Game Related Articles

http://www.bogost.com/writing/how_the_video-game_industry_al.shtml

How the Video-Game Industry Already Lost Out in the Gun-Control Debate

IAN BOGOST JAN 11 2013, 8:32 AM ET

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/184564/Opinion_Meeting_with_Biden_is_a_mistake_for_the_game_industry.php

Opinion: Meeting with Biden is a mistake for the game industry

January 9, 2013 By Kris Graft

Vice President Joe Biden was reaching out to so-called “game industry leaders.” They had thought that it could have been to do with Biden’s office learning about art and craft of video games or what the industry can do for the country’s economy. But in actual fact, it was to find out what will the leaders of the game industry do to help reduce the occurrence of mass shootings in America?

The vice president is saying that the game industry is a part of the problem, as if people are playing games and taking it upon themselves to commit shootings. ‘In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, Biden wants "concrete proposals" from game industry leaders on how to help alleviate the death and destruction brought on by the use of firearms in mass killings.’ They are asking the games industry to give them a solution to shootings in America. I don’t think people are going out and killing people of an entertainment product. I think that the games industry is an easy target because there are lots of violent games and people seem to think that it will twist our minds. I believe that games aren’t the cause of the shootings; the people who commit these murders have never said that it is because of a game. Investigators have found that they played games and make the link as it is an easy one to make. The case with most of the shootings, is because the person committing these has a mental disability.

‘So now I read in Reuters a confirmation that representatives for the video game industry are meeting with Biden and his task force, right alongside the good ol' National Rifle Association. (UPDATE: The ESA confirmed with us that its CEO Mike Gallagher will be taking part in the talks on Friday.) You, video game developer, and your work, represented right alongside the powerful gun lobby -- a group that, in the wake of Sandy Hook, proposed to put more guns in schools. A group that said you're all part of a "shadow industry." Lovely company, right? Well, here we are.’

The problem isn’t an entertainment product, but those products that cause the problem, firearms. The companies are pushing for people to buy guns as self-defence, which can only increase the risk of death.

‘This week I read that Walmart, retailer of mac and cheese, bologna, and semi-automatic weapons, was refusing to meet with Biden about gun control. At least Walmart had the guts to refuse to meet with Biden. You know why they refused to meet? Because by entertaining Biden's inquiry for "concrete proposals" to curb gun violence, the gun-toting Walmart knew that in a way, it would be admitting guilt and accepting responsibility for mass shootings. It wasn't until pressure from the media that Walmart caved and said "Ok, we'll meet." But Walmart obviously understood the implications of attending this meeting.’

Walmart refusing to attend the meeting showed that they didn’t believe that they were in any way part of the mass problem. They are not the cause of these crimes, but having a store that allows you to access firearms in such a normal location isn’t what should be done. The game industry attended I think, to be seen as wanting to help change rather than admitting to fault of these crimes.  The games industry meeting with Biden I think was a bad idea because it’s not their fault if someone commits a crime. It makes them look guilty, which Walmart didn’t want. As it says in the written piece ‘Mental health advocates should be there -- they can offer their expertise on how to prevent maniacs from going on shooting sprees.’ I believe that the games industry leaders being there makes it look like they could have done something different to stop the shootings, when the people who end up committing them, do have mental problems.

These two posts are very similar to each other as they both seem to agree with each other on the subject. They both make the same points and I agree with the points being made.

Essay

Matteo Sardu

Interactive media and game arts

I have looked into different artists in the area I aim to develop my skills in. I have been looking at computer 3D modelling because this is what I intend to fulfil as a career. I have researched 3D modellers and historical artist to help me understand the field better.

I have looked at Sean McDonald who is a 3D modeller who creates vehicles for turn 10’s Forza series. I looked at three designers; Ettore Bugatti, Dante Giacosa and Giorgetto Giugiaro. These designers have been influences to many in the car design field. I also looked at one of the more famous designers in automotive design, Pininfarina. I looked at these artists because I have an interest in cars and 3D design and these artists all link together as the final result of car design, is a 3D model. I want to develop my skills so I can create 3D models for games or concept pieces of vehicles.

