Artistic Merits of Violence in Games

28Nov09

Today at the MQ/Raum D in Vienna/Austria at around 7 pm a talk will be held on the artistic merits of violence in games. You heard me right – the artistic merits of violence.

Filed under: Design, Game Design, Game Development, Game Related, game   |  1 Comment
Tags: artistic, computer, console, games, horneman, jurie, merit, rockstar, subotron, talk, vienna, violence

It’s been a hard day’s night…

26Oct09

…and I’ve been drumming like a dog!

A few weeks ago the wonderful and ingenious mastermind of this residency decided that it was about time to spend an enormous amount of money on “Beatles Rockband”. I agreed, since I was more than ready to take my destined place at the drums. From deep within I felt that drumming is the gift that needs room to blossom and develop. It turns out that I was…

Filed under: Consoles, Design, Game Design, PS3, game   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: beatlemania, beatles, beatles rockband, brütal legend, george harrison, guitar hero, jack black, john lennon, paul mccartney, playstation 3, ringo starr, rockband

Being a Woman and Dealing with Press and Media

28May09

A few weeks ago I was asked to give an interview for a German online gaming portal that wanted to take a closer look at the company I am doing level design for and the product we are currently working on. Since it is a casual MMO that comes from an Austrian team the game and the team working on it has become…

Filed under: Fairy Tales, Game Design, Game Related, Gamer Girls, Level Design, MMO, Private, game, target audience   |  9 Comments
Tags: austria, development, female, game, Game Design, interview, IT, Level Design, media, misinformation, MMO, press, unprofessional, vienna, woman

Games for Girls

29Mar09

My thoughtful and observant partner in crime was so kind as to send me a link to an interesting TED Talk by Brenda Laurel about her research and development of games that not only appeal to young girls but also cater to their interests and dreams.

Filed under: Game Design, PC, target audience   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: computer, female, game boy, gamer, games, gender, issues, male-dominated, pseudo-science, stereotypes, target audience, walkman

Level Design

13Feb09

A week ago I was offered the chance to change into the department of level design. My work experience covers game design but not level design, so when the offer came I made sure to…

Filed under: Design, Game Design, Level Design, MMO, game   |  Leave a Comment

Gamer Girl February

08Feb09

Gamer Girl February is online!

Filed under: Game Design, Game Related, Gamer Girl Pin Up Calendar, Gamer Girls, game   |  3 Comments
Tags: Gamer Girls, female gamers, WoW, gamer, communication, gamer girl calendar, gamer girl, fps, ctf, capture the flag, strategy, tactics, adventures, duke nukem 3d, unreal tournament, unreal, clan, RPG, half life, bioshock, portals, Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion, Duke Nukem (2d&3d), Jill of the Jungle, Xenon, Diablo I&II, Dungeon Keeper (esp. 2), Oblivion, Wolfenstein 3D, teamplay, PvP, tag, pacifist, stress relief

Career Paths

04Feb09

On my 10th birthday I received my very first personal computer – the Schneider Euro PC (complete with color monitor and external 20MB HD). Back then I did not have games to play for the system but fiddled around with several graphics tools and DOS itself. Soon my father started buying PC magazines that came with…

Filed under: Design, Game Design, Game Development, Level Design, MMO, QA, game   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: career, computer, console, dos, external hd, Game Design, games, gaming, job, job advertisment, Level Design, mobile, monitor, PC, QA, resume, schneider euro pc, Usability, usability game engineer

Important Dates in the Near Future

19Jan09

In the next following weeks a few meetings and events are taking place…

Filed under: Design, Game Design, Game Design Get Together, Game Development, Gamer Girl Pin Up Calendar, Gamer Girls, IGDA Stammtisch, game   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Design, design-wiki, developer, development, events, female gamer, friendfeed, Game Design, Game Design Get Together, Game Development, gamer girl, gamer girl calendar, Gamer Girls, igda, stammtisch, vienna, werkzeugH, wien, wiki

Tetris Everywhere

14Jan09

Тетрис (as it is spelt in Russian) was originally created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1985. Ever since, the game…

Filed under: Design, Game Design, Game Related, gadgets, game   |  8 Comments
Tags: Alexey Pajitnov, bastard tetris, bastet, bracelet, cube, dawanda, Тетрис, etsy, fridge, game boy, hommage, ice cubes, magnet, mirror, multi-player, russian, single-player, tetris, vienna

Target Audience vs. Game Designer

13Jan09

Who are you making games for? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Who is going to play the game in the end? Who am I trying to reach with my idea?

Filed under: Design, Game Design, MMO, Mac, PC, PS2, game, iPhone, mobile, wii   |  11 Comments
Tags: addictive, AI, audience, casual, development, fun, game, gamer, graphics, hardcore, high-end, mechanics, mobile, PC, production, story, target