Sunday, June 27, 2010

iPad Gaming

As soon as I saw the iPad introduced, I knew it was something to be excited about. I saw the future of computer interaction. Specifically, it is a very unique machine for gaming.
Granted, it doesn't suit all games. Like the iPhone, you can't play high-precision action games like Mega Man. But it changes the way you're interacting with a game, just like it changes how you interact with applications.
The iPad has an interesting emotional impact. It's not, like, weepy or anything. But there's something that feels very different about holding your application in your hand and interacting with it. The way you hold and touch the iPad is what makes it so unique. It's like you're holding the internet in your hand. It's fascinating.
It's the same for gaming. Interacting with games through the iPad is feels very... direct, I guess is the best word. You hold it like a book, and you directly manipulate what's going on. It's incredibly natural. It removes the controller as a layer between you and the game. This is why it's the future of computing.
With the iPad, there is no proxy between you and your application or game. You're not having your interaction translated through a device like a mouse or controller. Now, obviously a mouse or controller is preferred for certain types of activities, but you won't find those very often on the iPad.
The iPad is a very compelling gaming device. The iPhone proved that multitouch is a fantastic way to game, but the size of the screen really limited what you could do. So far, though, most of the best games on the iPad are just ports of iPhone games. So you get the impression that the iPad is what the developers wanted to be making games for in the first place. So when people say "It's just a big iPod Touch" my response is "I know! That's what makes it so cool!" Making a bigger multitouch screen fundamentally changes how the device operates. I still think developers are getting used to the device and the possibilities a larger screen offer for gaming. So for right now, the future is more exciting than the present for the iPad as a gaming platform.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Second Episode! Hoo, yeah, come on baby!

Second episode now OnDemand!
This episode is a lot closer to what I had envisioned for the show. The writing is snappier and more entertaining. I think the show will get better with each episode. I hope everyone enjoys it. My goal is to be the Carl Sagan of videogames, in that I want to be really good at getting people to feel about games the way I do. I'm kind of obsessed with Cosmos right now. Maybe I'll do a parody of it on the show! The ideas just never stop here on Double Jump!
Just click here and find "Double Jump" in the dropdown menu above the video player.
Topics include: HEAVY RAIN "REVIEW"! ATMOSPHERE IN GAMES! GAMES FOR GIRLS/WOMEN ROUNDTABLE! AND INTERVIEW WITH PETER T about 3D!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Embarrassment of E3

As time goes on, I get more and more obsessed with the idea that games can be used to create very significant and meaningful experiences for people. E3 tries to undo everything I'm trying to tell people, and I'm getting tired of it.

Nintendo was the clear "winner" of this year's E3. Granted, the Nintendo 3DS is pretty cool, but there's a different problem here. The problem is Nintendo "won" E3 by announcing a TON of sequels to long established franchises. If that's what it takes to be the winner in this industry, I'm officially embarrassed.
This isn't even counting the numerous other things that are wrong with E3. In the article I mentioned previously, David Wong said that the gaming industry treats gamers like they're hormonal 17-year-olds. This has never been more true than at E3. Two words: Booth Babes.
*Image withheld to deny any sort of satisfaction*
It's bad enough at car shows, but it's 10 times worse at E3.
Aside from the awful things E3 does for the image of gamers like me, it just showed that the industry is clinging onto gimmicks. Motion control, in my opinion, hasn't been used in a very compelling way yet. Project Natal (now called Kinect) seemed promising when it was announced. It was a new technology that went about motion capture in a different way than the Wii. But after this E3, Microsoft only showed gimmicky games that have been piled on the Wii the past few years. The only difference was that these had better graphics. The same goes for PlayStation Move, which is even more like the Wii than Kinect. So in the end, all three companies are now just doing the same thing as each other, and attempts at innovation have fallen short.
E3 saw very few new franchises announced, which is the only exciting thing happening in the industry at this point. No new intellectual property makes Dan bored.

New episode Monday (June 21)! Check out this sneak peek!


Friday, June 11, 2010

First episode now live!

The first episode is now love On Demand. You can find it here:
http://www.lcc.edu/tv/ondemand/
Just select Double Jump from the shows and you're good to watch MICHIGAN'S ONLY VIDEOGAME TV SHOW! It'll change your life, I guarantee*
The second episode is just about finished, and will be up in the next week.
-Dan Hartley
*not a guarantee