Good Science (hopefully!)
The New Scientist has a good little article on upcoming exciting clean tech - definitely worth a read http://bit.ly/1sWazj
There are so many interesting bits of tech there, and it will be interesting to see how they develop. "Peen-n-Grow" was completely new to me, but I've heard about most of the others along the way. We will have to see how many of them we can get into the game as policy decisions :)
Bad Science
Well actually a nod to the ever excellent Ben Goldacre and his awesome Bad Science blog where he investigates people's misuse of science.
All of his articles are good to read, and it should be pointed out that he is always quick to issue a correction when he makes a mistake (as we all do from time to time), but the article I wanted to post about was this one: http://www.badscience.net/2009/09/house-of-numbers/.
The article has nothing to do with our favourite science subject, climate change, but it is all about the attempts of AIDS denialists to blame the horrible virus on the poor, on the treatments, on everything except the actual virus itself. I won't repeat what he said here - but do check it and the other awesome pieces out.
Even though the focus is on climate change with Climate Challenge 2010, we are including pandemics in the game in some form - though hopefully in more detail with future releases.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Guardian Newspaper's guide to Copenhagen
The Guardian newspaper has a good piece on a beginner's guide to the Copenhagen Climate Change negotiations, and they want to get you involved on helping translate the jargon-heavy bits! http://bit.ly/4buUqe
Friday, September 25, 2009
Blog Action Day
We have signed up with Blog Action Day (http://bit.ly/n7jpJ). This year the theme of the day is climate change, which is obviously a theme close to our own hearts.
It is great to see grass-roots action like this and the whole team at Red Redemption support the day and wish it the best of luck.
Blog Action Day is vital in helping to spread awareness of the vital importance of climate change to everyone. Climate change is happening, right now, to you and you need to know about it.
And you can quote me on that :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Serious Games Book Recommendations
Following on to our short list of good books on climate change, we wanted to give a couple about the topic of games, and serious games.
1. Power Up by Rebecca Mileham
An excellent introduction to the topic of serious games, this book examines the latest evidence into how computer games affect our health, thinking, learning, identity, beliefs, and propensity for violence or addiction. Features an interview with Gobion and Hannah from Red Redemption.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powering-Up-Computer-Changing-TechKnow/dp/0470723106
You can see Rebecca's blog here http://www.rebecca.mileham.net/
2. Digital Game-Based Learning by Marc Prensky
An explanation of what serious games are and might be, by serious games advocate, Marc Prensky
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Game-based-Learning-Marc-Prensky/dp/0071363440
Check out his blog at http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/
1. Power Up by Rebecca Mileham
An excellent introduction to the topic of serious games, this book examines the latest evidence into how computer games affect our health, thinking, learning, identity, beliefs, and propensity for violence or addiction. Features an interview with Gobion and Hannah from Red Redemption.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powering-Up-Computer-Changing-TechKnow/dp/0470723106
You can see Rebecca's blog here http://www.rebecca.mileham.net/
2. Digital Game-Based Learning by Marc Prensky
An explanation of what serious games are and might be, by serious games advocate, Marc Prensky
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Game-based-Learning-Marc-Prensky/dp/0071363440
Check out his blog at http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Relaunching the blog
So now we are getting up to full speed with things on the "telling people about what we do" front it was time to relaunch the blog and do a proper job :)
So I hope you like the new design. The little fella in the banner is Nahual, a character we made for one of our games based on pre-Hispanic Mexican mythology.
So who, or what is a nahual? To quote the fascinating Pantheon.org "A nahual, also called nagual, is a spirit being or animistic entity closely associated with a human being. Among some groups, each person has his or her own nahual which acts a double, a shadow, or as a protective spirit. They are often animals such as dogs, jaguars, or opossums, but they can also be natural forces such as lightning or meteors.
