Mario

Mario was probably the first real video game character. Sure PacMan had persona but it was still an abstract concept. Mario introduced a real human male with real human drama. His princess was taken away from a hulking 15 foot monster in the form of Donkey Kong. Have a look at this videos to see the history of Mario, and Nintendo. In the early days it was thanks to a teddy bear that Mario and Nintendo saw the light of day. Now they are on-top of the market with the Wii.

Here's how it all happened...
History of Nintendo.

Video Game retrospective.

A little video on the influence and predictions that TRON provided on popular culture at the time.

http://gamespot.com/6262374

Also here's some talk about the new TRON movie tie-on TRON Evolutions.

http://au.gamespot.com/ps3/action/tronevolution/news.html?sid=6262900&tag=nl.e513&mode=previews

And the game trailer....

http://gamespot.com/6242925

Games Design Assignment - remakes

You might want to considering remaking a classic game as your assignment. Take at look at what works and what doesn't in this special episode of Good Game.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/video/default.htm?pres=20100419_2030&story=5

TRON - Games in Films

TRON was a revolutionary film of the time, that managed to put real time 3d graphics onscreen in theatres. It introduced audiences to the phrase "users" and gave them a look at what it might be like inside a computer, traveling around microcircuits as a program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3efV2wqEjEY

In Dec 2010, a new version is coming out. While it wont have the same historical significance in screen technology it should still be fun to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P78pl1FUXfA

Game Maker Class notes:

So what's significant about this for the GameMaker class? The question I ask is, does the new movie innovate like the old one did?

The original TRON was innovative because for the first time it brought high resolution CG to the screen and created an environment that could sustain live actors. Now, with the remake, does it break any new grounds? I think not. The only redeeming factor, other than the glossy make-over, including lightcycles that can generate curved walls now, is that it's in 3D, but there have been 3D movies out for years, so its fails in this regard.

Your games:

The point I wish to make is that you should strive to make your games innovative. You now are starting to learn about the history of games and game-play. Try make your games stick out above the rest. Find at least one way that your game innovates the genre from which it originates.

The History of PacMan

Here's the YouTube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i3KC3KKEXM

Click here to download my awesome attempt at making Pac Man in GameMaker8.0
http://www.mediafire.com/?kzid3tjnwny

Space Invaders

Here's my version. I opted to have the bullets fly through the enemies but stop at the bases. I also tweaked the player death so the ship resets under a base for cover.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/w4menlg0z0z/space1_8.exe

And here is the history of Space Invaders - go watch it now!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCeUHpallMI

Pong

Here's a link to the game I made using game maker. I hope yours is so much better :)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mgctgfthj3i/png_7.exe

Here's a link to the history of Pong. Enjoy the nostalgia. In my mind Timezone is a museum of antique amusement machines, as I believe the real gaming hub exists in your lounge room now allowing you to gank your mates via the interwebs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-cpN7MlMhY