Motion-capture technology’s changed the way that today’s movies, TV shows and video games look and move. Usually, sessions where special cameras and suits upload a person’s movement to computers happens in sequestered studios, far from prying eyes. At GDC 2012, mo-cap happened right out in the open and it was a wonder to behold.
Keiji Inafune sounded an ominous note at the beginning of his presentation during the Game Developers Conference last week, saying to the audience that “there might be some harsh comments, so please be prepared”. Turns out the trigger warning from one of Japan’s most respected game designers was warranted as he criticised the mindset that’s crippling present-day Japanese game development.
Three massive halls. Thousands of game developers. Enough free energy drinks to put a grown horse into cardiac arrest. This is the Game Developer’s Conference, and these are the Aussies who are braving the San Francisco cold and endless supply of caffeine to make their mark on the world stage.
Christina Norman worked for BioWare on Mass Effect. She’s with Riot Games now. But she must have felt pangs of sympathy when BioWare got raked by gamer complaints about day-one DLC in Mass Effect 3. Because she basically gave them a double-barreled middle finger in a rant at GDC.
Why are so many games just copies of past games? Who is responsible for this state of affairs? Does the industry need more variety to survive?
Phil Fish doesn’t want to talk about Japanese games anymore. Like, really. The Fez creator’s been smothered by haters after his controversial remarks earlier this week. But he does want to set the record straight on some things.
Earlier this week, game designer Phil Fish (above), best known for Fez, set off a firestorm. During a Q&A after documentary Indie Games: The Movie, a Japanese game designer asked Fish what he thought of modern Japanese games. Fish gave his honest opinion — rather bluntly. “Your games just suck,” Fish infamously said.
This is from Dan Pinchbeck, writer of PC indie story/thing Dear Esther, while giving a presentation at GDC earlier today.