The first artist I looked into was Sean McDonald. He is a 3D modeller who works for turn 10 studios who create the Forza series, a racing game. He creates models of cars for the Forza series and for personal development. http://sm3d.net/

He creates highly realistic models with low polys so that his creations are able to be implemented into a game such as the Forza series. He is creating this kind of work because he had an interest in cars and when he got into 3D modelling, he wanted to create cars and then he developed his skills so he was able to create what he had an interest in. Once he developed the skill to create models, he continued to create cars and then started working for Microsoft’s subdivision, Turn 10.

I feel that he was creating models of vehicles he liked so that helped him enjoy the creations and the development of his skills. His work interested me because of the high quality he models of vehicles he created. This has interested me because I would like to create models like this as I have an interest for cars and 3D modelling.

Along with 3D modellers, I have looked at historical car designers who have developed some of the most classic vehicles. One of these designers is Ettore Bugatti. Ettore Bugatti was an automobile designer who created basic vehicles and race vehicles. Bugatti started out by building bicycles and eventually moved on to creating vehicles. Bugatti was the creator of road cars and Bugatti’s most successful race car, the type 35. I decided to research Ettore Bugatti further after researching designers in the library. He was working for small companies and then later himself to create Bugatti’s must successful race car.

The type 35 was Bugatti’s most iconic car from the original factory in 1923. The Type 35 was impressively successful, winning over 1,000 races in its time. It took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926 after winning 351 races and setting 47 records in the two prior years. At its height, Type 35s averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Type_35

Bugatti Type 35

Bugatti was an avid racer and a great car designer. He wanted to compete in championships and win with his machinery. He wanted to give the public a vehicle which was as close to a race car as possible. The success of Bugatti meant that they sold 2000 of the type 13 and then later developing the type 35 which worked as well on the track as it did on the road.

Bugatti type 13

They were creating luxurious cars and highly successful race cars until the Second World War which left Bugatti to close before they became bankrupt. The research I carried out on Bugatti has interested me because we know Bugatti mainly for the famous Veyron. But Bugatti has a rich history in design of the mechanical and aesthetical. He tried different things for his cars like passing the springs through the front axle rather than simply U-bolting them together. I feel that Bugatti has been a stand out point in history for automotive design and could have inspired many designers to create what is around today.

From all the research I have carried out, Pininfarina has been one of the largest automotive design companies in the world. They have designed for many car companies as well as designing home features and architecture. They are most notably linked with Ferrari, regarded as the pinnacle of motoring industry. The company was created in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina. The Pininfarina has also been employed by Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Fiat, GM, Lancia and Maserati. The pininfarina name is well known in the design industry. Pininfarina was run by Battista's son Sergio Pininfarina until 2001, then his grandson Andrea Pininfarina until his death in 2008. After Andrea's death his younger brother Paolo Pininfarina was appointed as CEO.

During the 1930s they built bodies for Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Cadillac and Rolls-Royce as coach builders. Up until WW2 they were a successful company. When WW2 ended, Pininfarina was banned from the Paris motor show in 1946, as they were banned from taking part in the event, they drove two cars down to the event and parked the cars outside and it was a success. This determination to not be left out of the event kept Pininfarina in the public eye.

Up until 1951, they were working with the American market. In 1951, Pininfarina came into contact at a restaurant in Tortona, a small town halfway between Turin and Modena. This neutral territory was chosen because neither Pininfarina nor Enzo Ferrari wanted to meet at the other's headquarters. This was the start of an extremely well known partnership in motoring and design industry. Their designs have always been different and moving the design forward, Ferrari’s newest concept was created in collaboration with pininfarina which was dedicated to Sergio farina. The car was called Ferrari Sergio and was part of a limited concept series. The inspiration for this was the car Sergio farina designed in 1965, the dino berlinetta special.

