Storytelling...

I think, we all know that a good storyline makes a better game. If a game can catch our emotions when we play, doesn't it make us want to continue? Having a story to a game, for me, makes it feel much more personalised, and individual. ... I know there are probably hundreds of games with similar story lines, but the character choices set some apart from the rest.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't always go for a game with a good storyline. I'm a bit of a fan of mindless violence and decapitation, but those games are more of a group thing really... Not the same affect when your sat at home blasting the insides out of computer played characters, to when your getting head shots against your friends characters! Example; in college, we used to have random massacres on Unreal Tournament when we'd finished an assignment and had free time... Or, just when our tutor left the room... fire it up for a quick bloodbath... Anyway, I'm getting side tracked! Back to the point... ^^;
As a player, does the story happen to you? Or do you make the story? Erm... Well, the games programmed with a story, so I'll go with the first. Unless it's like World of Warcraft. WHICH I DON'T PLAY.. I might like to point out. But my ears are forever being traumatised with the endless storys of Saphyr, one of Donna's World of Warcraft characters... She gets very into the whole "role play" thing, and has created storys in the game for her. Which, alot of Warcraft players probably do... I don't get the attraction really..
Second Life? Never heard of it.. So I don't know the story, can't answer that. And I have yet to play Call of Duty 4! Yey for expencive "next gen" consoles... But the rest of them follow the life of a certain soldier, no? So... is the story not about that guy's experiences and losses in a war, I 'spose saying it's a war story is going along the right lines.
...Although, thinking about it... I think that Unreal is pretty much the only game I've played without a story. Kingdom Hearts is the story of a boy searching for his lost friends and defeating the heartless taking over O.o Persona 3 is that of a boys battles to defeat Shadows, and of the friends he makes around him, and I'll not go into anymore detail, or I shall be rambling for days to come, and I don't have that energy ;3
So yeah, in my personal opinion, the story is almost as good as pretty characters, and colourfulness!

Art Director and Donnie Darko!

An Art Director is basically the leader of the art team. He/she is the one with the responsibility for how the game will look, and, indirectly, everything that goes in it!

They have to keep their team on time, in budget, and sticking to the standards that have been set!

Who are they responsible to? Hmm? Like, do they have a boss?

I would say the head of the games company!

-the internet doesn't like me-

In my opinion, the role of Art Director isn’t anywhere near as creative as it sounds. It’s more keeping things on track. And from what I’ve read, they don’t get to do much on the artsy side. Other than setting the look, and giving feedback to the team.
The Art Director of a film, and the Art Director of a video game don’t have roles that different from each other. Both work to create the look for the final product that they had imagined.

… Qualities to be an Art Director… Well, I think that creativity would be a good quality. An Art Director would need a good imagination to be able to decide how a game would look. Another would be good leadership skills, and confidence. What’s the point in trying to run a team, if you’re shy and don’t like to be in charge, or in the limelight? Time management, which is why I wouldn’t make a good Art Director! (That, and the confidence) You need to be able to keep people on time, otherwise things will start falling behind… And that’s part of the job!

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Also Frank... Less scary with the mask off!

And, after thinking about it. That film isn't half as confusing as people make out!

I'm not too confused... Other than why the mum was happy her son was dead at the end!

And what was with the dance group?

They made me laugh!

...

I noticed, me and Donna laugh at things people don't seem to laugh at!

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Makes me paranoid O.o

...slight catch up!

The term game play refers to the overall feel of a game, things like how it responds to the controls, and the experience you get whilst on the game all make up the gameplay!

Right, the questions in this task gave me a hard time… Really can’t understand them… So I’m guessing that by leading lights it’s meant some of the biggest company names? I hope… I’ll name EA and Square Enix off of the top of my head, because I know both have had huge titles and series successes. Final Fantasy and The Sims being the main ones… And Google won’t tell me any sites that list them! It hates me, it really does.
Where does the Game Design take place in the modern developer? … All I can say is whut!? O_o

If it was a single person’s responsibility to create an entire game, I think spontaneous human combustion may just set in…
A game is created by a group of, dare I say, talented individuals! Though, with some of the games you see these days, especially online, you wonder where they found there crew!
Generally there would be the Writers, the Animators, the 2D artists & 3D artists, if they’re not the same people and the programmers for the actual making of the game! Give or take a few titles. I’m just naming the main guys here.

Isn’t it obvious that each game genre would require different design principles… Imagine using the same ones for a hyped up, cheesy-pop singsong game and a sneaky, dark first-person shooter… I think I speak for everyone when I say… I’d be worried. All would require similar research, such as the setting, the character styles and such, but, you wouldn’t look in the same places! E.g. Allies and such for the shooter games… (That’s even if that’s what is meant by design principles)

For me, the most important part of a game is that it’s good to look at. Be it the scenery, the character designs, the interface… or just the fact that there aren’t many glitches.

My favourite games: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 and Kingdom Hearts are my fave because I like the character designs... None of this "realistic" character stuff!

Your playing a GAME why should it need to look realistic?

Thats my thoughts on it anyways.

For example, if I don’t like the style that a character is designed in, I just can’t keep playing the game.
But really, as long as it’s fun, I’ll join! I kick my dad’s butt on football frequently, but I can’t stand the sport.