Gaming made personal
From Mod Mania
Computer Gaming Becoming Personal
Jason Hill, `By the gamer for the gamer`, The Age, Green guide, 8 may.
In relation to the class discussion and handout, `Triumph of the mod`, I was flicking through the Green Guide today, 8 May, and saw an interesting article relating to our mod class. Titled, ` by the gamer for the gamer`, it explained that “The gaming industry was built on the foundation of passionate hobbyists”. This comment took me back to class discussions about enthusiasts modding computer games. We spoke about how using the gamer’s love and passion for the topic would be useful for game companies because they know best. For some of these game modders, computer games are their lives, they are going to know what works and what doesnt better than anyone else.
Why not let a passionate and devoted fan enhance your game, it can only do good. This article written by Jason Hill delves into this topic that has been surfacing gaming networks since the 1980s.
The article explains that blockbuster games are created “...by teams of hundreds with multimillion-dollar budgets”. These blockbuster games cannot be made simply and easily with minimal money. It is a massive industry that requires the best of the best do complete a great game. The average Joe or computer game lover needs an outlet to express themself. It is too hard to create a competitive game from, “...your bedroom or garage”. It just can’t be done. Yet these game enthusiasts have the best game minds of all these multimillion dollar companies. They need to be used and they want to be used.
This is where Chris Satchell comes into play. The article explains that he is a “passionate, evangelist of community generated content”. Mr Satchell wants to help today’s hobbyists and give them the outlet that they need without all the money and sheer number of people.
XNA studio is born. “Professional yet simple”, this tool can create games for windows and XBOX 360. What a way for these game creators and modders to sell themselves and most of all do what they love doing. XNA will be available from windows market place in the future for everyone to gain access to its wonderful uses and applications. Mr Satchell says he “hopes it will become the YouTube of gaming”. This comment clearly explains the expectations for wide and different use. A huge database of ideas and creations would be born for everyone to mod freely and play at their hearts content.
Leading games technology being made accessible to anyone interested is one way that Satchell has continued his belief in community generated content. This bridges the gap and puts everyone on the same playing field. Now money isn’t the issue for these backyard gamers. The game making industry is at their fingertips. Satchell explains “we are going to see a whole host of new ideas and stars rising in the industry”.
What a way to get noticed. Simply show your talent and you`ll be sure to know that the big boys are looking closely especially if XNA grows to the size of You Tube. But before games are made free to be downloaded they are screened for “objectionable material” and working abilities. Basically they are culled or filtered to select the best games that do not breach any copyright agreements.
Peer rating systems and search facilities will be created to make a well rounded networking of games and gaming lovers. Game modders now have the ability to create industry level games without the money and time required. Rare talents and ideas will now surface that may not have been noticed in other circunstances.
This could just be the next big thing to hit the gaming industry and change the way computer games are made and looked at forever.
