New Chapters

So today is officially the day that we let the world know that I'll be moving to the north shore of long island.  In less than 2 months we will be moved into a super energy efficient home with our friends Chris Hanson and Steph Sanford!!

Now to come up with a proper name for this location that will literally be housing all of this awesomeness.... suggestions anyone??

On a different note I'm currently studying Data Structure and how recursion and different methods of sorting lists are so damn different when it comes to coding it.  It is fascinating to see the concepts that I'm learning relate to games and seeing how this really work and perhaps how those systems might be taxes and changed due to the restrictions on a system.  Craziness.

Ryse and why the combat looks glorious

Ok so there are literally hundreds of other subject I want to talk about but this one is something that strikes me as a person who is studying game design has happened to notice and would like to share with the world.

Here we go:

If you haven't seen it I would recommend you check the gameplay demo for Ryse: Son of Rome which is simply incredible.

One of the biggest points of contention I hear with plenty of people is that it looks like a shallow, pretty gameplay driven mess.  I wonder why this is and the answer I get most from people is that QTE are terrible gameplay implementations.  Really thought why are they so bad?

In many console games we are all literally hitting buttons to see a result on the screen.  QTE are the quintessential instant gratification in a piece of interactive media.  So again why are these so incredibly associated with many hard-core gamers to be a negative thing?

Is it the lack of skill needed to complete them?  perhaps many gamers just having the observation of 'press button for pleasure' pointed out to them.
As the warrior in the demo it seems you need to have an active and readiness about you in order to not only survive combat but be rewarded for it.  With the power of these new systems touted I wouldn't doubt if there weren't hundred of execution style animations waiting to be discovered by eager players. 

Would you, as a player, prefer the style of mashing the buttons on your controller to try and succeed while claiming that you've accomplished something OR attain something representing a combat resolve that you were able to skillfully work your way through?

Still this hatred for QTE events lingers, when they are done right and in seemingly the right franchises those games are rewarded. There are plenty of blatant disregard for the intelligence of players with the implementation of certain QTE's, the new and integrated way we see them should be welcomed. I personally can't wait to see these implemented in other types of games, let see how the mold is reshaped over this new generation of games. 

Also lets marvel at their beauty - Seriously go look at a game 5 years ago and then what is on our horizon. 

PAX East 2013 and events so far!

Yesterday early in the evening I arrived at PAX East 2013! This is one of the biggest gaming conventions you can attend this year - with the biggest focus on video games and the convention experience.  I figured I would lay out some details for those interested.

First - IT'S SNOWING
Second - IT'S 2AM!
Third - now for some actual thoughts -

The day actually started with a train ride into the city to catch the bus from NY to Boston with the cool addition of running into one of the fine gentleman from Project Triforce.  I've run into him a couple times and told me to stay tuned to their upcoming news for some truly exciting reveals! 

Then the as expected bus ride from NY to Boston complete with killing the 3DS battery while pouring all the time into Fire Emblem Awakening ( side note - if you have a 3DS you need to pick this up asap, I'll definitely explain more in a future post).  Tragedy struck as we arrived at Boston as I lost my 3DS somewhere on the bus while departing.... not a highlight.  After talking to several of the buses drivers it seems like they have my 3DS at their station and i just need to take a cab ride to get it tomorrow. ~whew~

As we then got to the hotel we set up our bags and generally were relieved not to be on the bus anymore, we then made our way to Fire and Ice. Which is better explain by their website - We left stuffed and amazed and content and very glad to have the short walk back to our hotel.

Then it was time to clean up and focus on Math Programming for Games.  This week I'm learning about how to properly use the dot product and cross product in actual code to help set up the physics that are applied in nearly every modern game.  Plenty of our discussion threads contain flashbacks to my physics class with refreshers on torque, acceleration, how normal force is calculated and how this comes into focus. 

I will admit that this class is a hybrid of both programming in C++ and physics combines with some higher conceptual math, with tons of reading and frustration.  The best part is when you finally have that satori moment and can put it together yourself and realize that you really have learned something completely new.


Now I am here in boston - done with a good chunk of school work, equipped with business cards and knowledge and am ready for whatever this weekend bring me.  I'll put up more on monday for all to see! - I'll almost certainly talk about Fire Emblem then as well.

Essential Mathematics for Games and Interactive Applications

So the current class I am undertaking is using the book I've so lovingly and frustratingly used as my title.  I will say that and programmer who gets paid to do what they do 100% deserves the money they earn.  I'm barely 2 weeks in I am just trying to keep my head above water. 

