Dead Space - ISSAC - Talk at PAX 2012

these guys were doing a talk on the design and production of their release DS2 in May and the art director was going over design, architecture, lighting and the character design and as a surprise the sketch was on the screen and the character walked out into audience. It was a total surprise to viewers and pretty amazing. I was in 2nd row because of a fluke in the line order wrapping around. I learned so much during this talk.
They were the coolest game company at the show and gave out art books from their DS and they answered questions, met with all fans. This is a game team that works to keep customers happy. Is this heard of today? Oh the other game company that takes good care of the peeps is Harmonix! Love em.

Braid, great Indie Game

Download and play a demo level from a site such as GameSpot. Answer the following questions, and provide screenshots to demonstrate your responses: 

What are the level's "affordances"? 

I downloaded the indie game “Braid” demo off of STEAM.  Actually I ended up buyin it.

In the game there were objects that were affordances and they conveyed their use to me during the gameplay.

• There were puzzle pieces in the platformer that were placed about the game.  I knew that I needed to go to the outlines of the puzzle pieces to obtain the pieces of the puzzle shapes. 
• There are mechanisms such as a gears that it is clear you need to pull on to move a plank. 
• There were objects such as door shapes that lead to other levels. 
• There was a key that fit a locked door I had in the level. 
• Affordance means is a design term that means an object should convey or communicate it’s use.  In gaming that means that it should be obvious what a weapon or tool is made for during the gameplay.
• As a player I used the objects, mechanism and shapes to reach areas that I was unable to reach any other way. Objects that were affordances also worked together to show me the path of the gameplay.

Great assignment, gave me a chance to take an objective look at the affordances in a new game.

Did I like the game Braid? Oh yes, it has a wonderful especially the feature of turning back time when you make a mistake.  It is amazing. I saw "THe Indie Game" movie documentary (Sundance award winner)  so I was excited to do the demo. http://buy.indiegamethemovie.com/