So here I sit on my lunch break and I thought I would take a minute and write a quick post to update anyone who might be reading this.
Now working at D3 Publishing (publishers of games like Dark Sector, Naruto series, Ben 10 series, Eat Lead and others) as a QA tester in their Tempe Az, office.
Beats the pants off 7-11 I'll tell ya that much. My gaming has changed significantly in the last few weeks as well. After achieving end game raiding in WoW I couldn't find a reason to sign on anymore, so I shut off my account (GASP) and started playing Final Fantasy 11. One addiction to another right?
So far I'm enjoying it, though I will admit (with some glee really) that it is more challenging and frustrating. Actually having a penalty when I die is refreshing.
I have also been using my PS3 more in the last few weeks as I recently purchases both Prototype and Infamous. Additionally I've been exploring the Sims 3.
Prototype and Infamous. If ever there was a videogame rivalry right? I see so many posts about this or that. Personally I haven't finished either and would like to reserve my faovoritisim until I do, until then though here are my personal observations:
Storyline in both is impressive, Infamous is more styalized with it's comic book super hero/villain aspects, while Prototype is darker and more gritty (a personal fav of mine).
Controls both suffer from a few lacking aspects. With Infamous I'm forced often into a jerky aiming system which becomes easier to use only when I can use both aim and movement, which more often then not isn't the case. Prototype is more fluid but suffers from movement problems when using the all important Air Dash.
I like the movement in Prototype better however because between the two I feel slow and clumsy in Infamous where in Prototype I feel flexible and in control. Infamous does seem to have a much broader range of powers, even though they are all electricity based, but Prototype utilizes both melee and ranged attacks where I've noticed going in for melee in Infamous is usually suicide.
So far those are my observations.
Hope all is well, time for work.
Questionmark
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Interim
Well as of April 30th I am officially graduated. Just waiting for the diploma to come in the mail. I also finished my internship for Primeval Games and I've been working on improving myself while job hunting and working an hourly position at a gas station near my house.
So current news, I'm starting to teach myself Lua through World of Warcraft. I plan to create a couple simple addons for the game and then move onto a broader study of the scripting language. I figured since I'm familiar with WoW this will be a good way for me to introduce myself to the language.
I also have a simple game concept in mind (in the vein of Tetris and Bejeweled) that I am planning to make in Lua, DarkBasic, and possibly Torque 2D if I develop it enough to create a standalone game. Maybe I'll even make a Flash version who knows. Mainly I want to just work on learning some new skills with it, and try and get some demonstratable scripting under my belt.
I'm also going to be fleshing out a level I created for a design test recently. In case the company would be concerned I'll be editing the material so it is separate from the original information they sent me, but I'm going to expand and detail the level layout I created in Unreal and see if I can't make it a sort of culmination piece for everything I've studied.
On the general gaming front I'm following the violent game issue with as much vigor as ever. I've noticed that social issues such as violence, sexuality, racism, and the like seem to be getting a lot more attention in the media lately so I am excited to see where the stories go. Also I am applying to companies now looking for entry level Level Design and QA positions so if anyone knows someone looking for my skill set give me a holler.
I called this post Interim because that is where my life seems to be right now. I'm in between school and my first step into my work career. I am currently in the middle of figuring out where I will be for the next 3-12 months (depending on my success applying I may be in Phoenix for another year or out of here sooner rather than later) so that leaves everything feeling a bit up in the air. I guess it's normal though, it's hard to imagine how far I've come in the last four years. I started college without even a full idea of the amount of work and different types of work that go into Game Development. Now I am fully educated, skilled and somewhat practiced in it and not only am I interested in pursuing it as an entertainment media, but as an artistic and socially conversational media as well.
That being said I have a very open mind when it comes to what kinds of games I would like to work on, and I would be happy to hear from anyone who might like to work with me.
Current Games:
World of Warcraft
Ar Telenico 2
Chrono Trigger
So current news, I'm starting to teach myself Lua through World of Warcraft. I plan to create a couple simple addons for the game and then move onto a broader study of the scripting language. I figured since I'm familiar with WoW this will be a good way for me to introduce myself to the language.
I also have a simple game concept in mind (in the vein of Tetris and Bejeweled) that I am planning to make in Lua, DarkBasic, and possibly Torque 2D if I develop it enough to create a standalone game. Maybe I'll even make a Flash version who knows. Mainly I want to just work on learning some new skills with it, and try and get some demonstratable scripting under my belt.
