Here's another update from the recent GDC 08. Stormfront Studios' bigwig Don Daglow talked about how developers can learn how to make and develop original IPs from movie games.

He noted that movie-game audiences are able to understand and have emotional commitment to these things. Find out more of what he said in the full article.

 

In today's videogame industry, the word "next-gen" is often tossed around, to the point that we sometimes forget just what it actually stands for, besides being a catch-all term  for a game having much better production values than another. Or maybe, to refer to a specific console being able to beat another console any day of the week. It's such that we actually see advertisements claiming this game or that game to be "next-gen", with "next-gen" visuals and "next-gen" gameplay. What next? "Next-gen" packaging?

Thankfully, there are some individuals that have not yet lost sight of what next-gen really means, to both a gamer AND a game developer. Stormfront Studios' own Don Daglow is one such individual, defending the Wii's right to be called a next-generation console during his GCDC speech in front of a room full of budding game developers.

So what is Don's definition of "next-gen"? Simple - he believes that for something to be "next-gen", it should be able to change the player's perception of what gaming really is - and what it isn't. His exact statement, verbatim:

Next-gen hardware is any platform that, upon its introduction, dramatically changes players' view of the potential for interactive entertainment. If it changes the player's view of what interactive entertainment is; if you think differently about it; if you have a new perspective after playing the game that you didn't have before, to me that's next-gen.

Certainly a sobering piece of mind from one of today's game developers, right? And with the examples Don Daglow put forward - specifically Sim City, Guitar Hero, Geometry Wars and World of Warcraft - it's certainly not hard to see his point, console wars put aside. It's about creating a new game experience for the player, not simply improving graphics or visuals or controls. 

Updates as we get them.

Canadian game fans have something to look forward to at home as the Montreal Game Summit has been announced and new details have been revealed for the event.

Taking place in Montreal's Palais de Congres on the 27th and 28th of November, the gathering will focus on the latest developments and issues concerning the electronic entertainment industry.

The Montreal Game Summit of 2007 is touted to be quite different from its predecessors as it claims a makeover in the flow and orientation of the program. Specifics as to what the changes will be haven't been disclosed yet but we'll update you as soon as things are made known.

Game industry visionary Dave Perry will deliver the keynote speech while industry leaders such as Stormfront's Don Daglow, Foundation 9's Jon Goldman, Ubisoft's Clint Hocking and Eidos' Julian Merceron will also give their thoughts on the state of gaming in Canada and around the world.

 

Just another couple of updates for the day, in case you're keeping an eye out for the upcoming Games Convention Developer's Conference (GCDC) 2007 at Leipzig. The organizers have just sent out a press wire to say that they've now released the schedule for this year's event. In line with this quick update, the following speakers have also been confirmed to be present:

• Julian Eggebrecht (USA)
• Peter Molyneux (UK)
• Michael Lewis, Cryptic Studios (USA)
• Chris Mottes, Deadline Games (Denmark)
• Jeff Hickman, EA Mythic (USA)
• Jeffrey Steefel, Turbine, Inc. (USA)
• Don Daglow, Stormfront Studios (USA)
• Patric Palm, Hansoft (Sweden)
  

As Sean Kauppinen, GCDC advisory board member, and vice president of Kohnke Communications, said regarding the speakers expected to make an appearance.

We had a tremendous number of potential speakers this year and the task of deciding which topics and speakers to choose has been an intense process because there is so much going on in the industry right now. The board feels that we have put forth a top-notch program and we look forward to the reaction of the conference attendees.

This year's GCDC will take place at Leipziger Messe (Germany), from August 20-22. The full event schedules should be available over at the official GCDC site, accessible via the read link provided for below.

  

The 2007 Game Developers Conference (GDC) will tackle the impact of next-gen consoles on developers, and it will provide information on adapting and creating dynamic next-gen games. The GDC is the biggest international event dedicated to game creation attracting over 12,500 visitors every year. The conference aims to provide educational, networking, and business opportunities for game development professionals.

The GDC will be held on March 5 to 9 in San Francisco. It features over 300 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on various topics about game development. The topics include game development for computer, console, mobile, arcade, and online games. Some of the topics this year include:

• Console Wars: Issues for the First Two Years of Next-gen by Don Daglow (President & CEO, Stormfront Studios, Inc.): Daglow attempts to answer many tough issues involved in the war between three innovative new next-gen consoles. What platforms to support? What kinds of games to develop, and which to avoid? How do I prevent disaster if I take a wrong turn?
• Physics on Next Gen Platforms by David Wu (Director of Technology, Pseudo Interactive Inc): The current (Next?) generation of hardware has a tremendous amount of computational power that is well suited for physics. This round table provides an opportunity for programmers interested in physics and designers with a high tolerance for technical jargon to discuss new ideas, trends, effective algorithms, API design, and Middleware for the parallel nature Xbox360, Cell and high end PCs. (Rumor has it if Wu can't make it Stephen Hawking will take over - just kidding!)
• Designing Revolutionary Controls by Jesse Raymond (Programmer, Vicarious Visions) and Mike Chrzanowski (Vicarious Visions): This session delves into the challenges of bringing a title from a standard controller to the Wii controller using Vicarious Visions' development of Marvel Ultimate Alliance for the Nintendo Wii as case study. The session also illustrates general techniques and pitfalls of controls development. Vicarious Visions presents topics including extensive testing, audience analysis, gesture development, and player instruction. (While you're at it could you add Wii strap re-design?)

Photos courtesy of the Game Developers Conference. For more details, please visit the GDC's official website.