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. 

The End of the Year - a look back at what has come to pass

So this is it - We have made it through 2010.  Needless to say it was a bumpy ride and it had plenty of ups and downs.  A lot of people i know are focused on the idea that the new year also brings a new you via New Years Resolutions and promises to oneself to either be better then the previous year or to change habits and create anew.  While I am inclined to agree with the betterment of oneself I think that we should all take the time and take a look back at what we REALLY did past year.  Not in pop culture, not in politics, not even in the news - there will be time for that later.  But right now you should reflect upon the person you were and the things you accomplished in 2010. 

I started this blog earlier this year, with full intention of using it to express the things i have learned in my journey to become a more active part of the gaming industry through creating my own.  Not modding, not fiddling - I want to understand the business and make my own news.  So to relate this sentiment to this particular article I find that I have an easier time remembering the events in my 2010 through my achievements on  my Xbox 360.  Funny enough from the biggest and most epic tales from the apocalypse to space , my achievements have gained something that i never would've thought they would have - sentimental value.

Enough of that though on to a list!
This year I
-Finish 12 games on my 360, 1 on my PSP, 3 on my DS.
-Made the decision to attend online classes and further my education and one day become a Game Designer!
-Watched my girlfriend, Mina graduation from college.
-Helped her move from Boston to my house here on Long Island making my relationship all the stronger.
-Created some of the coolest and most entertaining Midnight Launches for my store.  A big thanks goes out to local bands -  Aprils End, 5 Star Heroes, and High Bluff!
-Learned how to outwardly market myself and my goals as conference really taught me what kind of business I was really getting into. It was awesome to meet and greet with some of the leaders in the industry.
-Had gotten my phone stolen, and so did my girlfriend, not a great year for that.  However that lead me into an early upgrade and an Iphone4 and of course a whole slew of new games and content to oogle over.
-Was also part of  getting one of the most unexpected presents ever.  A Washer and a Dryer. That may be a common household appliance but me and Mina have gone without for a long time and now we have a set.  I seriously do not have words for the gratefulness and appreciation I have towards Mina's parents.  Its different in a good way to have another family.
-Started this blog which has been heavily neglected in December.  Sorry till I stop working retail December is going to suck.
-Restarted DnD and have been the serving dungeon master for my group of players.  Bless them for their patience as I juggle work, school and family.


While those are the seeming "achievements" for my personal life this year there is plenty to look back on that was not so pleasant.  I think we all need to remember what we have and what we lost, in a personal manner and let bygones be bygones.  At this point it it truly time to look ahead and to create for ourselves what we want and who we want to be.  No matter how you perceive it - Tomorrow is a new day!

Satori moments and what they really mean

No - This is not a Japanese inspired post.  It's about the word and seemingly what it has replaced in my perception as of late.  So for those of us who are lazy : Satori.  Take a sec to go check this out - seriously I'll wait.


I had never heard this word before until several weeks ago in my Logic and Design weekly lecture.  Now the lectures are there to help maintain a human and explanation apart of the learning process, it is also extremely helpful to people who don't actually mind listening and learning as a process.  So satori is a moment of enlightenment and has very similar meaning to epiphany.  My professor giving the lectures refers to these moments a lot and also seems to put multiple explanations to it. 

A-HA! 

I seem to think that not only does Satori seem now like a bit more odd and unique for explaining this moment but it also serves as a conversation piece.  Hence here we are.  How many times have you ever heard this word?

In summary satori is a fancy way of saying A-HA and also a way to keep conversation grooving along.  Hope this either entertained you or satori-ed you.