Tag Archives: team meeting

Riptide Team Meeting February 21: Allison Allain

February 22, 2012
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12:50 am
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Allison Allain, our Sr Game Developer. This is what she shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

As much of Riptide knows, I am constantly listening to NPR.  One of my favorite programs is called All Tech Considered.  Recently, I’ve heard two pieces that I thought were really cool.  One about a car that can drive itself, and another about a zombie-themed running app.

Having just released Ultimate Battle Zombies, I’ve had zombies constantly on the brain.  So when I heard a story about an app called “Zombies, RUN!” I was excited.  I like the exercise of running, but I get bored with it really quickly.  This app gives you a way to entertain/scare yourself into a great workout.  No need to be torn between your music and this game either, it’ll work with your normal running tracks.

Release Date: Feb. 27, 2012

NPR article:
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/19/147008041/the-new-running-game-where-zombies-chase-you

More Info about the game:
https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

Who doesn’t want a car that drives itself?  Sure driving can be fun and exciting, but spending an hour in the car every day to commute into the city can be a drag.  Now, the state of Nevada has created a driver’s license just for robotic cars, which takes effect March 1, 2012.  Cool factoid – when the cars are in testing they will have red license plates, and when they are eventually sold, the plates will be neon green.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/02/17/147006012/when-the-car-is-the-driver

I am also completely addicted to hobbies, my newest hobby is creating scenes from Super Mario World with acrylic paint.  I’m still learning to paint and these are my first couple, so be kind and remember I’m a programmer.

 

http://i.imgur.com/l5Tpn.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/O7q1J.jpg

 

Finally, one of my favorite things we did when we were in Orlando (other than going to NASA), was our trip to Medieval Times.  I am a huge fan of jousting.   So here’s to the team! Ah memories.

http://www.history.com/shows/full-metal-jousting/videos/playlists/full-episodes#full-metal-jousting-unhorsed

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Riptide team meeting February 7: Jonathan Hartstein

February 8, 2012
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8:41 am
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Jonathan Hartstein, one of our Game Developers. This is what he shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

LayerWise’s new Metal Additive Manufacturing techniques have allowed it to create objects incredibly strong and complex, and to be printed directly from CAD models.  Their new 3D Printing process essentially takes powdered metals (titanium, hardened steel, aluminum, etc.) and uses lasers to melt them into extremely thin layers, which are built on top of each other to create complex objects.  One of the promising details about this technique is that it allows LayerWise to create complex shapes that are structurally sound, without the need for gluing, welding, or other fastening methods.  The technology is already being used to create custom moldings used for medical, mechanical, and artistic purposes.  One woman was recently given a titanium replacement lower jaw made with LayerWise technology, customized to fit her body exactly.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57372095-76/3d-printer-produces-new-jaw-for-woman/?tag=mncol;editorPicks

http://www.layerwise.com/

Many iPhone, Android, and other touchscreen device users who live in cold-weather places have experienced it:  You are wearing gloves on that 20-degree day and your phone rings.  Your only options are to ignore the call or take off your gloves, because the touchscreen sensors don’t recognize your fingers inside the glove.  Mujjo has created a solution!  These stretchable winter gloves are made with silver-coated nylon fibers, which makes them conductive and thus compatible with the touchscreen.  Now we can answer calls, text our friends, and play games while waiting outside in the cold for the bus to show up.

http://www.mujjo.com/mujjo-touchscreen-gloves/

In honor of Super Bowl 46, this guy has created a Minecraft world made to simulate Field Goal attempts.  It’s a pretty interesting system:  Stepping on the first plate starts the ball rolling down a track.  Stepping on the 2nd place ignites a fuse for a row of dynamite.  If timed correctly, the dynamite explodes when the ball is in the correct position, and the blast propels the ball through the uprights!

http://www.minecraftforum.net/videos/view-28713-super-bowl-special-minecraft-field-goal-simulator/

Memorializing Riptide’s Orlando retreat and trips to Cape Canaveral:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nasa-acquires-moon-for-kennedy-space-center-exhibi,26800/

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Riptide team meeting January 17: Seth Howard

January 18, 2012
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8:26 am
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Seth Howard, our Sr Software Architect. This is what he shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

Get that late xmas present or early birthday present for every designer on your list:wacom inkling!

Zaireeka is a 4CD release from the phenomenal band The Flaming Lips. Played separately or together each session can vary dramatically as CD players have the unique tendency to drift creating ‘exaggerated dimensions of sound.’ Couple that with the speakers the players are hooked up to and you get an unique listen experience every time.

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Riptide team meeting December 13: Mike Montgomery

December 15, 2011
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11:10 am
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Mike Montgomery, our Chief Creative Officer. These are the links that he shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

Seeing as the holidays are almost upon us, I wanted to take a look back at 2011, and also a look forward to 2012.

Before we get to that, I wanted to share a few comments and links with you.

First off, I can’t stress enough the importance of an app icon.

“When browsing the App Store, all you really have to guide you is the name of the app and the icon. Based on those two pieces of information you have to decide if the app seems interesting enough to read more about and possibly download. And so many developers still don’t get this.”

