A Bit Lucky’s latest title was released at the end of last month and is aimed squarely at the hardcore gaming market, so much so that its developers describe it as “complex and overwhelming”. The difference here is Lucky Space is a Facebook game, a format associated with farming simulations and casual play.
Here, CEO Frederick Deschamps discusses the challenges, the early response and the search for hardcore gamers on Facebook, how to engage them, why he’s prepared to target a niche, and the problems with inflated data.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
In this final video from the GamesIndustry.biz Career Fair we go back to looking at the issues of getting a career started in the games business. Joining moderator Johnny Minkley is Paulina Bozek, formerly of SingStar and now heading her own company Inensu, as well as Sean Murray, co-founder of Joe Danger studio Hello Games. From the academic side we have William Latham from Goldsmiths University in London, and also Imre Jele, co-founder of social games company Bossa Studios.
Answering questions from the attendees, the mismatch between the realities of working in the games business and what’s being taught on University courses, understanding a company before you apply for work there and the importance of a personal touch, the value of education and post graduate courses, as well as detailed portfolio advice.
More GI Career Fair videos can be found by following the links: Search for a Star, QA and Production, Art and Animation, Games Design, Programming and Careers and Education.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
The latest video from the GamesIndustry.biz Career Fair focuses on the Search for a Star competition – an annual event aimed at final year students to help them find a programming job in the games industry, organised in conjunction with recruitment firm Aardvark Swift.
The competition replicates the recruitment process and includes professional advice from Lizi Attwood, lead programmer at Relentless, and Greg Booker, technical director for Headstrong Games. Here they discuss the technical requirements that helps them filter out the first of the 90-plus participants, details of the written test and common mistakes, the code-writing process which involves bug fixing and adding particular features, and finally the panel interview which includes technical coding questions.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
O-Games, a subsidiary of OG International, has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft over the unreleased console game Get Up And Dance.
The publisher is seeking a declaratory judgement against Ubisoft to say that Get Up And Dance does not infringe copyright or trade dress rights relating to Ubisoft’s Just Dance franchise.
“Get Up And Dance is a creative, innovative and fun dance and fitness game,” said Jim Scott, CEO of OG International Ltd.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
New data released by mobile analyst firm Xyologic shows Android app downloads eclipsing iOS by May 2013.
As of Spetember 2011, Apple still led the app market with 1.45 billion dowloads versus 640 million on Android. But Google’s OS is growing at a much faster rate, and already outperforming iOS in a number of countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Portugal.
“Regardless of how good the upcoming iPhone is and how well-received it will be by consumers, Apple will soon have to concede some of their key marketing arguments with the public, as well as with the app publishers, to the Android juggernaut,” the report states.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
Ofcom is investigating ITV’s mistaken use of footage from the Arma 2 videogame, presenting it as an IRA film from 1988.
According to the Guardian, the broadcasting watchdog is examining the incident to decide if it breaks broadcasting codes.
The video was presented during current affairs programme Exposure as real footage showing the IRA using weapons provided by Muammar Gaddafi.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
Harriet Harman, Labour’s deputy leader, has become the shadow minister for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, in opposition to Ed Vaizey.
Tom Watson, a vocal supporter of gaming and the games industry, has been promoted to deputy party chair and campaign co-ordinator, largely as a result of his prominent role in the News International phone hacking scandal.
Promising Labour Party hopeful Chuka Umunna takes responsibility for the shadow brief of Business, Innovation and Skills, another role with potential influence on the games industry.
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
Independent development studio Mobile Pie has signed up for Tapjoy’s Android Fund to bring its successful iOS title, My Star, to Android devices.
“Android owners need My Star in their life and we’re delighted that Tapjoy is working with us to make that happen by backing and promoting it,” said Will Luton, creative director at Mobile Pie.
“These guys know their biz when it comes to mobile promotion and acquisition. They’re the big dogs.”
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Source: GamesIndustry.biz – News
