tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145486942024-03-12T20:11:37.971-05:00Latest News from GamecreatureDigital artist and Game designer Kyle Miller shares his views on the craft. There's a weekly comic, too! Stick around, it'll be fun!Kyle Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02556368340836325825noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14548694.post-75555918744350949492011-10-21T12:28:00.001-05:002011-10-21T12:28:09.610-05:00Google's Mary Blair Logo Honors Artist's 100th Birthday (PICTURE)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/382805/thumbs/s-MARY-BLAIR-large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/382805/thumbs/s-MARY-BLAIR-large.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br/>Mary Blair was indeed a Disney legend. In addition to the works mentioned above, she designed an impressive mural for the lobby of the Contempora<wbr/>­ry Resort Hotel in Walt Disney World.<br/><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/googles-mary-blair-logo-doodle_n_1023847.html">Read the Article at HuffingtonPost</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</div><div>But you know what? It's just a game and games are meant to be fun. These games have brought me a lot of fun, and it's good to know that there are people out there dedicated to keeping the spirit alive.</div><div><br />
</div><a href="http://www.previewma.com/article.cfm?aid=13486">Preview Massachusetts: Travel - Where Pong Lives On</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
But as much as I love to play games, I had been resisting these new social games. I was afraid that they would take up so much of my time that my day would be gone and I'd have nothing to show for it. Nevertheless, I felt I needed to educate myself about this hot new medium. So I took the plunge and played a few games.<br />
<br />
I learned a couple of things. First of all, I discovered that a lot of these games use a similar template. With patience, some investment (often requiring real money) and more than a little begging, you can take something small and make it big. Which is all fine and dandy, but where's the challenge? Who are you competing against? What risks are you taking? What is the strategy? How do you <i>win?</i><br />
<br />
As I see it, these aren't games - these are just digital toys, like the Sims. You can do what ever you want. But there's no indication that one course of action is going to have any different impact on the course of the "game" than any other - it's all just personal preference. It's a digital version of playing with paper dolls - and if you play long enough, you'll get more to play with.<br />
<br />
And I guess that's what annoys me the most about these "games." There's no goal - no challenge. What it is is just an opportunity to annoy your friends with endless updates, requests, begging, etc. Which appears to be very profitable for the publishers of these products. But I want more. I want something that challenges my mind.<br />
<br />
And believe it or not, I think I know how to do that within the network that exists. And if anyone wants to do that, you know where I am.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<div><br />
</div><div>So now that I have local news, sports and weather taken care of, what about the rest of the cable and satellite offerings? That's where the internet comes in. If you have a high speed internet connection, you can get "video on demand" (VOD) from an assortment of services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.com. Video on demand is a bit different from the way you may be used to watching TV. Instead of waiting until a specified time to watch the program you want to see, you select it and watch it immediately - kind of like popping a DVD in. The difference is that the DVD library is huge and instead of the data going over a short set of wires from your DVD player to the TV set, it's going over your high speed internet connection (note the high-speed - this won't work over a dial-up modem). What's more, streaming video on demand is relatively inexpensive compared to the monthly satellite and cable fees. Basic Netflix is $8 a month for as much content as you care to watch during that month. And nothing to mail. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The trick is to get them from your internet to your TV set. If you have a gaming system like XBox 360 or Nintendo Wii, you can use them to get Netflix right now. If you don't, there are other devices you can use, like Apple TV and Roku. What you decide to use is entirely up to how you intend to use the device. Remember that it's more like getting access to the world's largest video store and not a TV tuner like you are used to.<br />
<br />
That being said, I decided to give Roku a try, mainly because it was relatively inexpensive compared to the other options (Roku starts at $55) while still offering full HDTV content. Roku itself is not a subscription service, but it does give you access to free and "premium" content. Like your TV antenna, Roku does not control the content, nor does it determine the fees for the content you choose. So choose carefully when you are making your decision.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uh7WkNb2f4M/TTsCb4Hcf8I/AAAAAAAAAT8/RFQw4EZ549Q/s1600/netflix_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uh7WkNb2f4M/TTsCb4Hcf8I/AAAAAAAAAT8/RFQw4EZ549Q/s1600/netflix_logo.jpg" /></a></div>The two main premium "channels" for Roku are Netflix and HuluPlus. If it's on DVD, it's likely on Netflix. HOWEVER, not all of Netflix content is available for streaming. Latest releases and the biggest blockbusters are likely to be withheld from Netflix streaming. Don't ask me why, but if I had to guess, I'm thinking it has to do with the major studios and their endless pursuit of the almighty dollar. However, if you really want to get your hands on that content, you can upgrade your Netflix account for an additional $2 a month and get those DVD's mailed to you. But if you're stingy like me, just go to your local library. Most local libraries allow you to put an item on hold (books, CD's, Movies, you name it) and they'll let you know when it's available for you to check out.<br />
