Flashpoint Students Win Game Design Competition

I am proud to announce that in one of the leading active game design competitions regularly managed by gamecareerguide.com (part of gamasutra.com – the game industry’s most important news and job site), we have had more brilliant success by our advanced year two game design students!

Recently Jeff Koerber, year two student, received an honorable mention in a similar design competition on “How to Make Monopoly Fun.”

This time, the challenge was "Create a brand new game that uses the Guitar Hero controller." and students Patrick Mousel and Ben Gettleman were at the top.

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/627/results_from_the_game_design_.php

"Best Entries
Patrick Mousel, student at Flashpoint Academy, Chicago, Elevator Frenzy (see page 2)
Elevator Frenzy is a little like Diner Dash in that the player is an employee who provides a service to patrons, managing time and prioritizing tasks in order to maximize gains. Of all the submissions, we felt it made the best use of the control system in a unique way.

...

Ben Gettleman, Lumberjack! (see page 4)
Admittedly, we're suckers for Monty Python references; couple that with the mental image of a plaid-clad tweenager hurling a plastic guitar around his mother's living room, and this game idea was just too funny not to highlight. Bonus points for describing a less dangerous two-player option! (In his last paragraph, though, we would like to ask, which "popular lumberjack films," exactly, might you be referring to?)"

Go to the above link for the rest of the entries.

IGDA Meeting at Flashpoint "State of the Industry"

On Monday night, October 20, 2008, Flashpoint will host a professional meeting of the International Game Developer's Association (IGDA).

The following panelists will speak about the "State of the Industry":

Matt Booty, interim CEO of Midway Games
Andreja Djokovic, Founder of Babaroga
Scott Herrington, Lead Producer at WMS
Eugene Jarvis, Founder of Raw Thrills
Tom Kim, Executive Producer for Gamasutra Podcast on GDC Radio
Alex Seropian, Founder of Wideload Games

Exclusive Big Fish Games presentation at Flashpoint

Flashpoint students spent the day on October 10th with Patrick Wylie, Vice President of Big Fish Games’ Studios, a successful producer in the game industry. Patrick spent time discussing the production process behind the new game Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst. This upcoming game is their most ambitious game production to date involving the work of game developers, visual effects artists, game designers, along with a team involved with the creation of filmed live-action components and original music recorded with a full orchestra in Berlin. While speaking to students live from their Seattle game studio by way of Flashpoint Academy's Matrix facilities, this industry expert helped set the stage for the new Production In Action course, and gave many students an opportunity to ask questions during the presentation. He also shared behind-the-scenes images, concept art and exciting final game graphics.

Patrick heads up game the development Studios for Big Fish Games, one of the fastest growing and most successful casual games companies. Releasing such hit franchises like Mystery Case Files, Azada, Hidden Expedition and others, “Studios” has been an industry leader for several years. Prior to Big Fish Games, Pat spent nine years at Humongous Entertainment, a leader in children's adventure, sports and edutainment software. He has played several roles in gaming from Production, Programming and Testing. On the side he even dabbles in music. Pat has a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Washington.

Get Ready -- Year Two at Flashpoint Academy

A few weeks from now, it begins.

Year two at Flashpoint Academy in Chicago.

As time goes by, more and more professionals are recognizing the value we are bringing to these various industries. I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of this incredible effort in building the new standard in digital arts training, and the results in our labor will be most evident in May of 2009 when our first graduating class starts their new careers.

Understanding exactly what is involved in the various aspects of production in game development, film, recording arts, broadcast media, visual effects and animation is paramount to the interview process and in the presentation of a professional reel and portfolio. This will lead to realistic expectations and also a truly focused personal selling package that will enable our students to make sure that they are successful in launching their new careers.

This is their responsibility, but we are setting up the shot. We are throwing the ball down the court.

Be ready to give it everything you've got. And then more.

See you in class!

Playing Video Games = Good for Us

PLAYING VIDEO GAMES OFFERS LEARNING ACROSS LIFE SPAN, SAY STUDIES


Skills Transfer to Classroom, Surgical Procedures, Scientific Thinking


BOSTON—Certain types of video games can have beneficial effects, improving gamers' dexterity as well as their ability to problem-solve – attributes that have proven useful not only to students but to surgeons, according to research discussed Sunday at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.



http://www.apa.org/releases/videogamesC08.html