This week we focus on Lee Hammock. He likes monkeys and giant robots. He is probably a fan of giant monkey robots. Lee is a man of many talents. You can see them on display at his blog. Check it out.
GDC 2012: The 10 key social games of the year: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164431/GDC_2012_The_10_key_social_games_of_the_year.php
GDC 2012: Don’t be afraid to piss off your players: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164444/GDC_2012_Dont_be_afraid_to_piss_off_your_players.php
Cost of Living and what it means to video games: http://standsinfire.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/cost-of-living-and-what-it-means-to-video-games/
GDC 2012: 10 indies, 10 ways to think outside the box: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164701/GDC_2012_10_indies_10_ways_to_think_outside_the_box.php
GDC 2012: How designers can increase innovation in their games: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164692/GDC_2012_How_designers_can_increase_innovation_in_their_games.php
GDC 2012: ‘Games are key to the success of Google+’: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164689/GDC_2012_Games_are_key_to_the_success_of_Google.php
GDC 2012: Traditional advice that doesn’t apply to social games: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164691/GDC_2012_Traditional_advice_that_doesnt_apply_to_social_games.php
GDC 2012: How to get funding on Kickstarter: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/164700/GDC_2012_How_to_get_funding_on_Kickstarter.php
RPG Design: Seven Ways to Fix Boring Quests: http://rampantgames.com/blog/?p=4028
What is Your Game About?: http://gamasutra.com/blogs/EricSchwarz/20120306/164523/What_is_Your_Game_About.php
This week I present Cory Farris who is an awesome level designer, artist and ninja. Working with Cory was always a lot of fun and he knows his craft. Check out his work on his website.
Questing and the Common Man: http://standsinfire.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/questing-and-the-common-man/
Ask Gamasutra: The video games and narrative debate: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/162363/Ask_Gamasutra_The_video_games_and_narrative_debate.php
Game 69: The Game of Dungeons/dnd (1975): http://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2012/02/game-69-game-of-dungeonsdnd-1975.html
8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-8-qualities-of-remarkable-employees.html?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=button
Unity’s Future In High-Definition: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/163215/unitys_future_in_highdefinition.php
Sponsored Feature: Six Best Practices for Retooling Your Virtual Goods Payment System to Increase Conversions: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/162845/sponsored_feature_six_best_.php
Using Kinect for High Adventure: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/163515/using_kinect_for_high_adventure.php
Insomniac’s Ted Price: Creating new IP ‘gut-wrenching’ – but worth it: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/163226/Insomniacs_Ted_Price_Creating_new_IP_gutwrenching__but_worth_it.php
Five Things I Unequivocally Love About Modern Mainstream RPGs: http://rampantgames.com/blog/?p=4011
Mass Effect 3‘s Creative Challenges: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/163828/mass_effect_3s_creative_challenges.php
6 Ways Leaders Are Different: http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2012/03/6-ways-leaders-are-different.html
Systems sans Setting is the blog of Stephen Cheney who I am featuring this week. I have known Stephen for a long time and he has always astounded me with his insight into games and systems. Stephen is a dream team member and someone I feel can add to any game project. Take some time check out his blog and read the awesome!
Two Lessons From Team Fortress 2: http://www.psychologyofgames.com/2012/02/two-lessons-from-team-fortress-2/
Gamification Dynamics: Identity and Story: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6736/gamification_dynamics_identity_.php
The point of races: http://www.eldergame.com/2012/02/the-point-of-races/
Opinion: Where’s that glorious transmedia future?: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39972/Opinion_Wheres_that_glorious_transmedia_future.php
Questions to Teach Leadership and Management: http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2012/02/questions-to-teach-leadership-and.html
The need to be “unproductive”: http://psychochild.org/?p=1123
Today we look at the awesome work of Kyle R. Knight. An amazing architecture and environmental artist Kyle always wows with his work. I used to love stopping by his desk and checking out his latest creations. Take a moment to treat your eyes here at his website.
David Jaffe and the Language of Interactivity: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6704/david_jaffe_and_the_language_of_.php
Don’t Let the Pebbles Cover the Rocks: http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2012/02/dont-let-pebbles-cover-rocks.html
Clones… clones everywhere!: http://psychochild.org/?p=1122
Tearing Down Barriers: How to Bring MMO Players Together: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6710/tearing_down_barriers_how_to_.php
Opinion: The principles of game monetization: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40316/Opinion_The_principles_of_game_monetization.php
Will Tablet Game Quality Soon Leapfrog Consoles?: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6711/will_tablet_game_quality_soon_.php
A One Man Board Game Buyer’s Guide (Part II): http://www.designer-notes.com/?p=104
What Makes Social Games Social?: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6735/what_makes_social_games_social.php
“Making of UO” articles at MMORPG.com: http://www.raphkoster.com/2012/02/17/making-of-uo-articles-at-mmorpg-com/
This weeks Friday Friend Feature is Rachel Kemp. A cook and a gamer who has worked in both industries brings her love of the culinary and video games to us all in her blog Pixels and Pies. She gives her thoughts on the latest games and then a meal inspired by the game. You are going to love it!
Improving MMO Level Design: http://connectedxp.com/2011/12/18/improving-mmo-level-design/
How to Find a Business Mentor Who’ll Help You Achieve Your Leadership Goals : http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2012/02/how-to-find-business-mentor-wholl-help.html
SPONSORED FEATURE: TwitchTV – How to Build Community Around Your Game in 2012: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6694/sponsored_feature_twitchtv__how_.php
Building the World of Reckoning: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6692/building_the_world_of_reckoning.php
Self-Perception Theory and Marketing through Avatars: http://www.psychologyofgames.com/2012/02/self-perception-theory-and-marketing-through-avatars/
Jerked Around by the Magic Circle – Clearing the Air Ten Years Later: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6696/jerked_around_by_the_magic_circle_.php
How to Survive a Meeting with the CEO: http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2012/02/how-to-survive-meeting-with-ceo.html
In Their Own Words: Qualities of Great Leaders: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/in-their-own-words-qualities-of-great-leaders/lifeandmoney_business/?ectid=bitlyified020820121349
Principles of an Indie Game Bottom Feeder: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6698/principles_of_an_indie_game_bottom_.php
Virtual Goods – An Excerpt from Social Game Design: Monetization Methods and Mechanics: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6700/virtual_goods__an_excerpt_from_.php
A New Legend Forms Around Legendary Adventure Game Designer: http://rampantgames.com/blog/?p=3924
What drives the developers of Unity?: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39485/What_drives_the_developers_of_Unity.php