"If one harms another person's nahual, one may harm the person who belongs to that nahual. During sleep, the nahual can go wondering, something that can be seen in the dream. Nahuals can also be sent out to perform tasks, use it as an adviser, or a person can change his shape to that of the nahual.
"The origin of the nahuals lies far back in pre-Hispanic times. Many patron deities of towns have their own nahuals to help them guard their towns, just like their pre-Hispanic forebears. These nahuallies make nocturnal patrols, giving off evil airs to ward off rival nahuallies. In ancient times, each day sign of the divinatory calender had its own personal nahual or deity, which corresponds to the present-day beliefs that each sign of the zodiac has its own nahual. Among the Quiché Maya (K'iche') the day a child is born determines its nahual, but the child is only told when it has reached a responsible age so that they may not blame bad deeds on the nahual."
"Nahual." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/n/nahual.html>
[Accessed September 17, 2009].
... so there you go.
Consider him the guide to what we get up to! :)
So I hope you like the new design. The little fella in the banner is Nahual, a character we made for one of our games based on pre-Hispanic Mexican mythology.
So who, or what is a nahual? To quote the fascinating Pantheon.org "A nahual, also called nagual, is a spirit being or animistic entity closely associated with a human being. Among some groups, each person has his or her own nahual which acts a double, a shadow, or as a protective spirit. They are often animals such as dogs, jaguars, or opossums, but they can also be natural forces such as lightning or meteors.
"If one harms another person's nahual, one may harm the person who belongs to that nahual. During sleep, the nahual can go wondering, something that can be seen in the dream. Nahuals can also be sent out to perform tasks, use it as an adviser, or a person can change his shape to that of the nahual.
"The origin of the nahuals lies far back in pre-Hispanic times. Many patron deities of towns have their own nahuals to help them guard their towns, just like their pre-Hispanic forebears. These nahuallies make nocturnal patrols, giving off evil airs to ward off rival nahuallies. In ancient times, each day sign of the divinatory calender had its own personal nahual or deity, which corresponds to the present-day beliefs that each sign of the zodiac has its own nahual. Among the Quiché Maya (K'iche') the day a child is born determines its nahual, but the child is only told when it has reached a responsible age so that they may not blame bad deeds on the nahual."
"Nahual." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/n/nahual.html>
[Accessed September 17, 2009].
... so there you go.
Consider him the guide to what we get up to! :)
Good climate change books
A regular question we get asked is if we can recommend some good books to get to grips with climate change without being too technical. So I asked Hannah in our team to list her favourites.
I've given the links to buy the books from Amazon.co.uk, but they should be available through all good online retailers and in your local library.
1. The Hot Topic by Gabrielle Walker & Sir David King
A very good introduction to the subject, covering the science and the policy options available. Sir David King was the former chief scientific advisor to the UK government and is the Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Topic-Tackle-Global-Warming/dp/0747593957
2. Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air by David Mackay
A no-nonsense look at the numbers behind renewable energy - can we make an energy policy that adds up?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sustainable-Energy-Without-Hot-Air/dp/0954452933
3. A Blueprint for a Safer Planet by Nicholas Stern
Written by Nicholas Stern of the Stern Review into the Economics of Climate Change, this is an update of his conclusions from that report, without the constraints of being a government report. Sir Nicholas Stern was commissioned by Gordon Brown to produce a report on the economics of climate change - his findings were instrumental in underlining the economic case for tackling climate change.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blueprint-Safer-Planet-Progress-Prosperity/dp/1847920373
4. Six Degrees by Mark Lynas
A well-researched look at what climate change might really mean for the world, degree by degree - gets quite scary towards the end! Also winner of the prestigious Royal Society Science Books Prize 2009.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Six-Degrees-Future-Hotter-Planet/dp/0007209045
5. Global Warming by John Houghton
An introduction to the science of climate change by the lead editor of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's first 3 reports.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Global-Warming-Complete-John-Houghton/dp/0521528747
6. The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery
An interesting introduction to climate change by renowned Australian zoologist, Tim Flannery
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weather-Makers-History-Future-Climate/dp/0713999217
I will follow this up with a selection of good books on socially positive games plating. If there are some books on the subject that have been inspiring and/or helpful to you, tell us about them :)
I've given the links to buy the books from Amazon.co.uk, but they should be available through all good online retailers and in your local library.
