Creative Industries

2010-08-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hi fans ... we're consolidating our information for Creative Industries to our new Facebook page here :

Creative Industries at Northeastern University

So from here on ... please visit Facebook for all your NU CI info !

-Terrence Masson
Director of Creative Industries

Game Developer Career ( and School ) Guide

2010-08-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

For the third year running, Game Developer’s annual Game Career Guide, a special edition magazine devoted to helping aspiring video game creators and guided by the editors of the industry-leading Game Developer magazine, is being given away for free.

Download HERE

New England's video game cluster chipping away at challenges

2010-07-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

If the growth of a video game industry cluster in New England were viewed as a video game itself, then the “boss battle” would still be some levels off. To get to that level, the industry here has to slog through several smallers battles, call them mini-bosses — poor climate, limited governmental support, a disjointed community. The bright spot is that New England video game businesses are equipped with a blazing sword, energized by a strong, growing educational system that is turning out game-focused graduates at a rate and level behind only the West Coast, game experts say.

FULL ARTICLE

NASA takes you to the moon with new video game

2010-07-07T03:52:00.000-07:00

Team up with your friends…
Utilize the latest NASA technologies…
Immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring lunar environment…
Compete with your team to reach the top of the leaderboards…

FULL ARTICLE

Get prepared for FEMA-funded Disaster Hero game

2010-06-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to raise awareness of disaster preparedness, the American College of Emergency Physicians has teamed up with casual games publisher and developer Legacy Interactive to create "Disaster Hero.
The game, which is being funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will aim to educate players on the different types of disasters and how to be prepared in the event that they happen.

FUL ARTICLE

Industry Execs Weigh In On 'Games As Art' Debate

2010-06-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

Executives from a variety of major game industry publishers and organizations, including Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aime and Take-Two CEO Ben Feder, have voiced their thoughts on whether video games can be art, and unsurprisingly they unanimously disagree with film critic Roger Ebert's negative take on the matter.

FULL ARTICLE

Counterinsurgency Training by ‘Virtual Human’

2010-06-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Using artificial intelligence and the graphics techniques behind “Avatar,” a USC institute creates “virtual humans” and interactive immersions that train American soldiers to win hearts and minds in Iraq and Afghanistan.

FULL ARTICLE

The Get-Well Gamers Foundation

2010-06-02T18:36:00.001-07:00

The Get-Well Gamers Foundation was founded in 2001 with the goal of bringing video game systems and games to children's hospitals. Video games are an effective and proven pain management tool and provide needed entertainment during long hospital stays.

http://www.get-well-gamers.org

Video game accessibility project to help blind children exercise

2010-06-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

VI Fit, a project in the computer science and engineering department, is designed to help children who are blind become more physically active and healthy through video games.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

Boy Scouts introduce videogame badge!

2010-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

April 28th, 2010 : Yes, really. The Boy Scouts of America have finally recognized that most important of modern children's pastimes with the creation of a "Video Games" belt loop and pin.

Full Story HERE

When Play Means Pay: Video Game Jobs On The Rise

2010-04-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Jan. 7th, 2010

Full article

Imagine having a boss who encourages you to play games during the workday.

Gaming Degrees Grow In Popularity And Application

2010-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

April 5th, 2010
Gaming Degrees Grow In Popularity And Application

Computer programmers have sometimes been called nerdy, geeky and brainy. The industry has a new reputation, though. It has become cool.

More than 250 colleges and universities offer gaming degrees, and many of these programs involve more than just video games. At the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, for example, there is one that combines engineering, computer science, art and media

Warner's opens game dev studio in Montreal

2010-03-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced the planned opening of a development studio in Montreal that by the end of 2015 will employ 300 people.

According to the company, the studio will house various departments, including high-end interactive gaming product development, digital and cinematographic animation, quality assurance of products developed by the Montréal studio, as well as the adaptation and translation of its products into various languages.