The main thing that connects the artist I have chosen to research, is that they all have a link with automotive design. I have looked at historical artists who have design cars for the road and the track. The 3D designers I have looked at have created cars for games, cars which some of these designers have actually created and have ended up in games. The techniques to create the different creation have changed so much through history. The car designers would have started with pencil and paper, compared to working with digital programs to create cars for games or for development of real road cars.

The work of Farina and Bugatti are very different due to the times they were manufactured. This being said, they are similar as they both seem to come up with innovative designs to help the development of the motoring industry. They both aimed to create cars that were style that gives there cars a sporty style. As they have links with racing and road cars, they both create stream lined/sporty cars within their respective release dates. They have created designs that have influenced others to create work in the same way, although they might be from a later date, these past designs work as a tribute from future designs.

The designs from these creators have inspired others to replicate these designs for other to admire in the form of a game. some of the designs from these designers have been re-created so others can enjoy them, as some of the cars produced, are known to be rare. When cars designed by highly profile names are created and put into a game for others to play, that allows others to enjoy and appreciate the work of those in the past.

The designers who are associated with the Forza franchise such as Sean McDonald, are given the responsibility to recreate the designs which are well known to fans of cars and there designs. The designers work to the finest detail by taking hundreds of reference photos of the cars to ensure they create them to the highest detail. They get given access to some cars that are in museums, which means, they only have a short amount of time to ensure they have what they need to recreate something which is special to others. When cars that are special are recreated, they have to make sure that the detail is captured highly as people would know how their favourite vehicle looks. The designers have been able to capture the lines and a every point of the car due to advances in technology.

After looking at these very different artists, I understand that the design styles and techniques have developed so much. The design style have evolved through time and have been the pinnacle of design from the car designers. These car designers have influenced artists such as Sen McDonald to create something he has a passion for on a 3D software which can be used in a game for others to enjoy. These designers have in a way, inspired each other to create. They all have a love for automotive design, which is why they have created these designs or models.

I feel that the 3D modelling field is something I want to advance into because, like Sean McDonald, I have a love for design. I enjoy the cars of past and present and it is something I would want to create. I understand that the 3D field is something that you must have a drive for as it takes time from what Sean McDonald has said.

I want to create high quality 3D models like Sean McDonald, his work is impressive and it makes me want to recreate the designs, so of these historical designers have created. I want to be able to create high detailed models of vehicles these designers have made, this is something that has always been a passion of mine and I hope I can influence others, just like these artist have inspired me and others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pininfarina

Historical artist research

For this session, I was in the library looking for related artists to research.

I looked at 'Icons of design the 20th century'

Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti

15^th September 1881 – 21^st August 1947

Ettore Bugatti began his career by designing engines and vehicles for other companies. He designed a Type 1 in 1898 which was produced by Prinetti & Stucchi.

In 1901, Bugatti had designed the Type 2, which won an award at the Milan Automobile Exhibition. This gained interest of Dietrich and from 1902 through to 1904, they produced the Type 3, 4, 5, 6 and Type 7 under the Dietrich-Bugatti name.

He was later employed by Deutz Gasmotoren Fabrik, where he designed the Type 8 and Type 9. Bugatti later designed the Type 10 and built it in the basement of his house. In 1913, Bugatti designed for Peugeot, the Type 19.

Giorgetto Giugiaro

Giorgetto Giugiaro was born 7^th August 1938. He is an Italian automobile designer. He has worked on supercars and popular everyday vehicles.

Giugiaro was named Car Designer of the Century 1999 and inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2002.

In addition to cars, Giugiaro has designed camera bodies for Nikon, computer prototypes for Apple and even developed a new pasta shape "Marille", as well as office furniture for Okamura Corporation.

He was well-known initially for such luxurious efforts as the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta Bertone, De Tomaso Mangusta, Iso Grifo and Maserati Ghibli. Giugiaro switched courses to introduce the highly angular "folded paper" era of the 1970s. Straight lined designs such as the BMW M1, Maserati Bora, and Maserati Merak followed before a softer approach returned in the Lamborghini Cala, Maserati Spyder, and Ferrari GG50.