1. The Hot Topic by Gabrielle Walker & Sir David King
A very good introduction to the subject, covering the science and the policy options available. Sir David King was the former chief scientific advisor to the UK government and is the Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Topic-Tackle-Global-Warming/dp/0747593957
2. Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air by David Mackay
A no-nonsense look at the numbers behind renewable energy - can we make an energy policy that adds up?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sustainable-Energy-Without-Hot-Air/dp/0954452933
3. A Blueprint for a Safer Planet by Nicholas Stern
Written by Nicholas Stern of the Stern Review into the Economics of Climate Change, this is an update of his conclusions from that report, without the constraints of being a government report. Sir Nicholas Stern was commissioned by Gordon Brown to produce a report on the economics of climate change - his findings were instrumental in underlining the economic case for tackling climate change.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blueprint-Safer-Planet-Progress-Prosperity/dp/1847920373
4. Six Degrees by Mark Lynas
A well-researched look at what climate change might really mean for the world, degree by degree - gets quite scary towards the end! Also winner of the prestigious Royal Society Science Books Prize 2009.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Six-Degrees-Future-Hotter-Planet/dp/0007209045
5. Global Warming by John Houghton
An introduction to the science of climate change by the lead editor of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's first 3 reports.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Global-Warming-Complete-John-Houghton/dp/0521528747
6. The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery
An interesting introduction to climate change by renowned Australian zoologist, Tim Flannery
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weather-Makers-History-Future-Climate/dp/0713999217
I will follow this up with a selection of good books on socially positive games plating. If there are some books on the subject that have been inspiring and/or helpful to you, tell us about them :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Our Advisory Board
Dear readers,
It has been a very busy couple of months and thigns are going well. I will be writing lots of updates over the next few months, and wanted to start with our Advisory Board, who they are and what their role is within the overall plan for Climate Challenge 2010.
Our Advisory Board is:
• Professor Diana Liverman: Director of the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) and a member of the National Academy of Sciences committee on Americas Climate Choices
• Dr Cameron Hepburn: A leading environmental economist.
• John Kroeger: Former co-head of the UK Government team of Business Relations Managers to the Computer Games Industry.
• Suzanne Seggerman: President of Games For Change.
• Dr Pamela Hartigan: Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University’s Said Business School
Full biographies for each of the Advisory Board can be found below:
http://red-redemption.com/team/#advisory_board
Each member has been very carefully selected to bring unique skills, experience and contacts to the company and all have been important in helping Red Redemption achieve our objectives for Climate Challenge 2010.
Why is this important?
There are four main reasons:
1. Credibility: The credibility of the game and the team is important to ensure the game reaches more people in the market. Our Advisory Board helps build credibility for the game and team.
2. Marketing: Further press and marketing opportunities open up for us through our mutual association.
3. Advice: We benefit from their advice about the game.
4. Thanks: The people we have involved in our advisory board have been extremely supportive and helpful over the last few years and we want to recognise that.
To follow our progress more closely check out our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Climate-Challenge-2010/125222552491
and a Twitter feed for the development of the game at http://twitter.com/cc2010game
Best,
Gobion
*EDITED: 25-Sept-2009: Corrected Professor Diana Liverman's role at the National Academy of Sciences.
It has been a very busy couple of months and thigns are going well. I will be writing lots of updates over the next few months, and wanted to start with our Advisory Board, who they are and what their role is within the overall plan for Climate Challenge 2010.
Our Advisory Board is:
• Professor Diana Liverman: Director of the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) and a member of the National Academy of Sciences committee on Americas Climate Choices
• Dr Cameron Hepburn: A leading environmental economist.
