everything about how you market to your players, how you interact with your players. [Free-to-play] means you have a constant dialogue with your players, and that you’re making sure they’re aware of what’s going on in your game.
This means developing multiple channels of communication. It’s not about demanding access to their Facebook wall or the ability to use their account to auto-tweet – quite the opposite. Give them reasons to follow your Twitter account and participate in your other media channels. Think about what will make them watch your YouTube gameplay videos. Think about the activities in your game and whether they can still play and interact within your world when “not actually playing your game”.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for developers to find their way into the market. The new revenue models also offer new opportunity to design games. It’s up to whoever is nimble enough to make the most of that.”
A company being agile enough to respond to the market and having the resource (in people, in talent) to be capable of responding is vitally important. Finding the right people is the number one issue in developing every business.
From thealistdaily: The NPD Group is reporting that 59 percent of total game play is done on a mobile device. Part of their Mobile Gaming 2012 report, they say that app gamers who play most often on mobile phones are important because 23 percent of these app gamers only play on mobile devices. It really … Continue reading “Mobile Gaming now the dominant medium”
From thealistdaily:
The NPD Group is reporting that 59 percent of total game play is done on a mobile device. Part of their Mobile Gaming 2012 report, they say that app gamers who play most often on mobile phones are important because 23 percent of these app gamers only play on mobile devices.
It really brings into question the definition of a hardcore gamer.
According to an August TechBargains.com survey of 1,332 shoppers, 50 percent wouldn’t buy iPad mini, while 45 percent would purchase iPhone 5. So, the incredibly popular, sold-out-successful and overtaking everything iPhone 5 only appealed to 45% of the surveyed. And 50% of the surveyed said they would not buy the iPad mini. Meaning that 50% … Continue reading “Joe Wilcox is reasoning-challenged”
So, the incredibly popular, sold-out-successful and overtaking everything iPhone 5 only appealed to 45% of the surveyed.
And 50% of the surveyed said they would not buy the iPad mini. Meaning that 50% said they would buy the iPad mini.
So, this device isn’t even released yet and still on speculation alone, it’s doing better than the record-breaking 2-million-in-a-weekend iPhone 5. On a survey, people are more likely to buy an iPad mini than the amazing super-hot iPhone 5.
And Joe Wilcox and his boss can’t think why Apple would want to release this device. And recommends we all forget about it.
I wouldn’t dare to accuse Joe of manipulating the language in the paragraph above to make it seem like the iPad mini was unpopular. No, I’d suggest it was completely accidental, because he probably ran out of fingers and toes. Anything more than 45 and he loses the plot.
Though I’d preferred to see the titles of the content before signing up to a recurring subscription, even if the first week is free. An almost-complaint about the Link Blog “Fireball format” that ultimately doesn’t condemn the format because that’s the staple of some of the big writers. Something about sports. A very heartfelt and … Continue reading “The Magazine: I’ll give it a go…”
Though I’d preferred to see the titles of the content before signing up to a recurring subscription, even if the first week is free.
There’s going to be four articles per issue. Eight articles per month. For £1.49 a month. I enjoyed 50% of the articles this issue and on that alone, I’m going to take the risk for the month.
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Tonight I participated in a NISP CONNECT “Tiger Team” on the theme of Culture. The other attendees were all legends in their own right – both inspiring and intimidating in equal measure. Everyone there was there because they had contributed something to culture in Northern Ireland. Among other things, we were asked to pick five … Continue reading “Top five thoughts for Northern Ireland”
Tonight I participated in a NISP CONNECT “Tiger Team” on the theme of Culture. The other attendees were all legends in their own right – both inspiring and intimidating in equal measure. Everyone there was there because they had contributed something to culture in Northern Ireland.
Among other things, we were asked to pick five things from a series of topics generated by the group. Things that we saw as priorities. Mine were:
The Recession has brought austerity and, with that, a complacency and reduced desire for achievement. It has never been more important to realise a vision. In the lack of private sector stepping in to enact change, it falls to our powerful and well-manned public sector to make the sweeping infrastructural and environmental changes which will set the example for other societies. We can do this if our vision is aligned and our collective will is put to the task.
Tadhg Kelly writes: “Games Are A Difficult Investment Proposition, But Crowdfunding Could Change That” Typically this is because of the conservatism of European investors. A speaker at an event like Games Invest might sound a high note of ambition (such as following blue-ocean strategies or lean-startup thinking), but in practise they tend to be terrified … Continue reading “Investment should be risky!”
Tadhg Kelly writes: “Games Are A Difficult Investment Proposition, But Crowdfunding Could Change That”
Typically this is because of the conservatism of European investors. A speaker at an event like Games Invest might sound a high note of ambition (such as following blue-ocean strategies or lean-startup thinking), but in practise they tend to be terrified of risk.
…
They’ve overcome this problem in the film industry using mezzanine and convertible-debt rather than venture financing. This involves essentially loaning money to the producer in exchange for the intellectual property rights, which are then bought back through earn-out clauses. Some people have thought to apply the same model to games, but it rarely works well.
Tadhg outlines what he thinks is a better model (looking at games IP in terms of the scope of a franchise) and the possibilities of crowdfunding but he falls short in actually delivering the answer.
My hope is that game investors everywhere realise that, through crowdfunding, their fears of risk can be mitigated.
Then, finally, we might see a funding structure for games that actually makes sense.
With crowd-funding, the risk is greatly reduced. What is the point of an investor if not to take a risk?