Internet and Multi-Platforms: Latest Trends in Video Game Design
By Alex Russel
alex.russel@computeranimationschoolreview.com
Computer Animation School Review Columnist
Every year, the E3 convention is where everyone sees what's coming in video game design. Those attending video game design schools are encouraged to pay attention, as this is where future of video game design is heading.
Every year in Los Angeles, the Electronic Entertainment Expo unites all the heavyweights in video game design. Video game design school students can quickly see what is hot in their ever-expanding field choice. Here are a few trends.
Sony PlayStation 3
Video game design circles are abuzz over Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, whose release keeps being delayed.
This isn't necessarily bad news for anyone attending or thinking about attending a video game design school. Most video game design companies, like Electronic Arts or Ubisoft, are putting expansion on hold, waiting to make a big design push once the PS3 has been released to great fanfare.
So far, John Madden's NFL football game is the only confirmed video game design for the PS3, but that is sure to change. Video game designers know all too well that Sony's PlayStation 2 has sold over 100 million units.
Xbox 360 Video Game Design
The Xbox 360 has been out for a little while, and as of April 2006, sold about 5 million units. Microsoft's goal is to thrive on the momentum and continue to offer new games that highlight the console's high-tech features.
Upcoming video game release, Halo 3, is widely expected to become the Xbox 360 rainmaker, hopefully encouraging millions more units to sell.
World of Warcraft and Online Video Game Designs
Video game design schools would be well served to notice the success of online games like World of Warcraft. These real-time games are expected to be the real future of video game design.
Electronic Arts, the video game giant, is releasing Army of Two, a mercenary video game designed to allow two players to link up online and fight enemies that include an Iraq-like terrorist insurgency.
Microsoft, acknowledging online developments, prides itself on the Internet game playing features on its Xbox 360.
Video Game Design School
The greatest trend for anyone at video game design school is that more games are available on more platforms. Game consoles, PCs, and cell phones are gradually becoming perfectly interchangeable in their ability to carry complex and exciting video game designs. The future, analysts say, will certainly hold more of that.
Sources
New York Times(1)
New York Times (2)
About the Author
Alex Russel is a freelance media writer living in Brooklyn.
Posted on June 2, 2006 at 08:31 PM
