Tag Archives: games

May 31 2012

Golf Squared – Out Now For iOS

Golf Squared is the latest iOS title from the team at Dynamo Games.  A radical ‘punk’ reinterpretation of Scotland’s most royal, ancient, soporific and knitwear-enhancing sport, Golf Squared challenges players to knock a wee ball through a lush cartoon landscape.

Square Golfers must avoid deadly cartoon peril, achieve near zen-like oneness with the ball and channel the spirit of Chevy Chase in order to achieve birdie goodness or the fabled awesomeness of the eagle.

Dynamo of course, is the studio behind titles including The Crystal Maze, the mobile version of Championship Manager and the recently announced Tracer.

From what we can tell, the game offers 2 dimensions of golfball greatness and emphasises quirk and charm and fun in an arcade style of play, rather than the tedious, if more realistic high jinks (or indeed ‘links’) that the major licensed titles churn out on a semi-annual basis.

Gold Squared has been designed with the retina display in mind, for an eye-searing chuckle of hole-in-one hilarity.  So iPad and iPhone 4 owners, this game will suit you to a ‘tee’, leaving Android owners ‘green’ with envy.

Yes, we are hilarious.  Thank you.

Golf Squared costs less than a fresh orange (no ice) at your local golf club.  It’s 69p and has already been commended on the replay value.

Buy it, or we’ll do more golf puns.  If that happens then God help us all.

May 30 2012

Red Menace Threatens Scottish Gamers

The chances are that you’ve not come across GameVial before.  We’re a fairly clued up and expert sort of channel and we were stunned, staggered and bewildered to sit next to them at the Cross Party Group on Videogames Technology and discover a whole new studio, right under our noses.  It was exactly the sort of discovery that James Cameron was hoping for on his jaunt to the bottom of the Marianas Trench…

So, allow us to enlighten you.  GameVial is a studio specialising in online browser-based games.  At our last count, they’ve released around 100 titles on their website, from simple puzzle titles, through to complex 3D games.

They’ve also brought over a dozen of these titles to mobile – and their latest is a killer…

Russia’s Army is a 3D, massively multiplayer, cross platform, first person shooter (we’ll pause and let you read that back to yourself).  Players can compete against each other from a web browser on a computer, or via Android smartphones.  And there’s a free ‘lite’ version for cheapskates and ne’er do wells worldwide.

The free version offers a limited set of weapons (which does include the AK-47 mayhem fans), while the full version of the game – which comes in at a cost conscious quid – offers far more variety and destructive malarkey such as:

  • Pistol
  • SPAS12 shotgun
  • Dragunov 50 cal sniper rifle
  • RG6 tactical grenade launcher
  • RPG, the iconic Russias Army Rocket Propelled Grenade

Progress Forward To The Further Betterment Of Society, Comrades.  Then shoot it full of holes…

If delivering hot lead political debate to the forehead of an opponent isn’t your cup of tea, never fear, GameVial has your back.  Now, for – we believe – the first time, you can flap to victory with Fly Like A Bird.

This particular slice of feathered fun puts players in the tiny, pecky brain of a humble birdy.  Now you too can perch, build nests, raise chicks and spoil the lives of hateful BMW drivers who have been out carefully buffing their precious, precious cars with a chamois leather and Clarkson-approved cream.

No.  Really.  You’re a bird.  You fly.  You have little birds.  In a nest.  You poo on people.  It’s twisted genius.  The site describes it as a ‘cult classic’ but we’d go further.  This is the sort of game Dare and Jam teams should be coming up with.  Odd, beaky and desperate for breadcrumbs.

There’s a lite version of this too, for the criminally parsimonious.