Complete article

PAX East on WBUR Friday 1:30pm

2010-03-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

Boston's own Scott MacMillan (Macguffin Games) will be on NPR radio Friday March 26th ... tune into WBUR, at about 1:35pm.
Scott, along with a Harmonix representative will talk about what PAXeat means for Boston game developers.

For more information on PAX East :
http://www.paxsite.com/paxeast/index.php

Zbrush sculpting & "3D STIMULUS DAY"

2010-03-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

ZBRUSH SCULPTING & RAPID PROTOTYPING WORKFLOW WITH MATT BOA
MONDAY APRIL 5TH
&
3D STIMULUS DAY SCHEDULED!
SATURDAY APRIL 24TH

Free student event with XBOX Live's Major Nelson

2010-03-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Don't miss this FREE event with X-Box Live head Major Nelson

cost: FREE!!!!!!! (tickets are limited)
who: current college students with a valid college id
when: thursday, march 25
time: 530p - 630p
where: microsoft nerd, one memorial drive, cambridge
kendall/mit t stop (www.microsoftcambridge.com)

EXHIBITION: FRAME BY FRAME: ANIMATED AT HARVARD

2010-01-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

January 28–Feb 14, 2010
Reception Thursday, February 4, 5:30-6:30 pm

The Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University presents Frame by Frame: Animated at Harvard, an exhibition showcasing Harvard’s animation history: rarely-seen films retrieved from the Harvard Film Archive, works by world-renowned recent animation faculty, and a survey of films by current and former students of the department.

"Breaking into the game industry"

2009-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

nuACM WEEKLY SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTS:
"Breaking into the game industry"
Seth Sivak of Conduit Labs
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 @ 11:45am
108 West Village H
Northeastern Univ.
------------------------------------

Join Seth Sivak, gameplay engineer at Conduit Labs, as he talks about why and how to break into the gaming industry.

Conduit Labs is social entertainment company, focused on creating social gameplay through music interaction. They are creators of the music social gaming community Loudcrowd. The founders come from a background in web and gaming, being involved in the popular social games Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and in the pioneering massive multiplayer game Asheron’s Call.

Loudcrowd is a place to experience music together through games. Now with over two million plays, nine record labels contributing music, and new games every two months, Loudcrowd is Conduit Labs' experiment in music and play. They built Loudcrowd for people who want to do more with music than just listen.

Obama And LittleBigPlanet Team Up, For Kids

2009-11-23T17:05:00.000-08:00

The White House is announcing today a program to improve science and math education with a variety of Entertainment Software Association-backed initiatives including a program to put LittleBigPlanet in libraries as well as a $300,000 game design challenge.

Full article : HERE

Global Entrepreneurship Week

2009-11-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

The Entretech Forum:
Making Your Name in a Changing Gaming Industry

The EntreTech event will feature a lively and interactive discussion between panelists and the audience on how young entrepreneurs and their start-ups canbe successful in today’s changing gaming industry. The panelists bring a wide range of experiences as developers, entrepreneurs, and executives from the industry’s premier companies. They will discuss international competition, getting funded, publishing your games, changing gaming platforms, and the strategies that will help you make your name in this dynamic industry.

Cost: FREE for Students & Active Military, $10 Faculty Members & NEU Staff and $25 Community & Others

For more information : http://www.northeastern.edu/eweek/2009/entretech.php

MassTLC and Massachusetts Network Communications Council Combine

2009-11-04T05:03:00.001-08:00

Mass Technology Leadership Council and Massachusetts Network Communications Council Combine to Focus Resources on Driving Innovation and Company Growth

Move Creates the State’s Leading Business Association Representing the World’s Top Global Tech Brands, Growth Companies and Entrepreneurs

http://www.masstlc.org/massnetcomms/

Beta House: "Boston Indie Summits"

2009-10-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

We've asked Mark Allio of the MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) to kick things off for us on 11/3. Mark is a regional director for the MSBDC and has started two successful ventures himself, and will be presenting some of the considerations and challenges inherent in starting a company, especially one in the game industry. There will be time for Q&A, as well.