I know that some of you would like to know more about the actual learning to make games process and I want to ensure that everyone who is coming here gets a healthy dose of advice. 

1. Write your own programs
2. Write them again and ask yourself why everything is the way it is.
3. keep studying and practicing coding - I'm saying this because when it comes time to add the math you'll want a full confident swing into it and not a dual struggle between understanding both the math and the code.
4. test your code, code often and never more than a couple days between.
5. practice, practice, practice.

I've heard a quote a couple times over the last couple months that says if "you want to be a master at anything it'll take 10,000 hours of time to obtain it."

Seriously, I don't know how much time you think you've spent playing games but that is a ton of time! to put it into perspective in a fun simple math kind of way

10,000 hours is the equivalent of 250 work weeks at 40 hours a week
or 4.8 years
or 62.5 months.  That's a lot of time.

I'm currently learning about the dot product and vectors in C++ and the mathematical concepts that go with them.  The programming seems simple enough but without proper understanding of the math is seems to all melt away. 

Also given that I am doing this all in an online setting I find it really hard to meet and talk to my peers- those also in the GSP program with DeVry and others who may be along the same path I am. 
The most frustrating aspect of this is not having anyone who understands what you are trying to accomplish and bounce ideas off of. The best way to understand something is to try and place it into your own words and have the understanding of someone in the same position.  Online classes is super convenient however not good with the social and integration standpoint.

So remember kids - practice your code and treat math with 100% attention - you're going to need it!

It shapes us

As I sit down and really think about what to type here I start to think about how someone could possibly react to everything that will be said here.  I should probably start at the beginning so it will make the sense that it makes to me.

I'm Josh and I'm a Game Designer.  Or at least I will be when I have some sort of finished product.  You see I'm currently "going" to school with DeVry Online for Game and Simulation Programming.  Lengthy but it means that I will have the knowledge and tools necessary to be apart of the creation side of the gaming industry.  Anyone who is likely reading this knows that I am a Store manager for Gamestop and am successful with the business. 

At the beginning of the year I felt as if nothing had really been changing throughout the year 2012.  I felt hollow from the lack of new and the lack of exciting.  In order here is what happened next:

1. My Assistant Manager hurt herself on the job and was out for multiple weeks.
2. I had surgery on my right hand to remove a mysterious mass in my hand which shackled that hand to no use for 2 weeks and minimal for 4. 
3. My store inventory was coming up which always seems insanely stressful
4. My Grandma passed away, This came away with a new feeling of loss I've never had.  My amazing boss moved my inventory to help with the timing issues that came up with this.
5. My mother has a heart attack days after.

Now this is just the month of January - It is now February and I feel exhausted.  I feel strong from getting through the month, but really what choice did I have there?  Now I really try my best not to exaggerate when it comes to something this real, but I felt as though I was crumbling under the weight of responsibility and emotion.  Even through the painkillers - which were great at killing pain and even better at killing productivity. 

However I learned.  I learned how to use more of my left hand, I learned who I could depend on and who I couldn't.  I learned that not everything ends up perfect.  I learned that time doesn't come back to you.  I want to create and I want to inspire, I wan to give some kid the same feelings I had when I had picked up Shining Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga for the first time. 

I don't think that I could truly convey the level of frustration that comes with each blow and the seemingly endless supply of mishaps and misfortunes that came my way.... I can't place it.  It feels like I'm pulling empty cargo right now and need to really figure out how I can make the future I want for me and those I care about. 

Given all the unfortunate events in my life, there are amazing things working for me that need to be shared.  I'm certified in NY state to sell life insurance and after seeing how it all really plays out with my grandmothers funeral, I feel strongly about it.

Bigger though is that I am apart of a New card game coming to market called ApocalypZe!!
I'm going to be helping the game creators and artist to market the game online and help arrange their Kickstarter.  In a nutshell - it is a zombie themed, survival horror CCG in which you try to outlast your opponent.  Every game tells it's own unique story.  You can choose from the military, police, civilians or bikers as survivors in the apocalypse.  The game is fantastic and I can't wait to show everyone the kickstarter when it goes live and even more so show you the game when it is successful and in card shops!


I have not kept on topic in this post and it looks more personal than I think it is, but what does everyone think?  Is life just crazy or is it a give and take?

9th grade written assignment!

 

 

So I made a Facebook post about who would want to see my work as a younger person and

Pardon the quality but I figured original format or nothing at all! 

Double click on em to see them in there original glory!