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User Generated Games; The Way of the Future or a Flash in the Pan?
Home : Games : Articles
Some examples of games that are currently available as a result of user input include Aegis Wing, which was created by a group of Microsoft interns (Danny Dyer, Scott Brodie, and Matt Monson). This game has since seen release on Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade and distinguishes itself from its brethren through its price point, which is free.
During an interview with Gamespot.com on May 15th of this year, Scott Brodie describes his finished product as "a mix of a Gradius-style shooting with the specific objectives required of a cooperative shooter." He added that "one of the main features that we really wanted to focus on was a Voltron-style connection mechanic with an emphasis on multiplayer action." In evaluating the interns’ experience, it is revealed that only one of them had any commercial game design experience; Scott Brodie assisted on the development of Alter Echo for Playstation 2 and Microsoft’s original Xbox, along with Galactic Civilizations II.
These interns’ success highlights Microsoft’s goal of showcasing their downloadable games service as a means to allow publishers large and small to present their ideas to the gaming masses. Aegis Wing also indirectly presented itself as an early result of successful user development. Microsoft would again highlight user generated content through its ‘Dream-Build-Play’ promotion, which encouraged aspiring developers to create Xbox 360 games using Microsoft’s tools. Some of the winners of this event, which were announced at the Game fest 2007 Game Technology Conference, included David Flook from Canada who created Blazing Birds, and James Silva of New York who created The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai.
The results of these events clearly demonstrate that Microsoft has a vested interest in promoting the efforts of persons who strive to achieve success in game development. However, they are not the only ones interested in tapping into this field of potential. Sony plans to release a game entitled ‘Little Big Planet,’ an adventure that allows players to create their own levels and then release their avatars into them. Players can also share levels via the Playstation Network. Nintendo, for their part, has also created a channel on their Wii gaming system called ‘Wii Ware’ that also encourages user input.
With user-generated games clearly progressing into mainstream life, the question remains, is this movement positive or negative? Early responses to this query have regarded this bold move as positive; in addition to Sony’s efforts through experiences such as Little Big Planet, companies like UbiSoft have also expressed interest in allowing individuals to contribute content to their experiences. Their CEO, Yves Guillemont, remarked that the goal of this new game is "to make sure that our consumers become creators; we desire to place gamers in the spotlight and praise their creativity." Specific details concerning this endeavor, including a title and a release date, are still unclear; yet UbiSoft hopes that their effort will eclipse Sony’s attempts to embrace the user-generation community.
While console gamers are merely beginning to become familiar with the benefits of user-generation, individuals who count the personal computer as their primary means of entertainment already possess a high degree of familiarity in this arena. This advantage can be attributed to the earliest times when shooters such as Doom became mainstream hits. Players who tired of experiencing the game’s packaged set of levels successfully created their own. Due to the success of this option, choices of level modification and creation have become commonplace in the latest shooters. In fact, games such as TimeSplitters and Far Cry include map-making preferences for persons who wish to express their creativity.
Will Wright, known primarily for his contributions to the SimCity series, is another individual whose games encourage user generation. His SimCity series charges players with creating their own cities and then maintaining them amidst various disasters. This series has since grown into a successful franchise spawning games such as The Sims and SimAnt. Wright’s latest creation, Spore, challenges players to create their own organism and move up the evolutionary ladder of nature. Wright’s vision is to see this game have a strong focus on user generated content, and he also hopes that games in general approach a level of relevance only recognized by entertainment mediums such as movies and music.
Recently added articles:
July 15, 2008
The Land of Microsoftia
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July 11, 2008
Most Anticipated Games of E3 2008
A list of our most anticipated games showing at E3 2008.
July 7, 2008
4 Games We Want Hideo Kojima to Work on After Metal Gear Solid
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A Quality Assured Interview
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Home : Games : Articles
Some examples of games that are currently available as a result of user input include Aegis Wing, which was created by a group of Microsoft interns (Danny Dyer, Scott Brodie, and Matt Monson). This game has since seen release on Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade and distinguishes itself from its brethren through its price point, which is free.