<br />
Another option available to Roku users is Amazon Video on Demand. This is like having a video store inside your TV set. The latest movies and episodes of TV shows are available from Amazon for a fee (usually $.99 per episode of a TV show - more for movies or seasons of a TV show) and that selection is added to your Amazon library for viewing whenever you want. It's not free, but it's an option for something you just have to see.<br />
<br />
Yet another option for Roku users is HuluPlus. The difference between Hulu and HuluPlus is that (A) HuluPlus is HD and (B) HuluPlus DOES NOT have the most recent episodes of most TV shows the day after it broadcasts. As with Netflix, I'm guessing the reason for this discrepancy is the need for the broadcasters, studios and cable providers to push their system of delivery over that of HuluPlus. So, standard TV resolution over the internet: OK, HDTV resolution direct to your TV: NOT OK. Still, I'm hoping they'll get this worked out soon.<br />
<br />
So with an antenna and Roku delivering Netflix and HuluPlus to my TV, I now have a lot more content being delivered. But there's still a few gaps. I'll be discussing how I managed to get the rest of the streaming internet content on my TV in the final part of this series.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
First of all, let me state that while things worked well for me, your mileage may vary. The type of TV you have, the quality of your internet connection and where you live all have an impact on your results. But more on that later.<br />
<br />
The plan was a three pronged approach - antenna for local broadcast, streaming video for "cable" content and computer input for anything else. I'll start with the antenna.<br />
<br />
If you're like me, you're familiar with the old "rabbit ears" used to get TV broadcasts. And you're probably also well acquainted with the "snow" that accompanies a weak signal. Let me state that those days are gone. If you have a digital TV receiver (this is essential - analog won't cut it), then any broadcast you get over the antenna is either going to be crystal clear or not there at all. That's because of the nature of digital TV. All of the data gets delivered and processed, missing bits are automatically corrected for and therefore, no snow! However, if too much data gets lost, the image and audio stutters and eventually disappears all together. There really is no middle ground.<br />
<br />
We are fortunate to live within 20 miles of the broadcast towers in our area, so we can get by with an indoor antenna. We get all of the content from the 5 major broadcasters in our area. When I say all, I mean all. That's another little "bonus" of digital TV. There are additional channels. One broadcaster is sending out 24-hour weather broadcasts in addition to their regular broadcast. Another has added music videos to their broadcast. And PBS has 3 additional channels of content in our area!<br />
<br />
Seriously, if I had known it would have worked this well, I would have done this a long time ago. So no more need for cable for local channels. But what about the cable channels? I'll cover that in a subsequent article.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
My first encounter with Pac-man was in the late 70's when I saw a couple of girls playing a "cocktail" version of the game in a local arcade. They were thoroughly engrossed in it and what little I could see by peering over their shoulders caught my eye. It was a simple idea that was easy to grasp and instantly addictive. I was envious of other players who became experts at the game, because I could never get past the first few levels.<br />
<br />
Coincidently, <a href="http://comics.gamecreature.com/?p=1203">this weeks cartoon</a> features the iconic videogame character. But I'm sure you've already enjoyed it and commented on it, right?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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It took a little longer than I anticipated and it still has a few rough edges here and there, but I'm pleased with the overall results. Not only is it an attractive and playable game, but it has a little something extra to keep you going for more. I am especially pleased as it seems that little by little, my programming skills are catching up with my design skills. There's still a lot more I'd try to do if I knew how to program for it, but I'm happy with it so far. Enjoy.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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I tackled those over the last few days as time permitted. It was challenging mainly because the parts of the program I needed to amend were parts that I did not fully grasp at first. In fact, it took a lot of trial and error to find out what would give me the desired results. In retrospect, there were parts that I could have done much more efficiently. On the plus side, I've learned just a little bit more about the logic that went into this thing in the first place.<br />