For more information : Go here

Friday Games at GAMBIT: Procedural Level Generation with Darius Kazemi

2009-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Darius Kazemi from Orbus Gameworks and Boston Post Mortem will present a talk on the procedural content algorithms of Derek Yu's Spelunky, and we'll play some other games with procedural level generation (that are not roguelikes!) such as:
Dwarf Fortress
Diablo
Infinite Mario
Strange Adventure in Infinite Space
Left For Dead
The TIGSource Procedural Generation Competition
Canabalt
Yoda Stories

See you at the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab this Friday! We'll start around 4pm.

Philip Tan
Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab

Not Your Average Game Night!

2009-10-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
5:30PM - FOOD, DRINKS; NETWORKING
7:00PM - PRESENTATIONS BEGIN!
CARLSON HALL, MT IDA COLLEGE, NEWTON, MA

On Wednesday, October 21st we are planning a game night like no other. Leave the board games at home and join us for an evening of compelling speakers and presenters...

Speakers will include:

Yuris Mangolds - C2i Studios, showing his Craft Director Studio workflow

Jason Arnone: Art Manager, Harmonix - Jason is coming back this year sharing the role the art department played in the new Beatles Rockband game!

For more details check HERE

The State of the State: Video Games in Massachusetts

2009-10-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Microsoft New England Research & Development Center – One Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Austin, San Francisco, New York and…..Boston. It’s official. Massachusetts is one of the major game development hubs in the U.S. From developers like Turbine, 2K Boston, Harmonix, Worldwinner, Blue Fang, and Tilted Mill to game community portal gamerDNA.com and game industry technology providers like Vivox, numerous game companies call Massachusetts their home. To celebrate our local industry’s successes and kick off the ’09/ ’10 New England Games SIG season, join us for an evening of networking and discussion with Jason Schupbach, the state’s Creative Economy Industry Director, and Terrence Masson, Northeastern University’s Director of Game Design

For more information : New England Games SiG

Sony Pictures Imageworks Finds Success With NVIDIA Technology

2009-10-06T05:51:00.000-07:00

NVIDIA Corporation, the inventor of the graphics processing unit (GPU), announced today that Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) utilized NVIDIA® Quadro® processors to accelerate animation and visual effects production of their latest hit film "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs".

"GPU-based render pipelines are gaining momentum, and the early adopters such as Sony Pictures Imageworks are experiencing massive speed increases and a much higher degree of interactivity," said Dominick Spina, technology product manager, Digital Film Group, NVIDIA. "Software developers from all industries can learn from the groundbreaking GPU-based techniques that Sony has successfully employed in filmmaking."

http://www.awn.com/news/awn-site-news/sony-pictures-imageworks-finds-success-nvidia-technology

Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab Game of the Week

2009-10-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

Over the next 6 weeks, starting today, Monday Oct. 5th, the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab
blog will be hosting a game of the week extravaganza, highlighting each of our 6 summer prototypes for a week at a time.

The Game of the Week content can be explored at
http://gambit.mit.edu/updates/gotw

"Not your average game night!"

2009-09-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, October 21st we are planning a game night like no other. Leave the board games at home and join us for an evening of compelling speakers and presenters...

Speakers will include:

Yuris Mangolds - C2i Studios, showing his Craft Animations Director Tools workflow

Jason Arnone: Art Director, Harmonix - Jason is coming back this year sharing the role the art department played in the new Beatles Rockband game!

WEdnesday, October 21st
6:30PM
carlson hall, mt ida college, newton, ma

For details : http://get.com/3d_events.html

JOBS IN 3D

2009-09-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

NEDAG’s first meeting of the fall season will be at MIT, on Tuesday, September 29th.

A panel discussion will take place, with Brad Porter of Great Eastern moderating. The discussion will focus on ‘JOBS IN 3D’.

