Posts Tagged ‘Unity3D’

The Death (or Postponement) of the Internal Project

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Whether it be a website redesign, a custom CMS or a video game, it’s not uncommon for companies to have internal projects they’re working on to help advance or better self-promote the company and its goals. Typically though these projects take a back seat to client projects.

We started Dozer Dash with the full intent of building it all the way out in a timely manner. However business happened, which made us happy, and we found ourselves using all of our resources to keep up with the incoming workload and projects.

Fast forward half a year and things are moving along better than we anticipated. So at this time our internal project, Dozer Dash, is being postponed indefinitely… unless there is a sudden interest from CAT.

Dozer Dash De-Construction Yard Is Ready

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

After a month or so of testing, gathering some feedback and making some tweaks, Dozer Dash is ready for play. The leader board is up and as of this time we are moving forward with level 2 – Catapult Island. Have fun playing!

Dozer Dash Video Game Open Beta

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

Last week after many hours of 3D modeling, model texturing, game development and web design, we were happy to announce the beta of Dozer Dash De-Construction Yard. The gameplay for the current and future levels will consist of piloting a bulldozer and other props in order to clear the various levels of boulders. But these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill boulders. These are the exploding variety that can damage your surroundings and cost you money.

If that sounds like your kind of fun, we hope you’ll take the time to try out our game and provide some feedback via the comment form.

About the project:
Dozer Dash will be an ongoing game project with multiple level releases planned throughout the year. The game is being developed with the Unity game engine and all development and aspects of the game are happening inside the walls of Pixel Fish Studios. It has always been the goal to develop a vibrant 3D and independent video game studio here in Boise and we feel this is an important step in seeing that goal come true.

Thanks from the Pixel Fish team!

Unity – It’s Not Just For Video Games

Monday, November 8th, 2010

When talking to people in Boise about the greatness of Unity and all it can do, it’s sometimes hard for them to get passed the video game aspect of it. Perhaps that’s because when they ask about the technology, some of the first words to come out of our mouths are, “video games”, so our bad. Though we do go on to explain that the possibilities beyond games are vast and many.
To show a great non-gaming use, the folks at Scion have embraced the power of 3D and Unity in this cool little visualization tool. It’s even got some funky beats to go along with it. You’ll need the Unity plugin, but’s it worth it. Check it out at http://www.scionnation.ca/scion/build-price/tc#build-your-scion

Unity 3 – Finally Here

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Unity recently released version 3 of their game engine with a host of new features and nice-to-haves including export to XBOX 360 and PS3, Beast Lightmapping, source-level debugging and new lens effects.

Unity 3 Feature Preview – Beast Lightmapping from Unity3D on Vimeo.

Unity 3 Feature Preview – Deferred Rendering from Unity3D on Vimeo.

Unity 3 Feature – Occlusion Culling with Umbra from Unity3D on Vimeo.

Upcoming Games

Friday, July 30th, 2010

We’re excited to announce the development of two new games: Dozer Dash and Swarm – Backyard Buzz.

Dozer Dash will be a single player game located in a construction environment. The idea will be to move debris and other elements into a designated containment area. The following is an early look at just a couple game items.

Dozer Dash Unity 3D

Swarm – Backyard Buzz will be a multiplayer game centering around some of the characteristics and community feel of bees and their lives with some capture the flag elements thrown in. The first level will take place in a backyard setting as can be seen in the following image.

Level overview

We expect Dozer Dash to be be done in late 2010, while Swarm won’t be completed until 2011.

A 3D Animation and Video Game Industry in Boise?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

The culture of 3D animators and game developers in Boise, Idaho is taking leaps forward. For years these technical and creative types have been scattered throughout garages and bedrooms all around the Treasure Valley. With virtually no industry to speak of in this area, the inter-connectivity of this culture has never had a chance to grab hold. Pixel Fish Studios is glad to say that those days are coming to an end.

The industry will emerge in Boise and jobs will come with that. However, before the animation and gaming industries will turn their focus to Idaho over India, Canada or California, a seed must be planted and a culture must be grown. That’s the idea behind the Pipeline Development Project. It’s an opportunity for you (interested in 3D production animation and/or video game development) to emerge from the woodwork and join like-minded people in a pursuit of building these industries.  Pixel Fish Studios is providing a beacon to unite this disjointed talent pool with a purpose.

The Pipeline Development Project is currently working on two projects focusing on the major pipelines presented by 3D: production and gaming. There are currently over a dozen animators and developers here in Boise, meeting and working on both a 3D animated short film called “Lief’s Journey” and a web-based video game called Swarm: Backyard Buzz.

For any questions on the Pipeline Development Project including how to get involved, contact jcordtz@pixelfish.me

Latest Game Pics

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Here are some pics from the latest game we’re working on. The name is TBD, but progress is being made. We’ll release more details later.

Level overview

Flash Trashin’ – Get Over It

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Adobe FlashMuch has been made over the past several months about how Flash is finished, HTML5 and jQuery will take over the world, blah blah blah.  The Flash haters and knee-jerk reactions are in no short supply as some on Twitter wish Flash would just go away. Don’t like it? Fine, but publicly stating death to Flash is short-sighted.

At the the very least Flash has made the online world a better place by encouraging innovation and competition. Just as the emergence of jQuery, HTML5 and Unity will force Adobe to rethink what Flash should be.

As a company we make all of our decisions based on the client’s needs. Sometimes Flash is the answer, sometimes it isn’t. In the end, they’re all just tools that allow us to do our job. It’s nothing to get emotional about.

Level 1 Beta of Little Bunny Shoot Shoot Is Up

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

We’re excited to announce that level 1 of our first video game is ready for beta. The game is an FPS shooting gallery with a little twist. We hope you’ll play a lot and drop us some feedback whether you like it,  hate it, find some errors or just have some suggestions.

This game contains violence and blood. Play now. This game requires the Unity plugin.