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But that's all water under the bridge now. The program works as I intended it to. I had considered giving the game "Easy" and "Hard" settings, but I'm finding the easy to be too easy and the hard to be too hard - with no middle ground. So I may combine the two and start the game out easy and make it harder after a certain milestone is passed.<br />
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Now that the game works, it's time to put in the "bells and whistles." All of the things that make it pretty. That means replacing the temporary interface with a fancy one and putting in instructions and other useful feedback. Then, at last, I can publish! I hope you'll stick around for that. :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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As an expert as both an illustrator and a digital artist, I can attest to how challenging this is. I could easily run an image through Photoshop filters and the result would look exactly like an image that has been run through several Photoshop filters and not at all like a drawing made by a skilled illustrator. <br />
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Illustration is not about the ink that's being put to paper, but knowing exactly where to put it. One can say much the same about any trade.<br />
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<object id="wsj_fp" width="512" height="363"><param name="movie" value="http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="videoGUID={91955BD8-9F31-4E50-AEF1-26A61B3AA2FB}&playerid=1000&plyMediaEnabled=1&configURL=http://wsj.vo.llnwd.net/o28/players/&autoStart=false" base="rtmpt://wsj.fcod.llnwd.net/a1318/o28/video"name="main"></param><embed src="http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashVars="videoGUID={91955BD8-9F31-4E50-AEF1-26A61B3AA2FB}&playerid=1000&plyMediaEnabled=1&configURL=http://wsj.vo.llnwd.net/o28/players/&autoStart=false" base="rtmpt://wsj.fcod.llnwd.net/a1318/o28/video" name="main" width="512" height="363" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/08/wall-street-journal-hedcut_n_780481.html">Read the Article at HuffingtonPost</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Kyle Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02556368340836325825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14548694.post-73743724376346214052010-11-11T12:13:00.000-06:002010-11-11T12:13:43.171-06:00Design Diary: Piecing Together a Game - Part 2Welcome back to my somewhat amazing story about making a flash game. As you remember from part 1, I'm making a game inspired by my wife's patchwork quilt. On day one I created some art and made a working prototype. Now the hard work begins.<br />
<br />
<b>What's wrong?</b><br />
The problem with the game as it stands now is that it doesn't do enough to hold the player's interest. To tackle that problem, I intend to do two things. First of all, I'm going to build in a system to make the game end sooner. I will also work in some bonuses that the player must actively seek in order to prevent that from happening. Both of these should increase player involvement so that they feel they have a more active role in the progress of the game. Will this work? There's only one way to find out.<br />
<br />
<b>Trying not to break it</b><br />
This game is using an engine that I built when teaching myself Actionscript 3. Which means there are parts of it that are there because the book told me to put them there. To be fair, the book tried very hard to explain to me why it was important for these pieces to be there, but I'm not really the ideal student for that form of instruction. So here I am with code that works and now I have to pinpoint what's happening where so I can insert the parts I need to improve the game while keeping the whole thing working. The plus side of this is maybe I'll finally figure out what that book has been trying to teach me all this time.<br />
<br />
The best way to do this is to use the Trace command. It's a function of Actionscript purely for debugging. The trace command simply sends your message to the output window exactly when you tell it to. This can tell you the value of a variable or even if the program is reaching that part of the code at all. In my case, I put in trace commands to tell me when it began processing matches and when it was done. I moved them around several times until I got the results I wanted and then I replaced those traces with commands that would increase bonuses for subsequent matches (combos).<br />
<br />
A trickier part was to make the score display more exciting. Sure, you're earning points, but since it's getting added to the score in one large chunk, it's a bit anti-climatic. Far better to increment the score like old pinball machines used to do. This turned out to be far more difficult than I anticipated simply because I had little understanding of how Flash keeps track of time. I eventually had to scrap my initial plan for one that (fortunately) turned out to be far more efficient.<br />
<br />
That took me most of the morning and while I still haven't addressed the improvements I wish to incorporate into the game, I now have a good idea on where they're going to go.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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