• John Kroeger: Former co-head of the UK Government team of Business Relations Managers to the Computer Games Industry.
• Suzanne Seggerman: President of Games For Change.
• Dr Pamela Hartigan: Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University’s Said Business School
Full biographies for each of the Advisory Board can be found below:
http://red-redemption.com/
Each member has been very carefully selected to bring unique skills, experience and contacts to the company and all have been important in helping Red Redemption achieve our objectives for Climate Challenge 2010.
Why is this important?
There are four main reasons:
1. Credibility: The credibility of the game and the team is important to ensure the game reaches more people in the market. Our Advisory Board helps build credibility for the game and team.
2. Marketing: Further press and marketing opportunities open up for us through our mutual association.
3. Advice: We benefit from their advice about the game.
4. Thanks: The people we have involved in our advisory board have been extremely supportive and helpful over the last few years and we want to recognise that.
To follow our progress more closely check out our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Climate-Challenge-2010/125222552491
and a Twitter feed for the development of the game at http://twitter.com/cc2010game
Best,
Gobion
*EDITED: 25-Sept-2009: Corrected Professor Diana Liverman's role at the National Academy of Sciences.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Twitter, and updates
So I finally caved in and got a twitter account. Well 2 actually. The first is for me personally and the second is a live development twitter feed from Climate Challenge 2010.
http://www.twitter.com/cc2010game <--- development Twitter feed.
http://www.twitter.com/gobion <--- feed about me and what I am up to :)
I've been wanting to post much more to the blog but a combination of being insanely busy has kept the number of posts down, and also that while we are getting the look and feel together we are a little wary of showing it too much because undoubtedly things will change a lot as we get closer to release.
Still Carla, our new art lead, is doing some fabulous graphics work and I hope to be able to release a few choice pieces soon!
http://www.twitter.com/cc2010game <--- development Twitter feed.
http://www.twitter.com/gobion <--- feed about me and what I am up to :)
I've been wanting to post much more to the blog but a combination of being insanely busy has kept the number of posts down, and also that while we are getting the look and feel together we are a little wary of showing it too much because undoubtedly things will change a lot as we get closer to release.
Still Carla, our new art lead, is doing some fabulous graphics work and I hope to be able to release a few choice pieces soon!
Conference season begins
Wow lots has been happening - everything is very busy as usual!
A couple of weeks back myself and Klaude (our producer) went to the Develop conference in Brighton. It is one of the UK's leading games conferences and it was great fun. It was really good catching up with friends, meeting cool new people and just keeping up to speed.
Next up is Cologne GamesCom in August. This is one of the major three games events (though previously the event was in Leipzig) and we will be busy there showing everyone some first look info for Climate Challenge 2010 and hopefully lining up a publishing deal for retail.
A couple of weeks back myself and Klaude (our producer) went to the Develop conference in Brighton. It is one of the UK's leading games conferences and it was great fun. It was really good catching up with friends, meeting cool new people and just keeping up to speed.
Next up is Cologne GamesCom in August. This is one of the major three games events (though previously the event was in Leipzig) and we will be busy there showing everyone some first look info for Climate Challenge 2010 and hopefully lining up a publishing deal for retail.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Back!
I'm back and posting following a short break where I went to visit the Orkneys - fantastic place and highly recommended.
So where are we up to?
Well our new lead artist/art manager has started - her name is Carla and she has hit the ground running. I will start to post some of the concept art and various pieces in the next couple of weeks.
Development of the game is coming along swiftly and I'll be posting to this blog at least weekly with a dev diary.
Anyway more a little later!
So where are we up to?
Well our new lead artist/art manager has started - her name is Carla and she has hit the ground running. I will start to post some of the concept art and various pieces in the next couple of weeks.
Development of the game is coming along swiftly and I'll be posting to this blog at least weekly with a dev diary.
Anyway more a little later!
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