Back to USC (for the day)

I want to thank Micheal Zyda for the invitation to attend the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's GamePipe Laboratory's Fall Showcase today.  This was an event that showcased the games and technologies built in classes held in the laboratory this semester.  We were shown an array of gaming technology including mobile games, networked games, game engine development and advanced game development.  

As exciting as seeing the emerging game design, this event was special because we had one on one interaction with the students and learned why they chose the games they designed and how their vision was brought to life.

Teams of programmers explained their games and then set us up to play multi-player games like POSSESSION (www.POSSESSION-THE-GAME.com).  What sets this game apart was the fact that you can play as the platoon leader in a first person game similar to a Call of Duty style game, but also control numerous platoons, protect your base and conquer your enemies as a Strategy Game - at the SAME TIME.

Next up was a Virtual Reality Game Recall (www.recallvr.com) that is designed to unlock your memories full potential by using "mnemonic techniques" to not just memorize the levels of the game, but to learn it thru exploring it in VR.

Perplexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbbj9fS4Djo) is a 3 dimensional maze game with numerous levels of play in an exciting (and addictive) gameplay.  Twisting and turning an iPad to maneuver a digital ball on the outside of a virtual cube with each face being its own test of dexterity and strategy to get thru that level.  Some levels had buttons to reverse conveyer belts, pinball style bumpers, magnets and other features from some of the best games in a new creative skin.  

As great as it was to be back on campus at my alma mater, it was even better to see USC offering innovative programs like the GamePipe Laboratory (https://gamepipe.usc.edu/) which has been ranked #1 Video Game Program for six straight years by The Princeton Review.  Fight On Trojans!