Stephen E. Dinehart's IMD Blog

One of my thesis advisors, Pete Barr-Watson , let me on to a QR reader for Symbian series 60 devices, Kaywa Reader! I belive QR has a great potential for mobile content, as is proven in Japan. Though I've never experienced it until now, this product has a tremendous potential to enrich augmented pervasive gaming.

I first learned of them @ Adobe where I was being certified as a Flash Lite developer and Instructor. Though the image was familiar I never was quite sure what they were until James Talbot let me onto the idea. Would love to hear peoples experience of QR codes, if any.

All the best. . .

Directly downloads "Jorney of Jin mobisode 2 v1.6", a revised version of my thesis project, to a Flash Lite 2. 0 web enabled mobile device.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1530/narrative_design_for_company_of_.php?page=1

Props out to the IMD!

Greetings IMD!

My name is Stephen Erin Dinehart, I like the intro Vince posted and figured I'd follow suite. The IMD is a pretty magical place and I'm sure it's only getting better. My focus, despite the encouragement to have a playcentric approach, was and is on original story-driven IP, transmedia, and narratology. Since leaving the IMD I've gone on to create a position at THQ worldwide called "Narrative Designer", and I'm glad to say the position has taken off. Since leaving THQ this summer I've been developing mobile social networking applications, transmedia IP, and free-to-play MMOs.

My online publication, The Narrative Design Exploratorium, is a recent incantation focusing on transmedia (cross-media), and the convergence of cinema and interactive media. Two series I've created might be of interest to those of you wanting to learn more about real-world game design and game writing.

Masters of Narrative Design™
While 'narrative design' is not a term in common usage, the design of story experiences is nothing new. As game developers are increasingly looking to create meaningful virtual narrative experiences, looking at the lessons learned by these masters becomes increasingly valuable. Bruce Block, USC prof, was one of the early candidates to interview.
http://www.narrativedesign.org/masters-of-narrative-design/

Game Writers in the Trenches™ Series
This, my newest, series focuses on game writers wrestling with game development to create meaningful interactive experiences. As game developers are increasingly looking to create meaningful virtual narrative experiences, listening to the real-world wisdom of these writers can help everyone on the development pipeline understand their trials, tribulations, and needs, in hopes of enabling them to do their job as they know best. Not so strangely the first two interviews have been with fellow Trojans.
http://www.narrativedesign.org/game-writers-in-the-trenches/

I hope some, or all, of you can find this a useful, free, resource for information and inspiration. I will be at this years Austin Game Developers conference, if you'd like to meet up to talk or just have some questions, feel free to contact me: stephen.dinehart@gmail.com

Break a leg!

Hello all, a fellow alumnus of my undergraduate school, The College for Creative Studies (a wonderful design school in Detroit) sent this along to me. His company BossDev is holding a Flash Game Contest. This could be a great opportunity, submit your innovative game concept, get it developed, and get some industry exposure! Good Luck!
http://www.bossdev.com/gotgame.html

I woke this morning to the sound of our own Susana Ruiz being interviewed on National Public Radio. The subject was the buzzing Atomic Games yet unpublished title 6 Days in Falluja. Laura Sydell mentions Susana's project Darfur is Dying as an example of the path to creating Benicio Del Toro's "Citizen Kane of games". It was a pleasant surprise which may explain the IMD dream I had last night.

The whole discussion also makes me think of Tracy's piece "Documentary Games: Putting the Player in the Path of History". A subject which has had great effect on my own work on THQ's Company of Heroes. I believe we are all on a great path together and am excited to be in anyway associated with such high caliber thinkers, movers, and shakers.

While many of us have received press of sorts, what sticks out to me about this is that is breaks out of industry related media and into the mainstream. We can all talk to gamers and game makers, but it takes a true shepherd to take the mainstream pack to the shores of our burgeoning crafts. Congrats Susana!

You can listen to the piece here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111145909

I was just catching up on my Reuters Tech News, and found this video, while I'm sure I'm behind the curve compared to our VR researchers, and innovators, I thought it worthy of a post nonetheless. I'm wondering what people like Mark, Scott, and Michael might think about the viability of a such a system. I found it also interesting that they tried to claim in the Reuters story that there are no VR simulators for ground troops; having seen some of what goes on at ICT I found it a seeming unfounded statement. You can learn more about Vitrusphere @ http://www.virtusphere.com/