Some of Giugiaros most notable designs are:

Alfa Romeo Brera (2002)

BMW M1 (1977)

Bugatti EB 118 (1998) & EB 218 (1999)

DeLorean DMC-12

Ford Mustang concept (1966)

Giugiaro Ford Mustang (2006)

Lancia Delta (1979) Which he won the 1980 car of the year

Lotus Esprit (1972)

Maserati Ghibli (1966)

Artist research

History of Battista "Pinin" Farina

At age 11 he began working in his brother Giovanni's bodyshop, the "Stabilimenti Farina". During the First World War he personally supervised the construction of the "Aviatic" trainer planes, for which he received a commendation from the Office of Military Aviation.

In 1920, he went to the United States to see America and judge first hand the great developments in that country. In Detroit he met with Henry Ford, who asked him to stay in America and work for Ford Motor Company, but Pininfarina preferred to return to Italy. However, this American visit was of great value, not so much for new technological information as for the glimpse of the enthusiasm that private enterprise instilled in the American people. The feverish pace of the American life impressed him and encouraged him to take up the challenge of his lifetime.

In 1930, he left "Stabilimenti Farina" and founded ''Carrozzeria Pinin Farina".

His plan was to build special car bodies, but he aimed at eventually expanding beyond the level of manual craftsmanship. He wanted to transform car body manufacturing into an independent industry, giving employment to increasing numbers of people. With this in mind, he equipped the factory with new industrial tools and procedures. In brief time he had assembled a production line able to turn out small series of vehicles at a rythm of 7/8 vehicles per day.

Even before the Second World War, his plant in Corso Trapani had produced car bodies of revolutionary design, prefiguring the lines automobiles would have in the future. Before the war Pininfarina had established contacts with foreign car companies: General Motors sought his cooperation as did Renault. The war interrupted these contacts.

After the war, Pininfarina designed and produced, among other things, the 1946 "Cisitalia" shown in the Museum of Modern Art in New York as "one of the eight outstanding cars of our time". It was defined as the best expression of simplicity and beauty of design in the automotive field. It set the standards for the post-war era automobile. Twenty years later, the Museum of Modern Art in New York would present another Pininfarina vehicle, the "Sigma", a prototype of safety car that would receive praise world-wide and especially in the United States.

In 1961, after 50 years of activity, Pininfarina turned over the direction of the firm to his son, Sergio, and his son-in-law, Renzo Carli. This change, nonetheless, assured the continuation of Pinin's work, since they took place as designers as well as industrial managers.

http://www.pininfarina.com/en/company/history

Techniques

The techniques used to create the original design was created with pencil and paper. the design would be laid out with mathematics to ensure the design had 

Impact on Industry

Paolo Pininfarina

“A good design cannot exist if it is not practical, and perfect functionality cannot be achieved without perfect form”

Pininfarina has always drawn inspiration from the values of creativity and innovation, without forgetting the strength of tradition.

http://www.snaidero.com/paolo-pininfarina

They were always revolutionising the design of motor vehicles. They would make the cars look like they were from the future, they always wanted to be seen a making steps in the industry, so they were always ahead of other designers throughout the years. They gained contacts from many different manufacturers and non vehicle companies which made them completely different from other automobile design companies. They moved into different areas of design, giving them a better opportunity for more design possibilities.

http://italychronicles.com/sergio-pininfarina-creator-legends/

Pininfarina interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBRip4l4-u8

History of the company

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pininfarina

Pininfarina is an independent Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy. It was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930.

Pininfarina has employed by a wide variety of manufactures to design vehicles. These firms have included long-established customers such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Fiat, GM, Lancia, and Maserati, to emerging companies in the Asian market with Chinese manufactures like AviChina, Chery, Changfeng, Brilliance, and JAC.

Since the 1980s Pininfarina has also designed high-speed trains, buses, trams, rolling stocks, automated light rail cars, people movers, yachts, airplanes, and private jets. With the 1986 creation of Pininfarina Extra they have consulted on industrial design, interior design, architecture, and graphic design.

