SIEGE is very much an industry event. It is put on every year by the Georgia Game Developers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of the electronic and video gaming businesses and professionals in the state. Local studios such as Hi-Rez, CCP/White Wolf, Silly Monkey and Tripwire attended this year, as did representatives from the several local colleges and universities which offer game design or related industry courses.

The Volunteer Ringleader

Over a 48 hour period, beginning Friday afternoon and ending Sunday afternoon, several panels and round-tables take place, focusing on specific career tracks. There were panels for designers and programmers, audio, art, serious games (IE: educational or military games) and business. Attendance at these panels is high, as there are students, recent grads, and people already in the industry packing the rooms to learn and discuss how they can further themselves and how their field can progress through these types of public forums.

Saturday’s activities also included a College & Career Fair. One of the ballrooms was set aside for recruiters from a few of the local studios and colleges to speak with students and recent graduates. There was also an open portfolio review and two special panels on Saturday for students to attend.

HiRez Studios brought Global Agenda for attendees to try out

The Expo Hall featured Hi-Rez and their “spy-fi” MMO Global Agenda, which is currently in beta. I spent a lot of time ogling the graphics and watching others play each of the four classes in PvE mode (Player vs Environment). Each class is available to be played as male or female and are customizable. If they had brought a 360 controller along I would have given it a shot myself, but my keyboard/mouse skills are awful. Global Agenda was definitely the busiest booth in the room.

Some students from ACAD were in attendance and encouraging networking and social interaction with the game Suits. The game is based off of the work of Richard Bartle and blends social aspects with classic dungeon mechanics of role playing games. A lot of people attending SIEGE were taking part. I was mostly in it for the badges (which were shiny buttons). The person who turned in the most sets of cards, coins or badges in the various classes won prizes which the students provided.

The Suits Booth

This was my first year attending SIEGE, and I have to say that I was so surprised with the turn out and sense of community I felt all around me. I am definitely going to continue attending this great convention and I look forward to checking out each of the studios in the area. The Georgia Game Developers truly know the meaning and importance of community.

Nick Parker will be presenting his overview of how he believes the digital market will shape the future of gaming at the conference. Representatives from Sony, Xbox, Sega, Playfish and other speakers will also be at the event.

There is nothing like celebrating The Beatles Rock Band Release and Beatles Month with an iPhone app that honors The Beatles for what they really are about; the music.  This app is all about is having as much Beatles information available to you, right at your fingertips.  Currently in the app, you’ll be able to find discography, biographies, and Fun Facts about The Beatles!  It’s still in development however, but there’s music samples and trivia already in the works.  I played with the app within the Test Phone application; it was very classic in format, but provides you with information most Beatles’ fans would appreaticate.  But you already know all the insiders information don’t you?

If you want to check out the app before applying it to your iPhone follow the link:  TestPhone

Source: I Read the News Today: All Beatles News

Rock Band Beatles

MTV Games and Harmonix have just sent over an amazing commercial spot for The Beatles Rock Band. The commercial takes place at the infamous Abbey Road. The Beatles Rock Band will be in retail stores on 09/09/09. Enjoy the commercial!

Beatles Rock Band

EA has released a new GamesCom trailer for The Beatles: Rock Band featuring many new songs! It features “A Hard Days Night”, “Drive My Car”, “Dear Prudence” and more. Showing just how hard The Beatles: Rock Band is going to rock.

The title is out on 9/9/09 for the PS3, Wii, 360 and PS2. Enjoy the video from IGN.

The course starts on May 5, 2008 and covers the unique uses of XSI. It also covers:

# SOFTIMAGE|XSI non-destructive workflow
# GATOR – for transferring surface attributes between models
# MOTOR – for transferring motion data between character rigs
# Ultimapper – for generating film-quality normal maps
# The clip-based animation mixer

“There is a growing demand for 3D artists trained on SOFTIMAGE|XSI software, and one of our top priorities in 2008 is enhancing educational offerings for SOFTIMAGE|XSI,” said Marc Stevens, Softimage General Manager and Avid Technology Vice President. “The Gnomon School of Visual Effects is offering their first-ever approach to mastering SOFTIMAGE|XSI for 3D artists trained in other 3D software packages. This new course will help artists expand their skills to take advantage of new job opportunities and master the latest creative tools from Softimage—whether for dedicated or mixed pipeline environments.”

It will cost you $860.00 which is about average for a course on anything. The class runs from May 5th through June 2, 2008. To register, visit http://www.gnomon3d.com/registernow