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Jobs at BigWorld Tech
Steve W wrote in about some new positions in Sydney…
BigWorld Technology is actively recruiting Senior 3D Engine Programmers and Senior Server Programmers
BigWorld is based in Sydney and is seeking top notch programmers to join the team working on its award winning Massively Multiplayer Online Games development software – a complete development suite with server, client and tools for creating MMOGs with hundreds of thousands of players.
These are perfect positions if you are looking for career development within a growing and very dynamic company.
Please refer to our website: www.bigworldtech.com for more information about the respective positions. If you believe that you are the right person for one of these positions, please email your resume to: jobs@bigworldtech.com. Provide code samples or demos if appropriate.We look forward to hearing from you!
The Dangers of Monogamey
No, I’m not talking about the hazards of being true to only one partner. I’m talking about the phenomenon that is currently sweeping the globe thanks to an insidious piece of software which has many gamers playing only one game - ‘Monogameous’.
There are gamers all around the world that once bought a swathe of games every year but now they buy very few if any. Why? Because they are playing World of Warcraft (WoW). Sure there maybe some other attracive titles that hit the shelves occasionally but who’s got the time to play them. Why play other games when you could be ‘raiding’ with your mates or leveling that ‘alt’. Highend instances take weeks to play and huge amounts of time and organization sunk into them just to complete them for the first time. Not only that, these same instances have to be completed over and over again if you have any hope of getting that rare drop or quest item that your character needs in order excel on the next run through or on the battlefield in PvP. In my opinion it’s a dastardly device that has huge numbers of the otherwise significant contributors to gaming retail coffers keeping their wallets in their pants or only opening them to pay their monthly subscription fee.
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posted by rob · 20 Feb 2006 · 36 comments
Dragon Quest VIII Impressions
For those that are interested I thought I might post some info about the latest RPG offering from Japanese behemoth Square-Enix. Both companies became one some time ago with Square being the developers of titles like Final Fantasy and Enix the company behind the massively popular (in Japan) Dragon Quest series. I’m a big fan of the Final Fantasy series with 7 and 10 being my favourites though I felt 10-2 was an horrific departure from an otherwise stella franchise. As for Dragon Quest I knew it was very popular in Japan but unfortunately have never had the opportunity to try any of the games up until now. I also have a long history or perhaps a love affair with Japanese RPGs in general, including classics like Chrono Trigger and Phantasy Star as well as more recent offerings like Xenosaga, .Hack, Star Ocean, Breath of Fire, Golden Sun and of course Final Fantasy. I’ve always been a huge fan of turn-based party RPGs and unfortunately western developers or perhaps more accurately western publishers have had very little interest in the genre for many years now with seemingly little acknowledgement of their success in the east. I long for day when someone realises that there is still market for the next Fallout or another Planescape or Baldur’s Gate with out getting sucked into the mass market, flashy 3D, action/RPG hybrid formula that masquerades as single player RPG experience these days (notable exceptions - Gothic 1 & 2, Wizardry 8, Silent Storm). I blame the Xbox, but that’s another story…
posted by rob · 20 Feb 2006 · 1 comment
We Love Katamari due for Feb Release
Just got a release date schedule from EA Australia and they have We Love Katamari (PS2 only) down for a 6th February release in Australia. Wooo!
By the way, the Xbox 360 releases EA have confirmed are:
23 February
- TIGER PGA TOUR
- MADDEN NFL 06
- NBA LIVE 06
- NEED FOR SPEED: MOST WANTED
- RIDGE RACER 6
13 March
- FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 3
20 March
- BURNOUT REVENGE
27 March
- BATTLEFIELD 2: MODERN COMBAT
1 May
- FIFA WORLD CUP 06
posted by bruce · 13 Jan 2006 · 2 comments
Micro Forte 20th Birthday Bash
Casey Gregory writes…
Micro Forte is 20 years old in November!
Few game studios survive more than 10 years, but MF is still going strong and to celebrate its 20th birthday it is holding a series of events.
To celebrate in style, the company plans to hold a party on a luxury “Big Boat” in Sydney Harbour [Saturday 5th November], and all present and ex- Micro Forte staff are invited to attend.
posted by John · 17 Oct 2005 · comment?
Second Life Free
Membership to perhaps the largest online social MMO Second Life is now free. The move challenges skepticism that the genre, which relies on user created content, could never become viable without professionally created content in the vein of other MMO’s. Previously the game made money from a one-time $10 membership fee, and the sale of ingame “Linden Dollars” used to purchase content off other users. Other games in the genre such as There maintain a standard subscription scheme.
posted by monty · 14 Sep 2005 · comment?
Brisbane Game Dev Meetup
Scott Leaman writes:
Hey Everyone,
The Brisbane Game Developers Meetup Group is meeting for the last time ever!!! ……..under my organisation at least {Scott Leaman}My schedule is getting a bit more hectic, so I’ll be stepping down as organiser after this meetup. If you’ve come before, or if you’ve missed out then come along and help make this meetup the best BGDMG Meetup ever! Everyones welcome, students, enthusiasts or even *gasp* paid game devs. Let’s make the last one the best one!
posted by bruce · 13 Sep 2005 · comment?
Cyan Close
Makers of the Myst series of graphical adventures, Cyan, has laid off all it’s staff after failing to gain financial backing for future projects. Another good and (in it’s day) ground breaking developer bites the dust.
posted by monty · 05 Sep 2005 · 2 comments
New Australian/NZ Vanguard SoH Site
Tim Blair writes:
I have created an Australian & NZ Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Australian and NZ discussion board in the hope of uniting all the Aussies and Kiwis under one server on release.
For those of you who don’t know vanguard, check it out at www.vanguardsoh.com. It’s a 3rd generation MMORPG that will give World of Warcraft a run for its money :P.
Free forum hosting is provided to all Australian/NZ Vanguard guilds, but the site serves primarily to unite the aussie community onto the same server like ausgamers did on WoW with Blackrock.
So come down and check it out,
- Dandy -> http://www.ausguard.com
posted by bruce · 01 Sep 2005 · 1 comment
Brisbane Game Developers Meetup
The Brisbane Game Developers Group is meeting up again this Saturday at 5pm in the Pavilion Bar, Stamford Plaza, on the corner of Edward and Margaret Streets in the City. The meet is a good chance to catch up with fellow developers in a casual setting, or to make contacts for those who are aspiring to enter the industry.
posted by monty · 25 Aug 2005 · 3 comments
Project Offset
Three guys working out of an apartment have managed to produce what is possibly the most exciting 3D engine to debut in several years. Project Offset already looks better as a shoe-string budget amateur project than most (if not all) the heavilly funded professional game engines currently available, and is being used to showcase the best looking medieval FPS I’ve ever seen (check out the mind-blowing sneak previews). Time will tell if it is more than just vaporware.
posted by monty · 20 Aug 2005 · 1 comment
Hellgate: London
This Diabloesque FPS/RPG hybrid is being made by the ex-Blizzard North team now working through Flagship Studios. Recent feedback from E3 and a polished trailer suggest it could it be the spiritual successor to Diablo.
posted by monty · 20 Aug 2005 · 1 comment