by Annie | Jan 20, 2012 | Game Design
Check out the latest issue of the VFS In Focus magazine, featuring some insights on the game design industry and the future of games, courtesy of some VFS grads (including yours truly!). The issue also includes stats from the latest games industry/alumni survey, as well as a story about the team behind Forerunner, an iOS game released by recent grads. Also, a heads up for anyone in the Vancouver area who might be interested in the VFS game design program – don’t forget to drop by the Open House this Sunday, 10:30am-5pm. See you...
by Annie | Jan 6, 2012 | Game Design
If you’re at all interested in the VFS Game Design program, come on out for the Game Design Expo Open House on Sunday, January 22nd. You can take sample classes, learn more about the program, and talk to current teachers. I will be giving a short presentation about my experience at VFS, so stop by if you get a chance. Hope to see you...
by Annie | Dec 22, 2011 | Game Design
That’s right, you can now launch your own dodgeballs. The latest version of Pop & Dodge is now out, just in time for plenty of heated family dodgeball matches over the holidays. The latest version includes the brand new Versus Mode, in which you can challenge your friends to head-to-head matches of penguin dodgeball. Tap to throw balls at your opponent, jump to dodge their balls. The player with the most hits at the end of 90 seconds wins. Good...
by Annie | Nov 23, 2011 | Game Design, Psychology of Games
A new version of Pop & Dodge is now available on the App Store. This version includes new powerups, new achievements, and a new tap mode. …wait a second. Tap mode? Aren’t our games supposed to be about physical activity? Exactly. In fact, that’s precisely why we put in Rookie Mode, where you can play the same game by tapping instead of jumping. The hook? The Advanced Mode (jump to play) offers more powerups, more points, and more achievements. Rookie Mode allows you to play Pop & Dodge when you’re on the bus, in the car, or anywhere else where you just can’t jump. Through tapping, you familiarize yourself with the mechanics of the game by using more standard iPhone inputs (i.e., tapping instead of jumping). We know this could be a risky move. Sure, there might be people who only play Rookie Mode and never convert to jumping. But that’s okay. We can’t force people to jump; we can only encourage them to do so through solid game mechanics and motivating rewards. Offering a tap mode allows us to reach players within their comfort zone and gently push them to change their habits, instead of starting out with something completely foreign. So now you’ve got no excuse. Whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down, you can play Pop & Dodge anywhere, anytime. So grab the latest update...
by Annie | Nov 18, 2011 | Game Design
Can’t get enough of Beeker the Penguin? Well we’ve got a treat for you! Beeker is making a guest appearance in the upcoming holiday version of MotionMaze, as the main character of MotionMaze: Holiday Adventure, available in the App Store in early December, so get ready for new features and tons of new mazes!...
