video games - ReadWriteWeb http://www.readwriteweb.com/feeds/tag/video games en Copyright 2009 Richard MacManus readwriteweb@gmail.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:55 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.23-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Gendai Games Launches GameSalad Beta Austin-based Gendai Games has been operating mostly under the radar with their innovative iPhone game-creation software GameSalad. According to AustinStartup, the wait is now over and we all can try our hand at creating the next big iPhone game, even if we don't have elite programming skills. And that's the strength of GameSalad - you don't need to know how to code in order to prototype your game idea.

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]]> According to the site, GameSalad gives you all the tools you need to develop a fun game without having to write a line of code. In fact drag-and-drop is used extensively in composing the scenes, actors, audio and script actions. Games can be played without having to compile first and also edited while running. Game variables, rules, and other items are all controlled through menu items that can be collapsed and re-ordered. And all of this can be done on an ordinary Intel-based Mac running OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or newer.

Without having made a game ourselves yet, we can only guess that it will still be fairly challenging to make a fun and addictive game, as we have seen plenty of games made the 'old fashioned way' that aren't all that great. But with the rapid development time and greater accessibility that GameSalad offers, we can see it becoming popular for making more niche games, say for example a custom game for a friend's birthday, or a game that celebrates an event, like a company anniversary.

]]>Discuss]]> http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/gendai_games_launches_gamesalad_beta.php http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/gendai_games_launches_gamesalad_beta.php News Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:07:04 -0800 Phil Glockner Video Game Helps Patients Stick to Meds hopelab_logo_dec_08.jpgTwo years ago, HopeLab released Re-Mission, a shoot 'em up game with a difference in an attempt to help cancer afflicted teenagers stick to their medication. This past August, clinical evidence was published in the medical journal Pediatrics showing the game is a success.

HopeLab, a nonprofit organization founded by Pam Omidyar, was named one of Fast Company magazine's 2009 Social Enterprises of the Year this month for its efforts in improving the health and quality of life of young people with chronic illness.

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]]> Prior to the release of Re-Mission, HopeLab completed a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the game. The research concluded that carefully designed video games can have a positive impact on the behavior of young people with chronic illness, and suggested that similar approaches could be directed toward a variety of chronic diseases. The data poster can be downloaded here (PDF).

Re-Mission players pilot a nanobot named Roxxi as she travels through the bodies of cancer patients destroying cancer cells, battling bacterial infections and managing the side effects of cancer.

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Re-Mission is available to young people with cancer free of charge. The game can be ordered or downloaded here.

]]>Discuss]]> http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/video_game_helps_cancer_kids_s.php http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/video_game_helps_cancer_kids_s.php health Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:31:48 -0800 Lidija Davis