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Divercast Ep. 8: Video Game Gun Myths and Diversity in Games

12/15/2014

Welcome to the final episode of Diver-cast for 2014! Can you believe it? In this episode Juan, Andrew and I took a trip down to the Los Angeles Gun Club and got to fire a few guns. We discuss some of the big differences between the portrayal of guns in movies/games and reality.

With recent fan reaction over the new Force Awakens trailer, we discuss diversity in video games and the Star Wars universe.

So sit back, relax and get ready for another Divercast!

Divercast Ep.8: Video Game Gun Myths by Divercast on Mixcloud

Special thanks to the LA Gun Club for educating us on proper, safe gun use.

Do you have questions, comment or concerns? Email us at deepdigitaldesign@gmail.com
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- Danny Q
@Dannylv100

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Freeze-E Frosty's : Developer Commentary - Level 3

12/10/2014

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Welcome to the third installment of Freeze-E Frosty's - Developer Commentary. In this video series I will go behind the scenes of the third level of Freeze-E Frosty and share with you my design process.

Freeze-E Frosty's Developer Commentary - Level 3 from Danny Quesada on Vimeo.

Further Notes: Level 3

- This level was the most test played section in the entire game.
- This section features over 815 kismet sequences.
- Sections from the main menu area can be seen in the background of the first phase of the boss fight.
- The boss fight was all scripted inside of kismet through matinees.
- The hit points for the boss had to be tweaked constantly. Some play testers could not even freeze him once before dying.
- Originally, when you died during the boss fight you would have to start over from the start of the level. We decided to make it easier by allowing you to start off from when you died.
- Originally, when defeated the T-rex would explode.

- Danny Q
@Dannylv100

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Indie Arcade: Last Chance Super Market

12/1/2014

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Attention Shoppers

Welcome to a special edition of Indie Arcade! This month is December and to celebrate I decided to talk about a game that focuses on the the less cheerful aspects of the season. I am of course talking about last minute holiday shopping.

And wouldn't you know, I stumbled upon a game that captures the horror perfectly. This month I am going to be talking about The Last Chance Supermarket.

Premise

Last Chance Supermarket is a game that simulates the stress and panic of last minute holiday shopping. In first person!

   Players are given a list of items they need to collect. Items such as Orange Juice, Toy Robots, Printers, cook books and Wreaths.

   Once all of your items are collected, you must make your way to the register to pay. This is no easy task, there are other shoppers who are also trying to do their last minute shopping. One wrong move will lead to a fatal collision that will ensure that your family will have a very cold winter.

Art and Design

The supermarket is mostly gray and sterile. This however makes spotting the items you need a bit easier, as they are all brightly colored and set on a gray shelves. Your list is also kind of blends in with the background, not a major issue but it might have been a little better if it was another color.

You run at set speed, you are always running. There are no brakes to your human powered shopping cart. You must steer it with absolute precision to avoid crashing into the walls, shelves and other shoppers. One wrong move and you get into a violent crash that sends everything flying and you to an early grave.

Trying to grab all the items on your list while avoiding shoppers and obstacles becomes a balancing act. If you focus too much on simply grabbing your items you will undoubtedly run into a shopper that takes the corner too quickly.

You are being timed, but you are not punished for taking too long, You need to attempt to avoid grabbing items that are not on your list. Your list varies up a bit with every play through. You will have to work quickly as other shoppers might snatch up something you need. If you make it to the check out line you will be shown a completion screen that will tell you just how good you did.

Cons

I already mentioned some of the weaker aspects of the game, but aside from that there are no real cons. The challenge comes from avoiding the other shoppers and trying to do it in the fastest time possible.

The only suggestion I could think of is, adding those mirrors that they hang in the corner of super markets. Adding some of those in this game would allow for the player to see what is around the corner. This will help avoid cheap deaths.

Closing Time

The Holidays are here and it is time to relax with friends and loved ones. For me, that means appreciating the people in my life. It also means having a lot of free time on my hands because everyone around me is on vacation. If you find yourself in that situation, be sure to check out Last Chance Supermarket so you can help pass the time.

Happy Holidays.