So, who the HELL are GameVial?  We’ll let them explain…

We are Gamevial.com, Imigea Ltd, Edinburgh based game developers and have built over 100 games during the last decade, pioneering browser 3D games since emergence, finally the market hs caught up  :P

Originally middleware and third party content developers, our last custom job, the 3D ship painting tool for Sony’s, WipeOut game on the Pulse (so players could custom paint skins for ther ships for in game playback). We invested the funds from this job into our own first 3D multiplayer browser game Russias Army Barracks. This game got traction online and generated enough revenue to perpetuate development of our own titles, experiments and ideas exploration. Coupled with the sucess of our Fly Like a Bird game and TeamTanks, Gamevial.com now has over 2 million monthly unique players is big in Turkey and Brazil & Poland :)

We are a small company, very small- just two of us, we outsource any exotics but of recent have been looking to hire in new fulltime developers to help grow the games further.

Say hello.  Or better yet, say hello and go and buy their games.  They’d do it for you.

You can also follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

May 30 2012

BBC In Dundee – Games Special

For a recent episode of Show Me The Money, the BBC sent reporter the excellently-named-for-a-lead-action-hero, Jack Garland to Dundee to ponder the ongoing evolution of the games sector.

Mr Garland mentions the collapse of RTW (again), before moving thoughtfully onwards to the rise of casual, social and mobile gaming.

Digital Goldfish are shown, strolling, like well-dressed playas, down balmy South Tay Street, while Guerilla Tea discuss business models and the importance of marketing and social media, with Jack.  Proper Games rounds things up with a quick visit to the studio and fleeting, yet intriguing mention of product placement as a potential business model.

Hmm…

Jack then abseils down the side of the McManus gallery, punches a bus and leaves in a sports car.

But that’s not the first time Mr Garland has had a mission in Dundee.  Jack produced an earlier piece, also featuring Guerilla Tea, Proper Games and an amiable bunch of students, whom Jack didn’t execute with icy indifference.

Looking this time at the growth of mobile gaming, Jack appears on top of a game of Flock!, using only the power of his mind, before carrying out enhanced interrogation on Proper’s Grant Alexander and winning 300 games of Yo Deshi in a row.  He then paddled up the Tay on a burning torpedo and roundhouse-kicked a horse to death.

According to the following week’s Points Of View, the horse was evil.

May 29 2012

BAFTA In Scotland Needs YOU

Regular readers of industry bible, Scottishgames.net will know that we’re fans of BAFTA In Scotland.  They’re a good bunch, who do much to support the screen industries in Scotland and who are genuinely trying to incorporate more interactive and games content into their programme, as well as building up membership in the games sector.

Membership of ‘the academy’ (yes, it does sound cool…) is open to people working in the moving image industries in Scotland.  That includes film, television and of course games of all descriptions.  There’re even career starter and student options to ensure that the next generation of talent can benefit from joining.

And there are other benefits too…

  • An exclusive Tuesday night film preview screening in Glasgow (twice a month on Mondays in Edinburgh) for you and a guest. 
  • Access to special screenings, events, masterclasses and seminars.
  • Members offers which currently include free admission to any film at any time in Cineworld, Monday – Thursday.
  • Networking opportunities such as members drinks held throughout the year.
  • Voting rights for Film and Television in the British Academy Scotland Awards (not Student or Career Starter Members)

The voting rights means you get early access to a *lot* of new films and access to some very cool events.  While they’ve been focused on film/tv to date, the BAFTA In Scotland committee has some rather exciting plans to incorporate far more games-related activity and materials into their plans for the coming year.

(And yes, Dundee residents, that may well include one or more events within the city limits, so you can attend and participate without panicking and mewling like a sickly veal calf in quicksand.)

Of course, the major benefit here is that the academy’s (see, told you it sounds cool) focus on the wider screen industries means that you are constantly meeting people from other areas who are fascinated and really want to know more about the games sector, the technology behind games and the growing convergence between film, television and games.

Plus, let’s be honest guys, they do better parties.  WAY better.  There’s winning a BAFTA and there are some other awards.  There’s the red carpet and doing Jaegerbombs with Peter Capaldi and Catriona Shearer and then there’re game awards where the total number of famous people is one (if we’re there…)

Still not convinced?  BAFTA In Scotland events in 2011/2012 included:

-Edinburgh International Film Festival annual BAFTA in Scotland Interview with Bill Nighy.

-‘It’s a Matter of Ethics’ – Masterclass with Roger Graef OBE.