Pininfarina was run by Battista's son Sergio Pininfarina until 2001, then his grandson Andrea Pininfarina until his death in 2008. After Andrea's death his younger brother Paolo Pininfarina was appointed as CEO.

At its height in 2006 the Pininfarina Group employed 2,768 people with subsidiary company offices throughout Europe, as well as in Morocco and the United States. As of 2012 with the end of series automotive production, employment has shrunk to 821. Pininfarina is registered and publicly traded on the Borsa Italiana (Milan Stock Exchange).

Video game analysis

https://s3.amazonaws.com/launchgram/static/img/RelatedProductImages/grand-theft-auto-v/grand-theft-auto-5-screenshot-11.jpeg

This piece of concept art was created by Rockstar Studios for Grand Theft Auto 5. This is the official pest control art work which was released in January 2013 before the games release which was the 17th September 2013. This game is an action adventure game which is open world and consists of role playing and crime. The target audience for this game is old teenagers/young adults gamers.

In this piece of concept art, we see two characters in orange appearing from a van. You are instantly drawn in by the colours and the composition of the characters. They are in the center of the image, so they are the first thing we are attracted to. The depth of field shows the buildings at a diagonal angle to a vanishing point. There is a plane at the top of the image with vapor trails to help it stand out in the image and allowing you to know that the game will be set in the modern time. This piece has a natural look to it as in terms of depth in the image. The image has high detail in the forefront of the image and the background pieces become very basic and flat.

The colours used in this piece are quite calm, pale tan, light blue sky. The image has calm colours but it is an image where something will happen that will be violent due to the guns being held. This could be done on purpose to make the environment look nice, but the people aren't. A lot of the same colours are used through out the image and this makes it easy on the eye as there is not a lot of different colours being used.

This game has been set in the current time taking influence from Los Ageles. Although it is not easy to depict from this image, it has similar street lamps to those in Hollywood.

This game is ahown as a violent game as the characters visible in this piece are holding weapons. They are dressed in pest control suits as they are appearing from a pest control van. This image shows use that the game will involve you commit crimes in possible undercover situations.

I feel that this image is a well created image as it uses calm colours with characters holding guns creating a contrast in the image. This piece makes you wonder what they are going to do, are they taking on a large heist or a small robbery. I think this creates excitement as you don't know what is going to happen and could such a scene feature in the game itself.

Task 3 - 3D artist

Pagani Zonda created by Sean McDonald

I have chosen Sean McDonald because he creates high poly models for the Forza Motorsport franchise. He inspires me because I want to be able to create high poly models and possibly gain career working at the turn 10 studios.  

Task 2 - Specialism

I would like my specialism to be 3D as it is something that excites me and something I enjoy doing.

Sean McDonald Is a 3D artist who works at Tun 10 studios. He creates high poly car models for the Forza Motorsport franchise. He inspires me, because I aim to be able to create high poly vehicles as a possible career.

I feel that to be successful in this specialism, you need to be able to create high poly models. I also think you need to have an understanding lighting and texturing. I feel that you need to have an understanding about how the mesh would work on objects just by looking at they. I think once you have an instant understanding for how the mesh works, you can become successful in this in this area.

Task 1 - Research

Library

I feel that the library is a good place to find historical as well as present research on art and artists them selves. Although it hold a lot of different types of resources, I feel that it can some times lack the information you might some times need. Researching in a library takes time as you need to find a certain piece of information yourself. I would prefer to use the internet over the library to find information and art or and artist.

The museum/Art gallery

The museum or the art gallery is a great place to be able to look at pieces of art from a close distant. I feel that this allows you to see what techniques the artist has used and you are also able to examine the the colours and shading greater.  

The internet

The internet seems to be the best place for information as it is instant and can provide you with so many different pieces of information. The internet is something that is easy to use and you can examine different pieces of information at the same time. Although you are exposed to so many pieces of information, some things on the internet can be wrong, so books can provide a greater knowledge.