Panelists include:

Thom Ang: Art Director, 38 Studios
Kevin Fanning: Manager of Strategic Staffic, Harmonix
Kristin Casasanto: Assistant Director Career Services, NEiA
Gael McGill: CEO of DigiZyme, Harvard Lecturer, Medical Visualization Specialist

Meeting will be held somewhere on MIT’s campus, starting at 6:30 networking, 7pm panel discussion begins. Free event, possibility of going local for drinks after, but no refreshments at the meeting…

For more complete information, go to :
http://nedigitalartists.org/

Local Harmonix releases The Beatles: Rock Band

2009-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Beatles: Rock Band -- A New Revolution in Gaming

The Beatles: Rock Band was developed by MTV Games' Cambridge, Mass.-based game producer Harmonix (Rock Band, Guitar Hero)

( Read the article )

2009-09-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Governor Declares 09.09.09 Video Game Innovation Day in Massachusetts

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim September 9th, 2009 to be,

Video Game Innovation Day

Game Education Network

2009-08-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Check out the Game Education Network :
http://www.gameeducationnetwork.com/

"This is the sister site to the Game Education Summit where articles are posted that are relevent to game studies, game education and the video game industry."

Bunker Hill Community College Game program

2009-08-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Bunker Hill Community College offers : "Computer Media Technology Program's Gaming/Computer Simulation Option"

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/gaming/

Boston Post Mortem meeting - Aug.11th 7pm

2009-08-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

A panel discussion called "Taking Game Design to the Next Level." An in-depth reprise of
Linda Currie’s design panel from IGC East.

The panelists:
- Linda Currie, Creat. (moderator)
- Steve Meretzky, Playdom.
- Chris Foster, Harmonix.
- Christopher Zirpoli, Moonlight Media Consulting.
- Cardell Kerr, Turbine.

Tuesday, August 11th @ 7pm.
The Skellig, Waltham.
Directions: http://www.bostonpostmortem.org/directions

Indie Game Challenge

2009-07-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

Details online ...

http://www.indiegamechallenge.com/

MA legislation pending to benefit Game production

2009-07-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Members of the local game production community testified on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 am in the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue at the State House in Boston.

HB 2690 (http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht02pdf/ht02690.pdf), sponsored by Rep. John Binienda (D), includes a tax credit equal to 25 percent for investing in computer and video game production and development in the commonwealth.

Boston Cyberarts Festival

2009-04-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Boston Cyberarts Festival is the first and largest collaboration of artists working in new technologies in all media in North America, encompassing visual arts, dance, music, electronic literature, web art, and public art. Join us at the New England Institute of Art for a series of engaging workshops, speakers and special events.

April 29th - May 2nd

http://www.wdim.org/cyberarts/

Games for Health Fifth Annual Conference 2009

2009-03-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

June 11-12, 2009
Hyatt Harborside Hotel
Boston, MA

Check it out : http://www.gamesforhealth.org

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick Selling State as Game Development Hub

2009-02-15T16:41:00.000-08:00

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 13, 2009 - 9:49am. Boston - With the video gaming industry a rare bright spot in the economy, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick visited the West Coast last week to pitch his state as an East Coast gaming mecca, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The governor visited executives at Redwood City, Calif.-based video game publisher Electronic Arts. About 60 game development companies in Massachusetts currently employ about 2,000.

In a bid to attract even more businesses to the state, a bill coming up before its legislature this session would extend existing moviemaking tax credits to video gaming companies.

( Article )

Video game technology could fuel Mass. recovery

2009-02-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

The Associated Press

Video game technology could fuel Mass. recovery

By STEVE LeBLANC

BOSTON (AP) — Like other struggling states, Massachusetts is looking anywhere it can for jobs and cash_ including the virtual world of video game technology with its mix of fantasy and rabid fans. ...

(Full Article)

fast FastER FAST! @ Northeastern Univ

2009-01-31T07:09:00.000-08:00

A program of mixed media works that (mostly) move at a rapid pace.

