BREWED February 2015 | Page 43

Books and Games Recommendations from the Pros Jack Ward Fincham from Glasgow - Scotland, is a game designer, producer and a lecturer at NHTV. He describes himself as a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder”. Jack has worked on most of the platforms out there and has created all-encompassing sports games, shooter games and board games. IGAD students are lucky to have Jack as their Production and Business Management lecturer. He also tutors some of them during the Game Production and Design practice courses. As Jack Ward Fincham knows a thing or two about games, we decided to discover what his favourite ones are. Jack Ward Fincham’s favourite games #3 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind In third place we have a first person RPG game. Jack finds it incredibly impressive considering the fact it was made by quite a small team. Also, the game creators have managed to build the basics of what we see in their later work - Skyrim. The big difference: the technology used for Morrowind was way far less advanced. The lecturer also likes the hidden sense of humor. He enjoys exploring the completely random silly things that happen in the middle of a relatively “serious” game play. #2 Halo: Combat Evolved In second place we have the very first version of Halo. At times, Jack still goes back and plays the game. He finds it impressive how the game has changed over the years. The lecturer also thinks it’s remarkable that the production team has managed to build and refine a game by using “completely virgin technology”. #1 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic The game placed as a winner is based on the Star Wars saga. According to Jack it’s “an absolutely fantastic representation of the universe”. He values how the game shows that working for a major brand doesn’t mean the product will turn out mediocre. It proves that when you know your subject and put your heart into it you can make “amazing stuff”. Words by Irena Djourelova, Looks by Milena Ivanova 43