I'm also going to be fleshing out a level I created for a design test recently. In case the company would be concerned I'll be editing the material so it is separate from the original information they sent me, but I'm going to expand and detail the level layout I created in Unreal and see if I can't make it a sort of culmination piece for everything I've studied.
On the general gaming front I'm following the violent game issue with as much vigor as ever. I've noticed that social issues such as violence, sexuality, racism, and the like seem to be getting a lot more attention in the media lately so I am excited to see where the stories go. Also I am applying to companies now looking for entry level Level Design and QA positions so if anyone knows someone looking for my skill set give me a holler.
I called this post Interim because that is where my life seems to be right now. I'm in between school and my first step into my work career. I am currently in the middle of figuring out where I will be for the next 3-12 months (depending on my success applying I may be in Phoenix for another year or out of here sooner rather than later) so that leaves everything feeling a bit up in the air. I guess it's normal though, it's hard to imagine how far I've come in the last four years. I started college without even a full idea of the amount of work and different types of work that go into Game Development. Now I am fully educated, skilled and somewhat practiced in it and not only am I interested in pursuing it as an entertainment media, but as an artistic and socially conversational media as well.
That being said I have a very open mind when it comes to what kinds of games I would like to work on, and I would be happy to hear from anyone who might like to work with me.
Current Games:
World of Warcraft
Ar Telenico 2
Chrono Trigger
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Finishing Up
So it's been a little while since I made a post. Thought I would provide some updates.
I am just about to finish my last regular semester at UAT to complete my time here. Additionally I've managed to snag an internship working on a project here in Phoenix. It's still fairly early on in the details so I won't reveal anything until I know what's being released to the public, but I will say I'm excited to be working on the project and I look forward to adding it to my site.
On the note of projects, I've Left Project Rosestone. While the project itself was going well it had started affecting my grades because of the time I was dedicating to it, additionally there was some turmoil in the team and the direction of the project management was beginning to change to something I didn't agree with. Since most of my work on the levels was complete outside some polishing I chose to take my leave. I feel it's the best option for everyone because the team will be able to finish what is necessary without me and they will probably find someone who is able to commit more time to it then I would be able to.
My site is also due for an update soon. I have some feelers out in the industry who would like to have an updated version to show potential employers for me, as well as my decision to make some upgrades to the navigation and presentation of the site based on recent feedback. I will be working on these changes over my Christmas break so hopefully if all goes well I will have them complete by January.
In other news a project I recently did some work for is being released. It's a small Neverwinter Nights 2 MOD a friend of mine asked me to do some level design work for. I'm probably going to be doing a few more detail passes over the levels and resending them to him, but he will be releasing it soon. I'll pop a link up here as soon as I can.
In other project news I've started work on an original game design document. I had the idea the other day and it's been mulling over in my mind for a few days now, plenty of time to start writing the initial document. I don't want to release any details until I get something solid produced and protected, but I'm thinking about trying to run it as a project starting either in the summer or the fall depending on when my internship ends.
GDC (the Game Developer's Conference) is coming up again in February and I'll be there job hunting. If you want to say hi or anything feel free to shoot me an e-mail, I look forward to seeing the new technologies like the last two years and enjoying San Francisco again.
Till then, everyone have a great holiday season,
Questionmark
I am just about to finish my last regular semester at UAT to complete my time here. Additionally I've managed to snag an internship working on a project here in Phoenix. It's still fairly early on in the details so I won't reveal anything until I know what's being released to the public, but I will say I'm excited to be working on the project and I look forward to adding it to my site.
On the note of projects, I've Left Project Rosestone. While the project itself was going well it had started affecting my grades because of the time I was dedicating to it, additionally there was some turmoil in the team and the direction of the project management was beginning to change to something I didn't agree with. Since most of my work on the levels was complete outside some polishing I chose to take my leave. I feel it's the best option for everyone because the team will be able to finish what is necessary without me and they will probably find someone who is able to commit more time to it then I would be able to.
My site is also due for an update soon. I have some feelers out in the industry who would like to have an updated version to show potential employers for me, as well as my decision to make some upgrades to the navigation and presentation of the site based on recent feedback. I will be working on these changes over my Christmas break so hopefully if all goes well I will have them complete by January.
In other news a project I recently did some work for is being released. It's a small Neverwinter Nights 2 MOD a friend of mine asked me to do some level design work for. I'm probably going to be doing a few more detail passes over the levels and resending them to him, but he will be releasing it soon. I'll pop a link up here as soon as I can.
