BBC - Newsbeat - Concern for consoles as spending on video games drops

I have listened to this article on the radio today, which is quite apt to my studies: BBC - Newsbeat - Concern for consoles as spending on video games drops. I do need to become more aware of all the various consoles available, & there is now a new one in the form of a tablet with touch screen controls as one of the updates:

 Wii U console

Yet to try!

Frocked de la Vallière

Seeking advice from other colleagues on using PowerPoint for my presentation, I realised I hadn't thought of a theme, style, or colour scheme. I knew I wanted a muted greyscale with blast of pink or other colour to portray the subtle dark masculine over feminine bright, then saw this image on one of my Facebook accounts. 

Inspirational image: colours for my presentation.

My ongoing study has involved research & inspiration from images I save to specific themed folders on my Pinterest account. Below are shown a selection of images that I see these opposites yet similarities that can work in balance together; just look at nature!

Feminine - Masculine
Harsh yet Warm Sun. Strong & Cold Metal:
Both strong & valuable yet with their own invaluable characteristics, that work alongside each other & help build our living environment & world we live in.

Light trapped - shines through the gaps!

Shine comes out on top!

Not pink, but has the contrast of bright & subtle-masculine.

Not pink, but has the masculine dark greys.

Conclusion: working in harmony & balanced!

Sexism Rampant In Gaming Industry

Colours & Textures - Dissertation image: storm brewing in a glass.

Is the arguement on the lack of women working in the gaming industry gathering momentum: #1ReasonWhy Reveals Sexism Rampant In The Gaming Industry reveals more. Social Media is helping to promote & generate discussion & feedback; some obvious, some not so & a conclusion?

More links:

 #1ReasonWhy: Women Take to Twitter to Talk about Sexism in Video Game ...

 #1reasonwhy tweets expose sexism in the video-game industry

 #1reasonwhy - Devs join forces to tackle sexism in gaming

 Women in Gaming Tweet About Sexist Industry With #1reasonwhy

 Women use Twitter to expose video game industry sexism

 #1ReasonWhy Talking About This Matters

 #1ReasonWhy Women Avoid The Sexist Tech Industry

 Women explain the #1reasonwhy the games industry is tough on women

 Twitter Hashtag Highlights Sexism in Games Industry

 '#1ReasonWhy' Hashtag Explains Why There Are Few Female Games Developers

An extremely useful article to come across at this time for me....I am delving deeper!

Historical Reconstruction | Chat Noir Productions Ltd

I have been in contact with a film production company, & have been discussing the differences between the usage of Maya & Cinema4D.

After watching this eye-opening sample of using Cinema4D Historical Reconstruction | Chat Noir Productions Ltd, I followed up with further research for answers/viewpoints from other users. I will post links.

VIMEO

Introduced a tad more to VIMEO & have now registered!

MAYA

Autodesk Maya: "Create breathtaking 3D with production-proven tools for 3D animation, modelling, visual effects and rendering" 
After umpteen failed attempts this last couple of weeks, I have now downloaded the free Education software package of Maya. I was introduced to this extremely extensive piece of software in my Friday afternoon sessions with Simon. My objective now, is to grasp the basics further & then continue to develop my skills to produce a reel, showing cloth dynamics; profficient in 'ncloth' is my goal.

My Google searches for research into cloth dynamics & 'ncloth' using Maya, has shown various links & short video's, which has led to extending my search keywords to include 'cloth simulator'. I came across this video by recent graduate of Anglia Ruskin University, & it has helped me focus on my initial objective; to utilise & build upon my knowledge in fashion. Enjoy...


NCLOTH SHOWREEL SPRING 2012 from Henry Watson on Vimeo.

Mixamo

Simon & Ian showed us Mixamo in this afternoon's session; I have registered.


This is an online software programme to help with 'free' rigging, which illustrates how easy my designs could be presented on a model, & shown with movement. Pretty impressive, although this has definitely confirmed that I have lost the 'fashion design' focus in my projects.....

Keyboards are for typing not cutting! | Chat Noir Productions Ltd

Keyboards are for typing not cutting! | Chat Noir Productions Ltd

Interesting point of view, although from a 'filmer' point of view, is to think the UI for Photoshop may actually transpire to be touchscreen!

ELLE Sketched Faces

Not quite Games - but worth looking at for sketching & the development of facial/make-up for my characters:

ELLE.uk.com

WIGI Notes on Facebook

Looked at this - helpful to know, but not much to assist me: WIGI

Pink Moth

Pics of the Pink Moth

Email

Had a lovely e-mail back from a new contact - apart from the cold :( & wow, we have such a similar agenda - exciting. We speak on Friday & I can imagine I will glean so much information but am hoping I can offer snippets of help too :) Best get back to my mindmapping & questionnaire!

Waiting to hear back from another Games Industry insider contact today, but still got others to locate & contact - both here & abroad!

WIGJ

Had another lovely chat with Aurelie at Women In Games Jobs today, following up with an email to Gina Jackson, CEO & see what help & information I can obtain. I have also asked if there are any new developments, or discussions current to today!

Art of Guerra

Watched this today: Art of Guerra Sketching video link of digital sketching on Facebook

"I've been asked many times by many of you on this page that you would like to be able to watch me draw. Well seeing that I've taken to draw digitally more often than I normally would. I thought I'd record this little video to show you how I work. I'll do more of these in the future with my voice explaining what I'm doing." Art of Guerra

Art of Guerra FB

Art of Guerra FB

1 of my fellow students follows this Games Artist, & although I may not like all his work, or rather not all my style, I think I can learn from his sketches; they show technique, development & a process.

"A little experimentation." Art of Guerra

"Doing some doodling of some of characters I have for a future comic." Art of Guerra

"Some quick gestures." Art of Guerra

"I was playing around with trying different exaggerated body types." Art of Guerra

"These are some quick studies from reference. Some were a few minutes and the last 20 minutes. I'm going to be doing more of these, probably twice a week. I feel like I have to work on many of weaknesses. But from that I can only improve."  Art of Guerra

"This a random doodle. I was letting my brain drift and it sort of settled on this image. I think I may at some point do some more studies and make this into a digital painting." Art of Guerra

"A doodle that I did in between inking pages of Super Corporate Heroes." Art of Guerra

test pic from Frocked Pinterest

399164_407050419348895_8017644_n.jpg (500×500)

WIGI Nov 2012 Newsletter - FB

Read the Women in In Games International Nov 12 Newsletter, & although it would be interesting to visit & learn more on the topic of the image of women portrayed in Games, I realise my Dissertation is on 'Women in the Work Place', & my time would be better tailored to this topic.

"GDC 2013 news! WIGI is in the second proposal phase for a GDC 2013 panel session featuring the results of the Healthy Media Commission on Positive Images of Women and Girls in the Media. If all goes well, Healthy Media will be the WIGI theme for GDC 2013."

Women in Games International (wigi) Nov '12 Newsletter