-WE’LL TAKE MANHATTAN screening and Q&A with Director, John McKay.

-THE AWAKENING screening and Q&A with Director, Nick Murphy.

-British Academy Scotland Awards 2011

-SHAME screening and Q&A with Writer/Director, Steve McQueen.

-Glasgow Film Festival Interview with Brian Cox.

-Wildlife Filmmaking Masterclass with Nigel Pope.

-BAFTA in Scotland New Talent Awards 2012.

-Amongst a packed programme of screenings we previewed DRIVE; TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY; WARHORSE; SHAME; THE ARTIST; IDES OF MARCH.

Now imagine the 2012 calendar, with lots of lovely game things in there…

Full membership for BAFTA In Scotland costs £105 for a year.  There are a whole host of other options however.  A ‘Country membership’ for those who live in excitingly rural locations where sheep get in the way of traffic and electricity is predicted ‘real soon now’ (insert obligatory Dundee joke), or Career Starter and Student membership options for new up-and-coming game developers.

Rather than rabbit on, if you have any questions about BAFTA In Scotland, why not ask the professionals?  Contact Sam Ferguson on 0141 302 1770 / infoscotland@bafta.org

While we’re at it, support for BAFTA in Scotland contributes directly to the success of Scotland’s moving image industries.  A strong creative industries sector helps our economy, nurtures our emerging talent and creates jobs and opportunities.

Join up.

Or we can pretend games exists in splendid isolation and that sneering at other industries will see us through.  Your choice.

You do need to get your skates on though.  Membership for 2012 closes on June 1st.  Yes, we should have posted this earlier.  Yes, we suck.  Humblest apologies to all.

May 29 2012

Engage Invest Exploit 2013

Engage Invest Exploit is an event run by Edinburgh University’s globally respected School of Informatics, which offers start-up companies the opportunity to showcase their work to an audience of investors, business experts (and your editor, since the rest of the media gives not a fig).

It’s an event which is often overlooked and tends to be missed by interactive companies – despite there being a number of interesting and relevant companies exhibiting or participating.

This years event featured a keynote from Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE who was – and we were we surprised here – entirely fascinating and engaging.  There were a couple of Alan Partridge moments (Sir Jackie looks like a mini version of Norfolk’s second favourite son), but it was hugely entertaining and very worthwhile.

The date for EIE 13 has just been announced and we’d recommend it to any company or individual who’s interested in the wider advances in technology and new business.

Thursday 9th of May is the date for your diaries.  Three things to note here:

  • It’s a year away. That’s enough time for even the busiest CEO
  • It takes place in Edinburgh.  That’s NOT Dundee, for Dundee readers, but see point one, above
  • It features companies doing new and interesting interactive things which do NOT necessarily include making games

Find out more and book your place now.

May 28 2012

JOBS

We’ve just updated our JOBS page.  Guess what we need?  That’s right.  Vacancies, opportunities, internships.  Mail us with…

  • The position vacant
  • A description of said vacancy
  • Your logo
  • The recruitment page on your website
  • Bit of background on your company

And we’ll get something up asafp.

Here’s a thought – try to be interesting, clever, creative, fun, exciting and interesting.  We’re not Edge.  We’re effective, focused and honest.  If you send us crap, we will use it, but we reserve the right to subtly (oh so subtly) take the piss out of your dull corporate howling.

We’re open to more creative and exciting opportunities too.  Site takeovers, banners, interviews and profiles to aid your recruitment drive.  Reasonable rates, real commitment, funnier than Edge.  It’s our promise to you – because we love you – and you feel that.

May 28 2012

The Masques – Voiceovers, Narration, Characters, Tutorials & Awesome

A huge thanks to the team at The Masques for our recent banner.  The Masques is a casting agency based in Edinburgh, which works with a wide range of actors (proper actors from film and TV).  They also do a lot of corporate work, providing talented people who can do voices and act in other ways.  Not to mention professional motion capture actors.

The Masques is also one of the few agencies across the UK which offers an understanding and expertise in the games world.  So if you’re interested in getting some decent voices in your game(s), you should speak to them.

