kellee's blog

Along with Facade, Ocular Ink, N, and Narbacular Drop, Cloud got mentioned in this month's Game Informer Magazine as a Top 10 Games You've Never Heard Of (Issue 156, p 22-23)

"Created by students at USC's new, state-of-the-art Interactive Media Lab, Cloud is another game from the more esoteric fringe of the freeware universe. Interestingly, its almost completely at odds with the current climate of video games, generating a mood that's at once calming and dreamlke, at the same time getting across a subtle message of ecological consciousness. This Zen-like atmosphere is gfreatly enhanced by a gorgeous, meditative musical score. In terms of gameplay, it's a bit like a more diffuse, abstract Katamari Damacy - you fly thorugh the air, gather up groups of clouds, internalizing them, then using them to form shapes in the sky. Although at time it feels more like an "experience" than a proper game, it's definitely something you owe it to yourself to investigate. Along with Facade, Cloud seems to point to a bright future for games, one that will be filled with a range of emotions far beyond what most commercial titles are capable of invoking."

Posted by at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Cloud Shirts for GDC are Here:

Thanks to my roomate for filling in as model and photographer in a hurry. I wanted everyone to get a look at these* before GDC, and also to let you know they will be available for pick up this weekend, if you would like to come by my place and snag one before heading up to GDC. The more people pick them up beforehand, the more room we'll have in our car, and the higher chance you will have of getting a good one that fits you!

If you are going but are coming from somewhere else, let me know what color** you would like and sizes (Youth Medium to Adult XL;Tim is sporting the Adult M, I'm wearing the Youth M). All my contact info is on the Wiki.

*Pardon my hair covering the school logo on the back, but I think you get the idea.

**Also available in Teal.

Posted by at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I Am More Than My Thumb
A Gestural Body Interface

Alpha Build Test

In this video, taken in the INITLab, I demonstrate the current control system. [Three LEDs: one on the sternm, one on each wrist.]

Status
Last night, we finally achieved a satisfactory sensitivity to flight control, based on feedback, although more tweaking will be in order as we test it out on various body types. Grabbing and Letting Go of clouds is controlled through a trigger system, which feels somewhat artificial, and might change; again, we await more user feedback.

A wireless adapter is in the works, so the system becomes tetherless.

Infrared seems very doable - you can see in the video how overt the LEDs become once the lights are turned down.

More Testing...
Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break, all around are invited to come to the INIT Lab to test the Alpha Build. Please contact me (info on contact sheet and Wiki), to arrange a time.

Posted by at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I don't know if you've heard, but the third years are putting on a show! And we are looking for Producers and Artists for the following categories:

Graphic Design
Creating design theme for show signage
Designing posters, postcards, marketing materials

Production Design
Organizing and implimenting a cohesive show design

Documentation
Recording through audio, video, and stills the process of the show
Editing footage after the event

The ideal situation is that there is one person to act as a producer (organizing assets & people) for each area, and multiple artists to which the producer can delegate specific tasks. This way, no one is taking on too much, and the show gets to be the most rockinest thesis show ever (until next year's class, of course...)

Please contact me and/or Marientina with what area you are most interested in. I know some of you are slated already to work, and if this is the case, please let Marientina know if there is one section you specifically want to handle.

And, in return, I promise to everyone that helps that when the time comes for your show, no matter where in the world I am, I will come here to help you. And you have that documented on the blog now, so there.

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)