SPOnG: So what do you think the government should be doing in terms of education?
Chris Deering: Well, they're talking about some kind of standard of accreditation, looking at the actual courses – there's many courses that are called 'games', but in terms of C++ programming and the kind of talent you need, there are different levels of initiatives. Scotland, I would say, is ahead of the curve.
But, there are plenty of places where incubation could be enhanced – over the Warwickshire/Birmingham area where we are, Yorkshire and of course here in the South.
So, I think there's an opportunity to take a serious look at the situation and learn from progress that has been made, and what has worked in the way of incentives from other places, and take that all to account and come up with maybe a more innovative, creative solution to the issue. Tax relief is one - perhaps attractive - way to deal with it. But, certainly not the only way.
SPOnG: Speaking of education, have you heard about Microsoft's XNA Studios programme?
Chris Deering: I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it, so I can't comment.
SPOnG: Fair enough. Looking at the companies that you're working with now, a couple that stand out in terms of what they're doing are Geomerics and IGA Worldwide...
Chris Deering: Geomerics in particular... I was a little uncertain as to how much value I could add in so-called 'middleware tools', although with PlayStation obviously we worked with a lot of tool companies, and in the end they acquired SN Systems.
But, when I actually got to see the fact that this not only improves productivity, but it widely expands the opportunity for creative input and saw the demo that you saw today, and listened to the creators of the concept, the mathematics professors that make up the majority of the founding fathers of the company; I got really excited, in the sense of anticipation, not really understanding everything, but I've been involved for the last year and I'm getting even more excited, because it's getting to the point where not only does the technology exist, but it'll be even easier to implement for, let's say, start-up level studios.
I think eventually you'll see it come through in next-gen games in the same way that it always takes two or three years after a new generation comes out before people really learn how to get down to the metal, as they say.
So, I'm just filled with anticipation about what kind of new experiences this will make possible.
SPOnG: In terms of 'getting to the metal', are there any games out there that you feel are really pushing the next-gen systems?
Chris Deering: Well, you have the ones that have just done well in the last few months – Metal Gear Solid and GTA, the pretty games like Heavenly Sword.
You start to see an appreciation for the technology, but when you see the next move of Geomerics, when it gets into bigger worlds, that and I think AI relating to interaction and emotion between characters will be the frontiers. Maybe voice recognition.
The shift from PS2 to PS3 basically made it possible to have a sandbox design become really compelling. But the free-roaming aspect is now sort of, 'what else is new?'. Everybody's got elements of that with fewer and fewer games on rails.
But what we haven't had is the fullness of, let's say, a cinematic open world experience, I know of some games coming up from Codemasters like Fuel...
Chris Deering: Well, they're talking about some kind of standard of accreditation, looking at the actual courses – there's many courses that are called 'games', but in terms of C++ programming and the kind of talent you need, there are different levels of initiatives. Scotland, I would say, is ahead of the curve.
But, there are plenty of places where incubation could be enhanced – over the Warwickshire/Birmingham area where we are, Yorkshire and of course here in the South.
So, I think there's an opportunity to take a serious look at the situation and learn from progress that has been made, and what has worked in the way of incentives from other places, and take that all to account and come up with maybe a more innovative, creative solution to the issue. Tax relief is one - perhaps attractive - way to deal with it. But, certainly not the only way.
Chris Deering: I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it, so I can't comment.
SPOnG: Fair enough. Looking at the companies that you're working with now, a couple that stand out in terms of what they're doing are Geomerics and IGA Worldwide...
Chris Deering: Geomerics in particular... I was a little uncertain as to how much value I could add in so-called 'middleware tools', although with PlayStation obviously we worked with a lot of tool companies, and in the end they acquired SN Systems.
I think eventually you'll see it come through in next-gen games in the same way that it always takes two or three years after a new generation comes out before people really learn how to get down to the metal, as they say.
So, I'm just filled with anticipation about what kind of new experiences this will make possible.
SPOnG: In terms of 'getting to the metal', are there any games out there that you feel are really pushing the next-gen systems?
Chris Deering: Well, you have the ones that have just done well in the last few months – Metal Gear Solid and GTA, the pretty games like Heavenly Sword.
You start to see an appreciation for the technology, but when you see the next move of Geomerics, when it gets into bigger worlds, that and I think AI relating to interaction and emotion between characters will be the frontiers. Maybe voice recognition.
But what we haven't had is the fullness of, let's say, a cinematic open world experience, I know of some games coming up from Codemasters like Fuel...