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

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