In other project news I've started work on an original game design document. I had the idea the other day and it's been mulling over in my mind for a few days now, plenty of time to start writing the initial document. I don't want to release any details until I get something solid produced and protected, but I'm thinking about trying to run it as a project starting either in the summer or the fall depending on when my internship ends.
GDC (the Game Developer's Conference) is coming up again in February and I'll be there job hunting. If you want to say hi or anything feel free to shoot me an e-mail, I look forward to seeing the new technologies like the last two years and enjoying San Francisco again.
Till then, everyone have a great holiday season,
Questionmark
Monday, September 15, 2008
RL Grind
So anyone familiar with MMO jargon will understand the title, RL (real life) and grind meaning the processes you have to go through again and again that you don't really enjoy (at least not the Nth time) but that are necessary to your survival and progress.
I'm grinding today, doing yet another iteration of my resume, updating my website, blogging (because maintaining a web presence can in some ways help me get a good job) and of course doing homework.
I had a meeting with a man in the employment office at my school on Friday and based on his feedback I had a few things to edit and change. Beyond that he gave me some information on some upcoming internship opportunities that I plan to jump on. Beyond that I have the normal project and school work which come with any new semester (though with any luck this will be the last time I have any classes) and I'm actually enjoying being back and on a schedule again.
As far as game theory goes I just finished reading a very good book titled "A Theory of Fun for Game Design" by Raph Koster. While I don't agree with all his points he does have some very interesting ideas. Such as the idea that games cannot attain the form of art (IE we see movies, music, and painting as art but not games.) until certain conditions such as authorial intent. While I do believe there are some games out there that reach the level of art I can see where he's coming from.
Aside from the fact that videogames are a relatively young medium, we have a lot of cultural bias working against us. Games are equated to play and play is equated to children and childhood is equated to innocence. Thus when any game is released that isn't innocent there is usually some kind of a backlash. I could go into rants about pretty much every point of the book but frankly I'd rather just suggest that anyone interested in game design read it. If nothing else it gives you one more thing to consider before putting pencil to pixel as it were and might help you make better games.
At any rate it's getting late and I think I'll take a few minutes of time to enjoy myself before heading to bed and starting my RL dailies tomorrow. Here's hoping we all score a power-up in the coming months.
Questionmark
I'm grinding today, doing yet another iteration of my resume, updating my website, blogging (because maintaining a web presence can in some ways help me get a good job) and of course doing homework.
I had a meeting with a man in the employment office at my school on Friday and based on his feedback I had a few things to edit and change. Beyond that he gave me some information on some upcoming internship opportunities that I plan to jump on. Beyond that I have the normal project and school work which come with any new semester (though with any luck this will be the last time I have any classes) and I'm actually enjoying being back and on a schedule again.
As far as game theory goes I just finished reading a very good book titled "A Theory of Fun for Game Design" by Raph Koster. While I don't agree with all his points he does have some very interesting ideas. Such as the idea that games cannot attain the form of art (IE we see movies, music, and painting as art but not games.) until certain conditions such as authorial intent. While I do believe there are some games out there that reach the level of art I can see where he's coming from.
Aside from the fact that videogames are a relatively young medium, we have a lot of cultural bias working against us. Games are equated to play and play is equated to children and childhood is equated to innocence. Thus when any game is released that isn't innocent there is usually some kind of a backlash. I could go into rants about pretty much every point of the book but frankly I'd rather just suggest that anyone interested in game design read it. If nothing else it gives you one more thing to consider before putting pencil to pixel as it were and might help you make better games.
At any rate it's getting late and I think I'll take a few minutes of time to enjoy myself before heading to bed and starting my RL dailies tomorrow. Here's hoping we all score a power-up in the coming months.
Questionmark
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Fun with toys!
So I've noticed a trend of downloadable games being very akin to toys. Few rules, few restraints, just pick it up and play. No time limits, no goals, no game overs. I think this is interesting and kind of exciting. I'm seeing games that don't follow any traditional sense of what a game is, sometimes you'll find a rudimentary version of score or an endpoint, but for the most part the games are basically virtual toys.
Flow
Now this has, in my mind, two very distinct effects. First off it's sparking a lot of new ideas in game developers, because they're seeing that a game really doesn't have to be a triple A, all out million dollar project to succeed and make money, and sometimes smaller games can make even more money.