During an interview with Gamespot.com on May 15th of this year, Scott Brodie describes his finished product as "a mix of a Gradius-style shooting with the specific objectives required of a cooperative shooter." He added that "one of the main features that we really wanted to focus on was a Voltron-style connection mechanic with an emphasis on multiplayer action." In evaluating the interns’ experience, it is revealed that only one of them had any commercial game design experience; Scott Brodie assisted on the development of Alter Echo for Playstation 2 and Microsoft’s original Xbox, along with Galactic Civilizations II.
These interns’ success highlights Microsoft’s goal of showcasing their downloadable games service as a means to allow publishers large and small to present their ideas to the gaming masses. Aegis Wing also indirectly presented itself as an early result of successful user development. Microsoft would again highlight user generated content through its ‘Dream-Build-Play’ promotion, which encouraged aspiring developers to create Xbox 360 games using Microsoft’s tools. Some of the winners of this event, which were announced at the Game fest 2007 Game Technology Conference, included David Flook from Canada who created Blazing Birds, and James Silva of New York who created The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai.
The results of these events clearly demonstrate that Microsoft has a vested interest in promoting the efforts of persons who strive to achieve success in game development. However, they are not the only ones interested in tapping into this field of potential. Sony plans to release a game entitled ‘Little Big Planet,’ an adventure that allows players to create their own levels and then release their avatars into them. Players can also share levels via the Playstation Network. Nintendo, for their part, has also created a channel on their Wii gaming system called ‘Wii Ware’ that also encourages user input.
With user-generated games clearly progressing into mainstream life, the question remains, is this movement positive or negative? Early responses to this query have regarded this bold move as positive; in addition to Sony’s efforts through experiences such as Little Big Planet, companies like UbiSoft have also expressed interest in allowing individuals to contribute content to their experiences. Their CEO, Yves Guillemont, remarked that the goal of this new game is "to make sure that our consumers become creators; we desire to place gamers in the spotlight and praise their creativity." Specific details concerning this endeavor, including a title and a release date, are still unclear; yet UbiSoft hopes that their effort will eclipse Sony’s attempts to embrace the user-generation community.
While console gamers are merely beginning to become familiar with the benefits of user-generation, individuals who count the personal computer as their primary means of entertainment already possess a high degree of familiarity in this arena. This advantage can be attributed to the earliest times when shooters such as Doom became mainstream hits. Players who tired of experiencing the game’s packaged set of levels successfully created their own. Due to the success of this option, choices of level modification and creation have become commonplace in the latest shooters. In fact, games such as TimeSplitters and Far Cry include map-making preferences for persons who wish to express their creativity.
Will Wright, known primarily for his contributions to the SimCity series, is another individual whose games encourage user generation. His SimCity series charges players with creating their own cities and then maintaining them amidst various disasters. This series has since grown into a successful franchise spawning games such as The Sims and SimAnt. Wright’s latest creation, Spore, challenges players to create their own organism and move up the evolutionary ladder of nature. Wright’s vision is to see this game have a strong focus on user generated content, and he also hopes that games in general approach a level of relevance only recognized by entertainment mediums such as movies and music.
Recently added articles:
July 15, 2008
The Land of Microsoftia
A real-time, comparative study of the Microsoftian culture from the E3 press conference.
July 11, 2008
Most Anticipated Games of E3 2008
A list of our most anticipated games showing at E3 2008.
July 7, 2008
4 Games We Want Hideo Kojima to Work on After Metal Gear Solid
We take a look at four Hideo Kojima games that we would like to see resurrected.
A Cacophony of Colour: A Look at the Touhou Shooters
We take a look at some of the most brilliant top-down shooters made by one man.
July 2, 2008
A Quality Assured Interview
Matt Warner shines some light on one of the video game industry's most dreamed about jobs, the video game tester.
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