New Semester and way too many games!

So my second semester of math kicked off yesterday and followed up with e-mails to ensure that all my work carried over to my new class and didn't get left behind in the wake of previous semesters ass kicking.  Now I'm all for free time but I find myself surfing the web.  I think it's more like stuck in the web as I find I need to refocus myself to do something other than click from link to link to link to link.  Hell - if there was an experience and progression system tied together with just clicking links and mix a bit of awesome story to why it was happening then we would have an awesome game on our hands. 

So the Dragon Age 2 demo was released last week and that was pure AWESOME. Even if I had no plans on purchasing this game - from a story perspective I believe that Bioware can really bring in a crowd.  The Gameplay has become a lot more responsive and you truly get a sense of exactly how bad-ass your Hawke can be within the first 5 minutes of the demo.  I'm truly excited to mess around with the character progression system and see whats in store for us.  I really hope that how fast you were leveling in the demo stays with actual game release.  I find a ton of fun and enjoyment out of making the character my own and the feeling of getting rewarded for making the choices I make.

This is a bit different as well but i believe everyone who even remotely likes an RPG and owns a DS needs to go find themselves a copy of Radiant Historia.  It pays homage to the class rpg roots and presents it in a neat intriguing little package that screams - "I'm so full of awesome you may need to tell everyone else about me just to feel better"

Next week since I'll be back on track and focused again I'm going to talk about consumer point of view.

Processes and Tea

I've been taking careful notice at the little processes we each do every day.  Some of us call it routines and some of us are simply content not thinking about it.  In each one of these processes I'm starting to try and figure out if there is new and better ways to accomplish the same thing - to innovate in a sense.  One thing that seems to be consistent and watching how people in general do what they do.  I'm not one to pry often but I'm also keen on understanding why. 

Now in basic programming everything comes down to what you need a program to do and exactly how it does it.  Understanding different methods and different perspectives on solving problems makes up the core of any programming.  Appreciate for such things comes when you start to notice these things. 


On a side note - I think everyone should enjoy a nice cup of tea every once in a while.  It's become my morning process.  Right after brushing teeth and before getting to work.

Till next week

Casual Gaming

When most people hear the words "casual" and "gaming" put together they almost immediately think of Facebook games and bejeweled and all its clones.  For the past week and a half or so I've been semi attached to two casual games via my phone.  One is Hero Project and the other is Kingdom Conquest.  Working in the forefront of the gaming industry and allowed to meet various types of consumers.  For the sake of this post we can split them into halves.  One half is the gamers and the other is the casual gamers.  For some reason a majority of these "gamers" frown down upon and even poke fun at the "casual" crowd.  After being able to talk to both schools of thought - which boils down to

a - purchasing new and exciting titles when they release for $60 at retail and keeping it fresh with DLC and other content

b - play and enjoy a couple of free titles on facebook or apps and purchase 10-50 worth of content for that game as time goes on.

Now matter what both of these kinds of gaming do the same thing - entertain us
At the end of each and every day we put our time in to many different experiences and work and relationships with people.  No matter what though the time spent being entertained is vital to creativity and imagination.  Whether its taking a stroll in a museum and experiencing the sights and sounds or even if its taking a stroll through the park.  Entertainment breeds the next generation of entertainment. 

On a side note sorry bout missing mondays post - Marvel vs Capcom 3 released for a midnight launch and that is entertaining

Groundhog Day and loops/Mondays

No not Fruit Loops!  The loops are everywhere, catching us doing just about everything - from sleeping to eating to work and day dreaming.  Now you might be thinking
"Josh - Why Groundhog Day??

Well it's because its a loop

Now one thing on my mind lately is the amount of time management one has to have over time in order to seemingly "complete tasks" and "drive business".  So I had the chance to take a step back over the past couple days off and seriously think about what it is we do to accomplish not just the goals above - but our own goals. 
In Groundhog Day we find our hero trying to make the most of what he knows and the time he has - effectively managing his time better.  However he starts to see the frustration and hopelessness that comes from the same thing day   after  day   after  day. I don't think I know anyone who thinks any particular loops as exciting on its own but I believe that its quite always the context and perception of the one person who experiences them. 

So it's been a while since i mentioned anything with programming and looking at loops and the sheer number of them in even the most basic of games just astounds and amazes me right now.  Now to figure out how to make my own loops that will help me effectively manage my time.

I think monday is a good to post.  See you next week!

Oh January...

While I would love to post and tell everyone the great kinds of progress I have made in school and learning to create interactive media, January has decided to not make that a priority.  The last month was full of early morning and late night inventory counts for multiple store. Completing checklists abound of post holiday recovery and generally maintaining being the person I want to be. Overall I learned nothing new in the past month but I have been very careful to jot down ideas via my phone and a notebook I keep around so that when I do have the ability to put a project together I can.
This current semester I've spent spats of time here and there completing my algebra and statistics course, which has been a wonderful thing since I can work at my own pace.  There is no online lectures, no posts to be made three or more times a week - just homework assignments, reviews and tests.  I'm currently 2 weeks ahead in the program and that gives me a sense of accomplishment, but the goal is to complete 2 semesters worth of math courses within this one 8 week semester.  This week I've taken some well earned days off to spend with the math and bang it out so I can move forward and have the time I want to continue learning C++.

On a side topic my girlfriend got me Beginning C++ through Game programming, Third Edition by Michael Dawson (Check it out here)  I was excited when i first looked through it - however I became even more excited as when I noticed that all the basics I had covered in my Logic and Design class were not only in the book but also covering it in the way I really want to know.  I'm truly looking forward to building and creating something for everyone to enjoy.