Quote by: Unknown…

Icon Design Best practices:

These are some great resources for any mobile game designer and are well worth the read:

http://www.pixelresort.com/blog/iphone-app-icon-design-best-practises/

http://blog.marketnet.com/index.php/2011/01/14/best-practices-for-iphone-app-icon-design/

Mobile Freemium Games: Women Thrifty, Men Binge:

I came across an interesting article this week, discussing the growing iOS and Android app economy. Did you know that freemium games are leading all app revenue models and now account for more than 65% of app revenue?

Check it out:

http://blog.flurry.com/?Tag=Freemium

iPhone Eye Candy:

It’s not often that I come across an iOS app that makes me stop everything and search for the designer who created the artwork. That was definitely the case with these 2 games.

Mad Rush: http://itunes.apple.com/app/mad-rush/id467931443?mt=8

Jelly Defence: http://itunes.apple.com/app/jelly-defense/id436134867?mt=8

New Releases:

What do I think users will be playing this holiday season? These are my top picks:

Kinectimals:

The popular Microsoft Xbox Kinect game comes to iOS. I predict this will be very popular with the kiddies this year.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kinectimals/id482365195?mt=8

Console/PC:

All I want for Christmas is Skylanders….ok, I couldn’t wait and picked it up the other day.

http://www.skylanders.com/

Rebuild:

Rebuilding a city after the zombie apocalypse and manage resources while defending against undead attacks = Awesome!

http://itunes.apple.com/app/rebuild/id478523928?mt=8

Coming Soon on iOS:

This just looks hilarious and is right up my alley.

http://www.sinorwin.com/

iPhone App Review, 2011 Rewind:

As a mobile game company it is important as we look the future, to also take a look back. This is a list of the iTunes 2011 Rewind of the top 10 apps of 2011. These developers are definitely doing something right. I would love to see what’s under their trees this year.

Top 10 Paid iPhone Apps (2011)

  1. Angry Birds
  2. Fruit Ninja
  3. Angry Birds Seasons
  4. Cut the Rope
  5. Tiny Wings
  6. Angry Birds Rio
  7. Words With Friends
  8. Camera+
  9. Doodle Jump
  10. Plants Vs. Zombies

 

Top 10 Free iPhone Apps (2011)

  1. Facebook
  2. Pandora Radio
  3. Words With Friends Free
  4. Angry Birds Free
  5. Skype
  6. Netflix
  7. Angry Birds Rio Free
  8. Groupon
  9. Fruit Ninja Lite
  10. Twitter

 

Top 10 Grossing iPhone Apps (2011)

  1. Tap Zoo
  2. Angry Birds
  3. Zombie Farm
  4. Tap Pet Hotel
  5. Poker by Zynga
  6. Smurfs’ Village
  7. Texas Poker
  8. Haypi kingdom
  9. Infinity Blade
  10. Motion X GPS Drive
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Riptide Team Meeting Nov 29, 2011: Sara Bine

November 29, 2011
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3:25 pm
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Sara Bine, our Web Developer. These are the links that she shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

Sixth Sense, created by Pranav Mistry, is a prototype for a wearable gestural interface which allows its user to interface with a mobile computer via natural hand gestures. The “screen” is projected onto surfaces such as walls, desks, and even human skin, and recognizes hand gestures based on colored markers on the tips of the wearer’s fingers. It can take pictures, check flight information, read emails, make phone calls, and provide live video feed as a supplement to newspaper stories.
http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/

iCam is a conceptualized DSLR substitute in the form of an iPhone case, created by Italian designer Antonio De Rosa. It snaps on to your iPhone to provide an interchangeable lens system, extra hardware controls, and a front-facing display for self-portraits. Although it doesn’t exist yet, the design is slick and certainly feasible enough to someday become a reality.
http://www.adr-studio.it/site/?page_id=14&album=1&gallery=44

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Riptide Team Meeting Nov 15, 2011: Asma Inam

November 15, 2011
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4:24 pm
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Category: General, Team Meetings

Every two weeks we have a company meeting to update the team on all things Riptide Games. At the end of each meeting we select one member to present something they’ve found interesting or worthwhile to share with the group.

This week’s presentation was from Asma Inam, one of our UI designers. These are the links that she shared with the team, along with a short explanation:

The Playgrounds 2009 Opening Titles, is by far one of my favourite and most memorable pieces that I’ve come across.

The entire opening titles shows an intense brawl, that’s in slow motion, between two guys. What’s awesome about this piece, is how the creators executed it. Instead of using a High-speed camera to get the slow-motion effect, they use a camera mapping technique in 3D to execute the look and feel. The end result of this piece is brilliant, playful and definitely one not many will not forget – I sure didn’t forget it.

http://vimeo.com/7160598

The short film titled “Move” is a great example of how important concept is in anything that you do. The creators of this short film took a simple concept of movement and applied it to tell a beautiful story. All the footage was taken on a trip with 3 buddies, in 44 days, in 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, with 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage.

All in all a beautiful and compelling final piece.

http://vimeo.com/27246366

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