The other effect is that it's redefining what a videogame is. I don't think if you pulled an average non-gamer off the street and showed them one of these games that they wouldn't recognize it as a videogame. but ask a gamer and they might identify it more as a toy, a program, or maybe a casual game. While this creates a larger void between what the hardcore gaming market and what the average public see as a videogame, it also brings them together because neither side is put off or unfamiliar with the concept. Everyone played with toys as a child, so anyone can pick these games up and have fun.
It's an interesting thing to watch and think about.
Current game choices:
Flow
Pain
Sudoku
World of Warcraft
Flow
The other effect is that it's redefining what a videogame is. I don't think if you pulled an average non-gamer off the street and showed them one of these games that they wouldn't recognize it as a videogame. but ask a gamer and they might identify it more as a toy, a program, or maybe a casual game. While this creates a larger void between what the hardcore gaming market and what the average public see as a videogame, it also brings them together because neither side is put off or unfamiliar with the concept. Everyone played with toys as a child, so anyone can pick these games up and have fun.
It's an interesting thing to watch and think about.
Current game choices:
Flow
Pain
Sudoku
World of Warcraft
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Opening Up
So I thought I would go for something a little more professional in the blogging world, and this will make updating and adding to my blog a whole lot easier.
Let's start with who and where I am. If you haven't navigated here from my personal website (http://www.questionmarkdesigns.com) then you might not know that by education and interest (and hopefully by trade soon) I'm a Game Designer. Yes like videogames. To be even more precise I am a level designer, and if you don't understand the terminology that's fine, just keep reading.
Currently I'm on break from school before going back to finish my degree (B.A. in Multimedia with focuses in Game Design and Digital Animation) and then off into the big wide world of game design. As far as what I've worked on, to do a quick list, I've completed a full Mod (short for modification) in the Warcraft 3 engine as part of a team of 5 (well 6 to start) as well as numerous individual level projects and work done while learning software and the skills I need for this industry. Currently (not including my break) I'm working as a level designer for project Rosestone, a 3D action/adventure/RPG/platformer (jeeze that's a lot of slashes). I'm quite proud of the work I've done and am doing on this project because it's the first opportunity I've had to work on something that is being built 100% from the ground up.
Aside from that I'm working currently in Neverwinter Nights 2 doing a few small levels as part of both a friend's project polishing and a small Mod based on a published Dungeons and Dragons campaign. (Note those are two separate projects)
This summer however has been a pretty slow few months for me. I took a break from work, came to Dallas, Texas (away from Phoenix, Arizona where I go to school) and I'm trying hard to put most of my efforts into my website. There isn't a lot to show right now on there as far as my level design stuff goes but the Warcraft 3 Mod is up and downloadable as well as some basic information on some of the other projects. You might also notice that I have a pseudo-blog on the site, which if this blog works out will be replaced with what you see here.
At any rate enjoy my site, my work, and my thoughts as I will be trying to keep this updated as much as possible.
Questionmark
Let's start with who and where I am. If you haven't navigated here from my personal website (http://www.questionmarkdesigns.com) then you might not know that by education and interest (and hopefully by trade soon) I'm a Game Designer. Yes like videogames. To be even more precise I am a level designer, and if you don't understand the terminology that's fine, just keep reading.
Currently I'm on break from school before going back to finish my degree (B.A. in Multimedia with focuses in Game Design and Digital Animation) and then off into the big wide world of game design. As far as what I've worked on, to do a quick list, I've completed a full Mod (short for modification) in the Warcraft 3 engine as part of a team of 5 (well 6 to start) as well as numerous individual level projects and work done while learning software and the skills I need for this industry. Currently (not including my break) I'm working as a level designer for project Rosestone, a 3D action/adventure/RPG/platformer (jeeze that's a lot of slashes). I'm quite proud of the work I've done and am doing on this project because it's the first opportunity I've had to work on something that is being built 100% from the ground up.
Aside from that I'm working currently in Neverwinter Nights 2 doing a few small levels as part of both a friend's project polishing and a small Mod based on a published Dungeons and Dragons campaign. (Note those are two separate projects)
This summer however has been a pretty slow few months for me. I took a break from work, came to Dallas, Texas (away from Phoenix, Arizona where I go to school) and I'm trying hard to put most of my efforts into my website. There isn't a lot to show right now on there as far as my level design stuff goes but the Warcraft 3 Mod is up and downloadable as well as some basic information on some of the other projects. You might also notice that I have a pseudo-blog on the site, which if this blog works out will be replaced with what you see here.
At any rate enjoy my site, my work, and my thoughts as I will be trying to keep this updated as much as possible.
Questionmark
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