Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has announced the acquisition of Sucker Punch Productions. Game developer Sucker Punch Productions has delivered popular PlayStation 3 games like inFamous and the recent inFamous 2 as well as Sly Cooper (PS2) games. Sucker Punch Productions joins Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS). How much and under what terms Sucker Punch Productions was acquired for was not disclosed.
“We’ve enjoyed an incredible relationship with Sony that has allowed us to combine our creative design capabilities with their guidance to make some of the best franchises to hit the PlayStation platforms. Equally important, the relationship with SCE has provided us the flexibility and trust to take creative risks and invent new properties,” said Brian Fleming, managing partner, Sucker Punch Productions. “As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we look forward to introducing more innovative content and providing consumers with exciting, new interactive experiences.”
Johnny Chung Lee, one of the contributors to the Xbox 360′s Kinect, has put together a video compiling some of the cool things done with Kinect. The video montage can be seen below, or here on Johnny’s YouTube page. All these creative applications of Kinect come from various independent developers, within the first five month’s of Kinect’s availability, and are noted on procrastineering.blogspot.com. From “Body Inflation” to “Human Tetris,” check out the wild applications of Kinect below.
Inspired? Microsoft is releasing the Kinect for Windows SDK Beta later this Spring. Keep a lookout for details and availability here on research.microsoft.com.
Crytek has announced it will be providing free access to its latest game engine, CryENGINE 3. Crytek’s CEO Cevat Yerli announced on crymod.com that Crytek will be rolling out a program providing a free download of its game customization and creation tools used to create its latest game, Crysis 2. In “early summer,” a Crysis 2 Editor will be available for download, which will allow modders to create custom content for the game such as new maps, items and more. Then later in August 2011, a full-on free download of the CryENGINE SDK (CryENGINE 3) will be available for non-commercial use. This will give experienced game developers, or those wanting to get into game development, access to the tools used to create a game like Crysis 2. Crytek noted that should developers want to launch a commercial game product using the CryENGINE SDK, they would provide help in arranging that with an “innovative low cost licensing model.”
Details from Crytek:
“We’ll be giving you access to the latest, greatest version of CryENGINE 3 – the same engine we use internally, the same engine we give to our licensees, the same engine that powers Crysis 2.
This will be a complete version of our engine, including C++ code access, our content exporters (including our LiveCreate real-time pipeline), shader code, game sample code from Crysis 2, script samples, new improved Flowgraph and a whole host of great asset examples, which will allow teams to build complete games from scratch for PC.”
For more details on the CryENGINE 3, visit crytek.com.
On a related side-note, Crysis 2 is featured as today’s Amazon Deal of the Day, available at $39.95 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Looking to even the playing field for women in game development, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has begun accepting applications for the 4th Annual Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) Game Design Scholarship. The scholarship will give female game developers the opportunity for a paid internship at one of SOE’s game development studios as well as $10,000 for tuition expenses. It’s a great chance at an inside look and hands-on experience of game development.
Here are the eligibility requirements for the G.I.R.L. Game Design Scholarship:
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including programs related to video game art, design, animation, production, programming, or visual effects.
Have a 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale.
Continue to be enrolled during the entire 2011-12 academic year, not graduating before the end of the 2012 spring term.
Be a legal resident of one of the fifty United States (including the District of Columbia) for the duration of the competition.
Be eighteen (18) years or older at the time of application.
“The most recent industry studies show that although a large percentage of the game playing population is female, they make up only about one in every 10 game developers,” said Laura Naviaux, vice president of global sales and marketing at SOE. “For the fourth year in a row, SOE is committed to encouraging women to pursue an exciting and rewarding career of developing fun and innovative games for everyone.”
Aspiring game designers and developers wanting to break into gaming have a great opportunity with Microsoft’s Dream.Build.Play 2011 Challenge. Registration has just begun for the contest, where developers can submit their XNA Game Studio 4.0 game creations. The top games selected could appear on Xbox LIVE Arcade. If you are up for the challenge, register now at www.dreambuildplay.com. Game submissions will happen in a couple of months, from May 17 to June 14, 2011.
Details on the judging criteria and awards, from Microsoft:
“Each game will be judged by three standards: how fun it is to play, how creative and unique it is, and how well it is produced. Four winners will be given a share of $75,000 (U.S.) and the opportunity to receive an Xbox LIVE Arcade publishing contract. The grand prize winner will receive $40,000 (U.S.), the first prize winner will receive $20,000 (U.S.), the second prize winner will receive $10,000 (U.S.) and the third prize winner will receive $5,000 (U.S.).”
With XNA Game Studio, Xbox 360, Windows-based PCs and Windows Phones games can be created. Details on Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio can be seen at create.msdn.com. For more details on the Dream.Build.Play 2011 Challenge and a look at past winners, visit www.dreambuildplay.com.
