Jun

Lee Winder has written a great article detailing his experience over the years at Blitz Arcade with code review methods.. Which ones have worked the best at his company and which ones haven’t.

Title A: ‘Code Review Methods‘ – Original Article

Written by: Lee Winder (www.spreetree.net)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 21st, 2009

Jun

Today we are proud to present the first of what will be many audio articles taken out of David Perry’s new Book:  David Perry on Game Design: A Brainstorming ToolBox.  I have taken bits and pieces from a condensed version of Chapter 4(What Publishers want) to bring to you some insight on how to get your game proposal taken seriously and who to take it to for the best results.

Title: “What Publishers Want” – Original Article

Book: David Perry on Game Design: A Brainstorming ToolBox

Written by: David Perry (www.dperry.com)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 19th, 2009

Jun

Soren Johnson takes u briefly into the mind of one of the great designers of our time.   He’s had the pleasure of working along side Sid Meier for 7 years at Firaxis studios and today Soren shares some of ‘Sids Rules’ that he picked up during that time.

Title: “Sid’s Rules” – Original Article

Written by: Soren Johnson (www.designer-notes.com)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 17th, 2009

Jun

Chris Bateman takes us on another insightful trip down some of the deeper psychology behind fun and player enjoyment into games.  Today we look at the theory of Logistical play, easily the most dominant play structure underlying video games.  Logistical play, while being arguably the most commercially important play style is hardly understood at a level where it can be used purposefully to generate more fun and enjoyment of the user, which is why articles such as these are so important in increasing a games chances of becomming a hit.

Title: “Logistical Play“ – Original Article

Book: Beyond_Game_Design: Nine Steps Towards Creating Better Videogames, by Charles River Media

Written by: Chris Bateman(www.ihobo.com)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 15th, 2009

Jun

Marek Bronstring is back with his second article for IB, this time going over the Paradox of choice.  What dangers do we risk offering too much choice, or alternatively too little?

Title: “The Paradox of Choice“ – Original Article

Written by: Marek Bronstring(www.gameslol.com)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 12th, 2009

Jun

There’s always a fine line to walk between challenge, frustration and fun.  Today Trent Polack holds our hands and walks that line with us as he discusses his thoughts on how to maintain that balance to keep your players coming back for more.

Title “Challenge in Games“ – Original Article

Written by: Trent Polack  (www.polycat.net)

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 10th, 2009

Jun

Jeff Vogel is back with a great thought-provoking piece on the sorry financial state of affairs in the Indie Game world.  Are Indie developers being undercut, perhaps threatening this innovative and creative sector as costs continue to increase while sales prices continue to drop?  Jeff thinks so and we’re here to find out what we can do about it!

Title “Indie Games should cost more“ – Original Article

Written by: Jeff Vogel  (jeff-vogel.blogspot.com)

Company: Spiderweb Software

Read aloud by: Ryan Wiancko on June 8th, 2009