Showing posts with label video games at school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video games at school. Show all posts

Video Game Song wins a Grammy



http://www.christophertin.com

Last sunday night, February 13, composer Christopher Tin made video game history, becoming the first composer to win a Grammy Award for a song composed for a game.
Tin took home the 'Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)' at the 53rd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for his composition Baba Yetu, the opening track from Sid Meier's Civilization IV. 


Screen Shot Civilization IV video game

Tin also won the Grammy for 'Best Classical Crossover Album' for his debut album, Calling All Dawns, which also features the song "Baba Yetu."


Screen Shot Civilization IV video game

http://image.gamespotcdn.net

The opening song Baba Yetu (feat. Soweto Gospel Choir) is well known to video game fans as the theme song to the popular game Civilization IV. 

Originally written for the game, it has since become a crossover hit outside of the video game industry, and has received close to 1000 live concert performances both from local and professional choirs, and as a staple of the Video Games Live concert tour. 

Check out the song below.



The award is for the song as written for Tin's album Calling All Dawns, but the song was written for the opening credits of Civilization IV, which was released in 2005. That makes Baba Yetu the first video game song to ever win a Grammy.
The song has also enjoyed a place in the Video Games Live show. "The fact that this song has had a life outside of the game is owed almost entirely to Video Games Live. They were the first to bring this music to concert stages around the world and to places I had never dreamed possible," composer Christopher Tin stated.
Check out the song's official video and performance at Video Games Live


Christopher Tin is primarily a composer for film, video games and advertising. 'Calling All Dawns' is his first album.











A native Californian, Tin studied music at Stanford and Oxford universities before launching his career in film, television, advertising, and video game composition.

Education:

  •  Civics, World History curricula
Others: Helping focus on strategy; concentration

  • Music curriculum
Goal: Motivating for music composition

  • Special needs education: cross curriculum




G-Souto
16.02.2011
Copyright © 2010G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com® 

References:

Cristopher Tin's webpage
http://www.christophertin.com
Sid Meier's Civilzation IV
http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/
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Michael Jackson at Ubisoft



Electronic Entertainment Expo
Photo: Mario Anzuoni 
http://blogs.reuters.com

With the first anniversary of the dead of Michael Jackson gamers amd fans will have a new opportunity to moonwalk, dance and sing along with The King of Pop.

Ubisoft® announced June 14, 2010, at the E3 Expo 2010, in Los Angeles, the development of an interactive performance-based video game, inspired by the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson.  The game is family entertainment at its best and will provide an interactive experience that enables players to step into the shoes of Michael Jackson himself and re-live his most iconic performances through their own singing and dancing.  


Michael Jackson, the game

The upcoming game will include the most famous tracks from Michael Jackson's extensive catalogue such as Beat It and Billie Jean, as well as an array of his awe-inspiring dance moves for players to learn and emulate within the game. 

Additionally, fans will be able to sing along and test their vocal skills while immersed in the performance.

(...)





"We're delighted to have the opportunity to develop a game based on the songs and moves of one of the world's most incredible performers of all time," said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. "We expect the game to bring Michael Jackson fans, families and friends together with the energetic song and dance of The King of Pop." Read more ...



The game will be available for "Project Natal" for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 system with PlayStation®Move support, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo's Wii&tm; system and Nintendo DS&tm; handheld system, for holiday 2010.



G-Souto
25.06.2010
Copyright © 2010G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

References:


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Vizati a portuguese videogame



Vizati 
Portuguese Different Pixel

A Different Pixel (Portugal) prepara-se para lançar um belo puzzle game. Chama-se Vizati e vem da softwarehouse portuguesa Different Pixel. Os autores são os dois jovens Rita Silva e David Amador.

A ideia é juntar pedras por cor, havendo dois modos de jogo: um História e outro Arcade.

O título estará disponível para download no dia 11 de Junho, no Gamersgate e o preço será de 7,45 euros.
Entretanto, fiquem com esta obra nacional, dando uma olhadela pelos ecrãs e pelo teaser.

Vizati is a puzzle game that will put your mind to the test. It has been created by two young people Rita Silva and David Amador from Different Pixel (Portugal).

You have to rotate a magical cube to connect (group) the little vizati stones by color and figure out the best way to do it with a limited number of rotations/moves. 

You can play the Story Mode and follow the story between Julie and Peter who discovered the Vizati cube, or play the Arcade Mode, which is a rawer, faster and even more teasing mode.



G-Souto
09.06.2010

Copyright © 2010G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

References:

GameOver

GamersGate

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Alice a video game for young kids



Alice
Nintendo DS

Here we are again talking about Alice in Wonderland, the fantastic movie by Tim Burton! 

But now, I'm here to let you know my opinion about Nintendo DS game Alice for young kids (7 years old, primary school). 

Features: In the role of the White Rabbit, the Cherishe Cat or the Mad Hatter's, the player must save Alice, threatened at any time by the Red Queen.

Each character that you play uses his special power to change the game: the Rabbit can speed up forward or accelerate time, the caterpillars Absolum stretches to reach inaccessible places.



Alice

Nintendo Gameplay Images
http://www.nintendo.com


Alice is a target that must not give an inch, or she will be taken by a Vortex or hit by a slap from a giant flower. Because, if we let Alice alone too long or standing still, she tends to be spotted or vanish.

The game: the path you take to browse wonderland is full of bad guys, obstacles and puzzles to solve. 

Do not expect a game of intense reflection. Every action you make is almost suggested by a subtitle. It's entertaining... for kids, don't forget! Not for adults.



Alice

Nintendo Gameplay Image

Some negative points: The dialogues are, sometimes, very long. The game is on flash-drive wich requires an adjustment period.

Visual side: While the design of the Wii version is highly developed, that of the DS is much more simplistic.


Very dark graphics throughout with touches of color, typically "Burton",  and validated by Tim Burton himself. The landscapes are gothic, sometimes psychedelic. A sure choice of the creators, but it works very well!






A fun game, designed especialy for children. A special mention to the originality of the graphism. 

Distributor: Disney Interactive Studios

The DS game is available since 2 March 2010

G-Souto
12.04.2010
Copyright © 2010G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®
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