RALEIGH -- You blew off sleep to see whether Scorpion could blast Batman when Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe came out in November.
You deftly handle both game sticks to move the quarterback and change his vision and still can hit the "X" button while throwing downfield on Madden NFL.
You have overdeveloped thumbs.
My friend, you are a gamer.
Itching to test new titles? Eager to learn about video-game design and production? You'll get a chance to do both Friday, courtesy of computer science and industrial design students at N.C. State University.
The students have been developing two pirate-themed games as a semester project and will unveil the finished titles at NCSU's 2009 Game Development Showcase, which is at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Engineering Building 2 on Centennial Campus.
One group put together a game surrounding the history and excavation of the flagship of outlaw pirate Blackbeard. Players of "Blackbeard's Escape: The Recovery of the Queen Anne's Revenge" can take diving expeditions to recover and restore artifacts and jump into flashback sequences where shipmates can fend off advancing pirate ships with cannon fire.
In "Spectral Assault," gamers will play the role of "Ray," a lowly mechanic on the modern space freighter Advantage. Ray has to defend himself against Blackstache and his crew of space pirates. The second group found ways for Ray to repel the attacks by using his knowledge of the properties of light.
The game designers will first discuss how they put the games together. These presentations will be held in EB2 Room 1025. The games will be set up to play during a reception in the Progress Energy Conference Room 3002 on the third floor.
The event is free and open to the public, and the games are appropriate for all age groups.
Parking will be available on Oval Drive or in the Partners Way Parking Deck. For more information, call 515-3424.
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What: N.C. State University 2009 Game Development Showcase
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: N.C. State University's Centennial Campus, Engineering Building 2
Cost: Free
For more details: 515-3424 or www.csc.ncsu.edu/news/845
