Game Design Jam

Just passing along an upcoming opportunity for those who are interested in educational games and game design on campus.

Game Design Jam! Game Design Jam! Game Design Jam!

Wednesday, April 2, 7:00pm-10:00pm 2435 North Quad

Gamers Wanted!!!

Are you a video game addict? Game designer? Or both? Have you been frustrated by game play, poor plot points, or lack of action in educational games?  Have you ever envisioned the perfect game? 

The waiting is over! We intend to do exactly that and we want YOUR input on what the perfect game looks, plays, and feels like! 

On April 2nd you can:

- Contribute to the creation of the ULTIMATE educational game!

- Meet and talk with other gamers who share your passion 

- Have fun playing games as they are played in different countries around the world.

- Pig out on beverages and snack. 

All you have to bring is your IMAGINATION!!!

Sponsored by the Language Resource Center.

MUSPERF 300: Video Game Music (Fall 2014)

Just wanted to spread the word about a game-related music class being taught again in the Fall.

MUSPERF 300: Video Game Music

This course charts the evolution of video game music from the first synthesized “bleeps” and “bloops” of early games, through the rise and fall of the video arcade, to the nearly ubiquitous games/consoles found in most households, and the latest craze-causing games on mobile devices.  

In-class discussions will provide methods for simple analysis of game audio, consider the interactive nature of game audio, and examine the composers who create this music and how they do it.  Class sessions will also include Skype Q&As with industry experts.  In lieu of formal written papers, your contribution to a listening blog will create a vibrant online community.  The course culminates with a creative final project: your composition of video game music.  

Examined music includes games/series: Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Punch Out, Super Mario Bros, Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Myst, Diablo, BioShock, Red Dead Redemption, Farmville, Angry Birds, DDR, Guitar Hero, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and many others, as well as game music of class choice.  

This course is designed for non-music majors, thus: the ability to read standard music notation is neither required nor advantageous.  

Special Note: This course qualifies as intellectual breadth credit for engineers.

Tues/Thurs.  Central Campus: Chem 1300.  2 credits.  
For more information contact Matthew Thompson: mattthom@umich.edu

2014 NPHC Step Show: Game Over

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC's) Step Show fundraiser for this year will be entitled "Game Over" and will feature each of the chapters in the NPHC performing their rendition of various video games.

Each year, the NPHC Step Show is a highly anticipated event, in which chapter's practice for months to participate in because it is the NPHC's largest fund raiser. Tickets will be on sale in March. Check out "Game Over" on Facebook and be on the lookout for more promotion by the council!

This year's show will take place on Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Power Center for Performing Arts.

Top Games Played During the Month of February 2014

Here are the most popular games for the month of February. Xbox One is still on the list, but the Playstation 4 hasn't quite gained the popularity to bring it to the top, probably because we just got it.

It will be interesting to see how Nintendo's recent news about discontinuing online play for the Wii and DS will affect the leaderboard, if at all.

1. FIFA 14 (Xbox 360)
2. Halo 4 (Xbox 360)
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Xbox 360)
4. (tie) Call of Duty: Ghosts (Xbox One)
4. (tie) FIFA Soccer 13 (Xbox 360)
6. Super Smash Bros. Melee (Gamecube)
7. Grand Theft Auto V (PS3)
8. (tie) Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)
8. (tie) NCAA Football 14 (Xbox 360)
10. Mario Kart Wii