Newsflash:"Game On" at Seattle's Pacific Science CenterIt's one of the biggest and best exhibits—and it's all about video games! Take a tour through the science, history, and culture of video games. From the colossal PDP-1 of the early sixties to Xbox 360™, explore the exciting evolution of video games. Plus see Game U, a dynamic interactive section where you have the chance to experience first hand what it's like to be a game developer. Game On is an interactive environment full of sights and sounds, showing the game design process, including conceptual drawing, character design, and sound. The exhibit also shows how geography and culture play a role in game development by examining games that have been created in Japan, the United States, and Europe. The exhibit runs May 26 through August 31, 2006. Doors open at 10:00 A.M. daily. Visit the Game On web site for more information. A look at advancements in gaming hardware—from the colossal computers of the early 1960s to the recent consoles—helps to illustrate how art and technologies work together to create amazing new experiences. One special part of the exhibit is "Game U," created by the DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond. Game U is an engaging hands-on experience where you can learn about the game production process and what it takes to pursue a serious career in the field. Game Master Challenge "Video gaming is a 30 billion dollar industry that is having a profound effect on our culture today," said Mark Latz, Pacific Science Center's Vice President of exhibits. "Visitors to Game On will be able to play more than 100 games that illustrate how far games have come both artistically and technically, and see how the video game phenomenon has influenced aspects of popular culture around the world." Game On consists of over 14 areas. As you move through the exhibit, you discover the key creative people who make games happen, including graphic designers, concept artists, 3-D modelers, and engineers. History Behind the Games In Level 1: Early Games, you will learn about the genre's first games. The area features the 1962 game Spacewar!, the first game to be developed on a computer with a vector monitor; 1972's Pong; rare artifacts such as original publicity materials and early merchandise; and old arcade favorites like Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Galaga. It can take over 100 people to build and market a successful "AAA" game, and in Level 4: Making Of, you'll learn why. The game design process from concept drawing to packaged product will be examined in this area, focusing on some of the most important games of recent times including the Pokémon phenomenon and Tomb Raider. Each display will include original artwork of character sketches and environmental designs. How does sound and music enhance the game experience? Level 9: Sound explores sound effects and composed music for games. Listen to more than 50 recorded video game tracks, and play games that have made music their theme including Rez and Chillingham, a game for the blind. Additionally, this area looks at how game developers and publishers are now showcasing new bands and artists in their game titles, and even hiring film composers to write game soundtracks. A range of emerging technology and content trends will be showcased in Level 14: Future Games, indicating the shape that gaming may take over the next decade. Game On is sponsored by Xbox 360™, DigiPen Institute of Technology, and Nintendo of America Inc. The exhibit will run May 26 through August 31, 2006. Game On was organized by Barbican Art Gallery, London in collaboration with the National Museums of Scotland. To ensure a positive experience for all ages, Game On will not feature any mature (M-rated) game content. Pacific Science Center |