Many development studios are hesitant about approaching a professional agency outside the games industry.  In many cases this leads to developers trying to do things in-house and giving themselves massive problems as they try to tease professional performance from blushing team members on microphone.

Whatever you need, from a grizzled US space marine, to a crazed super villain, a robot vampire, a malevolent sentient computer system to a cartoon dolphin who wants to help your children learn.  You specify what you need and The Masques will supply someone who can do it quickly, creatively and professionally – with proper accents, intensity and delivery.

We know the importance of audio in games.  You know what will happen if you try to get a QA staff member or, God help you, a programmer to be exuberant and outgoing on a microphone.

For more information, or to find out how to make use of The Masques glittering array of stars, get in touch and ask.  They’re lovely.  They’ll help.

Get it done right.

May 28 2012

All Change…

So you may have noticed the new theme on the www.scottishgames.net site.  It’s the first step in the ongoing evolution of the site as a force for all that is good and right and true in the rapidly evolving wide, wide world o’ games.

NOW for the FIRST TIME EVER you can find all of the important bits of the site – The COMPANY DIRECTORY, the SUBMIT A BANNER page and the CORNER SHOP of ULTIMATE FASHION, all in one place.

The banner remains.  We love you and it gives individuals and companies a way to contribute and participate in new and exciting ways (and it’s open to everyone remember…)

Along with the new LinkedIn group, the Facebook page, Twitter account, RSS feed and e-mail list, we’re hitting several thousand people per day and pulling in all manner of attention from the powers-that-be, the powers-that-would-like-to-be, media, wider interactive sector and the ivory towers of academia from all four corners of the world.

Welcome all, to “the industry bible” (Holyrood Magazine).

We’re planning a lot more new and fascinating updates over the next few weeks, in anticipation of something a little more fundamental and radical later in 2012.  All good, we assure you.  In the mean time, we’re going to try this democracy thing over on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  We’ll be asking what you, our beloved readers, would like to see more of, less of, some of and otherwise pick your brains about how to make Scottishgames even more invaluable and awesome.

Then we can stick it to the rest of the creative industries with our astonishing use of digital media.  Because let’s face it, it would be embarrassing to be overtaken by the film & tv crowd, or art & antiques.

We’re counting on you.  Now go enjoy Monday…

May 25 2012

The UK’s Favourite Designer

OK, it’s a subjective question.  Who is the best designer in the UK?  Now the team at Zappar have helped answer that question with their new project.

Hot on the heels of working with supermodel Solenn Heussaff and some ice cream; a couple of the world’s biggest wrestling stars, classic english literature, reinventing greetings cards and American Idol Adam Lambert, plus, you know, THE QUEEN (the real one), Zappar has now brought its considerable expertise to bear and resurrected the massively popular rhythm action game, previously the domain of titles such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

Best of all, the new Zappar games can be found at your local Asda and picked up for a defiantly reasonable £7.00.

And you can wear it on holiday, impress girls and/or boys and the app is FREE for iOS and Android.

Augmented reality, games, fashion, music.  If you want to take it to the full on rock star level, you can even use it to identify ‘chemicals‘ if you know what we mean.

Go on, have a play…

 

May 22 2012

Alt-w Creative Fund Now Open For Entries

The Alt-w fund supports artists to explore experimental and interactive activities, make use of technology as both a platform and medium, and recognise the rapidly evolving role that digital culture plays in todays society.

Creators can apply for up to £10,000 of production costs from the fund.  To provide more background and context on the whole Alt-w programme, surgeries will be held in:

  • Edinburgh, May 30th
  • Glasgow, June 6th
  • Dundee, June 13th (For our Dundonian readers, that’s in Dundee. JOY!)

Download the guidelines (PDF) and application form (DOC) for more information.

Submission deadline is the 4th July.

The distribution of Alt-w awards is managed by New Media Scotland with investment from Creative Scotland and the Centre for Design Informatics.

Please don’t make us explain why this should be relevant to games developers and interactive creators.