Friday Jul 09, 2004
VIDEOGAME DESIGNS
Massive School Art And Design Project To Be Unveiled At Game Stars Live
The computer and video games industry spends billions of dollars a year predicting what kids want from their interactive entertainment. But the organisers of the forthcoming Game Stars Live exhibition have gone one step further and asked the nation's young what characters they'd like to see in their video games - and the results will be presented in a special art exhibition area within the massive September 1st - 5th event.
The Game Stars Live "Design A Game Character" project ran across [1500] schools throughout the country. Pupils were provided with detailed information packs and asked to let their imaginations run wild and provide illustrations and detailed descriptions of their submissions. The winning entries in two age groups receive Nintendo hardware and games, a trip for their entire year to the Game Stars Live show - plus their character professionally illustrated by a top video games graphic designer.
In the 11-13-age category, Renata Abdullah from Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Aylesbury, won with her character 'Dipuc' - "an amazingly flexible [Dipuc], allowing him to perform complex acrobatics on ground and in the air. Unlike most sprites, he has abnormally long legs, which enable him to run faster and fight harder. His wings do let him fly, but only a short way at a time; the stronger his health is, the further and faster he can fly."
In the 14-16-age category, Gemma Cross from Dr Challoners High School, Buckinghamshire, triumphed with her entry 'Lacerta' who boasts amazing skills such as using her lizard abilities in a variety of imaginative ways in order to defeat evil and restore her kingdom.
"The response to the competition was overwhelming," says Kirsty Adams, event director, Game Stars Live, "and picking winners was incredibly difficult. As well proving to be an entertaining project for the 11-16-year-olds, the promotion offers a fascinating insight into what kids would design for themselves. "clear that they favour particularly colourful and imaginative characters - so if the industry is looking to appeal to this age group, it should pay particular attention to our special art exhibition.
Filling an area the size of three football pitches, Game Stars Live will offer visitors the chance to play all the top Christmas releases from the major games publishers, in a star-studded show that offers something for everyone - no matter what their age or gaming experience. Celebrity appearances, gaming challenges and a whole host of special, themed zones will excite and enthral visitors.
Attendees confirmed to date include Acclaim, Activision, Atari, Eidos, EA Games, Konami, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nokia and Ubisoft - with many more to be announced shortly.
Tickets for the show are on-sale now through www.gamestarslive.co.uk, or via the ticket hotline on 0870 272 0012: priced £10 in advance or £12 on the door.