Wed. March 11, 2009 - 12:00 noon
Shillman Hall, Room 320 MAP
Northeastern University, Boston
Contact Dennis Miller
617 373 4132 or de.miller@neu.edu

http://www.music.neu.edu/fast/

2009 Visual Music Marathon

2009-01-31T07:02:00.000-08:00

April 11th, 2009
The Marathon will be held at the Visual Arts Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, New York City.

Check it out AND pass on the word :
http://www.2009vmm.neu.edu/

3D Modeling Industry Expected to Boom

2009-01-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

Acacia Research Group today released the results of a study on 3D content creation tools, which naturally are heavily utilized in the creation of today's video games. The research says that spending on 3D animation and modeling tools will grow an average of 6.2 percent over the next five years, from $338.3 million this year to $429.7 million in 2014.

(Full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/3d-modeling-industry-expect-to-boom-says-acacia-research/?biz=1

Online Gaming in America Climbs 27% in 2008

2009-01-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

According to the latest analysis from comScore, online gaming usage in the U.S. has grown 27 percent during the past year to 86 million visitors in December 2008. Moreover, the total time spent playing online games has risen by 42 percent.

(Full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/online-gaming-in-america-climbs-27-in-2008--comscore/?biz=1

2008 Game Sales Dominated by Family-Friendly Titles

2009-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has noted that family-friendly video games were actually the main driver of sales. Sure, some of the best selling titles like GTA IV and Gears of War 2 are rated "Mature," but games rated "Everyone 10+" and lower accounted for over half of all sales (45.3% rated "E" and 12.1% rated "E10+").

(full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/esa-2008-game-sales-dominated-by-familyfriendly-titles/?biz=1

Worldwide Video Game Sales Hit $32 Billion in '08

2009-01-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

According to a new report from Media Control GfK International (cited by Video Business), global sales of video game software reached $32 billion last year, growing 20 percent in large part thanks to the booming Wii business.

(Full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/worldwide-video-game-sales-hit-32-billion-in-08-top-dvd-bluray-for-first-time/?biz=1

ICA presents New England Animators

2009-01-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

When!? : Sunday, May 3, 3 pm and Thursday, May 7, 7:30 pm
Where!? : The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

World Premieres
Q & A with the filmmakers

http://www.icaboston.org/programs/film/ne-animators/?event_id=6907023

Wii Music Used in Schools to Promote Music Education

2009-01-20T17:11:00.000-08:00

Nintendo of America sent word today that it's partnered with MENC: The National Association for Music Education in an effort to "inspire students and promote an active appreciation for music."

(Full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/wii-music-used-in-schools-to-promote-music-education/?biz=1

Video Game Software Soared Past $10B in 2008 ...

2009-01-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

That's software .. alone. The NPD Group has repeatedly said that it's expecting total industry sales to fall somewhere in the $21 billion range.

(full article)
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/video-game-software-to-surpass-10-billion-for-08-says-analyst/?biz=1

What's Happening!? : BOSTON POST MORTEM

2009-01-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Check out the monthly meetings ... and use the web site to find out all about the 60+ (yes SIXTY) Boston area Game Development (and related) companies

http://www.bostonpostmortem.org/

What's Happening!? : BOSTON GAMES FOR CHANGE

2009-01-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

When!? : Saturday, Jan 31, 2009. 8pm - midnight
Where!? : Berkman Squared. 50 Church St, Cambridge MA

* hosted by Information Superhighway IV *
Drinks and snacks courtesy of sponsoring partners Fablevision, Harvard Free Culture, Public Radio Exchange, and GamerDNA.

You can sign up to learn about future events here:
http://groups.google.com/group/games4change-boston

Inaugural posting on Inaugural day :)

2009-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Northeastern University Creative Industries blog!

Come back often and comment on everything Game Design and Interactive Media related here at NEU.

Contact me directly if you have any questions

Terrence Masson
Senior Academic Specialist
Northeastern University